I was so stunned that when he reached for me, I let him. He gathered me into his arms, and then we were dancing. The melody filtered out through the roof and open doors, and he pressed his hand to my lower back, coaxing me closer. I nuzzled my head to his chest.
Home. He felt like Montana, like pack, like my future. Tears welled in my eyes because that felt like a lie. As long as he wouldn’t tell me who he was, it was a lie. I wouldn’t play these games. Not anymore.
Pulling back from his chest, I tilted my chin up to look him in the eye.
“This is the last time you will ever touch me. I can’t do this.” My voice shook, but I held strong. His eyes widened, but I rushed on, determined to finish my speech. “You’ve played with me. You’re ashamed of me. Or you don’t trust me. Either way, I don’t deserve any of it.”
I stepped away from him even though it was the hardest thing I’d ever done.
He stumbled forward, reaching for me, “I want to be with you, Nai, but—”
“But you’re a Midnight prince, and your pack hates mine,” I said, shaking my head.
I held his gaze. He stared at me, frozen in place, lips parted.
I exhaled and then continued in a whisper. “You’re either Rage or Justice. I’m not sure which, but it doesn’t really matter. If we can’t be together, I need this to stop.”
He shuddered, hands balled into fists, and his eyes flashed yellow.
For the first time, I retreated several steps back in fear.
Would he attack me? I scanned the darkness, but there was only us in this corner of the garden.
He shook his head and put his hands out, palms up. “My wolf is angry with me. It’s trying to take over, but I’d never hurt you, Nai.”
I crossed my arms across my chest. “You already have.” My shoulders sagged with defeat. “We’re done.”
I turned to leave, ignoring him when he growled.
I heard him move, felt him crossing the space between us, and then he pulled me to him. My back to his chest, his arms encircled my waist. “You’re wrong. We will never be done.”
His warm breath caressed my neck, making my knees go weak. I could pull out of his grasp, but I didn’t want to.
“You’re mine,” he said, his voice rough. His breath grew shallow, and his chest pressed into my back with every heave. “Mother Mage, I’m … I’m so in love with you.”
I gasped as the shock of his declaration ran through me, causing my heart to grow wings and take flight.
He …lovedme?
I spun in his arms and stared up at him.
“Being away from you is physically painful.” He closed his eyes and sucked in a ragged breath. “You’re all I think about. Everything I do is to protect you. The food boxes, meeting you for forest runs, making sure you got a healing serum, and running a perimeter around your dorm at night, Nai … you’reeverythingto me.”
Whoa.
Whoa.
Whoa.
“But … you’ve ignored me, been so cruel,” I whimpered.
He frowned. “I tried to fight it. My human side tried to push you away. I thought if I was mean enough, if I could find enough reasons to hate you … but I can’t. I’m done fighting.”
A single tear rolled down my cheek.
“Please…” he whispered.
I waited for him to finish his plea. Waited to know what he wanted so I could give it to him.
