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But I’m not.

The shift comes hard and fast.

Pain rips through my arms. My jaw snaps wide. My vision sharpens—and goes red.

My wolf surges to the surface with a snarl, fangs bared, claws out.

Dutch freezes, hands up. “Lex…”

My limbs coil, ready to lunge. I can smell his blood. His pulse. His fear.

I blink.

This is Dutch.

I wrench myself backward, biting down a scream as the shift retreats just as violently. My bones grind. My claws vanish. I’m left panting, sweating, shaking.

The silence is a living thing.

Andy stares, wide-eyed. Mia looks like she’s stopped breathing.

Dutch exhales. “You good?”

I force the words out. “I’m fine.”

Mia steps forward slowly. “You’re not.”

I glare at her. “I said I’m fine.”

“You lost control.”

“No, I?—”

“That was your wolf, not you.” Mia’s voice is gentle. That’s what makes it worse.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Don’t be.” Mia’s voice doesn’t waver, but she’s looking past me, her gaze sweeping the room. “Where’s Grey?” sheasks.

No one answers.

I look down at my hands.

Still human.

Barely.

But only because my wolf senses the true threat.

26

GREY

Ismell them before I see them. Diavolo stench thick on the wind. I’m halfway out the front door when I see movement in the trees.

Then the howls start.

“Ambush,” I roar, already shifting.