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But that was the problem, wasn’t it?

Had I somehow triggered this lycan awakening in her? She said herself she’d never felt anything so intense.

I walked to the window and pulled it open in hopes of catching a breeze. On the ground below, blood still stained the cobblestones. There had been more talk of the supposed lycan attack when I entered the inn earlier. I’d kept my head down and hurried to my room.

Aura was right. I would need to leave soon. It was probably for the best, anyway, but with Aura’s impending Heat, I couldn’t just leave her behind.

Just a few more days, I told myself. A few more days, and I would get back to my duties. I was the alpha wolf of Sublune Creek, and they needed me.

33

OUT OF TIME

AURA

Pain. Everywhere. Hip. Back. Ass. Overheated. Achy. Sweaty.

Obscenely, outrageously wet.

I couldn’t even gather where I was for some time as I woke up on the wooden floor right beside my bed. I stumbled to my feet, dizzy and confused, and eventually found myself standing in the bathroom, my hands gripping the sink. My right eye was bright gold in the mirror, the glow completely obliterating my naturally red iris. My face was flushed all the way down to my chest, my nightgown transparent with sweat. I didn’t dare think of the lecherous dreams that’d overtaken me throughout the night. I turned on the water and slipped right into the tub with my clothing on, holding my breath and submerging myself completely.

My temperature lowered only slightly, but it would have to be enough for now. I got out and toweled dry before dragging myself back to the bedroom. My nails raked over my flesh, and I felt like ripping off my skin to stop the crawling sensation. My body felt bottled up—a potion flask left too long over a fire and set to burst.

I needed … something.

That dream again. Sylvan’s hands. His mouth. His body over me. Inside me. Fucking hells, I was losing it. I couldn’t stop the thoughts; they barreled into me again and again, leaving me weak in the knees and forcing me to the ground. My nails elongated, digging into the floor and leaving deep grooves in the wood. My back arched like a damn cat trying to hack up a hairball. It was my own body trying to shift against all the hinderances I dosed myself with every day. The gem fused to my arm burned as it fought to keep my inner wolf at bay.

I needed to get to safety. Needed to get rid of this relentless disquiet. I needed Sylvan.

I found myself shoving that stupid linen dress he’d given me over my sweaty body. It stuck to my skin, and I had to tug hard. My arms burned, my body so overwhelmingly hot I thought I would pass out.

As I stepped out of my bedroom, I was almost face-to-face with Irving. He leapt back, panic in his eyes. “Aura what⁠—”

I was taken aback. I wasn’t sure why, but something pulled my attention to the scent of him. It wasn’t for the first time, but it was so strong that it gave me pause. My eyes narrowed on him, and he tilted his head, confused.

“Are you alright?”

I could hear his pulse bounding in his neck. I could smell his blood. Something about it …

“Aura—”

My mind scrambled as sweat broke out across my brow. The dreams from the night before started to flood back in, and I lost my train of thought. “Out of my way,” I said, shoving past him.

“Are you alright?”

“I’ll be gone. Few days. Don’t. The house. Don’t ruin.” Why couldn’t I think of words?

I stepped out of the house, and the moment my feet hit the bottom of the steps, I zipped off at full vampiric speed. Everything was a blur as I rushed into town toward the inn. I paused momentarily at the front door then stepped in.

The concierge must’ve recognized me, because he only lifted a hand with a polite smile and let me rush past.

I was standing there, chest heaving, outside of Sylvan’s door when it swung open

Sylvan was topless, eyes wide and mouth agape as he took me in. “Shit,” he said.

“I don’t know … I can’t … Everything’s …”

He stepped closer and enveloped me in his arms. His hand stroked through my unbound hair and over my back, again and again. “Shh,” he said. He pushed me away from him a bit to press his hand against my forehead. Normally his temperature was higher than mine, but his hand felt cold against my skin.