Page 91

Skipping down the hall to Rhenn’s room, I shuffle through his closet, pulling out a blue tee. My pants fall, followed by my bra, and I slip the shirt over my head. The fabric fits loosely around my frame, settling at my upper thighs. It smells of the woods, so soft against my skin.

Liya eyes me as I make my way back to the kitchen, grinning like a wild cat. “Okay, but why do you look so hot in his clothes?”

I lift the bottom of the shirt, dipping my knee in a curtsy. It only causes another round of laughter. She takes my stained clothes from me, tossing them into the trash. I didn’t care much for the top, but I am sad I ruined those jeans.

It feels so good to just enjoy this time with Liya. A distantly familiar feeling bubbles up inside me while we banter. For the first time in I don’t even know how long, I’m happy. I spent most of my life feeling like an outsider, never quite fitting in anywhere. Now, I have friends. The wolves are becoming like a second family, even if I never had a first.

I thought I’d be more homesick, but if I’m being honest with myself, I haven’t thought of home much at all. There was nothing for me there. Really, all I miss is Luca.

Liya finishes her second glass of wine, then stands, stretching her arms over her head and moving to the window. “I can feel the pack calling,” she says before turning to look at me. “This was fun. I’m glad Josten and I found you.”

“It was.” I smile. “And so am I.” Not that I see him much these days. It would seem my idea of the flowers worked in his favor, and the majority of his free time is spent with the girl he was worried wouldn’t notice him. I always knew she would.

“See you later?”

I nod, watching her step out into the night. She lifts her focus to the moons, soaking them in as she slides her shirt and pants from her milky skin. It takes less than seconds for the transition to happen. Girl to animal. Gray fur topped with white sleeved paws. The wolf is gone as quickly as it appeared, off to the dark woods to join the rest of the pack.

Part of me wonders what it would be like to belong like that. To be so deeply connected to something you can literally feel it even when it isn’t right beside you.

Sighing, I glance down at myself. I’m not sure what I was thinking putting this shirt on. I should have just gone home and changed like a normal person.

My footsteps are soft as I step barefoot down the hall. I flick on his bedroom light, ready to put his shirt back in the closet and make the short trek home.

“Forget something?” a voice calls from the corner. I startle, jumping back and tossing my hand over my chest. Rhenn lies overtop his bed, hands propped behind his head.

When did he get back? How did we not hear him?

He scans me over, moving to a seated position. His hair is tousled in that purposefully messy way, brows set in amusement, waiting for me to answer.

I could come clean, admit to sneaking in because Liya and I were feeling adventurous. Instead, I keep silent. Maybe it’s because I’m reckless, mostly, I think it’s because I like the way he reacts when I defy him.

“Why are you in my house, Vix?”

Again, I don’t answer. I know I’m tempting him. I also know I don’t want to tell him the truth. He’d be pissed if he knew I snuck in with a wolf to drink his very expensive wine.

The longer I say nothing, the longer we watch each other. He doesn’t look angry, more curious. His features are soft, charcoal eyes set on mine.

“Come here,” he tells me.

Finally, I find my voice. Though, I’m only able to get out one single syllable. “No.”

“No?” Rhenn asks.

“No,” I repeat, turning on my heels and stepping toward his doorway.

“Don’t walk away from me, Vixen.” The growl in his voice spreads a warmth through my stomach.

I don’t stop.

Within seconds, he’s in front of me, hands on my shoulders as he halts me.

I’m tempted to run. I’m also tempted to do nothing. To let the monster have me.

His fingers set fire to my skin, sparking a dull ache inside me.

I try to push him off, not liking the hurricane of flutters happening in my stomach right now. Rhenn stops me easily, catching my hands and pinning them above my head.

The breath against my neck forces my eyes closed. It’s so delicate. So tempting.