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"In the woods. When I shifted. My wolf can see. She can see perfectly."

Rosalind's eyes didn't quite meet mine. But in the forest, I remembered that wolf beneath me. Remembered her struggling body. The moment she'd stopped fighting and looked up at me. She had been looking at me. Seeing me.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Her chin lifted. "You didn't ask." Then she inhaled and let it all out. "I'm not used to this; having someone who listens to me. I'm working on being more open."

"You saw my face?"

"Yes."

"Clearly?"

Another hesitation. Then she nodded. "You're pretty."

"Pretty?" I nipped at her chin. "I’ll show you pretty."

She yelped as I lifted her into my arms.

"Astrid, find another ride home."

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

ROSALIND

Gunnar's wolf filled the car. The beast strained at the thick layer of skin beneath my husband's skin. Restless. Impatient. Hungry.

My wolf wasn't behaving much better. My heart had been slamming against my ribs since Gunnar had swept me off my feet and carried me out of the arena. No one had ever done that before. My mother wouldn't allow it. I'd bumped into furniture, tripped over thresholds, and walked straight into walls until I'd learned to navigate with what little vision I had along with my excellent memory. Being carried was for the helpless. Sorsha Lobo had made sure I never appeared helpless.

Gunnar hadn't asked if I needed help. One moment my feet were on the floor, the next I was against his chest, his arm beneath my knees, the world rushing past in a blur of light and shadow. I couldn't tell where we were going or what obstacles lay ahead. His hold was solid, his stride sure, and I knew with absolute certainty that he wouldn't let anything happen to me. I was safe. He had me.

I couldn't wait for him to put me down so I could run from him. Right now, I sat with my face turned toward the passenger window of his vehicle. My pulse beat in my throat, in my fingertips, and in the tender place between my thighs.

A lifetime later, the car slowed. Gravel crunched beneath the tires. Gunnar pulled to a stop and killed the engine.

Silence. I waited for him to say something. Nothing.

His door opened. He walked around the front of the car. His footsteps were unhurried. My door opened. Cold night air rushed over me. He unfastened my seatbelt and pulled me out of the car.

My body collided with his. Heat. Muscle. That familiar scent that my wolf had already decided belonged to us.

His mouth came down on mine. I forgot whatever clever thing I'd been preparing to say. He kissed me until my fingers were curled into his shirt and my heart was trying to beat its way through my ribs. When his mouth left mine, his hands went to my clothes.

"What are you doing?"

"Undressing you."

He pulled my dress over my head. Outside. In the driveway.

I grabbed for it. "Gunnar."

He tossed it away. It landed on the leather passenger seat with a soft thud. "I'm going to give you a head start."

A shiver went through me as I stood there in my underwear and heels. I didn't even have to tell him. He knew, he knew exactly what I wanted. What I needed.

His teeth grazed my ear. "You can't outrun me. There's nowhere on this property you can go that I can't follow you. Nowhere you can hide that I won't find you. And there's no one here who's going to keep me from you."

My entire life, people had decided where I belonged. My mother had decided where I could go. Guards had decided what I could do. Men had looked at my useless eyes and decided what I was capable of. Even my marriage had been negotiated by other people.