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Chapter one
Adara
Sunlight peeks through the blinds as it crests high above the trees, painting the backs of my eyelids golden. I roll over groggily and sigh, the scent of cedarwood and smoke filling my nose. My mouth goes dry as reality teases the edges of my mind before crashing into me.
I swallow hard, remembering last night—rememberinghim—and open my eyes. The morning light bathes the bedroom in a warm glow. The large oak bed is covered in white sheets with a thick pale green blanket tangled around my legs. The walls are painted a light mint with a dark mahogany door across from me and matching wood accents scattered throughout the space—a nightstand table between the bed and the window, the dark oak framing around the glass, and a dresser across the room from the bed.
It all feels so… light. So warm. So welcoming. So… not what I pictured for Gideon’s house.
Gideon’s house.
I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling as I let that thought sink in.
I’m in Gideon Disantollo’s house.
The faint smell of bacon greets my nose, and my stomach rumbles loudly in response. I can’t remember the last time I ate, having had only enough energy to shower off the ashes and grime once I got here last night.
Gideon’s eyes flash in my mind, the way they seemed to blaze when he saw me come out of the bathroom in just a towel, my damp hair hanging over my shoulders and dripping onto the floor.“I… don’t have anything to wear.”Glancing down, I look at the white t-shirt he loaned me—hist-shirt—and try to wipe the smile off my face.
I’m not here because of him. I’m here because Monique tried tokill me.Because she threatened to kill Jules. Because I had nowhere else to go and I had to walk into the literal wolf’s den.
I rub my hand over my face and groan, rolling over to bury my face in the pillow. My stomach growls again, and I finally cave and drag myself out of bed. Tiptoeing down the hall, I slowly step downstairs and listen for voices.
Is Gideon here?
The thought of him cooking breakfast for me makes my heart beat faster, but the sound of a woman humming drifts up the stairs, jealousy sharply tugging in my chest. I stumble down a few steps, my wolf enraged that he would have another woman here when I’m sleeping in his bed.
He’s mine.
Pausing on the landing, I shake my head. He isn’t mine. He’s a wolf, the most dangerous wolf in existence.
And our mate,my wolf reminds me.
With a huff, I ignore her, still uneasy that she can speak to me like this. I quietly walk into the kitchen, relief flooding my veins as I see Mila dancing along to the radio, humming the lyrics of a pop song as she flips bacon in a fry pan.
She glances over at me and smiles. “Addy! You’re awake. See? I told you she’d be down soon.” She throws a glance over her shoulder with a wink, and my eyes follow her gaze to the open kitchen window.
“Kaylus?” I ask, tears pooling in my eyes. “Is everything okay? Is Jules—”
He caws, flying to land on my shoulder, nuzzling his beak into my cheek.“She’s fine. She’s with Chloe. They’re hiding in one of the coven apartments… Are you okay?”
I look into his black beady eyes, grateful to have at least one reliable friend in my life, and nod my head. “I’m okay. I…” I glance at Mila, who’s back to dancing and humming.“I used magic last night,”I tell him silently.
“Magic… like a spell?”
“No, magic like fire.Fire, Kaylus. I… burned the house down.”My lips flatten, realizing the home I grew up in and everything in it is gone in the wake of my flames. I look down at my hands, examining my palms but seeing nothing there. No smoke, no flames, and no idea how to call upon it again.
Kaylus ruffles his feathers, snapping my attention back to the room before me.
The kitchen is the opposite of the bedroom I slept in. Black cabinets line the walls with stainless steel appliances scattered throughout. A black marble countertop with silver accents swirling through it to match the light gray backsplash enhances the feel of the room. It would feel cold in here—masculine and distant—if not for the warm wood floors and the large window taking up most of the farthest wall, which frames a view of the forest. Bright leaves are scattered along the ground below the bare branches that stretch up into the sky.
“Gideon had a meeting, but he should be back soon.” Mila sneaks a glance at me before plating the rest of the food.
“I didn’t…” I know I didn’t ask, but I can’t deny the slight disappointment that nags me, knowing he isn’t here.
She shrugs. “I just thought you might want to know why it was me cooking breakfast in his house. He didn’t want you to wake up alone.”
I chew on my lower lip, glancing at Kaylus still sitting on my shoulder. Why does that make me feel so… happy? Why did he care to make sure I wasn’t here alone? So I wouldn’t run away and spill his secrets? Or so the coven couldn’t capture me and force me to give away his pack knowledge?
