A woman's scent. Her. My pupils dilated and before I realised my wolf had been trying to take control of me, wanting to break free. That curved back , too flexible. The lithe way her hips shifted when she moved-too precise, too fluid. The pale, sweat-slicked skin at her neck, her breath catching when my hand touched her waist. Everything about her screamed danger. Not to me. but to herself. A chuckle escaped from my lips as I bit my lip staring at the closed door. My heart pounded in a rhythm that wasn't entirely mine. It belonged to something older. Wilder. My wolf. He was clawing beneath the surface now, intoxicated by every inch of her, growling for more. Not just to taste her, but to possess her . She'd made the mistake of tempting me. Of toying with me. of lying to my instincts, and thinking she could get away with it. Bur wolves? Wolves didn't let prey go just because it runs. SERAPHINA I found myself back in the Healers' Wing-back in the sterile, moonlit hospital room I'd fled from earlier. I could no longer return to the dormitory room… not when the wolf who'd nearly devoured me was waiting there like a patient predator. With the back of my hand covering my eyes, I lay on the bed, struggling to calm the rapid, erratic beat of my heart. My breathing was uneven, ragged with the weight of what had just happened. "He doesn't know … right ?" I whispered to my wolf. Phina didn't respond. She was just as shaken as I was. But even in her silence, her thoughts mirrored mine-unspoken but undeniable. We both remembered the way Ronan's gaze lingered on my hips, how he always seemed too aware of my movements, how his uniform had been tailored to fit me with unnerving precision. He had always breached that invisible line of distance-too close, too observant, too dangerous. "No." I signed, eyes squeezing shut , gripped by panic, frustration, and the cold sting of regret. My carelessness been enough to ruin everything. it might've I slowly opened my eyes, staring blankly at the ceiling as the moonlight filtered through the curtains . I needed a plan , I couldn't hide in this room forever. My punishment, monitored probation, would begin tomorrow. I'd be assigned to an instructor for behavioral guidance and combat discipline. The plan was simple: I'd fake pain from my wound , enough to justify staying here for two days while undergoing the punishment. The instructor could come to me. But after that… I clenched my fists. After that, I'd have no excuse. I'd have to return to my dorm. I'd have to face him again. What am I supposed to do now, Goddess? Two days passed in a blur. My wound had nearly healed. My probation had ended. But I still hadn't really slept-not with every creak of the infirmary door sounding like Ronan's approach. Not when every shadow felt like his voice curling in the dark, whispering truths I waui't ready to face. And somehow, that unsettled me even more Sull. I couldn't stay hidden. If I didn't leave the hospital wing now, I'd miss another trial-and I'd already been barred from the last one. My rank was slipping Everything I'd worked for was teetering on the edge. "You've got a delivery," the assistant said, eyes on his clipboard. "Mattress request. Head to the front unloading bay." My heart nearly leapt out of my chest, a delivery. So… it wasn't that. I forced myself to nod, hiding the tremble in my fingers. "I'll grab it" But inside , I was reeling. Had he not told anyone? Why? Or maybe he had and they were biding their time. My mind screamed with the weight of the unknown, panic clawing up my throat. the The loading bay sat at the edge of the Academy campus, hidden away from the main training grounds. As I approached, a familiar unease took root in my stomach. A tall, broad-shouldered "delivery man" stood near the transport truck, tugging a wrapped mattress down the ramp. His cap was pulled low over his face, concealing his features. "I'm here. That's mine," I called out, my tone even and distant. The man glanced up ever so slightly, adjusting the cap. Then "Sera" My heart stilled. My eyes snapped up. That voice . That voice. "Lily?" 1 gasped. Send Gifts