Chapter 51.

NATE

It’s been hours since Stacy left but her scent still lingers like an ache I can’t shake off.

I sit at the end of the bar, a half-empty glass of whiskey sweating in my hand, watching the dust float through the shafts of afternoon light like time refusing to move forward. The tavern’s quieter than usual because most rogues don’t crawl out of their holes until sunset but I can’t seem to focus on anything else.

Stacy.

The way she stood between me and that Alpha like she was ready to throw a punch just because I compared him to her ex. Goddess, I should be used to it by now, she’s been annoying me since the day we met. But still... it’s the first time someone’s chosen to challenge me without flinching.

And now she’s gone again. Like she always does.

I drain the last of my drink, the burn cutting through the fog in my brain, but not enough to silence it.

“Thinking about her, aren’t you?”

The question cuts into my haze.

I glance sideways and see Ralor, my barman, lea