LOGINXARION'S POVI scrub a hand over my face, frustration building inside me until it feels like I'm going to explode."Maybe I need to give her space," I murmur, the words heavy. "Not from the twins. Never from the twins. But from… me."It hurts to even think about it.But maybe that's what she needs.Maybe if I back off and stop pushing, stop trying so hard, she'll realize what she's missing.Or maybe she won't.And that thought is the one that kills me.Because what if stepping back is the final nail in the coffin?What if she takes my absence as confirmation that I've given up?That I don't care anymore?I don't know.I don't know what the right move is anymore.And now?Now I'm starting to wonder if I'm just fooling myself.Maybe she's never going to forgive me. Maybe the damage I caused is too deep, too permanent, to ever truly heal.And the worst part?The realization that maybe we can't get back together hurts worse than anything else.Because I want her. Goddess, I want her so b
XARION'S POVI'm clenching the steering wheel so hard my knuckles have turned white, my jaw clenched so tight it throbs, and I can't stop replaying what just happened.The way Megan looked at me this morning.Like I was something she regretted. Like I was a mistake she needed to erase as quickly as possible.The memory stings worse than anything I've felt in a long time, and I can't shake it no matter how hard I try.I drive aimlessly through the city without really paying attention to where I'm going, my mind too consumed with the mess I just left behind.Last night was… perfect.I didn't think she'd let me touch her like that. Didn't think she'd let me in, even for a moment.But she did.She let me kiss her. Feel her. Love her the way I've been dying to for four damn years.And for the first time in forever, I actually felt like maybe, just maybe, we had a chance.But this morning?This morning she looked at me like I was the enemy.Like I'd done something unforgivable by being ther
MEGAN'S POVXarion stares at me for a long moment, his jaw clenching, and then he swings his legs over the side of the bed, standing slowly."Did I do something wrong?" he asks quietly, his voice choked. "Because if I did, just tell me, Megan. Don't shut me out like this again.""What happened between us last night wasn't supposed to happen, Xarion," I respond firmly, refusing to meet his eyes."What do you mean it wasn't supposed to happen?" he steps closer. "We both wanted it, Megan. We made love. We…""Don't," I cut him off, my heart squeezing at his words. "Don't call it that.""Then what would you call it?" he challenges, his voice gaining an edge. "Because that's what it was. We both felt it. We both wanted each other. You can't just pretend…""I don't want to have this conversation, Xarion," I shut him down again, my voice trembling now. "I don't want these long talks or explanations or whatever you think this is. I just want you to leave. Before the twins see you here again."
MEGAN'S POVI wake up slowly, my body warm and pleasantly sore in ways I haven't felt in years.For a brief, blissful moment, I just lie there with my eyes still closed, enjoying the sensation.I feel… good.Really good.My muscles are relaxed, my skin feels soft against the sheets, and there's this gentle warmth wrapped around me like a cocoon.But then the memory hits me like a tidal wave.Last night.Xarion.His hands on my body. His mouth on mine. The way he touched me, worshiped me, made me feel things I swore I'd never feel for him again.The way I let him.No.The way I begged him.My eyes snap open, and reality crashes down on me with brutal clarity.Oh goddess.What the hell did I do?My heart starts pounding, panic pressing down on my chest as I turn my head slowly to the side, almost afraid of what I'm going to see.And there he is.Xarion.Sleeping peacefully beside me, his chest rising and falling in slow, steady breaths, his face relaxed and unguarded in a way I haven't
MEGAN'S POVI should say yes.I should push him away and tell him this was a mistake.But the word that comes out of my mouth is completely different."N-no," I whisper, my voice shy and reluctant and so quiet I barely hear it myself.But he hears it.And the smile that crosses his face is devastating."Good," he murmurs, and then his mouth is on mine again, even more intense than before.His hands explore my body now, no longer just massaging but possessing, tracing down my sides, over my hips, pulling me even closer.I feel his fingers at the zipper of my dress, and I should stop him.I really should.But instead, I arch into his touch, silently giving him permission, and he takes it.The zipper slides down slowly, carefully, and the cool air hits my bare skin as the dress falls away.I'm left in just my bra and panties, both of which are probably embarrassingly obvious evidence of how turned on I am, and I should feel vulnerable.But I don't.I feel powerful.Desired.Wanted.My ha
MEGAN'S POVXarion's hands keep moving, slowly and deliberately, working out the tension in my shoulders, and I'm completely falling apart.My panties are absolutely soaked at this point.Not just damp. Soaked.I can feel the wetness pooling between my thighs, and I press them together harder, trying desperately to ignore the throbbing ache building there.This is ridiculous.It's just a massage.Just his hands on my shoulders.There's no reason I should be this turned on from something so innocent.Except it doesn't feel innocent anymore.Not with the way his fingers are pressing into my skin, firm and knowing, like he's memorized every knot, every tense muscle, every place that makes me want to melt.I should tell him to stop.I should thank him politely, tell him I'm fine now, and send him on his way.My mouth opens, the words right there on the tip of my tongue."Xarion, I think that's…"But they don't come out.Instead, I just sit there like an idiot, my lips parted uselessly, my
MEGAN'S POVThe moment I step outside the building, I'm hit by the afternoon air, cool and brisk against my heated skin.People are milling about, some chatting near the entrance, others heading toward the parking lot. A few look my way, and I wonder if they overheard the confrontation inside or i
MEGAN'S POVThe letter arrived this morning.An official summons from the Arkon Werewolf Council of Elders, delivered by a courier in a clean-cut uniform who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.I stared at the embossed seal on the envelope for a full minute before opening it, my stomach twist
MEGAN'S POVIf I have to sit through one more presentation filled with graphs and buzzwords about "cross-pack trade optimization," I might actually throw my pen at someone.I step out of the conference hall, exhaling slowly and loosening my grip on the leather portfolio in my hand.My head's poundi
XARION'S POVThe words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I glare at Andrew.But he doesn't back down."You want the truth, Xarion?" Andrew continues, his tone steady. "Vance showed up when you weren't there. He protected Megan. He protected your kids. And now she's giving him a chance because he'







