Kirk's POV I walked towards my beat-up truck, parked under a thick canopy of pines. It was old, dusty, with dents in the bumper and mud splattered on the tires, a far cry from the sleek, expensive vehicles Norman favored. But it was mine. It had taken me through rough terrain and long roads, a loyal companion to my wandering life. I climbed in, the springs groaning slightly, and started the engine. The familiar rumble of the old truck filled the air, a grounding sound.I backed out of the clearing, driving slowly down the winding dirt road. The silence of the forest gave way to the distant sounds of civilization as I neared the edge of the wilderness, then the hum of the main road. My mind kept drifting back to Riley, to the feel of her in my arms, to the look in her eyes. It was a powerful pull, unlike anything I'd ever felt before.My phone vibrated. It was Peter. "Hey, man! Still out in the boonies? How's Norman's little lady? Everything good?""Yeah, everything's good. She's most
Kirk's POV The soft rustle of the curtain told me Riley was coming back out. Even before I looked up, I felt her presence, a faint tremor in the air, a different scent in the cabin – not just pine and damp earth, but a new, subtle fragrance that was uniquely Riley. My wolf, which had been restless inside me, quieted instantly, a low hum of pure attention.I kept my gaze fixed on the glowing embers in the fireplace, pretending to be lost in thought. It gave her a moment, a chance to compose herself. I could sense her trying to put her walls back up, to hide the raw feelings that had flared between us. Her wolf, I knew, felt it too, that deep, ancient tug. It had responded to mine, just as mine had responded to hers. It was a recognition, a resonance, that went beyond anything I could explain with simple words.I felt her settle back on the edge of the bed, the mattress sighing softly under her weight. I could practically feel her gaze on me, even though I knew her eyes were down, avoi
Riley's POV The sharp click of the door handle jolted me. My heart, which had just moments ago been slowing its frantic beat from the dizziness, leaped into my throat. Norman, was my immediate, panicked thought. The embrace with Kirk had been so soft, so comforting, so… private. To be caught like this, tangled up with his brother, after everything… The thought alone sent a flush of heat to my cheeks, hotter than any lingering fever.My head snapped up from Kirk's chest, my eyes wide with a sudden surge of worry. My body was still leaning against him, my hands still on his forearms, but my gaze was fixed on the cabin door as it swung open.It wasn't Norman.Instead, it was one of Norman’s hulking guards, his face a bland mask of professionalism, poking his head into the room. The sigh of relief that escaped me was audible. It was so intense it almost made my shaky legs give out again. Not Norman. Just a guard. The immediate wave of panic receded, leaving behind a faint tremor in my li
Riley's POV The burning was fading. Not all at once, not with a sudden snap, but slowly, like a fire dying down to embers. For what felt like an eternity, I had been trapped in a hazy world of heat and confusion, barely aware of anything but the relentless warmth that consumed me from the inside. Now, that heat was still there, but it was gentle, almost soothing. It was like a warm blanket instead of a searing flame.My senses slowly trickled back. The scent of pine and something earthy, like damp soil, filled my nose. The sounds were soft – the crackle of a faraway fire, the whisper of wind, the distant rush of water. No city sounds, no harsh lights, no jarring alarms. Just quiet, natural sounds. It was a complete contrast to the bustling, grand home I remembered. My eyes, which had felt glued shut for so long, fluttered open more easily each day.And there he was. Kirk. Always Kirk.In my first moments of real awareness, I had been terrified. Waking up in a strange cabin, in a stra
Kirk's POV The air up here was different. Clean, sharp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. No city fumes, no distant hum of traffic. Just the whisper of wind through ancient trees and the steady, rhythmic rush of a river nearby. This remote cabin, nestled deep in the northern wilderness, was a stark contrast to Norman’s opulent mansion, a gilded cage built of marble and glass. And thank the stars for that. This was the right place. The land itself felt alive here, humming with a quiet, powerful energy that I knew would aid Riley.Norman had finally left a few hours ago, looking like a man torn between two worlds. He'd gone to his "important business meetings," his words still laced with that familiar self-importance. I’d assured him, as calmly as I could, that Riley would be just fine, that he didn’t need to bother staying. Part of me found it amusing that he, the great leader, actually listened to me, the 'oddball' brother. It showed how desperate he truly was. Still, even w
Norman's POV The living room, usually a place of quiet contemplation or brisk business calls, felt like a cage. I paced its enormous length, back and forth, the polished marble reflecting my restless strides. Each step was heavy with unspoken worry, a physical manifestation of the storm raging in my mind. What was happening to Riley? It was infuriating. I was used to having control, to finding solutions. But with Riley, I was utterly, completely helpless. All I could do was wait, and hope. And that hope, fragile as it was, now rested entirely on Kirk. My eccentric brother, the one I’d always dismissed as an unserious fellow.I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, trying to push down the wave of anxiety. Hope was a dangerous thing right now, a thin thread I was clinging to. I had to believe that Kirk’s wolf, whatever strange power it held, could truly help. That it could heal Riley, bring her back from this mysterious, burning slumber.My mind, ever analytical, tried to rationalize my