Chapter 21

Adeline’s POV

The moment his hand brushed against mine, I jerked back as if burned. Heat still lingered on my skin, crawling up my wrist like fire. My heart raced wildly, though not from desire… at least that’s what I told myself. It was panic, fury, and something far too dangerous to name.

I straightened, forcing my shoulders back, and dipped into a curt salute. ‘Alpha,’ I said, the word clipped, my voice steadier than I felt. ‘If you’ll excuse me.

Turning sharply on my heel, I prepared to flee, to bury the humiliation and unease gnawing at my chest. But his voice cut through the silence before I could take more than two steps.

“Leaving so soon?”

I froze mid-step, breath tangled in my throat. I turned back slowly, stiff with resistance. His gaze caught me…gold glowing in the corridor’s gloom, burning with a force that dared me to look away, and I couldn’t.

“What do you want?” I forced the words out between clenched teeth.

His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. “After six years…