4

NAIA

I cup the creature’s massive face in my hands, my fingers sinking into the thick, luxurious black fur. He’s warm, solid, and utterly mesmerizing. I trace the lines of his jaw with my thumbs, marveling at his sheer magnificence.

“What is this creature called?” I ask my wolf over our link, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I do not know,” she replies, her tone almost dreamy. “But he is gorgeous.”

A soft giggle escapes me as I nod in agreement. He truly is.

The creature stares at me, his emerald eyes watching my every move. He doesn’t growl, doesn’t flinch—just stands there, letting me admire him as if he’s as curious about me as I am about him.

Then, without any warning, he shifts.

I gasp, stumbling back a step as his enormous form shrinks and transforms. When the shift is complete, I’m struck dumb by what I see.

The man standing before me is... breathtaking. His deep green eyes seem to glow faintly in the darkness, framed by sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline. His dark hair is tousled, and his skin—smooth and flawless—practically glows under the faint moonlight.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe. My hands are still raised where they’d been cupping his face moments ago, but now they hover over his human skin. My palms tingle, craving to touch him again.

He gazes down at me, his eyes filled with something I can’t quite place. Pride? Amusement? Praise?

I realize how close we are, and my cheeks burn. Flustered, I drop my hands and look away, my face heating like a furnace.

And then he chuckles.

The sound is deep, rich, and soothing. It washes over me like a warm blanket, and I feel my wolf stir restlessly, her purrs echoing in my mind.

I clear my throat awkwardly, desperate to fill the silence. Before I can think, the words tumble out. “Can I see your…” I pause, unsure of what to call his other side.

“Lycan,” he says smoothly, his voice low and husky.

When I glance up at him, he’s staring at me with an intensity that makes my knees weak. His gaze is so focused, so hungry, that it feels as though he’s drinking me in, memorizing every inch of me.

I swallow hard and nod quickly. “Yes. Can I see your Lycan again?”

He steps closer, towering over me, his presence overwhelming. “You like my Lycan?”

I nod shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “He’s… beautiful.”

His lips curl into a smirk. “Beautiful, huh?”

I don’t answer, too embarrassed to admit how much I was obsessed with his other form.

His hand reaches out, and I freeze as his fingers brush my cheek. The touch is gentle, reverent.

“You’re not afraid of me,” he murmurs, his voice laced with fascination.

I shake my head slowly. “No,” I whisper. “Why would I be?”

His smirk softens into something more sincere. “You should be.”

My wolf growls at the comment, but I ignore her, stepping closer instead. “Well, I’m not.”

For a moment, we simply stare at each other. The forest around us feels like it’s holding its breath, the tension between us crackling like lightning.

“Show me again,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

He exhales deeply, his eyes searching mine before he steps back. His body shifts again, and I watch, completely captivated, as the man melts away and the Lycan takes his place once more.

I let out a delighted laugh, unable to contain my excitement as I reach for him again.

“You’re amazing,” I breathe, running my fingers through his fur once more.

Kyra chuckles in the back of my mind. “You’re hopelessly smitten, aren’t you?”

I ignore her, too caught up in admiring the creature before me.

But just as I’m about to ask him something, the faint sound of footsteps reaches my ears. I freeze, my hand still buried in his fur.

The Lycan’s ears twitch, his body going rigid.

“Someone’s coming,” he growls, his deep voice rumbling in my mind.

My mind?