The Second Approach

Outside the window, heavy snow fell like a velvet curtain, wrapping the world in silence. Inside the room, firewood crackled in the fireplace. The dancing flames cast warm, shifting shadows on the walls, and the air carried the sweet scent of burning pine.Carter was down on one knee on the rough wool rug. In his hand, he held up a simple band ring, its surface lit by the fire. It was clear the ring had been around for years.“I know this isn’t very romantic. There are no roses or music.” He took a deep breath. His gaze fixed on me, as if I were the only light in this snowbound cabin. “But the wind and snow outside are heavy, and I want to stay by this fire with you and spend every winter from now on together. Eleanor, will you… marry me?”The firelight brushed the side of his face in soft gold. I could see the flicker of light on his lashes, and the undisguised nervousness and sincerity in his pale green eyes.“Yes.”Carter reached out and tucked the loose hair from my cheek

I got home, exhausted, and pressed the switch.The light flickered once, then went out completely. I pressed it again and again, only for the ceiling light not to respond at all.Cold moonlight spilled into the bedroom. I fell onto the bed and let my mind drift back to what had happened today.One sentence had extinguished everything. Blake had bent down to pick up the skirt that had fallen to the floor. There was conflict and confusion in his eyes. After standing there for a long time, he chose to leave.The sage was still sitting in the glass case on the counter. He hadn’t taken it.I had been completely wrong. He was a good wolf. I shouldn’t have treated him that way.Yet, the heat stirred inside my body hadn’t faded. Maybe it was because it had been too long. My body, neglected for far too long, felt like dry land cracked by drought, endlessly craving rain.“Carter.”I whispered his name. A sudden, burning desire rose in my chest. I wanted him to kiss me and hold me. I

Too many strange things had happened over the past few days.Carter, Blake, Kathy, and that wolf. They circled endlessly in my head, tangling my thoughts into a mess. Alcohol seemed to be the only way to avoid facing any of it.Amber liquid swirled in the glass, reflecting the murky lights hanging from the bar ceiling.I took a gulp. The burn of whiskey scorched its way from my throat down into my stomach.“Drinking alone is boring.” A shadow carrying the stench of smoke and alcohol loomed over me. A hand settled naturally on my bare shoulder. “Mind if I join you?”I didn’t move or look up. I just stared at my own reflection distorted along the curve of the glass.When he saw that I hadn’t refused him, the hand on my shoulder began to roam.“Don’t be so cold.” He leaned closer, the reek of cheap tobacco mixed with food washing over me. “Once you experience me, you might change your mind.”The vulgar words made my stomach churn.I tried to pull away, but the hand gripping m

Warehouse No. 3 at the old dock reeked of rust and rotting seaweed.When the iron door was pushed open, the hinges screamed.He walked in wearing the same worn jacket he always did, hands tucked into his pockets.Every gun in the room swung toward him.There was no surprise on his face, only calm. However, the moment one of the thugs yanked my hair and shoved me in front of the kidnapper, a sharp flicker crossed his eyes.“You came faster than I expected.”The leader straddled a chair, wiping his knife with a white cloth, casual and unhurried. “Looks like inviting this lady over was a smart move.”“Rex. This is between you and me. Let the she-wolf go.”“Let her go?” Rex laughed as if he’d heard a joke. “Who the hell do you think I am? You tell me to release her, and I just do it?”“Smack!”The slap came without warning. Blood flooded my mouth with the taste of rust, and my right ear rang violently.“Don’t touch her!”He lunged forward, but the guns pinned him in place.“If