"I can't do that," I protested. Tony leaned in closer, his expression unwavering. "But you have to get close to him, just not too close." The mere thought of being near Ray made me shudder. "I don't want to go near him. What if..." I couldn't bring myself to finish the sentence, the fear of what might happen if I got too close to him was paralyzing. Tony, ever the realist, interjected with a hint of concern in his voice, "What if you start to feel things for him? Because that's going to happen, whether you like it or not. The more you resist the bond, the stronger it will become. Remember when you couldn't care less about keeping him alive after he left you for dead? Now, you're almost... vulnerable." His words hung in the air, like a warning of an impending storm. The idea of developing any feel

The weight of realization descended upon me with a crushing force, as if a ton of bricks had fallen upon my shoulders. It was an epiphany that cut to the very core of my existence: I had never once made a decision based on my own desires. Greta's words, though spoken gently, had struck a raw nerve within me, laying bare a painful truth. In that moment, I found myself standing at the crossroads of self-discovery, grappling with the stark reality that I had lost touch with my true self.My decision to seek refuge in the hustle and bustle of a city, believing it would offer the ideal cover from my troubles, now seemed like a hastily chosen path. I had rushed into this choice, driven more by the desire to disappear than by any genuine aspiration. The city's anonymity had called to me, but I had failed to pause and ask the most critical question: Was this the life I truly desired? Reflecting upon my past, I couldn't help but notice how I had veered away from my own interests. While I had

Silent and unresponsive, my wolf didn't react to my internal dialogue. After all, I held the reins when it came to her, or at least I would eventually. An unspoken agreement hung in the air between us—our fates were intertwined, and we had to work together. I yearned for that connection to deepen. "I need you to work with me. We're in this together, you know," I murmured softly, my words a silent plea to the enigmatic presence within. Malcom's voice cut through my contemplation, drawing me back to the present. "You seem lost in thought," he observed, his casual tone breaking through my reverie. Without preamble, I posed a question that had been gnawing at me. "Do you ever talk to your wolf?" A sly grin crossed Malcom's face. "Well, hello to you too." "Sorry, hi," I responded, realizing I hadn't exchanged many words with Malcom

Growing up, my constant concern was how I appeared and what I wore. This preoccupation stemmed from a deep-seated desire to avoid attracting attention to myself. I rarely made an effort to enhance my appearance, refraining from wearing clothing that accentuated my figure and maintaining a simple hairstyle. Throughout my life, I carried a pervasive feeling that I needed to stay concealed, ready to withdraw if someone ever took notice of me.Yet, with Tony, all those anxieties seemed to evaporate. He created an environment where I felt safe being my authentic self. It was undeniably refreshing to have someone affirm my beauty and embrace who I truly was."Are you planning to kiss me, or will you keep gazing?" I playfully inquired.Tony responded with another playful growl as he leaped on top of me. The cot trembled and eventually gave way, causing us both to tumble to the floor. We rolled over, and now I found myself on top of him."I suppose it won't withstand both of us," he contempla

I was well aware that not everything I had learned was entirely accurate, but I had been instilled with the significance of the pack. It was a source of strength for shifters, providing them with bonds that reinforced their abilities. Moreover, it carried substantial weight in the eyes of our king. Packs could request resources, form alliances with other packs, and flourish as a community. Staying feral, as Tony's community did, left them in a weaker state. If they were a pack, they might have the means to establish permanent homes, schools, and infrastructure. Instead, they resided in tents. "Don't lecture me about packs," he retorted. "Get out of my tent," I demanded. To my surprise, he didn't argue. As he exited, I initially thought I'd be relieved to see him leave. Instead, I crumpled to the ground, my entire body trembling. I took deep breaths in an attempt to reg