Valerie's POV:The crack in my armor didn’t just let in memories; it let in the cold. The neutral magic of the grove was a thin veil against the suffocating malice of the Reek, and as the night deepened, the temperature plummeted. Across the small clearing, Evan began to shiver. It wasn't just the cold; it was the withdrawal of the witch’s power, the agonizing snap of the tether he was trying to break.His jaw was clamped shut, but a low, guttural whimper escaped his throat. A sound that bypassed my logic and struck the raw nerves of my wolf. She paced behind my ribs, claws scratching at my composure. Mate, she whispered, a traitorous urge to protect the man who had abandoned us.“Stop it,” I hissed, though whether I was talking to my wolf or the man across from me, I didn't know.Evan’s eyes snapped open. They were bloodshot, the violet smoke licking at the edges of his pupils like a rising tide. “Valerie… run.”“I’m not running, you idiot,” I said, standing up and drawing my blade.
Last Updated : 2026-05-09 Read more