Chapter 21

_Dahlia’s POV_I woke up to a soft knock on my door. Before I could even respond, Knox walked in carrying a breakfast tray.“Good morning,” he said, setting it down on my nightstand. Then he took one look at my face and frowned. “Did you not sleep at all?”I immediately looked away, hoping he couldn’t see how flustered I was. How could I possibly explain that no, I didn’t sleep, because Jace Blackmoor had spent the entire night sexting me? That he’d spammed me with pictures of his abs, his chest, his arms, and yes, more pictures of his very obvious arousal in those grey sweatpants?And worse – so much worse – I’d loaded every single one of them. Even knowing what they were. Even telling myself I absolutely should not click on them.*We have a problem,* Mena had said around 3 AM.*Just one?* I’d thought back hysterically.My face grew redder just thinking about it. About the way my heart had raced with each new photo. About how I’d stared at his body like some kind of pervert myself. A

Chapter 22

_Dahlia’s POV_Before I could even think of a response to Jace’s insane question, students started filing into the classroom. First a few, then more, until the room was filling up with my classmates.Panic shot through me. Jace was still sitting right next to me, way too close, looking way too comfortable.“You need to leave,” I hissed at him, acutely aware of the curious stares we were already getting. “Right now.”“Not until you give me an answer,” Jace said casually, like we weren’t becoming the center of attention. “When do we start our relationship?”“Jace!” I whispered urgently. More students were pouring in now, and I could hear the whispers starting.“Is that Jace Blackmoor?”“What’s he doing in our class?”“Oh my God, is he sitting with Dahlia Hart?”My face burned with embarrassment. If I didn’t get him out of here soon, rumors would spread like wildfire. Worse rumors than the ones already circulating.“Fine!” I said quickly, just wanting this conversation to end. “Fine, I’l

Chapter 23

_Dahlia’s POV_I arrived at the library looking like I’d just finished watching a sad dog movie. You know, the ones where the dog dies at the end? Knox is already there, sitting at our usual table with his perfectly organized notes and color-coded highlighters. Of course he was. The guy probably arrives everywhere fifteen minutes early just to alphabetize things.“Your leg still hurting?” he asked, looking up from his notebook.I shake my head and slump into the chair across from him, pulling out my books with all the enthusiasm of a wet sock. “No. I’m fine.”He stares at me for a second. I can feel his eyes on my face, probably noticing that I look like I got into a fight and lost.“Which chapter are we doing today?” I asked, flipping through my textbook without actually seeing any of the words.Knox tilts his head. “What’s wrong?”“Nothing. I just want to study.”He opens his mouth like he’s going to push it, but then he just nodded and started explaining some equation that might a

Chapter 24

_Dahlia’s POV_My breath caught in my throat.Zayne stood on the doorstep, his tall frame filling the doorway. His eyes scanned us both, lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. The scar running down his face seemed more prominent in the light, giving him an even more dangerous appearance.“I want to talk to Dahlia,” he said, his voice calm but with an underlying edge that made my skin prickle.Immediately, Knox shifted his position, moving to stand protectively in front of me. His usually relaxed posture went rigid, his shoulders squared like he was preparing for a fight.“She’s not going anywhere with you,” Knox said firmly.Without thinking, I grabbed the back of Knox’s shirt, my fingers clutching the fabric tightly. My heart was racing, and Mena was whimpering in my head, caught between recognition of our mate and pure terror at his presence.Zayne’s eyes flickered to where I was hiding behind Knox, and something in his expression shifted. “I just want to talk. Five min

Chapter 25

_Dahlia’s POV_I was terrified out of my mind.My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat, in my ears, in every single nerve ending in my body. Zayne’s overwhelming scent engulfed me completely, dark and dangerous with hints of pine and something metallic, like steel or blood. It filled my lungs with every breath, making my head spin and my wolf react in ways I didn’t understand.*Mate,* Mena whimpered, caught between the desperate urge to submit and the instinct to run. *Mate, mate, mate—**I know!* I thought frantically.Zayne still had my face cupped in his hand, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me feel like he could see straight through to my soul. His body was so close to mine now, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough that I was practically pressed against the wall behind me.I opened my mouth to speak, to say something, anything that might break this suffocating tension.Nothing came out.My voice had comple

Chapter 26

_Dahlia’s POV_I just needed a break. From everything. From everyone.After that terrifying encounter with Zayne, my nerves were completely shot. My hands were still shaking, and I could feel the ghost of his presence lingering on my skin like a brand. His words kept echoing in my head – “even death wouldn’t be enough to escape me.”*You need to calm down,* Mena said weakly. She sounded just as rattled as I felt.*I know. I just want to go home and hide under my covers forever.*I walked toward the parking lot, my legs still wobbly and unsteady. All I wanted was to get in my car, drive home, lock myself in my room, and pretend this entire day hadn’t happened.But of course, the universe had other plans.A sleek black car suddenly pulled up right in front of me, blocking my path. I stopped walking and stared at it, my tired brain trying to process what was happening.I tried to walk around it, but the car moved again, cutting me off.“Are you serious right now?” I muttered, my exhausti