His Trouble Maker

JESSICA

The wind burned my cheeks as we moved, but I couldn’t stop touching him.

His fur was damp from the morning dew, but it still smelled like him–wild and sharp and impossibly familiar. I let my fingers tangle through the thuch tufts around his neck. He exhaled a low, rumbling breath as I leaned into his warmth.

For the first time in days, I wasn’t angry. Or scared. Or trying to pretend I didn’t miss him. I just… existed. With him.

I didn’t know where we were going. I didn’t ask. Maybe I didn’t care. It was stupid, wasn’t it? Letting him take me. Letting myself want this. Want him.

After everything–after Theo, after Aria, after the mind–reading confession that shattered everything I thought I knew I should’ve been running in the opposite direction.

But instead, I held on tighter.

Because for the first time in days, no one was yelling. No one was cornering me or threatening me or reminding me that I’d always be second–best

There was just the cold. The trees. The sound of his breath. And me.

I let my eyes flutter shut for a second, my forehead resting against the side of his neck.

What the hell are we doing?

I didn’t know. Maybe I didn’t want to.

His pace slowed suddenly, and my eyes snapped open.

Oh.

The clearing was exactly as I remembered–but not. Moonflowers spilled across the forest floor like fallen stars, their silvery petals catching the golden rays of the sun.

My fingers trembled against his fur as he crouched, letting me slide off.

thin in the quiet cleating.

eyes impossibly expressive–hurt, defiant,

that look. You know

form somehow managing to look apologetic. Which was ridiculous.

“You kissed Aria infront of

off my mind. It stings a lot knowing Aria can have him in ways that I probably won’t. Not in this lifetime

I blinked rapidly, focusing on the cool breeze against my hot

to run away from you and run toward you at the

massive head and rested it on my lap, those wolf eyes looking up at me. I guess we were

goddess, it’s

1/3

Chapter 64

finally spilled over. I wiped them

know how many heartbreaks võs

rumbling through my thighs where his head rested. Before I could process what was happening, he pulled away, his mantive form shifting in a blur of fur and muscle

we are,” he said, now human, crouched before me with only scraps of

that was going to work. When he tried to touch my face, I can only look away before both of us could

“Look at me, Jess.”

head, feeling pathetic. “I

by he

that dangerous edge that always made something inside me curl

I look at you then I

to do with him anymore. I’ll be out in my mind in

kisses.

closer now, his breath warm against my ear. “That’s always your answer,

You don’t get to make me the villain when you’re

”