nna

l force, pressing me back

was a cliff edge I couldn't afford to go near. The lie about the

usible piece of the

rom his intense scrutiny. I made my

whispered. "Scared

ake. I thought if I created some distance, pretended to have someone

The classic story of a subordinate terrified

ld feel his skepticism, a cold wave in the air between us. His wolf, his very essen

sion lessened, replaced by

ty, Johanna," he said, his voice sh

ocating pressure in the car

dest apartment building. It looked absurdly

come to a complete sto

," I mumbled, not looking

e lobby door was safely shut behind me. I didn't look back

n watched her disappe

" he commanded. "And run a backgr

other threat to her, even if h

ntgomery," L

days were a b

ut I felt his presence everywhere. It was a constant, unnerving pressure at the back of my neck

ack into its normal rhythm

headed out to the 24-hour convenience store on the corner. Th

a figure detached itself from th

od ran

Crist

es were wild, bloodshot, and filled

t wasn't over

creamed. I spu

too

head back, a cry of pain torn from my throat. He dragged me backwar

ling the sound. The bag of groceries I'd just bought fell fr

protect you forever?" he snarled

impact knocked the wind out of me. His bod

I struggled, kicking and twisting, but he

through me. Without thinking, I bro

b

silent, desperate

cket against my blouse, a blur of motio

h impossible speed and s