whispered

of coffee tasted bitter, every bite of the sandwich stuck in her throat. Her gaze drifted back to

im. Something dangerous. And though every instinct told her to heed

art?" Holly's voice broke throu

g she had been staring.

oward Declan. "Best be on your way soon. It'

pped outside. The chill in the air hit her immediately, cutting through her jacket. T

boarding house, a low voic

dn't have

buried in his pockets. She hadn't heard him leave the diner, but now he was th

king about," Aurora said, try

en eyes glinting in the dim light.

to be intimidated. "I'm not here to c

is tone sharp. "Tonight, if yo

unease. "I don't know who you think you ar

lpha of this territory. And I'm te

iver through her, though she couldn't e

"It means I'm responsible for what happens here. An

frustration mounting

e are things in this town, in the forest... things you don't

ark of defiance. "I didn't come here by accident," she said quietly. "Something brought me

thought he might argue. But then his gaze softened,

ou're getting yourself

a replied. "But I'

wl echoed from the forest. The sound was deep an

is body tensed, his eyes scanning the

ouse," he ordered, hi

urora asked, h

his tone leaving n

eet. As she glanced back, she saw Declan stepping toward the forest, his sh

d Aurora felt the weight of it in her ches

realized with a s