truggle: The

s Awak

l of misleading instinct, and above all, control over the wolf inside. But the minute E

lls of his mind, deep growls reverberating in his chest. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe normally, but his b

en he

es as if she were overawed. Strands of stubborn auburn hair framed her face; while some bushed away from her ponytail, the rays of light raked th

frustration, Ale

e. No, not possibl

t crashed forward, radiating one

wo: The F

s kind often found mates based on compatibility and instinct, but one

ng the shelf beside him. The sound of his heart beating away inside wa

ol. Con

st the very soft brushing of her arm ag

i

angs ached to grow. It took everything in him to restrain t

king up at him and givi

dic; the sound of it sent

get out of

d stiff movement rendering him the picture of a most unnatural being. Before he even had a chanc

was t

d already c

: Distance Is

He stayed away from anywhere she could possibly show up, linger

mere distance. Every other night along, he pushed himself to stand outside her a

rt of infatuation-a lu

couldn't help bu

hat night, she had wal

elf he was there only to make sure she got home safely. But at that instant, he got a whiff

ro

rface. He crossed the distance between them in mere seconds a

pped back, but the

at momentum, and the two fell to the pavement. The claws went deep, in the fight that was quick, merciless, brut

His heart was still thumping furiously when he t

l was that?"

gul

not have

," he said, forcing hi

efore she could ask more, he turn

ur: Losing

s impossible. She filled his mind, senses, and dreams

ht it, the harder it

ing in her warmth, laughter, and presence. She had no idea what s

the brea

arly empty, and she was sitting by the window, rea

their e

nt, the world s

, inside him,

why, his body obeying instinct. She looked

osing her book. "I wonder

body screaming at

s