Lyra.
The night had never felt so alive or so terrifying.
The moon hung low, blood-red, painting the forest in crimson light.
My chest ached, not just from fear, but from the heat of him near me.
His hand brushed mine as we ran.
Just a touch, and my blood set fire to my veins.
I swallowed hard, heart hammering.
"Don't you dare get yourself killed," he murmured, voice low and rough, sending shivers straight to my core.
I glanced at him.
Golden eyes glowing, muscles taut, shadow curling around him like a cloak made of night itself.
I wanted no, needed to press against him, feel the heat, the danger, the claim of him.
And then the eyes appeared in the trees. Hundreds of glowing eyes, circling, waiting.
"Stay behind me," he growled.
But I refused.
My body surged with raw energy, power burning hotter than any fear. I stepped closer to him, our thighs brushing, heart pounding, every nerve alive.
"Your power… it excites me," he whispered, voice low, dangerous. His lips brushed my hairline. My stomach flipped.
Every word, every glance, every unspoken command was fire in my blood.
One of the shadow creatures leapt. I felt his hand on my back, steadying me, possessive, protective but closer than ever. His heat pressed against mine, and my body betrayed me, shivering at the touch.
We moved together, in sync, our steps matching, our breaths entwined, shadow and flame and raw energy feeding us both. Every glance at him made my pulse spike. Every accidental brush of skin was a promise of more.
A wolf snarled behind us.
He caught it mid-leap, shadow wrapping around its neck, crushing it, and the strength and dominance radiating off him made me ache in ways I couldn't describe.
"I won't let anyone take you," he whispered into my ear, teeth grazing softly, sending shivers down my spine.
"Not ever."
My hands twitched, desperate to touch him fully, to feel the warmth, the fire, the control that called to me in a way no one else ever had. I wanted him all of him dangerous, commanding, dark Alpha, claiming me completely.
The shadows tightened around us.
The forest whispered my name.
And I knew right then that nothing would ever matter but him and the mark that bound us together, heart, body, and soul.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward, taller, darker, and more terrifying than any enemy before and it was staring at me with a smile that promised chaos… and desire I wasn't ready to resist.