25

25

Adrian's POV

The full moon shone in the sky, big and bright, casting a silver glow over the dense woods. Clouds shifted, struggling to veil its light, but nothing could mute the way it clawed at me, dragging the wolf to the surface.

My skin burned. My bone stretched and my muscles tore and rebuilt themselves. I welcomed the pain. I was already used to this a bit. It was a necessary sacrifice for power. But tonight was different. Tonight, control slipped through my fingers like water.

My breath came in short, ragged bursts. Claws pushed through the tips of my fingers, and my spine arched as the beast inside me demanded freedom. I gritted my teeth, forcing the shift to slow, to bend to my will.

But the wolf fought back.

No.

I was always in control.

Yet my senses were sharper than usual. Sounds in the forest were louder, closer. I could hear the frantic beating of wings, the rustling of leaves, the distant crack of a branch underfoot.

And beneath it all—

Her.

Bethany.

Her scent tangled in the night air, soft and maddening. It shouldn't have reached me this deep in the woods, but it did. Sweet and warm, like honey and something darker beneath it. Which could only mean that she was here in the woods too. What the hell was she doing here? The rage in me flared.

Stupid girl.

She didn't belong in the woods on a night like this. Not with wolves running wild. Not with me barely hanging on by a thread. She was probably looking for a death sentence.

I stalked forward, following her scent and moving through the trees like a shadow. Branches snapped underfoot, and the cool wind tore through my clothes, already shredded from the partial shift. Then I saw her.

Bethany was standing in a small clearing, hugging herself, looking lost and vulnerable. The moonlight bathed her skin, making her glow. My vision blurred, sharpening into something predatory. Mine.

No.

I shook my head hard, trying to clear the thought. That wasn't me. That was the wolf.

But it was getting harder to tell the difference.

Her head snapped up, eyes wide when she spotted me.

"Adrian?" Her voice was soft but laced with fear.

Good. She should be afraid.

I bared my teeth, the shift pulling at me again.

"You shouldn't be here."

She took a step back, but the wind carried her scent straight to me.

My claws flexed.

"You—" I growled, the words warping in my throat. "Leave."

But she didn't run. Instead, she took a hesitant step forward.

"Adrian, what's happening to you?" She asked quietly, her eyes searching.

I staggered, claws digging into the dirt to ground myself.

"Get. Out." My voice was barely human.

Her scent, God, her scent, it was driving me insane. The wolf inside me howled, thrashing against the walls of my control.

Bethany's eyes softened, confusion replaced by something else. Concern.

She should have run. She should be running right now, but she wasn't. Instead, she closed the distance between us, slowly, like approaching a wounded animal.

"Adrian, listen to me. You need to fight it," she said, closing the distance between us. I let out a snarl, fangs lengthening.

"I am fighting!" I roared. But, fuck. I wasn't winning. The shift was overtaking me now, bones cracking as my body contorted and my wolf wanted her.

I could tear her apart. And I knew she could see that in my eyes. But she didn't move.

Her hand lifted, shaking slightly, and she placed it on my chest. The contact was like a jolt of electricity. Warm. Steady. Real.

I froze.

Her eyes locked onto mine and she took another step closer so that there was barely any distance between us.

"You can control it," she whispered. "I know you can." No one talked to me like that. No one dared. But her touch—

Her scent—

It was calming me.

My breathing slowed, the frantic rhythm easing. The wolf snarled, but it retreated just enough. I stared down at her, chest heaving. She was too close. Too soft. Too... everything. I should have pushed her away. But instead, I leaned in. Closer.

Her breath hitched, lips parting slightly.

Her heartbeat thundered in my ears, but she didn't back away.

"Bethany," I growled, but it wasn't a warning.

It was a plea.

Her eyes searched mine, and something in them cracked.

Then she closed the distance.

Her lips met mine. It wasn't soft. It wasn't sweet. It was desperate, like pouring water on fire.

I grabbed her, pulling her flush against me. My hands trembled with restraint, claws retracting just enough not to hurt her.

And she wasn't afraid. She kissed me like she wanted to drown in it. And for once, I let myself drown too. The wolf quieted.

For the first time that night, I was in control.

Because of her.

The kiss broke, and we both gasped for air.

Her hands fisted in the remnants of my shirt, and I leaned my forehead against hers.

"You shouldn't be here," I whispered.

But God, I was glad she was.

Her breath was shaky. "Neither should you."

A low, humorless chuckle rumbled in my chest.

The full moon still burned above us, but it wasn't as heavy now.

Not with her here.

I tightened my grip on her waist.

"Next time you wander into the woods on a full moon, I won't be so forgiving."

Her lips curved into the smallest smile.

"Next time, maybe I won't have to save you."

I growled low, but it wasn't angry.

It was a promise. And I really didnt mind owing her one. I kissed her on the lips, hard and kissed her neck next. She didn't push me away, instead, she moaned and I could scent her arousal which was intoxicating.

"Adrian-" she moaned, pushing me away slightly. "What if Mason-"

"To hell with Mason," I answered, cutting her off and meeting her eyes. She held my gaze for a second longer before kissing me back.