Ayla's POV
My heart was still pounding when Kael held my gaze.
Something flickered in his eyes, unreadable and darker than before, and I took a step back. Not far. Just enough to put air between us.
He let me. His hand slipped from mine without resistance, like he'd expected it, like he already understood the exact length of the rope I'd give him before pulling it back. The pain that crossed his face was brief and quickly buried.
I drew in a sharp breath of cold air and held it until my lungs ached, trying to shake the warmth still sitting under my ribs where it had absolutely no business being.
"Hey, Alphas!"
The shout cracked across the lake, and my head snapped up.
A group of pack members skated closer, blades cutting bright lines into the surface. One of them spun his stick with
