ELIZA’S POV At that moment, all of my defenses crumbled. I could see the love and sincerity in Alexander's gaze. His blue eyes were filled with so much longing that it made me breathless. My wolf stirred within me. She was practically begging me to surrender to the magnetic pull between us. "Eliza," he said softly, "I can't pretend anymore. Be mine, please" I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, and I felt exposed under his piercing gaze. His hand reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. The tender gesture made my breath hitch. My wolf howled within me, demanding that I close the distance between us, but I was still scared. "You feel it too, don't you?" he whispered "This connection… it's

