DEMI
For one heartbeat after Maverick’s question, the pack ceased to exist. Wolves, lights, banners, the pill bottles crushed in his hand—all of it blurred until only his voice remained and the place where it broke on two words: from me. Not from them. From him. The cold of it slipped beneath my ribs and found every fragile place where I had let myself believe we could be safe. My mouth opened. No lie came. No truth fit. I had imagined discovery a hundred ways: claws, chains, execution, screaming. I had never imagined the worst part would be Maverick realizing he had fallen for a girl made of omissions.
My body reacted before my courage could. Warmth drained from my hands. My knees loosened. The bond lunged toward him, bright and desperate, while every instinct screamed at me to vanis
