Juliette’s POV
The moment Dorian and Bryan pulled me back across the border into pack territory, my legs nearly gave out. My breath came in ragged bursts as though the forest had stolen every last bit of air from my lungs. I could still feel the ghost of that touch on my shoulder—the one that didn’t belong to either of them—and it sent shivers crawling up my spine. My hands trembled uncontrollably, and even though Dorian kept a steadying grip on my arm, I felt completely unrooted.
I tried to walk, but everything spun for a second. Bryan’s arm slipped around my waist to keep me upright. The moment his skin touched mine, I felt a jolt of warmth, a grounding force. I hated how desperately I leaned into it. I hated even more that he noticed.
I forced myself to pull away, even as my legs pro
