After we finished eating, the heavy, domestic warmth of the kitchen quickly gave way to a restless, electric energy. The sun was climbing higher over the mountains, painting the sky a brilliant, cloudless blue.
"Get your boots on," Ryder said, tossing his empty plate into the sink and leaning back against the counter, his bare chest catching the morning light. "We're going out."
"Where?" I asked, though my wolf was already pricking up its ears at the sudden shift in mood.
Dante finished his coffee, setting the ceramic mug down with a soft click. A slow, knowing smirk touched his lips. "There's a private stretch of shoreline down past the ridge. Pack property. No students, no council members, and no noise."
Ten minutes later, we were packed into Ryder’s truck, hurtling down a rugged, un
