Hattie:
My body jerked awake, drenched in sweat, my chest heaving as I fought for breath. My hands gripped the scratchy motel sheets as the images of my nightmare clung to me like a shadow.
Alpha Callen. His hands on me. His voice, thick with anger, calling me *his*.
I shuddered, trying to shake it off, but the fear didn’t leave. It only got worse when I looked to my side.
Brooks was gone.
Panic hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind raced—had he changed his mind? Had he left me? Was I really alone?
I bolted upright, wrapping my arms around myself as my breathing quickened. The silence of the room felt suffocating, pressing down on me. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.
Then, the door rattled.
I froze.
Was it *him*? Had they found me?
Tears w
