Alex POV
Ivy's scent was growing stronger with every passing moment richer, warmer, threaded through with something new I couldn't quite place, something that made Max pace restlessly under my skin.
"Do you think she's going into heat?" Milo asked quietly, worry plain in his eyes.
"I don't know," I admitted. "Can you smell it too?"
"I've been scenting it since last night," he said. "Ever since your accident on the ice." His voice was low, almost apologetic, as if naming it made it real. Milo's gaze flicked nervously to Ivy, and I didn't miss the way he tensed, the subtle protective edge in his posture.
"That's... interesting," I said, though interesting wasn't quite the word for the low, possessive growl building somewhere in my chest. My jaw clenched, instincts flaring with a need t
