Ryan’s eyes stayed locked on Shezayah for another second while the fire crackled softly between them, and suddenly Artemis went completely still beneath her thoughts.
Not aggressive.
Focused.
Then the wolf surged forward so sharply it almost stole Shezayah’s breath.
Wait.
The word echoed hard through her mind.
Ryan reacted at the exact same moment.
His posture stiffened slightly while gold flashed brighter through his eyes for less than a second, something instinctive and uncontrollable moving beneath his calm expression now. Shezayah caught it immediately because Artemis was practically vibrating inside her chest.
His wolf.
The realization hit strangely.
Not familiar.
Not safe.
Known.
Ryan’s attention shifted slowly from the mark on her arm to her face completely now, like he
