Elara's Pov
I stumbled away from the lockers, legs unsteady, every step a reminder of the slick heat pooling between my thighs. Traitorous body. Kael's touch lingered like a brand—his palm's gentle pressure, the rumble of his confession in my ear. And my words? 'I do. A little more each day.' Bullshit. Utter, desperate bullshit spilling from lips that craved more even as my mind screamed chaos. Stepbrother. Mate. Wolf. The hallway blurred, rumors a distant hum, my heart a wild drum echoing the throb low in my belly. What am I doing?
The bleachers loomed ahead, sun dipping low over the soccer field, casting long shadows that mirrored my tangled thoughts. Talia perched on the third row, legs dangling, her sharp eyes scanning the emptying lot. My best—only—friend, with her wild curls and un
