Raine POV
The forest stretched endlessly ahead, the moonlight threading through the trees like silver ribbons. Crickets hummed somewhere in the dark, and the air smelled like pine, earth, and the faint spice of danger which somehow always followed Lucian wherever he went.
We’d barely made it past the academy gates before I realized something odd his hand was still clasped around mine. Firm. Warm. Possessive. Like I was some fragile porcelain doll that might shatter if left alone for too long.
I didn’t even notice it until Sage, my ever annoying inner wolf, purred in my head.
He’s holding your hand, Raine. And oh gods, have you felt his palm? The man has battle scars there.
My face heated immediately.
“Let go of my hand,” I said, glaring at him. “I can walk perfectly fine on my own.”
