Ava's POV
Panic hit me like ice water.
I killed the ringtone instantly, my thumb slamming the screen dark, and fled down the hall. Every step I took was silent instinct. My wolf shrank tight under my skin. Thank goodness I had masked my scent before coming.
I reached the stairwell corner and walked straight into a wall of reeking flesh.
A drunk, balding man lurched into my path, his eyes crawling over me. His scent was mixed with cheap liquor and lust gone sour.
“Hey there, are you a new girl?” he slurred. “Quite the pretty one.”
His greasy hand clamped around my arm. Revulsion surged within me. He yanked me toward him, his breath hot and fetid. “Come on, let’s have some fun.”
Fear spiked within me, not fear of him, but fear of noise. I couldn’t afford Laura hearing us. I would end
