CHAPTER 8:
I woke up to the smell of pine, blood, and old books.
I was on a couch that wasn't mine. A heavy black blanket was over me - it smelled like him. Like winter and pine and Alpha. Like *Professor Kade*.
A strong arm was wrapped around my waist, holding me tightly even in sleep.
Then it all came back. The poison. The black veins. Maddison. Old wolfsbane.
And Kade's blood in my mouth.
I sat up too fast. My wrist - the silver crescent moon mark was still there. The spreading black was gone, but the silver was dim, flickering. Thin black roots were scarred around it. My whole arm ached like it was burned from inside.
"Don't move."
His voice. Rough, tired, like he didn't sleep at all.
Professor Kade was sitting on the floor beside the couch, his back leaning against it. His w
