Adrian's hand never left the small of her back as they descended the spiral staircase from the penthouse. His touch wasn't just guiding—it was anchoring, staking a claim she didn't fully understand yet.
The lobby of his building was too quiet. The kind of quiet that prickled along her skin and made her instincts scream.
"Adrian…" she whispered, gripping his arm.
"I know," he said without looking at her. "They're here."
Before she could ask who they were, the glass doors shattered inward, spraying shards across the marble floor.
Three men stepped through.
No—not men.
Their eyes glowed amber, their movements were too fluid, too predatory. And then… they began to change.
Bones cracked. Skin rippled. Clothing tore away as fur burst through. In seconds, where men had stood were three enormous wolves—each bigger than any natural wolf should be, teeth gleaming under the dim light.
Elara's breath caught in her throat. "Oh my God…"
Adrian shoved her behind him, his body a living wall of heat and muscle. "Close your eyes if you can't handle this."
But she couldn't. She wouldn't.
He dropped the pistol, rolling his shoulders once, and then it began.
His spine arched, the sound of splintering bone filling the air. His skin seemed to tear from the inside, fur black as midnight pushing through. His body expanded, his chest heaving with deep, guttural breaths.
When it was done, the man she had known was gone—replaced by something terrifying and beautiful.
His wolf was massive, towering over the others, his eyes still the same molten silver that had held her captive since the day they met.
The three intruders lunged at once. Adrian met them head-on, a blur of teeth and claws, the air filled with snarls and the metallic scent of blood.
Elara couldn't move. Couldn't even think. Every instinct told her to run—but her heart, traitor that it was, only hammered harder in her chest.
One of the wolves broke through, snapping its jaws inches from her. She stumbled back—until Adrian's massive form slammed into it, sending it skidding across the floor with a yelp.
His head swung toward her, silver eyes locking with hers.
It was still him.
Always him.
The fight ended as quickly as it began, the attackers retreating into the night, limping and bloodied.
Adrian shifted back in seconds, his body slick with sweat, every inch of him heaving with the effort of the fight. He didn't seem to notice his state of undress as he stalked toward her.
Her hands trembled as he cupped her jaw, his breathing ragged. "Now you know," he said, voice rough. "Now you've seen what I am."
She swallowed hard. "And you've just made it impossible for me to leave you."
A dangerous smile curved his lips before he kissed her, deep and consuming—tasting of danger, blood, and a promise she didn't yet understand.