XAVIER POV:
My head snapped up just as I saw her storming toward the field, barefoot, hair wild, wearing nothing but shorts and an oversized T-shirt. She looked furious—like she'd woken up ready to fight the world and hadn't yet decided who deserved it most.
Who made her that angry this early? I wondered grimly.
Even from a distance, I could feel it—her emotions crashing off her in waves.
My wolf stirred, alert now, all exhaustion forgotten. This wasn't playful interest. This was instinct honed sharp. Protective. Curious.
My wolf stirred instantly, ears pricking, body going alert.
There, he said with satisfaction. Her.
She hadn't noticed me yet.
I stayed seated, forcing myself not to move too suddenly. The last thing I wanted was to spook her or make her feel cornered. She hadn't noticed me yet—her gaze was fixed straight ahead, jaw clenched, fists balled at her sides.
And something inside me snapped tight like a drawn bowstring.
She stopped dead.
