I couldn't move.
My body refused to obey my brain, refused to scream, refused to run. Fear locked me in place, heavy and suffocating, my breath coming out shallow as the massive wolf stood just feet away from me.
A wolf.
An actual wolf.
Its fur was jet black, thick and glossy, swallowing the dim light of the corridor. Its body was huge—too huge to be normal—muscles tight beneath its skin, eyes glowing amber as it stared straight at me.
Saliva dripped slowly from the side of its mouth.
My heart slammed violently against my ribs.
Where was Dante?
My thoughts spiraled wildly.
What kind of normal human being keeps a wolf in his house?
None.
That was it.
Dante wasn't normal. Duh.
The wolf took a step closer.
A low snarl rolled out of its chest, deep and vibrating, a sound that went straight through me. My legs finally unlocked, my feet dragging backward as I retreated slowly, my pulse roaring in my ears.
I couldn't even scream.
Fear wrapped tight around my throat.
Another step.
My back hit the wall.
My hands trembled at my sides as the wolf advanced again, towering over me, its presence filling the entire corridor.
My chest burned.
Dante… where the hell are you?
Then—
The door behind me opened.
"Relax."
His voice.
Calm. Amused.
Too calm.
My head snapped toward the sound as Dante stepped out of the room behind me, completely unbothered, a faint smile playing on his lips like this was all part of some sick joke.
The wolf turned instantly.
Before I could even process what was happening, Dante spoke again—low and controlled.
"Nyx."
That was all.
The wolf froze mid-step.
Then, just as suddenly, it bounded toward Dante, leaping at him with a force that made my heart jump. Its massive paws hit his chest as it pushed against him, tail flicking wildly as if it hadn't just terrified me half to death.
The wolf—Nyx—licked Dante's jaw, whining softly as he laughed and wrapped one arm around her thick neck, scratching behind her ears.
"There you are, girl," he murmured.
My knees nearly gave out.
That thing—that thing—was his?
The wolf pulled back, sitting obediently at his side now, her tongue lolling out as she looked up at him like a proud, dangerous puppy.
My fear slowly twisted into disbelief.
"That's… that's a wolf," I said hoarsely.
Dante glanced at me, eyebrow lifting slightly. "Obviously."
I swallowed hard, my eyes darting back to the animal. "You keep a wolf in your house?"
He shrugged. "I have several."
My fear spiked instantly.
Several?
I looked around the corridor, my heart thudding again. "Several?"
He smirked. "Relax. This is the only one roaming this side of the house."
Roaming.
As if that was supposed to calm me.
"She's innocent," he added casually. "And dangerous."
I blinked at him. "That makes zero sense."
Nyx tilted her head, watching me closely.
Dante motioned me closer. "Come. Touch her."
My eyes widened. "What?"
"Touch her," he repeated, amused.
Was this man insane?
I took a cautious step forward, every nerve in my body screaming. Slowly, hesitantly, I reached out toward the wolf's head.
Nyx growled.
Low.
Warning.
I yanked my hand back instantly.
Dante burst out laughing.
I stared at him, horrified. "You knew she would do that!"
"You should've trusted me," he said, still laughing.
I hit his chest weakly, anger finally overriding fear.
"You did that on purpose," I snapped. "You wanted to scare me."
Before he could respond, footsteps echoed down the corridor. One of his men appeared —his right-hand man—leather cord tied around his wrist bouncing as he chuckled.
Dante gestured toward Nyx. "Take her back."
Nyx stood obediently, brushing past me once more—on purpose—before following him away.
I watched her go, my heart still pounding.
Then I turned slowly back to Dante.
"You are not normal."
His lips curved into that infuriating smile.
"I know."
My gaze betrayed me again.
It dipped.
Dante was tying the towel around his waist, water still glistening on his skin. The V-line of his abs was obvious, the tattoo winding up from his hip and disappearing under the towel. A dark serpent, twisting and coiling—it looked alive, like it could strike.
Heat curled low into my belly.
Damn it.
"Do you want some?" Dante asked casually.
My head snapped up.
"You've been staring," he added, stepping closer.
Too close.
His body pressed into mine—not rough, not rushed. Just enough. Enough that I felt the heat of him. Enough that my body reacted before my mind could catch up.
My breath stuttered.
Traitor.
My eyes fluttered shut for half a second—pure instinct—before I forced them open again, rolling them in irritation.
At myself.
At him.
At how my body was already giving in.
I hated it.
Hated how easy it would be to let him take control. Hated how badly I wanted to reach for him—how my hands itched to pull that towel away and forget every warning screaming in my head.
Dante watched me struggle like it amused him.
Then he sighed softly and stepped back.
"You'll want me soon," he said calmly. "You'll come begging."
"Keep dreaming."
"I have work to do," he continued, unfazed. "And since you'll be bored here without me to keep you company—"
I scoffed at the way he said it.
"—my men will take you out," Dante finished. "Go see the city."
Finally.
Maybe… maybe something out there would trigger my memories. A street. A face. A feeling.
Hope flickered.
I didn't notice Dante's eyes darken slightly.
Because letting me leave—
Letting me be seen—
Was the biggest mistake he'd made so far.