Amara’s POV.

The rain hadn’t stopped pouring for hours, it lashed at the windows like it was angry.

I sat on the edge of the bed given to us by the pub’s attendant, arms wrapped tightly around myself, watching lighting flash repeatedly.

We had barely made it to the nearest town after the rogue attack and the sudden rain, the storm had cut off the main road and Aiden said his SUV wouldn’t survive the trial in the weather even if we tried to leave then.

So here we were in room, awkwardly silent.

“You should sleep.” Aiden said, pulling his soaked shirt and tossing it onto the heater in the room.

I tried not to look at him, but his chest was bare and gleaming from the rain, every inch of him was muscle like he was cut from stone.

He had scars I just noticed, one slicing over his ribs, another near his shoulder blade. And goddess help me, I felt the urge to trace each one with my fingers.

“I’m not tired.” I lied.

“You’ve barely slept since I found you.” He said.

“I’ve barely slept in months.” I replied. He went silent.

The room was small, one queen bed, one flickering light and air think with tension.

My clothes clung to me, soaked through, I needed to change but I didn’t want to move, didn’t want him to see the bruises I was still hiding.

“I’ll take the chair.” Aiden said.

“I can take the floor.” I shrugged.

He turned, “you’re injured and cold, you’re not sleeping on the damn floor.”

“Then we can share the bed.” I muttered, the words were even out before I could stop them.

He arched a brow, “You sure?”

“I’m not fragile.” I replied.

He stared at me a moment too long, then nodded.

“I’ll behave.” He said quietly.

“Who said I’d want you to?” It slipped out of my mouth.

Aiden blinked, I turned away annoyed with myself, “forget it.”

I stood up and moved towards the bathroom, the bathroom door squeaked when I pushed it open. I peeled off my wet clothes, wincing as the fabric tugged at my skin.

My reflection in the mirror, looked like a ghost, pale, dark circles and eyes too hollow for someone who was only twenty two years old.

I changed into the oversized T-shirt Aiden had tossed me from his bag, it swallowed me whole.

By the time I walked out from the bathroom, he was already under the blanket, turned to face the wall.

I hesitated, then slid in on my side, keeping as much space between us as possible, the bed dipped slightly under my weight.

The rain was heavy outside, and thunder kept rumbling.

Minutes passed, I thought he was asleep until he said, “You keep holding your stomach in your sleep.”

I froze, my heart beating like crazy.

“I notice things,” he added, “I’m not trying to push, but when you do it, it feels like you’re still trying to protect something that is gone.”

I blinked fast, “no one asked you to notice.” I whispered.

“I know.” He replied.

“I wasn’t just the baby I lost, it was my future, my dignity, everything I thought I meant to someone.” I said softly.

“You meant something to the wrong person,” he said, “it doesn’t make you worthless.”

I rolled to face him, he was watching me now.

“I’ve never seen someone who still holds on after being gutted the way you were,” he said, “you keep getting up, that’s admirable.”

“Do I have a choice?” I asked.

“You do.” He replied.

“Then maybe I want to prove to myself that I still matter.” I shrugged.

He reached for me, his hands didn’t touch my skin, it just hovered around my cheek, like he wasn’t sure if crossing that line would break me.

“I don’t need saving.” I whispered.

“I don’t want to save you.” His fingers brushed against my jaw.

Something inside me snapped, I moved before I could even think, my lips found his, hot, desperate, and confused.

He kissed me like he was starving, my fingers tangled in his hair, his hands slid down my back.

Everything at the moment was heat, friction and something far more dangerous.

I realized I wanted him, the kind of want that scared me.

His mouth moved to my throat and I gasped arching into him, my pulse thundering beneath his lips.

“I shouldn’t...” I breathed.

“I know,” he whispered but he didn’t stop. Neither did I.

We kissed like we were trying to forget, like the world would end if we didn’t.

But when his hands slipped undert shirt, I froze, not because I didn’t want it, I did and that terrified me.

I pulled away panting, Aiden sat up too, his chest rising fast.

“We can’t do this.” I said, voice shaking.

“I know.” He said.

“I can’t confuse this heat for something it’s not.” I added.

“Amara, I’m not Karl.” He dragged a hand down his face.

“I know that’s the problem.” I sighed.

He looked at me sharply, “what do you mean?”

“I mean you didn’t betray me, you didn’t leave me bleeding and pick another she wolf over me, and yet somehow you still feel like a risk.” I replied.

His jaw tightened, I stared at my hands, “I can’t fall again, I won’t survive it.”

“I’m not asking you to fall,” he said, “just stand with me.”

I met his eyes, grey, honest and dangerous, his eyes held mine.

“Then let’s make a deal,” I said, my voice steady now, “We work together, we take Karl down, but no feelings, no bond, no mating.”

“No falling for each other.” He echoed.

I nodded, “just revenge and a common goal.”

His lips curved slightly, “you’re scarier than I thought.”

“And you’re not as cold as you seem.” I shot back.

We laid back down, keeping some barrier between us now, a barrier made of rules we’d made too late, my heart was still racing and I knew his was too.