The night air was heavy, thick with the pine and sandalwood scent that had been haunting me ever since my wolf returned. It clung to me, seeping into my lungs, burning through my chest until I could no longer pretend I didn’t crave it. I had just bared my heart to Kristen, spilled the darkest pieces of my story—the humiliation, the betrayal, the way Damon had discarded me like I was nothing, and how Karen had twisted the knife deeper by calling me step-sister.

I thought after telling him ...