Crystal stood in stunned silence, Ryder's lingering kiss on her forehead felt like a brand.

 Her fingers still clasped in his, she finally spoke *I don't even know you..."

 Ryder's lips curved into a smile"But I know you. My wolf knew the moment I saw you" he said.

 Like an invisible thread, his words tugged at her heart as she thought - she never would have guessed the man she encountered in the forest was not some wandering pack member.

 He was the Lycan ...