JAXON’S POV

The walls of my room felt too damn close. I couldn’t sit still, couldn’t breathe right. My wolf scratched under my skin, restless, pacing, wanting out. I’d locked Nyra in, turned the key myself, checked the latch twice. Still, I kept circling back to her door like a lunatic.

I told myself it was precaution. Told myself it was duty. Told myself I was keeping her safe from herself. But the truth tasted bitter—I didn’t trust myself not to give in the moment she looked at ...