~HAZEL~

As I made my way back toward the cave, the weight of seeing Ashton and Ariel together again pressed on my shoulders.

I should be thinking about the dangers lurking close by, but my mind wandered elsewhere—to Ashton. Always to Ashton. His eyes, his quiet strength, the way he protected me without complaint. I shouldn't think of him this way. He had Ariel, his true mate. Yet, my wolf stirred restlessly whenever he was near, whispering things I dared not acknowledge.

I spot the ...