Kaidan stepped into the darkness, exhaling a breath of relief. The cool night air filled his lungs, cleansing him of the oppressive tension that had built up in the cabin. Danger outside—rabid dogs—was much preferable to monstrous beings within, and far better than the unending inquiries from Nova, whose presence was both an annoyance and a disruption to his solitude. He hadn’t conversed this much in five years, not since…

His thoughts trailed off as he scanned the forest, senses sharp, picking up the faint scent of a predator. His wolf stirred with interest in Nova, awakening. He fought against the beast’s urges, keeping his iron grip intact. He didn’t desire her—he couldn’t. The thought reverberated in his mind, yet his gaze betrayed him, drawn back to the image of Nova. Her face lingered: those intense, fierce eyes, her determined jaw, and those inviting lips that seemed to beckon for a kiss—damn it! Kaidan’s jaw tightened. No.

He wouldn’t give in to his longings. His wolf growled, restless, needing Nova to heal so she could depart before he utterly lost himself. Nova was merely a contemporary inconvenience. He would ensure her safety until she was well enough to leave, then return to his solitude. He would not let himself desire her, even though her closeness stirred something deep within him.

As he patrolled the perimeter, his movements were fluid and lethal, the sound of gravel crunching beneath his boots. He noticed something unusual: a footprint, large and distorted in the dirt. Kaidan crouched beside it, tracing the outline with his fingers. The Earth revealed a distinctive shape. His heart raced. Impossible. He was the only wolf in Evergreen, the solitary inhabitant of this secluded wilderness. Cast out from his pack, he had chosen isolation, punishing himself for a crime he hadn’t committed, yet someone dared to intrude upon his sanctuary. The faint trace of a wild wolf lingered in the air. His instincts screamed a primal warning. Someone had found him. His thoughts immediately turned to Nova, vulnerable inside the cabin.

⸻

Nova paced the cabin, heart pounding. The crash outside had set her nerves on edge. What was lurking in the darkness? She inched toward the window, peering out cautiously. The woods were thick and imposing, the night cloaking them in a veil of mystery.

She strained to see any movement, but the shadows seemed to swallow all signs of life. A branch snapped, making her jump. Her gaze darted back and forth, searching for the source. Panic set in as she realized how alone and vulnerable she was. Just a flash of movement caught her eyes. She froze, breath caught in her throat, as a massive figure emerged from the trees. It moved with primal grace, its muscular frame rippling beneath a coat of coarse fur. Nova’s blood ran cold as she recognized the unmistakable silhouette of a wolf.

Her hand flew to her mouth, stifling a terrified gasp. The wolf paused, nostrils flaring, sensing her presence. Nova’s heart pounded as she watched the beast intently, praying it wouldn’t notice the cabin. After a tense moment, the wolf let out a low, menacing growl and slipped back into the shadows. Nova remained motionless, trembling. She had to get to safety, but venturing outside into the darkness was unthinkable with that creature nearby.

Nova’s gaze fell upon the door. Kaidan had said he set traps for protection. Maybe they could keep her safe. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and made her way to the door, determined to find a way to fortify the cabin against the dangers of the night.

The cabin door creaked open just as Kaidan stepped inside, his expression tight. He paused as his gaze landed on her, jaw clenching.

“I told you to stay inside,” he said gruffly, his voice laced with irritation.

A spark of relief flickered across Nova’s eyes. “There was a wolf out there! I saw it with my own eyes.”

Kaidan’s eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening. “You shouldn’t have been looking out the window.”

He moved past her, his broad shoulders brushing against her, sending a jolt of electricity through her, as he made his way to the kitchen area. Nova watched him warily, a thousand questions on the tip of her tongue. After a moment, Kaidan returned with a bowl of stew, the steam curling into the air. He thrust it toward her, his expression unreadable.

Nova accepted the bowl cautiously, warmth seeping into her hands. Her stomach growled, betraying her hunger. As she lifted the spoon to her lips, she studied Kaidan’s face, searching for any sign of emotion—he was so beautiful. Kaidan turned away, movements tense. Nova could sense the coiled power in his frame, like a wildcat ready to pounce. She wondered what was troubling him and why she felt an almost overwhelming urge to enfold him in her arms.

He busied himself with stoking the fire, the crackle of flames the only sound filling the cabin. Nova ate in silence, her eyes never leaving Kaidan’s back.

As she finished her meal, a loud crack of thunder reverberated through the cabin. She jumped, the spoon clattering against the bowl. Kaidan’s head snapped up, eyes narrowing. He moved swiftly to the window, peering out into the darkness. Nova watched him, heart pounding.

“A storm is coming,” Kaidan said, voice low. “We need to secure the cabin.”

Without another word, he began checking doors and windows, ensuring they were tightly sealed. Nova set down the bowl and hurried to assist him. As they worked side by side, their bodies brushed, sending another jolt of electricity through her. Nova couldn’t help but steal glances at Kaidan, studying the lines of his jaw and the flex of his muscles as he moved. His brooding intensity both frightened and captivated her.

Another crack of thunder shook the cabin, followed by the sudden patter of rain against the windows. Nova paused, gaze drawn to the gloomy night outside.

“What’s out there, Kaidan?” she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Kaidan’s jaw tightened, eyes filled with a haunted intensity. “Things you couldn’t possibly understand.”

Nova opened her mouth to press him further, but the cabin suddenly lurched as a powerful gust of wind buffeted the structure. Nova swayed, staggered back a step. Kaidan snatched her reflexively, pulling her against him. Momentum brought her chest to his, and before she could draw breath, his mouth was on hers.

His kiss was hot and fiery, like he was claiming her, branding her. Her senses reeled as his lips devoured hers. Heat coursed through her veins, pooling in her core. Every nerve ending pulsed with desire, begging for more. Kaidan’s touch was a brand, searing his mark into her very being.

As she reached around his neck for support, her fingers tangled in his dark, lustrous hair. His tongue sank into hers as he took what he wanted, and she was lost, drowning in a dark tide of sensation. She felt a strange, irresistible pull toward him, as if some unforeseen force were drawing them together. She leaned closer, aching for deeper, more intimate contact.

He deepened the pressure, one hand anchoring her hips against his. Even through layers of clothing, she felt his hardness pressing into her, and a shiver of need coursed through her. And just like that, the storm ended as abruptly as it had begun. Kaidan tore his mouth away with a rough sound, leaving her weak, breathless, and trembling with desire.