Chapter 0341

She stares at me with utter bewilderment. They all reacted that way whenever I brought up higher powers. As if the idea of something beyond the Moon Goddess governing our existence had never occurred to them.

"Consider this, Hannah. Rogue Lycans exist to control the human population. I'm a Wolf who kills Lycans. Lycans were hidden from ordinary Wolves until Athena revealed them. This is all orchestrated by higher powers. A test. A method to determine who ultimately prevails."

“Then why would they pair Wolves and Lycans together?"

"It wouldn't be the first twisted thing they've done."

A storm of emotions crosses her face. She struggled to process my words. "Have you.... Have you told the Alpha?"

"No. And don't ask, because I won't. She has enough to deal with. She doesn't need my theories adding to her burden."

Hannah sighs, dropping her arms to pick at the tree bark. "The others don't trust me."

"Who?" Her comment irritates me. That same protective feeling I had when she tried to throw herself into the fire returns. I cared.

I shudder, but she doesn't notice.

"The Lycans. I can't shift. That makes me weak."

"Have you ever shifted?"

She shakes her head. The sunset light breaks through the trees, illuminating her deep red waves. "It's true what I said. I can do everything except shift. You saw the burns—I still healed. I can link with Athena. I just can't....shift." I expected disappointment, but she sounds utterly defeated.

"Why tell me this?"

“I thought because of the........” Her words fade as she notices my frown. “I just thought maybe you could help me?"

Multiple footsteps approach rapidly. Many were still participating in the pack run tonight. Some found it beneficial to burn off their worries and frustrations. Others simply craved the freedom and power of the full moon.

I was supposed to join them.

I grab Hannah's bicep, pulling her away from the incoming crowd. "Go home, Hannah."

"If you won't reject me, you can't hide this forever! Nathan already knows, and Brianna does too!!" She half-shouts. I slam her against the tree, covering her mouth. I count to thirty, listening for any reaction, but howls and running feet fill the air. No one noticed us; they were already consumed by the moon's haze.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? Is that your goal?" I growl. "Some insane death wish because you can't fucking shift?”

She shakes her head beneath my hand. Her gaze bores into mine. Only one other person had ever looked at me like that—like she could see beyond my exterior.

Lowering my hand, Hannah pushes off the tree, closing the distance between us. Her breath carries the scent of her recent dinner. She shakes her head again. "You don't have to help me. I just asked because..."

"Because you need a man to save you?" I sneer as her jasmine scent makes my head pound. I desperately want to push her away, yet part of me wants to take her right here.

It's been years since I've felt this way about anyone. Her proximity makes walking away incredibly difficult.

"No!" She's frustrated by my response. "Because you know so much, and I thought... maybe you've encountered this before. That's all." She glances away. "You tried to help Athena."

She looks over my shoulder, pressing her rosy lips into a thin line. There's no one behind me—I would have sensed them long before she did.

Her chestnut eyes return to me. "I should go."

She wasn't talking about returning to the house she'd been staying in since the fire.

“No. You need to stay where I can watch you." Until I decide what to do. I need to keep her safe, at the very least.

"Why? You can't stand me!"

"When did I say that?" I counter. Her heart skips a beat. "I've told you twice now that you need to be where I can keep an eye on you. If you're out there alone, I won't be able to save you from yourself. Again!"

"I've spent years being manipulated. I won't live like that anymore. I refuse to. Just because I'm less of a Lycan than the others doesn't give you the right to mess with me. Do you hear me?!"

I press my lips against hers. She freezes, stunned by my reaction. When I pull back, her eyes are wide. "Loud and clear."