Page 60 of Rocky Top

His jaw ticked, and for a second, I saw the animal flash in his eyes. “This ain’t about pride, Birdie. It’s about survival. You wanna walk into the woods with your eyes shut, be my guest. But don’t act surprised when something tears you apart.”

The words hit me like a slap. I opened my mouth to snap back, but the look on his face stopped me. It wasn’t anger. It was fear. Raw, unfiltered fear.

He wasn’t trying to control me.

He was scared for me.

I let out a breath and looked away. “Fine. But don’t expect me to start following orders like I’m in boot camp.”

That hint of a smirk returned. “Wouldn’t dream of it, sunshine.”

The tension eased, just enough that I could breathe again. We talked for a while longer. He explained the different types of shifters, the way full moons affected them, the politics between the clubs and the supernatural world. It was all so new. I couldn’t absorb it all. I asked questions. Too many. And still didn’t get it. He didn’t seem to mind. Said it’d take time.

At some point, we’d moved closer. Close enough that his knee brushed mine from time to time. Close enough that our hands would touch when we reached for our drinks.

At one point, I glanced up and caught him staring. His pupils were wide, and his eyes… they weren’t quite human. Not entirely. A low hum stirred deep in my belly.

“Rocky,” I whispered. I didn’t know what I was about to say. I just knew I had to saysomething.

He reached out slow, like he was afraid I’d bolt. His fingers brushed my cheek, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. A simple touch. But it felt like a promise.

“Birdie,” he murmured. “I’ve been trying real hard not to do this…”

I leaned in without meaning to. I was hotter than the Tennessee sun. My breath caught as our lips hovered, barely a breath apart.

But he stopped.

Pulled back with a growl low in his throat, like it physically hurt him to break contact.

“I can’t,” he rasped, jaw clenched. “Not until you know what it means.”

My heart was racing, my hands trembling. “Whatmeans?”

He stood, pacing a few feet, then turned back to me. The struggle in his eyes was fierce.

“If I claim you,” he said. “If I mark you. It ain’t just a roll in the hay. It’s forever. Instinct. Bonded. You’d feel me in your head. Your heart. Your bones.”

I blinked. “You mean… like, psychically?”

“Worse. Better.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “Permanent.”

My throat went dry. “Is that what you want?”

He looked away. “Every damn day. Every time you smile. Every time you sass me.”

There was silence. Thick. Heavy.

Then he turned back, his voice quieter, raw. “Would you ever consider it? Bein’… like me?”

I jerked like he’d slapped me. “What?”

“Shiftin’,” he said. “Bein’ a wolf. It’s not somethin’ I’d force. But if you everwanted…”

“Oh, hell no.” The words came out harsher than I intended. “God, no, Rocky. I’m not—I can’t.”

He flinched, just barely. But I saw it.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “But this whole world is still… too much.”

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