Page 54 of Howl You Doin'

"I promise to do my best not to die." He pressed his forehead against hers. "Though I should warn you, my best usually involves a lot of growling and showing off."

"Good thing I find that oddly charming." She wrapped her arms around his waist.

He breathed in her scent - cinnamon and woodsmoke and something uniquely Fiona.

Caleb's heart thundered in his chest as he gazed down at Fiona. Her green eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and something else - something that made his wolf howl with joy. Without thinking, he cupped her face in his hands, his thumb brushing away a stray tear.

"Fiona," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

She tilted her face up to his, and the last thread of his control snapped. He lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers in a kiss that started gentle but quickly blazed into something more. Her lips were soft and warm against his. His wolf practically purred as she melted against him, her fingers sliding into his hair.

The kiss felt like coming home and stepping off a cliff all at once. Like finding something he hadn't known he was missing. Her magic sparked between them, little flames of heat that danced across his skin without burning. His wolf reveled in it, in her, in the way she fit perfectly against him.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Fiona's cheeks were flushed and her eyes were bright.

"I've wanted to do that for weeks," she admitted, a small smile playing on her lips.

His hands settled on her waist. "I wanted to do that since you walked into my community center and started bossing everyone around."

"I did not boss-" She started to protest, but he cut her off with another kiss.

This one was different - desperate and fierce, like he was trying to pour everything he couldn't say into it. Her response was just as passionate, her fingers tightening in his hair as she pressed closer. His wolf growled in satisfaction as she made a small sound in the back of her throat.

"You absolutely did boss everyone around," he murmured against her lips. "It was incredibly hot."

She laughed, the sound warming him from the inside out. "If I'd known that was all it took to impress you, I would have been even more demanding."

"Please don't. My wolf's ego can only take so much."

She pulled back just enough to look at him, her expression softening. "Your wolf seems to be doing just fine right now."

"Yeah?" He pressed his forehead to hers. "What gave it away?"

"The fact that you're practically purring now."

"Wolves don't purr," he protested, even as his wolf continued to do exactly that.

22

FIONA

The morning air held a crisp bite as Fiona walked beside Caleb toward the territory border. Her heart hammered in her chest, but she kept her chin high. The grass crunched beneath their feet, still frosted from the night before. Behind them, Wade and several other Eclipsed Moon members followed in formation.

Across the invisible line that separated the two territories, Victor's group emerged from the tree line. Fiona's fingers twitched, heat building under her skin as she spotted Rachelle among them.

Rachelle's lips curled into a sneer. "Well, if it isn't Caleb's little witch. Still nursing those battle scars?"

"Oh honey," Fiona crossed her arms, letting a small flame dance between her fingers. "I was just thinking about how much I missed our little playdate. Though next time, try bringing more than just two friends - might actually make it challenging."

"Big words from someone who ran away."

"I prefer to call it a strategic retreat. You know, the thing your pack does every time they face Caleb head-on?"

Rachelle's eyes flashed dangerously. "At least I know my place in a pack. What are you? Their token witch? Their mascot?"

"Better than being Victor's attack dog. Does he at least give you treats when you follow commands?" Fiona felt Wade stifle a laugh beside her.

Rachelle's face contorted with rage. Fiona noticed Victor place a restraining hand on Rachelle's shoulder.

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