Chapter 4 When Her Heartbeat Betrayed Us

The howl lingered in the air long after it faded, like a bruise you couldn't stop touching.

I was still gripping my arm, my pulse roaring in my ears. Whatever mark the Black Hollow Pack had left burned beneath my skin-alive, aware. It felt like something had reached inside me and wrapped its fingers around my bones.

My uncle finally let go.

"Pack your things," he said to me. "We're leaving. Now."

"Leaving where?" I asked.

"Somewhere they can't track easily."

Maya laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. "You really think it's that simple?"

My uncle's jaw tightened. "It has to be."

He moved toward the door, already making plans in his head. That left Maya and me standing alone in the small room, the air between us charged and dangerously thin.

She was shaking.

I noticed because I could *feel* it-every tremor, every uneven breath. Her heartbeat was loud to me now, impossible to ignore. Fast. Too fast.

"Maya," I said quietly. "You're scared."

Her eyes snapped up to mine. "Of course I am."

"That's not what I meant."

She swallowed. I smelled salt-fear and something sweeter beneath it. Want. The realization hit me like a punch.

"I can hear your heart," I admitted. "I don't think I'm supposed to be able to do that."

For a split second, something dark and knowing flickered across her face.

"That's because you're changing," she said. "And because you're standing too close."

I took a step back immediately, pressing myself against the wall. The growl that rose in my chest shocked us both.

Maya's breath hitched.

"Don't," she whispered. "Don't shut me out."

"I could hurt you," I said. "You saw what I did."

"You didn't hurt *me*," she replied, stepping closer despite my warning. "And that matters."

She reached for my arm-the one that still burned-and I flinched. Her fingers brushed my skin anyway, light and careful, like she was touching something fragile instead of dangerous.

The pain eased instantly.

I stared at her. "What did you just do?"

"I..." She hesitated. "I don't know. It just felt like you needed someone to hold you there. To keep you grounded."

Her hand was still on my arm. My entire body leaned toward her without my permission. The world narrowed until there was only her warmth, her scent, her pulse.

This was bad. So bad.

"Maya," I said hoarsely. "If I lose control-"

"You won't," she said firmly. "Not with me."

The certainty in her voice terrified me more than doubt ever could.

Before I could respond, the windows rattled violently.

We both jumped as a heavy thud shook the house, followed by another howl-closer this time. Too close.

My uncle burst back into the room. "They've found us."

"How?" I demanded.

His eyes flicked to Maya, then away. "The mark makes him a beacon. And fear doesn't help."

Maya's hand dropped from my arm, guilt flashing across her face.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

I didn't understand then-but I would.

"Ethan," my uncle said sharply. "Listen to me. You cannot transform here. Not with humans nearby."

As if summoned by his words, another wave of pain surged through me. My vision blurred, gold bleeding into the edges. My teeth ached. My spine tightened.

Maya grabbed my face, forcing me to look at her.

"Stay with me," she said urgently. "Look at me. Breathe when I breathe."

Her forehead pressed against mine again. I felt her breath, counted it, clung to it like a lifeline.

In.

Out.

In.

My pulse slowed. The growl faded.

Outside, something slammed against the house.

The front door shattered.

My uncle swore. "They're inside."

"Take him," Maya said suddenly. "I'll distract them."

"No," I snapped. "You're not staying here."

Her eyes softened in a way that hurt. "This is what I was trained for."

"Trained for *what*?" I demanded.

She didn't answer.

Instead, she leaned up and kissed me.

It wasn't gentle. It wasn't careful. It was desperate and electric, like she was trying to pour courage into me through her lips. My entire body lit up, power roaring awake-and for one terrifying second, the wolf surged forward, claiming her as *mine*.

She pulled back just in time.

"Remember this," she whispered. "Remember that you're loved. That's how you fight it."

Then she turned and ran toward the noise.

"Maya!" I shouted, lunging after her-but my uncle caught me.

"Not yet," he said fiercely. "If you go now, you'll kill everyone in this house."

I watched helplessly as shadows moved down the hall, as voices shouted, as Maya disappeared into the chaos.

My hands curled into fists, claws threatening to break free.

I swore then-under my breath, under my skin, under the mark burning into my soul-

No pack.

No hunter.

No moon.

Was going to take her from me.

And somewhere in the house, something screamed.