"I want to f**k you," I said before my mind could even process the thought. "I am not sure, Ethan," he muttered. "It might be kinda painful, and I don't want to make too much noise and bring my dad up here." "It does look like it's going to be painful, but I promise I'll be gentle." "Have you done it with anyone before—" "What? No," I cut in. "You're my first. This is the first time I'm with someone... like this. Ever." He lowered his head for a while and looked back at me. "Me too." ___ I’ve spent my whole life pretending to be normal. Keeping my head down and blending in just as Father asked. I was doing fine... until Derek. From the first day I saw him, something inside me shifted. It was instant, like my wolf had lifted its head and decided, him. But Derek hates me, and I don't know why. I crave the fire in his eyes when he’s angry. I crave the way his jaw tightens when I get too close. I crave his attention even when it burns. Wanting a human is forbidden, and Derek wasn't just any human. He’s an Ashbound. A hunter. One of the people raised to track my kind, and to kill us, and still— I can’t walk away. I can’t stop imagining what his mouth would taste like if he kissed me instead of spitting insults. He can push me, threaten me. He can swear he’ll never love someone like me. It won’t change the truth. Hunter or not, I’m not backing down. One day, Derek is going to look at me and feel exactly what I feel. And when he does— I’ll be right there, waiting.