Moonlit Fever

The silence in the room was suffocating. I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands, staring at the firmly shut door where Nate had stormed out just minutes before.

His scent still lingered in the room—pine and cedar, sharp and grounding—but now it felt like an ache instead of a comfort.

His frustration with me replayed in my mind, each word cutting deeper than the last. I hadn't meant for things to escalate, but by trying to keep Nate safe I was pushing him away.

I needed to tell him the truth, about my past or and my connection to the Wolf King. But my pride—damn my pride—it wouldn't allow me to. But I was also frightened that Nate's reaction to the truth would end in his betrayal.

"He doesn't understand," I muttered to myself, though the words sounded hollow as I tried to justify keeping the truth from him.

My hand drifted to my mouth, fingers brushing the spot where his lips had pressed just minutes ago when he'd kissed me. The memory of that kiss flooded my mind, a rush of heat and emotion that made my heart pound even now.

It hadn't been just any kiss.

I closed my eyes, letting the memory wash over me. The moment his lips met mine, it was like a spark had ignited inside me. A surge of energy, raw and untamed, had coursed through my body, filling the hollow space I hadn't even realized was there.

For weeks, I'd felt off—my strength waning, my wolf restless and agitated—but with Nate in my arms, it was as if I'd found the missing piece of myself.

My wolf stirred at the thought, growling softly in agreement. Nate wasn't just anyone. He was someone I couldn't seem to stay away from. He was mine. My mate.

"Fated," I whispered, the word feeling both exhilarating and terrifying.

I stood abruptly, pacing the room as the realization settled over me. This wasn't just about desire or lust or even love. This was destiny.

The bond between us wasn't something we could ignore or run from, no matter how much simpler that might seem.

But I'd lied to him. I'd taken his memories from him and hurt him. The look in Nate's eyes before he'd walked out had been like a dagger to my chest.

"Damn it, Nate," I muttered, running a hand through my hair as I tied it back into a lose bun to hide my disfigured ear. "Why do you have to make everything so complicated?"

But I already knew the answer. Nate didn't make things complicated. He made them clear, forcing me to face truths I'd been too scared to admit to myself.

Without him, the room felt colder. Empty.

I stopped pacing, my gaze falling on the jacket he'd left fallen on the floor as he rushed out. My hand clenched into a fist as determination flooded through me. I couldn't let this end like this. I wouldn't.

Nate was my mate—my fated mate—and I'd do whatever it took to make things right. I'd grovel if I had to. I'd fight for him, even if that meant fighting myself. Because losing him wasn't an option.

My wolf growled again, urging me to move, to find him, to fix this.

"I know," I said aloud, my voice steady now. "I'm going."

I grabbed Nate's jacket and headed for the door, when it opened itself and I was met with Xavier's cruel and twisted eyes.

"Where do you think you're going?"

***

Xavier escorted me back to the courtroom where my sentencing awaited me.