Chapter 18 · The Name Under His Skin

"Get your hands off me, Caelan!" Lyra drove her elbow into his ribs, but the wolf wearing his body barely moved.

His fingers locked around her wrist. His other hand slammed into the stone beside her head, trapping her against the well's broken rim.

His breath hit her face, hot and rough. His eyes had gone silver.

Not gray. Not human.

"You need to run," he said.

"I noticed." Lyra twisted against his grip. "You want to explain why you're trying to tear my arm off first?"

His claws pressed through the leather of her glove. Not deep enough to break skin. Yet.

"I said run."

"And I said let go. Looks like we're both having a terrible night."

A low growl rolled through his chest.

The sound vibrated against her bones. Her pulse jumped, which only made his gaze drop to her throat.

Lyra saw it happen. The wolf noticed the beat beneath her skin.

"Don't," she warned.

His head snapped up. "Don't what?"

"Look at me like I'm meat."

"You're not meat."

"That's your defense?"

"It's the truth."

His grip tightened.

Pain shot up her arm.