Mila’s POVThe drive back to school is quiet. Not that Roman hasn’t tried his best to distract me from the awkward moment we shared with Julian and his date. I just can’t let it go and I hate that Roman has to suffer because I’m an emotional mess.Why am I a mess?It was ONE night! How could that man entrap me so easily after just one time? It’s like a put a spell on me and it keeps pulling me toward him, no matter how much I want to run away.“Hey.” Roman brushes a finger along my cheek and I finally turn to look at him.He gives me a weak smile, but there is no sign that he’s angry at me, which makes me hate myself more.“I’m so sorry. We were having such a great time and I- ““Don’t,” He says, cutting me off. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s clear you and Julian have a history and from the tension between you two, I’m guessing it’s not good. You have every right to be upset at seeing him. I’m not upset about how things ended today, and you shouldn’t be either. We had a lot of fu
Julian's POV“So I’m guessing you know that girl we saw today.” Stephanie says next to me as I drive us back home.I shrug, but she nudges me and gives me a look that says she won’t let this go if I don’t answer her questions.“Yeah, I know her.” Is all I say, but she waves her hand, telling me to go on. “We slept together a couple days ago after I lost my temper.”Her eyes widen slightly. “You never lose your temper. You’re a coldhearted asshole. One of many, but the worst by far.”I give her an unamused look. “Your brother isn’t the warm, cuddly type, either.” She laughs. “Ryan is an asshole with a god complex, but you are a whole other monster.”She isn’t wrong. My cousin is one of the most lethal people in this city, but he has a way of blending in that I have yet to master. My father taught me to be the biggest presence in the room, where my uncle taught my cousin to blend in and strike without being seen. Sometimes I envy his ability to be hidden, but when it comes to what I d
Mila’s POVJulian’s eyes shift from anger to concern so quickly that my breath catches.“Don’t,” He says in a low voice with a slight hitch of emotion. “Don’t look at me like you’re scared of me.”Is that what he thinks?Okay, I won’t lie and say that the way he dragged me away didn’t cause a few bad memories to flare up, but…I wasn’t scared of him. Which makes no sense given how he just acted and yet it’s true. He doesn’t scare me.“I’m not.” I snap at him.So I’m still a little annoyed, but can you blame me?He narrows his eyes at me. “And why not, princess?”I can’t tell if the pet name is meant as an insult or a compliment, but either way, I was the farthest thing from a princess you could get.“I don’t know.” I admit sounding less annoyed and more breathless as our eyes stay locked on each other.He looks at me for a long moment, probably wondering if I’m telling the truth. He shakes his head like he wants to get rid of anything he saw on my face just now. His hand goes up to his
Julian's POVMy wolf wouldn’t let me leave until I knew Mila was okay, so after she walked away, I climbed into my car and watched her. As she said she would, she walked to the bus stop, and there was a smile on her face when she looked down at her phone. Something told me it was Roman making her smile like that and an unearthly rage built up inside me and the urge to hunt the asshole down was strong, but I resisted. As much as I hated the guy, he was keeping her happy while I couldn’t.I may be trying to do the right thing now, but once I’ve done what needs to be done to get control of my family’s enterprise again, I will need a queen by my side. It isn’t the right time yet, but if Roman lays a hand on her in a way that means he is trying to get her into his bed, then he’s dead.She seems safe enough that I was ready to leave and head back to campus when a car pulled up in front of the bus stop and the smile fell from her face. Her face goes pale, and she looks terrified. Someone ins
Julian's POVThe way Mila is looking at me now, like all her secrets are laid bare to me and she’s waiting for me to walk away, kills me. Because I might need to walk away one day but not because of this side of her life. She tried to keep hidden but the secrets I hide.“Now, Mr. Keller, I suggest you leave. Your father might be a powerful man, but I doubt he’s as powerful as me.” Mila’s stepmom means my father has never shown an affinity for any specific ability.The woman couldn’t be any more wrong. See, while some humans gained their power through unnatural means, ours come from generations of mutation and evolution. Our symbiosis relationship with our wolves allows us to be far more powerful than any human, even one with abilities, could ever be. The more wolves join a pack, the stronger we become. That includes when human mates are turned. Unfortunately, we have to explain our abi
Mila’s POVOnce I’m done hurling my guts out in a secluded forest on the side of the road, Julian and I drive in silence. I can’t stop seeing his power leaving him and how he looked fr more like a vending god than a man. He was beautiful and deadly. It was a sight I would not soon forget, nor would I want to. Not after he saved me. The reminder of why he came for me has me reaching up and rubbing the healing marks on my throat.The movement catches his attention and he glances my way before jerking his head straight and tightening his fingers around the steering wheel. He's furious, but is it for having to rescue me or because of the proof that I’m not the princess he thought I was?“Julian- ““I arranged for you to stay somewhere for the night. Somewhere safe, and then tomorrow I’ll have one of my guys go to your house and pack all of your stuff. Then you will be moved out of the city to a small town north of here. You’ll have to do your classes online, but finishing your degree won’
Mila’s POVI want to break down and scream over what my step mom has done, but I’m not ready for Julian to see me break yet. He’s seen too many parts of me today, and after how he’s acted, he doesn’t deserve to see any more. So I take one more look at the photo before turning to face the rest of my room. It doesn’t look like there is anything intact to save. Which means I’ll have to replace everything! My stepmom took the money I had saved, so I’ll have to figure something out. Maybe Isabella has some clothes I can borrow for now. “Mila- ““Don’t.” I snap at Julian. “Don’t say my name like you care. I need to replace all of this, but my friend Isabella has some things I can borrow until I can save the money to get new stuff. She can help me more than Roman can, and I don’t want him to see me like this.” He narrows his eyes on me. “And why is that, princess?” That name again. “Stop calling me that! Look around Julian, this isn’t a castle and I’m not some pretty girl in a dress sitti
Mila’s POV“Girl, you need to spill right now. What is going on? You were in the news because of a shooting Mimi!” Isabella sets in on me the second I climb into her car. Guilt hits me like a brick at how concerned she’s been while I’ve been worrying about a bunch of other stuff I want to keep away from her. She’s too pure and happy to see the darker parts of the world, but now I don’t have a choice but to tell her. “It’s a long story.” I say, hoping to brush everything off until tomorrow when it doesn’t feel so raw. I should know better than to expect something like that from her. It’s a shock. I’ve been able to keep any of this a secret for this long. “Mila enough. I know there is something you haven’t been telling me. You think I never noticed the marks or the scars? I said nothing because I didn’t want to push you, but now. You need my help and I will, but please don’t lie to me. I’m your best friend.” She’s right. It’s time I told her everything. “My stepmom has been hurtin