Maria.
The moment we arrived at the pack, exhaustion settled deeper into my bones.
My body ached, not just from the bee stings, not just from the long journey, but from everything that had happened in between. Every movement felt heavier than it should have. Every step reminded me that I wasn't as unaffected as I pretended to be.
And yet…What unsettled me more was the way my body reacted whenever I leaned even slightly against Adrien's chest.
I couldn't ride a horse in my condition. The healer had insisted I avoid straining myself further, and Adrien had only brought one horse. So I had no choice but to sit in front of him during the ride back.
His arm had been firm around my waist, protective and possessive.
His breath brushed against my ear every time the horse shifted pace, warm, teady, and distracting.
I tried so hard to suppress my wolf.
