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Ariel swallowed but squared her shoulders.“Eyes,” she breathed.“Throat.Groin.”

My cock twitched at each word.“Exactly.”I moved behind her, my hands hovering near her shoulders.Her body was warm against mine, her back pressed firmly to my chest as I demonstrated a hold.The scent of her floral shampoo filled my senses, driving the wolf wild.I had to force myself to focus.

“If someone grabs you from behind, you drop your weight and twist.Like this.”

I guided her through the motion, my hands firm on her shoulders.She moved with surprising agility, her elbow jabbing back toward my ribs.I caught her wrist, spinning her to face me.

Her chest rose and fell with quick breaths.For a moment, neither of us moved.The wolf stirred restlessly.

“Good,” I managed.“But don’t hesitate.Hesitation gets you killed.”

She nodded, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came.My hands trembled at my sides, itching to reach out and pull her close.I stepped back, putting distance between us before I did something reckless.

For the next hour, I walked her through basic moves, how to break a hold, how to use her smaller size to her advantage, and how to put enough force behind a strike to actually hurt someone.She was a quick learner.The same determination she showed in her writing carried through in every movement.

At one point, I demonstrated a move where I pinned her against the wall.Our bodies were pressed together, hip to chest.Her breath hitched, her eyes locking onto mine.For a moment, neither of us moved.The closeness was intoxicating.Her soft curves molded to my body.I could feel her warmth seeping into me, and the rapid beat of her heart against my chest.

“See?”I said, my voice low and rough.“You’re trapped.What do you do?”

She hesitated, her lips parting slightly.“I go for the eyes?”

“Good,” I murmured, my gaze dropping to her mouth.The tip of her tongue darted out to wet her lips.The sight sent a jolt to my cock.I groaned.“But you have to be quick.Don’t give them a chance to react.”

She nodded, her breath shallow.“Got it.”

I stepped back, forcing myself to focus.“Again.”

We repeated the drill, but the tension didn’t dissipate.If anything, it intensified.Every touch, every glance, every brush of our bodies sent a shock of lust through me.By the time we finished, I was wound tighter than a spring.

Ariel wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.“I think I’m getting the hang of this.”

“You’re doing well,” I said gruffly.“But don’t get cocky.Rafe’s not going to play fair.”

She nodded.“I know.But I’m not going to let him scare me.”

Her bravery was both admirable and maddening.I wanted to protect her, but I also knew she wouldn’t let me.

“Come on,” I said, grabbing a towel and tossing it to her.“Let’s get cleaned up.We’ve got a long day ahead.”

Later that evening, we took a walk through the city, the cool night air a welcome relief after the intensity of the day.Ariel chatted animatedly about the book.Her enthusiasm was infectious.But as we turned down a quieter street, a familiar scent hit me.

My body tensed.Every instinct was screaming at the threat.“Ariel, stay close.”

She glanced at me.Her smile faded as she caught the edge in my voice.“What’s wrong?”

Rafe stepped out of the shadows.“Well, well.Brother dearest.Out for a stroll with your little human pet?”

The streetlight above us flickered, casting jagged shadows across Rafe’s sneer.

I growled and stepped in front of Ariel.My muscles were coiled and ready to strike.“Back off, Rafe.You’re lucky Dean didn’t finish you off the last time.He should’ve killed you when he had the chance.”

Rafe’s smirk faltered for a split second.His golden eyes flashed in anger.“Dean’s soft.Always has been.And you?You’re just like him.Weak.”

“Soft or not, Dean made you submit,” I shot back.“Tell me, Rafe, how does it feel to kneel before your older brother?To know you’ll never measure up, no matter how much of Violet’s dirty work you do?You’re her lapdog, but you’ll never be her favorite son.”

Rafe’s face darkened.His hands curled into fists.“Shut up!”

He lunged at me, his shift instantaneous.Disheveled fur erupted from his skin in tufts.Bones cracked as he took the form of a lean, snarling wolf.I barely had time to shove Ariel behind me before I met him mid-air, my own body contorting in a burst of white-hot pain and power as the shift tore through me.The world around me blurred and my senses sharpened as the bitter scent of blood and adrenaline filled my nose.