CONNOR

I tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in my chest, the bitterness that stung with every passing moment I watched Luna lean towards Ash in her sleep.

The way she curled into him when he lifted her, half asleep, clutching at his shirt like she needed him, didn’t sit right with me.

My wolf growled, irritated, but I pushed it down.

I knew she needed time; she was reacting to the alpha energy, but something twisted inside me when I saw her so trusting, so comfortable with him.

Ash gently placed her on the bed, but as if by instinct, Luna grabbed his arm. Her body curled into him, finding a place against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

My wolf wanted to growl. To stake a claim. But I stayed still, breathing through the urge, my chest tight with frustration.

Our eyes met across the room. Ash’s gaze was sharp, aware of the tension between us. He didn’t say anything; he didn’t need to. His eyes told me everything—he knew what I’d done last night. He was waiting for me to give in again.

I turned away, trying to ignore the pressure building in my chest. It had been like this since Claire’s death—nothing was the same.

The silence between us felt like a chasm, and I wasn’t sure how to fix it.

Ash was trying to recreate what we once had, but I missed the ease between us, the lightness we used to share. It wasn’t there anymore.

I walked towards the lounge, my senses sharpening as the change overtook me.

I could feel Ash’s alpha energy pulsing, mingling with Luna’s sweet citrus scent.

The moonlight called to me, too, a pull towards Luna that I couldn’t ignore.

But I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t prepared to give in to whatever this was.

I trotted back towards the room, my paws light on the floor. Ash looked relieved to see me, but I could tell he was waiting for something more. He knew this wasn’t just about Luna. It was about us.

I stretched out beside her on the bed, keeping my distance but still close enough to feel the warmth of her body. My wolf relaxed.

The morning light shifted, and I woke to the soft tension in the room. Luna’s leg was hooked over Ash’s, her head resting on his chest. His hand—damn him—was resting just above her knee. I felt the jealousy rise, sharp and jagged, as my wolf growled low in my chest.

I clenched my jaw, fighting the urge to intervene. Luna’s breath quickened as her hand moved over Ash’s chest, and my heart pounded. Then, as if on cue, Ash surged up, his body caging hers beneath him. I heard him whisper her name—“Claire.”

It was like a slap to the face.

Luna recoiled, her eyes wide with shock, and I couldn’t help the growl that rumbled through me. She scrambled out of bed, slamming the bathroom door shut behind her. Ash cursed under his breath, rubbing his eyes.

I jumped off the end of the bed and re-formed in the lounge. Ash followed me.

I couldn’t hold back. I growled low in my throat. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Ash’s eyes met mine, guilt written across his face. “I don’t know. It was like a dream…”

He paused, then glanced down at me. “Jeez, man, cover up. She might come out soon.”

I threw on my pants. “She’s not coming out anytime soon.”

Ash cursed again, frustration coloring his voice. “Let me talk to her. You might want to go take care of yourself.”

“What’s wrong with me?” he asked, vulnerability creeping into his tone.

I stared at him for a long moment before answering, my voice quiet but firm. “You haven’t touched anyone since Claire. Now, you’ve got a new mate. And she’s on your mind. Bad combination, Ash.”

He stayed silent for a while. Finally, he spoke, his voice raw. “How are you going to get her out of the bathroom?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But I will.”