Page 12 of Allie

But who was I kidding? Even with the interruption, it was a kiss worth every skipped heartbeat.

I had barely regained my composure when Natalie's voice sliced through the haze of post-kiss euphoria. "Well, well, if it isn't Allie Everton, Shadowbrook's newest siren," she quipped from the couch, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Shut up," I huffed, but the heat in my cheeks betrayed my mortification mixed with delight. "It's not like that."

"Isn't it?" She arched an eyebrow. "Because from what I saw, you and Mr. Tall, Dark, and Furry were about to rewrite the definition of 'animal attraction.'"

I couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up even as I sank into the armchair across from her. "Roan said we're mates," I confessed, twirling a lock of hair around my finger. The word felt foreign, yet thrilling on my tongue.

"Mates, huh?" She leaned forward, elbows on knees, her grin wide. "And what about Draven and Asa? From what I could see, they weren’t exactly keeping their distance, either."

"Okay, so maybe there's something... magnetic about them," I admitted, feeling the pull of my heartstrings toward all three men, each one striking a different chord within me. "But it's complicated."

"Complicated, she says," Natalie snorted. "You're like honey in a field of flies, sis. They're all buzzing around you."

"Flies? Really, Nat?" I rolled my eyes, but laughter laced my words. "You sure know how to make a girl feel special."

"Always here to keep your ego in check." Her smile softened, though, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. "But seriously, Allie, be careful. This investigation... it's dangerous. And your little love triangle—or whatever it is—could make things messier."

My mirth faded, replaced by a steely resolve that settled in my chest. "I know what I'm getting into," I said, meeting her gaze squarely. "I have to clear my name, Nat. I can't let Doyle's death hang over me."

"And these guys? Are you sure you can trust them?"

"Roan wouldn't let anything happen to me," I said, more to convince myself than her. "I can feel it, Natalie. There's something about him... about all of them. They're part of this path I'm on, whether I planned it or not."

Natalie searched my face, her own expression softening with understanding. "Just promise me you'll stay safe."

"I promise," I replied, holding her gaze. But as I spoke, the tingling sensation on my lips reignited, reminding me that safety was relative when the heart played a dangerous game of its own.

6

ALLIE

The clang of weights and the soft whirring of machines greeted me as I slipped into the gym the next morning. The third floor was immersed in the gentle pre-dawn light, creating an ambiance that enveloped the world in its embrace. I always found solace in the solitude of an early morning workout, the way each stretch and lift seemed to cleanse away yesterday’s troubles.

I moved toward the treadmills when I saw a man getting ready to start a run on one of the machines. He was handsome with reddish-brown hair that curled on top of his head. I felt the same pull toward him as I did with Roan, Draven, and Asa. But I put those feelings away for now because this guy didn’t seem like he wanted company.

Well, that was too bad. I loved meeting new people.

"Grumpy" didn't even scratch the surface of the aura around him. He was like a storm cloud in sweatpants, but there was something...intriguing about his intense focus.

"Morning! Mind if I hop on the treadmill beside you?" I asked, mustering all the cheeriness that befitted my free-spirited witchy nature.

He glanced up, eyes narrowing slightly as if he were debating whether or not to acknowledge my existence. "Sure," he grunted finally, attention slipping back to the treadmill. "Just don't expect a conversation."

"Wouldn't dream of it," I quipped, stepping onto the machine beside him. I started my run, feeling the rhythm of my own breath blending with the steady thump-thump of my feet. In the reflection of the gym's mirrors, I could see him staring at me a few times.

I stared back for a brief few seconds before my cheeks heated. A million questions swirled around my mind, but I held them back, not wanting to annoy the man.

It really wasn’t in me to hold back for too long. So, when he finally spoke, I was relieved. “You’re new here.”

“Yep. I’m Allie. I moved in with my sister a few days ago. How long have you lived here?”

He pursed his lips and watched me for a long while. I figured he regretted engaging with me and now was going back to being a stalker. “I’m kind of a chatty person. I won’t be offended if you don’t answer my questions.”

He grunted as he stood and wiped down the weights before stepping on the treadmill beside me. For several minutes, we ran at the same pace in silence. It was nice. And under that grumpy front he put on, there was pain and goodness. I wasn’t sure how I knew that, but I did. My intuition was never wrong.

“Grant.”