Page 9

9

SONYA

T he sun was dipping low by the time they made their way back down the ridge, the last orange streaks bleeding across the tops of the trees like fire smudged against the sky.

Sonya kept her pace slow, letting the quiet wrap around them while her mind screamed at her from all sides.

She’d almost kissed him.

Almost.

One inch closer and her carefully guarded world would’ve snapped in half.

And the worst part? She’d wanted it.

Not for the mission.

Not to keep him close.

She’d wanted it because Landon looked at her like she was something sacred—not a spy, not a soldier, not a girl wrapped in lies—but herself .

And that? That was more terrifying than any order Roman had ever barked.

“You okay?” Landon asked beside her, his hand brushing hers again as they descended a narrow path riddled with fallen pine needles.

Sonya nodded without looking at him.

“Just tired.”

Not a lie.

Just not the truth either.

Her fingers still tingled where his skin had touched hers—brief, innocent, maddening.

And his voice, always low and steady, had turned gentle after she pulled away earlier.

He hadn’t pushed. Hadn’t asked questions.

Just offered her silence to breathe in.

It made her want him more.

It made her hate herself a little too.

She didn’t owe him honesty.

Not by pack law. He was an assignment.

A variable to monitor.

A prophecy wrapped in denim and wide-eyed kindness.

But gods, she wanted to tell him everything.

To say, Yes, I’m a shifter.

Yes, I’ve been lying.

And yes, I think about kissing you way more than is healthy for either of us.

Instead, she bit her tongue until it hurt and focused on the sound of his footsteps beside hers, grounding her more than she wanted to admit.

By the time the trail curved toward the parking turnout, a sinking weight settled in her stomach.

She sensed Roman before she even saw or smell him.

He stood near the trailhead sign, flanked by two of his favorites—Kian and Mace, both broad-shouldered and stone-faced in black.

Roman’s arms were crossed, jaw tight, eyes like cold iron.

The SUV behind them idled low, headlights still on despite the dusk.

Landon slowed beside her.

“Who the hell’s that?”

“Local council,” she said automatically, hating how easy the lie came.

Roman was watching her.

Not glaring. Smiling.

That wolf-smile. All teeth, no warmth.

Landon stepped a little closer, like he sensed the shift in her tension.

“You know him?”

“Yeah,” she muttered.

“Unfortunately.”

Roman pushed off the sign as they approached.

“Evening,” he said smoothly, his gaze flicking to Landon with casual disdain.

“Didn’t expect to see you out here, Sonya. Especially not... entertaining strangers. ”

Her throat tightened.

“We were hiking.”

Landon offered his hand, ever the goddamn gentleman.

“Hey. I’m Landon. Don’t think we’ve met.”

Roman didn’t take the hand.

Instead, he looked him over like he was measuring a threat.

“I know who you are.”

Landon dropped his hand slowly.

“Cool. That’s not creepy at all.”

Sonya shot him a warning glance, but Roman just smiled wider.

“You’ve got quite the curious nature,” he said to Landon.

“Wandering around old places. Digging into roots that were buried for a reason.”

“Pretty sure it’s a free country,” Landon replied, folding his arms. “Unless the trail’s suddenly private property?”

Kian took a half-step forward.

Sonya stiffened.

Roman raised a hand, stopping his guy with barely a flick.

“Relax. I admire the curiosity. It’s... refreshing.”

The words landed like stones in her gut.

Roman’s eyes slid back to her.

“Sonya, I’ll need a word. Alone.”

Landon frowned.

“You can’t say whatever it is here?”

“No,” Roman said flatly.

“I can’t.”

Sonya turned to Landon, forcing her voice calm.

“I’ll meet you by the Jeep.”

He hesitated.

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

Reluctantly, he nodded and headed toward the vehicles.

The moment he was out of earshot, Roman’s smile dropped like a mask hitting the floor.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he growled.

“I’m doing my job.”

“You’re playing house,” Roman spat.

“You had your chance to get information. Now you’re flirting like a damn teenager.”

“I’m building trust. You don’t get to dictate the method, Roman. Isn’t this part of the training you mentioned when you assigned this to me?”

“You think I don’t see what’s happening?” He stepped closer.

“You’re getting attached.”

Her jaw clenched.

“And if I am?”

“Then I’ll burn him out of you, ” Roman snarled.

“Like a fever.”

Her hand itched to hit him.

To do something reckless and loud.

Instead, she kept her voice even.

“You lay a hand on him, and I walk.”

“You walk,” Roman said, stepping in until they were nose to nose, “and you’ll wish I only burned him. ”

The threat hung there, ugly and real.

Then he backed off, composed again in a flash.

“Besides, you know that you can’t walk away from a pack. Your family.” He let out a sight.

“You’re slipping, Sonya,” he said coolly.

“That’s dangerous. For you. For your family. Don’t forget how quickly the pack can turn on a traitor.”

She stared at him, blood pulsing hot in her ears.

Then she turned her back and walked away.

Every step felt like dragging chains, but she made it to her Jeep and Landon’s car trying to control her rage-fueled fear.

“You okay?” he asked, watching her carefully.

She nodded. “Fine.”

“You sure?”

“No,” she said.

“But it’ll pass.”

He reached over, slowly, and took her hand.

Just held it.

She didn’t pull away.

Sonya realized what terrified her the most, and it wasn’t Roman.

It was how safe she felt with someone who had every reason to hate her.

Especially once he realized what she was doing.