Nigel held the ring out toward me, the metal catching the light and reflecting rainbow sparks across the room. "Just take it, Anastasia. I ordered it especially for you." His eyes searched mine, vulnerable beneath that usual Alpha confidence, the way a wolf might show its pup a prized bone.
I shook my head with a soft smile, pressing my hands over his. "I can't. It's too much. You should keep it for yourself—it might come in handy for something important later." My words were gentle but firm, carrying the kind of restraint a lone wolf keeps when a rival tries to push too close.
He exhaled, the deep sound vibrating through his chest like a low growl. "You always do this. I just want to give you the best, but you push it away. Can you be a little… more indulgent, Anastasia? Let yourself accept what's given. Don't always resist." His gaze held that mix of frustration and warmth—the heat of an Alpha who wants to protect and possess.
