Hayley's footsteps receded behind me, her presence vanishing like a shadow that dared not linger. Relief flickered briefly through me—I was alone, or at least I thought I was. But the moment the balcony door clicked shut, Elliot's grip returned, iron-strong and inescapable. My chest pressed against his, his large hand anchoring my head to his shoulder. My wolf-mind bristled with tension; I wanted to pull away, but pride and the need to avoid an audience forced me to stay pressed against him.
The faint sound of approaching footsteps caught our attention. Three men had wandered onto the balcony, likely searching for a quiet space to discuss their pack business. They froze the instant they saw us. Elliot's tall frame, his aura of dominance, and the way I was pinned against him made the sight almost otherworldly. His amber eyes locked on them with the ferocity of an Alpha defending his territory.
