“You want to come in?” I asked.

He smiled, raising hopeful eyes to meet mine.

I took his hand, knowing he could feel my heartbeat racing through my veins the moment our fingers touched. My bedroom was dark, but I could make out the bed, a writing desk, and a few upholstered chairs. The room looked like a cross between a dormitory and a luxury hotel. Not bad.

But where should I go? I’d stumbled into unfamiliar territory. Shay and I were alone and we didn’t have to hide. In this place there was no one to catch us. We were safe . . . in theory. My limbs were trembling, full of desire and the freedom of possibility.

Do I lead him to the bed? Is that too fast? Should I be coy? Man, I suck at this.

Shay stepped behind me. His arms encircled my waist and he drew me back against the curve of his body.

The warmth that filled me when his kiss moved along my neck sent silken tendrils through my limbs. I leaned back against him, relief flooding me. My body eased, each muscle relaxing. We were alone, no longer under the scrutiny of the Searchers—who despite their welcome still left me uneasy. Even if I wasn’t completely comfortable with this new arrangement, at least I was still alive. Shay was still alive. I breathed in the realization that we were safe, for now.

I closed my eyes as his hands moved slowly over my body. Even through his clothes I could feel the warmth of his skin. It was incredibly soothing.

“So what do you think?” he asked. “About the Searchers? They’re the good guys from what I can tell.”

“Looks like.” I shifted slightly in his arms. “It’s weird—but they kind of remind me of Guardians.”

“That makes sense to me. You’re both warriors. And you make sacrifices because of the war.” He pulled back the collar of my shirt, and his lips touched the top of my shoulder.

“Sacrifices.” I shivered at the light brush of his mouth on my skin, suddenly thinking of Lydia. Of Mr. Selby. What did they think they’d given their lives for? There was still so much I didn’t know about the Searchers.

“They’re incredible fighters,” I said, my mind flashing back to the eastern slope. “Even if they aren’t wolves.”

“Sometimes being human has advantages,” Shay said.

“Like when?”

“Like if we were both wolves right now, I’d only be able to lick you.”

I laughed, trying to turn to face him, but he held me still.

He kissed the underside of my jaw. “See, much better than licking.” The sudden speed of my heart and flood of heat through my veins told me it was much, much better.

His lips brushed my ear once again while his hands slid over my hips, molding me against him. “I’m sure we could come up with other things that would be better too.”

I turned before he could stop me, tilting my face toward his, eager for his lips to meet mine. When they did, it was like a flaming arrow scorched its path into the core of my body. He kept the kiss light, teasing. The gentle strokes of his mouth on mine made me ache, hungry for more of him. I twisted my fingers in the soft curls of his hair, pulling him into a deeper kiss. I took his lower lip between my teeth, and I heard a rumbling growl of pleasure in his chest. One of his hands pressed against the small of my back while the other slipped beneath my shirt, caressing, exploring.

“I missed you,” he whispered, kissing me again. “So much.”

“Me too,” I said, almost gasping as his lips moved along my jaw. My skin came alive under his fingers, every touch an electric crackle through my veins.

He laughed, and I managed to catch my breath long enough to ask, “This is funny to you?”

“No,” he murmured against my lips. “It’s just that this outfit is much easier to deal with than that chastity contraption you had on the last time we were kissing.”

I shivered as his fingers emphasized his observation.

“You mean my wedding dress?” I tried to focus on getting coherent words out. “These are more comfortable, but it’s a little weird to be wearing my enemies’ clothes.”

“They aren’t your enemies anymore. And it’s a good look for you.” He smiled against my mouth. “I especially like those tight leather pants.” His hands moved again and my legs threatened to give out.

“Do you want to pick up where we left off in my room?” he asked. “I mean, where we left off before we had to run for our lives?”

My heart fluttered, but another voice echoed in my mind. A voice from when we’d been running for our lives.

Do you love him? Ren’s words swirled around me, filling my ears. I had to close my eyes against the sound of it, struggling against the storm of feelings that assaulted me.

This is only about love.

His rich voice sounded so close, so real. My eyes snapped open and I almost expected to see the alpha standing there: espresso dark hair, sparkling charcoal eyes, teasing smile, lips parted to greet me.

Hey, Lily.

But only tall leaded windows stared back at me from the room’s outer wall.

With some reluctance I pulled out of Shay’s embrace. Why does this keep happening? I couldn’t escape memories of Ren. They were only getting stronger.

“I don’t think we should.” My voice was hoarse and my limbs still trembled, but I didn’t know if it was from the lingering effects of Shay’s touch or the unexpected vision of Ren that intruded on us.

He sighed as he watched me move away from him.