Chapter 17

I cannot be going into heat, and Preston Charge absolutely, positively cannot be my mate. It would never be allowed. Not in a million years.

Fat, hot tears trickle down my cheek. My heart hurts and a wave of pure panic surges higher and higher, looming, about to break. I can’t breathe. My lungs won’t expand.

And then, out of nowhere, music floods my ears. I startle, almost whacking my head on the ceiling as I pluck the earbuds out and fling them down beside me on the bed.

The music still plays, faint and tinny. Guitar. Harmonica.

A human sings. He has a nasally voice, but it’s...