Joem’s Game

MELISSA’S POV

The morning after the moon run came with a biting chill that sank into my bones.

I could barely sleep as my dreams had been nothing but flashes of gold eyes and calloused hands, and his scent that almost sent my wolf wild.

By sunrise, I was already outside the training grounds, and as always, Joem was already there when I arrived.

He didn’t look up as I approached. “You are late.”

“I’m five minutes early.”

“For a soldier, that’s late,” he said flatly, turning toward me. “Especially one who almost exposed herself last night.”

My throat tightened. “You said you wouldn’t”

“I didn’t.” His tone...