Dallan gasped; his jaw almost touched the ground. He felt a surge of his wolf, an excited dance of jubilation in his guts. The moon seemed to shine brighter, or maybe it was just his eyes. The feeling of adrenaline pumping through his veins was soon replaced with a feeling of peace and serenity. It was a familiar feeling. He had always felt that way whenever his mother hugged him. As a child, feeling undefeatable in her arms was an everyday occurrence.

That was the same feeling that attacked Dallan when he set eyes on Hazel. Her choice of dress—he doubted if it was her choice—left very little to the...