He thinks I’m still the same naive girl who saved his life so many years ago. He thinks I’ll let him walk away—so he can do the same thing to someone else.

My decision crystallizes. “You’re not going to survive this,” I say quietly.

Andrew’s relief instantly transforms into fear. “What? No, Astra, please!”

I crouch back down in front of him, my hand reaching out to grip his jaw firmly. My voice is gentle, almost tender, which seems to frighten him even more than if I were shouting.

“Even if I am a latent shifter,” I say softly, “I’m still a wolf at heart. And wolves don’t forgive threats...