CLARABEL’S POV

I couldn’t sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the memory of Malakai’s hands on my skin, the heat of his breath against my lips, and the way I had shoved him away before running out of his room like a scared rabbit.

I paced the floor, running a hand through my hair, telling myself for the hundredth time that he only acted that way because he was a man driven by basic instincts. He was an Alpha. He was stressed, he was angry, and I happened to be standing too close. That was all it was. It had to be.

A soft tap at the...