LILA'S POV

"One!"

Fuck. I don't move.

I should. I should be running. But my body betrays me, my feet rooted to the spot like I'm waiting, like I want to see what he'll do.

"Two!"

His eyes burn red, molten with warning, and, a promise. A threat that makes my breath catch.

I take one step back. Just one. And then another.

"Three!"

His body shifts violently, muscles snapping, twisting underneath his skin. Half-man, half-monstrous Alpha. His control is fading, the beast bleeding through, and still, still I stay rooted to the ground.

Why the fuck am I so stubborn?

"Four..."

My pulse hammers. His face distorts, his bones...