(...continued)
But all of a sudden,out of the blue, Kieran stirred.
It began small.
A tremor beneath Selene's palm.
Then…
His heartbeat spiked.
Hard.
Violent.
Thud
Thud
Thud
It slammed against her hand like something trying to break through bone.
Selene's eyes sharpened.
"No," she murmured softly.
His fingers moved.
Slow at first.
Then suddenly…They closed around her wrist.
Tight.
Not conscious.
Not deliberate.
But powerful.
The Alpha was still there.
Even buried beneath sedation.
His wolf rose like a tide under ice.
His breathing hitched sharply, chest arching upward as if dragging against invisible restraints. The magic Selene had so carefully woven trembled, flickering around him like thin glass under pressure.
"Kieran," she said, voice low but edged now. "Easy."
His head turned slightly on the dirt. Jaw tightening.
A growl vibrated faintly in his throat.
Weak.
But real.
Then came his prayer…
"…Autumn."
Again… "Autumn!"
