Mika let Fauna wriggle in his arms for a moment longer, watching her act like a kid who'd just gotten her favorite toy back after years.
The way she glowed made something warm bloom in his chest...but at the same time, it set a dangerous little spark alight behind his eyes.
He'd had enough of wholesome. Enough of soft-spoken words and nostalgic smiles and childhood memories swaddled in laughter.
Fauna had called him a monster in jest—but she didn't know just how right she was.
Because Mika had no plans to keep things sweet.
He wanted to ruin her.
The warmth between them was just the matchstrike and he'd lit it.
Now he wanted to see how brightly she would burn.
And unlike Yelena, who required delicate maneuvering, step-by-step strategies, slow dances in shadowy rooms, whisper-soft games of patience to draw her in without her ever realizing it...
...Fauna was wide open.
Unguarded. Like a field left untended, gate swinging loose in the wind, daring the wolf to walk through.
