Page 4 of Roaring Flames

My wolf growls viciously in my head.

Mate,he repeats.

No.

Anger coils in my stomach, a serpent waiting to strike, as I wear down the carpeting in my office.

This can’t be happening. No. This can’t be fucking happening.

Most lone wolves are isolated from others in the community—and for good reason. Without a pack to keep them grounded, most of them turn feral. Insane. It becomes impossible for the human to differentiate themselves from the wolf. Years ago, a lone wolf refused to leave town, and he ended up slaughtering five different humans and two of his fellow shifters.

The thought of that happening to Isabella…

Bile scorches my throat, and my pacing picks up speed, as does my heart.

I never should’ve left the forest. Never should’ve returned home.

Maybe then this wouldn’t have happened.

You need to stay away, Christian,I tell myself firmly, ignoring my wolf’s vehement howl of protest.For her safety. For your sanity. This is wrong. You know it’s wrong.

She can’t be my mate.

It’s impossible.

Not when she’s already chosen for my brother and his friends.

Fuck!

For the billionth time in the last few minutes, I fork my fingers through my hair. I don’t need to see a mirror to know the strands are wildly disheveled. My father would have a field day if he were to see me like this, looking less than meticulous and perfect.

Fuck. Fuck.

Fuck!

A tentative knock sounds on the door, and I pause mid-step, my ears straining. Heart hammering. Lungs burning in a desperate bid to take in oxygen.

But I don’t need to hear her voice to know it’s her. My wolf sensed her long before I did. Already, he’s sitting at attention, wagging his tail, utterly besotted by the endearing female.

Obsessed with her.

Until he loses his mind and rips her apart.

I flinch at the mere thought.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I need to get her away from me.

So why do I move towards the door and open it, inviting her inside?

Izzy stands on the threshold, her hand raised in the air as if she planned to knock again, her jaw clenched tightly. I swallow heavily at just the sight of her.

She’s so fucking beautiful, and I feel like a creep for noticing, despite being only a couple of years older than her. Golden curlstumble around a heart-shaped face with full, generous lips and sharp cheekbones. Her blue eyes are framed by the darkest, thickest lashes I’ve ever seen. She wears jeans and a sweater that slides carelessly down one shoulder, revealing the strap of her bra.

Mine,my wolf growls possessively.

I ignore him and step aside so Izzy can enter, which she does in a flurry of anger, stalking towards the front of my desk while I remain by the door.

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