Julian’s penthouse apartment overlooked the Hudson River, the city lights like an endless sea of stars outside the window.

“The guest room is ready,” he said, leading me to a comfortable-looking room. “There are fresh towels in the bathroom. Let me know if you need anything.”

He turned to leave, but I caught his hand.

“Julian.”

He stopped.

“Seven years ago,” I said in a low voice, “why didn’t you fight for me? If you had just…”

He turned back, his eyes filled with a complex emotion. “I tried, Ellie. Don’t you remember? The night before your engagement party, it was raining. I came to find you, asked you to run away with me. You said… you had a responsibility.”

The memory flooded back. An eighteen-year-old Julian, soaked to the bone, standing at my back door, his eyes red as if they were about to bleed.

“Come with me, Elena. Anywhere. I’ll build my own pack, and you’ll be the most honored Luna.”

And I, stupidly, had cried and shaken my head. “I can’t, Julian. The alliance keeps the peace… and Liam needs the White Wolf’s Eye. He won’t survive past twenty-five without it…”

“To hell with Liam! To hell with the peace!” The younger Julian had grabbed my shoulders, his voice raw. “I love you! More than that arrogant bastard ever will!”

But in the end, he had let me go. Because he saw the pain in my eyes, and he couldn’t bring himself to force me.

“I regret it,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “I regretted it every single day of my last life. When I was being shocked, when I was chained up, all I could think was… if only I had gone with you…”

Julian pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly it felt like he was trying to merge me with his own body.

“I regret it too,” he murmured into my ear, his voice hoarse. “I regret not being stronger, not being more decisive. I regret not coming back to steal you away these past seven years. But it’s different now, Ellie. I’m back, I’m strong enough to protect you, strong enough to crush anyone who tries to hurt you.”

He pulled back slightly, cupping my face in his hands, his thumbs wiping away my tears.

“I swear on my wolf’s soul, Elena Foster. In this life, anyone who wants to harm you will have to step over my dead body first. I will mark you, and let the whole world know you are my Luna. I will find a way to break the curses. I will give you everything you deserve—love, respect, and freedom.”

His vow was a searing brand on my soul.

I stood on my toes and kissed him.

The kiss was filled with the bitterness of seven years of separation, the ecstatic joy of rebirth, and a nearly desperate craving.

Julian froze for a second, then kissed me back with even more force.

His hand tangled in my hair while the other arm locked around my waist, trapping me against him. His kiss tasted of bittersweet dark chocolate and crisp pine, conquering and demanding.

I could feel his canines graze my bottom lip, not breaking the skin, but it was a clear signal—he wanted to mark me, right now.

But we broke apart, gasping for air, and more importantly… because the combination of the drug I’d been given and my own heat was burning away my sanity.

“Julian…” I panted, my scent spiraling out of control—moonlight and fresh snow becoming rich, sweet, and inviting. My body instinctively pressed closer to him, seeking more contact.

His breathing grew ragged, a golden fire igniting in the depths of his amber eyes. I could feel his body tense, coiled with power.

But he took a step back, his throat working, his voice raspy with restraint. “No, Ellie. Not now. You’ve been drugged, you’re not… clear-headed.”

“I am clear-headed…” I grabbed the front of his shirt, my fingertips trembling. “I know it’s you… I only want you…”

“Then wait,” he said, gripping my hand. His hold was strong, but I could feel him shaking. “Wait until you’re truly sober, until you’re completely willing. I won’t take advantage of you, and I don’t ever want you to have a single regret.”

He turned and walked to the door, his back stiff. “Get some rest. I’ll be right next door.”

The door clicked shut.

I slid to the floor, the heat inside me surging, an empty ache gnawing at my soul. Moonlight streamed through the window, and the marking point on the back of my neck burned, screaming for the touch of his teeth.

That night, I was tormented, caught between desire and reason. And through the wall, I could hear his heavy footsteps pacing, the occasional suppressed growl, and the soft sound of something being crushed in his hand.

We were both enduring.

And that push and pull was making something far more intense grow wildly in the silence between us.