Chapter 16

Summer's POV "Summer…" When Alexander reached out to touch me again, I instinctively took a step back. But his scent—cedarwood and lavender, laced with that unmistakable Alpha aura—lingered in the air, tugging at something deep inside me, drawing me toward him. Still, I stood my ground, fists clenched tightly at my sides, resisting the pull. He stepped closer, but respectfully kept his distance. "You felt it, didn't you?" he asked, his voice low and certain. "Whatever's between us—it's always been there, Summer." I couldn't deny it, but I couldn't admit it either. The wounds Alpha Foster left on me were still raw, still bleeding beneath the surface. Every time Alexander tried to get close, my instinct was to flinch, to retreat. My past trauma had built an invisible wall around my heart—one meant to keep pain out, even if it also kept healing away. "No, I… I don't know what you're talking about," I said, drawing in a shaky breath, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Alpha Alexander… I'm s