Chapter 38

• Cielo's heartbeat resonated through the silence, quickened in a way that unsettled him. He lay as distant as possible from her, his back towards her, wondering if his presence was causing her distress. Given who she was and how she acted around him, the thought almost made him chuckle.
• He was certain there was nothing in the world that could intimidate Cielo. She was pursuing a degree that the Council would undoubtedly prohibit if they were aware, fully cognizant of the potential consequences. Cielo was arguably the most headstrong and self-reliant woman he had ever encountered. She was determined to escape her obligations, a fact that perhaps explained her defensiveness around him. If she chose to bond with him, she'd be saddled with those responsibilities and more. While he couldn't blame her for her reluctance, he wished she would choose him. He resolved to respect her pace, aware of her strong will. He couldn't force her into anything, but he could certainly try to persuade her.
• He knew better than to give her roses. How had that come to be, he wondered? He had unintentionally overheard her conversation while exiting the bathroom. Her friend had mentioned that Cielo had broken up with Dean because of her disdain for roses and she didn't want him to repeat the mistake. He wished he had heard more, but Xander had interrupted him to help with dinner preparations. He was almost cross with him for that. His beast couldn't get her wolf to elaborate, which had infuriated him. He had never encountered a beast that wouldn't submit to him, and it was driving him to the brink of insanity.