Author's POV
Hailey's heart slammed against her ribs as she stared down at Viya's motionless body sprawled at the bottom of the staircase.
*Oh god. Oh god, what did I do.*
She took a step back, her wolf whimpering in panic beneath her skin, every instinct screaming at her to run. If she moved fast enough, if she just disappeared before anyone caught her scent near the body—
She'd made it three steps toward the side hallway when a hand clamped around her wrist like a vice, strong enough to bruise.
"Don't even think about it."
Hawkins's voice had dropped an octave, an his wolf pressing so close to the surface that Hailey could practically feel the growl vibrating in the air between them.
"Hawkins, I didn't mean—it was an accident, I swear—"
"I can smell the lie on y
