Sloane's POV
The moment I noticed Epoch's affectionate gaze on me, I panicked completely.
I cleared my throat and quickly lowered my head, ducking into the shadows of the alley wall to hide the blush blooming on my cheeks.
Meanwhile, Vanya was losing her mind in my head.
Lover? That is hot! Sloane, Epoch is totally whipped for you! You're falling for him! You've finally accepted him!
Shut up, I shot back, it's just... like, a normal human word, okay? I'm just showing respect or whatever... Actually, it's kinda like turning him down? I mean, I didn't call him my Mate in front of everyone, right?"
I scrambled to justify myself, but the more I spoke, the guiltier I sounded—even to myself.
Then, thankfully, something else grabbed my attention.
Jackson—completely stripped—was crawling d
