Chapter 36

Lila’s POV

I fixed my gaze on the massive wolf padding in front of me, heart racing like I’d just chugged three shots of espresso. Rowan. The same ridiculously attractive guy who’d been the object of my covert lunchtime crush for months—only this time, he was covered in fur, drooling slightly, and looking ready to either snuggle or tear me apart. Both sounded equally appealing, in a weird, “I’m not actually insane” sort of way.

It was bonkers to reconcile those dreamy dark eyes I’d been sneaking peeks at across the sandwich shop with the muzzle now sniffing the tile grout. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Riley and I met for lunch; Rowan always tagged along with Riley’s pack of guy–friends. They’d camp out at their table, telling inside jokes and flexing like beer-commercial models, while Riley and I gossiped. Never once had I even said “hello” to this dude. And yet here he was in my bathroom, wolf form and all, which—let’s face it—probably explains the sudden “mate” m