CLAUDE
“YOU CAN’T JUST leave.”
Ava’s voice was tight, the kind that dug under the skin. I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand over my face before turning to her. She stood by the bed, arms locked over her chest, her eyes glaring holes at me.
“You’re going to him, aren’t you?” She stepped forward, her nostrils flaring. “That human I smelled on you?”
I tightened my grip on the bag’s handle but didn’t say a word.
Her lips curled, but there was nothing soft about it. “My heat is close, and you want to run off? Like a f*****g coward?”
I turned for the door.
“Use the drug, Ava.”
I barely got the words out before she was on me, pressing against my back. Her nails dug into my arms, not enough to break skin, but enough to make her point.
“Why do you keep pushing me away?” Her v
