Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Ronan

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I circle her slowly, letting my gaze drag over her in a way that’s just deliberate enough to make her notice.

“Scent,” I say.

She groans. “Of course it is.”

“Problem?”

“It’s worse than hearing,” she mutters. “Everything blends together.”

“Because you’re not separating it,” I reply. “Same principle. One at a time.”

She closes her eyes again, but this time there’s less hesitation.

“Start with me,” I say.

Her eyes snap open. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

THE

“That’s… weird.”

“Why?”

She crosses her arms. “Because you’re standing right here.”

“Exactly. Easy starting point.”

She narrows her eyes at me. “You planned that.”

“Maybe.”

Definitely, my wolf says smugly,

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She sighs, but closes her eyes again.

I stay still this time, watching her carefully.

Her nose wrinkles slightly as she inhales.

Then her expression shifts.

“What?” I ask.

“You smell like…” She trails off, frowning.

“Like what?”

She hesitates.

“Aria.”

“Pine,” she says finally. “And smoke. And… something else.”

My wolf preens.

She notices.

“Helpful,” I say dryly. “Very specific.”

She ignores me, inhaling again.

“It’s… warm,” she adds, quieter now.

Something tightens in my chest.

“Okay,” I say, a little more abruptly than I intended. “That’s enough of that.”

Her eyes open, a hint of amusement flickering there. “What? Can’t handle being analyzed?”

“I can handle it just fine.”

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“Sure you can.”

I step closer, crowding her space now. “Focus.”

Her breath catches.

“Find something else,” I say. “Something farther away.”

She swallows, but nods.

This time, it takes longer.

Her face shifts through concentration, frustration, then-

“Deer,” she says suddenly.

I glance toward the trees.

She points without opening her eyes. “There. Two of them.”

I listen, extending my own senses.

A faint rustle. The soft shift of hooves.

She’s right.

Impressive, my wolf admits.

I look back at her, something like pride stirring in my chest.

“Not bad,” I say.

Her eyes open, searching my face. “Just not bad?”

“You want me to inflate your ego?”

“I think I’ve earned at least a little praise.”

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Chapter 45

I smirk. “Fine. You didn’t completely embarrass yourself.”

She shoves my shoulder.

I don’t move.

“You’re insufferable,” she says.

“And yet, here I am, teaching you.”

She steps closer again, chin lifting. “Maybe I should find a better teacher.”

My wolf growls, louder this time.

Just the thought of her going to, not just another male but a male she categorizes as better is enough to

push the possessiveness in me.

“Try it,” I say, voice dropping.

Her breath catches again.

The air between us shifts-thickens.

For a moment, the forest fades into the background.

It’s just her.

Just us.

Careful, my wolf says again, but there’s no real warning in it now. Just anticipation.

I reach out, almost without thinking, brushing a strand of obsidian hair away from her face.

She goes still.

“You’re doing better than I expected,” I say, quieter now.

Her gaze softens, just a fraction. “That almost sounded like a compliment.”

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Chapter 45

“Don’t get used to it.”

She smiles-small, but real.

And for a second, I forget why we’re out here.

Then the wind shifts.

My wolf snaps to attention.

Something’s wrong.

I stiffen, pulling my hand back.

Aria notices immediately. “What?”

“Quiet,” I say.

She stills, instincts kicking in.

I extend my senses, pushing past the familiar layers of forest sounds and scents.

There-

Something off.

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