Last Female Sypher and Her Brother's Friends novel Chapter 82

Aria

“Okay, first of all, if you’ve died out there in the middle–of–nowhere woods, I’m going to be really pissed,” a familiar voice

bursts through, bright and unapologetic.

A breath I didn’t realize I was holding leaves me in a rush. “Geez, Hazel. Way to inspire confidence in my self–preservation

ability.”

Pack, my wolf notes, softer now, but there’s no edge of warning–only recognition of someone important.

“Wow,” Hazel says dryly. “That’s it? No tears? No ‘oh my God, Hazel, I’ve missed you so much“?”

I huff out a laugh despite myself, sinking into the nearest chair. “Don’t push it. I’ve been dealing with enough chaos

without you adding to it.”

“Rude,” she shoots back. Then her tone shifts, just a little. “But seriously… how are you?”

The question lands heavier than I expect.

For a second, I don’t answer.

How am I?

Surrounded by wolves. Bound to four men I barely understand. Pulled in different directions by instincts that don’t feel

entirely my own.

Burning.

Confused.

Alive in a way I’ve never been–and terrified of what that means.

“I’m… okay,” I say finally.

My wolf snorts. Liar.

I ignore her.

Hazel hums, clearly unconvinced, but she doesn’t push. Not yet. “Okay,” she says slowly. “We’ll circle back to that. But before we get into your mysterious small town life, let me tell you, the city? Absolute trash without you.”

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Chapter 82

Ak at my lips. “Oh yeah? I’m sure it’s really struggling.”

“No, seriously,” she insists, “Do you know how hard it is to find a decent wingwoman? I went out last weekend, and it was

a disaster.”

I lean back in my chair, letting her voice pull me somewhere familiar, somewhere safe. “Define disaster.”

“I had to fend off three different men by myself,” she says dramatically. “Three, Aria. One of them tried to explain crypto

to me for twenty minutes.”

1 groan. “He didn’t.”

“He did. I suffered. Alone.” She pauses, then adds, “You would’ve saved me. You always do that thing where you distract

them long enough for me to escape.”

“That thing is called being polite,” I say.

“That thing is called lying through your teeth,” she corrects. “And I miss it.”

Something in my chest tightens.

“I miss you too,” I admit quietly.

There’s a beat of silence, softer this time.

Then Hazel, because she’s Hazel, breaks it with a grin I can practically hear. “Okay, enough emotional vulnerability. Let’s

get to the important question.”

I already know what’s coming.

I brace myself.

“Have you gotten your itch scratched out there,” she asks bluntly, “or is it just a bunch of old farmers and cows?”

I choke on a laugh, pressing my hand to my forehead. “Hazel-”

“Towns like that always fall on one of two hills, old and broken down or sweaty, stacked and looking for a good time after working those long, lonely hours,” she continues.

“You’ve been reading too many Cowboy books.”

“That’s not a thing,” she says with mock offense. “Anyway, don’t tell me you’ve been out there all this time and haven’t met a single decent man, I might actually come drag you back to the city myself.”

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fpeiks up immediately. Tell her.

My stomach flips.

Images flash unbidden–Theo’s steady, grounding presence and his clever seeking tongue. Barric’s intensity, always

simmering just beneath the surface with calloused, ready hands. Kade’s sharp edges and passionate kisses. And Ronan:::

Ronan’s dark gaze.

The way it lingers.

The way it claims.

And that almost–kiss-

Heat creeps up my neck.

Ours, my wolf murmurs, a thread of satisfaction weaving through her voice.

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