I walked beside him, wrapped in his cloak, trying not to think about how right this felt.
How natural.
We'd just met. I'd just escaped my abusive husband. I should be traumatized, terrified, and closed off.
Instead, I felt… safe.
For the first time in months.
My wolf was practically glowing with satisfaction. She kept sending me images of Kael—his strength, his scars, and his careful handling of Erica.
Good mate, she purred. Worthy mate.
We don't know him, I argued weakly.
We know enough. He fought for us. Protected us. Didn't demand anything.
She had a point.
"You're thinking very loudly," Kael said without looking at me.
"What?"
"I can hear your wolf. Through the bond." He glanced at me. "She's... enthusiastic."
My face heated. "I'm sorry. She's been suppressed for so long. Now that she's back, she's—"
"Excited. I understand." A hint of amusement touched his voice. "My wolf is the same way. He's been... alone for a very long time."
"How long?"
"Two hundred and thirteen years."
I stopped walking. "What?"
Kael stopped too, turning to face me. Erica had fallen asleep in his arms.
"I'm old, Sophia. Old. I was born in 1812."
"That's impossible. Werewolves live longer than humans, but not that long."
"Most don't. But I was... cursed. Or blessed, depending on your perspective." He shifted Erica's weight carefully. "I stopped aging at thirty-five. I've been searching for my true mate ever since."
"Two hundred years," I breathed. "Alone."
"Yes."
The weight of that word. The loneliness it contained.
"And you think I'm... her? Your mate?"
"I don't think. I know." His eyes held mine. "The moment I saw you, my wolf recognized you. After two centuries of searching, I finally found you."
"But I'm broken," I whispered. "Weak. Poisoned. I have a daughter and an enemy, and—"
"You're perfect," Kael interrupted. "You're strong enough to survive abuse, smart enough to fight back, and brave enough to run with a child on your back." He stepped closer. "You're precisely who I've been waiting for."
Tears filled my eyes. I didn't know why. Maybe because for the first time in years, someone saw my strength instead of my weakness.
"I'm scared," I admitted.
"Good. Fear keeps you alive." He started walking again. "But you don't need to be scared of me. Ever."
We walked in silence for a while. The surrounding forest was thick with ancient trees and shadows.
Finally, Kael stopped in front of what looked like a solid wall of bushes and vines.
"My camp is through here," he said. "Hidden by magic. Old magic."
He whispered something in that strange language from before. The vines parted like a curtain.
Behind them was a small clearing with a well-made shelter. Not a tent—an actual wooden structure built into the side of a hill. Smoke rose from a chimney.
"You live here?" I asked.
"When I'm in this territory. I have camps scattered across the continent." He carried Erica inside.
The interior was surprisingly comfortable. A fireplace. A bed covered in furs. Shelves with books and supplies. Everything is neat and organized.
Kael laid Erica gently on the bed and covered her with a warm blanket.
"She'll sleep for hours," he said. "The poison needs to work its way out."
"And then?"
"And then we figure out what to do next." He turned to face me. "But first, you need food. Rest. You've been through hell tonight."
As if on cue, my stomach growled loudly.
Kael smiled—actually smiled. It transformed his hard face, making him look younger. Almost boyish.
He moved around the small space with practiced ease, pulling out bread, cheese, and dried meat. He even had tea.
I sat at the small table and ate like I was starving. Which I probably was.
Kael watched me eat, his expression soft.
"What?" I asked around for a mouthful of bread.
"Nothing. It's just... nice. Having someone here."
"You've really been alone for two hundred years?"
"Mostly. I had friends. Allies. But no, mate. No pack." He poured tea into a clay cup and handed it to me. "After the first century, I started to think the Moon Goddess had forgotten about me."
"But she didn't."
"No. She was just waiting for you to be born." His eyes held mine. "Everything happens in its time."
I sipped the tea. It was herbal and soothing. "What now?" I asked. "Leighton will come after us. He won't stop until we're dead or captured."
"Let him try." There was steel in Kael's voice. "He'll have to go through me first."
"You can't fight an entire pack alone."
"I've done it before." At my shocked look, he shrugged. "I've had two centuries to get excellent at fighting."
"But—"
"Sophia." He reached across the table and took my hand. The touch sent sparks through my entire body. "You're my mate. I will protect you and your daughter with my life. That's not negotiable."
"You barely know me."
"I know enough. I know you're brave. Loyal. A good mother. A survivor." His thumb traced circles on my palm. "And I know my wolf has chosen you. That's all I need."
The mate bond hummed between us, growing stronger with every passing moment.
"This is happening so fast," I whispered.
"We can go as slow as you want. I'm not going anywhere." He squeezed my hand gently. "But know this: you're safe here. You and Erica both. I swear it on my life."
Looking into his ancient silver-blue eyes, I believed him.
For the first time since this nightmare began, I felt like maybe—just perhaps—everything would be okay.
I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window.
For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then everything came rushing back. Leighton. The betrayal. The escape. Kael.
I sat up quickly, looking around.
Erica was still asleep, her breathing deep and steady. Much better than last night.
Kael was sitting by the fire, sharpening a long knife. He looked up when he heard me move.
"How long was I asleep?" I asked.
"About six hours. It's mid-morning."
I'd slept on a pile of furs near the fire. Kael must have moved me there after I passed out at the table.
"You should have woken me."
"You needed rest." He set down the knife. "How do you feel?"
Honestly? Better than I had in months. The rune stone power I'd absorbed was settling into my body, integrating with my natural wolf magic.
"Stronger," I admitted.
"Good. You'll need your strength." His expression turned serious. "I went out at dawn to scout. Your former pack has sent search parties. They're combing the forest."
My stomach dropped. "How many?"
"Twenty wolves. Maybe more." He stood up. "They're moving in a grid pattern. Professional. But they haven't found this camp yet."
"Yet."
"The magic hiding this place is strong. They won't find it unless they're led here directly." He walked over and knelt in front of me. "But we can't stay here forever. Eventually, we'll need to move."
"Where? Everywhere is pack territory. We're rogues now. No one will take us in."
"That's not entirely true." Kael hesitated. "I received a message this morning. Through an old friend."
"What kind of message?"
"From the Black River Pack. Your birth pack."
My heart leaped. "My family? They know I'm alive?"
"Yes. Your aunt—Luna Helena—sent word that she's sending a warrior to escort you to Black River territory. You'll be under their protection."
"When?"
"Two weeks. He's coming from the northern territories. It takes time."
Two weeks. Fourteen days of hiding from Leighton's search parties.
"Can we last that long?"
Kael's expression was grim but determined. "We'll have to."
Behind us, Erica stirred. Her eyes opened, and she looked around confused. Then she saw me, and relief flooded her face.
"Mommy!"
I rushed to her side. "I'm here, baby."
"I had the worst dream. Daddy was chasing us, and—" She stopped. Looked around at the unfamiliar shelter. "It wasn't a dream, was it?"
"No, sweetheart. I'm sorry."
Tears filled her eyes. "Daddy really tried to hurt us?"
I pulled her into my arms. "Yes. But we're safe now. I promise."
She cried into my shoulder while I stroked her hair. Kael watched from across the room, his expression sad.
After a while, Erica's tears slowed. She pulled back and looked at Kael.
"You're the wolf from last night. The one who saved us."
"I am," Kael said gently.
"Thank you." Her voice was small but sincere.
"You're welcome, little one."
Erica studied him with the blunt curiosity of a child. "Are you Mommy's new mate?"
I choked on air. "Erica!"
"What? I can smell it. The bond." She looked between us. "It's forceful."
Kael's lips twitched with amusement. "Your daughter has good instincts."
"I'm twelve, not stupid," Erica said matter-of-factly.
Then, to Kael: "Are you going to hurt her like Daddy did?"
The amusement died from Kael's face. He moved closer and knelt so he was at Erica's eye level.
"No," he said firmly. "I will never hurt your mother. I swear it on the Moon Goddess herself. Do you know what a true mate is?"
Erica nodded. "It's when the Moon Goddess chooses two wolves for each other."
"Exactly. Your father wasn't your mother's true mate. He was a political match. But I am her true mate. Which means I'm bound to her by more than words or ceremony. It's in my very soul to protect her. To cherish her."
"And me?" Erica asked quietly. "Are you going to hurt me?"
Kael's expression softened. "You are your mother's daughter. That makes you precious to me. I will protect you just as fiercely as I protect her."
Erica stared at him for a long moment. Then she nodded. "Okay. I believe you."
Just like that. Children had a way of cutting through complexity.
"Are you hungry?" Kael asked her.
"Starving."
He smiled and stood up. "Then let's get you fed."
As Kael prepared breakfast, I watched him interact with Erica.
He was patient. Kind. Careful.
Nothing like Leighton, who'd called his daughter a failure.
My wolf purred with satisfaction. See? Good mate. Perfect, mate.
Maybe she was right.
Potentially the Moon Goddess knew what she was doing after all.
Three days later...
Everything fell apart again.
It happened while Kael was out hunting.
I was teaching Erica how to meditate—how to control the rune stone power that was slowly stabilizing in both our bodies—when I heard wolves approaching.
Too many wolves.
"Erica, hide in the back room. Now."
"But—"
"NOW!"
She ran.
I stepped outside the shelter just as fifteen wolves burst through the magical barrier. They'd found us. Somehow, they'd broken through Kael's wards.
And leading them was Leighton in his black wolf form.
Behind him, I saw a smaller figure—human, not wolf. An old man in grey robes covered in symbols.
A shaman. They'd brought a shaman to break the protective magic.
Run, my wolf urged. We can't fight this many.
But I couldn't run. Not with Erica inside. If I ran, they'd follow. They'd find her.
I had to stand and fight.
I shifted into my silver wolf form, the rune magic making my fur glow with pale light.
Leighton laughed in my head. "You think you can stop all of us? Alone?"
"I'll die trying," I snarled back.
"Then die."
They attacked as one.
I fought hard. Took down three wolves in the first minute. The rune magic made me faster and stronger than I'd ever been.
But it wasn't enough.
There were too many. They swarmed me, biting and clawing. I felt ribs crack. Felt teeth sink into my leg.
Pain exploded everywhere.
I was losing.
Then I heard it. A roar that made the entire forest shake.
Kael.
He burst from the trees in his massive dark grey wolf form, moving like death itself. His silver-blue eyes were blazing with fury.
The mate bond between us flared hot. I could feel his rage. His fear for me.
He tore through Leighton's warriors like they were made of paper.
But even with Kael's help, we were outnumbered. And Leighton was cunning. While Kael fought his warriors, Leighton circled toward the shelter.
Toward Erica.
"NO!" I screamed.