The training field was alive with the sound of heavy breathing and the rhythmic thud of feet hitting the earth. Artemis was a whirlwind of precision. After leading the pack through a grueling set of drills, she'd paired everyone up for sparring. She moved between the pairs like a shadow, pausing a match with a sharp command to adjust a fighter's stance or forcing them to broaden their focus beyond the person in front of them.
She was incredible. She didn't just lead; she observed. She remembered the specific weaknesses of every person she'd sparred with earlier and was now systematically dismantling their bad habits. By the time the sky began to bleed into shades of violet and orange, there wasn't a single wolf on that field who hadn't improved.
As the training session finally drew to a close, the atmosphere in the clearing was unrecognizable. The usual grumbling and exhaustion had been replaced by a thick, palpable sense of respect. I stood back, my chest tightening with a potent mix of pride and awe. I watched as warriors who had previously loathed these drills walked away, not in silence, but in animated conversation—whispering about footwork, leverage, and the techniques Artemis had just shown them. Even the most stubborn veterans seemed to have found a new spark of motivation.
Artemis didn't just dismiss them; she stayed until the very end. She shook every hand, offering a specific word of encouragement or a sharp piece of advice to every person who passed. One by one, they left with smiles on their faces, their heads held a little higher because of her. My heart swelled until it felt like it might burst. I had known she was strong, and I had known she was beautiful, but seeing her lead my people—our people—filled me with a reverence I hadn't expected. I leaned against a nearby tree, watching her luminous form under the fading sun, and I couldn't help but offer a silent thanks to the Moon Goddess.
I never took my eyes off her, not even when I felt two familiar presences fall into step on either side of me. Luca was the first to break the silence, his voice unusually quiet as he watched Artemis. "She's not as bad as I thought," he admitted, though he couldn't help adding, "For a tiger shifter, anyway." A small, proud smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. "You're right, Luca. She's incredible." On my other side, Mia let out a sharp, derisive snort. "Took you long enough to realize it."
I turned to look at her, the weight of my past mistakes settling heavily in my stomach. I let out a jagged sigh. "Yes, you're right about that, too. I was a prick to her—dismissive, arrogant—and I regret every second of it. It took the literal thought of her walking away from me to finally wake me up." Mia nodded, her expression momentarily smug, satisfied to hear me admit I was wrong. "It's good that you've realized your mistake, Kayden," she said, her voice dropping to a serious, low tone. "But realization isn't enough. She's a tiger; she's used to her own company and her own path. She will still leave if you can't give her a reason to stay."
My heart plummeted at Mia's words, sinking like a stone to the pit of my stomach. I knew she was right, and that was the most terrifying part. I ran my fingers through my hair, a frustrated, ragged sigh escaping my lips. "I know that," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "But I don't know how to make her want to stay." My heart plummeted at Mia's words, sinking like a stone to the pit of my stomach. I knew she was right, and that was the most terrifying part. I ran my fingers through my hair, a frustrated, ragged sigh escaping my lips. "I know that," I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. "But I don't know how to make her want to stay."
Beside me, I heard Luca shuffle his feet. I turned to him, expecting a joke, but he just gave me a solemn nod. "You have to make her want to risk being with you more than she wants to be away from you," he added quietly. A small, genuine smile spread across Mia's lips at Luca's words. She looked proud that he had finally grasped the depth of the situation. "Yes, exactly. Make her realize her feelings for you."
"And what if those feelings don't exist the way you think they do?" I asked, the doubt gnawing at me. "What if she looks at me and only sees a mistake? Or worse... what if she realizes we're just fundamentally incompatible?" Mia let out a long, patient sigh, the kind she usually reserved for stubborn pups. "Trust me, Kayden, the mate bond is the ultimate proof that you are made for one another. With that bond in place, it's impossible for her not to develop feelings for you. The spark is already there—you just have to bring it to the surface and make it stronger than her desire to leave."
I ran my fingers through my hair again, my scalp tingling with frustration. I felt like I was being asked to lead a hunt without a scent trail. "You're telling me to make her fall in love with me," I said, my voice cracking slightly under the weight of the realization. "But I don't know the first thing about love, Mia. Let alone how to make someone like her fall for someone like me." I looked over at Artemis one more time. She was laughing at something a young warrior had said, her eyes bright and her posture effortless. She looked like she belonged everywhere and nowhere all at once. The task felt impossible. How could I anchor someone this wonderful to someone who's done nothing but doubt her from the beginning?
Mia rolled her eyes at my panic, giving my shoulder a playful shove. "Just be your sweet and lovable self, Kayden. The mate bond will take care of the rest. It wants you together as much as we do." I opened my mouth to protest—to tell her that 'sweet and lovable' wasn't exactly in my job description—but the words died in my throat. Across the clearing, Artemis had finished her conversation. She turned, her gaze sweeping the field until it landed squarely on me.
The moment our eyes met, she didn't look away or offer a sharp retort. Instead, she smiled. It wasn't the smirking, taunting grin from our fight; it was a soft, radiant expression that reached all the way to her eyes. I felt the air leave my lungs as if she'd landed another kick to my chest, but this time, there was no pain—only a dizzying rush of adrenaline. My heartbeat quickened, thudding a frantic rhythm against my ribs that echoed the pull of the bond. Suddenly, the sounds of the pack dispersing, the rustle of the trees, and Mia's lingering presence all faded into a blur. The world narrowed down until the horizon vanished, leaving only the two of us standing in the center of it.
The sound of Mia's soft chuckling broke the spell, snapping the world back into sharp, annoying focus. I blinked, shaking off the daze, and found her watching me with a look of pure amusement. "You've got it bad," she said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. My eyebrows knit together, my defensive walls snapping back into place. "What are you talking about?" Beside me, Luca let out a loud, unrefined snort. I cut my eyes toward him, and the smirk on his face told me he was enjoying this far too much. "You're right, love," he told Mia, ignoring my glare. "He has it real bad."
I shifted my weight, crossing my arms over my chest in a classic defensive stance. "I have no idea what either of you are talking about." Luca reached out, giving my back a heavy, sympathetic pat that felt more like a mock-consolation. "Don't worry, buddy," he said, his tone infuriatingly condescending. "You'll realize it soon enough. Probably right around the time you stop drooling." I stepped forward, shrugging his hand off my shoulder with a sharp jerk of my arm. I turned to glare at him, my wolf adding a low vibration to my voice. "Since when did you become a fan of my mate, Luca?"
Luca rolled his eyes, his arms crossed over his chest. "I'm not a 'fan,'" he grumbled, though his voice lacked its usual bite. "But I know my mate cares about her. I don't want to see her get hurt, and that's exactly what would happen if she left. But," he added, pointing a warning finger at me, "if she does anything wrong, I'll be the first one to vote for kicking her out." I watched Mia's expression soften. She looked at Luca with a sudden, affectionate gaze that made him shift uncomfortably. "Thank you," she whispered. Luca nodded his head before Mia turned back to me, the tenderness in her eyes replaced by that bossy, determined glint I knew all too well. "Enough talk, Kayden. Go over to her and make her want to stay here."
My eyes went wide, and I felt my voice rise toward a panicked hiss. "And how do you actually expect me to do that? Right now?" Mia didn't even blink. She grabbed my arm, hauling me a few steps closer to where Artemis stood. "Go talk to her and ask her on a date. Duh." I let out a jagged sigh, my feet suddenly heavy as lead. "To do what? I don't even know what she likes!" Mia's eyes did a slow, pained lap around their sockets. "Think of something, Kayden. We can't do all the thinking for you. Use that Alpha brain for something other than battle strategies for once."
I opened my mouth to shoot back a sharp retort, but it died in my throat as Luca's heavy palms slammed into my shoulder blades. Before I could dig my heels in or regain my dignity, he gave me a massive, unapologetic shove. I stumbled forward, boots skidding in the dirt as I flailed to keep from face-planting. The momentum launched me out into the open, forcing me into a clumsy march directly toward my mate. My face burned with a sudden, localized heat, and I knew without looking that Mia and Luca were behind me, likely vibrating with stifled laughter.
I threw a final, murderous glare over my shoulder at the two of them before facing my mate. She was watching the spectacle with an amused eyebrow raised, her lips still tugged into a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said sharply, pitching my voice so the two behind me couldn't miss the annoyance. "Although I'd be a lot better if I had better friends."
"You love us!" Mia chirped from behind me. I rolled my eyes. "I'm not too sure about that. I still have time to reconsider the friendship," I shot back, not giving them the satisfaction of looking away from Artemis. I waited for Mia's inevitable snarky retort, but it never came. Whatever she had been about to say was cut short by the sound of Artemis's laughter echoing through the air.
Her laughter sounded just as heavenly as her voice, only adding to her angelic appearance. I couldn't help but stare in awe, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. When the laughter finally tapered off, she looked at the three of us, her eyes bright. "You guys are certainly an entertaining bunch." A smirk replaced my dazed expression. "Well, at least you won't get bored with us around." She met my gaze, her smile softening into something more personal. "That's true."
When she said that, a spark of hope blossomed in my chest. Maybe—just maybe—I could actually convince her to stay. Not wanting to let the moment slip away, I reached my hand out toward her. "Would you like to go somewhere with me?" She glanced down at my palm and then back up to my face, her expression skeptical yet intrigued. Then, without a moment's pause, she placed her hand in mine. The contact was electric. Mate bond sparks surged forward, racing up my arm like a physical jolt. She looked up at me, a playful smile toying with her lips. "Sure," she said, her voice steady and sure. "I would love to."
*
I followed him as he led us deeper into the heart of the territory. The only sounds were the rhythmic crunch of our boots on fallen twigs and the soft rustle of dried leaves. The silence was peaceful, a welcome change from the rowdy energy of the pack. I breathed in the scent of pine and damp earth, letting the natural beauty of the forest settle my nerves. Even with our fingers interlinked, he walked a pace or two ahead, his broad shoulders and steady gait leading the way. I found myself watching the back of his head, wondering exactly where he was taking me.
In the midst of the quiet, he suddenly cleared his throat. "Sooo..." he paused, the confidence from earlier wavering. "I know who your parents are, but you never really went into much detail about... well, anything." I chuckled, raising an amused eyebrow at his back. "I wonder whose fault that is?" Kayden's posture shifted instantly. His shoulders stiffened, and he reached up with his free hand to rub the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah. I know." I burst out laughing, and he glanced back at me, genuine concern etched into his features. "I'm only messing with you, Kayden," I promised, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm not going to hold it over your head forever. As long as you don't do it again, that is."
He scoffed, his pace steady. "No, I've learned my lesson. Trust me." I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips even though his back was still turned to me. "Anyway, what is it you want to know?" He went silent for a moment, clearly choosing his words with care. "Well, I know your parents' company is based in Europe. As far as I'm aware, that's where they live, too." He trailed off, hesitating. "Yes," I encouraged him with a light chuckle. "That is where I grew up." My confirmation seemed to give him the green light he needed. "So... how did you end up here in the States?"
"The simple answer? I came here for a job." I could hear the genuine confusion in his voice. "I'm sure they have plenty of teaching positions back where you lived. You wouldn't have to cross an ocean for that." My smile widened. A warm glow settled in my chest at the fact that he'd actually remembered my profession. "That may be true," I said, my voice dropping to a more serious note. "But unfortunately, there aren't many teaching opportunities in the tiger villages."
He stopped and turned his head sharply, looking at me in sheer disbelief. "After everything you've told me about those places... why would you want to work there of all places?" I felt my heart swell at the raw concern etched into his face. He wasn't just curious; he was worried for me. "That may be true," I said softly, meeting his gaze. "But those children need someone to protect them. They deserve a chance to grow. Without help, how will they ever learn to think for themselves? They'll just fall under the elders' control like so many generations before them." I took a small step closer to him, my voice steady. "Not everyone is lucky enough to have parents like mine—people who taught me to be wary. That was my goal in becoming a teacher: to be the guide they don't have. To show them a better path."
I felt my heart swell with a mixture of pride and a sudden, sharp affection. Every word she spoke made me realize just how deeply she cared about others. It was a staggering realization. Growing up, I'd been taught that tiger shifters were nothing but the enemy—shadowy figures in legends and blood-soaked history books. We were raised on stories of killing machines whose only goal was our extinction. I never thought I could feel anything for one of their kind, let alone this. But looking at her now, the prejudice I'd carried like armor started to crack. She wasn't a weapon. She was a person with dreams and a heart big enough to risk everything for children who weren't even hers. They weren't just "the enemy" anymore. They were people with lives and fears, just like us.
She wasn't like the stories at all. She was quiet, yes, but her actions spoke with a volume words could never reach. She was strong yet possessed a gentleness that surfaced whenever she dealt with the pack children—and even with me. Guilt twinged in my chest. She'd been patient with me when I gave her every reason not to be. I was her mate; I should have protected her, accepted her, and tried to understand her world. Instead, I'd lashed out.
Pushing the regret aside for a moment, I let a smile tug at my mouth. "You really do sound like a teacher now." I heard her scoff, the sound light and musical. "And I didn't sound like one before?" I chuckled, the tension in my shoulders finally beginning to bleed away. "Nope. Honestly? I never would have guessed if Mia hadn't told me."
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't hide my amusement. "I'm not sure if I should be offended by that or not." He glanced back at me, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "Believe me—anything to do with you is most definitely a compliment." My heart skipped a beat. A small smile tugged at my mouth, and from the triumphant grin on his face, he knew exactly what kind of effect he was having on me. Without another word, he turned back toward the trail. After a moment of comfortable silence, curiosity got the better of me. "So... where exactly are you taking me?"
"My favorite spot in the whole pack territory," he said, his voice dropping to a lower, more private tone. "No one else ever goes there. It's become a bit of a secret hideaway for me—somewhere to get away from the noise and find some peace." My heart swelled. It felt as though he were handing me a key to a part of himself he kept locked away. "If it's so special," I asked softly, "why are you showing it to me?" He looked back at me, his eyes sincere. "Because I want to share it with you. I want you to have that peace, too." My pulse quickened, his words echoing in my mind like a promise. I fell into a quiet, happy silence, letting the weight of his gesture settle over me as we walked.
"So... I know the thicker part of your accent is from Europe," I started, trying to place the lilt in her voice that had been bugging me. "But I can't seem to figure out the other part of it. It's... different." I heard her chuckle behind me, a warm, melodic sound. "Well, if you're hearing something else—or if I don't sound quite so 'proper' anymore—that would be due to living in Texas for so long." I stopped dead in my tracks, spinning around to look at her with pure surprise etched on my face. "Texas? You're a long way from home, then. How did you end up there? And why Texas of all places?" She met my gaze with an amused glint in her eyes. "I told you, Kayden—the job brought me to the States. It just so happens that the tiger village I was assigned to is deep in the heart of Texas."
"Yeah, but that doesn't explain how or why you ended up so far North," I pressed, my mind already racing through potential threats. She raised an eyebrow, her expression becoming guarded but not unkind. "That is a long story, Kayden. And it's something you don't have to worry about right now." I felt my hand clench into a fist at my side. The protective urge was like a physical weight in my chest. "If it concerns you, I will worry about it." She stepped closer, her smile softening to something genuinely touched. "That's sweet, really. But I don't want to get into that right now. Not today." She reached out, perhaps sensing my agitation. "If it becomes relevant later, I promise I will tell you everything. Deal?"
I felt a surge of frustration. It shouldn't matter that we've only just started this; I was her mate. I should be the one she shares her burdens with, yet she was keeping me on a need-to-know basis. It felt as though she were treating me like a subordinate instead of a partner—someone to be shielded from the truth rather than someone to stand beside her. Every instinct screamed at me to pry the information out of her, to demand the truth so I could prove that my pack and I could protect her from whatever she was hiding. I had a gut feeling that whatever secret she was carrying wouldn't just affect her—it would ripple through everyone here.
But I forced my jaw to stay shut. I knew that if I pushed her now, I'd only drive her away. Mia's warning echoed in my mind: if she left now, I'd never see her again. Even standing this close, her scent was strangely faint, vanilla and honey. If she chose to disappear, she was smart enough and skilled enough to leave no trail behind. She would be a shadow I could never catch.
I took a long, steadying breath, letting the frustration bleed out with a heavy sigh. When I looked back at her, she had an eyebrow arched, waiting to see if I would push or pull back. I slowly unclenched my fist, forcing my posture to relax. "Very well," I said softly. "I'll trust your judgment on this. But I want you to know that you can tell me anything. I'm here to listen, no matter what it is or how dark it gets." I took a half-step closer, making sure she saw the sincerity in my eyes. "Whenever you're ready to talk, don't hesitate. And I promise... I won't blow up like I did last time." The tension in her shoulders seemed to vanish, replaced by a radiant smile. "Thank you, Kayden." My heart gave a painful, happy squeeze at the sight of her. I couldn't help but smile back, a rare sense of relief washing over me. For once, I'd actually said the right thing.
"So... when are we going to reach this place you're taking me to?" I asked, my curiosity finally reaching its peak. He glanced back, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "We're actually already here. It's just past these trees." He reached out, holding back a heavy branch for me as he stepped through. The moment I followed him, the breath hitched in my throat. The sight beyond the treeline was truly beautiful.
A wide clearing opened up before us, cradling a magnificent waterfall that seemed to sparkle like liquid diamonds in the fading light of the setting sun. Below, a crystal-clear lake caught the falling water, feeding into a small stream that likely led back to the river where I'd bathed that first night. The sun was hovering directly over the crest of the falls, its final rays turning the surface of the lake into a shimmering canvas of orange and purple. I watched, mesmerized, as the mountain slowly began to devour the light, casting long, peaceful shadows across our secret sanctuary.
I felt frozen, unable to pull my eyes away from the gorgeous sight—until I heard Kayden's voice right beside me, low and steady. "Beautiful, isn't it?" I turned to look at him, and my heart gave a small thud. He wasn't looking at the waterfall at all; he was looking at me, his face softened by a genuine smile. I struggled to find the words to express just how breathtaking I found this place, so I simply nodded, the wonder still clear in my eyes.
He chuckled softly, a warm sound that seemed to harmonize with the rushing water. He finally let go of my hand and walked toward the shore, his boots crunching softly on the earth. When he reached the water's edge, he turned back, silhouetted against the shimmering orange lake. He stretched his hand out toward me again, an open invitation. "Come on," he urged, his smile widening. "You can come closer. I won't bite."
It only took a moment for her to react. She walked toward me, her gaze locked on mine, and when she reached me, she took my hand without a single trace of hesitation. The instant her skin brushed mine, the mate bond sparks ignited again, surging up my arm with even more intensity than before. I felt goosebumps break out along my skin, a physical reaction to the sheer power of the connection. She looked up at me, her smile so bright and sincere that it mirrored my own. In that moment, surrounded by the sound of the falls and the glow of the dying sun, I couldn't help it—I felt like the happiest man on the planet. For the first time, the weight of the pack and the shadows of the world felt a million miles away.
With our hands still interlocked, he turned and began to lead me on a slow walk along the shore. Aside from the steady roar of the waterfall, the clearing was silent. A profound sense of peace settled over us, as if the tranquility of the place were wrapping us in a soft, warm blanket. He led me to a massive fallen log perched near the water's edge. He took a seat first, testing its weight, before looking up at me. "It's perfectly safe, I assure you." I couldn't help but chuckle at his earnestness. He was an Alpha warrior, yet he was worried about me sitting on a piece of wood. "I can see that," I said, my voice warm as I took my place beside him. He chuckled too, the sound low and relaxed. For a long time, neither of us spoke. We simply sat there, shoulder to shoulder, staring out at the lake and marveling at the hidden beauty of the world he'd shared with me.
After a long stretch of silence, she finally spoke, her voice curious. "How is it that hardly anyone knows about this place? I'd think that in the summer, this clearing would be practically drowning in people." I felt a smile tug at the corners of my mouth. "Well, since it's on pack land, we've never made it public. If we did, we'd have swarms of humans trying to invade our territory within the week." She rolled her eyes playfully. "I figured that much, Kayden. But that wouldn't stop the people in your own pack from coming here."
I paused, caught off guard by her observation. I should have expected it by now, but her intuition always seemed to surprise me. She understood the inner workings of a pack better than any outsider should—noticing the social patterns and the way we guarded our secrets even from each other.
"That would be because most people don't want to risk the trip," I explained, looking toward the dark treeline at the edge of the clearing. "This spot is located close to our pack borders. Most of our people—especially those who aren't trained for combat—have no desire to linger this close to the edge of the territory." I glanced at her, seeing her absorb the information. "Between the border risks and the warnings from their parents, the fear of this place is ingrained in them. Even after they become warriors, they don't bother to come here. They see it as a liability, not a destination." I shrugged, my gaze returning to the waterfall. "I've never had that problem. Being the Alpha, I know I can protect myself, so I don't have to worry about the 'what-ifs.' I come here as often as I can." Artemis nodded slowly, her eyes reflecting the last of the purple light. "That makes sense."
Kayden had a small smile playing on his lips with a slightly raised eyebrow, looking pleased at my words before shifting to a look of surprise as I suddenly stood up. I didn't say a word as I walked toward the water's edge. Kneeling on the smooth, rocky bank, I quickly tugged off my shoes and rolled my pant legs up to my knees. I sat on the ledge, letting my legs dangle until my feet sank into the bracingly cool water below.
I heard a deep, lighthearted chuckle from behind me. I turned to see Kayden watching me, his eyes bright with amusement as he stood and walked to my side. Without needing an invitation, he followed my lead, stripping off his boots and rolling up his dark trousers before sitting beside me. He plunged his feet into the lake with a contented sigh, the water rippling out in small circles around our ankles. We sat in a profound, peaceful silence as the sun dipped further behind the jagged silhouette of the mountain. The air was filled with the rhythmic roar of the water as it tumbled over the rocks and plunged into the depths beneath our feet. I watched, mesmerized, as the last of the golden light danced across the ripples and caught the spray of the falls in one final, sparkling display.
Contentment washed over me, heavier and warmer than the cooling air. I let my guard drop completely, leaning my head against Kayden's broad shoulder. He reacted instantly, his arm sliding around my waist to pull me firmly against his side. He rested his cheek against the top of my head, his heartbeat steady and strong against my arm. Together, we stayed like that, two shadows becoming one as we watched the sun finally vanish, leaving the world in the quiet embrace of twilight.
It wasn't long before the moon began to peek above the horizon, slowly bathing the hidden clearing in its soft, silver light. Even though it was only showing half of its eternal glory tonight, it felt as bright and breathtaking as a full moon. I stared at its reflection trembling on the surface of the lake, wondering if the view was truly this much better than any I'd seen before, or if it was simply the man beside me. I knew the answer. Having my mate's arm around me, sharing this quiet corner of the world, made the beauty of the night feel sharper, deeper, and more real than anything I'd ever experienced alone.
The cooling night breeze began to ripple across the surface of the lake, carrying the fresh scent of pine and damp stone. As much as I wished we could stay in this moment forever, I knew our time was running out. With a heavy sigh, I tilted my head to look down at my mate. She looked so peaceful with her head resting on my shoulder that it pained me to break the spell. I marveled at her for a few more seconds, committing the sight to memory, before speaking the words I had been dreading.
"Okay... we should probably head back now." I heard her echo my sigh, a soft sound of disappointment that made my heart swell. She slowly lifted her head, meeting my gaze. "Okay. If we must." I couldn't help but chuckle at the shared reluctance in her voice. "Unfortunately, I think we do. As much as I'd love to stay out here with you all night, we should get back before Mia starts pacing the floors and worrying about where you've disappeared to."
She arched an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Just me?" I chuckled as I tugged my boots back on and stood up, brushing the dirt from my trousers. "We both know Mia couldn't care less whether I'm home or not." She looked up at me with an amused, skeptical smile. "I highly doubt that." I shrugged, my own smile widening as I watched her slide her shoes back onto her feet. "Maybe. But she'd only worry if she thought something had actually happened to me—and we both know I'm more than capable of handling myself." She paused, giving me a look that suggested she wasn't entirely convinced by my bravado. "I doubt that, too," she teased. I laughed, the sound echoing off the rocks. I reached out, stretching both hands toward her to help her up.
The moment she was back on her feet, we turned to leave, her hand still tucked firmly in mine. But before we could take a single step, the snap of a heavy branch echoed from the darkness behind us. We spun around in unison, eyes scanning the thick treeline. Suddenly, a scent so foul it was physical hit us like a wave. It was a grotesque, oily stench—like a mountain of rotting garbage left to fester under a blistering sun, layered with the sickening, metallic smell of burning flesh. My stomach turned, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. My grip on Artemis's hand tightened instinctively as I stepped slightly in front of her, my inner wolf surfacing.
My lips pulled back, baring my teeth as a deep, guttural growl erupted from my chest, vibrating through the forest floor. The sound was a warning, a promise of violence for the creature defiling my sanctuary. "How dare you trespass on my land!" I spat, my voice a jagged edge of Alpha authority. "You filthy ROGUE!" I shifted my weight, taking a hard, protective stance in front of Artemis, shielding her with my body. As I did, the figure stepped out from the shadows and into the pale moonlight.
He stood about five-foot-ten, but he looked skeletal, his frame draped in rags. His dark brown hair was a matted, greasy mess that hung past his shoulders, looking as though it hadn't seen water in weeks. But it was his eyes that stopped my breath. They were a muddy brown, but filled with swirling, glowing specks of gold that shimmered with an eerie light, making them appear to burn even in the darkness of the clearing. He wore a tattered green winter coat, heavy and covered in makeshift patches, hanging open to reveal a bare, bronzed chest. Despite his bedraggled appearance, he wasn't weak; I could see the hard, defined outline of a six-pack and a broad chest. He was built like a man who never missed a day of training—a fighter who had been honed by the brutal reality of the rogue life, where every meal and every breath was earned through blood.
But it was the stench that told the true story. It wasn't just filth; it was the mark of a murderer. By the sheer foulness of his aura, I knew he had shattered the Goddess's amendments. He had taken lives, likely for sport or out of madness. My eyes dropped to his ripped jeans, which were caked in dried mud and fresh forest grime. The hems were soaked in dark, tacky blood that smeared with every step he took. He hadn't just stumbled into my territory—he had waded through a slaughter to get here.
I felt bile rise in the back of my throat, the stench of the man in front of us hitting me like a physical blow. It took every ounce of my willpower to shove down the urge to gag. I'd dealt with Rogues before—I knew the rules of survival. Vomiting was a sign of weakness, an invitation for a predator to strike, and I refused to give him that satisfaction.
In our world, the Gods' Commandments weren't just suggestions; they were the law. When a shifter shattered them, they were branded with a mark on their skin and a permanent, soul-deep rot that no amount of bathing could ever scrub away. The more heinous the crime, the more specific the stench. Based on the overwhelming scent of burning flesh clinging to him, I didn't need to see his mark to know his history. He hadn't just killed humans; he was a shifter-slayer. He had hunted his own kind, and by the look in his golden-speckled eyes, he wasn't finished.
I leaned out from behind the safety of Kayden's broad shoulders, needing to see the face of the monster in our sanctuary. The moment I did, the man's lips curled back into a grin, revealing rows of grimy, yellowed teeth that looked as neglected as the rest of him. When his eyes locked onto mine, his amusement sharpened into something far more dangerous—a predatory leer that made my skin crawl. Those golden-specked eyes glittered with a wicked, recognition-filled gleam.
Kayden felt the shift in the air instantly. Sensing the Rogue's fixated gaze, he used is forearm to pull me back and firmly block me from the man's view. It was a classic Alpha move, primal and fiercely protective. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his "damsel in distress" treatment, yet despite the danger, I felt my heartbeat quicken. Even now, his instinct to shield me sent a warmth through my chest that I couldn't ignore.
I watched the man close the distance between us, his movements fluid and oily. A sneer twisted his lips, but it was the joy in his eyes—a bright, unsettling madness—that set off every alarm bell in my head. He was a threat—there was no doubt about that. Ordinarily, I wouldn't worry; I would have already been on the attack. But I refused to let Artemis get caught up in pack matters. I had to protect her. I quickly mind-linked the others to stay on guard, ordering those nearby to my position immediately. Our main objective remained the borders; if there was one intruder, there were likely more."
"Calling for your little pack buddies, are we?" the Rogue taunted, his voice like gravel grinding together. "Don't think you have the capability to handle me yourself, Alpha? How pathetic." A growl tore from Kayden's throat—a sound so deep and saturated with Alpha authority that the air itself seemed to vibrate. I saw the Rogue flinch, his bravado flickering for a split second under the sheer weight of Kayden's power.
But the man recovered quickly, a wicked chuckle bubbling up from his chest. "Who would have thought I'd find the Alpha here, of all places? I didn't expect the pleasure of killing an Alpha today. It's almost too easy." His eyes darted past Kayden, locking onto mine with a sickening hunger. He licked his lips, his yellow teeth bared in a lecherous smirk. "And you brought a sexy little female with you. As soon as I'm finished gutting you, I'll be sure to enjoy her company. I'll give her pleasures you could never dream of. Maybe I'll even keep her for a while... get my fill before I dispose of the remains."
The bile rose in my throat again, but I didn't have time to speak. The second that foul promise left the Rogue's lips, Kayden snapped. He lunged forward with explosive speed, his fist connecting with the Rogue's jaw in a bone-shattering crack. The force of the blow sent the man staggering back, his head snapping to the side. He spat a thick glob of blood onto the grass and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, staring at the red smear with a chilling smirk. "You're going to regret that, Alpha."
In the next heartbeat, he launched himself into the air. Mid-flight, his body contorted and expanded, bones cracking and fur sprouting as he shifted into a massive, mangy wolf—dark brown with sickly patches of tan. He extended a clawed paw, aiming to rip through Kayden's chest or pin him to the dirt. Kayden dodged the strike with the fluid grace of a true predator. The moment the Rogue's paws hit the ground, Kayden shifted as well. In a blur of silver and muscle, his massive Alpha wolf emerged. Before the Rogue could even find his footing, Kayden was on him with a thunderous snarl that shook the trees. They became a chaotic tangle of fur, teeth, and claws, rolling across the clearing in a desperate struggle for the upper hand. The sound of snapping jaws and guttural growls filled the air, turning our peaceful sanctuary into a battlefield.
The tattered remains of their clothes lay forgotten in the grass, discarded in the violence of their shifts. As I watched the two wolves tear into each other, I couldn't help but roll my eyes. Kayden was letting his Alpha rage cloud his judgment. He was fighting to kill, but a corpse couldn't answer questions. If he wanted to protect his pack from whatever was coming, he needed a prisoner, not a trophy. I sighed, stepping away from the safety of the trees. I didn't shift; I didn't need to. I walked toward the snarling, rolling mass of furs and fury.
The moment I approached, they broke apart, chest heaving and fur matted with spit and dirt. The rogue didn't stay down. Without a second thought, he launched himself at Kayden again, his jaws wide and aimed for the throat. He never reached his target. Before his paws could touch the ground, I reached out and caught him mid-air. My fingers sank into the thick, matted fur at the scruff of his neck. With a single, sharp jolt of my arm, I killed his momentum, leaving him hanging limply from my grip like a disciplined pup.
I stood frozen in my wolf form, my jaw practically hanging open. I had been prepared to tear this Rogue apart to save her, but now I was staring at a full-grown wolf hanging limply from my mate's hand. He looked like a scolded puppy, his paws dangling inches above the grass as she held him aloft with terrifying, effortless strength. The Rogue and I actually locked eyes for a split second—a moment of pure, shared bewilderment. Neither of us had ever seen anything like this.
But the Rogue's shock didn't last long. The moment he gathered himself to snarl or struggle, Artemis moved. With a sudden, violent blur of motion, she slammed him into the dirt. Before he could even huff the air back into his lungs, she was on him. She drove her knee into the small of his back, right above his hips, pinning his powerful hind legs to the earth. The Rogue let out a choked whimper, his face pressed into the mud. He was completely immobilized. My mate—my sweet, quiet schoolteacher mate—had just neutralized a high-level threat in under five seconds.
I stood rooted to the spot, my wolf's heart hammering against my ribs as I watched my mate effortlessly hold the monster down. For a long, silent minute, the only sound was the rushing waterfall. We were all frozen—me in shock, the Rogue in disbelief. Then, the Rogue snapped out of it. He began to thrash, his muscles bunching as he tried to heave his weight upward, but he couldn't get an ounce of traction. Artemis's knee was a literal anchor in the small of his back, paralyzing his hindquarters.
It would have been terrifying if it hadn't looked so utterly ridiculous. Because his hips were pinned, his back legs couldn't reach the ground to push; he just clawed at the air and the dirt with his front paws. He looked like he was trying to swim through the mud or ride a bicycle while lying flat on his face. The same rogue who had been threatening us seconds ago was now reduced to a flailing, comical mess beneath the weight of a woman who hadn't even broken a sweat.
After a few more seconds of useless flailing, the Rogue gave up on his wolf form and shifted back, hoping his human limbs would give him the leverage he needed to throw her off. It didn't work. If anything, it made his situation even more humiliating. Now, instead of pinning a massive wolf, Artemis's knee was pressed firmly into the center of his bare backside, her weight anchoring his hips to the cold, hard earth. He tried to push up with his arms, his muscles straining until they trembled, but Artemis didn't budge. It was like he was trying to lift the mountain itself.
Eventually, the fight drained out of him. He let out a long, defeated sigh and went limp, resting his cheek against the dirt. He tilted his head back to look up at her, his golden-specked eyes full of a new kind of madness—genuine curiosity. "Who and what the hell are you?" he rasped, his voice cracking. "Seriously, what do they feed you? I need to take notes so I can get that strong. It was always my dream to be like Popeye when I was a kid, but I clearly missed a few cans of spinach."
Artemis rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. Seeing her handle him so easily allowed my own fury to simmer down into a cold, sharp edge. I shifted back, the transition from wolf to man quick and silent. Ignoring the fact that my clothes were a pile of rags ten feet away, I stalked over and knelt beside them. I wanted to look this piece of filth in the eye and make him crawl. But before I could even open my mouth to demand answers, the Rogue squeezed his eyes shut with a dramatic grimace. "God, dude!" he yelped, his face pressed into the dirt. "Can't you put some clothes on? You're gonna poke someone's eye out with that thing. Don't you know how to dress yourself, or do you still need your mommy to pick out your undies in the morning?"
I ignored his pathetic attempt at a diversion, my voice dropping into a low, dangerous register that usually made men tremble. "I'm the one asking the questions, Rogue. Start with this: How many more of you are in my woods?" He didn't even flinch. Instead, he arched an eyebrow, his cheek still pressed into the mud. "No, seriously, dude. Does the Alpha not have a closet? It's okay if you're a little slow; maybe this hottie on top of me would be willing to give you some lessons. She looks like a female who knows exactly how to handle herself."
He let out a wet, raspy chuckle, his golden-specked eyes darting toward Artemis with a look that made my blood boil. "Actually, maybe after she's done teaching you how to put on your big-boy pants, she and I can go a few rounds. I've always had a thing for strong women. I can guarantee she'd enjoy every second of it—she'd be begging for more by the time I was through." The air in the clearing turned frigid. I felt the Alpha power rolling off me in waves, my shadows lengthening as my wolf screamed for his head. He wasn't just trespassing anymore; he was asking for a slow, painful end.
The words had barely left the Rogue's mouth when Kayden's fist blurred, connecting with a sickening thud against the man's jaw. The impact should have silenced him, but instead, the Rogue erupted into a jagged, bloody laugh. "You will not talk about her! You won't even think about her!" Kayden roared, his voice trembling with the effort to keep from shifting and ending the man right there. "Now, I'll ask you one more time: How many others are in these woods?!"
The Rogue spat a fresh spray of crimson into the dirt and rotated his jaw with a slow, deliberate crunch. A new gash had opened on the opposite side of his mouth, mirroring the first. He looked back at Kayden, his golden-flecked eyes dancing with a sick sort of triumph. "You really have a soft spot for this one, don't you, Alpha?" he rasped, his voice dripping with malice. "I wonder... will you still look at her with those pathetic, puppy-dog eyes after I've finished defiling her? After I've broken what you think belongs to you?"
I rolled my eyes at the Rogue's disgusting taunts. I could feel Kayden's rage radiating off him in waves; he was a split second away from doing something permanent. Before he could move, I acted. With the hand that wasn't already anchoring his neck, I grabbed the back of the Rogue's head and slammed his face forcibly into the mud. The sound of his nose hitting the earth was followed by a muffled groan of pain. Without a hint of hesitation, I wrapped a fistful of his greasy hair around my fingers and yanked his head back up, forcing him to look at me.
"Urgh! You fucking bitch!" he spat, his face a mess of dirt and fresh blood. "Enough!" I snapped, my voice cold and hard as steel. I leaned in close to his ear, my tone dropping to a lethal whisper. "You will answer his questions, or you will experience something far worse than a few punches. Do I make myself clear?" I glanced up to see Kayden staring at me in total shock, a slow, impressed smirk beginning to spread across his face. He looked like he was about to say something—likely a comment on how much he loved this side of me, but he was cut off by the heavy thud of footsteps rushing through the underbrush. We both snapped our heads toward the treeline just as Amelia and Luca burst into the clearing, their eyes wide and their wolves close to the surface.
Relief washed over Amelia's face, a bright contrast to the dark woods, and she broke into a full sprint toward us. Luca shook his head at her reckless enthusiasm, though the tension in his shoulders had eased into a small, relieved smile as he jogged after her. Behind them, several more warriors emerged from the brush, their eyes scanning the perimeter. Amelia looked like she was ready to launch herself at me for a hug, but Kayden stepped into her path. He held up a hand, stopping her just a few feet away.
She pulled up short, her eyes darting between us. She took in the scene: the flattened grass, the bloody, laughing Rogue pinned beneath me, and finally, my mate. Her eyes widened as the realization of the danger—and the current lack of decorum—hit her. "I get why you stopped me, Kayden, and I appreciate the caution," she said, her gaze darting everywhere except at him. She winced, raising a hand to shield her eyes from her brother's direction. "But please, for the love of the Goddess, don't do it while you're naked. Have you no shame?"
Luca reached them just as the words left Amelia's mouth, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. He found her bluntness as amusing as ever, though he kept his professional focus, gesturing sharply for one of his men to hurry forward. Kayden let out a low, disgruntled grunt—his classic way of showing displeasure at being lectured by Amelia—and stepped back to give her some space. But as he turned to face Luca, that expression vanished, replaced instantly by showcasing his Alpha status. His posture shifted, his shoulders squaring as he radiated an aura of absolute power and control that made the surrounding warriors straighten their spines.
"Did you bring the cuffs?" Kayden's voice was a low, commanding rumble that brooked no argument. "I did," Luca replied. The warrior he had signaled rushed over, handing him a bundle of dark, durable fabric. Luca didn't miss a beat, tossing the bundle toward Kayden, who caught it out of the air with effortless, predatory grace. "And I figured you'd be needing these," Luca added with a dry grin. "Unless you were planning on interrogating your 'birthday suit,' Alpha."
Kayden rolled his eyes at Luca's jab, but he didn't waste time. He quickly pulled on the white baseball shorts and the black T-shirt Luca had provided. The moment he was dressed, the rest of the warriors closed the circle, their eyes wide as they took in the sight of me still pinning the monster to the forest floor. Luca tossed a pair of thick, reinforced gloves to Kayden. Both men pulled them on with practiced movements, the heavy material protecting their skin from the volatile metal they were about to handle.
One of the younger warriors stepped forward, carrying a reinforced glass case with both hands as if it were an explosive. Inside, resting on dark velvet, were thick silver handcuffs and a heavy, etched silver collar. The metal shimmered with a cold, unnatural light. Luca flipped the latches on the case. The sharp click-click echoed through the quiet clearing. He carefully lifted the silver collar and handed it to Kayden. The weight of it was apparent; this was designed to suppress the wolf and neutralize any shifting abilities. Kayden gripped the silver firmly, his expression turning grim as he looked down at the back of the Rogue's neck.
With the silver collar gripped in his gloved hands, Kayden knelt beside us. No words were needed; we moved in perfect, lethal synchronicity. I tightened my fist in the Rogue's hair, yanking his head back to expose the vulnerable line of his throat, while shifting my other hand to the center of his shoulder blades. I applied enough downward pressure to ensure that even a desperate surge of adrenaline wouldn't let him slip away.
Kayden offered a sharp, silent nod of gratitude. His movements were clinical as he fitted the heavy silver band around the man's neck, the metallic click of the lock sounding like a death knell in the quiet clearing. Luca moved in immediately after, the silver handcuffs glinting in his grip. As Kayden reached for the Rogue's wrists, we began a seamless transition. He slid his knee into the exact space mine had occupied, maintaining the pressure on the Rogue's spine without giving the prisoner a single second of slack. Once Kayden had full control, I finally released my grip. I stood up, smoothing out my clothes and stepping to the side.
The moment I stepped away, the Rogue made one last, desperate attempt to thrash, but Kayden was faster. He caught the man's wrists, wrenching them behind his back with enough force to make him hiss. He snatched the cuffs from Luca and snapped them shut; the silver bit into the Rogue's skin, and I saw the light of the wolf in his eyes finally flicker and die as the metal suppressed his power.
Only when the locks were secure did Kayden finally stand. I felt Amelia's arm wrap tightly around mine. Kayden and Luca bent down, grabbing the Rogue by his upper arms and hoisting him to his feet like a sack of dead weight. He staggered, his bare feet catching on the grass, before he straightened his spine. He glared at them, his face a mask of pure, unadulterated hate.
Without warning, he lunged his head forward and spat directly onto Luca's cheek. A jagged, hysterical laugh ripped from his throat, echoing off the surrounding trees as if he'd just won the ultimate prize. Luca didn't flinch. He didn't even snarl. He simply reached up with one gloved hand and calmly wiped the spit from his face, his expression as cold and unreadable as stone.
Luca's smirk sharpened into something predatory as he leaned in closer to the Rogue. "Don't worry," he whispered, his voice vibrating with a dark promise. "You're going to absolutely love the accommodations we have planned for your stay." The Rogue didn't stop laughing; if anything, the sound became more manic, echoing off the trees. "You won't be able to break me! No matter what you try, no matter how much silver you use!"
He twisted his head, projecting his voice at the gathered warriors, his eyes wide and bloodshot. "Sleep with one eye open, you pathetic pups! You can spend every night wondering if I was alone, or if the others are already inside your walls! You will never win!" He preached his madness loudly, making sure every young warrior in the circle heard the threat. I could see some of the younger pack members shift uncomfortably, their eyes darting toward the dark treeline. That was exactly what he wanted. He knew that even in chains, he could win if he could sow enough fear to make them turn on each other—or better yet, make them lose faith in their Alpha's ability to keep them safe.
The poison was spreading. I could see the stiffening of shoulders and the flickers of doubt in the eyes of the warriors around us. The Rogue saw it too; the smug, pleased curl of his lip told me he was savoring every drop of the panic he was brewing. I opened my mouth to say something, but Kayden beat me to it. He didn't scream or growl; instead, he spoke with a voice that was deep, steady, and vibrating with an ancient, unshakable power. "Enough."
The forest went deathly silent. Every eye snapped to him. "You and your cohorts hold no sway here," Kayden said, his gaze sweeping over his warriors, grounding them. "Your taunts have no weight against the strength of this pack. We are not a collection of individuals to be frightened; we are a wall. If your brothers are foolish enough to step into my woods, they will meet the same end you have. As long as I draw breath, this pack will never fall to the likes of you."
The transformation was instantaneous. The shadows of doubt vanished, replaced by a surge of pride that seemed to physically brighten the clearing. The warriors stood taller, their eyes glowing with renewed loyalty and awe. The Rogue's smirk died. Seeing his psychological grip shatter, he began to thrash like a landed fish, his screams of frustration piercing the air. "You'll see!" he shrieked, his voice cracking. "You'll see soon enough! You'll learn!" Kayden didn't even give him the satisfaction of an angry look. He simply tightened his grip on the man's arm, his expression one of bored annoyance. "Let's head out." With a single command, the tension broke. We moved as one unit, leaving the sanctuary of the falls behind as Kayden and Luca marched the prisoner back toward the heart of the pack.
Amelia and I stood in the silence of the clearing for a moment, her head resting lightly against my shoulder as we watched the warriors disappear into the thick line of trees. Only when the sound of the rogue manic laughter had finally faded did she pull away and stand up straight. She looked up at me, her bright green eyes searching mine. A soft, reassuring smile touched her lips. "Come on, let's go back. I'm sure you're starving after all that—I know I am. I've been holding off on dinner, waiting for you two to get back." I managed a small smile in return, but as I did, I felt a strange, cold pit forming in the depths of my stomach. It wasn't hunger; it was a heavy, sinking sensation I couldn't quite name. "Okay," I whispered. "Let's go."