BLOOD MOON

A SAPPHIC SHIFTER ROMANCE

QUEERWOLF

BOOK TWO

HARMONY FULLER

Copyright © 2025 by Harmony Fuller

All rights reserved.

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Author's note: All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

A WORD ABOUT A WORD…

Jaynes story is about letting go of anger and grief. It’s also about finding yourself and someone who loves you solely for who you are.

My partner and I have a saying that gets us through tough times: Always and Forever.

Jayne and Princess also have a saying that I wanted to share at the beginning of this book because I think some of you might need to hear it first. I know I do right now.

You ready?

We’ll get through this

Together.

CHAPTER 1

Three days.

Three fucking days of pacing this doorway and running the compound’s perimeter, and I was no closer to finding Luna than when we’d first dragged these wolves back from Brett’s mine.

Saved. We saved these wolves. Olivia’s calm, ever-patient voice echoed in my mind like a reprimand, and I shook my head sharply as if I could physically dislodge it. Saved wasn’t the word I’d use. Not when it felt like I was still losing everything that mattered.

Where was my saved? I had no savior, just myself.

The worn hardwood groaned under my boots as I turned for yet another pass, exhaustion dragging at my muscles like chains. Every step felt heavier, slower. But I couldn’t stop. Stillness meant facing the yawning emptiness where Sage and Luna’s scents used to linger, and I wasn’t ready for that.

My hand found the knob without thought, and I pushed the door open, my boots pivoting as I stepped into the small, sparsely furnished room.

Princess was still there, perched on the edge of the bed like a restless bird. Her fingers twisted the hem of her too-big borrowed shirt, her gaze locked somewhere far away. Her neck bore the unmistakable scars of the Hunters’ silver collar—angry red burns now fading into raw pink. Each time I saw them, my fury reignited, white-hot and consuming.

I didn’t bother softening my tone. I couldn’t.

“Please,” I growled, my voice scraping against the edges of my fraying patience. “If you know anything about where they might have taken her…” The words felt hollow, repeated so many times they’d lost meaning, but I couldn’t stop. Repeating the plea was the only tether I had left.

Princess’s head lifted slowly, her impossibly blue eyes locking onto mine. They were too steady, too clear, and it made something inside me twist uncomfortably. She didn’t look at me with pity—that, I could have handled. It was worse.

It was understanding.

Her red-gold hair caught the early sunlight streaming through the window, making her look more delicate than I could stomach. I didn’t need delicate. I needed answers. Action.

Her fingers stilled, and I caught the faintest movement of her lips, as though she was finally going to speak. My breath hitched, unbidden, and my chest puffed out slightly as I leaned forward. I hated the way my body moved on instinct, the way I loomed without realizing it.

“I—I think I might know,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, but musical and soft in a way that made my wolf stir. “But I’m not entirely sure, and I don’t want to send you on a wild goose chase when Luna needs⁠—”

My hand slammed against the doorframe before I even realized I’d moved. The sound ricocheted off the walls, sharp and jarring, and Princess flinched violently. The reaction hit me harder than any blow could have. Shame clawed at me, but it couldn’t find purchase against the all-consuming anger roaring in my chest.

I stared at my hand against the doorframe, my knuckles tight and white. Sage would have known what to say.

Sage would have been patient.

But Sage wasn’t here.

Sage was dead.

Dead because I hadn’t been there to protect her. Dead because I’d failed. And now, Luna⁠—

My breath came fast and sharp, each inhale stoking the fire in my chest.

“Jayne.” Princess’s voice broke through the haze, and it was so gentle, so steady, that it was like a knife to the gut. She rose cautiously, her movements slow and deliberate, as though I might lash out. The thought made the shame burn hotter. “I want to help find Luna. I do. I just—I don’t want to get it wrong. The Hunters, they…” Her hand lifted unconsciously to the burns on her neck, fingers brushing the edges as though they still ached. Something in my chest twisted painfully.

I turned away, pressing my forehead against the cool wood of the doorframe. The grounding sensation helped push back the memories threatening to engulf me—Sage’s lifeless body, Luna’s empty cradle. My claws threatened to break the skin of my palms, and I dug them in harder, using the sharp pain as an anchor.

“Then tell me what you do know,” I said, my voice tight, barely restrained. “Anything could help.”

I heard her move, the quiet rustle of fabric and the creak of the bed as she stepped forward. The scent hit me first—warm and sweet, with something wilder underneath. It wasn’t overpowering, but it sank into my senses, stirring my wolf in ways I didn’t want to examine. I shoved the reaction down violently.

I didn’t have time for distractions. Especially not her.

“The Hunters,” she began, her voice trembling slightly. Her hands twisted together, a nervous tic that drew my gaze. “When they had me, which for a lot longer than you might think, they talked about different facilities. There’s one in the Appalachians they mentioned a lot. They seemed… proud of it. It was where they were taking me. Taking all of us. It was where the doctor who was… handling us was headquartered.”

“Proud. Handling.” I repeated, the words twisting in my mouth like something sour. My wolf snarled beneath my skin, and I clenched my jaw to keep the sound from escaping.

“That’s enough.” Lydia’s voice cut through the tension like a blade, her Alpha presence filling the room. I didn’t need to turn around to feel it, the weight of her authority pressing against my wolf. My wolf wanted to bare its throat, to submit, but the human in me resisted, rigid and unyielding. She had never felt like my Alpha. No one had.

I stayed where I was, forehead pressed against the frame. Princess’s scent lingered in the air, tangling with my anger and making it harder to think. Harder to focus. It was infuriating. She was infuriating.

“Jayne,” Lydia said, her tone softening slightly, though the command was still there. “Look at me.”

I raised my head slowly, meeting her steady gaze. Behind her, I could see Olivia standing hesitantly in the doorway. She’d bandaged my knuckles so many times over the past three days, I’d lost count. The sight of her now, hovering with concern, only deepened the weight pressing on my chest.

“Princess isn’t our prisoner,” Lydia said firmly. “She’s free to leave whenever she chooses. And if you keep⁠—”

“No, please,” Princess interrupted, her voice soft but unshakable. “I want to stay. I want to help find Luna.” She glanced at me, and there was something in her gaze that made my wolf whine low and restless. “I want to answer her questions. I know what it’s like to be alone and scared. No pup or person should have to feel that way.”

Her words settled over the room like a weight, raw and heavy with sincerity. My wolf stirred uneasily, caught between anger and the instinct to protect. I clenched my fists tighter, grounding myself in the bite of my claws against my palms.

Princess glanced between us, her hands twitching slightly at her sides, as if she needed something solid to anchor her. I saw her draw in a slow breath, seeming to pull strength from Lydia’s calm presence. “Two days’ drive,” she said, her voice steady but soft. “Maybe more. It’s likely super remote, hidden in the Appalachians, deliberately isolated. I never saw it myself, but they talked about it enough that I…” She trailed off, her gaze lifting to meet mine.

Her blue eyes locked onto me, something vulnerable and unyielding swimming in their depths. It stopped me short. My chest tightened against the weight of the moment, and I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath until it left me in a sharp exhale.

“I think Luna might be there,” she continued, her tone carrying a quiet conviction. “I want to help you find her.”

“Two days,” I repeated, the words falling heavy as my hand dragged through the unshaved side of my hair. The thought of waiting even another hour—of Luna out there, alone, afraid—made my skin crawl. But if Princess was right… “We’ll need supplies.”

“I’ll make arrangements,” Lydia said, her voice holding no room for arguments. She was already halfway out the door before I could respond. “Olivia, can you put together a medical kit?”

As they slipped into quiet conversation about logistics, my attention drifted back to Princess. She had returned to the bed, her movements careful and deliberate as she gathered the items Olivia had given her—ointment for her burns, a spare shirt that was still too big, and a basic cell phone that looked ancient compared to modern standards. Her hands trembled faintly as she worked, though there was an undeniable determination in the way she moved, a quiet strength that made my wolf tilt its head, curious.

“You don’t have to come,” I said roughly, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “Just tell us where to go.”

Her head snapped up, and for a moment, her fierceness startled me. “I’m coming,” she said firmly, meeting my gaze with an intensity I hadn’t expected. “I know things about how they operate—their protocols, their blind spots. You’ll need that information.”

Something flickered in my chest at her defiance—respect, maybe, or understanding—but I crushed it immediately, burying it beneath my frustration. “Fine. But don’t expect me to protect you,” I snapped, the words sharper than I intended. “Luna is my only priority.”

A small smile ghosted across her lips, there and gone so quickly that I wondered if I’d imagined it. “I wouldn’t expect anything else.”

Her scent shifted then, warm and sweet, like the first bloom of spring flowers after winter. My wolf stirred at the edges of my mind, curious and drawn. I growled low in my throat, the sound guttural and sharp, more at myself than her. I didn’t want this. Didn’t want to notice her, didn’t want her scent seeping into my awareness like an unwanted guest. The absence of Sage still felt like a gaping wound, and here I was reacting to another wolf’s scent like some untrained pup.

“We should leave as soon as possible,” I bit out, harsher than necessary, as if the tone could silence the thoughts creeping in. “The longer we wait⁠—”

“The more time they have to move her—or worse,” Princess finished softly, her voice trembling on the last word. She hesitated, her hands curling into fists at her sides, before adding, “We’ll find her, Jayne. I promise.”

The sincerity in her voice hit me like a physical blow, sharp and unexpected. My wolf whined low in response, a sound that made my chest tighten further. She doesn’t know what she’s promising.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” I muttered, turning sharply and heading for the door. “Be ready in an hour.”

The hallway felt too quiet, the silence wrapping around me like a vice as I strode away from the room. But her scent lingered—warm, sweet, maddening. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, clawing at the walls of my control. The anger was easier to hold onto, sharper and clearer than the muddled emotions I wanted to ignore.

Luna. Luna was all that mattered. Not Princess. Not her scent. Not the way her defiance made something in me want to listen.

Lydia’s voice pulled me out of my spiral as I reached the bottom of the stairs. “Jayne, wait.”

I turned, barely restraining the growl bubbling in my chest. “If you’re going to tell me this is a bad idea⁠—”

“No.” Lydia’s tone was steady, her expression unreadable as she descended the last few steps to stand before me. “I’m going to tell you to be careful. Not just of the Hunters.” She cast a glance up the stairs, her meaning clear. “That girl has been through things we can’t imagine. She’s trying to help, despite her own trauma.”

“I don’t need a lecture on being nice,” I growled, though the fire in my voice felt dulled. “I need to find my daughter.”

“And she might be your best chance at doing that,” Lydia countered, her voice sharpening. “But if you keep letting your anger control you⁠—”

“My anger is all I have left!” The words erupted from me, filling the empty foyer. They echoed back, harsh and jagged, but I couldn’t stop. “Sage is dead. Luna is gone. What else am I supposed to feel?”

The soft sound of movement upstairs stilled me. I didn’t need to look to know Princess had heard. Good. Let her hear. Let her understand what she was walking into.

“You’re not the only one who’s lost someone, Jayne,” Lydia said quietly, her gaze unflinching as it bore into mine. “You’re not the only one who’s hurting.” She paused, the weight of her words sinking in. “And you might find that healing comes in unexpected ways, if you let it.”

I turned away, my chest tight and my throat burning. “I’ll be ready in an hour,” I muttered, my voice hollow, the words meant more for the empty space than her.

As I headed for my room, her scent hit me again—fainter this time, but still enough to stir my wolf’s restless energy. It pushed at the edges of my restraint, clawing for attention. The reaction made me slam my door harder than I needed to, the sound reverberating in the small space.

I didn’t need healing.

I didn’t need comfort.

I needed vengeance.

As I threw supplies into a bag, a memory resurfaced, unbidden—Sage’s voice, soft and knowing. Vengeance without purpose is just violence, my love. Make sure you know which one you’re choosing.

The words wrapped around me like a vice, and I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to block her out. The sharp sting of tears threatened, but I shoved it down with a growl, focusing on the task at hand.

The sound of light footsteps in the hallway made my wolf perk up, and I cursed under my breath. Princess. Always Princess.

This is exactly what I don’t need.

As I zipped up my bag, my thoughts betrayed me, pulling back to the image of her flinching when I hit the doorframe. Her fear had been sharp, visceral, but even sharper was the resolve she’d shown afterward. She hadn’t run. She hadn’t cowered. Despite everything she’d been through, she was still willing to face the monsters who had hurt her—just to save a pup she’d barely met.

The thought stuck like a burr, refusing to dislodge. I tried to shake it off. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered.

Luna was all that mattered.

I repeated the thought like a mantra, forcing myself to believe it. Forcing myself to ignore the quiet voice in the back of my mind that whispered it wasn’t entirely true.

Downstairs, the compound buzzed with quiet activity. Olivia crouched by an SUV, meticulously packing a medical kit into the back while Lydia and Naomi hovered over a map spread across the hood. Princess stood apart from the group, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as though warding off a cold no one else felt. The warm sunlight danced over her red-gold hair, but her stance was closed, guarded.

“We’ll take my truck,” I said, my voice gruff as I slung my bag over my shoulder. “Better off-road capabilities if we need them.”

Princess nodded but didn’t move closer. The distance between us was palpable, but it wasn’t just physical. Her posture radiated vulnerability, a fragility that tugged at something deep in my chest. My wolf stirred uneasily, wanting to bridge the gap, to comfort her. The instinct only made my anger flare brighter.

I didn’t want to feel this. Didn’t want the complications it brought.

“And for you.” Olivia’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts as she approached, pushing two small bags into my hands. The zippers strained against the supplies inside. “Various extra bits and bobs, but the most important are two wolf-sized fanny packs.”

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at the vet. “Two what?”

Olivia met my skepticism with a bright, unapologetic smile. “Just what it sounds like. I’ve been tinkering with them for Naomi, but thought this was a great chance to test the design. Anything you need to carry in wolf form can go into the bag. Strap it around your torso, shift, and the strap will expand with your canine body shape. Depending on how you position it, it should fit snugly against your chest or back.”

I tilted my head, still skeptical. Olivia had always struck me as a bit odd since the first time Naomi had come back reeking of her, but this was a new level. “Got tired of seeing her show up naked?”

“Never.” To her credit, Olivia only partially blushed. “But I did get tired of everything she brought me being covered in wolf drool.”

A quiet chuckle escaped Princess, and she reached out to place a soft hand on Olivia’s arm. “Thank you, Olivia,” she said warmly. “That sounds very helpful.”

The genuine gratitude in her voice twisted something sharp in my chest, so I turned away, pretending to busy myself with loading the gear into the truck and moving the few bags that were already packed into the SUV over.

“Be careful,” Lydia said as she approached, her Alpha presence wrapping around us like a protective shield. “The Hunters will be expecting someone to come for Luna. They’ll be prepared.”

“Let them be prepared,” I growled, checking the straps on the supplies one last time. “They won’t be prepared enough.”

I felt Princess’s gaze on me before I looked up. Her expression was unreadable, her blue eyes steady and searching. When our eyes met, she didn’t flinch, didn’t look away. Something in her gaze pinned me in place, and I hated the way it made me feel—seen. Exposed.

“You know this could be dangerous,” I said roughly, the words harsher than I intended. “Last chance to back out.”

“I know,” she replied, her voice soft but steady. “But some things are worth the risk.”

Her tone struck a chord, vibrating deep in my chest. My wolf perked up, ears metaphorically pricked at the sound of her quiet conviction. I turned away quickly, cutting off the connection before it could deepen. I couldn’t afford this distraction—not now, not ever.

“Let’s go then,” I said, climbing into the truck and settling into the driver’s seat. “We’re burning daylight.”

Princess didn’t hesitate, sliding into the passenger seat beside me. Her scent filled the cab immediately, warm and sweet with an edge of something wild, and I gripped the steering wheel harder, my knuckles turning white. Two days. Two days of that scent, of her presence. My wolf already paced beneath my skin, restless and alert like an untrained pup that was just happy to be here.

I shoved the thoughts, and my wolf, down violently. None of it mattered. Only Luna mattered.

As the truck rolled away from the Mayfield Meadows compound, I caught one last glimpse of Lydia in the rearview mirror. She stood tall, her arms crossed over her chest, her gaze sharp and knowing. Too knowing. Her expression carried a sadness that I didn’t want to examine too closely, as though she saw something in me I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—acknowledge.

I pressed harder on the accelerator, leaving her and her knowing looks behind. Ahead lay the Appalachians, the Hunters, and hopefully, Luna.

Everything else—the way Princess’s presence both calmed and agitated my wolf, the way her scent lingered like a whisper of spring, the way her quiet strength made me want to listen—none of it could matter. I couldn’t let it matter.

I just had to keep telling myself that until I believed it.

CHAPTER 2

The first half of the day passed in tense silence, broken only by the hum of the tires against the asphalt and Princess’s fingers drumming absently against her knee. She sat with the map spread across her lap, her eyes tracing its lines while fragments of a tune floated softly from her lips. Whatever song was playing on the radio—something quiet and cheerful—seemed to chase away some of the heaviness in the air, no matter how tightly I clung to it.

Then, without warning, she perked up. “Oh! Can we turn this up?” she asked, her hand darting toward the volume knob. Before I could respond, the opening chords of Sweet Home Alabama filled the cab, and her lips curved into a small, genuine smile.

“Sometimes music makes the road feel less…” She hesitated, her fingers brushing against the map as she searched for the right word. “…less suffocating.”

I wanted to snap that we weren’t here for a road trip, but something about the way she traced the map with deliberate care—singing softly to herself, her voice harmonizing naturally with Lynyrd Skynyrd—stilled my tongue. Outside the confines of her room at the compound, she seemed… different. More alive. More free.

I didn’t want to think about how much I understood that feeling. I especially didn’t want to think about the sharp twinge of jealousy that flared watching her guard fall just slightly as she hummed along.

“We should take the next exit,” she said suddenly, her quiet voice somehow carrying over the music. “It looks like there’s a shorter route through the mountains.” She leaned over the map, her finger tracing a careful line as she spoke.

“Are you sure?” I asked, forcing my focus back to the road and not the way her lips pressed together in concentration.

“Mmhmm,” she nodded, then added with a hint of humor, “The Hunters weren’t exactly subtle about their secret routes. They called it ‘The Loneliest Road.’” Her voice lilted on the title. “Which honestly sounds like a bad country song.”

Her attempt at lightness faltered as she continued, her voice softening. “It winds up through the mountains off Route 50 in West Virginia. They liked it because it’s less patrolled than the main highways.”

The mention of the Hunters sent a familiar surge of anger through me, but this time it didn’t burn as hot. There was something about the quiet way Princess shared the information, the calm, matter-of-fact tone, that smoothed the edges of my rage. It was… unsettling.

“How do you know their routes?” I asked, aiming for neutral and landing closer to growly.

Her hands stilled on the map, and her gaze flicked to the window as though the passing scenery might offer an escape. “They weren’t always careful about what they said,” she replied, her voice steady despite the tension in her shoulders. “In fact, they never were. Thought we were too broken to pay attention, I guess.” She turned back, her lips quirking into a faint smile. “Their mistake.”

Something in the quiet resilience of her words tightened my chest, and my wolf shifted beneath my skin, growling low—not in anger but in something closer to appreciation. Protective. I didn’t like it any better than the rage.

“Sorry,” I muttered, the apology slipping out before I could stop it. Immediately, I regretted it. I wasn’t here to admire her strength. I was here to find Luna.

“Don’t be,” she said lightly, and to my surprise, she started humming again as she studied the map. “Your anger is part of who you are. Like how my horrible taste in road trip music is part of me.”

She flashed a quick grin, but it disappeared just as fast, as though she expected me to snap.

“You don’t know anything about me,” I said sharply, taking the exit more aggressively than necessary. Her shoulders stiffened briefly, but she didn’t flinch. A flicker of guilt settled under my skin, especially when my chest tightened with an apology I didn’t want to give.

The radio chose that moment to start playing Life is a Highway, and Princess giggled—a soft, unexpected sound that somehow lightened the weight in the cab.

“The universe has a sense of humor,” she said, her voice colored with amusement. Then, more seriously, “And maybe I don’t know everything about you, Jayne, but I know enough to be here.” Her finger tapped the map thoughtfully. “I now enough to know you care about your daughter. Besides, anyone who scowls that hard at Rascal Flatts must have hidden depths. Everyone likes this song. Just admit it. It’s a good song.”

Her casual observation caught me off guard, and I wasn’t used to someone meeting my sharp edges with such gentle teasing. Sage had been soft but direct, Lydia authoritative. This was… different.

“Which way?” I asked roughly, the words coming out before I could find a response to her comment. I slowed at the intersection, glancing at her from the corner of my eye. I was not about to ‘admit it’.

She leaned closer, studying the map. Her red-gold hair fell forward, brushing against the paper as her finger traced the route. “Left here,” she said, sitting back with a small smile. “Unless you want to take the scenic route. I hear there’s a world’s largest ball of twine somewhere around here.”

“This isn’t a vacation,” I growled, but even I could hear the slight softening in my tone. “And I think that’s in the Midwest.”

I snapped my mouth shut so hard my teeth clicked. Had I really just been about to offer to take her to see some oversized string if we made it out of this?

“No, it’s not a vacation,” she agreed, her voice quieter now. “But sometimes... sometimes it helps to pretend for a moment that the world isn’t quite so dark.”

Her words hung in the air, soft and sincere, and she began humming again. The sound was soothing, like a melody wrapping itself around the tension in my chest. For the first time since we’d started driving, the cab didn’t feel so confining.

I turned left, pressing the accelerator harder than necessary. The truck’s engine roared as we climbed, but it couldn’t quite drown out Princess’s quiet humming. Her melody was soft, almost absentminded, but it somehow managed to soothe my wolf’s restlessness. I hated that it worked.

The mountains rose around us, ancient and indifferent to the urgency of our mission. Princess had settled into a pattern of studying the map, then gazing out the window, her fingers occasionally lifting to point out oddly shaped trees or peculiar rock formations. Once there were cows. Each observation seemed chosen to pull me out of my dark thoughts, but I refused to take the bait.

“You should try to sleep,” I said abruptly, needing to break the pattern before it became too comfortable.

She turned to look at me, and for a moment, something vulnerable flickered across her face. “I don’t sleep well in moving vehicles,” she said softly. Then, with a weak attempt at humor, “Unless you’re offering to sing me a lullaby?”

The joke hung between us, brittle and sharp. It didn’t land because we both knew the truth behind her words. The Hunters hadn’t exactly transported their prisoners in comfort. I imagined cold metal, harsh restraints, and no reprieve from the misery. My hands tightened on the wheel, leaving faint imprints in the leather.

“They’re dead now,” I said gruffly, my voice rough with the weight of everything unsaid. “The ones who had you.”

“Not all of them,” she replied, her fingers tracing an absent pattern on the fogged-up window. Her reflection in the glass was pale and ghostly, her expression unreadable. “The ones from the facilities... they’re different. More systematic about it all.” She turned back to me, forcing a weak smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Less monologuing about their evil plans, more spreadsheets. But, you know, dark spreadsheets. Created without Excel.”

Her attempt at humor barely masked the fear lacing her voice, and my wolf snarled low in response. The thought of Luna in their hands, treated like a data point on one of those sinister spreadsheets…

“Jayne,” Princess said suddenly, her hand hovering near but not quite touching my arm. Her voice softened, and there was a thread of concern in it that caught me off guard. “Your eyes…”

I blinked, realizing belatedly that my wolf had begun to surface. My vision had sharpened, the faint outline of her pulse in her neck suddenly vivid. I forced it back, swallowing hard. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” she said quietly. Then, with a flicker of her earlier smile, she added, “But hey, neither am I. Maybe that’s why we might make a good team.”

The road narrowed ahead, twisting into sharp mountain turns, and I let the need to focus pull me away from her words. She returned to the map, humming again—but this time, I caught the tune.

“On the Road Again? Really?” I couldn’t help asking, though I tried to keep the irritation in my voice.

“Willie Nelson is a classic,” she said with mock offense, then pointed to a spot on the map. “There’s a small town coming up. We should stop for supplies. And…” She hesitated, then added with a teasing edge, “And you need rest, Jayne. Your death grip on the steering wheel is starting to worry me.”

I wanted to argue. I wanted to push forward, to keep moving until we found Luna. But my body betrayed me with a yawn, one so deep I nearly winced. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept more than a few minutes at a time. It must have been… the last time I curled up against Sage.

“Fine,” I muttered. “But just for a few hours.”

The town, when we reached it, was little more than a handful of buildings nestled in a narrow valley. Princess pressed her face to the window like a curious child, counting softly under her breath. “One gas station, one diner, one motel…” She leaned back, grinning. “I think we’ve found the setting for every country song ever written.”

Despite myself, the corner of my mouth twitched. “You really do have terrible taste in music.”

“I prefer to think of it as eclectic,” she said primly, then pointed to the motel. “Look, they even have a blinking vacancy sign. How… welcoming?”

“If that doesn’t scream ‘you might die here,’” I added dryly, pulling into the lot.

Princess chuckled softly. “Look on the bright side—we won’t have to fight anyone for the best parking spot.”

The anxiety that had been simmering beneath my skin surged at the thought of stopping. Of wasting precious time. I scanned the surrounding area, my wolf on high alert, but there was no sign of movement beyond the slow sway of tree branches in the breeze.

“You sure they’re open?” I asked skeptically. “I bet they haven’t had a customer in ages.”

“Decades, maybe,” Princess said lightly, then added with a small smile, “But look on the bright side. It’s not crowded. I’ll get us a room,” she offered, already reaching for the door handle. “Although I should warn you—I’ve been told I hum in my sleep.”

“Us?” The word came out sharper than I intended, but the image of her sleep-humming was oddly… endearing.

She paused, her hand on the door. “We can’t afford to separate,” she said softly. “Not with the Hunters possibly tracking us.” Her voice lowered, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. “And you know I’m right. It’s too dangerous.” Then, with a tiny grin, she added, “Plus, what if they only have one copy of the room service menu?”

The worst part was, she was right. Her knowledge of the Hunters was too valuable to risk, and staying together was the only logical choice. But her ability to find humor in our situation unsettled me in ways I didn’t want to admit.

“Fine,” I growled, killing the engine. “But get two beds.”

As she walked toward the office, I found myself watching her carefully. She moved with a strange balance of lightness and caution—managing to maintain her warmth while still scanning her surroundings. Those habits had been learned the hard way, and the contrast between her natural brightness and her honed vigilance made something in my chest ache.

Princess returned with a key, twirling it deftly around her finger. “Room twelve,” she announced, gesturing toward the far end of the building. “It has a clear view of both exits to the lot.” Then, with a small grin, she added, “And magic fingers beds for twenty-five cents.”

“Oh my God, how old is this place?” I groaned, side-eyeing her as I grabbed my bag. “If I get bedbugs or fleas…” The thought of tiny insects crawling through my fur made my skin crawl, and my wolf growled low in agreement.

Her grin widened. “I’m sure the rustic charm makes up for any potential infestations.”

Thankfully the room was small but clean, its two double beds separated by a narrow nightstand. Princess immediately moved to check the bathroom and windows, her movements efficient and practiced. Yet somehow, she made it seem casual, like she was just exploring instead of securing the space.

“No mint on the pillow,” she reported with exaggerated disappointment, though her sharp gaze caught every potential exit. “But the water pressure seems decent, and…” She paused by the window, running her fingers along the sill. “We have a lovely view of the dumpster.”

“You’re trying too hard,” I muttered, though the sharpness in my tone had softened.

Princess turned to me, surprise flickering across her face before she offered a small, more genuine smile. “Maybe. But sometimes trying too hard is better than not trying at all.” Her hand rose absently to her neck, brushing against the healing silver burns. “Helps keep the darkness at bay, you know?”

The simple honesty beneath her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. My wolf whined, restless with the urge to offer comfort, and for once, I didn’t entirely suppress it.

“You should let me look at those burns,” I said gruffly, nodding toward her neck. “They’ll scar if they’re not treated properly.”

Her brow arched, her attempt at teasing softer now. “Are you secretly a nurse?” Her eyes narrowed, “Did Olivia send you? Because I should warn you, I’m a terrible patient. I sing through all my medical procedures.”

I rolled my eyes and pointed at the bed. “Sit,” I commanded, already reaching for the medical kit. When she hesitated, I added more softly, “Please.”

Princess perched on the edge of the nearest bed and, true to her word, began humming a soft, unfamiliar tune. It should have been irritating, but instead, the quiet melody filled the space, easing the tension in the room.

“This might sting,” I warned as I opened the antiseptic cream.

“That’s okay,” she said lightly. “I’ll just sing louder to compensate.”

But as I began applying the ointment, she fell silent. Gradually, she relaxed under my careful touch, and I found myself noticing details I hadn’t before: the freckles scattered across her shoulders like constellations, the way her posture remained steady even when it must have hurt, the faint upturn of her lips even when she wasn’t smiling.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, with a hint of mischief, she added, “Your bedside manner is much better than your driving.”

I withdrew quickly, the distance between us a necessary barrier. “Get some rest. I’ll take first watch.”

Princess didn’t argue, though something in her expression suggested she wanted to. Instead, she moved to the far bed, sitting cross-legged with her back against the headboard. She had a clear view of both the door and window, but somehow she again made it look casual—like she was settling in to read a book rather than keeping watch.

“You know,” she said softly, “I think this is the first time I’ve stayed in a motel without listening to true crime podcasts warning me about staying in motels.”

I didn’t respond, my gaze fixed on the parking lot, but my attention drifted to her reflection in the window. She had a way of making this seem normal, like we were just two people on a road trip instead of two wolves hunting for a stolen pup.

“Jayne?” Her voice was already heavy with exhaustion.

“Mm?”

“We will find her.” Her conviction was quiet but unshakable, and it made my wolf stir uneasily. “Luna. We’ll bring her home.” She yawned, her eyes closing as she added with a sleepy smile, “And then maybe I’ll teach her all my favorite road trip songs.”

I pressed my forehead against the cool glass, willing the surge of emotion her words triggered to fade. “You can’t know that.”

“No,” she agreed softly. “But I believe it. And sometimes… belief is all we have.” Her voice drifted off as sleep claimed her.

When I looked back, she had shifted lower on the bed, curled up on her side, one hand tucked beneath her cheek. In sleep, she looked younger, the weight of her trauma momentarily lifted. Something protective stirred in my chest, and my wolf rumbled low in agreement.

The light faded, painting the room in long shadows. Princess slept deeply, though the occasional quiet murmur escaped her. Sometimes it was a fragment of a song, other times a sharp plea that made my wolf pace anxiously.

During one particularly restless moment, she turned sharply, her shirt riding up to reveal scarred skin along her ribs. My grip on the windowsill tightened as my blood boiled, imagining the hands that had left those marks. Here was someone who could still hum silly songs and find humor in the darkness, and they had tried to break that.

Tried to break her.

“No…” The soft plea drew my attention back to her. Princess’s face had twisted in distress, her hands clutching at the sheets. “Please, don’t…”

Before I could stop myself, I was moving toward her. My wolf surged forward, demanding I offer comfort, and for once, I didn’t fight the instinct. I placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, careful not to startle her.

“You’re safe,” I murmured, the words strange on my tongue. “Princess, you’re safe.”

She stilled immediately, her breathing evening out. To my surprise, she hummed softly in her sleep—the same gentle melody from earlier. The quiet trust in that response made my chest ache. I withdrew quickly, disturbed by how natural it felt to touch her, to offer reassurance.

Back at my post by the window, I tried to focus on the dark parking lot, but my thoughts kept drifting.

To Luna.

To Sage.

To the woman sleeping just a few feet away, her quiet strength becoming harder to ignore. My wolf was calmer than it had been in days, though I couldn’t say the same for myself.

“Complications,” I muttered under my breath.

Princess responded with a sleepy murmur that sounded suspiciously like Sweet Home Alabama, and despite myself, I felt the ghost of a smile tugging at my lips.

As the night deepened, the mountains loomed in the distance like silent sentinels, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. Somewhere out there, Luna was waiting for us to find her.

I just hoped we weren’t already too late.

CHAPTER 3

The cheap motel sheets scratched against my skin as consciousness slowly returned. For one blissful moment, I was suspended in the comfort of familiarity—Sage’s presence at my side, Luna’s small form curled between us. Then reality crashed back in a tidal wave, yanking me into the present.

Princess shifted closer in her sleep, her breath warm against my shoulder. My body tensed, torn between pushing her away and something I refused to name. Her phone chimed softly on the nightstand, saving me from having to make a decision.

She stirred, blinking slowly before realization seemed to hit. Her face colored as she pulled back quickly. “Sorry, I—” The phone chimed again, and she reached for it like a lifeline, her embarrassment fading into a soft smile as she read the message.

Whatever the text said transformed her expression, lighting up her features in a way that sent a sharp pang through my chest. Not jealousy, exactly, but something close enough to make me uncomfortable.

“Olivia checking in,” Princess said, fingers tapping out a response. “She wants to make sure the burns aren’t getting infected.” Another chime, and her grin widened. “Oh, and Daisy says hi. She has... questions.” She glanced at me, head cocked in that wolfish way. “Daisy?”

“Olivia’s human assistant from the clinic,” I said gruffly, already moving to gather our things. “We need to get moving. There’s a diner across the street. We’ll grab something quick before⁠—”

“Before continuing our very serious mission?” Princess teased lightly, but there was a caution in her tone as though she expected me to snap. “You know, food actually tastes better if you sit down to eat it instead of grabbing it on the go.”

I flinched at the implied criticism, though I knew she wasn’t wrong. Something about the way she carefully folded the scratchy motel blanket—straightening it as if it mattered—made me pause. Such a normal gesture in our very abnormal situation.

“We’ll sit down,” I said finally, forcing myself to speak more evenly. “But just long enough for some eggs and toast. No forty-five-minute wait for a Dutch Baby or some other ridiculous pancake subtype.”

Her quiet laugh made me believe I could spare five minutes.

The diner was everything I expected: faded vinyl booths, chrome fixtures dull with age, and the familiar scent of coffee and grease that clung to the air. A jukebox sat in the corner, clearly from a decade no one wanted to admit to, and yet the place carried a charm that should’ve felt welcoming. Instead, my wolf was on edge.

“There,” I said, nodding toward a booth with a clear view of both the main and side exits. Princess slid in across from me, her movements casual, but her posture mirrored my own—alert, scanning the space while feigning ease. It was second nature for her, though the way her face lit up at the plastic menu suggested she wasn’t completely hardened by it.

“Oh my God, they have chocolate chip pancakes,” she said, her eyes gleaming with childlike delight. “With whipped cream shaped like a smiley face.”

I shook my head. “We’re not here for fun,” I reminded her, though the words lacked their usual bite. “Quick food only.”

She nodded solemnly, her lips twitching. “Yes, ma’am. And I promise to only steal a few bites of your inevitably boring breakfast.”

Our waitress appeared, a notepad in hand and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Something about the way her gaze lingered on us made my wolf bristle, and I saw Princess tense ever so slightly, catching the shift in my energy.

“I’ll do the chocolate pancakes,” Princess said brightly before I could speak, “extra chocolate.” She gestured toward me with mock seriousness. “And she’ll have the special with extra bacon. And coffee. Lots of coffee.”

“I can order for myself,” I growled, though I didn’t bother correcting her. She wasn’t wrong about the coffee.

As the waitress walked away, Princess leaned forward, her voice low but teasing. “You’re paranoid. Not everyone is a threat.”

“You don’t know that,” I snapped, my eyes tracking the waitress’s movements. The way she kept glancing at us... Something wasn’t right.

Princess’s phone chimed, pulling her attention. Her face softened as she read the message, her smile returning. “Daisy’s fascinated by everything. Olivia’s trying to explain without explaining too much. Is that possible? How do you explain wolves that turn into humans without explaining too much?”

“They shouldn’t be involved at all,” I muttered, though my usual bite was absent. Princess’s obvious joy at the connection to my pack was... distracting.

The waitress returned with two steaming cups of coffee. She set them down carefully, but her gaze lingered again. Before I could growl, Princess kicked me lightly under the table.

“The food here is amazing,” the waitress said, her tone casual but her eyes sharp. “Especially what we’re doing back in the kitchen. You should check it out before you leave.”

Princess kept her expression neutral, but I caught the subtle tension in her shoulders. “Oh? Any specialties we should try?”

The waitress—Sara, according to her name tag—smiled thinly. “The moon pies are to die for.”

My wolf surged forward, instantly recognizing the deliberate phrase. Princess’s hand found mine under the table, steady and grounding.

“We’ll be sure to try them,” she said smoothly, her voice light. “After we eat.”

Sara nodded, something unspoken passing between them before she retreated. My wolf snarled, every instinct screaming that we needed to run, to fight, to⁠—

“Breathe,” Princess whispered. “Just... wait.”

The meal passed in tense silence, broken only by Princess’s occasional happy hums whenever she took a chocolaty bite. Her phone continued to chime with messages, but she responded casually, never letting her growing unease show.

When we finished, Princess stood. “Let’s check out that back kitchen.”

“This is stupid,” I growled, but followed her anyway. “It’s obviously a trap.”

“Sometimes,” Princess said softly, “the obvious answer isn’t the right one.” She glanced back at me, her expression unreadable. “Like partnering with you.”

“That’s true,” I snapped, though her words stung more than they should have.

“Obvious,” she corrected, her voice firm but warm. “But it was the right thing to do.”

I blinked, startled into silence as she disappeared out the side door toward the back of the building.

The back lot was empty except for a pair of dumpsters and a few scattered crates. Shadows stretched long in the fading light, adding an eerie stillness to the space. I scanned the area, every nerve on edge. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, sensing something I couldn’t quite pinpoint.

Princess moved ahead of me, her steps deliberate but unhurried. The casual way she carried herself only heightened my tension. It wasn’t until I saw the flicker of movement near the dumpsters that my wolf snapped to attention.

Two small figures froze mid-play as our presence registered. Girls—both thin and wary, their eyes wide with fear—huddled close together, shifting almost imperceptibly into defensive stances. Nearby, a third figure, an adolescent wolf, stepped forward protectively. His hackles bristled as a low growl rumbled from his chest.

“Easy,” Princess murmured, holding out her hands in a gesture of peace. Her tone was soothing, but her body remained tense, ready to react.

The wolf hesitated, his golden eyes flicking between us and the girls. He didn’t back down, but his growl softened, as if unsure whether to fight or flee.

Behind us, the door to the diner creaked open, and Sara’s voice called out, calm and steady. “It’s okay. They’re like us.”

The air shifted, the tension easing slightly as the wolf stepped back. He shook his fur once before shifting into his human form—a teenage boy with dark hair and wary eyes. He stood protectively in front of the girls, his posture screaming distrust.

“They’re part of my Pack,” Sara added, stepping fully into the lot. Her tone was gentle but carried the weight of authority, and the boy’s posture relaxed just enough to be noticeable.

The girls didn’t move. They clung to each other, their small frames making them seem younger than they likely were. Despite their silence, their eyes tracked our every movement, calculating and cautious.

Princess crouched slightly, making herself smaller as she addressed the boy. “You’ve been out here a while, haven’t you?”

He didn’t answer, but his eyes narrowed. The girls exchanged a glance, their hands tightening on each other’s.

“Your pack…” Princess hesitated, her voice softening. “They’re not here, are they?”

The boy’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn’t answer. Then he nodded once, curt and reluctant. “They left. Said it was too dangerous to stay in one place.”

Princess’s expression softened, and for a brief moment, I saw the same warmth she showed over Olivia’s texts, the same quiet strength she used to soothe my sharp edges. “It’s okay,” she said gently. “We’re not here to hurt you. We just want to talk.”

One of the girls—the smaller of the two—spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. “We don’t know you.”

Sara stepped forward, her presence steadying. “They’re here to help,” she said, glancing back at us. “They’re looking for someone.”

My eyes snapped to her, shoulder’s tightening as I readied myself to fight. We hadn’t spoken about Luna during breakfast, a deliberate act on my part to keep my daughter’s existence hidden to everyone but those the needed to know. Or needed to die, in the case of the Hunters holding her.

The girls didn’t relax completely, but they stepped closer to the boy, their postures shifting from outright fear to guarded curiosity.

“What’s your name?” Princess asked softly, her gaze focused on the boy.

He didn’t answer immediately, his dark eyes studying her as though trying to determine whether she was a threat. Finally, he muttered, “Ryan.”

I noted the hesitation, the way he glanced toward Sara as if seeking permission to give even that much information. The name sounded generic—probably an alias—but it would do for now.

“And these two?” Princess gestured to the girls, her tone light but kind.

The taller of the two lifted her chin, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m Tali. This is Emma.”

Emma pressed closer to Tali, her smaller frame nearly disappearing against the other girl’s. The protective way Tali wrapped an arm around her spoke volumes, and I felt a pang of recognition. They were young, scared, and trying to survive in a world that had already been too cruel to them.

Princess smiled gently, her hands still raised in a nonthreatening gesture. “It’s nice to meet you, Tali, Emma, Ryan. My name’s Princess, and this is Jayne.” She glanced back at me, her expression softening further. “We’re just passing through, but… maybe we can help.”

Ryan’s gaze flicked to me, his distrust sharpening. “You don’t look like you’re just passing through, or like you can help.”

“We’re looking for someone,” I said bluntly, stepping forward. It was clear that Sara had already figured out our purpose, so why bother hiding it. My wolf bristled, whether at my truth or at the boy’s challenge I didn’t know, but I kept my voice steady. “A pup. Taken by Hunters.”

The mention of Hunters made Emma flinch, her small hands clutching Tali’s shirt tightly. Tali’s eyes darted to Sara, then back to us, her lips pressing into a thin line.

“Do you know anything?” Princess asked gently, her tone free of pressure.

Ryan shook his head, but his hesitation was telling. “We’ve see them pass through,” he admitted finally. “But not recently. They leave us alone.”

“Because we leave them alone.” Sara added quietly from behind me.

“Anything you can tell us might help,” Princess pressed, her voice soft but persistent.

Sara stepped forward then, her presence calming the tension once more. “We can talk inside,” she offered. “The kids need food, and it’s safer than standing out here.”

Ryan hesitated, clearly torn between his distrust and the need to protect the girls. Finally, he nodded, motioning for Tali and Emma to follow him. Sara gave us a small nod before leading the group back inside.

As Princess and I followed, I caught her glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. “You okay?”

“I’m fine,” I grunted, though my wolf paced restlessly. Something about this pack—these kids—set me on edge. Not because they were a threat, but because they reminded me too much of what we’d already lost.

Princess didn’t press, but the look in her eyes said she didn’t quite believe me. She didn’t need to. There was no room for vulnerability here, not when we were this close to the answers we needed.

CHAPTER 4

“Welcome to Haven,” Sara said quietly, ensuring the door was firmly shut behind us, blocking the view of anyone still lingering in the diner. Her tone was calm but carried an undeniable weight. “We’ve been expecting someone to come looking for the pup.”

I froze.

Luna.

Princess’s hand found mine again, her fingers warm and steady. She squeezed gently, her voice barely above a whisper. “See? Sometimes paranoia is just… preparation meeting opportunity.”

I shot her a look, but there was no teasing in her expression, just a quiet confidence that was as disarming as it was frustrating. My wolf bristled at the calm certainty radiating from her, but I couldn’t bring myself to pull my hand away.

Sara gestured swiftly, leading us through a hidden door into what appeared to be a community room behind the diner. The space was lived-in, with mismatched furniture and walls covered in children’s drawings. My wolf remained on high alert, but the scent of pack and home tugged at something deep inside me. It had been so long since I’d smelled anything so familiar, so... safe. The Mayfield pack was more a group of likeminded women working and living on the same compound, but we didn’t share the community that was obvious in every inch of this room. This pack, Haven, was a family first, community second. That was something Lydia had never been able to achieve-at least for me.

“We’ve created a network,” Sara explained, waiting for us to sit. “Small groups in places the Hunters think are too obvious to bother with. We provide shelter, share information when we can.” Her voice softened as her eyes flicked toward the drawings on the walls. “And we protect those they leave behind.”

Princess settled beside me, close enough that her shoulder brushed mine. The casual contact should have annoyed me, but instead, it felt grounding. Her phone chimed again, pulling her attention.

“Daisy’s apparently threatening to move into the compound,” she murmured, holding up the screen with a small smile. “She’s asking Rylee about chess strategies now.”

I raised an eyebrow. “They’re moving fast. Rylee’s a champion.”

Princess shrugged, her focus shifting as one of the young girls approached her hesitantly. The child couldn’t have been more than twelve, though her small frame and guarded posture made her seem much younger. Her solemn gaze fixed on Princess’s neck.

“Did they hurt you too?” the girl asked, her voice barely audible.

Princess’s smile was gentle but tinged with sadness. “Yes,” she said softly. “But I got away. Just like you did.”

The girl nodded seriously, her hand clinging to the hem of her oversized sweater. “Sara says we’re safe here. That they won’t look for us because it’s too close to their base.”

I stiffened at the mention of the Hunters. “Are you talking about the facility?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. “The one in the mountains?”

The girl flinched slightly, but Princess’s calm presence seemed to steady her. “Are you looking for the baby wolf?” she asked, glancing between us.

My heart clenched. “Luna,” I said, my voice rough. “Her name is Luna.”

Sara stepped forward, her earlier demeanor of a casual server completely gone. Now, she carried herself with the quiet authority of someone who had seen too much and survived anyway. “We’ve been gathering information since they brought her through a few days ago,” she said. “The facility isn’t far—about a half day’s drive into the mountains. Maybe a bit more if you leave your vehicle and walk some, which is the safest thing to do. Engines that don’t belong in that area get noticed.”

“You know where it is?” I leaned forward, hope surging despite the suspicion gnawing at me. “Why haven’t you⁠—”

“Done anything?” Sara cut me off, her tone sharp but not unkind. “Because we protect our own. These children, this pack—we can’t risk direct confrontation. Our role is to be a sanctuary for those who make it down the mountain. If we engage, we lose that. And if we lose that...” She trailed off, her eyes dark with unspoken fears.

Princess’s phone chimed again, but this time she didn’t check it. Instead, she leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm. “What can you tell us about the facility?”

Sara hesitated, glancing at the children who had gravitated toward Princess. “Perhaps we should discuss this privately.”

Princess nodded, her hand brushing mine briefly before she turned to the kids. “Sara’s right,” she said softly. “You’ve lived enough of this. Go play outside for a bit, okay?”

The children exchanged wary glances, but Sara’s quiet command sent them moving. “Stay close,” she told them. “And come get me if anything happens.”

The youngest—a girl with wide, haunted eyes—paused long enough to hug Princess before scampering after the others. The gesture sent a pang through my chest, though I couldn’t pinpoint why.

As soon as the door shut behind them, Sara pulled out a rough map and spread it across the coffee table. “The facility is here,” she said, pointing to a spot deep in the mountains. “It’s disguised as a private specialized medical center, complete with a human staff presence for appearances. But once you get inside…”

Her voice faltered, and I noticed her hand tighten into a fist. “They’ve been using silver tracking powder,” she said finally. “It clings to shifters’ fur. If they shift, the powder activates, and they can trace their location anywhere within a certain radius.”

The bile rose in my throat at the thought. “How do we counter it?” I asked, my voice sharp.

“You don’t,” Sara said grimly. “Not without exposing yourself. If you suspect someone’s been marked, they need to stay in human form until they can wash it off—thoroughly. If it gets in your veins…” Her look was all I needed to know that if you were injected, you could either say goodbye to the feeling of fur or hello to the Hunters. Permanently.

“Is that why they leave you alone here?” Princess asked, her voice quiet but probing. “Did someone get traced back to your original pack?”

“No.” Sara’s voice held a familiar bitterness that I had heard too many times from new refugees to Lydia’s pack. “No, I ran from my pack. The usual male patriarchal bullshit and I wanted nothing to do with it. Came here and found others like me, then…” Her eyes took on a hollow look, as though she were distancing herself from what she was about to say. “Then, the first few runaways from the facility found us. Came out of the hills like something out of a horror. We patched them up, kept them safe. Some stayed, some left. We don’t force people here. You are free to do what you want.”

“But the Hunters leave you alone?” I asked, curious despite myself.

Sara nodded. “This town is close to the base—too close for them to expect trouble. They think we’re just a random group of misfits.” Her gaze swept over the room. “And maybe they’re right. We’re not a true pack. Like I said, most of us are refugees, escapees, or those the Hunters deemed too broken to bother with. We’re no threat to them as long as we keep to ourselves.”

The bitterness in her tone was palpable, but Princess didn’t flinch. “You’re not broken,” she said softly. “You’re survivors.”

Sara’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she continued, “You’ll need to move fast if you want to save your pup. If they’re keeping her at the facility, every second counts. If they’re planning to move her…” She shook her head. “They don’t run shipments on a fixed schedule, but once she’s gone, your chances of finding her drop drastically.”

Princess nodded, her hand brushing against mine briefly. “Can we trouble you for supplies?”

Sara hesitated, her expression conflicted. “If it’s something we have, it’s yours,” she said finally. “But if you’re caught, you were never here.”

As we prepared to leave, Sara pressed a burner phone into my hands, it was only barely newer than Princess’s. “For emergencies only,” she said, her tone firm. “We’ll monitor the number and help if we can.”

I nodded, the weight of the small device grounding me in a way I didn’t expect. This wasn’t just a tool—it was a lifeline, a quiet acknowledgment that we weren’t entirely on our own.

Nearby, Princess knelt beside the children, her gentle tone carrying snippets of a promise to visit again someday. The smallest girl—the one who had clung to her earlier—wrapped her arms around Princess’s waist for a long, quiet moment before finally letting go. Something about the scene twisted in my chest, unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

“Thank you,” I managed, the words stiff on my tongue as I turned back to Sara. Gratitude wasn’t something I expressed easily, especially to strangers, but this felt different.

Sara’s smile was faint but knowing. “Just bring that pup home. And…” Her gaze flicked to Princess, who was now checking her phone with a soft laugh. “Take care of each other.”

Before I could bristle at the implication, Princess rejoined us, her grin unbothered by the tension that still hummed in my veins. “Daisy is now asking Olivia everything about the mating bond,” she announced, her tone light but amused.

Sara raised an eyebrow, glancing between us with quiet curiosity. “Your friends are very…”

“Accepting?” Princess offered with a shrug.

“Odd.” Sara answered.

Princess spread her hands, a gesture that looked like she was either going to hug Sara or didn’t know what to say, I thought either was possible. “They understand more than you’d think. Especially about finding family in unexpected places.” She touched the faint scars on her neck absently, her voice softening. “Sometimes the best pack isn’t the one you’re born into. That’s true whether you’re human or wolf.”

The truth in her words hung in the air, a quiet weight that pressed against my already-fraying resolve. Sara nodded, something unspoken passing between them that made my wolf shift uneasily.

Outside, the mountain air was crisp, the faint promise of evening riding on the wind. Somehow we had stayed all day and my wolf was itching to get going again, even if we would have to stop soon for the night. At least we could make some progress.

Princess paused by the truck, her expression thoughtful as she ran her hand along the hood. “We should tell Lydia about this place,” she said, her voice quiet but sure. “After we get Luna back. In case other wolves need somewhere else safe to heal.”

I studied her in the fading light, the delicate strength in her profile as she stared toward the horizon. “You make it sound like there’s more than this one.”

“There are,” she said simply, her gaze meeting mine. “Mayfield Meadows is one place the runaways can go, and I am there are others, even if we don’t know about them yet. Bad things happen everywhere, Jayne. But there will always be people—wolves, humans—who fight against it. Or at least help pick up the broken pieces.”

Her unshakable optimism made something tighten in my chest, and for a moment, I wished I could believe in the world she saw. But the image of Luna in the Hunters’ hands, helpless and afraid, dragged me back to the harsh reality of what lay ahead.

“We should go,” I said roughly, climbing into the driver’s seat. “We’re burning daylight.”

Princess slid into the passenger seat, her phone chiming again. Her quiet laugh filled the cab, softening the edges of my tension. “Daisy just checkmated Rylee. Apparently, there was screaming. And howling.”

Despite myself, I felt the corner of my mouth twitch. “Your friends are…”

“Complicated?” she offered, her grin teasing but not unkind. Then, more softly, “Like us?”

The word hung between us, heavy with implication. I tightened my grip on the wheel, focusing on the road ahead. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the quiet truth in her words—or the way they made my wolf stir.

As we pulled away from Haven, Princess began to hum softly—not one of her usual road trip songs, but something gentler, almost like a lullaby. The sound wrapped around us, filling the cab with a quiet warmth that pushed back the ever-present weight of desperation.

“We’re coming, Luna,” I whispered, the words too quiet for anyone but myself. But when I glanced at Princess, her small smile told me she’d heard anyway.

Her phone chimed once more as the truck climbed the winding mountain road, but this time, she didn’t check it immediately. Instead, her gaze stayed on the sunset, the fading light painting the peaks in soft shades of gold and pink.

“Sometimes,” she said, her voice almost lost in the hum of the engine, “hope comes in unexpected forms. Like diners in the middle of nowhere. Or humans learning chess from wolves. Or...” She trailed off, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Or terrible road trip music.”

I didn’t respond, but as the cab filled with her quiet humming, I found myself wondering if maybe she was right. Maybe hope, like pack, like family, like… other things I wasn’t ready to name, could come in forms you never expected.

The burner phone sat heavy in my pocket, a tangible reminder that we weren’t alone. And beside me, Princess started humming “Take Me Home, Country Roads”, her voice soft and steady, turning the cliché into something almost... comforting.

We had a plan. We had allies. We had...

I glanced at Princess, catching her small, knowing smile as she watched the mountains ahead.

We had hope.

CHAPTER 5

The moon hung low over the mountains, its pale light casting jagged shadows across our makeshift camp. We’d pulled off onto an old logging road, far enough from the main highway to avoid detection if a Hunter patrol came by, but close enough to make a quick escape if needed. Princess had insisted on setting up a proper camp, arguing that we both needed real rest before continuing operation “puppy heist,” as she’d called it.

The ridiculous term had stuck in my head since the moment she’d first said it, probably because it sounded so absurdly lighthearted compared to the gravity of what lay ahead. And yet, I’d let her have her way—setting up the camp, the sleeping bags, even letting her pick which snacks we’d packed from Haven.

I prowled the perimeter again, my boots crunching softly on the blanket of pine needles. The cool mountain air carried the faint, clean scent of sap and earth, but beneath it, my wolf remained on edge, restless and alert. Inside the tent, Princess had finally drifted off, her small form cocooned in the borrowed sleeping bag. Even in sleep, though, she couldn’t escape. Small sounds of distress occasionally broke the silence—whimpers that sent a fresh wave of anger burning through me.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me momentarily from my thoughts. An update from Sara’s pack. They’d been monitoring Hunter frequencies, tracking movements near the facility. Each new piece of information was both a step closer to Luna and a reminder of how many people were now entangled in our mission. A growing network. And a fragile one.

All it would take was one traitor to destroy everything.

The thought sent my wolf pacing again. My mind drifted to Sloane and Jess—wolves I had trusted. Wolves who had betrayed me and stolen everything I cared about in a single night. I growled low in my throat, cursing the moon for her silent complicity. How could she have let it happen under her light?

Inside the tent, Princess’s phone chimed softly from her jacket. Probably another chess update from Daisy. It was a strange thing to see her so tied to those back home, finding comfort in their constant chatter, even though she hadn’t know long. More than once today, I’d caught her smiling at her screen, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she apparently helped Olivia, help Rylee explain some convoluted strategy to Daisy. It was a mess of chess telephone and I wondered why Rylee or Daisy didn’t just text her directly.

I knew the answer though - they liked it this way, keeping everyone involved. Sage had done something similar once, but it had been a branching white elephant conversation rather than chess. I had gotten socks that year. She had laughed and given me a different sort of gift in private.

The contrast between Princess’s lighthearted texts and our grim reality was jarring. And yet, the sound of her quiet laughter earlier had lingered in my mind, refusing to be pushed aside.

A muffled whimper broke through the stillness, sharper this time. My head snapped toward the tent, my wolf bristling. I hesitated, torn between giving her space and following the protective instinct roaring in my chest. Before I could decide, another sound escaped her—a broken whisper.

“No… please…” The words carried a raw desperation that cut through me. “I’ll be good, I promise…”

Something cracked in my chest, something I couldn’t name or ignore. I found myself moving before I even realized what I was doing. I almost ripped the tent in my haste, dropping to my knees beside her, the edge of the sleeping bag brushing my thigh as I leaned closer.

“Princess,” I called softly, keeping my voice low and steady. “You’re safe. I’m here.”

She thrashed violently, her body caught between wolf and human. Claws tore at the fabric as she shifted halfway, her wolf fighting to surface but retreating again just as quickly. My wolf snarled in frustration, and before I could stop myself, I reached out, my hand hovering uncertainly over her shoulder.

“Don’t!” Her voice was a desperate cry, her fear sharp enough to taste in the air. “The collar… please…”

The words were a dagger, the implication twisting deep. My wolf surged forward, growling at the unseen threat in her mind. Ignoring the risks, I gripped her shoulder gently but firmly. “Princess, wake up. You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Her eyes snapped open, wild and unseeing, and her claws lashed out. I ducked instinctively, sprawling back onto the ground as she scrambled upright. For a moment, she didn’t recognize me. Her breathing was ragged, her body poised for flight. Then awareness crept in, and the tension drained from her all at once.

“Jayne?” Her voice was small, trembling. One hand flew to her neck, checking for a collar that was no longer there. “Oh my God, Jayne… I’m…”

“You’re safe,” I repeated, my tone gruff. I started to back away, giving her space, but her hand shot out, catching my wrist with a grip that belied her trembling frame.

“Wait,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I’m sorry. Please, just… just for a minute?”

I should have pulled away. Should have returned to my patrol, to the safety of distance. But instead, I found myself sitting beside her, the tension in my body easing slightly as my wolf settled in her presence.

“Do you want to talk about it?” The question surprised even me, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Princess was silent for so long I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, in a voice so soft it was almost lost to the night, she said, “They liked to experiment. Different types of silver. Testing reactions, tolerances…” Her breath hitched, her fingers clenching the fabric of the sleeping bag. “They called it ‘building a baseline for control protocols.’ Cheaper the less silver they use, but mixed with other metals... the burning is somehow even worse.”

The calm detachment in her tone was more haunting than any scream. My claws dug into my palms as rage burned hot in my chest. My wolf howled, desperate to avenge her suffering, to erase the horrors she’d endured. But there was no one here to fight. No one to punish.

“It’s okay,” she said suddenly, her voice quiet but steady. Her fingers squeezed my wrist gently, grounding me. “I got away. Thanks to your pack.”

She was wrong.

She hadn’t gotten away. Not really. She carried the scars with her, the nightmares, the weight of what they had done. Just as Sage hadn’t escaped, and Luna was still in their hands. And here I was, dragging Princess back into the same nightmare.

“Our pack,” I corrected without thinking, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Princess’s eyes widened slightly, her grip on my wrist tightening for just a moment before she let go. Something unspoken hung between us, heavy and fragile in the moonlit stillness.

The moon dipped lower as the firelight danced across the clearing, its flickering glow highlighting the delicate curve of Princess’s profile where it flittered through the tent opening. She turned her head slightly to look up at me, her expression caught somewhere between curiosity and gratitude. For a moment, I wondered what it would feel like to let that expression linger—to bask in the quiet warmth she so freely offered.

Her phone chimed again, breaking the fragile stillness. A small smile touched her lips as she checked the screen. “Daisy’s up late practicing chess moves. Rylee’s apparently a very demanding teacher.”

“Chess has to be a code for something else,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. “No one plays that much chess.”

Princess bit her lower lip thoughtfully, and my eyes were drawn to the way the firelight glinted off the moisture she left there. I quickly looked away, forcing my focus back to the shadows cast by the trees. She was a distraction I couldn’t afford, no matter how much my wolf seemed to disagree.

“Maybe,” she said at last, her tone contemplative. “But sometimes learning something from someone is just an excuse to get closer to them. Maybe Daisy just wants a chance to know Rylee better. If chess is the way to a wolf’s heart…” She shrugged lightly, her voice trailing off as though the thought wasn’t worth finishing.

“You trust them a lot,” I observed, trying to keep my tone neutral. “The humans.”

Princess shifted slightly, sitting up but not releasing my wrist. “They saved me too, you know. Olivia treated my wounds. Daisy makes me laugh, even though I haven’t actually met her…” Her voice softened. “Sometimes family finds you in unexpected ways.”

The simplicity of her statement made something twist in my chest. It was the same thing she’d said earlier, but this time, her words struck deeper. I thought of Sage—how she’d found me at my worst and refused to leave, how she’d given me a home when I thought I’d never belong anywhere again.

“Sage…” Her name slipped out before I could stop it. Princess didn’t speak, didn’t press me, just waited quietly, her presence somehow making it easier to continue. “She found me after I ran from my old pack. I was… angry. Dangerous. Feral.” I swallowed hard, the memories clawing at me. “She just sat with me. For days. Until I remembered how to be something other than angry. Other than the wolf that I hated.”

“She sounds wonderful,” Princess murmured, her voice laced with genuine admiration. Then, with a ghost of her usual humor, she added, “Though I bet she was the type who hated music and embraced silence. It seems to fit your whole brooding vibe.”

The unexpected comment startled a rough laugh from me, a sound I hadn’t made in what felt like years. “Actually, she loved country music too. Used to drive me crazy with all those sad songs about trucks and lost dogs.”

“A woman of taste,” Princess teased, her grin softening the edges of the moment. Then, more seriously, “Will you tell me more about her? About Luna?”

I should have shut down. Should have pushed her away and returned to the comforting isolation of my anger. But instead, I found myself talking—about Sage’s quiet strength, Luna’s tiny howls, the family we’d built together. Princess listened with a patience and attention that felt almost sacred, nodding occasionally or offering small observations about the Luna she’d briefly known while they had both been prisoners.

When her phone chimed again, she didn’t check it. Instead, she looked at me, her eyes impossibly blue in the firelight. “She would be proud of you, you know. For not giving up. For fighting so hard to bring Luna home.”

The words hit harder than I expected, unraveling something I’d wrapped tightly around my heart. I started to pull away, to retreat into the safety of distance, but Princess’s hand tightened around my wrist, holding me steady.

“It’s okay to miss her,” she whispered. “It’s okay to be angry and scared and… to let others help carry that weight sometimes.”

“I don’t need—” I started, my voice sharper than intended, but she cut me off with a gentle shake of her head.

“No, you don’t need help. But you have it anyway.” She finally released my wrist to check her phone. “Just like Daisy probably doesn’t need late night chess lessons, but Rylee’s teaching her anyway. Because that’s what pack does. It’s what you do for the ones you love.”

The casual way she linked everything back to pack, to family, to connection… it made my wolf stir restlessly. “You make everything sound so simple. Like a fairytale.”

“Not simple,” she corrected. “Just… possible.” She held up her phone, showing me a picture of a chessboard mid-game, the pieces scattered in a way that looked like chaos to my untrained eyes. “See? Daisy’s learning that sometimes the most complicated moves lead to the clearest victories.”

I snorted. “Are you comparing our rescue mission to chess?”

“Maybe,” she admitted with a small smile. “Some of the best generals in history used chess to plan their battles.”

My brows furrowed. “Really?”

She shrugged, her grin widening. “Maybe? Or maybe I’m just trying to distract you from brooding.”

“I don’t brood,” I muttered for what felt like the hundredth time, but I could feel the corners of my mouth twitching despite myself.

“No, of course not,” she agreed solemnly. “You just glare thoughtfully at the darkness.”

I let out a low laugh, the sound blending with the crackle of the fire. “Hello darkness, my old friend,” I said dryly, surprising even myself with the lightness in my tone.

Princess didn’t miss a beat, softly singing the next line of the song. Her voice was warm and melodic, wrapping around me like a balm. For a moment, it felt like the shadows around us held less weight, as though the night itself had softened.

The moon had shifted higher in the sky, casting longer shadows through the trees. Her phone chimed one last time, Olivia, or Daisy at this point I had not way of knowing, signing off for the night with a promise of more updates tomorrow.

“You should try to sleep again,” I said, finally standing. My voice was gruff, but there was no real force behind the suggestion.

Princess caught my hand before I could step away, her touch startlingly warm in the cool night air. “Thank you,” she said softly, her words carrying a weight I couldn’t quite name. “For staying. For talking.”

For a moment, I didn’t move, her gratitude pulling at something deep inside me. “Will you be okay?” I asked finally, the question surprising us both.

Her smile was gentle, tired. “Eventually. We all will be.” She settled back into her sleeping bag, her voice drifting off as she added, “Though I can’t promise I won’t start humming in my sleep again.”

“As long as it’s not country music,” I growled lightly. “Or that terrible rendition of Simon and Garfunkel you were just attempting.”

“No promises,” she murmured, her words slurring with exhaustion. “But I’ll try to stick to classic rock…”

I resumed my position at the edge of camp, scanning the darkened forest. But my focus kept drifting back to the woman behind me—the gentle rhythm of her breathing, the quiet strength she carried even in sleep. Each night we traveled together, my wolf grew more settled, more certain that we were stronger with her than without.

The dawn would bring new challenges, new dangers. But for now, in the quiet pre-dawn hours, I allowed myself to believe—just for a moment—that maybe, just maybe, she was right.

CHAPTER 6

The morning dew clung to the grass, glistening in the soft light of dawn, as Princess began dismantling our camp. She moved with a quiet efficiency that still managed to surprise me. It was hard to reconcile the woman humming under her breath while rolling up sleeping bags with the one who had survived the Hunters’ cruelty. She’d mentioned being part of one of those traditional packs—the kind where females were expected to serve but not lead. Where you were to be seen but not heard. The thought alone made my wolf bristle, an instinctive growl rumbling low in my chest.

I stood back, ostensibly keeping watch, but my eyes betrayed me. They traced the lines of her movements, catching on the strip of pale skin revealed when her shirt rode up. Faint silver scars crisscrossed the curve of her lower back, a cruel testament to the life she’d endured. My fingers itched with the urge to trace them, to understand the story they told, to⁠—

“Jayne?” Her voice cut through my thoughts like a sharp gust of wind. “Could you help me with something?”

She was rubbing the burns on her neck, her fingers gingerly skimming the edges of the healing wounds. My wolf tensed, growling softly at the reminder of the pain she’d endured. We’d been applying ointment regularly, but I hadn’t helped her directly since that first night at the motel. It felt too... intimate now. Especially after last night’s conversation.

“Please?” she added softly, her voice carrying a note of vulnerability that made my defenses falter. Her fingers brushed against a tender spot, and she flinched, letting out a small yelp. The petulant expression that followed made something inside me twist.

It would take longer to argue than to just do it. That’s what I told myself as I approached, trying to ignore how my wolf perked up at her scent—a mix of flowers, lingering smoke from the fire, and something uniquely her.

“Hold still,” I muttered, gently pulling her hair over one shoulder. My fingers brushed against her skin as I examined the burns. They were healing, but slower than they should. Silver always left its mark, a cruel reminder of its touch. When my fingers accidentally skimmed the edge of a wound, she shivered.

“Sorry,” I started to pull back, guilt rising in my chest.

But she caught my wrist, her touch steady. “It’s okay,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It doesn’t hurt when you touch them. It just feels… nice.”

The simple admission hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. My fingers moved with a gentleness that felt foreign as I spread the ointment across her neck. Her pulse jumped under my touch, and my wolf growled low in satisfaction, wanting more of that connection.

“All set,” I managed, stepping back too quickly. She stumbled slightly at the sudden movement, and my hands instinctively caught her hips to steady her. For a moment, we stood there, the space between us charged with something I wasn’t ready to name.

The burner phone’s harsh buzz shattered the moment.

I stepped back like I’d been burned, fumbling for the phone. The screen lit up with a message from Sara’s pack:

Hunter patrols increased overnight. Three units moving south on Route 250. Be careful.

Princess read the message over my shoulder, her breath warm against my neck. “That’s the road we were planning to take.”

“We’ll have to find another way.” I pulled out the map we’d marked with known Hunter checkpoints, trying to ignore how close she was.

“Here,” she said, her finger tracing a winding back road. “It’s longer, but the forest is dense enough to mask our scent if we need to go wolf.”

She was right. It was a smart alternative. But something in her tone made me pause. I looked up sharply. “You’re not shifting until those burns heal properly.”

A flash of defiance crossed her face. “I can handle it.”

My chest tightened. Her words echoed a promise I’d heard before—a promise Sage had made. My claws threatened to extend as the memory surfaced.

“No.” My voice came out rough, harsher than I intended. “The silver might still be in your system. Shifting could tear the wounds open again.”

“And if we get caught because I’m slower in human form?” She stepped closer, her blue eyes blazing with determination. “What then?” Her expression softened, and she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. “I know what happened to her, Jayne. It won’t happen to me. I wasn’t injected. It was just a collar. Awful, painful, but not meant to kill. I can handle it.”

The air between us crackled with tension. She was so close I could see flecks of gold in her blue eyes, count the freckles scattered across her nose. My wolf growled, torn between protectiveness and something deeper, something primal.

Before I could respond, a distant engine growl had us both freezing. Princess tilted her head, her wolf instincts sharpening. “Two vehicles,” she whispered, her voice taut. “Coming fast.”

I grabbed our bags while she quickly scattered the last remnants of our camp, moving with a precision that matched mine. Within seconds, we were moving through the dense forest, staying low and quiet. Despite her earlier words, Princess matched my pace effortlessly, her earlier claim of being slower in human form proving false.

As we ran, I couldn’t help but glance at her, watching the determination in her movements, the resilience in her stride. My wolf growled again, but this time, it wasn’t just protectiveness.

It was pride.

The engines roared louder, fading just as quickly as a third patrol passed along the main road. We didn’t stop moving, cutting through the trees until we found a small clearing with a decent view of our surroundings.

"There's an old hunting cabin about a mile north," Princess said, her voice hushed as she studied the map. “Sara marked it as likely safe. We could..." She paused, her body tensing as the faint sound of another engine reached our ears.

Without thinking, I grabbed her arm and pulled her behind the wide trunk of an ancient oak. My body pressed against hers as we both stilled, listening intently. Her hands gripped the front of my jacket, holding on tightly as we waited for the vehicle to pass.

"They're searching in a pattern," she murmured against my neck, her breath warm and soft. "Three units, rotating in sequence. If we time it right⁠—"

I knew she was making a tactical observation, but my wolf wasn’t listening. It was too preoccupied with the way her heart thundered in sync with mine, the heat radiating between us, the way her scent—flowers, smoke, and something uniquely hers—filled the air around us.

Her fingers flexed, tightening in the fabric of my jacket. I made the mistake of looking down, meeting her gaze. Her lips were parted, her eyes wide but not with fear. Something else flickered there, something dangerous and magnetic that made my wolf surge forward with a growl, wanting to taste, to claim⁠—

The burner phone buzzed sharply, shattering the moment.

We sprang apart like guilty pups caught stealing food, both of us fumbling to reclaim our composure. I ran a hand through my hair, my heart pounding harder than it ever had during a night’s chase. Princess smoothed her shirt, avoiding my gaze as she cleared her throat.

"The cabin," I managed, my voice rough. "We should check the route."

"Right," she said quickly, her voice unsteady. "The cabin. Good plan."

We started moving again, sprinting toward the northern trailhead. I kept my eyes on the terrain ahead, refusing to glance at her as we ran. But my wolf stayed close to the surface, matching her every step, unwilling to let her stray too far. The morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, catching the red-gold strands of her hair and making them shimmer. I tried not to think about how it would feel between my fingers.

Tried, and failed.

This was dangerous. I couldn’t afford to get distracted—not now, not ever. Not with Luna still out there.

"Jayne?" Her voice broke through my thoughts, wary. "You're growling."

Fuck.

I clenched my jaw, silencing the low rumble I hadn’t realized had escaped me.

We reached the cabin minutes later, a weathered shack tucked deep into the woods. Its greyed wooden planks bore the scars of countless seasons, but it was still standing, and for now, it was shelter while we regrouped.

Princess immediately began circling the perimeter, scanning the tree line while I checked for any signs of recent use. Satisfied it was clear, we slipped inside.

The interior was no better than the outside—one cramped room with dusty furniture, cobwebbed corners, and a narrow bedframe leaning against the far wall. The ancient mattress it held looked more like a nesting spot for mice than a place to sleep. But it was remote, and it gave us a vantage point to observe the Hunters’ movements.

Princess moved to the window, staying to the side as she peered out. "They're definitely searching for something," she said, her voice low. "Or someone."

"Us," I guessed, testing the creaking chair by the cold fireplace. It groaned but held.

"Maybe,” she murmured, her brow furrowing in thought. "But why now? We've been careful, and there shouldn’t be any direct traces from last night. Unless..." She glanced toward the window again, a flicker of worry in her eyes. "Unless they found the truck."

"They'd be closer if they had," I said, pulling out the map Sara’s pack had marked. I spread it across the rickety table, and Princess joined me, her focus immediately shifting to the overlapping patrol routes. Her sharp mind picked apart the Hunters’ strategy with practiced ease and I wondered who had taught her that.

"The patrols are moving in a specific sequence," she said, tracing lines across the map. "See how they overlap here and here? That creates coverage, but..." Her finger paused over a section where the routes didn’t align. "That leaves a gap right here."

I leaned in, the scent of her filling my lungs as I studied the spot she indicated. "A blind spot," I muttered. "They’d never expect someone to move through here because it’s too close to their facility."

She nodded, her eyes bright with understanding. "But it’s a risk. If they realize we’re taking advantage of it..."

"Then we’ll need to move fast," I said, my voice firm. "We’re not giving them the chance."

The cabin felt too small, the walls pressing in as I realized just how close she was. Her steady presence, her sharp instincts, the way her focus never wavered—it all made my wolf stir restlessly, torn between protectiveness and something deeper.

Something dangerous.

"We’ll make it work," she said softly, her gaze still on the map. "We have to. For Luna."

Her quiet conviction settled the chaos in my chest, grounding me in a way I didn’t expect. I nodded, my fingers brushing against hers briefly as I folded the map. The contact was fleeting, but my wolf growled in approval, already craving more.

Princess moved back to the window, her posture tense but alert. "We’ll need to watch their movements a bit longer," she said. "Make sure the pattern holds."

I followed her gaze, my wolf still pacing restlessly beneath my skin. The plan was solid. The route was risky but feasible. And yet, all I could think about was the way her determination lit up her eyes, the way her voice carried a strength that made me want to believe in her.

This was dangerous.

And I couldn’t seem to stop it.

The engines faded into the distance, leaving us alone in the thick silence of the cabin. Princess returns to the table and pulled out the map again, leaning closer, her hair brushing my arm as she pointed to another detail. My wolf surged forward so suddenly that I had to grip the edge of the table to keep myself in check.

"Jayne?" Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper, her breath warm against my neck as she turned her head.

I made the mistake of looking at her.

From this close, I could see every shade of blue in her eyes, every freckle scattered across her cheeks and shoulders. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, and my restraint snapped.

Before I could think better of it, I slid a hand into her hair, the soft strands tangling in my fingers as I pulled her closer. She came willingly, eagerly, her fingers curling into my shirt as our lips met.

The kiss was everything—hungry, desperate, an explosion of days’ worth of tension that neither of us could hold back anymore. Princess made a soft, almost pleading sound against my mouth, and my wolf howled in triumph. I let my weight fall into a nearby chair that had no business withstanding the onslaught, pulled her onto my lap, needing her closer, needing her more than I’d ever thought possible.

Her hands roamed over my shoulders, her touch igniting something deep and primal. Something my wolf understood but kept just out of my reach. My own hands gripped her hips, steadying her as she pressed against me, her scent and warmth overwhelming every rational thought I’d clung to. I didn’t care about the map, the Hunters, or even the danger.

In this moment, there was only her.

She broke away just enough to catch her breath, her forehead resting against mine. "Jayne," she murmured, her voice deliciously rough, her lips already swollen from our kiss. "We shouldn't..."

The words were barely out before I captured her mouth again, unable to stop myself. She responded with equal intensity, her fingers threading through the short strands hair on the unshaved side of my head, tugging just enough to make me groan.

And then the unmistakable rumble of an engine shattered the moment.

We froze, our breaths mingling in the charged air, listening as another patrol vehicle passed dangerously close. Reluctantly, I released her, gently lifting her from my lap as we both tried to steady our breathing.

"The pattern," she said hoarsely, straightening her rumpled shirt. "We need to focus on the patrols."

"Right." My voice came out strained, my wolf still pacing restlessly beneath the surface. "The pattern."

But as she leaned over the map again, tracing potential routes with her still-shaking hands, my eyes were drawn to her lips. My wolf whined, already missing her warmth, her touch.

"We can move through here,” she repeated the plan, her voice steadier now, pointing to another gap in the patrol grid. "If we time it just right, we can avoid detection."

I nodded, forcing myself to focus on her words and not the smudge of dust on her cheek—or how much I wanted to kiss it away. My hand moved of its own accord, brushing the spot clean, and she stilled under my touch.

"Jayne," she said softly, her eyes locking onto mine. There was no mistaking the fire between us now, no pretending it wasn’t there. "This... whatever this is between us⁠—"

"We'll deal with it later," I said quickly, my voice rougher than intended. "Luna comes first."

She nodded, her expression unreadable. But then she surprised me, turning her head slightly to press a soft kiss to my wrist. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere, Jayne. Not until we bring her home."

Her simple declaration hit harder than I expected, and for a moment, I couldn't look away. My wolf preened, basking in the unspoken claim, the promise she’d made.

Another patrol rumbled past, even closer this time. Princess turned back to the map, her mind already working out the next steps. I forced myself to focus, dropping my hand from her face, but my chest tightened as I watched her determined expression.

"They're tightening their search grid," she murmured, her brow furrowed. "We need to move soon, or they'll trap us here."

"Then we move," I said firmly, already gathering the map and supplies. But when I glanced back at her, she was unwrapping one of the protein bars we’d packed from Haven. The sight made something twist in my chest—pride, protectiveness, something deeper I wasn’t ready to name. She was watching out for us, both of us.

"Together."

The word shouldn't have affected me so much, but my wolf practically purred at hearing it.

I watched Princess eat, noting how color slowly returned to her cheeks. I needed to remember to let her rest more often, the silver would slow her whether she wanted it to or not. She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. "I can feel you brooding from here."

"I don't brood," I muttered automatically, but I couldn't hide my relief at seeing her strength return.

"No?" She finished the last bar, crumpling the wrapper thoughtfully. "So you're not thinking about how you should have noticed I needed food sooner? Or how bringing me along puts me at risk? Or how that kiss complicated things?"

I growled softly at her unnervingly accurate read. "Stop that."

"Stop what?" Her smile was gentle but knowing. "Reading you like one of Rylee's chess boards?"

The mention of home made something twist in my chest. "You could go back," I found myself saying. "To Mayfield Meadows. To safety. Wait there until I get back."

Princess was quiet for a long moment, studying me with those too-perceptive eyes. Finally, she stood and moved closer, until we were sharing the same breath.

"Do you want me to leave?" she asked softly.

"No." The answer came instantly, my wolf practically snarling at the thought. Then, because honesty seemed important: "But I should want you to."

She reached up, her fingers brushing lightly over my cheek. Her touch was soft, hesitant, yet it grounded me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. "Should is a useless word, Jayne. It doesn't change what this is."

"And what is this?" I asked roughly, my voice low, even as I leaned into her touch.

"This is me choosing to stay," she said simply. "This is me helping you find Luna. This is me..." She hesitated, searching my face. "This is me falling for someone who thinks she doesn't deserve it."

The words hit like a physical blow. I started to pull away, but Princess held firm, her fingers sliding to the back of my neck, holding me in place.

"You can't scare me off," she whispered. "Not with brooding, not with danger, not with..." she smiled slightly, "...terrible taste in music."

Despite myself, I felt the corner of my mouth twitch. "My taste in music is fine."

"You growled at my humming this morning."

"You were humming Taylor Swift."

"She's a lyrical genius and I will die on that hill."

The casual banter felt so natural, so right, that for a moment I forgot about the danger surrounding us. Then another patrol rumbled past, and reality crashed back in around us.

Princess sighed softly, the moment of lightness fading. "I know the timing is awful. I know we need to focus on Luna. But..." She met my eyes, her gaze steady, unwavering. "I'm not sorry about that kiss. And I won't pretend this isn't happening between us."

My wolf preened at her directness, even as my human side struggled with the implications. "Princess..."

"Shh," she pressed a finger to my lips. "You don't have to say anything. Just... don't push me away. Let me help. Let me..." she swallowed hard. "Let me be here for you, the same way you’ve been here for me.”

I caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm before I could stop myself. "I don't know how to do this," I admitted roughly, my voice betraying more vulnerability than I intended. "Not with everything else..."

"So we'll figure it out," she said simply, glancing down at the map still spread out between us. "Starting with getting past those patrols and finding Luna."

Her certainty, her quiet strength, was the anchor I hadn’t realized I’d needed. I studied her for a long moment, then nodded, my wolf calming slightly as I let her presence settle over me like a balm.

"Together," I repeated, this time softer, but no less certain.

We turned our attention back to the map, but the air between us still hummed with the weight of everything unspoken. For the first time in what felt like forever, I found myself daring to hope—not just for Luna, but for something more.

CHAPTER 7

The silence between us stretched like a taut rubber band, ready to snap, as we stared at the map, willing it to reveal answers. Princess’s earlier words lingered, heavy in the air, while my wolf vibrated with the need to act, to protect, to⁠—

A branch cracked outside.

We froze, instincts sharp. My wolf surged forward, assessing. Deer, not boots. No scent of Hunters. Still, the moment shattered like glass, reality bleeding back in jagged edges. Princess stepped away first, her fingers trailing down my arm before breaking contact completely.

The loss hit like a physical blow.

“We should check the cabin’s sight lines,” she said softly, already moving toward the grimy windows. “Make sure we can see any patrols coming from all angles. We shouldn’t move until the patrols lighten, or at least until we understand what they’re doing.”

She was right. My wolf whined at the delay, but logic overruled instinct. If we were caught, we couldn’t help Luna. I forced myself to focus on the tactical situation—not the ghost of her touch, the faint trace of her scent clinging to me, or the guilt curling in my gut for noticing those things at all.

“There’s probably a cellar,” I said, my voice rougher than intended. “Most of these old hunting cabins have them to store meat and produce. Could be useful if we need to hide quickly.”

Princess nodded, already testing the floorboards with deliberate steps. She moved with a quiet precision, her every motion calculated. My gaze followed her, and a realization hit like a gut punch.

The Hunters had taught her this. Taught her to move like prey. Taught her that pain could strike at any moment, especially when her guard was down.

A low growl escaped before I could stop it. Princess glanced up, her expression softening with understanding.

“Hey,” she said gently, her voice cutting through the tension. “I’m okay. What they taught me... I’m using it against them now. That’s something, right?”

The way she read me so easily should have been unsettling. Instead, it calmed my wolf. She understood us—both the wolf and me. And she stayed anyway.

“Found it.” Princess knelt, pulling back a worn rug to reveal a trapdoor. The hinges creaked as she lifted it, releasing a musty smell of earth and decay. “Looks stable enough. We could⁠—”

Her phone buzzed, the sound softer than the burner’s harsh vibration. She pulled it from her pocket, her frown deepening into something closer to fear.

“What is it?” I was beside her in two strides, my wolf on edge.

“It’s Sara,” she whispered, her voice shaking as she stared at the screen. “Two of the young ones from Haven... they’re missing.”

My wolf surged, protective instincts flaring hot and sharp. Those pups had looked at Princess with such fragile hope. And now...

“When?” My voice was a low growl, my claws threatening to emerge.

“This morning.” Her hands trembled as she typed a reply. “They went for a run with their guardian and never came back. Sara’s pack found signs of a struggle, but the scent trails were covered with silver powder.”

Hunters.

The word hung heavy and unspoken between us. A growl erupted from me, reverberating in the small cabin. Dust motes danced in the weak sunlight filtering through the windows, mocking the stillness.

“They’re just kids, Jayne,” Princess said, her voice trembling. “How can they...”

I clenched my fists, helpless rage bubbling under my skin. No target. No path to vengeance. Just a hollow ache that wouldn’t quit.

“We’ll find them,” I said roughly, my voice thick with a promise I wasn’t sure how to keep. “We’ll bring them home.”

“We have to help them.” Her voice was quiet but urgent, her focus fixed on the phone. She wasn’t looking at me. I didn’t even know if she heard me—she was staring through the screen, seeing the pups’ faces instead of the stark text. “Jayne, they’re just babies. Like Luna. Older, yeah, but still...”

I nodded, the agreement bitter on my tongue. “Too young for this shit.”

The comparison hit hard. My wolf howled inside me, torn between the desperate need to find Luna and the undeniable urge to protect these other pups. Innocents. Packless. Helpless.

Princess must have sensed my struggle. She looked up, her blue eyes fierce despite the unshed tears. “This isn’t a coincidence,” she said, her voice steady despite its tremor. “The increased patrols, the transport truck, and now missing pups? The Hunters are either expanding their operations, or…” That endless well of hope flickered to life. “Maybe they escaped? Maybe they’re just hiding, trying to get back to Haven. That could be why there are more patrols, to find them if they escaped.”

“But if they didn’t?” I paced back to the map, frustration mounting. My finger traced the rough distance between Haven and the facility. “If they didn’t, it makes sense they’d take them to the same facility as Luna.” The realization clicked into place like a blade being sharpened. “They’re building their numbers. Gathering more wolves. But why now?”

Princess opened her mouth to respond, but her phone buzzed again. She read the message quickly, her face going pale. “Sara says there’s more. The pups that were taken? Both female.”

The pattern was unmistakable now, clear as moonlight. Just like Luna. Just like every wolf the Hunters had been taking.

“They’re building an army,” Princess whispered, horror lacing her voice. “Starting with the ones they think they can shape. Control. Like they tried to do with me.”

Her words ignited something feral in me. My wolf snarled, rage surging like wildfire. Images flashed unbidden—her scars, the silver burns, the older marks she tried to hide. The thought of anyone breaking her spirit...

Without thinking, I pulled her closer. My arms wrapped around her tightly, my wolf demanding the contact, needing to shield her from the memories threatening to swallow her whole.

Princess melted into the embrace, pressing her face into my neck. Her breath trembled against my skin. “They’re organizing search parties,” she murmured. “But with the increased Hunter activity…”

“They’ll be walking into a trap,” I growled, my voice vibrating with anger. She didn’t pull away; instead, she pressed closer.

“We have to help them,” she whispered. “But Luna…”

"Comes first," I finished, my voice rough with conviction. My wolf whined, torn between the instinct to protect every lost pup and the focus needed to save Luna. "We stick to the plan. Find the facility. Get Luna out. If the pups are there, we’ll save them too. It’s a two-for-one mission.”

Princess nodded against my neck, but her trembling didn’t stop. Whether it was fear or fury, I couldn’t tell—likely both. I tightened my hold, letting my hand slide into her hair, grounding us both in the present instead of the chaos of what-ifs clawing at our minds.

Her voice broke the silence, raw and steady. "We can’t let them win, Jayne. Not with Luna, not with those pups. Not with anyone."

"We won’t," I promised fiercely, the words like a vow. My wolf surged, the conviction in me spilling out as a possessive growl. "They’ll regret ever thinking they could touch what’s mine."

Princess stiffened slightly, then pulled back enough to meet my eyes. Despite the storm brewing in hers, they held steady. “Ours,” she corrected softly, her hand pressing against my chest. "This isn’t just about one wolf, Jayne. It’s about pack. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s not what you expected."

Her words struck a chord I hadn’t known was frayed. The sharp edge of my anger softened, reshaped into something more focused. I nodded tightly, feeling my purpose crystallize. Together, we turned back to the map. The weight of our mission felt heavier than ever—but so did our resolve.

We would find Luna.

We would protect those pups.

And we would destroy anyone who dared stand in our way.

The low hum of engines in the distance reminded us we weren’t safe. Princess reluctantly pulled back, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. The gesture made her look younger, more vulnerable, and my wolf growled low, the instinct to shield her from everything sharpening like claws.

"We should check the rest of the cabin," she said, her voice steady but her hands still trembling. "Make sure we have multiple escape routes. And maybe..." Her eyes flicked to the map. "Maybe there’s a way to help both. Luna and the pups."

I opened my mouth to argue—Luna had to come first. If the pups were there, we’d save them, but splitting focus could get us killed. The words died on my tongue. Her expression stopped me cold. This wasn’t just hope in her eyes—it was resolve. Fierce. Unyielding. Impossible to ignore.

"Show me what you’re thinking instead,” I said instead, quieter than I intended. “It’s unlikely we’ll be in this cabin long enough to need other routes.”Her answering smile was small but genuine, and something in my chest eased at the sight of it.

She spread the map out between us, her shoulder brushing mine as she pointed to potential patrol patterns. Her focus was sharp, tactical. Each time she leaned closer, her warmth grounded me, her scent steadying my wolf.

"We’re missing something," she murmured, her fingers tracing the routes. "There’s a reason the Hunters are escalating. This isn’t just about one pack or one facility. It’s bigger than that."

A soft buzz rattled the table. Princess tensed, her fingers tightening on the phone as she read the message. Her face paled.

"They found the guardian," she whispered. "Alive, but…"

My chest tightened. "But what?"

"Silver poisoning." Her voice cracked. "Bad enough she can’t shift back to human form."

The weight of the words slammed into me like a physical blow.

Sage.

The memory was instant—Sage writhing in agony, her body burning from the inside out. My fists clenched as my wolf surged, ready to destroy anything that dared inflict that same suffering again.

Without hesitation, Princess reached for my hand. Her fingers curled tightly around mine, grounding me with a touch that spoke louder than words. She didn’t have to say she understood. She didn’t have to promise she was standing beside me.

Her steady grip told me everything I needed to know.

My wolf whined in protest, torn between instinct and logic. "We stick to the plan. Find the facility. Get Luna out. Then we deal with whatever sick operation they’re running. Likely the pups will be there anyway, so it’s really a two-for-one puppy heist.”

Princess nodded, but although I had tried, her trembling didn’t stop. Whether it was from fear or fury, I couldn’t tell—likely both. I tightened my hold, grounding her in the present as much as I was grounding myself.

"We can’t let them win," she said, her voice low but unwavering. Her breath warmed my collarbone as she pressed closer. "Not with Luna. Not with those pups. Not with anyone."

"We won’t," I promised fiercely, my wolf surging at the conviction in my words. "They’ll regret ever thinking they could touch what’s ours."

Her head lifted slightly, blue eyes searching mine. “Ours,” she echoed, her voice soft but certain. "This isn’t just about one wolf, Jayne. It’s about all of them. About pack."

The weight of her words settled heavily in my chest, and I nodded. She was right. As much as it terrified me, this had grown beyond just Luna. My wolf growled in agreement, and we turned to the map, determination sharpening our focus.

The buzz of Princess’s phone cut through the tension. Her fingers tightened around it as she read the message, and her face paled.

"Sara sent photos," she said, her voice trembling as she swiped through her phone.

The images were worse than I’d imagined. The guardian wolf in the pictures was barely recognizable, her fur matted with blood and streaks of gleaming silver. Her body was a grotesque canvas of brutality, but it was the precise markings carved into her flank that made my blood run cold.

Numbers and letters, deliberate and cruel.

“That’s...” Princess hesitated, her voice cracking. "That’s the same system they used at the facility. This first sequence..." Her finger hovered over the screen. "It means ‘failed conditioning.’ Or..." Her voice grew quieter. "Too old to condition."

The sterile, clinical detachment of the term made my wolf snarl. My fingers tightened around hers as I fought back the tide of rage, but it was Princess who steadied me.

"And the rest?" I asked, my voice rough.

She squinted at the screen. "It’s a date. Three days from now." Her expression darkened as realization dawned. "A deadline."

The pieces clicked together in my mind with sickening clarity. "They’re sending a message. To Sara’s pack. To us. Using the guardian as an example. And they’re giving them..." My voice faltered. "A choice."

"To surrender," Princess finished, her voice laced with quiet fury. "Any female wolves. Especially the young ones." Her chin lifted defiantly, even as her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

The grotesque calculation of it all made me sick. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms, needing to anchor us both. She didn’t resist. If anything, she melted into me, tucking her head beneath my chin as though it was the safest place she’d ever known.

"They won’t touch you again," I growled, my voice low and feral. My wolf howled in agreement, vibrating through me. "Or those pups. Or Luna."

Her hands fisted in my shirt as the trembling subsided, replaced by something stronger. "I know," she said, her voice muffled but firm. "Because we’re going to stop them."

The word “together” hovered on my tongue, but I swallowed it. I tightened my hold instead, letting her know without words what my wolf was already howling: we’d do this side by side.

Another message lit up her phone. She didn’t pull away to read it. Instead, she turned the screen toward me, her voice tight with emotion. "Sara’s pack found silver tracing powder in the guardian’s wounds. They think the Hunters are using it to track shift signatures."

Of course they were.

"Clever bastards," I growled, my hands tightening protectively around her waist.

"There’s more," she whispered. "The missing pups... They’re showing signs of their first adult shift. They think that’s why they were taken."

The pieces kept falling into place with horrifying precision. Young. Female. Vulnerable. Perfect for the Hunters' twisted agenda. My heart twisted, Luna’s face flashing in my mind.

My baby. My little girl. She hadn’t been taken at random. She’d been chosen.

The knowledge burned like acid, and my wolf thrashed against the cage of my control. Princess’s hands shifted to my shoulders, her voice cutting through the haze.

"Hey," she said softly. "We’re going to find her. All of them. And when we do..." Her expression hardened, fierce and beautiful. "We’re going to burn their whole operation to the ground."

The sheer violence of her words made me grin despite the fury twisting inside me. This wasn’t the same woman we’d rescued days ago. This was someone rising from her ashes, ready to fight.

This was my partner.

"Always," I said, my voice rough with something unspoken but solid between us. My wolf howled in agreement.

The distant rumble of engines echoed through the trees. Princess reluctantly pulled back, but her hand found mine as we moved toward the window.

"Three vehicles," she whispered, counting the patrol trucks below. "Heavy artillery in the back of the last one. They're mobilizing for something big."

"Or they’re defending against something big," I countered, my eyes following the trucks as they disappeared into the forest. "Three days," I reminded her. "That’s our deadline."

Princess nodded, her fingers tightening around mine. "We need to warn Lydia. If they’re tracking shift signatures, no one can risk changing forms. Not until we figure out how to block the powder."

The thought of staying in human form made my skin crawl. Fighting without my wolf felt like running into battle with one arm tied behind my back. But she was right. Again.

"Unless..." Princess bit her lip, her eyes lighting with a sharpness I was starting to recognize.

"Unless what?" I pressed, already bracing for her next wild plan.

"The powder has their silver in it, right?" she said, her voice quickening with thought. "What if we use that against them? Create false trails to lead them away from the pups while we move in closer to the facility."

The plan was reckless, dangerous, brilliant. My wolf growled in approval of her cunning, but my human side hesitated, caught between admiration and worry.

"You’re still healing," I said, my voice rough. My eyes caught on the scars visible on her neck. "You can’t be near more silver. It’ll tear you apart before⁠—"

"Jayne," she interrupted gently but firmly, stepping closer. Her gaze locked onto mine, steady. "I’ll be careful. I promise. But we have to try. For Luna. For all of them."

The quiet determination in her voice, the way she spoke of Luna like her own, broke through my resistance. I let out a slow breath, my wolf rumbling its approval.

"Okay," I said, my voice low. "But we do this smart. No unnecessary risks. Got it?"

Her small smile returned, soft and grateful. "Got it."

"Do you really think you can do it?" I asked, my voice quieter now, edged with something raw and uncertain.

Princess's fingers brushed mine briefly before she pulled away to type on her phone. “It won’t be me. I’m staying with you. But if Sara’s pack can use the powder itself…” She trailed off, her fingers flying over the keys as she laid out the plan. “A small sprinkle, a fast wolf, and they’ll follow the false trail."

The thought made my stomach churn. The idea of anyone—her—putting themselves in that kind of danger sent a low growl rumbling through my chest. I opened my mouth to object, but her phone buzzed again. Her sharp inhale told me I wasn’t going to like what came next.

"What is it this time?" I demanded, the tension in my chest tightening like a vise.

"Sara says the guardian is awake," Princess whispered. Her voice trembled, but her hands stayed steady as she read the message. "She shifted back long enough to say one thing before the silver overtook her again."

My gut twisted, a memory flashing unbidden: Sage writhing in agony, her body burning from the inside out. My fists clenched, and I forced the image away. "What did she say?"

Princess looked up at me, her blue eyes burning with a mix of fear and fury. "Dr. Kane." Her voice wavered, but her resolve didn’t. "She’s here. In person. Right now. Supervising whatever they’re planning."

The name slammed into me like a freight train. Dr. Kane—the woman who had designed the Hunters’ "conditioning" programs. The mastermind behind Luna’s kidnapping. The one who had collared Princess, leaving her with scars and nightmares that still haunted us both.

My wolf howled, a guttural sound of pure fury that rattled the cabin walls and sent dust raining from the rafters. The force of it burned through my throat, but I couldn’t stop the rage boiling inside me. The thought of Dr. Kane—so close, so tangible—ignited a storm I could barely contain.

Princess pressed closer, her hands gripping my arms, her warmth grounding me like a tether to the present. "Shh," she murmured, her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands. "Jayne, listen to me. We’ll get her. We’ll get them all. But we have to be smart about this. Strategic. If you keep howling like that, every patrol in fifty miles will be on us in minutes."

Her logic, sharp as always, cut through the fog of my fury. She was right. Again. The realization didn’t frustrate me this time—it steadied me. My wolf settled, the storm easing under her quiet command.

Princess leaned in, her forehead briefly resting against mine, her breath warm against my skin. "Together," she said softly, the word steady and sure.

This time, the word didn’t feel like a promise or a battle cry. It felt like an anchor—something solid to hold onto in the chaos.

"Together," I echoed roughly, the word catching in my throat but ringing with truth. My wolf rumbled with satisfaction as it left my lips, a quiet agreement between the three of us.

Princess’s smile was small but fierce, her determination lighting her eyes like the first hint of dawn after a brutal, endless night. She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on my arms. "Let’s finish this," she said, her voice unshakable despite the storm raging around us.

"Together," I agreed again, the word rolling over my tongue like a vow, binding us to the fight ahead.

We didn’t need more words. With quiet efficiency, we gathered our supplies, the distant sound of engines driving us forward. As we slipped out of the cabin, Princess’s hand found mine. Her grip was firm, grounding, and as steady as her resolve.

For Luna. For the Haven pups. For every wolf the Hunters had taken.

For us.

CHAPTER 8

The forest was alive with the shifting shadows of late afternoon, the golden light filtering through the trees casting patterns across the uneven ground. Every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs sent my wolf bristling, instincts stretched taut as we moved through the dense foliage. Princess kept close beside me, her movements silent and deliberate, but I could feel the strain radiating from her with every step.

"Hold up," I said, catching her arm as her pace faltered. Her exhaustion had been evident since we left the cabin, but now it was undeniable. Her free hand gripped the burner phone like a lifeline, her gaze darting between the map and the darkening woods ahead.

“I’m fine,” she murmured, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

"Princess," I said firmly, pulling her to a stop. "We need to check those burns. You can’t keep pushing like this.”

She shook her head, a spark of defiance flashing in her eyes. “We don’t have time to stop. They might already be moving the pups, Jayne. Every second we waste⁠—"

"Every second we waste with you half-dead puts all of us at risk," I cut in, my voice rougher than intended. Guilt flashed across her face like a lightning strike, and I immediately regretted my tone. I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "Let me help you. Just for a minute."

Her shoulders sagged, the fight draining from her as she nodded reluctantly. Without waiting for her to argue again, I guided her to a low cluster of rocks, positioning her to sit with her back against the largest one. The cover was thin, but it gave us just enough concealment to catch our breath.

She pulled off her jacket, revealing the angry red burns on her neck. In the dappled sunlight, the edges gleamed faintly, the silver catching the rays. My wolf growled low in my chest, fury curling tight as I knelt beside her and retrieved the med kit from my pack.

“I should’ve seen this earlier,” I muttered, more to myself than to her. The blisters looked worse than they had before, some of them raw and angry from the strain of travel. My hands shook as I opened the antiseptic, the memory of her initial screams during the first treatments with Olivia flashing behind my eyes. I hadn’t had to be in the room, the entire compound had heard it.

Princess reached out, her hand brushing mine. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay,” I snapped, then immediately softened my tone. “You shouldn’t have to endure this.”

“And yet, here we are.” Her voice was steady, almost teasing, as though she were trying to lighten the moment. Her resilience was both maddening and awe-inspiring. “I made my choice Jayne. I am here because I want to be.”

I nodded, working quickly, cleaning and rebandaging the burns with as much care as I could manage. She flinched once, her breath hitching, but she didn’t complain. When I finished, I sat back on my heels, my hands clenching into fists to keep from trembling.

Her fingers brushed my arm lightly, grounding me. “Thank you,” she said softly.

I nodded, the words catching in my throat. This wasn’t the time for emotional declarations—not when danger pressed in from all sides and my daughter was still in danger.

But the words still lingered the same, unspoken between us.

Desperate for a distraction, I asked, “Is Princess really your name?”

The corner of her mouth twitched, a faint smile breaking through the exhaustion. “I wondered when you would ask that. Everyone does eventually. Didn’t expect it to be on a rock in the middle of nowhere but…no, not officially.”

I raised an eyebrow. “So what is it? What’s your real name?” I felt a rush, like I was about to learn an important key to the universe.

To my universe.

Her fingers stilled, brushing over the fresh bandages on her neck. For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to answer, but then she spoke, her voice softer than before. “It’s... Sophie. But I barely remember anyone using it.”

“Sophie?” I repeated, tasting the name. If I had been a wolf I would have been pawing at my muzzle to get the taste out of my mouth. “That’s,” I wondered how to tell someone that their name was awful, I gave up. “Why Princess, then?”

Her smile turned wistful. “It’s what my mother used to call me when I was little. Her warrior Princess, she’d say, every time I managed to stand up for myself or protect someone smaller than me. She’d say it like it meant I could do anything.” Her eyes grew distant, lost in the memory. “After she died... it was all I had left of her. The name stuck.”

A lump formed in my throat, the weight of her words settling heavily in my chest. “She sounds like she was a good mother.”

“She was,” Princess whispered. Her fingers toyed with the edge of her jacket, her gaze lowering. “She would’ve loved Luna. She had a soft spot for pups. That time before their first shift, when they are only the wolf with a bit toddler peaking through their eyes. She used to say they were our second chance to make things better.”

My hand moved before I realized it, brushing against hers. “She sounds a lot like you.”

Her breath caught, and when her eyes met mine, they shimmered with unshed tears. “I’m not sure I’m brave enough to live up to that.”

“You already are,” I said firmly. My wolf rumbled in agreement, pressing forward with an unyielding sense of certainty. “Every step you’ve taken, every risk you’ve made—it’s all been for others. For pack.”

Her lips parted as if to argue, but whatever she saw in my expression made her stop. Instead, she tilted her head, a small, sad smile gracing her lips. “I think she’d like you, Jayne.”

I felt my chest tighten, warmth unfurling in a way I hadn’t expected. “I think I would’ve liked her too.”

The moment hung between us, heavy with unspoken truths and fragile hope. Her hand found mine, her fingers curling gently around it. Neither of us said anything as the forest rustled around us, the distant hum of engines barely audible over the pounding of my heart.

“Let’s go.” I said, breaking the silence as my heart tried to live in two places at once. I never wanted to let this moment go but I knew Luna needed me.

She nodded, quickly pulling her jacket back on as long shadows danced across the forest floor as we pressed forward, the dense undergrowth muffling our steps but doing little to ease the tension curling in my chest. Every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves set my wolf on edge, instincts screaming that we were walking straight into a trap.

Princess kept close, her eyes scanning the forest with sharp precision. She still clutched the burner phone like a lifeline, occasionally glancing at the screen for updates from Sara. Her face was set in a mask of determination, but I caught the subtle tremor in her hands when she thought I wasn’t looking.

“Anything new?” I asked, my voice low.

She shook her head. “Sara hasn’t checked in again. Last update was that they’re mobilizing patrols near the eastern ridge. If we’re lucky, that means the western approach is still clear.”

“If we’re lucky,” I muttered. Luck wasn’t something I liked relying on. Not with the stakes this high. “You sure about this route?”

“It’s our best option,” she said, holding up the map. Her fingers traced a path through the marked patrol routes. “The Haven wolves think there’s a blind spot here. If we stay low and move quickly, we might be able to get close enough to scout without alerting the patrols.”

“Might be able to,” I echoed, unable to keep the doubt from my tone. My wolf growled softly, sensing the risk.

Princess shot me a sidelong glance, her lips twitching with a ghost of a smile. “If you’ve got a better plan, I’m all ears.”

I didn’t.

And she knew it.

Growling softly under my breath, I nodded for her to lead the way.

As we moved deeper into the forest, the air grew heavier, the late afternoon light fading into the golden hues of evening. The oppressive silence was broken only by the occasional hum of a distant engine or the soft crunch of our boots on the forest floor. My wolf bristled at the quiet, instincts on high alert.

“Jayne.” Princess’s whisper pulled me from my thoughts. She’d stopped a few paces ahead, crouched low behind a cluster of ferns. Her eyes were fixed on something up ahead.

I moved to her side, my senses sharpening. “What is it?”

She pointed through the underbrush. At first, I didn’t see anything, but then the faint glint of metal caught my eye. A Hunter patrol, their vehicles parked in a small clearing, the soldiers themselves out of sight but close enough for their presence to be felt.

“Looks like they’re setting up a checkpoint,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “If we go around, it’ll add hours to our route.”

“Then we don’t go around.” My wolf growled low, eager for a fight. “There aren’t that many of them.”

Princess shot me a sharp look. “We’re not fighting them, Jayne. Not yet.”

“Then what’s the plan?” I asked, my frustration bleeding into my tone.

Her eyes darted to the ground, scanning the area with a focus I was starting to recognize. “Look,” she whispered, pointing to the disturbed earth near the edge of the clearing.

I followed her gaze, my eyes narrowing as I spotted the faint shimmer of silver dust scattered across the ground. “Is that...?”

“Tracing powder,” she confirmed, her voice tight. “They must’ve used it recently. Probably to cover their tracks.” She grinned, “Or to trap any wolf that stumbles across it. Makes a great early warning system I bet.”

My wolf growled again, a deep rumble of anger that vibrated through my chest. The Hunters were getting bolder, their tactics more calculated. But Princess’s expression wasn’t one of fear—it was one of determination.

“This is what we need,” she said, her voice steady. “If we can gather enough of it, we can use it to create a false trail. Lead them away from our route and toward the eastern ridge.”

“And if they catch our actual trail instead?” I asked, my tone hard.

Her gaze met mine, unwavering. “They won’t. Not if we’re careful.”

I wanted to argue, to point out the risks, but the resolve in her eyes stopped me. She wasn’t just doing this for the pups or for Luna—she was doing this because she refused to let the Hunters win.

And fuck it, so did I.

“Fine,” I said, my voice rough. “But we do this fast. No unnecessary risks.”

Princess nodded, her lips curving into a small, determined smile. “Fast. Got it.”

I watched as Princess pulled the gloves from our med kit, slipping them on with a deftness that reminded me of a surgeon preparing for battle. I remembered Olivia’s figure crouched next to my wolf in the dark the first time we had rescued Luna, the actually doctor hadn’t looked as good as the woman across from me. Her fingers were steady, but I could see the tightness in her jaw, the flicker of tension in her eyes.

"You’ve done this before?" I asked, crouching beside her as she knelt near the faint shimmer of silver.

"Not exactly," she admitted, her voice low but calm. "But I’ve seen them use it enough to know what we need. They not expect us to use their own traps against them." Her tone was steady, but I could hear the undercurrent of bitterness.

As she carefully swept a small pile of the powder into an empty antiseptic pouch, I felt my wolf pacing inside me. It hated seeing her so close to something so toxic, hated that we were stopping instead of taking the fight to the Hunters.

“Princess…” I hesitated, watching the way the dim light caught on the faint silver scars visible at the collar of her jacket. “You know this stuff reacts with shifter blood. Are you sure⁠—”

“I’m not touching it,” she interrupted, her voice firm. “And I’ll stay in human form. No shifting. No contact.” Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, blue and resolute. “We need this, Jayne. We can’t afford not to take the risk.”

I clenched my fists, feeling my wolf’s growl rumble in my chest. “Then let me do it,” I said gruffly. “I’ll spread it. I’ll lead them away.”

Princess froze, her hand hovering over the pouch as she processed my words. “No,” she said sharply, her head shaking. “Jayne, if they catch your trail, you’re too big a target. They’ll throw everything they have at you.”

“That’s the point,” I shot back, my voice low and hard. “I can take it. You stay hidden, stay safe. I’ll meet you back here once it’s done. All we need is a handful to follow me. After that, we should be able to sneak through.”

Her expression twisted, equal parts frustration and fear. “Jayne, you don’t have to⁠—”

“Stop,” I said practically snarled, cutting her off. I could feel my wolf beneath my skin, itching for a fight. “This isn’t up for debate. You said it yourself—you stay in human form, no shifting. This way, they won’t even know you’re here. I’ll be the bait.”

She opened her mouth to argue again, but the look I gave her must have silenced her objections. She bit her lip, her hands trembling slightly as she sealed the pouch and handed it to me.

“Fine,” she said quietly, her voice tight with emotion. “But you come back. And quickly. No heroics. Luna needs you.”

There was something unsaid in her eyes but I was too afraid it might be reflected in mine to push it.

I gave her a sharp nod, slipping the pouch into the small pocket of my jacket. “Hide,” I instructed. “Stay low, stay quiet. I’ll lead them as far away as I can while still being able to get back quickly.”

Her hand caught my arm as I turned to leave. “Jayne…” She hesitated, her grip tightening. “Be careful.”

The words hung between us, heavy with everything unsaid. I wanted to promise her that nothing would happen to me, that I’d be back in no time, but we both knew better than to make promises we couldn’t keep. Instead, I reached out, my fingers brushing her cheek briefly before I pulled away.

“Stay safe, Princess,” I murmured, shrugging off my jacket before stripping my shirt and jeans. She turned, a faint blush lighting her cheeks, but I couldn’t let myself get distracted. I felt the wolf raising and I shifted, the transformation ripping through me like a storm.

The world sharpened as my wolf surged forward, the baggie of powder in my jaws, every sound and scent magnified. I took off toward the eastern ridge, deliberately loosing my grip on the tracing powder so that it trailed out and brushed over my fur as I ran. The faint chemical tang of silver burned in my nose, but I pushed through it, forcing my legs to move faster.

Behind me, the faint sounds of pursuit began to build. Voices, footsteps, the growl of engines. They’d picked up the false trail.

Good.

I led them deeper into the forest, weaving through the trees and letting my wolf’s instincts guide me. Adrenaline burned hot in my veins, a steady drumbeat that drowned out everything but the need to keep moving.

I had to keep them away from Princess.

Had to clear a path to my daughter.

When the first Hunter caught up to me, I didn’t hesitate. I dropped what little was left of the power and lunged, my teeth sinking into his shoulder with a vicious growl. I tasted the blood, hot and metallic on my tongue. My wolf sang as the hunter screamed, the sound cut short as I threw him to the ground with a force that made the earth tremble. His neck snapped on impact.

Two more followed, their rifles raised, but they were too slow. I was on them before they could react, claws tearing through flesh and bone with brutal efficiency. The scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the sharp tang of silver, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

This was for Luna. For Princess. For every wolf the Hunters had taken.

For Sage.

By the time I’d taken down four or five, my sides heaved with exertion, my fur was matted with blood—some theirs, some mine, but the forest was quiet. The anger inside me still burned, a low, simmering heat that refused to be extinguished.

I turned back toward the rendezvous point, my paws pounding against the earth as I retraced my steps. When I arrived, the clearing was eerily quiet. My heart clenched, panic flaring as I scanned the shadows for any sign of her.

“Princess?” I called softly, shifting back to human form. My voice was hoarse, my throat raw from the growls I hadn’t been able to suppress.

“I’m here,” her voice came from the shadows, steady but tired.

She stepped into the faint light, dragging the unconscious form of a Hunter behind her. The sight made me freeze.

“What—” I started, but she cut me off with a wry smile.

“He got too close,” she said, dropping the body with a dull thud. “I stayed hidden like I promised, but when he started sniffing around…” She hefted the branch she’d been holding, her hands smudged with dirt but steady. “I didn’t have much of a choice.”

My wolf rumbled with approval, a strange mix of pride and relief flooding through me. “You didn’t shift?”

She shook her head, the faintest hint of a grin tugging at her lips as she worked to keep her eyes locked with mine. “Nope. Just a branch and some good timing.”

Despite the exhaustion etched into her features, there was a spark in her eyes—a fire that refused to be extinguished.

I moved closer, my hand brushing her shoulder briefly before I stepped past her to check the unconscious Hunter. He was out cold, breathing shallow but steady. “You sure he’s alone?”

She nodded, her grin fading into something softer. “I’m sure and here.” She tossed my clothes, now neatly folded, towards my feet.

“Good,” I said gruffly, pulling my jeans up over my hips with one swift tug. “Let’s move. We’re close now.”

Her hand found mine as we slipped back into the shadows, the connection grounding me even as the adrenaline surged again.

“You have silver in your hair.” She murmured, reaching up to flick a spec from my brow.

“Good thing I don’t have a full head of it then.” I said, reaching up to run my hand through what I did have. I could feel the little specs, tingling and burning my skin as I dislodged them, shaking my head to free the last little bits. “Thanks.”

She nodded, smiling.

Together, we made our way toward the facility, the scent of steel and smoke growing stronger with each step.

By the time we reached the edge of the clearing that surrounded the compound, the night was dark and still, the only sound the distant hum of electricity and the pounding of my own heart.

“We’re here,” Princess whispered, her voice steady despite the tension radiating from her. She pointed about 500 feet down the hill from where we were. “There should be an entrance for a maintenance tunnel somewhere along that ridge according to Sara’s data. What’s the plan?”

I turned to her, my gaze locking onto hers in the dim light. “We get in, get Luna, and get out,” I said firmly. “No matter what.”

Her nod was sharp, her grip on my hand tightening. “Together.”

“Together,” I echoed, my wolf rumbling in agreement as we stepped into the night.

CHAPTER 9

The maintenance door was well-hidden but it had been there—just as Princess had said. The faint glint of its metal frame barely showed beneath the tangled vines and moss that had overtaken the mountainside. It was clever, nearly invisible, the kind of secret entrance only someone with insider knowledge could find. I wondered briefly how many other wolves had passed it without realizing what lay behind the curtain of green.

Princess crouched beside the door, her focus razor-sharp as she searched for the access panel. Her fingers skimmed over the overgrowth with precision, brushing aside leaves and grime until they found a small seam in the metal. She pressed lightly, and a hidden keypad slid into view with a soft click.

“I overheard the hunters once talking about the outer door locks. They constantly changed so they were constantly complaining. I guess that’s what you get when you hire cheap for a cause.” she glanced up, her voice low and almost teasing. “It got so bad that they stopped changing them except every few weeks. You should still be impressed though.”

“I’m impressed,” I murmured, keeping my eyes and ears on the forest behind us. The faint hum of patrol vehicles was growing louder, closer. We didn’t have much time. “Just open it before we have company. I’ll congratulate you once we are inside.”

Princess smirked, her hands moving with practiced speed across the keypad. “The sequence changes with the lunar phases, but this one…” She hesitated for half a second before inputting the code. The lock clicked open with a soft hiss. “Got it. Same base numbers.”

I felt a surge of relief as the door creaked open, revealing a narrow tunnel sloping downward into darkness. But Princess didn’t move right away. Her hand lingered on the edge of the door, her eyes darting to mine with a mix of triumph and hesitation.

“Jayne,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Before we go in... I need you to know something.”

I shifted closer, my wolf bristling at the unease in her scent. “What is it?”

Princess’s gaze flicked toward the maintenance door, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Can you feel it? The heaviness in the air? This isn’t just a facility,” she said softly. “It’s their hub. Their testing ground.”

My chest tightened, but I didn’t need her to spell it out. The scent of chemicals and something unnatural lingered faintly in the air. Even wafting up through the tunnel it was enough to hint at what was below.

Her eyes met mine, sharp with determination. “They’re not just keeping wolves here, Jayne. They’re trying to remake us. Break us into something they can control.”

I nodded grimly. This wasn’t news—not after everything Princess had shared. But hearing it here, at the edge of their domain, with the smell of silver and chemicals in the air, made it hit harder.

Before I could respond, she gestured toward the keypad. “We’ll know more once we’re inside. If their records are still here...” Her voice trailed off, but I caught the flicker of steel in her expression. “We’ll take everything we can.”

I leaned in, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder. “We’ll stop them,” I said, my voice rough. “Not just for Luna. For all of them.”

Her breath hitched slightly, but she nodded and stepped aside to let me enter first.

Inside, the air was cold, sterile. The faint hum of machinery filled the darkness.

The maintenance tunnel swallowed us in shadows, the oppressive dark pressing close enough to make my wolf bristle. Princess’s warmth beside me was my only anchor as we moved deeper into the mountain’s gut, every step pulling us closer to Luna—and further from escape.

"Motion sensors ahead," Princess whispered, her breath warm against my ear. Her arm brushed over my shoulder as she pointed. “See the camera? Red light. Left wall’s a blind spot.”

Her tactical precision made something twist in my chest—a bitter mix of admiration and anger. This knowledge wasn’t hers by choice. It had been burned into her, just like the scars she carried. My wolf snarled at the injustice, but Princess’s hand found my shoulder, squeezing lightly.

"Stay with me," she murmured. The contact steadied me, the unspoken reassurance grounding the storm inside.

A distant rumble echoed through the tunnel, low and steady—machinery or vehicles, maybe both. My heightened senses caught the faint hum of ventilation systems, the subtle whir of the camera tracking movement, and the steady rhythm of Princess’s heartbeat.

“They’ll rotate guards soon,” she said, pressing closer as the tunnel narrowed. Her body brushed against mine, sparking a heady mix of protectiveness and longing that my wolf whined at. “The transfer cells will be under less surveillance during the swap.”

“Not enough underpaid drones to be everywhere at once?”

She just smiled grimly in the dark.

Despite the subtle tremor in her frame, she kept moving, kept planning. The past might have marked her, but it hadn’t broken her. That resilience reminded me too much of Sage—the way she’d always find a way forward, no matter the cost.

For a second, I couldn’t tell if the memory of Sage was painful or comforting. But as I watched Princess push through her fear to lead us closer to my daughter, I knew it didn’t matter. What mattered was what lay ahead.

For Luna.

For us.

The dead were dead and no matter how much you howl, they don’t howl back.

A sharp metallic sound echoed ahead, making us freeze. Princess’s fingers tightened around mine as we pressed into a shallow alcove, every muscle taut. Boots stomped above us, the vibrations heavy and deliberate. Four guards, maybe five, armed based on their weighted steps.

When the sound faded, Princess turned to me, her face partially lit by the emergency lights. Even in the dimness, her fierce determination cut through the tension.

"Luna’s close," she whispered, her voice laced with urgency. "I can feel it."

My wolf surged at the mention of her name, but something in Princess’s tone made me pause. “What aren’t you telling me?” I asked, my voice low but firm.

She hesitated, her fingers brushing over her scars absentmindedly. Finally, she met my gaze, her trembling hand reaching up to cup my face. “Whatever happens next,” she said, her voice barely audible, “promise me you won’t lose yourself to the rage. Luna needs her mother whole—not broken by vengeance or retribution.”

The words pierced deeper than any silver ever could.

My wolf snarled at the restraint they demanded, but I clamped down on the instinct. Sage’s voice echoed in my mind: Vengeance without purpose is just violence. Make sure you know which one you’re choosing.

Without thinking, I pressed my forehead to hers, breathing her in—fear and hope tangling in her scent. “I’ll try,” I growled. The promise was raw and unfinished, but it was the best I could give her. “But if they touched her, or if they touch you…”

The threat lingered, sharp and unspoken.

Her answering smile was small but steady. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Now come on. We have a family to save.”

Family.

The word settled heavily in my chest. This wasn’t just about revenge or rescue. It was about building something worth fighting for.

We moved deeper, the tunnel stretching out into a series of forks. At each split, Princess chose with quiet confidence, her instincts guiding us through the labyrinthine network of passages. She didn’t stop until we reached a set of reinforced doors at the end of a long, narrow corridor. The keypad beside them glowed faintly, its red light cutting through the dimness.

Princess studied it with a focus that made my wolf stir uneasily. While she worked, I stayed on watch, my senses on high alert for approaching patrols. The faint echoes of facility operations carried through the tunnels—a reminder of just how close we were to enemy ground.

“How long?” I asked quietly, my eyes scanning the corridor.

“Not long,” she replied, her fingers hovering over the keypad. “The sequence changes, same as the outer door, but I’m guessing this facility runs on the same predictable cycle. If I’m right…” Her voice trailed off as she pressed a series of keys.

A soft beep echoed in the tunnel, followed by the hiss of the lock disengaging.

“Got it,” she said, relief and determination mingling in her scent. But before she moved, she caught my arm. “Jayne.”

The urgency in her voice made me turn. “What is it?”

Her expression was unreadable in the low light, but her grip was firm. “Whatever we find in there, remember what you promised me.”

I nodded, the weight of her words settling heavily on my chest. “I Promise” I said, her trust in me carrying more meaning than I could put into words.

Her lips curved into a faint smile, and she squeezed my arm before stepping through the now-open door.

The tunnel widened into what was unmistakably a processing area. The concrete floor bore fresh scuff marks, some streaked with dark stains that might have been oil—or blood. The air carried a cloying mixture of antiseptic, metal, and fear so strong that it clawed at my wolf’s senses, making it thrash violently against its bonds. I clenched my fists, keeping my human side in control, even as fury roared through me.

I have nails, not claws-I repeated, willing the wolf to stay back.

Princess froze beside me, her breathing shallow, her eyes scanning the room with the same sharp focus she'd used on the keypad. Every detail she noticed brought a flicker of something darker to her expression, something haunted. She didn’t need to say what this space was. The signs were everywhere—restraints discarded in a corner, claw marks gouged into the walls, and the faint, acrid tang of silver powder lingering in the air.

“Standard transport protocol,” she murmured, her voice tight as she gestured to the edges of the room. “They’d line them up here, check their restraints one last time before...” Her voice caught, and I saw her fingers clench into fists.

She had claws.

The sight twisted something inside me. My mind, unbidden and unkind, conjured images of a future, slightly older Luna here, small and frightened, her wrists bound in chains as cold and unyielding as the Hunters’ cruelty. The thought burned like silver in my veins. My wolf snarled, demanding vengeance, but my fear—a parent’s visceral, helpless fear—cut even deeper.

I felt Princess move closer, her hand finding my arm. The touch was gentle but steady, grounding me as my rage threatened to spiral. “She’s alive,” Princess said, her voice soft but unyielding. Her eyes held mine, fierce and unwavering. “Luna’s strong, like her mothers. And we’re going to find her.”

Her faith hit me harder than any Hunter’s blow ever could. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded, unwilling to speak in case my voice betrayed me. Instead, I caught her hand, twining our fingers together like an anchor.

“Recent activity,” I said after a moment, forcing myself to focus. My senses caught the faint echoes of movement—fear-laden scents layered atop the sterile environment. “Within the last few hours.”

Princess nodded, her expression sharpening as she crouched near a dark stain on the ground. Her fingers hovered over it, her breath hitching as she examined what looked like paw prints in spilled silver powder.

“Small,” she whispered. “Too small. Young female. Recently shifted.” Her hand trembled as she traced the edge of the print without touching it. “One of the Haven pups, maybe?”

My wolf howled silently, recognizing the significance. The Hunters weren’t just transporting prisoners—they were forcing shifts. Testing control. Or worse, the pups had tried to escape and their wolves hadn’t been strong enough to break free.

“They’re getting desperate,” Princess said, her voice tight with restrained fury. She gestured to a section of the wall where claw marks raked the surface, the stone gouged deep. “Processing them in groups. Efficiency over control. It’s faster, but riskier. When they took me they would never have risked it, but these marks look like sloppy work.”

The clinical analysis in her tone cracked slightly, and I saw the weight of her words pressing down on her. The memories she must have carried. The scars—visible and hidden—that she bore.

I crouched beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “They’re not getting away with this,” I said, my voice low and rough. “Not this time.”

Princess looked up at me, her blue eyes shining with determination. “No,” she agreed, her voice trembling but firm. “They won’t.”

We moved through the room cautiously, following the faint trail left by the powder and prints. My wolf’s instincts were sharp, picking up on every flicker of movement, every shift of shadow. Princess moved with equal precision, her steps light and deliberate. Together, we navigated the maze of fear and pain etched into this place.

Near the far wall, another set of doors loomed. Princess hesitated, her hand brushing over the keypad. “Same pattern,” she murmured, her fingers moving with the confidence of someone who had learned to adapt under duress. “This will lead us to the cells.”

The thought of Luna—so close, yet so vulnerable—set my teeth on edge. My wolf snarled, urging me forward, but I forced myself to wait as Princess worked the lock. Her hand trembled slightly, and I covered it with mine, steadying her.

“You’re not alone,” I said, my voice soft but firm.

She glanced at me, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile. “Neither are you.”

The lock clicked open, the sound both a relief and a warning. Whatever lay beyond these doors, we would face it together. For Luna. For the pups. For every wolf the Hunters had ever hurt.

And for the future we were building, one step at a time.

"They’re accelerating their timeline," Princess murmured, standing with a fluid grace that drew my eyes despite the gravity of the moment. Her fingers brushed absently over the claw marks gouged into the wall. "Whatever they’re planning… it’s coming fast."

"We’re running out of time," I finished, my voice rough. The thought of Luna enduring what Princess had suffered—or worse—made my vision blur red with rage. My wolf clawed at my restraint, demanding action, demanding vengeance.

"Hey." Princess stepped close, her hand pressing over my heart, grounding me. Her touch sent a jolt through my chest, steadying my wolf’s fraying control. "Stay with me. We’re close and Luna needs her mother’s mind clear."

The simple words struck deep, banishing the red haze clouding my thoughts. My heart thudded beneath her palm, the rhythm slowing as her warmth seeped through me.

Sage.

Princess.

The parallel should have hurt, should have felt like a betrayal. Instead, it settled something in my chest—a recognition of how life could evolve, grow, and find new channels without diminishing what had come before.

Princess must have sensed my internal battle because she stretched up on her toes, brushing a soft kiss along my jaw. Her hand slipped into my hair, scratching lightly at my scalp as she withdrew. The simple, intimate gesture nearly undid me.

"We’ve got this," she whispered, her voice steady, her conviction unshakable.

Before I could respond, shadows shifted at the far end of the room. The faint murmur of boots on concrete sent us scrambling into an alcove, Princess’s back pressed against my chest. Her heartbeat pounded so hard that I could feel it through my palm where it rested instinctively on her waist, but her scent betrayed more determination than fear.

When the patrol’s footsteps faded, she turned in my arms. Her gaze was sharp, calculating, even as her fingers lingered briefly against mine. "There’s another maintenance shaft ahead," she murmured. “I saw it when we came in. If we’re lucky, it’ll take us closer to the holding cells. But Jayne…” She bit her lip, hesitation flickering across her face. "It’s going to get worse before it gets better. What we might find⁠—"

I silenced her with a kiss, quick but fierce, trying to pour every unsaid thing into that single moment. Every promise. Every apology. Every shred of hope and fire that burned inside me.

When we broke apart, her eyes were bright with something stronger than hope. It was certainty. It was destiny.

"Together," I growled, my wolf rumbling in agreement.

Her smile was like sunrise after the longest night. "Always," she replied, her voice soft but firm.

The next howl that echoed through the tunnels wasn’t memory or imagination. It was real, raw, and brimming with pain. One of the captured wolves was calling out—a sound so full of despair that my wolf answered instinctively, a low growl reverberating through my chest.

Princess’s hand tightened in mine, her resolve steadying me as much as it steadied herself. Without a word, we moved toward the source of the sound, leaving behind the last of our hesitation.

It was something Sage had taught me in my darkest hours: strength isn’t about facing darkness alone—it’s about finding light in the most unexpected places.

And Princess? She was becoming my brightest light of all.

CHAPTER 10

We had made it through two more rooms before encountering a real threat—Hunters, not just underpaid patrol grunts. Their clipped voices and purposeful steps sent us scrambling into a maintenance closet, the space barely large enough for the two of us. The walls seemed to press closer with every breath, each second of confinement a battle against the memories clawing at my mind.

My wolf thrashed against the restraint, the tight quarters triggering flashes of my old pack’s punishment pit. The cold, unyielding ground beneath me. The suffocating dark. The feeling of helplessness. All because I wanted to be who I felt I was, not the male brute they wanted me to be.

“Easy,” Princess whispered, her voice a lifeline in the growing storm. Her fingers found mine in the shadows, the touch anchoring me. “Focus on my voice. Stay with me.”

The gentle command carried an echo of Sage, and my chest ached at the memory. But where Sage’s touch had been familiar, steadying, Princess’s touch sparked something raw and electric. Powerful. It wasn’t just comfort—it was connection, alive and immediate.

“Sorry,” I muttered, trying to steady my breathing. “Small spaces…”

“I figured.” Her voice softened as she turned toward me, her presence a balm against the claustrophobia. I could feel her breath against my cheek, warm and grounding. “Here, let me…” Her hands moved to my shoulders, thumbs pressing into tight muscles for a brief moment before she pulled back with a soft gasp. “You’re bleeding.”

I blinked, momentarily disoriented. The scrape from the low ceiling hadn’t even registered, my focus too consumed by the battle with my wolf and keeping him calm against the memories. But Princess didn’t wait for an answer. She retrieved a cloth from her pack, dabbing at the wound with care that was almost reverent.

“I used to hide in places like this,” she admitted, her voice barely audible. Her movements slowed, gentler than necessary. “When they first brought me in, I’d find forgotten corners like this. Quiet places. I could stay tucked away for hours… until they started using silver powder to track my movements.” Her hand still for a moment as she battled her own memories, “Looking back, I think it was all a game to Kane. I shouldn’t have been able to sneak off to begin with, even if it wasn’t a full escape. Maybe it was all a test of the tracing power.”

The image her words painted made my wolf surge forward, protective instincts roaring against the horror of what she’d endured. My hands clenched at my sides as the urge to shield her—to claim her as mine—warred with the fire of my anger.

“Jayne.” Her voice was sharp now, her hand cupping my face and forcing my attention back to her. “I can hear you thinking. Stop it.”

“I can’t…” The words stuck in my throat. “If anything happened to you⁠—”

“Like Sage?”

The name hung heavy in the air between us. A part of me flinched, but Princess didn’t pull back. If anything, she leaned closer, her wolf staring through golden eyes steady despite the weight of what she’d said.

“Listen to me,” she continued fiercely, her voice cutting through my guilt like a blade. “What happened to Sage wasn’t your fault. And being afraid to care about someone new doesn’t honor her memory. It just means you’re letting fear win.”

My wolf whined at the quiet truth in her words. Without thinking, I caught her wrist where it rested against my cheek, holding her there like she was the only thing keeping me tethered to the present.

“I can’t lose another mate,” I admitted roughly, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “I can’t watch someone else die because I wasn’t strong enough, fast enough…”

Silence filled the space between us. At first, I didn’t understand why she’d gone so still—why even her heartbeat seemed to pause. Then it hit me.

Mate.

Oh, fuck.

I opened my mouth, fumbling for something to say, but Princess silenced me with a kiss. This one wasn’t gentle. It was fierce and demanding, a collision of emotions I couldn’t even begin to untangle. When she pulled back, her eyes glowed fully golden in the dim light.

“You won’t lose me,” she promised, her voice steady and unshakable. “Because we’re in this together. All the way.”

The conviction in her voice made something warm and solid unfurl in my chest, pushing back the weight of my doubts. My wolf surged forward, recognizing her strength, her resolve—and something deeper, something that made me feel whole in a way I hadn’t in years,maybe ever.

The sound of boots echoed past the door, heavy on the metal grating. We pressed back into the shadows, Princess’s back against my chest. Her scent filled the cramped space, her heartbeat thundering against my palm where it rested on her waist. She should have been terrified, but her scent carried more determination than fear.

When the danger passed, Princess turned again in my arms. Her gaze met mine, steady despite the tremor in her hands. “Together,” I growled, and this time the word wasn’t just agreement. It was a revelation. “Mate.”

Her answering smile was bright enough to pierce the darkness. “Always,” she breathed, her voice a promise that settled something deep inside me.

We lingered for just a moment longer, sharing breath and warmth in the shadows. My wolf calmed under her touch, the memories of the pit retreating as new possibilities took root.

When the sound of boots finally faded entirely, Princess pulled back reluctantly. But her hand found mine again as we prepared to move, her grip firm and steady.

“Ready?” she asked softly.

I nodded, my strength bolstered by hers. Just as Sage had taught me—true strength doesn’t come from being fearless. It comes from finding courage in connection.

And if my wolf hummed with satisfaction at Princess’s closeness, well… some battles weren’t worth fighting anymore.

The facility’s activity intensified as we neared its core. Vibrations thrummed through the walls, their rhythm syncing with the rapid pounding of my heart. The hum of electronics and bursts of radio chatter filtered through the ventilation shafts, underscored by wolf cries—young, frightened, raw. Each sound dug into me, a visceral reminder of why we were here.

“They’re moving them,” Princess whispered, her voice tight as she pressed close at the next junction. “The transport’s starting.”

Her scent now carried more than tension—it held the sharp tang of live trauma. This wasn’t just memory anymore. This was happening, right now, around us.

“The security room,” she continued, forcing her tone into a brittle calm. “It’ll have access to all the feeds. If we can get there, we can pinpoint Luna without setting off alarms.”

A high-pitched whine from the right sliced through me like a blade. My wolf slammed against its bonds, a snarl rising in my throat. Princess grabbed my hand, grounding me with her touch.

“Stay with me,” she murmured, her voice cutting through the haze.

I swallowed hard, nodding. “How many guards?”

“At least six now.” She tilted her head, listening to the rhythm of boots above and around us. “And…” Her breath hitched. “Someone else. Lighter steps. No armor. Someone higher up.”

The idea of anyone "important" being here tightened the knot in my gut. The Hunters didn’t leave their decision-makers exposed unless it was necessary.

“Wait,” Princess whispered, catching my arm as we reached another junction. Her gaze darted around, sharp and assessing. “The pattern’s wrong. It’s not a normal patrol.”

She was right. The guards moved erratically, breaking from their usual rotations. They weren’t defending—they were hunting.

“They know we’re here,” I growled, the realization snapping into place.

Princess’s lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile—it was something fiercer. “Good. Or at least maybe, could be another wolf got loose. Either way, let them waste their energy searching. It’ll thin their numbers where it matters.”

Her simple logic was brilliant. My wolf rumbled its approval, and before I could think better of it, I leaned in, pressing my forehead against hers.

“You’re incredible,” I breathed.

Her eyes softened for a moment before a teasing edge returned. “Save the compliments for after we survive this,” she whispered, her hands brushing my shirt like she needed the anchor. “Although…” Her voice dropped lower, and my pulse jumped. “I wouldn’t mind hearing more about my awesomeness. Somewhere less... industrial.”

The heat in her tone sent a shiver down my spine, but before I could respond, a sharp crack echoed from above. Princess moved first, pulling us into a narrow maintenance alcove just as boots thundered past. Her body pressed against mine, her breathing steady despite the tension radiating off her.

“They’re mobilizing,” she murmured. “Whatever they’re planning, it’s starting soon. They know we’re close, and they can’t afford for us to disrupt it.”

I closed my eyes, and swore I could detect Luna’s scent, stronger now, mingling with antiseptic and sharp fear. Every instinct screamed for me to tear through the facility, but Princess’s calm focus held me in place.

“Together?” I asked, my voice rough.

Her response was immediate—a kiss, fierce and grounding, her fingers twisting in my shirt. When she pulled back, her eyes glowed with that quiet steel I was learning to trust.

“Always,” she whispered.

Another cry echoed—piercing and desperate—and we both tensed. I was certain this time.

Luna.

“The hub’s through there,” Princess said, nodding toward a reinforced door at the end of the corridor. “But, Jayne…” She bit her lip, hesitating. “Whatever we find in there…”

I silenced her with another kiss, pouring every ounce of reassurance I could into the contact. When we broke apart, I whispered, “We’ll face it.”

Her nod was sharp, her determination a fire that reignited my own. We moved toward the hub, each step heavy with urgency.

And then it happened.

Boots echoed from both directions—sharp, purposeful.

They’d found us.

The patrols were converging, their coordination too precise to be random.

“Split up,” Princess hissed, already moving toward a side tunnel. “I’ll draw them off. You’ll have a clean shot at the hub.”

“No.” My wolf surged forward, protective instincts flaring. “We stick together.”

Her eyes, bright and unyielding, stopped me. “Luna’s close, Jayne. We can’t afford hesitation. I’ll keep them busy, give you time to find her.”

She pulled something from her side pouch—pressed it into my hand—Sage’s locket. Her fingers lingered, a fleeting touch filled with unspoken words. “Olivia said to make sure Luna got this. Go.”

Before I could argue, she was gone, her deliberate noise drawing half the patrol in her direction. My wolf howled in protest, instincts screaming to follow, to protect.

Trust your heart, but use your head.

Sage’s words settled over me like a cloak, urging strategy over emotion. Princess was buying time, trusting me to do this.

To save Luna.

I forced myself forward, slipping through the shadows toward the hub. The secondary door was unlocked—luck, or somehow Princess’s handiwork, I didn’t know. Inside, monitors lined the walls, each screen showing a different sector of the facility. The room was eerily quiet, the hum of electronics the only sound.

I stepped further inside, scanning for immediate threats. My wolf prowled just beneath the surface, ready to strike at the slightest hint of danger. Then, movement—subtle but unmistakable—a shadow shifted in the far corner.

A guard.

He hadn’t noticed me yet, his focus locked on the monitors as he jotted notes on a clipboard. My wolf snarled softly in my mind, demanding swift action. I crouched lower, keeping to the edges of the room where the flickering screens cast uneven light.

Each step was deliberate, my heart pounding in my ears. He shifted again, muttering under his breath as he adjusted a monitor’s settings. I had seconds, maybe less, before he turned and saw me.

The plan formed in an instant. I grabbed a loose cable dangling from the equipment nearby, wrapping it tightly in my hands as I moved closer. My wolf surged, eager for the violence. When I was close enough to feel his body heat, hear his slow, sure beating heart, I struck.

The cable looped around his neck, pulling him back before he could cry out. He flailed, his clipboard clattering to the floor as he struggled against the improvised garrote. I kept my grip firm, using my weight to keep him off balance. He was strong, but desperation and adrenaline made me stronger.

“Stay quiet,” I growled low in his ear, my voice barely human.

His movements slowed, his body sagging as unconsciousness overtook him. I let him drop to the floor, checking to ensure he was still breathing before securing his hands with the cable. My wolf bristled, unsatisfied with leaving him alive, but I couldn’t afford the time or the guilt of ending him here.

Breathing hard, I turned back to the monitors.

And there she was.

Luna.

Curled in a corner of a sterile cage, her small form barely visible against the shadows. White-coated figures moved around her, their voices inaudible but their intent clear. Rage surged, hot and blinding, but I shoved it down. B87. That was her location. I repeated it like a mantra, forcing myself to focus.

A crash echoed from the corridor where Princess had gone, followed by shouts and the unmistakable clash of silver weapons. My wolf thrashed, torn between mission and mate.

“Jayne, run!” Princess’s voice rang out as she raced past, sharp with pain but steady. Not fear—command. She was trusting me to finish this. To bring Luna home.

I shot one last glance at the guard, ensuring he wouldn’t be a problem, then slipped out the door. The silent vow burned through me: I’m coming back for you.

I scanned the quickest route to B87 on the monitors before vanishing into the tunnels.

CHAPTER 11

The sound of boots and shouts echoed behind me as I ran, the tang of silver powder still sharp in the air. My wolf snarled, urging me to turn back, to fight, but my mission was clear.

Luna needed me.

Princess’s footsteps were just ahead, quick and deliberate as she darted through the maze of steel corridors. She didn’t look back, trusting me to follow, and despite the chaos closing in around us, I couldn’t help but marvel at her quick decision making. Blind turns or not, she was committed to the chase.

“Left!” she shouted, her voice sharp and commanding.

I obeyed without hesitation, skidding into a side corridor that plunged us deeper into the facility. The walls were tighter here, oppressive, and the air felt colder as we moved further from the guards. My wolf bristled, the primal need to protect warring with the logic of escape.

A burst of radio chatter echoed behind us, and Princess slowed just enough to grab my arm, yanking me into a hidden alcove. Her breath came in short bursts, her scent tinged with sweat and fear, but her grip was steady.

“They’ve split up,” she whispered, her voice low and urgent. “Two groups—one sweeping the lower level, the other circling back toward the hub.”

“They’ll box us in,” I growled, my claws itching to be unleashed. “We need to take them out.”

Princess shook her head, her eyes fierce. “Not yet. If we engage now, they’ll lock down the whole facility. We need to get to Luna first.”

My wolf snarled in frustration, but I knew she was right. She always was. I forced myself to focus, to breathe past the rage burning in my chest. “What’s the plan?”

Princess’s gaze flicked to the narrow vent above us, its cover slightly ajar. “We climb. The ducts lead to the observation level.”

I stared at the vent, then back at her. “You’ve been here before?”

“Every facility has the same layout,” she said, her voice tight. “I noticed it immediately once I started running. Once you’ve escaped one...” Her words trailed off, the weight of her past pressing between us like a physical barrier. She shrugged, not finishing.

I didn’t press her. Instead, I laced my hands together, offering a boost. “Let’s go.”

Her lips twitched into a small, fleeting smile before she sprang upward. She moved with the kind of grace that made my chest tighten—effortless and determined. I followed, hauling myself into the cramped duct behind her.

The space was suffocating, the metal walls closing in on either side, but Princess’s soft shuffle directly ahead led me forward, anchoring me to the mission. Every turn felt like a lifetime, the distant hum of machinery and footsteps below a constant reminder of what lay at stake.

When the duct finally opened into a maintenance room, Princess slipped out first, her landing light and silent. I followed, wincing as my bulk scraped against the edges. She held up a hand, signaling for me to be still.

I froze, watching as she listened to something I couldn’t hear.

“We’re close,” she murmured, her voice barely above a breath. “The observation window is just ahead.”

The thought of Luna—trapped, frightened, possibly injured—made my pulse roar in my ears. My claws flexed in anticipation. “Let’s finish this.”

The observation window into Cell B87 revealed my worst nightmares made real.

Luna lay curled on a sterile metal examination table, her small grey body trembling as Dr. Kane loomed over her with a silver-tipped syringe. My daughter’s white crescent marking was barely visible beneath the mess of matted fur and medical restraints, her tiny frame dwarfed by the cruel instruments surrounding her.

Princess’s sharp intake of breath beside me mirrored the rage building in my chest. Her hand found mine in the shadows, fingers ice-cold as she watched her nightmares manifest into reality once more.

“It’s just like her lab at the other facility,” she whispered, her voice tight with remembered pain. “The one where she...” Her words choked off as Kane shifted, revealing more of the room’s horrors.

Princess’s scars seemed to pulse in response, the burns on her neck glowing faintly under the harsh fluorescent lights. I squeezed her hand, pushing down the howl building in my throat. “This time,” I said, voice low but steady, “it’s your turn to stay with me.”

Kane’s movements were precise, methodical—a scientist’s detached efficiency that made my wolf thrash against its bonds. She recorded something on a tablet, her cold eyes flicking to Luna before returning to her notes.

Behind her, monitors flickered with various feeds. One screen showed a map illuminated with glowing points of light. One blinked softly just outside the room we were looking into. Princess inhaled sharply beside me.

“The burns,” she murmured, realization dawning. “She’s been tracking us through my burns this whole time. They have known where we were this entire time, playing with us. The silver wasn’t just for control—it’s a beacon. Just like the powder. She could follow us anywhere.”

The horror of it froze me for a heartbeat. But before I could respond, Kane’s head snapped up, her icy gaze locking onto ours through the glass. Her smile twisted into something cruelly triumphant.

“Ah, Subject 274,” she drawled, her voice carrying clearly through hidden speakers. “Right on time. And you’ve brought a new friend. How delightful.”

Princess stiffened beside me, but her voice held steady. “Let Luna go.”

Kane ignored the demand, her expression almost playful as she stroked Luna’s trembling form. My daughter’s whimper almost drove me to my knees. “Defiance, as always. And yet, it’s what makes you so... fascinating.”

She lifted the syringe, her movements deliberate. “I must admit, your little escape proved useful. We’ve refined our techniques considerably thanks to your antics. But this pup?” She gestured to Luna with the cruel instrument. “She’ll surpass you. No scars, no rebellion—just perfection. She’ll known nothing but me. Remember nothing but me.”

Rage burned through me, blinding and absolute. My wolf surged forward, but Princess’s hand caught my wrist, grounding me. Her golden eyes met mine, fierce and determined.

One breath. One moment. One choice.

Together, we moved.

The observation window didn't shatter when we crashed through—it disintegrated, Kane's precious security systems crumbling under the combined force of our attack.

Princess moved with lethal precision, her smaller frame shifting mid-air before landing on all fours. Her red-gold fur seemed to burn in the flickering light, a beacon of purpose. My wolf surged forward, snarling, as my own bones cracked and reshaped, the transformation overtaking me in a rush of fury and instinct.

She had what was mine and I wanted it back.

Kane's calm smile never faltered. "Fascinating," she murmured, her voice maddeningly clinical as she retreated toward the examination table. "Such coordination. The pack bond must already be accelerating your synaptic response times. After such a short time too….”

My wolf roared, the sound reverberating through the sterile room. Beside me, Princess launched herself into the chaos, her movements swift and calculated. She weaved through the guards now pouring into the room, forcing them to hesitate, to falter.

The delay was enough to give me a clear path to Luna.

I lunged for my daughter, but Kane was faster than I expected. A silver-tipped blade flashed in her hand, pressing against Luna's trembling neck. The sight stopped me cold, fury and fear warring in my chest.

I crouched low, growling, fangs bared but my eyes stayed locked on my daughter.

"Now, now," Kane chided, her voice patronizing as if she were addressing unruly children. "Let’s maintain some semblance of professionalism. Subject 274—oh, pardon me, 'Princess' is it—knows the rules. Don’t you, dear?"

Princess’s growl was low and dangerous, vibrating through the air with the weight of years of pain and anger. Yet she stilled, her golden eyes darting between Luna, Kane, and the guards. Her mind worked visibly behind those eyes, scanning for weaknesses, calculating possibilities.

Kane chuckled, the sound ice-cold. "Still so predictable. But I must admit," she continued, glancing toward me, "you’ve managed to undo some of our more… thorough conditioning. That defiance." Her lips curled into something almost like admiration. "It’s as fascinating as it is infuriating."

Her hand moved to the tray beside her, grabbing a small canister. Before I could react, a sharp spray of silver powder hit Princess full in the face. She stumbled, the burns on her neck flaring violently as if the silver reignited them from the inside out. A strangled sound escaped her as she collapsed onto her belly, her body writhing with the pain.

My wolf howled, the sound primal and furious. Two guards flanked me, their weapons raised and glinting in the fluorescent light. My muscles coiled to spring, to end this farce, but a sudden crash above shattered through the room, pulling everyones attention.

The ceiling vent caved in, bringing a dark, bloodied form with it.

A form I recognized.

I snarled.

Jess landed in a low crouch, her wolf's amber eyes scanning the chaos with chilling efficiency. Blood stained her fur, a grim testament to whatever battles she had fought before this moment. She moved with purpose, a blur of controlled violence as she tore into the guards nearest her, giving me a momentary opening.

The recognition hit me like a blow. Jess. The wolf who had taken Luna, who had ripped my daughter from me during Sage’s funeral. My wolf surged forward with renewed rage, barely held in check by the need to protect Luna first. Distrust burned through me like wildfire, every instinct screaming not to let her near the exam table, even if that meant momentarily shielding Kane.

But for now, Jess wasn’t attacking us. She was fighting the Hunters.

Princess seized the chaos Jess had created. She twisted under Kane’s guard, moving with the same ruthless precision that had once made her their prized subject. Kane’s blade scored a shallow cut along Luna’s side as Princess knocked it away, but the damage was minimal. Before I could react, Luna’s small body was airborne, thrown clear of the fight by Princess’s careful aim.

I caught her with infinite care, her fragile body trembling against my chest. Relief coursed through me at the faint, erratic rhythm of her heartbeat. She was alive, but the damage was done—her fur matted with blood and the telltale glint of silver-tipped needles still embedded in her small form.

I caught Luna's limp form with infinite gentleness, even as my wolf raged for blood. A quick check confirmed her heartbeat—thready but present—against my tongue. Relief mixed with fury, the need to protect her clashing with my desire to rip apart everything in this place.

When I looked up, Princess had Kane pinned against her own examination table. Blood from the earlier chaos dripped down Princess's snout, but her eyes burned with cold precision. She bared her teeth, low growls vibrating in the air between them.

"Fascinating," Kane wheezed, still taking verbal notes even with Princess’s fangs threatening her throat. "The coordination, the pack dynamics... Alexandra will be so pleased with the data..."

Jess snapped her jaws, a guttural sound followed that echoed sharply in the sterile room. Her amber eyes darted to the doorway, where the thunder of boots was growing louder and her warning was clear-reinforcements were coming.

My wolf snarled at her, distrust roaring through me, but I had no choice but to focus on the immediate threat.

Princess’s eyes met mine, holding for a single heartbeat. The message was clear: trust her now, rage later.

I lowered Luna carefully to the ground, keeping one paw on her tiny body for protection. My wolf howled as Princess’s teeth closed on Kane’s throat with surgical precision. The doctor’s last word was a wet gurgle that might have been one final "remarkable" before her body went slack.

Jess was already moving, claws scraping against the floor as she launched into the guards pouring through the doorway. Her efficiency was brutal, almost mechanical, but it worked. Guards fell one after another, creating a narrow path to the exit.

Princess limped back to me, her movements slower now, blood seeping into her red fur. Her muzzle was raw and blistered from the silver powder, but her eyes stayed clear and sharp. When she pressed close, steadying me as I scooped Luna up, her strength poured into me like fire.

Jess barked, the message clear, we needed to move. She stood at the doorway, the path she’d cleared already starting to fill with more Hunters.

My wolf growled low, hating the sight of her, hating her presence here, hating the trust we were being forced to extend. She had stolen Luna. Lied to us. But Princess nudged me forward, her urgency cutting through the haze of anger. We didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on betrayal.

Behind us, chaos erupted as alarms blared and guards shouted. Luna's heartbeat was faint but steady as she hung against my chest. The knowledge that she was alive, that we had her back, pushed me forward even as exhaustion clawed at my limbs.

The maintenance tunnels were a maze of narrow passages, the scent of antiseptic and steel suffocating in the stale air this far into the mountain. Jess took the lead, her dark form slipping through the shadows with infuriating ease. Blood stained her fur in rust-colored patches, the metallic tang heavy in the enclosed space. She moved with precision, her ears flicking sharply in signals I couldn’t fully trust but had no choice to follow.

I growled low in my throat as we rounded a sharp turn, my wolf bristling with anger. Jess hadn’t earned the right to lead. Not after everything. She was lucky she was still breathing, had Luna not been taking by space in between my fangs, she wouldn’t be.

Princess bumped against my side, her fur brushing mine with a steadying warmth that grounded me. Focus on Luna, her gesture said without words. My snarl softened, but the fire in my chest remained.

Luna whimpered weakly, her small body trembling in my grip. Her breathing was shallow, uneven, the silver in her system clearly waging war against her natural healing. I adjusted her in my jaws, holding her closer, and let out a soft whine. Princess caught the sound, her golden eyes flashing with worry as she turned briefly to nose at Luna’s fur. Her touch was clinical, assessing. She whined back—short, sharp, urgent: We need to stop.

Ahead of us, Jess paused, her ears twitching to catch the distant sound of patrols converging. She gestured sharply toward a side passage, her body language commanding. My wolf bristled at her arrogance but Princess darted forward, her trust in Jess’s shared facility knowledge evident in her decisive movements.

We veered into the narrow passage, the walls pressing close enough to brush our fur. Princess’s nose went to work immediately, and she found a hidden latch behind a rusted pipe. With a nudge, a small maintenance closet creaked open. It was barely large enough for the three of us, but it would have to do.

Jess took guard at the door, her ears swiveling to track every sound. Her presence felt like an insult—like the weight of betrayal pressing down on us—but Princess stepped into the cramped space with me, her focus unwavering.

I gently laid Luna on the least dirty section of floor, my wolf whining as I nudged at her limp form. Her fur was matted in strange patterns where the silver-tipped needles had pierced her skin, and her breathing remained shallow and uneven. Blind, terrified rage surged again, but Princess’s calming presence tempered it. She pressed close, her nose brushing against Luna’s small body as she began a methodical assessment.

Princess worked quickly, her movements precise even in wolf form. Despite the raw, blistered burns across her muzzle, she ignored her own pain to focus on Luna. Her ears twitched with subtle signals, her golden eyes scanning every inch of my daughter with professional care. Finally, she sat back on her haunches, her posture relaxing slightly. She’ll heal, her gaze promised, but we need to keep moving.

A low growl from Jess at the door pulled us back to the present. The patrols were closing in, the sound of boots echoing louder through the tunnels. Princess’s ears flicked in that precise pattern I’d come to recognize: patrols, methodical and coordinated. My wolf snarled softly, my instincts screaming to fight, to protect.

But Princess was already moving. She nosed through fallen debris and discarded equipment, uncovering another narrow maintenance shaft—older, forgotten, likely missed by current facility staff. She turned to me, her golden gaze steady and unyielding: Trust me. Follow me.

I hesitated, my wolf balking at the idea of relying on Jess to cover us. But the sight of Luna, so small and fragile, silenced my doubts. I gently lifted her again, her weak whimper slicing through me like a blade. Princess bumped against me, offering her strength as she took the lead into the shaft.

Jess dropped back from her guard position, a sharp yap of urgency pushing us forward. I bristled at her presence, but there was no time for revenge. We moved as one, Princess leading the way with calculated steps, Jess covering our rear like the shadow of a bad memory I couldn’t shake.

The shaft was cramped and dark, the metallic tang of rust mixing with the stale air. Princess’s scent led us true, her smaller form navigating the tight space with ease. I followed closely, my grip on Luna firm as her breathing slowly steadied against me. Behind us, Jess’s movements were quieter than I wanted to admit, her efficiency undeniable even as her betrayal lingered like a thorn in my chest.

Every step forward felt like a battle—between trust and fury, survival and vengeance. But Luna’s heartbeat grew stronger, her presence anchoring me in the moment. Princess glanced back at me once, her eyes blazing with determination: We’re almost there. Keep going.

When the shaft finally opened to the cold mountain air, the first taste of freedom hit like a rush of life to my lungs. My wolf paused, inhaling deeply, and for the first time since this nightmare began, I felt the faintest flicker of relief.

We had done it.

Luna was with us.

We were going home.

But as Jess emerged from the shaft, her dark form slipping into the shadows ahead, my fury reignited. Whatever her reasons, whatever game she was playing, this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

CHAPTER 12

The forest swallowed us whole, its dense undergrowth a welcome reprieve from the metal rebar and sterile walls of the facility. The air here was damp and earthy, the sounds of our paws muffled by the soft ground. Princess led the way, her red-gold fur flickering like embers in the dim light as she navigated the trees with a precision that belied her injuries. Each step was deliberate, but I could see the strain in her movements—her limp more pronounced, her breaths shorter.

Behind me, Jess followed silently, her dark fur blending seamlessly with the shadows. I kept one ear flicked toward her, my wolf’s distrust a constant growl at the edge of my thoughts. She’d fought beside us in the facility, but that didn’t erase the memory of her betrayal—of Luna’s disappearance. Her presence was neither a necessity, nor a comfort.

Luna stirred weakly against my chest, her tiny body cradled between my teeth and forelegs as I ran. Her shallow whimpers cut through the forest’s natural hush, and each sound tore into me like claws. Princess’s ears flicked back at the sound, her body tensing as if she could physically will Luna to heal faster. But she didn’t slow. We couldn’t afford to—not yet.

A faint breeze carried the acrid tang of silver. The Hunters weren’t far enough behind.

Princess’s pace faltered for the first time as we crested a small ridge. She stumbled slightly, her weight shifting awkwardly before she caught herself. My wolf rumbled low in concern, but she shook her head and kept moving, determination bleeding through every line of her body.

When Luna’s next whimper came, softer than before, Princess froze. Her ears swiveled, scanning the forest, and then she darted toward a dense patch of undergrowth. A fallen tree loomed ahead, its hollowed-out trunk hidden beneath thick ferns. She sniffed the air, then disappeared into the shelter, her tail flicking once: Clear.

I followed without hesitation, crouching to fit myself and Luna’s small form into the hollow’s limited space. It wasn’t much, but it was enough—a temporary refuge with sightlines that allowed us to defend and multiple exits if we needed to run.

Jess lingered at the entrance, her dark eyes scanning the trees before she slipped inside. Her movements were quick and deliberate, but her presence felt wrong—an intruder in this fragile moment of safety.

I growled, baring my fangs until she settled a safe distance away. There wasn’t much space in the shelter for my larger bulk, as I easily outweighed them both, but that also meant she couldn’t get near my daughter again without going through me.

Princess padded over to me, her head lowering as she nosed Luna gently. Her fur was streaked with dirt and blood, the burns on her muzzle raw and angry, but her golden eyes held steady as she assessed our pup. She settled beside us, her smaller frame pressing against mine as she shielded Luna with her warmth.

Jess took up position near the hollow’s entrance, her posture tense and watchful. The blood in her fur had dried into rust-colored streaks, a reminder of the battles she’d fought before we crossed paths again. I kept my gaze on her, my wolf bristling with the need to attack, to make her pay for every second she’d taken Luna from us.

Princess’s body tensed against mine, her subtle growl pulling my attention back to her. She nosed my shoulder, her meaning clear: Not now.

I exhaled through my nose, forcing the rage to the back of my mind. She was right. As much as I hated to admit it, Jess’s presence here was helping keep us alive. For now.

The hollow felt simultaneously too tight and too exposed, but Princess nudged me again, her body leaning heavily against mine. She was trembling now, her breaths labored, and I realized with a jolt that she couldn’t keep going like this.

I pushed Luna gently towards my chest, curling around her to shield her tiny form from the chill. My wolf wanted to stay this way, to hold them both close and keep the world out, but the sharp scent of Princess’s wounds pulled me back to the present. She needed rest. We all did.

Princess tilted her head toward the hollow’s narrow entrance, her meaning clear: We’re safe enough here, for now.

I met her gaze, searching for hesitation, but found none. Reluctantly, I shifted. The change rippled through me like a breaking wave, fur melting into skin as my bones reshaped themselves. The cold hit immediately, raising goosebumps along my arms, but I ignored it, pulling the small bundle of clothing from the strap across my chest. It wasn’t much—just enough to cover the essentials—but it was better than nothing.

Princess followed, her shift slower, more strained. She winced as her body reformed, her knees buckling slightly as she crouched against the hollow’s wall. Her breaths came in shallow pants, and I could see the angry welts across her cheeks and neck where the silver powder had burned her. Scorched red freckles to match her natural ones.

Without thinking, I reached for the medkit silently making a note to get Olivia something nice for Christmas, pulling out a tube of salve. “Hold still,” I murmured, my voice still rough from the shift. She didn’t argue, tilting her head to give me better access as I gently dabbed the ointment over her burns. Her blue eyes watched me, shifting subtly with each little movement I made.

The contact was electric, my fingers trembling slightly as they brushed her skin. Her eyes finally met mine, tiny blue oceans, holding a quiet strength that made my chest ache. “I’m fine,” she said softly, but her body betrayed her exhaustion.

“You’re not,” I countered, my voice sharper than I intended. “And you don’t have to be.”

She didn’t respond, just leaned into my touch for a fleeting moment before pulling away. “Luna?”

“She’s breathing easier,” I said, glancing at our pup. I wasn’t sure when she had officially shifted from being ‘my daughter’ to ‘our pup’ but I felt like Sage would have approved. I imaged the two of them, side by side, and my breathing eased. “But she’s not out of the woods yet.”

“That’s because we are hiding in a tree.”

I groaned. Yes, Sage would have approved.

Jess cleared her throat from the entrance, her voice low but precise, cutting through the tension like a blade. “We can’t stay here. The Hunters don’t give up. You know that better than anyone.”

I turned toward her sharply, instinctively slipping between her and Princess. My wolf surged forward, hackles raised, the growl in my throat unmistakable. “And now it talks. Why should we trust you, after all you did? You’re the whole reason we’re here to begin with and the reason Maddie is dead.” My claws flexed, the promise of violence hanging in the air.

Jess didn’t flinch, though her eyes flicked briefly to where Luna rested between Princess and me. “I didn’t kill Maddie that night. That was Sloane. And this ins’t about trust,” she said simply, her voice measured. “It’s about survival.”

I bristled. “Survival? You’ll be lucky to survive the night—” The tight space kept me from lunging immediately at her, giving Princess enough time to reach out towards me.

“Jayne.” Princess’s voice cut through mine, soft but firm. She didn’t rise, but the weight of her exhaustion softened the sharpness in her tone. “Let her speak.”

I turned to her, incredulous. “You’re siding with her?”

Princess sighed, rubbing her temple briefly before meeting my gaze. “I’m not siding with anyone. But she’s right about one thing: we can’t stay here. They’ll be coming and if Kane was tracking me from within the facility, it’s very likely they can do the same thing outside it. ”

“They can’t actually.”

We both looked towards Jess, my brow going up but I kept silent as Princess said, “Oh?”

“Yeah, it’s something in the walls there. Any wolf that has been ‘bagged and tagged’ can be tracked from within. I think you actually helped spur them into developing that due to the amount of times you escaped.” She almost looked reverent towards Princess as she continued, “So they needed a way to stop that from happening again. The silver pings through the labs, but outside as long as you aren’t near any tracing powder you should be fine. I don’t have a clue how it actually works though.”

“And we are just supposed to believe that?” The snarl in my voice woke Luna, who whimpered. I picked her up, cradling her in my lap as I continued, “Sounds like something a Hunter spy would tell us to get us to believe we were safe right before an ambush.”

“Jayne” Princess said, but I ignored her.

“I thought that whole thing was too easy. They practically let us walk in and take Luna back, but if you were sent to keep an eye on us and then they just get a 3 for 1 deal at the end because we believed your ‘its safe’ talk.”

“Jayne..” Princess said again, her tone louder this time.

Jess’s posture remained neutral, but her expression shifted—subtle guilt flickering in her eyes. “I didn’t have a choice.” Her voice dropped, quieter now, almost hesitant. “Sloane⁠—”

“Don’t.” My voice was a snarl, my wolf’s fury rising. “You don’t get to use her as an excuse. Not unless you drag her pelt here, fresh and bloody and even then I may not let it slide.”

Violence and vengeance my dear.

Jess’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t argue. Her gaze flicked to the ground as though searching for the right words. When she finally spoke, her voice was low, rough, carrying the weight of something far heavier than guilt. “I didn’t have a choice,” she said quietly, the vulnerability in her tone almost too soft to catch. “Sloane…she had my sister. Lyra. A pup, barely old enough to shift. She showed me a picture—” Jess’s voice broke for a second before she forced herself to continue. “Silver chains around her neck and paws, burns already forming. She said if I didn’t do what she wanted…”

“You’d let her suffer.” My voice was cold, sharp. “And instead of saving her, you handed Luna over to Kane on a silver platter. Bravo, Jess. Truly noble.”

Jess’s shoulders stiffened, but she didn’t snap back. Instead, she pressed her lips together, her silence somehow more infuriating than any excuse. When she finally met my gaze, her expression was stripped bare. No defiance, no excuses, just raw pain. “I thought I could save them both. I thought…I thought if I kept Luna alive long enough, I’d have leverage. That I could trade her for Lyra. Sloane promised she’d keep them both safe if I delivered Luna directly to her.”

“And you believed her?” My claws dug into the dirt, my wolf snarling so fiercely it rattled my ribs. “She killed Maddie, Jess. A member of your pack. Right in front of you. What part of that made you think she’d keep her word?”

Jess flinched like I’d struck her, but her voice remained steady. “I didn’t have a choice, Jayne. What would you have done if it was Luna? If it was Sage?”

The names hit like a physical blow, my breath catching in my chest. My wolf surged forward, furious, ready to tear her apart for daring to compare her choices to mine. I had lost both Luna and Sage to Sloane’s evil, and I had only been able to get one back. But Princess’s hand on my arm held me back, her touch grounding the storm raging inside me.

“Jayne,” Princess murmured, her voice soft but firm. She shifted slightly, sitting up straighter despite the exhaustion pulling at her. “Is there more?” She looked to Jess who gave a subtle nod, “Let her finish.”

I turned to her, incredulous. “You’re defending her?”

“I’m not defending anyone,” Princess said, her tone edged with weariness. “But we need to know everything, and tearing her throat out isn’t going to help us find Lyra, those pups stolen from Haven, or stop Sloane.”

Jess’s gaze flicked to Princess, gratitude and guilt flickering across her face. “I didn’t know what Sloane was planning for Luna,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost hesitant. “She didn’t tell me about Kane. I swear, I thought… I thought if I followed her orders, kept Luna alive long enough, I could keep Lyra safe too.”

“And instead, you handed Luna over to the Hunters,” I growled, the accusation laced with venom. “And now you want us to believe you’re sorry?”

“I don’t care if you believe me.” Jess’s voice sharpened, her posture straightening slightly. “I care about fixing what I can. About finding Lyra and making sure Sloane pays for what she’s done.”

“And Maddie? Or Sage?” My voice dropped lower, the weight of her name hanging between us like a guillotine blade. “ How do you plan to fix that?”

Jess’s jaw clenched, her eyes darkening. “I can’t. I know that. But if I could trade places with them, I would. Every day, I would.”

The sincerity in her voice made my wolf hesitate, the fury tempered slightly by something I didn’t want to name. I hated her for what she’d done, for the pain she’d caused. But I understood what it meant to make impossible choices. To sacrifice everything for the chance to save someone you loved.

Princess leaned forward slightly, her voice calm but commanding. “What happened to Lyra after Sloane took Luna?”

Jess’s shoulders slumped slightly, her posture deflating. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “After the night Maddie…after Sloane killed her, she took Luna and Lyra disappeared. Said I wasn’t useful anymore. That if I tried to follow her, I’d find Lyra’s body waiting for me. But I followed her anyway. I had to know…”

The words hung in the air, heavy with a grief that was too raw to fake. Jess’s eyes met mine again, pleading but not begging. “I know you hate me, Jayne. I don’t blame you. But I’m not here to ask for forgiveness. I’m here because if there’s even a chance to find Lyra, to stop Sloane from doing this to anyone else…I have to try.”

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by Luna’s soft whimper as she shifted in her sleep. Princess’s hand tightened on my arm, a silent reminder to focus, to breathe.

“She’s telling the truth,” Princess said finally, her gaze steady on Jess. “Or at least, she believes she is.”

I snorted, my claws flexing against the dirt. “Belief doesn’t make her trustworthy.”

“No,” Princess agreed. “But it means we can use her. For now.”

Jess dipped her head slightly, the gesture more respectful than submissive. “I’ll take point,” she said quietly, her voice stripped of any defiance.

“You’ll stay where I can see you,” I snapped, my wolf still bristling. “And if you so much as blink wrong⁠—”

“I know,” Jess interrupted, her voice steady. “You’ll tear my throat out. Fair enough.”

Princess shifted slightly, leaning closer to me. Her golden eyes met mine, and despite her exhaustion, they held a quiet strength that anchored me. “We’ll deal with her later,” she murmured. “Right now, we need to keep moving. It’s better to keep her where we can see her than refuse her help and send her back to the enemy.”

Her words were a balm to my wolf, soothing enough to let me focus on Luna’s steady breathing where she lay curled in my lap. Whatever Jess’s reasons, whatever guilt or motives drove her, they didn’t matter now. What mattered was keeping Luna safe—and ensuring that when the time came, Jess’s loyalty wouldn’t be another knife in our backs.

I kept an eye on Jess as she shifted before melting into the shadows at the entrance, her dark fur nearly invisible. She didn’t make a sound, didn’t move except for the slow, methodical cleaning of the blood from her paws. Watching. Waiting.

Princess sat across from me, her posture deceptively relaxed as she hummed a soft tune under her breath. The notes were faint, barely audible over the tension crackling in the air, but they were there. Her voice was raw, the melody uneven, but it was enough to keep Luna calm as she slept in the small space between us. Her eyes darted toward me briefly, golden flecks floating in a vast blue ocean, offering a small, wry smile that didn’t reach the shadows in her gaze.

“Is that... ‘Country Roads’?” I asked softly, trying to match her lightness.

“Of course,” she murmured, her lips quirking. “Can’t go wrong with a classic. Plus, I would like to go home, wherever that is.”

Her attempt at levity was forced, but I clung to it anyway. It was the way she fought—the way she always fought, with warmth and humor even when she had nothing left to give. But I wasn’t blind to the tremor in her hands or the way her shoulders slumped as she leaned against the decaying tree bark.

Luna stirred in her sleep, a small whimper escaping her. Princess immediately moved closer, cradling the pup with infinite care. “Shh, sweet girl,” she whispered, her voice soft and melodic. “It’s okay. We’ve got you.”

The sight of her—burned, exhausted, still smiling through her pain as she soothed our daughter—made something deep inside me ache. My wolf rumbled, torn between pride and a desperate urge to shield her from the world.

To shield both of them.

There was that enforcer my birth pack had tried to beat into me. A hulking wolf that would take down anyone or anything that touched my pack.

“She’s still too warm,” Princess said, her tone quieter now. “The silver’s fighting her system. She needs food and rest.”

I shifted closer, brushing a hand lightly over her arm. “What about you?” I asked. “Seems to me you could use the same. You’re running on fumes, Princess.”

She gave a small, breathy laugh, the sound fragile but real. “I’ve been worse.”

“Yeah,” I said, my voice softening. “But you’ve been through a lot and this is different.”

Her smile faltered for a second, her fingers tightening protectively around Luna, her eyes both looking at my daughter and seeing through her. “She needs us, Jayne,” she said simply. “That’s all that matters.”

“You matter too,” I said, my voice still soft but firm. I placed my hand over hers, anchoring her. “You can’t help her if you fall apart.”

Her eyes met mine, glinting with that stubborn spark I’d come to love. “I’m not falling apart,” she whispered. “I’m just... leaning on you for a bit.”

Her vulnerability hit me like a blow, but she balanced it with a faint hum that drifted towards Jess and the front of the hollow. Her resilience—this delicate dance between exhaustion and hope—was nothing short of remarkable.

Jess’s voice cut through the moment, cold water on my building flame. “We need to move soon,” she said from the entrance. Her tone was low, deliberate, but I didn’t miss the way her eyes flicked to Princess before returning to the forest. “The Hunters don’t quit.”

I shifted instinctively, my body moving to shield Princess and Luna. “And why should we trust you?” I growled, my wolf’s fury bleeding into my words. “You’re the reason Maddie’s dead. The reason we’re even here.”

This time Jess didn’t flinch, though her jaw tightened slightly. “I didn’t kill Maddie,” she said evenly. “That was Sloane. And I didn’t have a choice.”

“We all have choices.” I growled.

“Yeah,” She looked away, her eyes watching intently outside, “And right now your’s is to keep moving or wait for them to find you.”

CHAPTER 13

In the early morning light, we left the hollow and the forest blurred around us as we ran, dew clinging to our paws and dampening the fallen leaves beneath us. Luna's small form was cradled between Princess and me, her soft breaths steady but too quiet for comfort. Each step carried us further from the Hunter facility, but Princess’s pace had begun to falter. Her red-gold fur had lost its sheen, dulled by exhaustion and the silver residue still clinging to her wounds. In her wolf form, the burns on her neck pulsed angrily with each beat of her heart, their heat practically scorching the air between us.

There were no landmarks to guide us, no clear sense of where the mountain had finally spit us out. The truck, I had to admit, was as good as lost for now—buried in the labyrinth of our unknown escape route. Without it, we could only press forward. My wolf rumbled, restless with the need to stop, to gather our small, makeshift pack into a safer place. But Princess moved onward, her determination steady even if her steps were uneven. She was pushing herself too hard, and yet, there was no breaking her resolve.

Behind us, Jess kept to the shadows, her dark fur blending seamlessly with the dense forest. Multiple times I thought she had run off, but she didn’t stray far, her eyes scanning for threats while her movements stayed deliberately submissive, careful not to draw my wolf’s ire. The irony was a bitter taste on my tongue—this same wolf who had stolen Luna was now helping to protect her. My wolf bristled at the contradiction but didn’t voice his grievances, watching her instead with a guarded focus.

Luna shifted weakly in my hold, her small frame squirming now and then but never with the liveliness she once had. The silver they had pumped into her system kept her subdued, her usual spark replaced by a quiet compliance that turned my stomach. My wolf snarled silently, the rage clawing at me to turn back, to rip the mountain apart stone by stone. But her fragile heartbeat against my chest reminded me why we couldn’t.

Not yet.

Princess stumbled briefly, her front paw catching on an exposed root, and my instincts surged. She caught herself before I could reach her, shaking off the moment, but the stumble sharpened my senses. The air was laced with too many scents—fear, sweat, silver—but beneath it all was something else. Old human habitation.

Dust, decay, and disuse.

Another hunting cabin, or maybe the same one if we were lucky, since that would mean the truck would be nearby.

My wolf’s hackles rose instinctively at the thought of human spaces this close to Hunter territory, but one glance at Princess, her breaths coming faster, made the choice clear. We needed shelter—somewhere to rest, to breathe, to tend to wounds without fear as much as possible.

A low huff escaped me, half-growl, half-bark. Princess’s ears flicked back toward me as her nose lifted, catching the scent. Her steps faltered, her tail dipping, a subtle reluctance in her posture. She didn’t want to stop, but I brushed against her flank as I trotted ahead, urging her forward. The press of her warmth at my side stirred both comfort and worry.

Jess moved up slightly, her body language deferential but alert. The shift in her position didn’t escape me—an acknowledgment of the unspoken hierarchy forming between us. My wolf rumbled softly, not quite a growl now, at the thought of her staying with us. She was playing her part too perfectly, slipping into the role of protector as though her betrayal hadn’t burned through my very soul. And yet… here she was. Guarding Luna like she belonged here.

The cabin’s scent grew stronger with every cautious step. It didn’t smell familiar. A different shelter then - great. Just great.

Princess adjusted her position, instinctively placing her smaller frame near Luna, the simple act shielding us both in a way that defied her exhaustion. My wolf hummed in response, pride swelling at her strength even as I tracked the uneven rhythm of her breathing.

The structure came into view at last, hidden beneath layers of neglected undergrowth and time’s wear. Its weathered edges spoke of years untouched, the kind of place most humans would avoid. Princess slowed, her ears flicking sharply, her gaze fixed ahead.

Her steps were lighter now, more precise, as if testing each one for a trap before putting her full weight into it.

Nothing but forest sounds answered Princess’s careful approach, the whisper of leaves and distant calls of unseen animals the only backdrop. She stayed in front as we approached the cabin, her steps steady despite the weariness evident in the tension of her frame. Even now, when every step seemed to cost her, there was a grace to the way she moved—a balance between caution and purpose that had drawn me in from the moment we met. My wolf rumbled softly, the sound more pride than warning, a rare acknowledgment of the strength and wisdom she carried so effortlessly.

The cabin’s porch groaned beneath us, the aged wood creaking like a warning. Princess’s ears twitched at each sound, her gaze sweeping across every shadow and crack, cataloging vulnerabilities with that tactical mind of hers. Luna pressed closer between us, the small pup’s trust pulled at something deep in my chest—an ache that refused to ease.

I wouldn’t fail her again.

My eyes flickered to Jess who immediately dropped her head in submission.

No, I couldn’t fail her again.

Inside, the air was thick with dust, motes swirling in the pale sunlight that filtered through cracked and grimy windows. The room was small, its sparse, weathered furniture making it clear this space hadn’t been lived in for years. Yet its simplicity made it defensible, a quiet reprieve from the chaos we’d just left behind.

Princess moved through the cabin with purpose, her nose working to detect any lingering human presence. When she returned to us, it was with a quiet shake of her head—no threats, no signs of recent use. But the exhaustion she’d been masking slipped through the cracks. Her legs trembled slightly, the silver burns on her neck and shoulders casting stark angry shadows across her skin that my wolf found almost unbearable to look at before rage took over.

Jess settled near the door without a word, her dark form once more blending seamlessly into the shadows. The way she deferred to Princess without being asked, taking a guard position as though it was natural, might have surprised me once. Now, it only underscored the quiet authority Princess carried—an authority that didn’t need to demand loyalty because it inspired it.

That still didn’t mean I had to trust her.

Princess’s attention lingered on a stack of old, tattered blankets in the corner, her gaze calculating in that practical way of hers. Always thinking about comfort, healing, safety. My wolf hummed with fierce pride, the simplicity of her focus striking a chord that settled the storm of frustration still simmering under my skin.

From her spot between my paws, Luna watched Princess with those wide, trusting eyes, tracking her every move with growing recognition. Even as a pup, she could feel the safety Princess represented. That realization sent a warmth through me that I couldn’t quite name, settling deep in my chest like a promise.

Princess met my gaze across the room, the silent language we’d developed flowing easily between us. It was time to check the burns, plan the next move, and treat whatever injuries Kane’s cruelty had left behind. All of it required human hands—delicate, precise, steady.

Princess leaned down, nudging Luna gently with her nose until the small pup tucked herself deeper into the pocket of protection my chest provided. Her meaning was clear: she would shift first. She would make herself vulnerable while I held our ground.

Before she could, Jess moved. Her shift was quick, her form sliding into human shape with practiced efficiency. She kept her movements obvious but slow enough not to be seen as a threat. Without hesitation, she reached for the stack of blankets, shaking out the dust and draping one over Princess’s back in a single fluid motion. The deliberate submission was hard to ignore, even for my wolf, who rumbled softly when she approached but didn’t bristle.

Princess’s shift came slower, pain etched into every line of her body. The burns looked even worse against her pale skin—angry streaks of purple and red that seemed to radiate heat. But her eyes stayed steady, her focus unwavering as she accepted another blanket that Jess handed her with a quiet, “Thank you.” The words held more weight than the gesture itself, an unspoken acknowledgment that seemed to pass between them.

I shifted last, keeping myself between our fragile pack and the door. My wolf lingered, claws threatening to push back through human hands as I cradled Luna’s still-wolfy form in my lap. Too young to shift, she remained curled against me, her small body heavy with exhaustion but safe. Princess immediately reached for her, the bond between them driving her to check Luna’s breathing, her pulse, her burns. Whether it was maternal instinct or the fragile thread of our own mate bond growing stronger, I couldn’t say.

What I did know was that my wolf was growling louder now, demanding resolution to the connection I’d fought to keep at bay. The need to protect, to claim, to mate—it was becoming too strong to ignore with Luna safe and Princess so close.

"The silver's working its way out," Princess murmured, her touch on Luna gentle and deliberate. "She's stronger than they expected. Just like her mothers.”

Her voice held a quiet confidence that sent a warmth spiraling through my chest, rooting itself somewhere I didn’t know was still alive. This woman, who had endured so much, still found strength to care.

To heal.

To love.

"Let me see those burns," I said, my voice coming out rougher than I intended. Princess's pale skin was marred with streaks of silver burns, cruel constellations that made my wolf snarl silently. In another time or place, I might have been distracted by the curve of her waist or the perfect slope of her shoulders. But now, her safety was the only thing that mattered, despite everything my inner wolf felt.

"I'm fine," she deflected, her attention still on Luna, though her exhaustion was written in every line of her body. "We should focus on⁠—"

"She's sleeping," I interrupted gently, moving closer. "You're not fine. Let me help."

Her body stilled, tension and vulnerability warring in her expression. The blanket slipped slightly, revealing more of the angry, dark burns tracking down her shoulder. My wolf’s fury surged again at the evidence of Kane’s cruelty, but I pushed it back, focusing on her instead.

"Your hands are warm," she whispered as my fingers brushed over the burns with infinite care. She leaned into the touch, almost unconsciously, the motion raw and unguarded. It sent a pang of protectiveness through me so sharp it hurt.

"You're freezing," I muttered, tracing the damage with my fingertips, cataloging every angry line. Where her skin was ice the scars burned. “Why didn’t you tell me how bad this was?"

Princess shrugged, the motion small and careful. "Had to focus on Luna. On getting us out."

The words were simple, but the weight behind them made my throat tighten. My fingers continued their gentle exploration, offering what comfort I could. She trembled slightly, her walls cracking under the quiet intimacy.

"I was so scared," she admitted, her voice barely audible, as if the confession could shatter something fragile between us.

I shifted closer, drawing her in. "Of Kane?" I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

She shook her head, her forehead brushing against my collarbone. "Of failing. Of leading them right to you. To Luna. What they would do to some like you… as beautiful and special as you and your wolf are… what they would do to Luna.”

"You didn’t fail," I growled softly, the fierceness in my voice a strange mix of pride and protective rage. "You saved us. You saved her."

Princess’s eyes lifted to mine, exhaustion making her usually bright gaze unguarded. "I can still feel it," she whispered. "The silver. Like it’s under my skin, calling to them. Guiding them here.”

I pressed my forehead to hers, closing the distance between us. “And if they come, we’ll face them.” My voice dropped to something more raw. “You’re not alone in this anymore.”

"Jayne..." Her voice cracked as my fingers found another burn, this one darker than the rest. She flinched, the motion small but enough to make my wolf lurch forward in my chest.

Fighting to keep my focus, I muttered, "These need treatment."

Princess reached up, her trembling fingers brushing my face. "You’re already healing me," she said softly, her words weighted with meaning.

The moment stretched between us, thick with unsaid emotions. Luna’s soft breathing provided a gentle rhythm, steady and grounding, but my focus remained entirely on the woman in front of me. Princess, who fought so hard to protect everyone but herself.

From the corner, Jess cleared her throat, a sound that broke the fragile bubble between us. I glanced over, my wolf bristling, but Jess’s expression wasn’t smug or challenging. She was rearranging the sparse furniture, her focus outwardly on her task but her body language careful. It took me a moment to realize what she was doing.

A blanket fort.

The absurdity of it might have made me laugh in another universe, but I still didn’t trust her. After what she had done, what she had cost me. And here, now that we were on the fringe of being safe… Princess caught my attention before I could react. Her gaze shifted to Jess, then back to me, her lips quirking into the faintest smile. It was weary, soft, but it was there—her sunshine breaking through the cracks.

"Your wolf is showing," she murmured, her voice teasing despite the tremble in it. My nails, now claws, had pressed into her skin without realizing it.

"Sorry," I started, pulling back.

"Don’t apologize." She caught my hand, holding it in place. "I like thinking that both sides of you want to touch me."

The admission sent my wolf surging closer, the heat of it rising between us. Princess shivered again, but it wasn’t from cold this time.

"What’s it like?" she asked suddenly, her voice curious but hesitant, as if she wasn’t sure she should ask. "Your wolf?"

I stilled, the question cutting through the haze of tension. "Violence," I admitted after a pause. "Rage. Strength. Self-loathing." My voice dropped. "For so long, he was all the things I hated in myself, fighting for control I didn’t want to give."

Her gaze held mine, quiet but steady. "And now?"

I exhaled slowly, my hand brushing over the curve of her neck. "Now, he sees you," I said, the words feeling truer than anything else. "And for the first time, we agree on what we want to be. On who we want to be.”

The burner phone buzzed sharply from Princess’s discarded pack, breaking the moment. Luna stirred at the sound but didn’t wake. Jess’s head snapped toward the noise, her body tense, but when she realized what it was, her shoulders relaxed slightly. For just a second, a shy smile touched her lips before she turned back to her fort-building.

I caught the faint hum of a song from Princess as she reached for the phone, a soft tune under her breath that made my wolf rumble contentedly. Whatever came next, I realized I didn’t care—as long as I could keep hearing that sound.

I cocked my head, watching Jess as she cocked her head to stare at the small bag with the ringing phone inside.

"Where?" Jess asked softly.

I almost replied up my ass, but honestly the little bag had been already proven to be a huge help. If Lydia wanted to set up a shifter online shop and sell them, wolves around the world would be howling to get their hands on one.

“Think of it fanny pack that fits over our wolf forms. Stays hidden in the fur, can carry small stuff,” I explained, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at my lips.

Jess raised a brow. “Lydia?”

I nodded, settling Luna more securely against the warmth of my thigh “Lydia.”

“Nifty,” Jess muttered, her attention already my back on her fort-building.

Princess reached for the phone, wincing as the motion tugged at her burns. Before I could stop myself, I steadied her with one hand and retrieved the phone with the other. Our fingers brushed as I passed it to her, the fleeting contact sparking an awareness I wasn’t ready to name lest it over take me.

Her face paled as she read the message, her shoulders tensing against my touch. “It’s Sara. The Haven pack...” Her voice caught, and the way she clutched the phone to her chest made my wolf growl softly.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, moving closer, my protective instinct roaring to life at her visible distress.

“More of their teens are missing,” she whispered, her voice strained. “And some of the older women in their twenties and thirties. They’re taking them all, Jayne.” She started to stand but swayed, her exhaustion finally catching up to her.

I caught her easily, drawing her back against me. The warmth of her bare skin against mine was grounding, though I fought to focus as I eased her down into my lap. “Hey, easy. You need rest.”

Princess shook her head, guilt radiating from her like a storm. “They’re taking them because of us. Because I led the Hunters there.”

“No,” I said firmly, cupping her face and forcing her to meet my gaze. “This isn’t your fault. None of this is your fault.”

Her gaze softened, but the determination in her eyes didn’t waver even though tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. “We have to help them.”

I exhaled, the weight of her conviction settling over me. Of course, she wouldn’t let this go. This was who Princess was—someone who couldn’t ignore others in danger, no matter the cost to herself. My wolf recognized the steel in her voice and responded with a fierce swell of pride. She was mine, and she was extraordinary.

“We will,” I said, my thumb brushing her cheek. “But first, you rest. Heal.”

“Promise?” she asked, the word heavy with meaning that reached far beyond the immediate moment.

I pressed my forehead to hers, sharing breath and warmth. “Together,” I said, the word carrying the weight of everything I felt but couldn’t yet say.

Her tired smile was real this time, a soft curve of her lips that stole my breath. “Always.”

Princess’s exhaustion finally won, her body sagging against mine. I guided her over to the makeshift bed Jess had quietly prepared, arranging the blankets around her and Luna under the tent of dusty quilts and sheets. The pup shifted closer, nestling into Princess’s side, her tiny body finally relaxing completely.

“Sleep,” I murmured, stroking Princess’s hair as her eyes fluttered shut. “I’ll keep watch.”

She resisted slightly, her voice a whisper. “But Luna...”

“Is safe,” I assured her, settling beside them. My wolf hummed contentedly, the closeness of my mate and daughter soothing something primal inside me. “We all are.”

Her hand found mine, fingers intertwining with surprising strength. “You’ll wake me if...”

I lifted our joined hands to my lips, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles. “I’ll wake you if anything changes. Sleep, love.”

The endearment slipped out unbidden, and her soft smile in response made my chest ache. Within moments, her breathing evened out, her exhaustion claiming her at last.

Jess moved quietly to the door, taking up watch without being asked. Her presence was careful, deferential even, as if she sensed the fragile balance in the room. I gave her a slight nod—not trust, not yet, but acknowledgment. Princess had seen something in Jess worth saving, and for now, that would have to be enough for me.

Luna stirred in her sleep, her small nose twitching as she nuzzled closer to Princess. The redhead instinctively lifted an arm to cradle her, even in sleep creating a protective barrier around the pup. The sight made my chest tighten.

“Country roads…” Princess murmured, the familiar cadence of the tune slipping through her lips like a half-formed dream.

Jess’s head shot up at the sound, her eyes narrowing in wary curiosity. I shook my head, silently telling her to let it be. Princess was fine.

Jess hesitated, then gave a small nod, her lips quirking into the faintest hint of a smile before returning to her vigil.

I let my gaze fall to Luna, her tiny face peaceful in the dim light. For a moment, I thought I saw Sage in her features—a glimmer of the woman I’d lost. But there was something else, too. Something uniquely Princess. A quiet resilience, a survivor’s strength.

The silver burns on Princess’s skin caught the faint light, stark reminders of everything she’d endured. Yet even in sleep, she radiated strength. She was a healer, a protector, a leader. My wolf rumbled softly, pride and possession twining together at the sight of her.

Sara’s message weighed heavy on my mind, but my thoughts kept circling back to Princess. To the way she drew others to her without even trying. Luna, Jess, even me—we all gravitated toward her light.

She had no idea, of course. Princess didn’t see herself as a leader. But I saw it, clear as day. She wasn’t just strong; she was something more. She was building something new—something the Hunters could never touch.

My wolf settled with that realization, his instincts shifting from protectiveness to something more profound. We weren’t just surviving anymore. We were building. Healing.

Princess stirred slightly, her arm tightening around Luna as she hummed another faint tune. Even unconscious, she brought us together, made us stronger.

“Rest now, mate,” I whispered against her hair. “Tomorrow, we’ll face whatever comes. Together.”

CHAPTER 14

Dust crept through the grimy windows, painting the cabin’s interior in soft gold as the sun dipped below the horizon. Motes swirled lazily in the fading light, creating halos around Princess’s sleeping form. She had finally succumbed to exhaustion hours ago, curled protectively around Luna’s tiny wolf body, her red-gold hair glowing faintly in the amber light.

Jess had left earlier, restless energy pushing her out to hunt. She’d insisted we needed our strength for the journey ahead, and though she wasn’t wrong, her absence clawed at my instincts. Each minute she was gone, a dark corner of my mind whispered the possibility of betrayal.

Again.

Sleep evaded me. It wasn’t an option, not with Princess and Luna so vulnerable. My wolf’s vigilance refused to wane, the protective instinct coiling tight in my chest, ready to strike if the door so much cracked an inch Even so, my gaze kept returning to Princess, her breathing even, her lips slightly parted as if murmuring in a dream. She was stunning, even in her battered, bruised state.

Mate.

The word still felt fragile, something whispered between my wolf and me, that neither of us could really believe was real. A bond not yet fully formed, but so vivid I could feel its weight in every glance, every shared breath.

My wolf, however, had no doubts. She was ours.

As my fingertips brushed along her cheek, she stirred. A faint sound escaped her, somewhere between a sigh and a hum, as her body stretched instinctively towards my touch before the motion pulled at her injuries. Her blue eyes, flecked with golden suns eyes fluttered open, soft but alert, locking immediately onto mine. She and her wolf lazily looking up at me.

A slow, sleepy smile curved her lips. It was the kind of smile that made my wolf rumble low in my chest, a possessive sound that reverberated through me before I could stop it.

“You didn’t sleep,” she whispered, her voice rasping from exhaustion.

“Couldn’t.” My thumb traced her cheekbone as I held her gaze. “Needed to watch over you both.”

Her hand drifted toward Luna’s fur, checking her temperature and the rhythm of her breaths with practiced ease. The care was instinctive, maternal in a way that made something sharp and warm twist in my chest.

“She’s better now,” Princess murmured, her voice low.

“Because of you.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the conviction in my tone. Her gaze flicked back to mine, soft but searching. “Because of us,” she corrected, her words gentle yet firm.

The moment stretched between us, warm and heavy with something unspoken. Outside, the forest was settling, the songs of birds growing quieter as twilight gave way to night. But inside the cabin, the air thrummed with a different kind of rhythm.

Princess shifted, her movement slow and deliberate as if testing the limits of her body. Her face tightened briefly as the motion pulled at her burns and abused muscles, and the sight of the raw marks made my wolf bristle. The cruelty etched into her skin was a constant reminder of what she had endured, but it was her quiet strength, her ability to endure and still offer warmth, that humbled me.

Her eyes darted briefly around the cabin. “Where’s Jess?”

The question was simple, casual even, but it brought me back to the unease coiled in my chest. And maybe a hint of jealousy. “Hunting,” I said, my voice grittier than I intended.

She nodded, accepting the answer without hesitation. Her fingers found my arm, her touch deliberate but light. “That’s good. We’ll need the strength.”

Her fingers trailed upward, a soothing motion that burned hot against my skin. “Let me take watch. You need rest.”

I leaned into her touch without thinking, my body betraying my exhaustion. “I’m fine.”

“You’re exhausted.” Her hand slid higher, brushing along my shoulder, leaving a trail of warmth that sent a shiver through me. Her eyes held mine, earnest and steady. “Trust me?”

The question landed with more weight than it should have. Trust. The thing I guarded most fiercely, the thing I had always struggled to give freely. And yet, as her thumb traced the edge of my jaw, that familiar wall I had spent so long building cracked, splintering under the sheer force of her presence.

My wolf growled. Not from anger but from a deep, primal need to attract my mate. It sent shivers down my spine that ended by igniting a fire in my core.

I swallowed hard, struggling for composure. “Princess...”

Her other hand rose to cup my face, her palm resting against my cheek as her eyes, gold bleeding through the blue until it drowned out the sea with the sun, searched mine. “Jayne. Let me take care of you now,” she murmured, her voice soft but commanding in a way that left no room for argument.

Her touch, her closeness, unraveled something in me. My name on her lips, her steady resolve despite the exhaustion written in every line of her body—it all came together in a moment I couldn’t fight. Wouldn’t fight.

“Trust me,” she repeated, her voice dropping, intimate and sure. Her hand slid to the nape of my neck, pulling me into her orbit.

The raw vulnerability in her touch, in her words, made my wolf surge forward, my heart hammering as her skin brushed against mine. Something deeper, unspoken, sparked between us, a connection pulling taut as though the very air conspired to close the distance.

Princess’s hand stayed firm at the nape of my neck, her thumb grazing the sensitive skin where the buzzcut of my scalp met the soft curve of my neck—a simple, grounding touch that stole my breath. She was so close, the heat of her body radiating like a promise I didn’t know how to accept. My wolf, who had known her worth long before I admitted it, pushed forward, urging me to close the last sliver of distance.

I was close enough to see the pulse at her throat quickened as I leaned in, the raw connection between us humming with tension and possibility. "It’s okay," she whispered, her voice low and steady, though her own breathing had hitched. "I’m here."

Her words anchored me.

They always did.

I let my forehead rest against hers, our shared warmth softening edges I didn’t realize had slowly become less sharp. She tilted her chin just slightly, an unspoken invitation, and I caught the way her lashes fluttered when our lips hovered too close.

"This..." I began, though I didn’t know how to finish the thought. My voice had dropped to a gravelly murmur, roughened by the ache of vulnerability. "I’ve never had this."

Princess’s fingers slid through the short hair at the base of my skull, soothing and deliberate. "You deserve it," she whispered back, no hesitation, no doubt. "You always did. You are unique and perfect and simply you. Beautiful, sometimes dangerous, perfection.”

The simple honesty of her words gutted me, my throat tight with the unfamiliar burn of gratitude and emotion. The closest I had ever come to this warmth was the first time I had held Luna, secluded in our bedroom, while Sage rested. I had held this little bundle of pup that we had created and cried because I hadn’t deserved it. I hadn’t deserved the happiness and love that had been all around in that room.

Now I closed my eyes, willing the tears away, savoring the way she let me feel, let me trust this fragile thing building between us. My wolf, usually a creature of fire and fury, softened too, humming a deep approval that shook through my bones.

Her thumb brushed along my jaw, tilting my face just enough for her golden eyes to lock onto mine. They were molten in the dusky light—soft, but blazing with quiet intensity. "You don’t have to fight this, Jayne," she murmured. "Not with me. You’re safe to be who you are - all of you.”

Her words dismantled something inside me, piece by piece, until all I could do was lean into her. My lips brushed hers tentatively, the kiss as soft as her touch—like the first breath of dawn breaking through endless dark. Princess sighed against my mouth, a sound so tender and trusting it unraveled the last of my hesitation.

She didn’t rush, didn’t demand. Every touch she gave was a gift—gentle, sure, and utterly free of the violence that had marked my past. Her hands stayed firm, steadying me as though she understood I was still learning to stand in this unfamiliar space. I kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring unspoken gratitude and want into the press of our lips.

When I pulled back, it was just enough to see her face, to memorize the way her lips curved into that radiant, sunshine smile. "See?" she said softly, her voice barely a breath. "Safe."

I rested my forehead against hers, unable to find words. Princess didn’t need them. Her fingers curled back into my hair, holding me there—close, connected, real.

The cabin had fallen into silence except for the sound of our breathing and Luna’s soft, rhythmic exhales from her makeshift nest. My wolf settled in contentment, draped somewhere between protection and peace.

"Thank you," I whispered, the words raw and unfiltered. "For this. For you."

Princess’s thumb brushed against my cheek, catching a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. "You don’t have to thank me," she replied, her voice warm and steady. "You’re my mate, Jayne. This is where I want to be."

Something broke loose in my chest again—this time softer, less jagged, as though her words were stitching closed old wounds I hadn’t dared touch. I let myself hold her tighter, let myself believe, just for a moment, that we could be more than scars and survival.

"Rest," Princess murmured after a beat, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Let me watch over you now."

I huffed softly, my lips twitching despite myself. "You’re relentless, you know that?"

She smiled, her golden eyes crinkling at the corners. "So are you. But even lone wolves need sleep."

My wolf rumbled contentedly at the truth of her words, the sound vibrating in my chest. I let Princess guide me down until my head rested against her thigh, her warmth enveloping me like the safety I’d spent years denying myself.

As my eyes drifted closed, her fingers resumed their gentle patterns against my arm—mapping scars, soothing tension, chasing nightmares back into the dark where they belonged.

And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe in the safety she offered. Not because it was promised, but because she had chosen to give it to me.

To us.

As I drifted off, I heard her whisper, “Sleep now my warrior. I choose you, Jayne. I always will and I’ll always be here when you wake.”

CHAPTER 15

Warmth.

It wrapped around me like sunlight breaking through clouds, seeping into my skin and bones. For the first time in years, I was asleep but truly unafraid, cocooned in safety that felt too fragile to last. It wasn’t the kind of safety carved from empty rooms or high walls, but one built by trust and red golden touches.

And then I felt her.

Princess’s hands moved against me, soft as breath and deliberate as the beat of her heart. Even in sleep, my body knew her touch, recognized it like a wildfire recognizes dry timber. Each brush of her fingers sent embers glowing brighter, heat pooling low and primal.

My wolf stirred first, a deep rumble of awareness that dragged me out of dreams and into the reality of her warmth pressed against mine. I woke slowly, fire burning through the edges of my consciousness as her thumb skimmed the line of my hip. Princess, always gentle, always careful, testing boundaries I didn’t know I wanted shattered.

I cracked my eyes open just enough to find her watching me, the soft light of the moon through the window catching gold in her irises. She smiled, caught in that rare moment between pure mischief and tenderness. Her fingers traced a path from my waist upward, sending sparks dancing across my skin.

“You’re awake,” she whispered, voice rough with a mix of relief and need.

“Because of you.” My voice came out low and gravelly, each word dragged from the depths of me.

Something flickered in her gaze—fire meeting fire, restraint meeting hunger. “Sorry.” She whispered, but her tone didn’t convey an apology and her hands didn’t stop their exploration, mapping me like I was hers to discover. My wolf rose higher, brushing against my human consciousness, both sides of me unified in the knowledge that this woman—this mate—was offering something I hadn’t dared let myself want.

I reached for her.

I choose you.

The words settled deep, threading through every jagged crack in me like moonlight spilling into darkness. My wolf keened softly at the quiet power in her voice, the bond singing louder now, vibrant and whole.

I rose onto my knees, leaning forward, brushing my lips over hers, slow and reverent. This wasn’t about hunger—though that simmered beneath the surface—but something deeper, something timeless. I kissed her like a promise, one that had been waiting lifetimes to be spoken.

Her breath hitched as her hands slid once more into my hair, tugging just enough to make my wolf rumble, to make me feel. My grip tightened on her hips, anchoring us together as though the world outside this cabin had fallen away.

“I’m afraid to break you,” I whispered against her mouth.

“You won’t.” Princess tilted her head, letting me trail soft kisses along her jaw, down the column of her throat. Her pulse raced under my lips, but there was no fear—only trust. “You couldn’t, even if you tried.”

My wolf surged closer, claws threatening to slip free as need curled sharp and hot in my chest. But I reined him in, pulling back just enough to look at her—really look at her. Princess’s golden eyes met mine, unflinching and steady, even as her body trembled.

“Your wolf wants to claim,” she said again, softer this time, a whisper of invitation.

I swallowed hard, my thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “Yes.” There was a simple, raw truth in it. “Both sides of me want you.”

Her smile was fire and sunlight, burning away the last of my hesitation. “Then let him.”

I kissed her again, deeper this time, pouring everything I couldn’t say into that connection—gratitude, reverence, the unspoken need to make her feel loved where others had made her feel broken. My hands mapped her body with the same care hers had shown me, learning every curve, every breathless response.

Princess sighed against me, her touch growing bolder, urging me closer until there was no space left between us. My wolf howled in approval, the mate bond locking into place as though it had been waiting for this moment.

Her silver burns, once marks of torment, warmed under my touch, as if my hands could rewrite their meaning. Princess’s head fell back as my fingers traced them, her body arching into me, each gasp a reminder of how far we’d both come.

“You’re mine,” I growled, the words slipping out before I could stop them. My wolf was too close now, too wild to hold back.

Princess’s eyes glowed brighter, her wolf staring back at me. “Yours,” she agreed, her voice a breathless affirmation. “And you’re mine.”

Something in me cracked wide open at her words, the weight of them grounding me even as fire roared through my veins. I kissed her again—desperate, hungry, but still careful. Still hers.

“Jayne,” she whispered, her hands framing my face, grounding me in turn. “I’m not afraid. Stop holding back.”

And that was all I needed to hear.

Something clicked into place between us—wolf and human aligning perfectly. Princess felt it too, her body melting into mine as the mating bond sang, loud and unrelenting, a chorus only we could hear.

"Let go, love." Her words carried permission and promise, soft and certain, pulling me deeper into her orbit. "I've got you."

"Together?" The single word tangled in my throat, holding everything we were—everything we could be.

Her kiss tasted of certainty and fire, a gentle claiming. "Always."

Then there was nothing but touch and trust and the slow, deliberate dismantling of every wall I'd ever built. Her hands mapped me like she was committing me to memory—every scar, every tremor, every part of me I'd thought was unworthy of love.

Her touch sang to me that I was wrong.

My body shivered under her fingers, alive in a way I'd never felt before. Princess treated me like something precious—something worth fighting for. She kissed a line down my throat, her lips soft over my pulse, before lingering at my collarbone.

"I could spend forever learning you," she murmured, her voice rough with need. Each word was a brand, scorching me deeper.

I arched, letting her push me back towards the floor and angled us away from our sleeping pup, not at all surprised when my wolf whined and gave her our neck. We submitted as she unclasped the tiny thing that might have been called a bra that was covering my chest.

As she pulled it from me, her mouth found my breast, her tongue teasing my nipple until it peaked under her attention. The sensation shot through me like lightning, my back arching helplessly as her hands pinned me back beneath her.

"Princess—"

"Shh." She kissed the sounds right out of me, her lips soft but relentless, her breath mingling with mine. "Let me take care of you for a change.”

She trailed lower, her mouth leaving a heated path across my skin, every touch coaxing me open, grounding me in a moment I didn’t want to end.

"You’re trembling," she whispered as her hands gripped my hips, holding me steady as her mouth hovered above my core. The faintest brush of her breath made me gasp. “Do you know how beautiful you are like this?”

I shook my head, unable to find the words to respond, every nerve singing with anticipation.

“Then I’ll show you," she promised, voice soft but unyielding.

Her tongue met me with devastating tenderness, exploring, teasing, igniting. The first gentle stroke unraveled me, my hips bucking as her hands held me in place. My wolf growled, primal and possessive, but even he quieted beneath her care.

"Sweetness,” Princess murmured against me, the vibrations making me gasp. "So perfect."

Her mouth worked me with patient skill, circling my clit with maddening precision before pressing just right. I couldn’t think—couldn’t breathe—her touch consuming everything I was.

“Princess… I—” My voice broke, my hands tangling in her hair as though holding on to her would keep me from shattering.

"Let go, love," she whispered again, a plea and a command. "Let me have all of you."

The pressure built, spiraling tighter and tighter until I was nothing but fire and need, every part of me reaching for her. Princess didn’t falter, her tongue and lips guiding me through the storm as my body arched, trembling beneath her.

“Princess!” Her name tore free like a howl as pleasure crashed through me, sharp and infinite. I shattered completely, my world reduced to the taste of her name on my lips and the weight of her hands keeping me grounded.

She didn’t pull away immediately, her tongue slowing as she coaxed me down from the edge, gentle again now—so gentle. My chest heaved as I tried to catch my breath, the aftermath leaving me raw and alive in ways I hadn’t realized I’d been missing.

When she finally lifted her head, her face was flushed, her golden eyes glowing softly in the dim light. My heart stuttered at the sight of her—wild and beautiful and mine.

"You’re exquisite," she murmured, brushing her lips over my thigh before crawling back up to me.

I reached for her, pulling her into a kiss that was all desperation and gratitude and something bigger than either of us. Her taste mingled with mine, a heady mix of sweet, salt, and heat, driving the embers of my need higher again.

"Your turn," I whispered against her mouth, the words a promise as my hands found her waist.

Princess smiled—a wicked, sunshine-drenched thing that stole my breath. "Only if you can keep up."

And just like that, we burned brighter.

Princess straddled me, her movements unhurried as her fingers slipped lower, coating themselves in my wetness before sliding inside her own body. I watched, spellbound, as she began to move, her hips rocking rhythmically against her hand, her gaze locked with mine.

My breath caught as I reached up, cupping her breasts, teasing the peaks with deliberate care. Each flick of my thumb earned me a gasp, her head tilting back, hair cascading like a waterfall of flame over her shoulders. The sight of her—so open, so beautiful—stole the air from my lungs.

"So beautiful," I rasped, my voice rough with reverence and need. I reached for her, brushing my thumb over her clit until she was riding her hand in a rhythm I controlled. “Let me feel you come for me, Princess."

Her breathing grew ragged, her body tensing as she chased her own pleasure. My palm pressed flat to her belly, thumb pressing harder to her core, feeling the shiver of her muscles and the movement of her fingers inside herself. The soft, wet sounds of her arousal filled the cabin, mingling with the erratic cadence of our shared breaths.

“Jayne,” she gasped, my name escaping like a prayer. Her body rocked harder, the tension building, trembling under my hands.

I couldn't stop myself. My free hand tangled in her hair, gently pulling her head to the side as I curled up towards her, my fangs ghosting over the vulnerable curve of her neck. The pulse beneath her skin thundered against my lips—her trust offered so freely, her need a mirror of mine. My wolf surged forward, whispering promises of claiming and protection.

"You're mine," I growled, the possessive declaration rolling through me sounding more wolf than human.

“Yes,” she breathed, her voice breaking with raw desire. “Yours, Jayne—always yours.”

I sank my teeth into her neck, pushing hard past the faded scars, feeling her life burst onto my tongue. The sensation hit us both at once—her fingers still inside her, her walls clenching tight as her climax crashed through her.

Her cry echoed through the cabin, a wild, primal sound that set every nerve in my body alight. I held her tightly as she shook, her pleasure spilling into me, rolling over my tongue in copper waves, binding us even deeper.

My wolf keened that our passion had climaxed already, satisfied but still restless, needing to claim her again and again.

When her trembling finally subsided, she slumped forward into my arms, boneless and utterly spent. I caught her easily, holding her against me as our breathing slowed, her heartbeat drumming softly against my chest.

"I love you, Princess," I murmured against the fresh claiming mark, lapping at it gently to help it heal. The taste of her lingered on my tongue—wild, vibrant, perfect.

Her smile was soft and sleepy, filled with a satisfaction that made my chest ache. "And I love you, Jayne. Always.”

We stayed tangled together in the quiet aftermath, the mate bond humming contentedly between us. Princess’s fingers reached for the new mark on her shoulder, brushing over it with wonder.

I wasn’t ready for the sudden burst of laughter—low, wicked, and so thoroughly unexpected it made my wolf perk up in curiosity. I raised my head, blinking at her as she grinned up at me, a spark of mischief dancing in her golden eyes.

“What?” I managed, my voice hoarse with confusion and lingering desire.

Her grin widened as she caught my wrist, guiding my hand down between my thighs. I froze, my breath hitching as I felt them—two faint welts, still fresh, just above my clit.

“You didn’t.” My voice came out as an accusation, though the heat rising in my cheeks betrayed my amusement.

“Did you think you could claim me without getting a mark of your own?” Her tone was smug, the mischief radiating off her like sunlight. “You were so caught up in the pleasure that I think you liked the pain.”

I stared at her, dumbfounded and entirely enchanted, before shaking my head. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, you love me.” She winked, guiding my hand away with a teasing kiss against my knuckles.

Our laughter—light and easy despite everything—filled the small cabin, a sound I hadn’t realized I’d been starving for.

Luna let out a soft, disgruntled whimper from her blanket cocoon, the noise drawing us both back to reality.

“Shhh,” Princess whispered, her finger—still carrying the scent of us—pressing lightly against my lips. “We’ll wake her up before dinner’s ready.”

I sucked the offered finger into my mouth, making her eyes darken briefly, though her smile remained. “You started this,” I murmured, my voice low and teasing.

She settled back into my arms, pressing her forehead against mine. “And I’ll finish it too, don’t worry. Over and over and over…”

A new warmth coiled in my chest, contentment mixing with quiet pride.

“Our wolves knew from the start, didn’t they?” Her voice dropped to a whisper, as though confessing a secret only we could understand.

I pressed my lips softly against her temple, addicted to her warmth. “Knew what?”

“That we could heal each other.” Her fingers trailed absent patterns across my chest and further down, lingering where my mating mark pulsed. “That touch could mean safety instead of pain.”

My hands found the silver burns on her shoulder, now mixed with my own fresh marks—symbols of choice rather than cruelty. “You’ve made me stronger by teaching me to be gentle.”

“And you’ve shown me that surrender can be strength.” Princess turned to look at me, her face glowing with a mix of joy and satisfaction that left me breathless.

Our wolves rumbled in harmony, content and at peace, the mate bond thrumming like a living thing between us. Luna stirred again, her small whimper breaking the stillness.

Princess rose, brushing her fingers through my hair as she moved to check on our pup. “Her fever’s still down,” she said softly, her smile full of quiet relief.

I knelt beside them, unable to stop myself from curling protectively around them both. “Thanks to you.”

“Thanks to us,” she corrected, leaning back against my chest. “Pack makes us stronger.”

The words echoed through me, their truth settling deep. My wolf hummed in agreement, the mate bond sharpening everything—every scent clearer, every touch more meaningful.

Princess shifted slightly in my arms, her breathing soft. The mate bond hummed between us, steady and comforting, a rhythm I hadn’t realized I needed until now.

I pressed my lips against her hair, her scent grounding me. For the first time in what felt like forever, the storm inside me was fully quiet, my natural dark clouds replaced by Princess’s sunny day. My wolf settled, content in the closeness of our mate and the safety of our pack.

But just as my eyes began to close, exhaustion pulling me under, a sharp tug in my chest yanked me back. The comforting hum of the mate bond twisted, growing heavier, insistent.

I froze, my breath catching as the silvery glow of the moon bled crimson and crept into the edges of my vision, consuming the room until there was nothing left but blood.

My wolf howled inside me, not in fear but in recognition.

The Lunar Pact.

CHAPTER 16

At first, there was nothing.

Silence.

It was a stillness so profound it pressed against me, like the world itself was holding its breath. Then, slowly, the air around me began to shift, filled with the soft hum of something ancient, something divine.

A red moon appeared, its light cutting through the darkness like a bloody blade. It was full and low, its glow pulsing faintly in time with the mate bond thrumming in my chest. My wolf stirred, restless and alert, as the vision began to take shape.

Walls of sterile white emerged from the void, sharp and clinical, the air thick with the acrid tang of antiseptic and fear. I blinked, terror suddenly filling my chest before I beat it back.

The Hunter facility.

Luna.

I was unable to turn my head but my eyes darted, trying desperately to find my daughter before a calming settled over me and a voice that sounded like Sage’s sleep soft whispers said, She is safe

My heart slowed but I kept scanning the room. There was something wrong here and if it wasn’t my daughter….

I saw them before I heard them—small forms huddled in the corners of cages, the silver of their restraints reflecting the harsh fluorescent light. A couple I recognized, other’s I didn’t but it didn’t matter. I knew who they were, the missing Haven wolves.

The pups were gaunt, their fur matted with sweat and grime, their eyes dull with exhaustion and terror. They pressed against the bars of their enclosures, whining softly as shadows moved beyond them.

A girl no older than fifteen caught my attention, her wiry frame trembling as she shielded a smaller pup with her body. The child’s muzzle was streaked with blood, her legs too weak to support her. They were barely more than children, forced into a nightmare they couldn’t escape.

Beyond the cages, a door opened with a hiss, revealing a cold lab filled with sharp, glinting instruments. The air seemed to chill further as a figure stepped into view—Dr. Kane, her expression devoid of anything resembling humanity.

No, not Kane.

Kane was dead, Princess had seen to that.

The image shifted, Kane’s face morphing into something without features and dark, colorless eyes. She glanced my way, a sneer on her face and I felt it sear into my soul. A nameless horror.

She barked an order, her voice sharp and commanding, and two Hunters moved to a nearby cage. They dragged out another wolf, a teenage male, his silver collar clinking against the chains as he resisted with what little strength he had left. His howl was cut off with a brutal slap, his body crumpling as they hauled him toward the lab.

My wolf surged, snarling with rage and helplessness, but the vision held me captive. Memories of our pack beating us, trying to force me to shift into a male form, flooded in front of my eyes and I screamed into the silence but there was no sound.

This wasn’t my vision and whatever the goddess was showing me, I wasn’t to interfere or so much as whimper into the stillness.

My focus shifted, drawn to a series of markings etched into the wall above the cages. At first glance, they seemed like scratches, but as the moonlight touched them, they gleamed faintly—three interlocking crescents, their lines jagged and uneven. A symbol of the Hunters’ intent, perhaps, or something older and darker.

The moonlight pulsed, and my perspective shifted again.

I was drawn deeper into the facility, past rows of cages, past the cold sterility of the lab, to a room hidden beyond. The temperature seemed to drop further, the shadows growing heavier, more oppressive.

The room was cavernous, lined with reinforced walls that gleamed faintly with the sheen of silver. At its center was a massive cage, its bars thicker than the ones holding the pups, littered with instruments that shimmered faintly in the moonlight.

And within that cage, something stirred.

At first, it was just a shadow, a figure barely discernible against the dark. But then, the moonlight reached it, illuminating golden eyes that burned like embers. They stared back at me, unblinking, unyielding.

She looked like a gilded, golden ghost.

The presence radiated raw power and defiance, a stark contrast to the broken wolves in the outer cages. It wasn’t a pup, but it wasn’t fully grown either—something between, its body tense with restrained fury.

The silver collar around its neck glinted, a cruel chain anchoring it to the center of the cage. Yet even bound, even surrounded by darkness, it exuded an aura of command that made my wolf falter for a moment.

The glowing eyes locked onto mine, and a voice—not spoken but felt—reverberated through my mind.

Find us. Save us.

The words were both a plea and a command, filled with urgency and desperation.

The shadows shifted violently, the vision threatening to collapse under its weight. But before it broke entirely, I caught one last glimpse—the faceless creature that had been Kane entering the room, her figure outlined by harsh light. Her expression seemed triumphant as she approached the cage, her hand reaching out as though to touch the creature within.

Then everything shattered.

The moonlight fractured, the vision dissolving into shards of red, silver, and shadow. I gasped as reality rushed back in, my body drenched in sweat, my wolf snarling and pacing beneath my skin.

I came back to myself with a sharp intake of breath, my chest heaving as though I’d run for miles. My hands trembled against the rough blanket beneath me, and my wolf stirred, still growling low and feral.

"Jayne?" Princess’s voice pulled me back, grounding me in the present. She knelt beside me, her golden eyes wide with concern, one hand resting lightly on my arm.

I blinked, still seeing flashes of the vision—the golden eyes, the silver chains, the desperation etched into every line of those young wolves.

"I saw them," I rasped, my throat dry. My words felt heavy, as if dragging the weight of the vision with them. "The Haven wolves. The pups. They’re still alive, but..."

Princess’s grip on my arm tightened, her expression sharpening with focus. "But what? What did you see?"

"They’re in the facility," I managed, my voice thick with emotion. "Caged. Collared. Someone has already stepped in for Kane, and has them—she’s... experimenting on them."

Her breath caught, and I saw the flicker of rage flash across her face before she pushed it down. "How many?"

"At least ten," I said, my wolf rumbling in anger at the memory. "Maybe more. There was a girl—just a child—shielding one of the smaller ones. And a boy..." My throat tightened, bile rising again. "I—I think it was the same trio from the diner."

Princess’s hand moved to my face, her touch soft but commanding. Her eyes searched mine, steady and grounding. "They’re still there, aren’t they? What you saw—it's happening now."

I nodded, my pulse still racing. "It felt... real. Not like a dream or a memory. Like I was there, like I could feel their fear, their pain. And I couldn’t do anything to stop it."

Her thumb brushed gently across my cheek, her voice low but firm. "Then the goddess showed you this for a reason. It’s not just a warning, Jayne—it’s a call to action. She’s showing you where they are because we’re meant to bring them back." She was quiet for a moment before her eyes, shining as golden as those I had seen in the cage, captured mine “It was the Lunar Pact. Meant for you.”

I met her gaze, the determination in her eyes like a steady flame. "We just got Luna back. She needs time to heal, to rest. You do too, Princess. You’re still..."

She shook her head, cutting me off with a quiet but resolute voice. "And while we heal, they suffer. Every moment we wait, those pups are one step closer to being lost to the Hunters forever."

I wanted to argue, to push back against the impossible task of facing that facility again. But the mate bond thrummed between us, and I could feel the fire in her, the unyielding need to protect, to lead.

"You’re serious," I said, my voice quieter now, almost awed.

Princess nodded, her eyes holding mine. "We didn’t come this far to leave them behind. Pack makes us stronger, remember? And those kids—they’re part of the Haven pack. Maybe they’re ours now too."

The word "ours" struck something deep within me. It wasn’t just her determination—it was the quiet certainty in her voice, the way she spoke as though she already believed it. Really believed we would be able to go in a second time and rescue them.

"You think we can do this," I said, searching her face.

"I know we can," she replied, her hand sliding down to cover mine. "Because we have to. Because it’s what the goddess showed you. And because together, we’re unstoppable."

My wolf stirred, its growl softening into something closer to agreement. "You’re really something, you know that?"

Her smile was small but steady. "You’re just figuring that out?"

I huffed a soft laugh despite the weight of what we faced. "Fine. But we do this smart. No rushing in blind."

"Of course," she said, her hand tightening around mine. "We’ll find the Haven wolves, Jayne. We’ll save them. Together."

"Always," I murmured, leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead.

The words felt heavier than before, their truth settling deep. We had faced the impossible and survived. Now, we’d face it again, not just for Luna, but for those pups still waiting in the dark.

CHAPTER 17

When Jess returned the night before, she had found us curled together in the blanket fort she'd constructed, Luna sleeping peacefully between us. Her knowing smile carried no judgment, just quiet acceptance of our new dynamic. I didn’t trust it—or her—but I was thankful for the secluded little hideaway she had built.

"Impressive fort," I offered quietly, leaving my sleeping family behind to watch her set down two plump rabbits.

"Thought you might need some privacy." Her gaze flicked meaningfully to my neck, her eyes sliding downwards to where the wisp of fabric that fit in the wolf fanny pack barely hid anything - least of all the two red fang prints branded there. Her brow arched slightly as her gaze landed between my thighs, her mouth twitching with something between amusement and curiosity. “Everything... taken care of, I see?”

Princess would have blushed beautifully if she'd been awake to hear it. I, however, crossed my arms over my chest, my voice steady. “Not everything. There’s the matter of you.”

Jess glanced up from her task, claws partially out to gut the rabbits. The sharp tang of blood was already rising, threatening to wake Princess and Luna. I needed to make this quick. “What about me?”

I raised a brow, unyielding.

“Look…Jayne.” She didn’t meet my eyes, her focus lingering somewhere over my left shoulder. “I did some things I shouldn’t have, but you don’t understand. They gave them my sister, and Sloane promised⁠—”

“Stop.” My voice was quiet but firm. She stopped, her words catching on a small whine in her throat.

“Remind me again, who is ‘they,’ and who is ‘them’?”

“They being my birth pack, and them being the Hunters.”

“And you know this how?”

Her claws retracted slightly as she lowered her eyes, staring at the black, sightless stare of the rabbit that would be our meal. “Because Sloane showed me pictures of her in a cage. Silver collar and everything.” Her voice faltered. “She said… she said if things went bad and she had to leave, if I followed—with Luna—she’d get my sister freed.”

Rage simmered in my belly, threatening to boil over, but I held it back—for now. I imaged a little Sage shaped angle appearing on my shoulder, giving me a well deserved pat for that. “And?”

Jess finally met my gaze, golden flecks bleeding into the brown of her irises. “She’s dead. Sloane brought me her pelt personally.” Her gaze was steady but her voice faltered, “I-I couldn’t tell you before. I needed time to think.” She gestured towards the rabbits, “To run free and hunt.”

The anger turned to bile as my stomach churned. Words failed me, but behind me, the blankets shifted. Princess emerged, modestly wrapped in a dusty blanket, her eyes glistening with silent tears.

“You needed time to process.”

I frowned, watching my mate, who desperately needed rest, moving towards us.

“I am sorry,” she said, kneeling beside Jess but not touching her. Her voice was soft but steady. “I am sorry that happened to you. To your sister. That’s why we have to stop them, or they’ll continue to tear shifters apart, piece by piece, pack by pack, to find out how we tick.”

“And our shit packs will just hand us over to them on a silver platter if we don’t conform.” I muttered, not sure if either of them heard me.

Now Princess placed a soft hand on Jess’s shoulder. Jess leaned into the touch, her tears spilling freely as Princess continued. “There is another pack here. Haven. Have you heard of them?”

Jess sniffled, giving us a wry smile. “Not until a day or two ago. Overheard some com chatter. I don’t think the Hunters either knew or cared they were there until you two showed up. But it was their own fault—too many young shifters so close to the mountain. They should have known better.”

Anger flared in me again, only barely doused by the pity moments before. Princess must have sensed it, shaking her head, once, twice, three times, silently asking me to stay quiet. I compromised, snatching the rabbits from Jess’s hands and walking them just outside the front door to gut them where the smell wouldn’t linger. I left the door ajar though, keeping their quiet voices within earshot.

“They were doing the best they could for the few that survived or escaped,” Princess said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “But you’re right—walking into their diner brought them attention, and now it’s on us to help save them. Do you know anything about what they’re doing or where they’re taking the pups?”

"They're moving everyone to a new facility," Jess said, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not far. About thirty miles north, deeper in the mountains. Better guarded, more isolated. More military.”

Princess's hand stayed steady on Jess's shoulder, her calm contrasting with the tension thickening the air. "Why the rush?"

"Their government contract expires in two weeks." Jess let out a humorless laugh, the sound bitter and raw. "Apparently, even secret government agencies need results to keep their funding. It sounded like ‘big brother’ was forcing them to move under more surveillance.”

“So this was a case of bad timing instead of really anything to do with us or bringing attention to the facility.” I returned with the cleaned rabbits, letting the motions of preparing them channel my anger. My hands worked methodically, every slice of the blade reminding me of how close we had come to losing everything. Rekindling the fire in the neglected fireplace, I glanced toward Jess. "What kind of results?"

"Proof they can control us. Create compliant soldiers." Jess's eyes darted to Princess's silver burns, a flicker of guilt passing through her expression. "Dr. Kane was close with her conditioning protocols, but Alexandra Pierce wants more."

Princess stiffened at the name. “Alexandra Pierce…”

“Alexandra? Isn’t that the name Kane said before you finished ripping out her throat?” I glanced toward my mate, letting a grin flash over my face, though my wolf remained coiled and ready.

Princess nodded, but her focus stayed locked on Jess, her expression unreadable. "Go on."

"Kane's boss," Jess said, her voice quieter now. "The one who started all of this." She shuddered, her shoulders curling inward. "She’s... different. Kane was cruel but clinical. Pierce... she enjoys it."

My claws extended involuntarily, scraping shallow grooves into the wooden floor. "And now Kane's dead."

"Pierce won't let that go." Jess's voice trembled as she twisted her hands together. "She’ll want to finish what Kane started, especially now that they have the Haven teens. There were so many of them. They’re basically free assets—delivered right to their door without much effort.”

Luna whimpered softly in her sleep, the sound cutting through the conversation like a blade to my chest. Princess moved to check on her, cradling our daughter against her chest as her voice carried back to us. "How many did they take?"

"Eight so far," Jess answered, her voice faltering as she spoke. "Almost all female, one male, all between ten and twenty-one, from what I saw." Her hands clenched into fists. "They're using the silver collars Kane designed, but Pierce… she’s modified them. Made them worse."

The rabbit meat sizzled as I placed it over the fire, the sound masking Princess’s quiet curse. Almost.

“How? What could possibly be worse?”

I cringed. You should never asked that question. But Jess answered anyway, her voice hollow. "Some sort of remote-control device. It injects silver directly into their nervous systems from the back of the collar—targeted strikes from the brainstem down. It’s… it’s more than cruel." Her voice broke on the last word, and she stared at nothing, lost in the memory.

Princess’s expression hardened, her gentleness tempered by quiet resolve. "We have to help them," she said, her voice firm as she returned to us, Luna still nestled securely in her arms.

"We just got Luna back," I reminded her, though my wolf stirred in agreement with her words. Traitor. The internal conflict was familiar, almost comforting, though it grated at the edges of my temper.

Princess’s eyes met mine, her gaze steady, filled with a quiet determination I couldn’t argue with. "And now we have to save others before Pierce does to them what Kane tried to do to me. You saw it yourself, direct from the goddess.”

“If you believe in that.”

Jess glanced between us but stayed quiet. Good girl I thought.

But then Jess’s voice joined my mates, a shadow of regret laced through her words. “And what they would have done to me if I hadn’t pretended to go along with it.”

Fuck. Bad girl.

My gaze snapped to her, and I bit back the retort rising in my throat. Pretended? It seemed like she’d gone willingly—at least until her sister’s death had been confirmed. But now wasn’t the time to challenge her, not with Princess standing between us, a calm rock in the storm.

A sound outside froze us all.

Footsteps.

Deliberate. Measured.

Too steady to be an animal, and too late in the night for a lost hunter.

Then, drifting through the cracked window, came a scent both familiar and unwelcome.

It didn’t matter—I was already on my feet, claws and fangs ready, instincts surging. Why the hell were they here?

“Olivia,” Princess breathed, her voice tinged with relief.

"And Naomi,” I added, stepping toward the door. My body moved automatically to guard the entrance, tension thrumming through my muscles.

Jess tensed beside us, her wolf obviously coiled tight as her eyes shown in the firelight, but Princess placed a steadying hand on her arm. “They’re still your pack,” she said softly. “They can help.”

I opened the door, bracing for anything, and found Naomi and Olivia standing there. Both looked like they’d been running on fumes—exhausted, but resolute. Olivia carried a medical bag, while Naomi held an oversized bundle of clothes.

"Lydia sent us," Naomi said without preamble, her tone clipped.

My wolf bristled at the notion that our Alpha hadn’t come herself, but Princess’s hand brushed down my back, grounding me.

“Welcome!” Princess’s cheerful greeting floated over my shoulder and I cringed. So much for being able to slam the door in Naomi’s pretentious face.

“Sure, welcome. Come on in," I said reluctantly, stepping aside to let them enter.

Olivia’s attention zeroed in on Luna immediately, the practiced instincts of a healer taking over. Princess hesitated, hovering protectively, but ultimately allowed her to examine our daughter.

"The silver's almost cleared her system," Olivia reported after a few moments, her voice bright with relief as confirmed what my mate had been telling me. "Whatever you’ve been doing, keep it up."

Princess reached for my hand, squeezing lightly as a smile softened her face. “We’ve been doing it together. And good genetics don’t hurt,” she added, trying to lift the tension. Her smile widened. “How are Rylee and Daisy?”

“At each other’s throats, which is turning out to be their usual,” Olivia replied with a smirk. “And from what I see, it looks like you two have been keeping busy as well. Need any ointment for that bite?” Her gaze darted meaningfully to Princess’s neck, amusement glinting in her eyes.

Princess blushed furiously and it was just as cute I knew it would be, stammering something too quiet for me to catch. Naomi’s expression remained unreadable, but there was a glimmer of something—approval or understanding, perhaps.

“Congratulations,” Naomi said flatly, her tone neutral but polite. "Lydia wanted to come herself you know.”

"But?" My voice carried more edge than I intended, and Naomi’s jaw tightened slightly in response.

"But three more packs near our borders have reported missing females since you left,” she said, her gaze sweeping the room. "She’s coordinating safe houses, trying to get ahead of the Hunter operation.”

The weight of her words hit hard, and I felt the ripple of it through the bond as Princess absorbed the news. Her determination was instant, unshakable.

She turned sharply to Jess. “Tell us about the new facility,” she said, her voice calm but firm.

Jess hesitated before answering, her posture guarded. “Just like the one holding Luna, it’s built into the mountain itself. The natural caves were expanded into laboratories. The entrance is disguised as an old mining operation—big enough to move transports in and out.”

“Just like the mine they used in Mayfield Meadows,” Olivia murmured, her voice tight with emotion. Naomi reached over and pulled her mate close, the bag of clothes forgotten as it dropped to the floor.

"Defenses?" I asked, my mind already working through strategies.

Jess’s hands twisted together, her voice faltering. "Heavy. Silver-lined walls, armed patrols, surveillance. And worse—they’re using conditioned wolves as guards. Girls and women who’ve been... broken."

Princess’s grip on my hand tightened, her body taut with contained fury. "Like Kane tried to do to me."

Jess nodded grimly. “Pierce perfected it. The new collars don’t just control shifting anymore—they control everything. Thoughts, memories, even loyalty.”

Olivia’s head snapped up, her expression pale. She reached into her bag, pulling out several syringes with needle tips glinting in the firelight. She shot Naomi a look that was both angry and victorious, though which emotion was aimed at her mate I didn’t know. Maybe both.

“That’s why you’ll need these,” she said, her voice brisk. "After the attack on the clinic, I salvaged what I could. I’ve been testing a compound that temporarily neutralizes the collars’ effects, but I only managed to synthesize these few doses. The components are nearly impossible to find in a small town.”

Princess accepted the syringes with a quiet “Thank you,” her tone laced with genuine gratitude.

I, on the other hand, rounded on Naomi. “You knew?” My voice was sharp, my wolf pressing against my skin. “How long? This isn’t something Olivia just concocted on the drive up.”

Naomi didn’t flinch. “We’ve been gathering intel since Princess texted us about the diner. It wasn’t much, but it was better than being blind like we were with Brett.”

Luna stirred then, her dark eyes blinking open. She looked first at Princess, then at me, before her gaze landed on Naomi and Olivia. Recognition flickered, and she let out a soft whine.

"Time to go home, little one," Olivia said gently, but her words hung in the air, weighted with unspoken meaning.

Princess’s arms tightened around Luna reflexively, her eyes meeting Luna’s. They stayed still for so long I wondered if either were breathing before she let out a long sigh, but her voice stayed steady. “You’re right. She’ll be safer at Mayfield Meadows than anywhere near this fight," she said softly.

I wanted to argue—everything in me rebelled against letting Luna out of my sight again—but Princess’s steady gaze and the quiet strength in her voice silenced me.

Still, I couldn’t just let her go.

“We just got her back,” I said, my tone so close to a whine that I would have kicked my own ass in any other context.

“And we’ll keep her safe by making sure Pierce can’t take anyone else’s daughter,” Princess replied, her conviction unyielding. “Plus you can’t protect her or anyone else if you’re carrying her into battle.”

Luna stretched, her small nose nuzzling Princess’s chin before letting out another soft whine. Her gaze, so young but so full of understanding, brought a fresh wave of grief and memories. She looked so much like Sage that it hurt.

The room fell silent, the weight of the moment pressing down on all of us as the fire crackled softly, casting long shadows on the walls.

Luna blinked, looking between all of the adults gathered around her before a yawn cracked the silence, her little voice soft and sweet. As her jaws snapped shut she let out a small, mournful whine, the sound cutting through me like a blade.

The ache in my chest deepened as Princess drew a shaky breath, her own control fraying at the edges. “We have to help other pups, little moon,” she whispered, her voice trembling but steady. “Like we helped you.”

I leaned into them, adding my presence to Princess’s. “Remember what your other mother, Sage, taught us about pack?” Luna’s ears twitched, another soft whine escaping her as I stroked her fur. “Pack helps pack.”

“That’s right,” Princess added, pressing a kiss to Luna’s forehead. “And right now, other pups and packs need our help. Right now you’re too small to help fight.”

Luna’s eyes flashed gold, determination shining there so fiercely it felt like looking into a mirror of Princess. My throat tightened as I held her gaze, her silent courage stronger than anything I could have asked for.

“But you can help by staying safe,” I said gently, my voice thick with emotion. It was like losing a piece of Sage all over again. My hand smoothed over her fur again, the rhythm grounding us both. “By being brave for us until we come home.”

Olivia stepped closer, her tone soothing. “And I’ll need your help at the clinic, Luna. Lots of new wolves coming in who’ll need extra care and snuggles.”

Luna’s ears perked slightly, her head tilting in a way that was so achingly reminiscent of her mother I had to look away. Princess’s hand found mine, grounding me with a gentle squeeze.

“They promise they’ll come back to you,” Olivia added, her voice soft and certain. Luna’s tail gave the faintest wag, and a tiny flicker of relief pierced the sorrow in my chest.

“We promise,” Princess said firmly, her conviction like steel. “Together.”

“Always,” I echoed, sealing the promise with the strength of the mate bond between us. “We will never leave you again.”

Luna looked between us, her small body trembling with some suppressed emotion. Finally, she wiggled herself closer to Olivia, her eyes solemn but resolute.

She trusted us.

She loved us.

She believed us.

Naomi stepped forward, her voice masking some emotion that I suspected was sympathy. Not something I was used to hearing from Lydia’s second in command. “We need to move soon. Patrols are increasing, and we were lucky to find you as it is. The darkness is our best ally in getting Luna back out.” She kicked the bundle of clothes she had brought towards us. “For you.”

We dressed quickly, the motion mechanical, a small comfort in its routine. My hands lingered on Princess for an extra second, silently drawing strength from her as Luna watched us with too-wise eyes.

“How did you find us?” I asked, my voice sharp enough to cut through the heavy silence that had settled over the room.

Olivia exchanged a glance with Naomi, her eyebrow quirking in what could only be described as wry amusement, like she already knew how I’d react. “Lydia put a tracker on your truck when you first bought it,” Naomi said flatly, as though it were a mundane fact.

I froze, a growl escaping before I could stop it. “What?”

Naomi shrugged, completely unbothered by my obvious displeasure. “She has trackers on all the compound vehicles. You should be grateful. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have found you—or bothered bringing clothes out here. Unless, of course, you’re planning to start a nudist colony.”

“Too cold for that,” Jess muttered from her spot near the fire. The unexpected comment broke some of the tension, earning a brief, surprised glance from Princess. Jess ducked her head immediately, clearly embarrassed by the attention.

Naomi’s gaze flicked toward Jess, narrowing slightly, but she didn’t comment. Neither she nor Olivia had acknowledged our traitorous guest beyond this brief moment. Apparently, they trusted that we had the situation handled, and for now, I was fine with letting it be.

Olivia took a step closer to Princess, her voice dropping to a quieter, more direct tone. “We found the truck a few miles out that way.” She waved vaguely toward the eastern edge of the forest, her gesture encompassing a space shrouded in dense trees and fading light. “We’ve been searching for hours. Naomi finally caught your scent and led us here. Without that tracker, we wouldn’t have known where to start.”

Princess nodded, her hand instinctively resting on Luna’s head. “Thank you. For finding us.”

Olivia’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. “I’ll send you a ping with the truck’s location. It’s closer than you think, but the terrain’s rough. You’ll need to stick together to get there safely.”

“Thank you,” Princess said softly, her tone steady despite the emotions swirling in her golden eyes. Olivia pulled out her phone, her fingers tapping a quick message as the room settled into a quiet hum of subdued tension.

I turned back to Naomi, my voice low and steady. “Tell Lydia something for me,” I said, locking eyes with her. “Next time one of her pack needs her and is a life or death situation, she better answer the call herself. I don’t need a pack that doesn’t care enough to respond with everything they have.”

Naomi’s expression didn’t waver, but her jaw tightened. “Or?”

“Or she’ll find some of her pack making different choices,” I said, the threat implicit. “This is my daughter’s life. I expect my Alpha to show up for that.”

Princess’s hand on my arm softened my tone, but the words landed. Something flickered in Naomi’s eyes—respect, or maybe just understanding.

“I’ll tell her,” she said, her tone clipped. “But we need to go now. Say your goodbyes. We leave in ten.”

The goodbye itself was mercifully brief.

Drawing it out would only make it harder. Luna’s brave little face held firm, but as Princess whispered something soft and private into her ear, her small body shook with a single, heart-wrenching whine.

I clutched Princess’s hand as we stood in the doorway, watching Olivia carry our daughter into the trees. Naomi followed, her large wolf’s head turning constantly to scan for threats. Just before they disappeared from view, Luna looked back, her eyes glowing with a fierce understanding that left me breathless.

“She’ll be okay,” Princess murmured, her voice trembling despite her certainty. “She’s stronger than we know.”

“Like her mothers,” Jess said softly from behind us, returning to the rabbits and doing what she could to salvage our dinner.

The quiet weight of her words settled over the cabin, a fragile kind of hope taking root in the grief. Princess leaned into me, her warmth steady as I closed the door. There was no room for hesitation anymore. The Hunters had taken too much—and we were going to take it back.

CHAPTER 18

The cabin felt emptier without Luna's presence, her scent already fading from the blanket fort where she'd slept. We had worked so hard to save her only for her to be gone again so soon. Princess stood at the window, staring at the spot where our daughter had disappeared into the trees. Her shoulders were tight with emotion, the faint tremor in her hands betraying the composure she was trying so hard to maintain. She was humming something softly but I couldn’t make out what it was.

I moved behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. She leaned back into me immediately, our bodies fitting together with the practiced ease of our new bond. My wolf hummed contentedly, offering its strength as I held her.

"She'll be safe with them," Princess murmured, her voice wavering slightly despite the conviction in her words.

"Safer than with us, where we're going. For now.” The words tasted bitter, but the truth of them cut even deeper.

Jess cleared her throat softly from across the room. "We should move soon. Eat, sleep, out. Patrols will increase at dawn."

I glanced at her, reluctant to admit she was right. "She’s not wrong. We need food, a few hours' rest, and then we’re out of here." My frown deepened. "Shit, why didn’t I ask Olivia where the truck was? They’re apparently tracking it."

Princess tilted her head back to smile up at me, her golden eyes glinting with a flicker of amusement. "Don’t pout," she teased, rising onto her tiptoes to kiss my chin. “I already know. She sent me the ping, I thought you heard that?

I shook my head, remembering their conversation but not putting the pieces together, “A lot on my mind.” I kissed her hair, lingering to inhale her scent. “Well done.”

She turned in my arms, her resolve unmistakable as her gaze met mine. “Thanks. Before we leave we need to contact Sara. We need to know what's happening with Haven pack."

The phone was still tucked into the pocket of Princess's discarded jacket. She retrieved it, her hands trembling slightly—whether from exhaustion or emotion, I couldn’t tell. The screen lit up with multiple missed messages.

“Sara says three more teens disappeared earlier tonight,” Princess reported, her voice tight. “They’re taking them faster now.”

“They’re sucking them up as they roll through,” Jess observed, crouching to gingerly pull the roasted rabbit from the fire. The smell wafted through the room, the sizzling meat a harsh contrast to the tension coiled in my chest. She set the rabbit on the floorboards with a wet thud, clearly unbothered by the lack of plates.

My wolf bristled at the news. "They're rushing because of the contract deadline."

Jess tore into the rabbit with delicate precision. “And because they know we’re probably coming back,” she added quietly, not meeting my eyes. “If we got in once, there’s no reason for them to think we wouldn’t do it again. In greater numbers.”

Princess’s fingers flew over the screen as she updated Sara on Luna's rescue and our current situation. The response was almost immediate.

“They’re still moving the captured wolves from here,” she read aloud, her tone sharpening. “Three transport vehicles were spotted heading north.”

I was already gathering what little gear we had. "Then we move now. No time to sleep. You got coordinates?"

Princess nodded, turning the screen to show me. The location matched Jess’s earlier description of the mountain facility. Another pin marked a spot just a few miles from here.

“The truck?” I asked.

“That’s the spot Olivia sent me,” Princess confirmed. “As long as it still has some battery life, we should be fine.”

“I know I turned the lights off,” I muttered. “Battery should be fine. It’s not been that long.”

Princess smirked walking over to join Jess and sticking her tongue out at me before unceremoniously tearing into her rabbit flank. Her playfulness settled some of the tension in the room, though my focus remained on the plan ahead.

We ate in silence, and it felt... good. Despite everything—the danger, the uncertainty—there was a strange peace in the simplicity of the moment. We were a small pack, untested and somewhat untrusting, but the bond was there.

Jess smiled more as she and Princess chatted about music and pop culture references. I understood most of them, though I’d never admit it. Instead, I let them talk. Let them have this fleeting moment of normalcy before we headed into another Hunter trap.

When the food was gone, cleanup was as simple as brushing away crumbs and standing. No dishes, no ceremony, just readiness.

"Ready?" I asked, watching Princess check her silver burns in a shard of broken glass. The burns were healing, but too slowly for my liking.

Princess's smile was softer than steel but just as determined. "To save more pups? Always."

We left the cabin as the pre-dawn sky stretched in shades of promise and red warning. It reminded me of the color of the moon in my vision.

Olivia’s coordinates had been accurate—the truck was exactly where she said it would be, tucked under a canopy of trees. The battery still showed half a charge.

Princess insisted on driving, claiming my "brooding would get us lost." I didn’t argue, though watching her handle the stick shift with effortless confidence did things to my wolf that were better left unexplored while we had a third within earshot.

Jess sprawled across the back seat, managing to look both casual and ready to spring into action at any moment. Her eyes constantly scanned the tree line as we wound through the mountain roads, following Sara's coordinates north.

"Stop," she said suddenly, sitting up straight. Her tone left no room for argument. "Cut the engine."

Princess complied immediately, letting the truck coast to a silent stop. "What is it?"

Jess’s nostrils flared as she leaned forward. "Smoke. About two miles South. Not just campfire smoke—something bigger."

Now I caught it too—the acrid tang of burning wood mixed with something sharper, something that made my wolf’s hackles rise.

Princess’s hand found mine across the console, her touch grounding. "We should check it out."

"Could be a trap," I warned, though my instincts already had me reaching for the door handle. “Or a stupid, normal human hunter, up here looking for deer that happened to burn his tree stand down.”

"Could be someone who needs help," she countered, her golden eyes steady.

Jess slid out of the back seat, her movements eerily silent. "Or both."

We moved through the forest on foot, keeping low and staying downwind of the smoke. As we got closer, the scents sharpened—blood, fear, and the biting tang of silver.

Fuck. Wrong type of hunter then.

"Recent fight," I murmured, taking in the snapped branches and churned-up dirt. "Within the last few hours."

Princess pressed closer to me, her warmth steadying the rising agitation in my chest. "Hunters?"

"Yeah," Jess confirmed grimly. She prodded a body sprawled in the underbrush with her boot—a Hunter, their face mauled beyond recognition. "But they lost this one at least.”

We crested a small rise, the smoke growing thicker in the air. Below us, the source came into view—a Hunter transport vehicle, thoroughly destroyed. Its metal frame was twisted and scorched, still smoldering in the pale morning light.

But it wasn’t the wreckage that made my wolf surge forward. It was the scent markers surrounding the scene, territorial and powerful, pulsing with an energy I almost recognized but couldn’t put my finger on.

"Someone else is hunting Hunters," Princess breathed, her voice a mix of wonder and unease.

Before I could respond, a voice cut through the silence, clear and commanding. It carried authority, but there was something else in it too—something that made my wolf want to both fight and submit.

“Well, look at that. Someone else had the same idea you did. Great job team. Too bad you were too late.” The mocking tone cut through the air, sharp and dripping with authority. It carried the kind of condescension that begged to be punched, reminding me uncomfortably of Lydia.

A figure stepped out of the shadows of the burning transport, silver-blonde hair catching the soft hues of dawn. She moved with the fluid grace of an Alpha, her every step a deliberate display of control. Yet beneath that control was a simmering fury, a tightly wound storm that felt eerily familiar—like looking into a mirror.

"Alexis." Jess's voice broke the moment, laced with recognition and a tinge of awe. "The Ghost. The Hunters used to whisper about her when they thought the higher-ups couldn’t hear—a wolf who helped young females escape both Hunters and oppressive packs. Destroyed vehicles and empty silver cages are said to be her trademark. They were terrified of her."

The name didn’t mean much to me, but the raw power radiating from this woman did. Whatever stories Jess had heard, they didn’t come close to capturing the presence Alexis commanded.

Princess shifted slightly beside me, drawing Alexis’s sharp gaze. Her eyes flicked over Princess’s silver burns, her jaw tightening as something dangerous crossed her features.

"Kane's work," she said, her voice clipped, anger barely restrained.

Princess held her gaze without flinching. "Was. She won’t be marking anyone else."

A ghost of a smile tugged at Alexis's lips, fleeting and fierce. "Good. I had heard that but hadn’t had confirmation.” Her attention shifted to me, assessing with a weight that made my wolf bristle. "You’re Lydia’s."

It wasn’t quite a question, but I answered anyway. "Part of her pack. Yes."

Something unreadable passed across her face at the mention of my missing Alpha—pain, pride, and old anger tangled together. The territory markers around us pulsed stronger, carrying a faint thread of a scent that was achingly familiar. Lydia’s scent, but altered somehow.

"How is she?" The question seemed to surprise even Alexis.

"Asking the wrong wolf," I replied, keeping my tone neutral. "She sent others when we needed her."

Understanding flickered in Alexis’s eyes, her lips curving in a humorless smile. "Ah. Still trying to protect everyone by staying away. Some things never change." Her voice softened, almost apologetic. "Sorry she did that to you."

Princess stepped forward, her natural diplomacy threading into her words. "We’re tracking a Hunter transport. They have young wolves from the Haven pack. This wasn’t it, was it?"

“No,” Alexis confirmed, her expression hardening further. “But I know about the Haven wolves. I am tracking them too, they took something very precious from me.”

“Haven?” Princess asked.

Alexis shook her head, the frown deepening across her features, “No, the Hunters. They took my daughter.”

The weight of her words settled like a stone between us. Princess’s hand sought mine, her grip grounding me as pieces began to fall into place. There was something here I should be remembering but it felt like a fog, some missing thread that I couldn’t quite grasp.

"Maya," Jess whispered, her voice trembling. “I had heard rumors, but…”

Alexis’s gaze snapped to Jess, sharp and predatory. "You know my daughter?"

“No,” Jess stammered, shaking her head so furiously she tilted her neck in submission, baring it without thought to the other wolf’s furiosity. My wolf growled at the display, and I fought the urge to grab her. “At the facility," she said, her voice faltering. "The Hunters talked about her. She’s... strong. Like you."

A shadow of hope flickered across Alexis’s features, quickly swallowed by rage. I thought the first emotion more dangerous than the second. The territory markers pulsed again, reflecting her tumultuous emotions. My wolf shifted uneasily; this woman’s power outstripped Lydia’s, and it left me wondering about their connection.

“We think they’re moving them north," Princess said gently, her voice a soothing balm against the tension. "To a new facility in the mountains."

"Pierce’s official pet project," Alexis spat, the name laced with venom. "I’ve been tracking their movements for weeks. This transport was just a diversion." Her fists clenched at her sides, knuckles white. "Empty cages. Waste of fucking time."

I recognized the rage in her voice—the same helpless fury that had consumed me when Luna was taken. "We have intel on the main facility," I said, my tone firm but measured.

Alexis’s sharp focus shifted entirely to me, her Alpha presence pressing against my wolf like a physical force. "From?"

"Multiple sources," I replied evenly, refusing to lower my gaze. "Including someone who escaped Kane's conditioning program."

Princess stepped closer, her shoulder brushing against mine. The small, grounding gesture soothed my wolf, who bristled constantly under Alexis’s scrutiny. "We also have this," Princess added, holding up her phone.

The screen displayed Sara’s latest message—detailed maps of transport routes and guard rotations, information painstakingly gathered and shared in trust.

Alexis studied the screen, her expression tightening with calculated focus. "You have inside help."

Princess didn’t miss a beat. "We have people who want to stop Pierce as much as you do."

A distant howl split the air, clear and sharp through the trees. Alexis’s head snapped up, her entire frame tensing as she turned toward the sound.

"Your people?" I asked, though the answer was obvious from her reaction.

"My pack," she confirmed, her voice softening as her gaze returned to us. Her eyes lingered on Princess’s burns before shifting to me. "You have a mate bond. Fresh."

It wasn’t a question, but an observation—and one that seemed to catch her by surprise. The air around us shimmered with tension. Something stirred in her scent—old pain, buried memories, maybe both.

"Yes," Princess answered simply, her hand tightening in mine. “We had someone taken too. We were working to find her. We did, together. We can help you too.”

Alexis’s sharp demeanor softened just slightly, her expression shifting to something akin to understanding. "Like it should be, congratulations.” she said quietly, though the words seemed to carry a weight she didn’t elaborate on. She straightened, brushing the vulnerability away with a roll of her shoulders. "My pack has been tracking Hunter movements for months. We’ve set up safe houses throughout the mountains, escape routes, medical supplies."

"And we have current intel," Princess added, her voice steady. "Detailed plans of their facilities and patterns." The territory markers pulsed again, this time in response to my mate, as though recognizing the quiet strength that radiated from her—the same strength that had drawn me from the start.

"Plus a personal grudge against Pierce," I added, my tone edged with pride. Alexis’s sharp gaze flicked to me, curiosity narrowing her eyes.

"You’ve met her?"

"Not yet." My wolf rumbled in approval as I continued. “Or she would already be dead. But we killed her favorite scientist and freed her prize subject, my daughter."

Alexis’s expression shifted, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Luna," she murmured. Her sharp gaze swept over me again, this time slower, more thoughtful. "You’re Jayne." Her voice tightened with something I couldn’t place. "Lydia’s message said…” She hesitated, her mouth pressing into a thin line. “She said you’d need help.”

The mention of Lydia made my hackles rise. "That’s the second time you’ve brought her up. How do you know our Alpha?" The question came out sharper than intended, but I didn’t care.

Alexis’s brows arched, her expression tinged with something close to amusement. "Your Alpha?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. She snorted softly, though she didn’t elaborate. “That’s the second time you’ve said that. Maybe you should think about it before you name her as ‘your Alpha’ a third time. But to answer your question, she sends me lots of things," Alexis said, her voice carefully neutral now. But the territory markers betrayed her, pulsing with raw emotion. "Usually, I ignore them."

"But not this time," Princess said gently, her perceptive tone cutting through the tension.

"No." Alexis’s gaze turned distant, the flicker of pain in her eyes too brief to linger on. "Not when she said Pierce was taking pups."

Another howl split the air, closer this time. Alexis tilted her head, listening with an intensity that made it clear she was deciphering messages I couldn’t translate.

"More transports moving north," she said grimly. "They're not even trying to hide now."

"They're rushing," Jess offered, her voice steady despite the tension. "Government contract deadline."

Alexis’s eyes narrowed, her gaze snapping to Jess. "What deadline?"

Princess quickly explained, her voice calm but urgent, while Alexis processed the information, her expression darkening with each word. I watched her carefully, my wolf on edge. I didn’t trust her yet—there was too much fury bottled up in this woman—but I understood it.

"Two weeks," Alexis muttered, pacing in a tight circle. "That’s why they’re getting sloppy. Pierce needs results."

"Results meaning controllable wolves," I added, Jess’s earlier explanation still vivid in my mind. "An army she can demonstrate to her handlers."

Alexis stopped pacing abruptly, her whole body taut with fury. "Using our daughters as proof of concept."

Princess’s voice wavered as she filled in the rest. "The ones they already have are probably being used as guards. But this next batch... they need to be perfect. Physically strong, mentally broken. Tools the government can use for infiltration or war."

The territory markers surged with Alexis’s rage, their power prickling against my skin. I wanted to move, there was a reason why wolves typically didn’t spend time in another territory even if they were welcomed. The constant bombardment of emotions made me itch.

Princess took a small step back. I didn’t. My wolf wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I moved slightly in front of her, a silent reassurance.

"We can use their rush against them," Princess said, her hand pressing against my back—a grounding touch I needed. "They’ll make mistakes."

"They already are," Alexis replied, gesturing toward the smoldering transport. "Sending decoys, splitting their forces. Pierce is desperate."

"Good." The word rumbled from my chest, low and dangerous. My wolf responded to the prospect of weakness in our enemy.

Alexis’s sharp eyes met mine, and for a moment, something passed between us—recognition. We were the same kind of predator, the kind that would destroy anything threatening what we loved.

"My pack has been waiting for an opportunity," Alexis said finally. "But we needed intel, numbers..." Her gaze shifted to Princess, lingering on the silver burns across her neck. "Someone who understands their methods."

Princess straightened under the scrutiny, her voice steady. "I can help. But we need to move quickly. The silver conditioning, the collars—if they’re anything like Kane’s methods, the longer they have the girls, the harder it will be to bring them back."

“How quickly?,” Alexis said, her voice tight with emotion. The territory markers flared again, their pulse heavy with old grief and unresolved fury. "We’ve heard Kane’s program took five days to take hold," Alexis continued, her control fraying at the edges.

"Pierce’s methods are faster," Jess interjected, her voice grim.

Princess’s hand went unconsciously to her burns. "But likely less stable. We can use that."

Another howl broke through the forest, sharp and urgent. Alexis lifted her head, listening intently before muttering a curse.

"Transport convoy spotted ten miles north. Three vehicles, heavy guard presence." Her tone turned brisk, all business. "Our main camp is two miles south east of here. If you’re serious about working together..."

"We are," Princess answered immediately, her confidence unwavering. I nodded, my wolf trusting her instincts even as I wrestled with my own doubts.

Alexis’s piercing gaze shifted to Jess, assessing her as if she were a wild card. "And you? You look like you’ve seen both sides of this fight. Where do you stand?"

Jess straightened, meeting Alexis’s eyes directly for the first time. She gestured towards Princess and I with her chin, “With them. With anyone who wants to stop Pierce from creating more Sloanes."

Something flickered across Alexis’s face—approval, maybe respect. “Don’t know who that is but it sounds like a good answer," she said simply, before turning and moving through the trees. "Follow me."

We fell into step behind her, the forest swallowing us as we left the smoldering wreckage behind. Princess pressed close to my side, her voice low as she whispered, "You okay with this?"

I caught her hand, squeezing gently. "You trust her?"

"I trust that she loves her daughter as much as we love Luna."

The simple truth settled the last of my doubts. Love of family was something we understood, something we could build on.

"Then let’s help her get Maya back," I said, my voice carrying a quiet resolve.

The territory markers pulsed one final time as we moved deeper into the forest.

CHAPTER 19

Alexis's camp was nothing like I expected. Instead of the scattered, makeshift shelters I'd imagined, we found a well-organized, semi-permanent compound tucked deep into one of West Virginia’s many natural cave systems. Guards moved with quiet efficiency, acknowledging their Alpha with nods that spoke of trust and respect, though their eyes lingered on us with guarded curiosity.

"Welcome to Ghost Pack," Alexis said, her tone matter-of-fact, sky is blue - this is Ghost Pack, as she led us past the outer security checkpoint. "Temporary home to wolves who need a new start, permanent home to those that give it to them.”

Princess took in the scene with wide, observant eyes. The space was alive with purpose—medical stations tended to injured wolves, training areas bustled with activity, and young wolves roamed freely, their movements light and unburdened. Most were female, but a few males were scattered among them, their presence integrated and natural. There was no bullying, no need for macho overtones, it was impressive in it’s quiet, though obviously deadly, simplicity.

"You've built something amazing here," Princess said, her voice carrying genuine admiration.

"We built what we needed," Alexis replied, her voice edged with an old, unhealed pain. "What traditional packs wouldn’t or couldn’t provide."

Deep within the main cave, the heart of the operation came into view. Maps lined one wall, layered with detailed layouts of Hunter facilities, transport routes, and safe houses. Red pins marked confirmed locations, while blue pins indicated suspected sites. A fresh circle in bold red ink drew my eye—the mountain facility where they were taking the Haven wolves.

"Your intel is impressive," I admitted, studying the patterns of Hunter movements and the strategic placement of pins.

"Not impressive enough." Alexis’s hands curled into fists at her sides. "We still lost Maya and too many others with her."

"We’ll get her back," Princess said quietly, her voice calm but laced with steel. The assurance in her tone commanded attention, drawing every gaze in the room. “We’ve done it once, we can do it again. We’ll get all of them back."

The tension in the air shifted as a wolf appeared at the cave entrance. She moved with the confidence of a trusted lieutenant, young but composed. Without hesitation, she shifted as she approached, utterly at ease in her own skin. “Alpha, convoy’s changed course. They’re heading for the eastern access road.”

Alexis’s brow furrowed as she turned back to the maps. “Pierce is anticipating resistance on the main route. She’s redirecting.”

"But she doesn’t know about us," Princess interjected. "Or what we know about the facility’s weaknesses."

Alexis turned slowly, her sharp gaze locking onto Princess. “Weaknesses?” Her voice carried an undercurrent of restrained urgency. “Tell me everything. Every detail you know about their protocols, their security, their conditioning methods."

"It won’t be easy to hear," Princess warned softly, her expression steady despite the weight of what she was about to share.

"Neither was tracking my daughter’s scent to an empty cage." Alexis’s voice cracked, raw emotion slipping through her otherwise controlled demeanor. "Tell me anyway."

Princess moved closer to the maps, her fingers tracing the facility layout with haunting familiarity. “The main security isn’t the guards or the cameras. It’s the silver.”

“Embedded in the walls,” Jess added, stepping forward. Her voice was quiet, but her knowledge was clear. “They’re experimenting with creating dead zones—spaces where we can’t shift. Useful for both wolves they control…” Her gaze remained fixed on the map as though avoiding the weight of her own words. “And the ones they don’t.”

“And where the collars are most effective,” Princess continued, her hand rising unconsciously to touch her silver burns.

“The ambient silver enhances the conditioning process. It’s not just physical—it works on the mind too.” Jess picked up, drawing Alexis’s interested gaze but the Alpha didn’t question where our knowledge came from.

I moved closer to my mate, my presence a silent promise of support as she detailed the horrors she had endured. The strength she showed in revisiting those memories made my wolf both proud and enraged, protective instincts thrumming in time with the mate bond. Jess interjected where Princess’s knowledge either failed or was outdated compared to the new process’s.

“The new facility will be similar?” Alexis asked after they had finished, her tone steady but her posture radiating tension. It was clear that her mind was already working, weaving the pieces into a plan.

"Based on what we both overheard, yes." Princess pointed to specific areas on the map, her fingers steady despite the weight of her words. "But there's a flaw in their design. The silver walls need maintenance access points—regular metal panels that can be removed."

"For repairs and refilling," Alexis said, catching on immediately. "How often?"

“It depends on the compound. Pure silver wouldn’t need much maintenance, but the mixture they’re using degrades over time and requires regular care.” Princess’s voice carried a grim satisfaction. “Kane used to complain about it constantly.”

"Before Princess ripped her throat out," I reminded them dryly, earning a sharp look of approval from Alexis.

“Yes, I’m sure she wasn’t complaining about much at that point.” Alexis’s tone was cool, but the hint of amusement didn’t escape me.

“I am guessing you never met her.” Princess said, humor tugging at the corners of her lips, “Woman is likely bitching to the devil that hell is too hot.”

Alexis nodded, but her shoulder’s relaxed just enough for me to notice. That was my mate, making everyone feel at ease even when she wasn’t trying.

"The maintenance schedule would be in their systems," Jess offered hesitantly. "If we could access them..."

"We can." The new voice came from the cave entrance. A white-hair woman stepped into the light—a scarred older shifter whose presence immediately spoke of experience and reliability. "We intercepted their communications a while ago. Next maintenance window is tomorrow night."

Alexis nodded toward her. “Jewel knows their systems better than anyone. Former Hunter tech."

"Reformed Hunter tech," Jewel corrected with a quick smile, her tone sharp with self-awareness. "They didn’t appreciate my questions about their methods—or their test subjects." She grinned and I swore I saw fangs, “They also didn’t like that I applied as a human but it turned out I had claws.”

"Their loss," Princess said softly, her voice laced with empathy. "Our gain."

Jewel stepped up to the maps, her air of quiet competence reinforcing her role in this pack. If she wasn’t Alexis’s second, she was clearly someone the Alpha trusted deeply. “The maintenance window gives us an opportunity, but Pierce has doubled security since the newest batch of wolves.”

"She’s protective of her investments," Alexis said bitterly, her jaw tightening. "Especially now, with this contract deadline breathing down her neck."

"Good." Princess’s voice carried a steely resolve beneath its calm exterior. "Let her focus on external threats. She’s not expecting anyone to know the facility from the inside."

I watched my mate as she helped outline entry points and patrol patterns, their combined knowledge of the Hunters' methods dismantling their defenses piece by piece. Each revelation of a new entry point or piece of intel we hadn’t known seemed to lift a weight from her shoulders, her trauma turning into a tactical advantage that even the skeptical wolves around us couldn’t ignore. With three wolves among us who had been inside, the collective knowledge was unsettling in its depth.

If you were a Hunter.

"The young wolves will be held here," Princess said, indicating a section near the center of the map. "Close to the conditioning chambers. They’ll want to start the process as soon as they arrive."

"Maya..." Alexis’s voice was soft, her strong demeanor faltering just slightly. The weight of her daughter’s situation made her seem older, her fierce energy dimming momentarily.

"She’s stronger than they know," Princess assured her, her words firm. "The rushed conditioning is less effective. Especially on wolves with strong pack bonds."

"Like mother, like daughter," Jewel commented lightly, her attempt at levity earning a sharp look from Alexis. But there was gratitude in the Alpha's eyes, not rebuke.

Jess stepped closer to the map, her finger tracing a secondary entrance. "This access tunnel runs parallel to the maintenance shaft. Security will be lighter here—they wouldn’t expect anyone to know about it."

Alexis’s gaze shifted to Jess, sharp but not unkind. "How do you know about it?"

Jess’s voice dropped. "Because it’s how I used to sneak out to hunt. Before... everything."

The weight of the admission hung heavy in the air. Alexis studied her for a moment before nodding, the gesture both accepting the information and acknowledging the implied regret.

"We’ll need three teams," I said, my eyes scanning the map as my mind pieced together a plan. "One for distraction, one for extraction, one for backup."

"I’ll lead the distraction team," Alexis said without hesitation. "My pack knows how to hit hard and fade fast. We’ll keep their attention exactly where we want it."

Princess nodded, her fingers tracing the maintenance access route. "I should be with the extraction team. I know their systems, their protocols."

"No." The word left my lips sharper than I intended, my wolf bristling at the thought of Princess going back into the Hunters’ grasp. "You’re still healing from the silver burns."

"Which is exactly why I need to go." Princess met my gaze steadily, her voice firm. "Those burns aren't just scars, Jayne. They're a map. Every mark Kane left tells us something about their security, their codes, their weaknesses."

Her conviction left little room for argument, even if it felt flimsy. It also felt needed, like this was something she would never recover from if I kept her from going. Even Alexis's sharp gaze softened into something resembling admiration.

"She's right," Jewel added quietly, her tone laced with understanding. "The Hunter systems are designed to recognize their own marks. Her burns might even read as authorized access in some systems." She tugged down the high collar of her shirt, revealing a crisscrossing pattern of scars disturbingly similar to Princess’s. The sight made my stomach churn. "I used to get into secure areas all the time just because their systems thought I belonged there. The scanners only look for patterns, not whether you’re actively part of their operation or not. It’s meant to make it faster for human’s transporting dangerous wolves. The system sees the patterns and just lets them through, no access card needed. Saves 10 seconds to not have to pull out a key but might be our wild card inside.”

Princess’s hand found mine, grounding my wolf's growing frustration. "Do they still work?" she asked Jewel softly. “Yours?”

Jewel shrugged, the motion oddly casual. "Hard to say. They branded me after they found out I wasn’t human so it’s not quite the same types of marking they give fresh…detainees. But it’s at least a fifty-fifty chance. Hunter tech’s lazy. They rarely bother revoking access unless they think it’s a direct threat."

"Sounds about right," Jess muttered with a dry chuckle, sharing a knowing glance with Jewel that made my hackles rise.

"Then we can’t risk having us both on extraction," Princess decided firmly. “Jess knows the emergency routes. I’ll join her and Jayne. Jewel, I need you overseeing comms.”

Jewel’s grin was sharp but she shook her head. “When something goes wrong—because it will—we’ll need my clearance to pivot fast. It’s best if I go with you.”

“Exactly.” Alexis leaned over the map, her fingers tracing potential routes. “The extraction team’s got the most critical job, but timing will be everything. You should stay behind Jewel, in case they need you to get them out.”

The older wolf’s eyes narrowed but she remained quiet in the face of her Alpha. I could it in her eyes though, the same look I had given Lydia a hundred times. She didn’t like it.

“The silver walls limit our wolf forms,” Princess reminded the group. "We’ll have ten minutes at most before it becomes dangerous to shift.”

"Ten minutes isn’t enough,” Alexis growled, pacing tight circles. "Especially with younger wolves. Can they even shift in those conditions?"

“Unlikely,” Princess admitted grimly. "But they’ll need to try if we’re ambushed. Staying human makes them easy targets.”

“Bipedal and naked,” Jess mused dryly, her sardonic tone cutting through the tension. “Sounds like a failed paranormal reality TV pitch.”

Despite myself, I huffed a laugh. The mood was too grim for levity to land comfortably, but it broke the tension long enough to focus again.

"Distance from the maintenance shaft to the holding cells?" Jewel asked, already calculating.

"Three minutes at a run," Jess supplied without hesitation. "Assuming no resistance and the same layout as their other facilities.”

"There’ll be resistance," Alexis said with a knowing edge.

Princess's hand moved instinctively to her burns. “There always is. Likely eight to ten guards at each checkpoint, given the influx of new wolves.”

Jess nodded. “Double the usual number, plus conditioned wolves on standby.”

Alexis stilled, her presence heavy. "Those wolves are victims too."

“Yes,” Princess agreed softly, pulling the syringes Olivia had given us from her pack. "That’s why we’re bringing these."

Jewel's eyes widened as she examined the small vials while Princess explained. "Silver neutralizer?” She asked when my mate had finished. “That formula’s supposed to be impossible to replicate."

“Not impossible,” I corrected, imaging just how much of Lydia’s savings Olivia must have depleted and grinning. "Just expensive. And specific."

"How many doses?" Alexis demanded, her practical focus returning.

"Six," Princess replied. "Enough to neutralize key threats. We’ll have to choose targets carefully."

One of Alexis’s lieutenant’s burst into the cave, her breath short but her voice steady. "Transport convoy reached the facility. They're unloading now."

The room stilled, the weight of the moment settling over us like a heavy fog.

“Time to move,” Alexis said grimly, her Alpha authority cutting through the charged silence. “If you want out, now’s the time to say so.”

When no one said a word the Ghost Pack Alpha moved to the maps, her movements sharp and precise as she marked the update. "How many?"

"Eight younger wolves confirmed," the lieutenant reported, her voice steady despite the tension in the room. "All female, all sedated."

A low growl rippled through the cave, shared by every wolf present. The image of drugged pups, helpless and vulnerable, ignited a fury that united us all.

"Time's against us," Jewel said grimly, her tone carrying the weight of experience. "Once they start the conditioning..."

"It has to be now," Princess’s voice cut through the tension, quiet but unyielding. "We move this afternoon, tonight at the latest. During shift change, just before the maintenance window."

"That's not much time to prepare," I pointed out, though my wolf was already straining for action, eager to sink his teeth into the enemy.

"It's all the time we have," Alexis replied, her gaze locking with mine before shifting to Princess. Both their eyes glinted gold in the dim light, a silent challenge passed between them. "You’ve seen what Kane's conditioning could do. Pierce’s methods are worse."

"Much worse," Jess added, her voice barely above a whisper as she reminded us. "The new collars don’t just control the shift. They rewrite everything you are."

Princess’s hand found mine, her grip firm but steady. "Then we make sure they don’t get the chance."

Alexis nodded, her decision made. "Jewel, get our people ready. Full tactical gear, silver protection protocols." She turned to Princess, her sharp gaze unwavering. "How long will you need to memorize the facility layout?"

"I already know it." Princess touched her burns, her voice steady despite the weight of the moment. "All facilities follow the same design."

"My pack will take the north entrance," Alexis said, marking positions on the map. "Create enough chaos to draw their security teams."

"While we slip in through the maintenance access," I confirmed, tracing the route with my finger. "Princess, Jess, and me."

"And me," Jewel interjected, her voice cutting cleanly through the planning.

Alexis turned sharply to her second, her brows knitting together in a mix of disapproval and concern. But Jewel didn’t flinch.

“Like I said before, I’ll be going in. You’ll need someone who can hack their systems once you’re inside," Jewel said firmly. "I’m not asking, Alpha. If we’re all going into hell, I’m going too. Those pups need every edge we can give them, and I won’t be sitting outside when things fall apart."

A flicker of pride softened Alexis’s hard expression. There was a moment when I thought there might be a fight but with a slight nod, she relented. "Four on the extraction team, then."

"The silver neutralizer," Princess said, her brow furrowing thoughtfully. "We need to prioritize wolves showing signs of recent conditioning. The younger ones will naturally resist it longer, but if we break through quickly, they’ll have a better chance of fully fighting back."

"Like my daughter,” Alexis murmured, her voice thick with unspoken emotion. Hope warred with fear in her golden gaze.

"Exactly." Princess stepped closer to the Alpha, her natural empathy shining through as she addressed Alexis's pain with quiet conviction. "Strong pack bonds help counter the conditioning. Maya clearly has those in abundance."

The room seemed to hum with the weight of Alexis’s emotions, her power pulsing against us all. My wolf stirred uneasily, but Princess stood firm, unbothered by the pressure. Her focus was unwavering, her strength undeniable.

"We’ll get her back," Princess promised, her voice soft but resolute. "All of them."

Alexis met my eyes over Princess’s head, something unspoken passing between us. We both saw it now - the strength in Princess, not just in surviving, but in wielding her scars like a weapon to protect others.

The leadership.

“Three hours until shift change,” Jewel announced, her eyes scanning her tablet with practiced ease. "Surveillance shows increased activity around the north entrance. They're preparing for trouble."

"Good," Alexis said, her smile cold and predatory. "Let’s give them exactly what they’re expecting. Right where they’re expecting it."

CHAPTER 20

Princess hunched over the facility maps spread across Alexis's war table, her fingers tracing paths only she could see. The silver burns on her neck caught the cave's dim light, pulsing faintly like echoes of remembered pain. My wolf rumbled softly in protest, its instinct to shield her rising unbidden, but I held back.

This was her burden to wield, her strength to turn into purpose.

"The silver concentration most likely increases here," she said, pointing to a section near the holding cells. Her voice was steady, though her hands trembled slightly as they moved. "They'll keep the new arrivals in this zone until the ambient exposure weakens their resistance."

Jewel leaned in, her own scars catching the faint light as she nodded. The shared strength between them was hard almost hard to witness as both pairs of eyes calculated the most likely areas based on experience. “Standard protocol. Weaken the wolf, strengthen the collar's control."

"But it also weakens the guards," Princess added, her tone laced with grim satisfaction. "Even the conditioned ones can't maintain their shifts for long in these areas."

"Which means they'll be rotating frequently," I said, seeing the opening she was building toward. "Creating gaps in their coverage."

"Exactly." Princess's fingers danced over the map, stopping at faded blue markers for maintenance access panels. "These need checking every six to eight hours, especially if they want to keep control of this many new wolves. Kane was obsessive about it—if the silver mixture degraded even slightly, the ambient control weakened. I’m sure this facility is no different given the amount they have placed.”

"You remember all this from your time there?" Jewel asked, her voice quiet but intense.

Princess's smile was a sharp, humorless slash. "Kane made sure I understood every detail of their system. She wanted me to admire its... elegance. Scientist to intellectual, you could say. She never believed the guards to be very… smart. I gave her an opportunity to talk to someone as almost an equal.”

A low growl escaped my throat at the memory of what that 'admiration’, what being almost equal, had cost her. I stepped closer, letting my presence anchor her as she continued dissecting the facility's vulnerabilities.

"The maintenance schedule creates a pattern," she continued, her movements quick and deliberate as she traced patrol routes. "Guards likely check the panels clockwise, starting here." Her finger tapped the northern section. "Which means when Alexis's team creates a diversion..."

"The southern access points will be exposed," Jewel finished, her fingers flying over her tablet as she jotted down notes. "For around six or seven minutes between the rotation and maintenance check."

"Seven minutes to get inside," I mused aloud, mentally calculating distances. "How long to reach the holding cells?"

"Three minutes if we don't hit resistance," Princess replied, her tone all business. "Five if we do. Then two minutes maximum to free the captives before the silver exposure becomes dangerous."

"Assuming the burns still grant access," Jewel interjected cautiously, her gaze flicking to Princess's neck.

Princess's hand instinctively brushed over her scars. "They will. Kane was too proud of her work to update the recognition protocols often, if ever."

"And too dead to change them now," I added, earning a quick, sharp smile from my mate that sent a bolt of warmth through my chest.

"Well then," I said, stepping back from the table and extending my hand to her. "What are we waiting for?"

Princess straightened, slipping her hand into mine with a softness that belied the fire in her eyes. Determination and something deeper shone in her gaze as she turned toward me. "Come with me for a minute."

The others didn't glance our way as she led me from the room, but the faint undercurrent of amusement in the air told me they noticed. I didn't care. My wolf stirred with restless energy, eager to follow wherever she led.

Princess led me to a small, dusty room, dimly lit by the warm glow of a single nearby lantern, casting soft, flickering shadows against the smooth cave walls. She turned to face me, her silhouette framed by the golden light, and in her gaze, I saw everything—the weight of her past, the fire of her resilience, and the undeniable pull of her desire. We didn’t need words. The mate bond between us was a bridge where her emotions flowed as clearly as my own.

I cupped her cheek, my thumb brushing the delicate curve of her jaw. She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for just a moment before meeting mine again. The tremble in her shoulders was barely perceptible, but I felt it as keenly as my own heartbeat.

“Are you sure?” I murmured, my voice low, intimate.

Her smile was soft but steady. “I’m sure. With you, I’m always sure.”

My wolf surged with pride and protectiveness, and I lowered my head to claim her lips. The kiss began gentle, tentative, but quickly deepened into something hungry, something that demanded more. Her hands slipped up around my neck, pulling me closer, until every inch of her body pressed against mine.

I broke the kiss to trail my lips along her jaw, down the column of her neck, tasting the salty sweetness of her skin. Her pulse raced under my mouth, and when I reached the edge of our mating mark, she gasped softly, her hands clutching at my shoulders. I nipped at the mark, soothing the sting with a flick of my tongue, and her body arched into mine, desperate for more as she huffed little breathy whimpers of need into my ear.

Her hands tugged at my shirt, impatient and clumsy. I helped her pull it over my head, the cool cave air sharp against my overheated skin. She ran her fingers over my scars, her touch reverent, as though each line told a story only she could read. Mine, accumulated through beatings by my birth pack or various fights since I left, were nothing compared to the torment she had gone through and I never wanted her to worry over them. I captured her hands, bringing them to my lips to kiss each fingertip, savoring the way her breath hitched with every soft caress.

“Sorry for being so scarred.” I whispered, drawing a finger into my mouth.

She watched me, her eyes dancing in the soft light, “They make you who you are. My warrior. My mate. And I will memorize them all.”

I groaned at the promise in her voice, highlighting exactly how she planned to do that without a word being said.

We sank to the soft earth floor together, her body moving against mine in a rhythm as old as time. She straddled me, her hips rolling with deliberate precision, teasing, driving me wild. My hands traced the elegant curve of her back, slipping under the fabric of her shirt to feel the warmth of her skin. Piece by piece, our clothes disappeared, forgotten in the haze of our need for each other.

Princess’s body was a study in contrasts—delicate and powerful, marred and unbroken. The silver burns on her skin shimmered faintly in the low light, a testament to her strength and survival. I kissed along the edges of the marks, murmuring words of love against her skin, and her hands tightened in my hair, her breaths coming faster.

She pressed me down beneath her, her movements growing more urgent as her lips captured mine again. Our bodies aligned perfectly, moving together in a dance that was both raw and beautiful as we pushed the reality of our situation away. Her soft moans filled the air, mingling with the quiet rustle of the cave, and every sound she made was a song that echoed in my chest.

I refused to believe we wouldn’t both be coming back from this.

She reached down, our fingers meeting and entailing for only a brief moment before we found each other. I bit back a moan, the sound still forcing its way out through my teeth and becoming something dark and feral as she increased her pace.

When the moment reached its peak, it was like fire and starlight, searing and transcendent. We shattered together, clinging to each other as the waves of release surged and ebbed, leaving us breathless and trembling in the aftermath.

Princess collapsed against me, her small body fitting perfectly in the circle of my arms. I held her close, my hands running soothing patterns along her back as her breathing slowed. Her lips brushed my neck, the softest of touches, and I felt her smile against my skin.

“Someday,” I murmured, my voice rough with affection, “when we have time and no one to interrupt, I’ll make you sing for me.”

She giggled, a soft blush warming her cheeks even in the dim light. “I look forward to it.”

We lingered for a moment longer, reluctant to break the spell, but eventually, we redressed, sharing quiet smiles and gentle touches as we prepared to rejoin the world outside.

When we stepped out of the alcove, our hair and clothes slightly disheveled, the knowing glances we received from those waiting didn’t faze us.

Let them wonder.

We had a battle to fight—and love to sustain us.

Together.

"The silver exposure will affect everyone differently," Princess explained as we gathered our gear. "Younger wolves might resist it naturally for longer, but when it hits, it’ll hit harder. Older wolves can endure longer, but the pain builds gradually."

"Making it harder to recognize when you've reached your limit," Jewel added, her voice calm but grim. She handed out silver-resistant clothing from her carefully organized supplies. The fabric felt strange against my skin—not painful, but irritating, like a persistent itch reminding me of what we were about to face.

"How will we know when it's too much?" I asked, watching Princess stretch and test her range of motion in the protective gear, the loose fit doing little to hide her discomfort.

"Trust your wolf," she replied simply, her tone steady. "They'll know before we do when it's time to shift back."

"And if we're forced to shift?" Jess asked, her voice wavering as shadows of the past crossed her face.

Princess met her gaze, unwavering and resolute. "Then we deal with that together. No one gets left behind."

The weight of her promise hung heavy in the air. Even my wolf, always wary of Jess and possibly willing to leave her behind, recognized the truth in my mates words and quieted.

Jewel moved methodically, distributing equipment with the precision of someone who’d done this countless times before—compact communication devices, lock picks, and, most precious of all, Olivia's silver neutralizer syringes. Princess handled these with meticulous care, tucking them into the upgraded crossbody bags Jewel had provided. Designed to rest snugly against our wolf forms, the bags were an improvement over the ones we’d used at Mayfield—secure, functional, and built to protect both our supplies and us in the heat of battle.

I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to be the one to break it to Olivia that her clever design wasn’t apparently new. Still, it spoke volumes about how quickly the Doctor had adapted to shifter life. She had identified and created something so practical and essential, even if it turned out someone had beaten her to it.

"These even have compartments for clothes," Princess observed, her tone dry but appreciative as she adjusted her strap.

“Maybe we don’t tell Olivia?”

Her eyes met mine, sparkling with mirth. “Olivia’s fine, it’s Naomi I would worry about.”

Alexis moved up beside us, immediately derailing that train of thought and bringing us both back to the mission. If we were going to be bringing Olivia anything, it had better be recovering wolves.

“We ready?” The Alpha asked, including our trio in her gaze as she surveyed her pack. “Any last minute thoughts?”

"We should move in pairs," I suggested abruptly, my wolf already settled on the obvious arrangement. "Cover more ground but still maintain support."

Princess nodded. "Jewel with Jess—you know the systems, and she knows the escape routes. Jayne and I will handle the extraction."

"I can help with that," Jess started, but Princess shook her head firmly.

"You've seen what Pierce does to wolves she labels as traitors," she said gently but with steel beneath her tone. "We need you focused on getting us out, not confronting ghosts."

Jess hesitated, her jaw tightening, but then gave a reluctant nod. Something like relief flickered in her expression, quickly masked as she busied herself with securing her gear.

"Besides," Jewel added with a wry smile, "someone has to keep me alive while I hack their security feeds."

Their easy rapport eased some of my lingering distrust of Jess. Whatever her past, it was clear she was committed to this fight now.

"Remember," Princess said as we finished packing, "the silver neutralizer is temporary. Once administered, it gives us maybe five minutes before the collar's control reasserts."

"Choose our targets carefully," I confirmed, locking eyes with her. "Priority to the most recently conditioned."

"They'll have the best chance of breaking free completely," she agreed. "Especially with strong pack bonds pulling them back."

"Like Maya," Jewel muttered, earning sharp looks from the group. "What? We all know Alexis’s daughter is a priority."

"All of them are priorities," Princess corrected, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "We save as many as we can, for as long as we can."

Her words carried a strength that drew the room’s focus, a reminder of how far she’d come. The mate I stood beside was no longer just a survivor; she was a leader, ready to turn the weight of her pain into purpose.

And then, it was time to leave.

I watched as Princess adjusted her gear for what felt like the tenth time, her delicate hands working the straps with quiet determination. The silver-resistant clothing hung loose on her smaller frame, no amount of modification able to make it fit perfectly. It made her look fragile, but the fire in her eyes told a different story.

There was nothing fragile about my mate.

“The burns are bothering you,” I murmured, stepping closer to help tighten a stubborn strap.

“They always bother me,” she admitted, her voice soft but steady. Leaning briefly into my touch, she added, “But they’re also the key to saving those pups.”

My wolf growled low in my chest, protective instincts surging to the surface. I wanted to shield her, keep her from more pain, but I knew better than to try. Instead, I pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, letting her know I was with her.

“Together,” I said.

“Always,” she replied, her small smile bolstered by determination.

Across the cave, Jewel and Jess were finishing their equipment checks, their quiet efficiency grounding the tension in the air. They bent over the maps one last time, their familiarity with the facility and its horrors lending a grim weight to their movements.

“Think the burns will really fool their systems?” Jess asked, glancing at Princess.

“They will,” Jewel answered before Princess could, her tone confident. “Kane’s ego wouldn’t allow her to change the recognition protocols. She was too proud of her ‘masterpiece.’” The word dripped with disgust. “Plus, you have to remember how lazy Hunters are. No one would bother to change them.”

Princess reached up to touch the scars on her neck, her fingers brushing over them like a memory she couldn’t escape. “The patterns are specific. Each one is a key to a part of their system.”

“Like a barcode,” I growled, earning a soothing touch from her hand on mine.

“Like a weapon,” she corrected, her eyes burning with purpose. “One we’re going to use against them.”

A young wolf appeared at the cave entrance, her hurried steps signaling urgency. “The transport convoy’s unloading is complete. Eight wolves confirmed—young, all female.”

Princess’s hand tightened in mine. “Any signs of conditioning yet?” she asked, her voice tense.

The scout shook her head. “Still processing arrivals. But…” She hesitated, and even without saying anything it felt like a knife to the gut.

“But?” I prompted, already bracing myself.

“Pierce was seen entering the facility personally.”

The weight of her words struck like a physical blow. Beside me, Princess went rigid, while Jess whimpered softly, her fear tangible.

“She never goes to processing,” Jewel said, her voice unusually quiet. “Unless…”

“Unless she has plans for them,” Princess finished, her voice like steel. “Special plans.”

“We still have an hour until shift change,” I pointed out, though my wolf was already clawing to act.

“Pierce won’t wait,” Princess insisted, her grip on my hand unyielding. “She’ll want to start immediately—especially after losing Kane.”

No one argued. We all knew what Pierce’s urgency meant.

“I’ll alert Alexis,” Jewel said, already turning to go. “We’ll begin the distraction early.”

Princess turned to face all of us, her small form radiating an authority that stilled even my restless wolf. “Remember,” she said, her voice commanding, “the silver exposure will affect everyone differently. Trust your instincts. If it gets too much…”

“We shift back,” Jess finished grimly. “Better naked than dead.”

“Or worse,” Jewel added, her expression haunted. “Better naked than controlled.”

I stepped closer to Princess, wrapping my arms around her briefly, inhaling her scent to center myself. My wolf raged at the thought of letting her step back into the Hunter’s world, but I knew better. This was her fight as much as mine—her chance to turn scars into strength.

“Ready?” I asked softly, my voice only for her.

She pressed her forehead to my chest, drawing strength from our bond. “Ready to end this,” she said. “Ready to bring them home.”

Her words were a promise—a vow that ignited something fierce in all of us.

And as we stepped out of the cave, leaving safety behind, I felt it: the pull of the hunt, the weight of purpose, and the unshakable certainty that nothing—nothing—would stop us now.

CHAPTER 21

The forest loomed, enveloping us in its dense embrace as we approached the facility, every sound and scent magnified by our heightened senses. The thick overgrowth and towering trees provided natural cover, though my wolf remained restless, alert to every movement. Princess moved beside me with a grace that belied her smaller size and healing burns, her presence both a comfort and a reminder of the stakes.

"Patrols passing north entrance," Jewel's voice crackled softly through our earpieces. She and Jess were laying prone on a rocky overlook about 50 yards behind us, watching for any movement as Princess and I approached the facility. "Alexis's team is in position."

"Copy that," I murmured, my eyes flicking to Princess as she studied the maintenance access point. Her fingers skimmed the edge of the panel with a familiarity that made my stomach churn.

"Kane's signature," she whispered, more to herself than to us. "Always the same pattern."

In the distance, an explosion thundered through the air, scattering a flock of birds into the sky. The distraction had begun, Alexis’s team executing their part with precision. Princess seized the moment, keying in a sequence on the panel’s keypad before pressing her palm against the scanner. For a tense moment, nothing happened. Then a soft click broke the silence, and the panel slid open with mechanical precision.

"Told you Kane was too proud to change it," she said, satisfaction threading her voice.

"Seven minutes," Jess reminded us and she and Jewel closed in behind us, her tone clipped. "That’s all we’ve got before the rotation catches up."

The silver-lined walls inside the facility felt oppressive, the hum of the metal a malevolent presence against my senses. My wolf bristled, instinctively resisting the unnatural energy. Princess faltered slightly, the weight of the place pressing on her more than it did me. I stepped closer, letting my presence steady her.

"I'm fine," she assured me, though her voice betrayed the strain. "Just... remembering."

"Stay present," I murmured, brushing my shoulder against hers as we moved forward. "We’re here to make new memories an option. Better ones. For them. For us."

A quick smile flitted across her face, fleeting but real. It warmed something in my chest, even as the building trembled under another distant explosion.

“Getting soft on me?” she teased, her voice a touch lighter.

“Never.” I growled, letting my wolf rise just enough to meet hers.

"Security teams responding to the north entrance," Jewel reported from behind, her eyes fixed on the tablet in her hands. "Multiple units redirecting."

"How many left in our zone?" I asked, scanning the silver corridors ahead.

"Two regular patrols, plus..." She hesitated, glancing up at Princess. "Three conditioned guards near processing."

Princess's hand hovered over the syringes secured at her hip, her expression unreadable. "We might need these sooner than expected."

"Holding cells first," I reminded her, my wolf pacing at the thought of leaving any wolf behind, no matter how dangerous the risk.

"Two minutes to first checkpoint," Jess warned, her voice steady but urgent. "After that, it’s all active security zones."

Princess took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders as determination replaced the shadows of memory in her eyes. "Then we move now. Those pups have waited long enough."

Our small group pressed forward, four shadows slipping through the silver-lined corridors like ghosts. Every step brought us closer to the holding cells and the wolves trapped inside—and closer to the horrors Princess, Jess, and Jewel had already survived. The air was thick with tension, but my gaze stayed fixed on my mate. Small and unassuming though she might seem, her courage radiated like a beacon.

Princess wasn’t just here to survive.

She was here to save them all.

"Together," I whispered as we approached the first checkpoint, my hand brushing hers.

"Always," she replied, her voice soft yet resolute, her fingers squeezing mine briefly before we moved into position.

The checkpoint loomed ahead, sterile white walls hiding the oppressive silver embedded within them. My wolf bristled, the unnatural energy prickling under my skin. Princess moved with fluid precision, her smaller form melding into the shadows as she pressed against the wall to peer around the corner. I was right behind her, every fiber of my being focused on keeping her safe.

"Two guards," she whispered, her voice so low it barely reached me. "Regular rotation. Humans, not conditioned."

"Armed?" Jewel’s voice came through our earpieces, steady and calm.

"Silver-tipped batons and standard tranquilizers," Princess confirmed, her intimate knowledge of the Hunters’ methods evident. "No heavy weapons at checkpoints. Too much risk to the silver infrastructure."

Another explosion shook the building, closer this time. Dust cascaded from the ceiling, and the guards ahead shifted uneasily, one reaching for his radio.

"North team reporting multiple breaches," the speaker crackled, static distorting the voice.

"Maintain position," a sharp, cold voice cut in. "This is exactly what they want."

Princess flinched, her body going rigid. My wolf snarled at the invisible threat, not even needing to recognize the voice that carried so much weight for my mate.

"Pierce," Jewel hissed, her tone dripping with loathing.

Princess turned toward me, her eyes hard despite the tremor I felt through the bond. I placed a hand on her back, grounding us both. Her hand found mine, her grip firm despite the fear I knew she carried.

"How do you want to play this?" Jess asked, her claws extending in readiness.

"Quick and quiet," I said, meeting Princess’s gaze. She nodded in agreement, steel in her expression.

"No shift yet," she cautioned, her voice steady. "We need to save our wolves’ strength for when it really matters."

Jewel moved forward, her hand steady on the tranquilizer gun Alexis had scavenged. Her movements were fluid, practiced. The tranq dart found its mark in the first guard’s neck before he could even react. I was on the second before he could shout, a precise strike to the base of his skull rendering him unconscious. I caught his limp body, lowering him gently to the ground.

"Clear," Jewel confirmed, already at the security panel. She gestured for Princess.

Princess stepped forward, pressing her palm against the scanner. The burns on her neck seemed to glow faintly under the harsh light, and for a tense second, I held my breath. Then the door slid open with a soft hiss.

"Two minutes until the next patrol," Jess warned as we quickly dragged the unconscious guards into a nearby storage closet.

"Processing is through there," Princess said, nodding toward the left corridor. "Holding cells are to the right."

Another explosion rocked the walls, followed by the distant sound of shouting. The chaos above was working, but it wouldn’t last forever.

"Alexis's team is keeping them busy," Jewel murmured, her eyes on the tablet. "But Pierce isn't sending all her forces to the distraction. She's holding back."

"She's expecting something," Princess said, her voice low but steady. "She knows Kane's death wasn’t random."

"Then let’s not disappoint her," I growled softly, a dangerous edge to my tone.

Princess met my eyes, a fierce smile tugging at her lips. "Let’s make her regret every move she’s ever made."

We moved deeper into the facility, every step drawing us closer to the captured wolves—and to the woman responsible for so much pain. My wolf snarled beneath the surface, desperate to shift, to tear through anything or anyone in our path. But Princess’s quiet strength beside me held that instinct in check, her presence a steadying force.

This wasn’t about revenge. It was about rescue. About ensuring no other wolf suffered what my mate had endured.

"Movement ahead," Jess whispered suddenly, her voice tight. "Multiple guards..."

"Conditioned guards," Princess confirmed, her tone grim. "Three of them. Young."

The sickly tang of silver in their blood hit us before we saw them, the scent burning my nose and setting my wolf on edge. When they rounded the corner, the sight was even worse. The young wolves moved with an unnatural precision, their eyes vacant, dulled behind crude collars that pulsed faintly with an ominous glow. Their bodies reeked of fear and something else—a sterile, chemical stench that clung to them like sickness.

The silver neutralizer syringes pressed against my hip, their presence a reminder of the impossible choices ahead. We ducked into a service alcove, cloaked in shadow, as the patrol approached.

"We can help them," Princess whispered, her hand already reaching for the syringes.

"Not yet," I said softly, though the words felt like betrayal. "We need those for the new arrivals. The ones we know we can save." My throat tightened as I forced the truth out. "These might be too far gone."

The pain in her eyes made my wolf ache, but she nodded, her jaw tightening in reluctant acceptance. Sometimes being a leader meant choosing the unbearable.

The patrol passed without a flicker of recognition, their movements mechanical, inhuman. Princess’s eyes stayed locked on them until they disappeared down the corridor, grief and fury warring in her expression.

"Soon," I whispered, brushing my hand against hers. "We'll find a way to help them all."

"Two more sections to the holding cells," Jewel reported quietly, her voice cutting through the tension. "Silver concentration is increasing. How’s everyone holding up?"

Princess's shoulders were tight, her movements strained, but her voice held steady. "I'm fine. Let's move."

I could smell the truth beneath her words—the sharp tang of pain and effort she was hiding. But this was her choice, her fight, and I would follow her through fire if that’s what it took.

Together, we pressed forward into the heart of Pierce's domain.

The holding cell section hit us like a physical blow—the concentration of silver in the walls made our wolves whimper and shrink back instinctively. Princess stumbled slightly, the oppressive energy clearly affecting her more than the rest of us. I moved to her side, steadying her with a hand on her arm, respecting her need to push through on her own terms.

"One minute until shift change," Jewel warned through our earpieces, her voice clipped. "Silver exposure reaching critical levels."

A muffled cry echoed from deeper within the corridor, stopping us all in our tracks. The sound was young and terrified, laced with pain. My wolf bristled, ready to charge forward, but Princess reached for me, her touch light but commanding.

"They're starting the conditioning," she whispered, her voice tight but controlled.

My wolf surged, furious, my claws itching to tear through walls to reach the source of that cry. But Princess’s grounding presence and the quiet strength in her eyes kept me steady. "Together," she reminded me softly, her fingers curling around mine.

The cry led us to a processing room, its interior visible through multiple observation windows. Inside, a young wolf—barely more than fourteen or fifteen max—thrashed against silver-lined restraints, her form trembling with exertion. Standing over her was the woman we’d come to stop, her every move calculated and deliberate.

"Pierce," Jewel confirmed grimly, her voice barely a breath.

Pierce’s cold voice cut through the observation glass with detached authority. "Progress requires sacrifice," she said, almost conversationally. "You'll thank me when you're stronger."

My eyes locked on the young wolf and instantly my vision faded, replaced by the memory of a shadowed figured with glowing eyes. This was the wolf the moon had shown me.

“Maya.”

Jess strained her neck, catching a glimpse of the wolf on the table as her face hardened. She nodded once, sharply, before bending back over the tablet.

Princess’s grip on my hand tightened, the faint tremor betraying the storm beneath her calm exterior. Her eyes, however, stayed sharp as she quickly assessed the situation.

"Four guards, plus Pierce," she said quietly. "The conditioned ones are flanking the door." She motioned to the vacant-eyed wolves standing unnaturally still. "The others are regular security."

"How do you want to play this?" Jess asked, gripping the tranq gun Jewel had passed her. Jewel was already working, her tablet casting faint light on her focused face.

"We need a distraction," Princess decided, her voice steady despite the clear tension in her shoulders. "Something to draw the regular guards away without alerting Pierce."

Jewel didn’t hesitate, her fingers flying over the screen. "I can trigger a security alert in the next section. Make it look like Alexis's team breached the perimeter."

"Do it," I said, moving into position, my wolf coiled and ready for action.

The blaring alarm was immediate and deafening. Pierce’s head snapped up, irritation crossing her face. "Check it," she barked at the regular guards. "You two, stay with the subject."

As the guards hurried past our position, Princess pressed her palm to the security panel beside the door. The marks on her neck pulsed faintly as the scanner recognized them. With a soft click, the door slid open, granting us entry.

The conditioned guards turned instantly, their movements unnervingly synchronized.

But we were ready.

Jess’s tranq gun hissed as it found the first guard’s neck, dropping him silently to the ground. I engaged the second with calculated precision, every strike designed to neutralize rather than kill. Princess slipped past us, her focus entirely on the trembling wolf strapped to the table. She had the silver neutralizer syringe ready, her movements swift and purposeful.

Then Pierce laughed—a sound so chilling it froze us all in place.

"I wondered when you'd try something like this," she said, her smile a disconcerting mix of genuine pleasure and malice. Her eyes locked onto Princess, the recognition there unmistakable. "Kane's perfect little prototype, come home at last."

"These facilities were never home," Princess answered, her voice calm despite the slight shake in her hands as she prepared the syringe. Her eyes burned with a fire that made my wolf surge with pride. "Just another prison."

"A prison?" Pierce’s smile widened, her tone mocking and laced with venom. "Oh no, dear. This is evolution. Advancement. Look how far we’ve come since Kane's crude methods."

Pierce pressed a single button out of what looked like hundreds on the consoles in front of her, and the collars on the conditioned guards pulsed with a sickly, malevolent light. Both rose like zombies from where we had left them on the floor, seemingly oblivious to having been shot or struck. Their once-vacant eyes burned with cruel purpose as they turned toward us, their movements shifting from mechanical to terrifyingly fluid.

"The new design allows for much finer control," Pierce said, her voice laced with twisted pride. "Watch."

The guards launched themselves at us with desperate speed, their unnatural strength a grotesque enhancement of their natural wolf abilities. Whatever horrors those collars had built into them, they were devastatingly effective.

I met the first guard’s charge head-on, focusing on disabling her without causing permanent harm. Her strength was staggering, her strikes precise and unrelenting. Behind me, Princess’s voice cut through the chaos as she worked frantically to free the restrained wolf.

“Maya,” Princess called out, her tone calm but urgent as she fumbled with the silver-lined restraints. “Stay with me. We’re here to help.”

Jess and Jewel struggled against the second guard, their combined efforts barely keeping him at bay. The silver in the walls pulsed like a living thing, weakening us with every passing second. My wolf fought the rising weakness, clinging to the strength of our mate bond and the determination radiating from Princess.

"You can't save them all," Pierce taunted, her expression infuriatingly serene as she backed toward a secondary exit. "Some changes can't be undone."

"Watch us try," Princess snarled, her voice sharp with defiance. The raw fury in her words sent a ripple of strength through all of us.

“We’re at critical exposure,” Jewel warned through gritted teeth, her movements slowing as the silver drained her strength. “Three minutes, tops.”

My chest tightened. We had to end this now. Shifting would leave us too vulnerable, and Pierce’s cruel smirk told me she was counting on it.

“Maya!” Princess urged, her small hands steady even as her body trembled under the silver’s effects. The younger wolf writhed against her bonds, her silver-blonde hair catching the harsh light. "Your mother sent us. We’re going to get you home."

Maya’s scream pierced the air. “It hurts!” she wailed, thrashing violently as the collar glowed brighter, fighting Princess’s efforts.

Pierce watched from the doorway, her clinical detachment infuriating. "The collar's fighting you," she said smoothly. "The new programming is almost complete. In another hour, she'll be ours."

"She’ll never be yours," I snarled, finally pinning one of the guards against the wall. My claws itched to tear through the collar, but I knew better. The only way to save them was to disable the silver's control, trying to shred the collar would only result in injury to us both.

Princess met my gaze across the room, her determination shining through the pain in her eyes. Silent communication passed between us, a plan forming in an instant. She pulled a silver neutralizer from her belt, her movements sharp and decisive.

"Now!" she shouted, plunging the syringe into Maya’s neck just above the shining silver ring. The younger wolf stilled, her body arching as the neutralizer took hold.

Jess and Jewel moved in perfect synchronization, one holding their guard still as the other plunged their syringe into the base of the guards neck. I followed suit, driving the needle into the wolf I had pinned, the venomous glow of his collar flickering and dimming as the neutralizer spread through his system.

The room stilled for a breathless moment, our collective focus on whether the neutralizers would hold.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then Maya's eyes cleared, confusion giving way to recognition.

"Mom?" she whimpered, her voice small and trembling. "What’s happening?"

"We’re here, baby," Princess said softly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands. She worked quickly at the restraints, her every motion urgent but controlled. Without Maya’s thrashing to slow her down, she was finally able to loosen them. “Your mom sent us. We’re getting you out."

The controlled guards convulsed violently as the neutralizer coursed through them. Their vacant stares shattered, replaced by expressions of raw fear and confusion. Young wolves, barely out of adolescence. My stomach churned at the realization.

They were basically children.

Pierce’s laugh rang out, rich with condescension. "Impressive. You’ve managed to disrupt the conditioning. But temporary freedom is such a cruel kindness, isn’t it? You’re only giving them a taste of hope before it’s ripped away."

"Better hope than the empty obedience you’ve stolen," Princess snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. She freed the last restraint, catching Maya as the young wolf nearly collapsed into her arms.

"Two minutes until critical exposure!" Jewel warned, her voice sharp with urgency. "We need to move now!"

The silver in the walls pulsed, its toxic hum growing stronger. My wolf clawed at me, desperate to shift and protect my mate, but we couldn’t. Not yet. Not here.

Princess’s head snapped toward the corridor beyond. "The other holding cells," she gasped, her eyes blazing with determination. "There are more. We can’t leave them."

Pierce's smug smile deepened. "By all means, make the attempt. The silver exposure will drop you in moments, and then..." She gestured toward the guards who were slowly recovering, their confused expressions sharpening with anger as a tarnished golden glow seeped into their eyes. "Well, I’ll have fresh subjects for the program."

The rage in me burned hotter than the silver in the walls, but Princess’s commanding gaze kept me tethered to the mission.

"Maya first," she said firmly, though I could see the anguish in her eyes. "We’ll come back for the others."

The choice tore at me, but I nodded. "Maya first," I echoed.

Save who we could.

For now.

"One minute!" Jewel called, her voice cracking as she struggled to keep upright. "Princess, your burns..."

I glanced at my mate’s neck. The silver scars were livid, glowing faintly as the exposure took its toll. But Princess didn’t falter. She pulled Maya to her feet, her voice unwavering.

"Together," she whispered, her eyes meeting mine.

"Always," I replied, moving to support them both.

We began retreating, every step an effort against the oppressive weight of silver. Maya stumbled but clung to Princess, her small form trembling with fear and exhaustion.

Behind us, Pierce stood unmoving, her arms crossed and her expression smug. She didn’t try to stop us—her confidence was chilling. She truly believed we couldn’t save them all.

Maybe she was right. But as we reached the exit, the hum of silver around us growing deafening, a sound stopped me cold—a howl, mournful and desperate, echoing from the deeper cells.

Princess froze beside me, her breath catching in her throat.

"Jayne," she whispered, her voice breaking. “We can’t…”

My wolf surged forward, and my claws flexed. Whoever was down there called to me in something that sounded like pack, we couldn’t leave them behind.

Not this one.

Not this time.

"Go!" I barked at Jewel and Jess. "Get Maya out!"

Princess’s hand tightened on mine. "Jayne, we can’t⁠—"

"Stay with me," I growled, my eyes locked on hers. "Just a little longer. Trust me.”

The howl came again, louder this time, and I knew with bone-deep certainty: whoever was down there was worth every risk.

"Let’s end this," Princess whispered, her determination hardening into resolve.

We turned back toward the silver-lined corridor, leaving Jewel’s frantic protests behind as the next phase of this rescue began.

CHAPTER 22

Pierce's chilling laughter echoed in my ears as we moved down the corridor, Maya half-limp between Jewel and Jess. Her small frame trembled violently, each step an effort against the silver's debilitating grip. The trio followed close behind us, their breathing labored from the increasing exposure. Despite being ordered to get Maya out, they hadn’t left—they couldn’t. The corridors were thick with tension, the air buzzing with something unspoken but shared: we couldn’t abandon anyone.

Not if we could still help them.

Not yet.

"She's stabilizing," Jewel murmured, glancing at Maya as we paused briefly at a corner. "But she won’t last long in here. None of us will."

Jess's expression mirrored my wolf's inner conflict, torn between urgency and obligation. "We should’ve already been gone⁠—"

“A few more," Princess interrupted, her voice hoarse but resolute. She gestured toward a side hall where faint, muffled cries leaked through heavy steel doors. Her steps faltered in that direction, exhaustion clear in her every movement. “When we were making this plan we said we would get them all.”

“Princess, we can’t—” Jess started, but I cut her off with a sharp growl.

“We’re not leaving them,” I said, my tone leaving no room for debate. “Whoever is behind that door is close enough to save, and we can’t just ignore that.”

"Thirty seconds max," Jewel warned, her voice tight as she checked the timer on her tablet. "The silver's hitting critical. We won’t make it out if this drags."

Princess met my gaze, her expression filled with pain but unwavering. I knew what she was thinking. I felt it too. Every second counted, but the whimpers from behind those doors were impossible to ignore.

"Cover us," I barked, helping the pair lower Maya gently to the floor to free their hands before bracing Princess as she pressed her palm to the security panel. The burns on her neck glowed an angry red under the artificial light, her breathing labored as the system clicked in recognition. The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing two teenage girls curled up in the corner, their eyes immediately going wide with recognition.

“Tali? Emma?" Princess breathed, relief softening her features. The sight of the two diner girls from Haven pack made my chest ache. “Come on, we're getting you out."

"B-but the collars," Tali stammered, one hand trembling as it brushed the cruel device clamped around her neck. Her voice cracked under the weight of fear.

Princess already had the final neutralizers in her hands. She knelt beside them, her movements shaky but deliberate. "Trust me," she whispered, her voice steady despite the chaos. The girls tilted their heads in unison, exposing their necks in a silent, instinctive submission that made my wolf stir with admiration—and something else.

An almost magnetic pull.

The same pull that had called us in here - pack.

When Princess touched the collars, a strange ripple of energy passed through the air, subtle but undeniable. Tali and Emma's wide eyes shifted to Princess, their terror giving way to something closer to awe. Even in their weakened state, they leaned toward her, instinct drawing them closer like moths to a flame.

"You feel it too," Princess whispered, a flicker of wonder in her voice as the neutralizers hissed, pressing themselves into the girl’s necks. The silver's influence began to fade almost immediately , relief and clarity flooding the girls' expressions.

The connection was palpable, an unspoken bond forming as Princess touched their shoulders. It wasn’t just about saving them—it was about bringing them home.

Then came the sound of slow, deliberate applause.

"Still collecting strays for Lydia’s pack, Jayne? Even though she overlooked you for second?” A voice, rich with sardonic amusement, drifted down the corridor. "Some things never change."

I stiffened, instincts on full alert as I turned to face the figure emerging from the shadows.

Sloane.

Her smile was a blade, sharp and mocking, her eyes gleaming with a predator’s calm.

"Sloane," Princess whispered, her voice a mix of disbelief and fury.

The tension in the air became electric. My wolf surged with unabashed fury as Sloane stepped fully into the doorway, her silver-bright hair gleaming like a traitors silver blade under the harsh lights. But it was the cruel satisfaction in her sharp, calculating eyes that made Princess stiffen beside me.

"These aren't strays," my mate said, her voice steady despite the trembling in her hands. "They're pack."

Sloane's laugh was sharp and brittle, devoid of any warmth. "Pack? Is that what you call these broken pieces you scrape together?"

"Better broken and healing than whole and cruel," Princess shot back, her stance protective as she edged closer to shield the two teens behind her.

"Healing?" Sloane’s smile sharpened into a predator’s snarl. "You're just prolonging their weakness. Kane saw it in you too—so much potential, wasted on your pointless compassion."

The oppressive silver in the walls pressed harder against us, making the air feel razor-thin and biting. Princess swayed slightly under its weight, but her voice remained unshaken.

"Kane saw what she wanted to see," Princess countered, her tone firm as steel. "Just like Pierce sees what she wants in you—a tool to feed her cruelty. Nothing more.”

Behind us, Tali and Emma whimpered, the lingering effects of the silver exposure leaving them visibly shaken. They clung to each other, their trust in Princess a lifeline as their neutralized collars faltered against Pierce’s twisted designs.

Sloane’s lips curled into a cold smirk. "Pierce sees the future. Evolution. What we could all become if we stopped clinging to outdated instincts."

"You mean if we stopped being wolves altogether," Princess challenged, subtly positioning herself further between Sloane and the teens. “What does that leave us being? Nothing but weapons for humans or breeding stock for the more depraved wolves among us?”

"Being a wolf is what makes us weak," Sloane said, her voice cold with conviction. "These urges, these bonds—they're chains, not strength. Mates, pack, loyalty—they make us vulnerable. We could be so much more if we embraced our true nature as the apex predators we are meant to be."

Jewel’s urgent whisper crackled through the earpieces. "We have maybe two minutes until silver saturation brings us down. If you’re not out by then, you’ll drop."

Princess’s hand found mine, the bond between us thrumming with shared purpose even through the rising pain. In the corner of my vision, I caught the teens watching the gesture, their frightened eyes lighting with a flicker of desperate hope.

"Is that what you tell yourself to justify betraying your own kind?" Princess asked, her voice biting. I felt her claws starting to prick at my palms and smiled. My mate had fangs, and if Sloane didn’t tread carefully she was about to see exactly how Kane met her end.

Sloane tilted her head, opening up her neck, completely unfazed by the growing tension, her tone almost mocking. "Betrayal implies loyalty. I simply chose advancement over stagnation."

I couldn’t suppress the growl that rumbled low in my chest. "You chose cruelty over courage."

Sloane’s gaze flicked to Maya, still kneeling beside Jess just outside the doorway. Her smirk grew, dripping with venom. "Says the wolf who couldn’t even protect her own pup without help. How is little Luna, by the way?"

The mention of my daughter snapped the leash on my restraint. My wolf lunged, the shift taking hold mid-motion. Only Princess’s firm grip on my fur-covered wrist kept me from tearing Sloane’s throat out. My half-shifted growl rumbled through a still-too-human throat. “Say it again, bitch.”

Princess tightened her grip on me, grounding us both. Her voice stayed steady as she addressed Sloane, her calm a sharp contrast to the chaos around us. "You think you're saving them?" Her gaze swept over the trembling teens, who pressed closer to her. "Look at what 'saving' gets you. Terrified pups who will never want to use their full strength for fear of cruelty and hatred.”

"I see progress," Sloane said, her voice carrying genuine conviction, which only made her words more chilling. She didn’t so much as glance at me, her eyes never leaving Princess. “Evolution. Freedom from the weakness that kept us prey to humans—or to our own kind."

"Is that what Pierce promised you?" Princess asked, her voice rising with challenge. "Freedom?"

Sloane’s smile widened, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Pierce didn’t promise me anything. She recognized what Kane never could—that some of us want to be more than just animals or experiments.”

Her words hung in the air, their weight a warning and a challenge. The silver burned hotter, making my wolf snarl in rebellion even as Princess's steadying touch kept me in check.

The silver concentration pressed against us, making it harder to think, harder to breathe. My vision blurred at the edges, each pulse of pain through my skull mirrored by the ragged breaths of the wolves around me. In the hallway, Maya swayed unsteadily, her weakened form a clear target. Jess caught her without hesitation, their pack instincts already stitching together despite everything they'd endured.

"You're not more," I snarled, baring my teeth despite the fire of the silver exposure in my veins. "You're less."

Sloane's laughter was sharp and cruel, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. "Says the wolf who can't even decide what sex she is." Her gaze flicked to Princess. "At least I chose my path."

Princess’s small frame straightened with a defiance that made my wolf swell, even as her pain was obvious in every labored breath. “Jayne is exactly what and who she is meant to be. You however didn’t choose anything. You let them turn you into exactly what they wanted—a weapon against your own kind."

"Our 'kind' are weak," Sloane sneered, gesturing disdainfully toward the struggling teens. "Ruled by instinct and emotion. Look at them. Look how easily they break. How desperately they cling to their precious pack bonds, thinking those will save them."

Princess shifted, releasing my wrist as her stance widened in preparation for whatever was coming. The resolve in her golden eyes shone brighter than the silver burns lining her neck. "Those bonds are what make us strong," she said quietly, with absolute conviction.

Sloane’s lip curled into a snarl. "Those bonds make you weak. Family, pack, mates—they’re nothing but vulnerabilities. Strings for the strong to pull. Weaknesses to be exploited, stolen, killed... or worse." The silver running through her veins pulsed visibly now, her movements unnaturally fluid and alien. It churned my stomach to think about what she'd done to herself in the name of Pierce's twisted ideals.

"You really believe that?" Princess asked, her voice colored by a sadness that cut deeper than anger ever could.

Sloane's expression twisted into something almost pitying. "I believe in evolution. In shedding the chains of instinct and becoming something greater than nature ever intended." Her voice dripped with zealous conviction. "Pierce understands that. She’s giving us the tools to transcend those limitations."

“Critical exposure in thirty seconds," Jewel gasped through the earpiece, her voice sharp with desperation. “We are all going to drop. We need to move!"

The teens behind us were barely standing, their smaller wolves succumbing faster to the oppressive silver exposure. But somehow, Princess’s presence seemed to hold them together, her quiet strength offering a lifeline that no amount of silver could sever.

"Every limitation you cling to—compassion, loyalty, love—they’re nothing but evolutionary scraps," Sloane continued, her movements shifting from smooth to predatory as her words grew sharper. "They make you soft. Primitive. They make you prey."

Princess, trembling but unyielding, held her ground. "Those instincts are what make us wolves," she said, her voice ringing with clarity despite the oppressive weight of the moment. "You think this is evolution?" She gestured toward Sloane, her gaze flicking pointedly to the visible strain in her jerky movements. Despite her supposed enhancements, Sloane wasn’t immune to the silver. "Poisoning yourself until there’s nothing left but a shadow of who you were?"

"The silver makes us stronger," Sloane snarled, her fervent belief turning her words to venom. "It burns away the animal and leaves something pure behind."

"There’s nothing pure about torture," I growled, my arm tightening around Tali as she stumbled closer. My wolf bristled, muscles tensed despite the crushing exposure. "And there’s nothing left in you worth saving."

The tension in the corridor was suffocating, the silver biting at us as Sloane’s cruel smile deepened. Every second stretched impossibly long, as though the world itself held its breath for what would come next.

Sloane's laugh ricocheted through the small holding cell, a sharp, grating sound that made the Haven wolves flinch. "Torture? This is transformation. Kane was too gentle, too clinical. Pierce understands—real change demands pain."

Princess shifted subtly, guiding Tali and Emma behind her, angling them towards the door. Despite her small frame, she stood like an immovable wall, shielding them from Sloane's malicious gaze. Her tone stayed calm, measured, even as her eyes darted toward the three wolves outside. "Is that what you tell yourself when you hear them screaming?"

"I tell myself they're weak." Sloane's words carried venom, but the faint tremor in her steps betrayed her. The silver coursing through her veins pulsed visibly now, a sickly glow under her skin. She stumbled, catching herself quickly and pretending it was deliberate. "Their pain proves they need to change. Just like you needed to change."

Princess's posture stiffened, her breath hitching for just a moment. But her voice was steady, unwavering. "My compassion saved me."

"Your compassion trapped you. It's trapping you now," Sloane sneered, taking a step closer. "Still playing nursemaid to broken wolves when you could be transcendent. You feel it, don’t you? The silver’s call in your blood. Let it consume you. Stop fighting and when you wake, you’ll be stronger than you ever imagined.”

Tali and Emma huddled closer, their trembling forms pressing against Princess like frightened pups clinging to their Alpha. One of them hissed at Sloane, their primal instincts sparking despite their fear. Princess's arm instinctively curved protectively around them, her calm defiance a sharp contrast to Sloane's cruel arrogance.

"Fifteen seconds," Jewel's urgent whisper cut through the rising tension. "We need to shift now or we’re done."

"You know what's truly fascinating?" Sloane's voice dropped, dripping with predatory glee as she moved closer. The silver gave her a serpentine quickness, her movements unnaturally smooth and jarring even as it was obviously taking its toll. "Watching them break. Seeing that moment when the animal surrenders to evolution."

Princess braced herself, each word a deliberate challenge. "You mean when they stop fighting your torture."

Sloane's expression twisted into something nearly ecstatic. "When they embrace transformation. Like these new ones will." Her eyes latched onto the teens, dark with hunger. "The Haven wolves are particularly promising. Young, adaptable... ripe for advancement. It's almost amusing that they were hidden under our noses all this time. Thank you for delivering them so perfectly."

A low growl built in my throat, and Maya, from the doorway, still struggling against the oppressive silver, managed to spit through clenched teeth. "You're insane."

"I'm enlightened," Sloane hissed, her gaze snapping toward Maya. Her smile was sharp, predatory. "Something your mother never understood. Always trying to protect instead of perfect. That was Lydia's problem, too. They just had different ways of failing at it."

Princess’s voice, steady and clear despite the obvious weight of the silver, cut through the room like a claw. "Because they understand what you've forgotten—we’re not meant to be perfect. We’re meant to be pack."

Sloane snarled, her composure cracking under the combined weight of the silver and Princess’s unyielding defiance. "Pack is a crutch," she growled, her body trembling as the toxic effects began to catch up with her. "Pierce has shown me something better."

"She's shown you how to hate yourself so completely you'd destroy others just to feel superior." My voice was a growl, low and unyielding. “What the fuck happened to you? We joined Lydia’s pack together.”

For the first time, Sloane’s composure faltered. Something raw flickered across her face—doubt, maybe. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "Superior? I'm simply ahead of the inevitable. Wolves will evolve or die. Pierce's vision requires nothing less."

"Five seconds!" Jewel's desperate shout rang out as she abandoned the need for the earpieces, the silver's suffocating weight making my limbs feel like lead.

"Your vision ends here," I snarled, taking a step forward. But Sloane’s sharp, humorless laugh froze me.

The oppressive silver concentration reached its peak, making every breath a battle. The teens swayed on their feet, their eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion dragged them down. Princess’s voice broke through the haze, steady and clear as ever.

"When I say now, shift and run. Don't stop, don’t look back. Follow Jess and Jewel’s scent to safety."

Sloane surged forward, her silver-bright veins giving her a grotesque strength while we slowed. "Let me show you what real evolution looks like," she sneered.

"Now!" Princess commanded. Her small frame stepped in front of Sloane, claws bared, defiant and unyielding. The air filled with the sounds of shifting, painful and raw, as the teens fought through their suffering to obey.

Sloane struck with blinding speed, but Princess ducked beneath her, her movements precise and deliberate. My mate's hands found mine for a fleeting moment, our bond flaring with shared purpose.

"Still protecting others when you should be saving yourself," Sloane mocked, circling us like a predator. "Some weaknesses just take longer to beat out of you."

Princess stood firm, her unwavering presence keeping Sloane's attention while the teens slipped into the shaft behind her. "You're not evolved, Sloane," Princess said, her voice ringing with quiet authority. "You're engineered."

"And you're still clinging to fairy tales about pack and family," Sloane snapped, her movements faltering as the silver warred with her wolf. "While I transcend biology itself."

I growled low in my throat, my body still half-shifted and ready. "Look at you, chasing a vision that's killing you from the inside out."

The teens disappeared into the shadows, Jess and Jewel guiding them, but Sloane was too consumed by her own twisted ideology to notice. She lunged again, her erratic movements betraying her as Princess spun her momentum into the wall with a sickening crash.

"The only primitive thing here is your need to break others to feel whole," Princess said.

"The weak will never survive," Sloane snarled, her frustration cracking her mask of control. "They'll evolve or die."

“And the only weakness here is rejecting what you are," Princess answered, her words laced with quiet strength as we continued to practically dance away between verbal sparing rounds. "Denying your wolf doesn't make you stronger. It makes you incomplete."

Just outside the door, the clang of metal on metal rang out, and I prayed to any gods listening that it was Jewel, Jess, and the teens making it to safety. The sounds of their struggle faded as the oppressive hum of silver in the walls reached a deafening crescendo.

Our backs hit doorframe, but before we could push through, Sloane was on us. Her movements were a blur of silver-enhanced speed, her veins pulsing with unnatural energy. She lashed out, her claws catching Princess's arm in a shallow but angry gash.

I lunged, meeting Sloane's next strike with a half-shifted blow that sent shockwaves through my arm. She staggered but recovered quickly, her wolf-like reflexes distorted by the poison coursing through her veins. The silver made her both terrifying and unstable, her movements jerking between precision and desperation.

"You think you can stop this?" Sloane snarled, her eyes gleaming with unholy light. "You're just delaying the inevitable."

Princess dodged a swipe aimed at her throat, her smaller frame weaving with uncanny agility. "You talk about evolution," she said, her voice steady even as she ducked another strike, "but you're just Kane's mistakes turned into Pierce's next failed experiment."

Sloane roared, the sound echoing through the corridor like a feral beast, and lunged at Princess again. I intercepted her mid-air, the impact driving us both into the wall. My claws scraped against her silver-burned skin, the unnatural heat searing me.

"You're not stronger," I growled, pushing her back with every ounce of strength I had. "You're brittle. Enough pressure and you’ll still break.”

Sloane twisted, breaking free with a speed that defied reason, and slammed into me again. Pain radiated through my ribs, but I held my ground. Princess took advantage of the distraction, darting behind Sloane and delivering a precise blow to the back of her knee, sending her sprawling.

"You should have stayed with them," Sloane hissed, her voice a venomous mix of fury and frustration. "With your pack of cowards."

"This is what pack looks like," Princess countered, her voice filled with quiet defiance as she moved to my side. "And it's stronger than you’ll ever understand."

Sloane surged forward again, her claws aimed at Princess, but I rerouted her momentum with a shoulder tackle, driving her back into the wall. The impact dislodged a loose panel that crashed over her back, and behind it, I saw a narrow, dimly lit passage. Likely an extension of whatever one the others had used.

"Princess," I called, jerking my head toward the gap. "The others must have used this."

She nodded, her hand gripping mine as we raced toward the opening. Sloane was already recovering, her movements more erratic but no less dangerous.

"Go!" I urged, pushing Princess toward the passage.

"I'm not leaving you," she snapped, her eyes blazing with determination.

"Together," I promised, pulling her into the narrow path just as Sloane lunged again, her claws scraping harmlessly against the walls.

We scrambled through the confined space, the silver’s oppressive hum still clawing at our senses. Behind us, Sloane’s enraged howl echoed, mingling with the crash of her body against the entrance. The shaft’s narrow confines worked against her silver-enhanced speed, allowing us time to expand the distance between us and her deranged laughter.

Pain exploded through me as I finally allowed my wolf to take over. The transformation was agonizing, but I pressed forward, my wolf’s instincts guiding us through the dark, suffocating tunnel. I could smell the trial of both hope and fear left by the others as they raced in front of us. Princess’s silver-scarred wolf moved ahead of me, her strength fierce and undeniable despite the pain we both carried.

In what I believed had to be an act of divine miracle the shaft ended and we burst out into the night, gasping for air and collapsing onto the forest floor. Behind us, the facility loomed like a malignant wound, but the stars above were a promise of freedom—and the fight still ahead.

"She's not done," Princess whispered, her voice trembling but resolute.

"Neither are we," I replied, my wolf already stirring for what was to come.

CHAPTER 23

The scent of pine and earth enveloped us as our claws dug into the soft, damp dirt at the tunnel's end. Ragged breaths and the pounding of paws echoed around us, joined by a chorus of whimpers and pained whines. The relentless silver exposure had taken a brutal toll, leaving our wolves shaky and disoriented, our movements heavy with exhaustion.

Ahead, Jess and Jewel herded the young Haven wolves and Maya, their forms streaked with dirt and silver residue. The teens stumbled but kept moving, their survival instincts driving them forward. I caught a glimpse of Alexis's white wolf through the trees in the distance, her fur gleaming even under the faint moonlight as she raced to meet us, every stride fueled by fierce maternal urgency.

Princess and I brought up the rear, each step an exercise in sheer willpower. My wolf wanted to collapse, to stop and curl protectively around my mate until the pain receded. But the safety of the young ones and the pack overrode everything else.

As we emerged into a small clearing, Alexis let out a piercing howl that echoed through the trees, commanding and unyielding. Within moments, shadows emerged from the forest—members of the Ghost Pack, their forms materializing in the moonlight. Their worried whimpers mingled with the exhausted cries of the Haven wolves, creating a symphony of relief and sorrow.

Princess's smaller wolf leaned heavily against me, her tail low, her form trembling with fatigue. I pressed my muzzle to her neck, a silent reassurance: We made it. We're safe now. Her pain was a tangible thread between us, but beneath it, I could sense her relief.

The mission hadn't been in vain.

Alexis moved to Maya, nuzzling her daughter with fierce tenderness. The young wolf's trembling form seemed to relax slightly under her mother's touch, though her silver-burned body still bore the scars of captivity and the collar would still need removed. The sight sent a pang through my chest, a stark reminder of the fragile lives were of those we'd fought to protect—and the cost of those efforts.

The moment of reunion was brief. Within a heartbeat, Alexis shifted, her motherly concern giving way to the commanding presence of the Ghost Pack's Alpha. The exhaustion in her movements evaporated, replaced by steely resolve.

"Report," Alexis demanded, her voice low but sharp with authority.

Jewel stepped forward, the weight of the mission evident in her hunched shoulders and dirt-smeared face. "The extraction was marginally successful," she began, her tone steady despite her obvious fatigue. "We recovered Maya and two other Haven wolves, Tali and Emma. But..." Jewel's gaze flickered toward the young shifters, their anxious faces illuminated by the moonlight, "there are still so many others trapped in the facility."

Alexis's eyes narrowed, her nostrils flaring as she scented the air, assessing her pack and the rescued wolves. Her gaze lingered on Princess and me, scanning us for injuries. "Everyone accounted for?"

Princess shifted into her human form, swaying slightly as the effort of standing on two legs took its toll. "All limbs still attached," she replied, her voice lighter than her expression. But her tone faltered as she continued. "Sloane was there. And Pierce." She swallowed hard, glancing toward me for reassurance. I stepped closer, pressing against her side.

"They let us go," Princess said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words hung in the air, heavy with implications that none of us were ready to face.

The Ghost Pack erupted into agitated growls and whines, the news of a wolf’s betrayal rippling through them like a shockwave. The weight of it was visible in their tense shoulders and uncertain glances. Alexis raised a calming hand, her expression grim but steady.

"We'll deal with Sloane when the time comes," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the growing unrest. "Right now, our priority is tending to the wounded and figuring out our next move."

Princess nodded wearily, the strain of the mission etched into every line of her body. "The silver exposure was severe. The younger wolves need immediate attention. The collars have to come off before we even think about going back for the others."

Alexis's gaze softened as she looked at the two shivering Haven teens, their exhaustion written in the dirt on their faces and the fear in their wide eyes. "Of course. Jewel, Jess, get the younger wolves stabilized. Tend to their injuries, remove the collars if we can, and get them warm." Her attention turned back to the teens. "We’ll contact your alpha. She’s near and worried about you." Her tone softened before she turned back to my mate. "Princess, your knowledge will be needed soon enough. But for now… thank you." She paused, something unsaid running between them, “For everything.”

Princess inclined her head, her expression flickering between exhaustion and relief. "We did what we could," she said softly, her voice almost too quiet to hear. “We didn’t save nearly enough.”

Alexis's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, and in that look, I saw an entire world of emotions—understanding, anger, love, fear, gratitude, and the indomitable hope of an Alpha who would fight to her last breath for her pack.

I turned to Princess and saw the same storm of emotions mirrored in her tired eyes. She didn’t speak, but the raw connection between them didn’t need words. Two leaders bound by the shared burden of protecting those who couldn’t protect themselves.

The moment passed, and Alexis squared her shoulders, her voice carrying over the clearing with calm authority. "We’ll camp here for the night. Haven is close, and these wolves need rest. If you’re not tending to the wounded, focus on setting up sleeping arrangements and fires. And listen closely—" her tone sharpened, a warning that made the pack stand straighter, “we are too close to the Hunters’ territory to be careless. Pair up, keep your heads low. No fires are to be lit without approval from myself or Jewel. Do not be reckless."

The pack moved as one, heads nodding in unison before scattering to their tasks. The efficiency of their movements was a testament to the trust they placed in their Alpha.

As the flurry of activity settled into an organized rhythm, Princess and I found a secluded spot near the edge of the clearing. She sank onto a fallen log, her shoulders hunched as she inspected the angry burns lining her upper arms. Her hands trembled slightly, betraying the pain she worked so hard to suppress. My wolf whined softly, unable to bear the sight of her suffering.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, leaning into my side. Her hands found my fur, stroking absently, her touch both soothing and heartbreaking. "I should have been faster. Stronger..."

I nuzzled her hair, letting my wolf's rumbling soothe her. After a moment, I shifted back into my human form and pulled her fully into my arms. "You were incredible, my love," I said firmly, cupping her cheek to make her meet my gaze. "We got Maya and the Haven girls out. That’s what matters."

Princess sighed, her fingers brushing over the faint scars on her neck. "But we had to leave the rest behind," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I can still hear their screams."

The light that so often shone in her eyes was gone, replaced by a heavy mix of guilt and grief that made my heart ache for her. I wanted to banish those feelings, to take all her pain and make it mine, but I could only hold her tighter, offering the strength of my presence.

Stretching carefully, I winced at the lingering ache in my muscles, but the movement gave me a fleeting moment of relief. Princess's worried eyes tracked my every motion, but I ignored the concern, pulling her back into my embrace. I pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering as I whispered, "We’ll get them back. All of them."

Her arms wrapped around me tightly, her trembling form finally relaxing against mine, as if the promise alone was enough to hold her together for now.

"We'll go back for them, I promise," I murmured, holding Princess tightly, my hands moving in slow circles over her back. Each motion was an unspoken vow, and I felt the tension in her body begin to ebb, replaced by the warmth that always settled between us. "But first, you need to rest. And after that, we need to find somewhere private so I can hold you properly."

Her breath hitched slightly before she relaxed further into my arms. I felt her lips curve into a small smile against my shoulder as she murmured, "We lost the truck again, didn’t we? Naomi’s going to be unbearable if you can’t find it with your fancy pings."

The soft laugh that escaped her was like music, and I felt my chest lighten. "Well, at least we’re consistent," she added.

I shrugged, pressing my lips into her hair. "Some say consistency is key."

She hid her smile, but the way her shoulders shook gave her away. "Is that what you’re planning to tell Lydia and Naomi?"

"Why not?" I said with a shrug, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her warmth against me was grounding, a reminder of why we fought so hard.

We sat in silence, the weight of the day fading into the background as the bond between us hummed in quiet companionship. Princess rested her head on my shoulder, and I let my fingers trace gentle patterns along her arm, careful to avoid the scars etched into her skin—marks of her survival and strength.

"Jayne?" she asked softly, her voice hesitant but steady.

"Hmm?"

Her eyes lifted to meet mine, a glimmer of gold swirling in the blue depths like stars in a clear sky. "Thank you. For not leaving me behind at Mayfield. For choosing me."

The words hit me harder than I expected, stirring guilt that she had ever doubted her place in my life. I cupped her cheek, brushing a lock of hair from her face as I met her gaze. "Always, my love. You’re my mate. My family. I’ll never leave you behind." I paused, my voice dropping lower as I added with a faint smirk, "You taught me how to love myself, and others too. Sage wouldn’t even recognize me—me being all gentle and shit."

Her laugh was soft, tinged with unshed tears. "She would be proud," she whispered, leaning forward to press a grateful kiss to my lips.

I returned the kiss, pouring everything I felt for her into the touch. The love, the admiration, the gratitude—it was all there. She pulled back slightly, resting her head against my chest, her fingers tracing idly over my arm.

"Get some rest, my Princess," I murmured, brushing my cheek against her hair. "I’ll be right here."

She nodded, her body curling into mine as her breathing evened out. I held her close, watching over her as she slept, my wolf settling into a rare state of peace.

For the first time in what felt like forever, we felt truly content.

She had saved us, my little red wolf. Not just me, but the fractured parts of myself that had long been at war. For years, I had struggled with who I was, torn between the male I was born as and the female I chose to be. But now, it was simple.

I was both, and I was neither.

I was me.

And that was enough.

Sage’s memory lingered, a soft ache that would never entirely fade. But with Princess by my side, I found something I thought I’d lost forever—family, purpose, and the quiet joy of being whole. As the night deepened, I allowed myself to believe, just for a moment, that we might be able to build something worth fighting for. Something worth living for.

The little wolf, saved from Hunter chains only to be bound to me.

Or perhaps, I was bound to her.

Even in her sleep, Princess’s power pulled at me, an invisible tether that demanded my attention and gave my wolf a sense of purpose it had never known.

As I glanced around the clearing at our pack and allies—Alexis and Maya, Jess and Jewel—I realized Princess had become so much more than just my mate. She was the anchor, the steady presence holding us together. The calm eye in the storm, around which our fractured group had coalesced.

The Haven wolves, especially, seemed drawn to her. I watched as Tali and Emma, the young teens still raw from their ordeal, moved subtly closer to where Princess rested. Even the other wolves, those less physically wounded, lingered nearby. They sought her quiet strength, her compassion. It was as if they instinctively recognized her as something greater.

An Alpha.

The thought hit me with unexpected clarity, sending a ripple through my wolf. It wasn’t the same deference I begrudgingly felt when Alexis’s commanding gaze fell on me. Or even Lydia’s. This was something deeper, more primal. Princess’s leadership wasn’t imposed—it was offered and willingly accepted.

I felt a swell of pride at the realization, but it was tempered by concern. The weight of such responsibility, the burden of so many lives depending on her, was bound to take its toll. She was already so weary, physically and emotionally drained from everything she’d endured. My wolf stirred uneasily, itching to protect her from the weight she carried. I tightened my arms around her small frame, pressing my lips to her temple in a silent vow to stand beside her, to shield her when she needed it.

As if sensing my thoughts—or maybe it was the subtle shift in my heartbeat—Princess stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, their blue depths touched with lingering exhaustion but softened by a small smile.

“You’re thinking too loudly for me to rest,” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep and teasing warmth.

A soft laugh escaped me, and I tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "Just admiring my mate. And our pack."

Her brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. I knew the questions forming behind her eyes, but before she could voice them, a commotion from the center of the clearing drew our attention.

Jess and Jewel approached, their movements deliberate yet weary. Behind them, Tali and Emma lingered hesitantly, their bandages stark against their pale skin. The teens stepped forward as if pulled by an unseen thread, their expressions a mixture of awe and gratitude as they stopped in front of Princess.

“You… you saved us,” Tali breathed, her voice so soft it was almost swallowed by the night.

Princess straightened, weariness giving way to that quiet authority that seemed to radiate from her effortlessly. Her voice, though gentle, carried the weight of conviction. "I'm just glad we could get you out."

Her gaze swept over the small group, and I saw it again—the natural deference. The way the Haven wolves leaned toward her, their posture softening in her presence. Trust. Respect. Even Alexis’s wolves seemed to recognize it, their wary movements slowing as they watched her interact with the teens.

My wolf stirred again, and I couldn’t shake the feeling building in the back of my mind. Princess wasn’t just my mate. She was becoming something far greater.

Emma took a hesitant step forward, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "We want to stay. To help." She glanced back at the others, who nodded in solemn agreement—except Jewel, who seemed distracted, her gaze fixed on Jess. I didn’t have time to untangle whatever was unfolding there because Emma’s next words hit like a thunderclap.

"We want to stay with you… as our Alpha."

If I’d been in wolf form, my tongue would’ve been lolling in that goofy way that screamed: I knew it, and I’m the best mate because I saw it first!

The weight of Emma's declaration hung in the air. Princess froze, her expression cycling from surprise to quiet understanding and back to surprise. Slowly, she reached out, her small hand gently clasping Emma’s.

“I’m no Alpha, Emma,” Princess said softly, her voice full of humility.

Emma straightened, determination etching lines into her young face. “You are. You were an Alpha the moment you searched for Luna. You became our Alpha when you came looking for us.”

Princess shook her head, denial faltering under the weight of Emma’s conviction. “What about Sara?”

Tali stepped forward, unable to meet Princess’s eyes but speaking with quiet confidence. “She was never our Alpha. But she’s a part of the pack.”

“She’ll join you too,” Emma added, her voice unwavering.

“They all will,” Tali echoed.

Princess’s grip on Emma’s hand loosened, and she let it fall into her lap. For a moment, she seemed small, burdened by a decision she hadn’t anticipated. Then, as if drawing strength from within, her hand clenched into a fist. When she turned to glare at me, her fiery wisps of hair only made her look more like the fierce wolf she was becoming.

“You knew, didn’t you?” she accused, her voice low but steady.

I shrugged, feigning innocence. “I wasn’t sure, but the signs were there.”

Her lips twitched, but she quickly masked it with mock sternness. “We need that private time later,” she muttered, clearly trying to sound commanding but failing under the weight of her own blush.

I grinned. “Anytime, sounds like fun.”

Jess tilted her head, an amused smirk playing on her lips. “So if we do this, does that mean we have to submit to Jayne too?”

“Yes,” I said at the same time Princess snapped, “No.”

The group exchanged glances before Emma, undeterred, asked again, “Be our Alpha?”

Princess’s gaze swung back to me, and I simply raised a brow. This choice was hers, as it had always been. She might have been sitting on my lap, but the mantle of leadership was hers to wear.

“You promise to love and protect each other?” she asked, her voice steady and full of quiet authority. “Even when things seem impossible?”

The young wolves, all except Jewel, nodded firmly.

“And you all promise to sing when you’re happy, even if it makes Jayne grumble?”

Grins broke across their faces as I playfully swatted Princess’s shoulder.

"Then I guess welcome to the pack."

Her voice carried strength, pride, and unshakable love, all woven into a single, powerful moment.

As one, Emma, Tali, and Jess tilted their heads to the sky and let loose a howl, their human vocal cords straining with the effort. From the trees, answering calls and excited yips echoed, each voice threading into the night like a tapestry of resilience.

Haven wolves began to trickle in from the surrounding area, drawn by the sound. By the time Sara stepped forward, the clearing held a circle of 10 to 12 wolves, all waiting, watching. Sara approached Princess last, her head bowed and neck bared in a gesture of submission.

Princess’s hand reached out, urging Sara to rise, her voice trembling with emotion. "You don’t need to do that. You’re already part of this pack."

Princess’s eyes found mine, and for a heartbeat, everything stilled. I saw it happen—the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders, the transformation of a reluctant leader into the Alpha she was always meant to be.

But I also saw hope in her eyes. Determination.

I reached for her, our fingers intertwining. Together, we faced the uncertain future ahead, the pack we had built standing strong and ready beside us.

CHAPTER 24

The morning light filtered through the lush West Virginia canopy, casting a warm glow over our makeshift camp. Princess stirred in my arms, her movements slow and deliberate as she assessed the lingering aches in her body. I watched her silently, marveling at how the pack had naturally gravitated toward her—the quiet authority she radiated even in exhaustion.

In her sleep, she had sung softly.

Her newly formed pack slept around us, as close as I would let them at least. Had I not warned them off, I am pretty sure the teens would have been sleeping on us, wolf-piling until Princess was buried under a cover of wet dog and drool.

Sensing my gaze, Princess turned to meet my eyes, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Morning."

"Morning, my Alpha," I teased gently, delighting in the way her cheeks flushed at the title.

Princess shook her head, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and reluctant acceptance. "Don't you dare," she murmured, her voice laced with mock warning. "I still can't believe this is happening."

I squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Believe it, Princess. You're everything they need right now." I blinked at her, feigning innocence as I added, “Maybe we’ll upgrade and start calling you our Queen?”

I braced for the slap that I had certainly earned, but before she could respond, a commotion drew our attention to the center of the camp.

Jess approached, the young Haven wolves trailing behind her with heads high, a newfound sense of purpose radiating from their stance. Jewel followed closely, her narrowed eyes darting between Princess and Jess, her unease evident.

Jess cleared her throat, her gaze flicking between Princess and me. "I... I have a plan. I think I can get back into the facility, work as a double agent for us."

Princess stiffened, her exhaustion vanishing as her eyes hardened. "Absolutely not. It's too dangerous."

“This couldn’t wait?” I growled, irritation bubbling. Just because we didn’t have a private room didn’t mean they needed to march over at the first hint of light.

Jess raised her hands in a placating gesture. "Hear me out. Sloane and Pierce trusted me—or at least, they think they can control me, which might be just as good. I can use that, go groveling back, feed them false information, and keep an eye on the captives until you're ready to mount a proper rescue."

Jewel stepped forward, her expression a mix of concern and reluctant admiration. "It's a risky plan. You’d be putting yourself directly in the line of fire. Ghost Pack doesn’t agree to this. Plus, you left with Hunter blood on you. Why are you so sure they’ll take you back?”

Jess grinned, her confidence unsettlingly casual. “Because their own vanity demands it. If I come crawling back, telling them how great they are and how everyone here kicked me out for being a traitor to their great cause, they’ll let me back in. Sure, they might be a bit rude for a few days, but that’s not new. I’m used to being treated like less than nothing.”

Jewel growled, the sound rumbling across the small clearing loud enough to make other members of her pack turn to see what had happened. She continued to glare daggers into Jess’s back.

"You shouldn’t be," Princess immediately responded, her voice laced with concern. Still, she allowed the unspoken tension between Jess and Jewel to linger, observing the exchange with a quiet intensity.

Jess nodded her thanks to Princess but turned to meet Jewel's gaze. Something passed between them—an undercurrent of guilt, determination, and maybe something more. "I know it’s dangerous, but I have to try. I owe it to the pack—to Sage, to Luna, to Jayne." My name hung in the air like a weight, and I fought not to squirm under the burden of her conviction. "I owe it to all the others still trapped in that hellhole."

Princess's brow furrowed, her mind clearly racing as she weighed the impossible risks against the desperate need to save more lives. "Even if we agreed, how would you get back in? The security has to be tighter than ever after our escape."

Jess's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "I have my ways. Like I said, Sloane and Pierce may think they've broken me, and with the right amount of acting, it should be easy to make my story work. Besides, I stole Luna from you… Sloane will understand if I say you almost killed me for it. Maybe I’ll even have you rough me a up a little before you leave.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest, but it lacked the bite it might have carried days ago. Jess was stupid, reckless even. But she was pack.

The young Haven wolves watched the exchange with wide eyes, their expressions a blend of hope and trepidation. Emma stepped forward, her voice tentative but resolute.

"If Jess thinks she can help, I say we let her try. We can't leave the others behind."

Tali nodded in agreement, her gaze steady despite the fear in her voice. "Haven wasn’t necessarily a full pack, but we were built on helping each other. We were all any of us had. Many of our friends are still in there. If she thinks she can help, we should let her try."

Princess's eyes darted between the Haven wolves, Jess, and Jewel before finally settling on me. Her hand found mine, and I gave it a reassuring squeeze, silently offering my support for whatever choice she made.

After what felt like an eternity, Princess sighed, the weight of the decision visible in the slump of her shoulders. She turned to Jess, her tone firm despite the anguish in her gaze. "Alright. But you're not going in alone. Jewel," she said, shifting her focus, "can you fit her with some sort of Ghost Pack communication tech? Provide backup and intel if needed?"

Jewel’s eyes widened at Princess's suggestion, but she quickly recovered, her expression grim as she nodded. "I’m sure we’ve got something that’ll work. Though with her big mouth, it’ll be a miracle if she doesn’t yap her way into trouble before we get anything useful.”

Jess opened her mouth, no doubt ready to argue and prove Jewel’s point, but Princess raised her hand, silencing her with an air of quiet authority. "No arguments. If you’re going to do this, you’re doing it with a partner and with full support. That’s non-negotiable. I’ll talk to Alexis, but I’m confident she’ll agree.”

Jess’s shoulders slumped in reluctant resignation, but there was a flicker of gratitude in her expression. "Thank you, Princess.” Her gaze shifted briefly toward me. “And you, Jayne.”

Tali and Emma exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of relief and determination, as they exhaled a collective sigh.

"Now," I interrupted, rolling my eyes for effect, "if we’re all done with this morning drama, can we please get a moment to wake up properly?" I gestured with a pointed nod for them to clear out.

The group dispersed, their whispered discussions already weaving the threads of a dangerous plan. As the clearing grew quieter, I pulled Princess closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "You’re doing the right thing, love."

Princess leaned into me, her fingers tracing idle patterns against my arm. Her eyes reflected the weight of her decision. "I hope so. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re walking right into a trap. And baiting it now with Jess..."

I nuzzled her neck, letting her scent calm my wolf as much as hers. “She’ll be fine. Jess is reckless, but she’s not stupid. Sloane’s too narcissistic to hurt her if she comes crawling back worshiping at her feet. And whatever happens, we’ll face it together. As a pack.”

Her lips curved into a soft, grateful smile. "As a pack."

“You’ll need to name us, you know,” I teased, my grin widening as I watched her relax slightly. “Something grand. Like Princess’s Royal Pack. Or maybe just Royals.”

Princess groaned, burying her face in her hands. For a moment, I thought she was crying, but then the sound of muffled giggles broke through her fingers, her shoulders shaking with laughter.

I smiled, my chest warming at the sound. As long as she was still laughing, I knew we’d be okay.

The morning passed in a flurry of activity as the combined forces of the Ghost Pack and the Haven wolves prepared for whatever came next. Alexis, ever the commanding presence, oversaw the medical care and provisioning with practiced efficiency. Her every directive was met with immediate action, her authority undisputed even among wolves who were not her own.

Princess, though visibly weary, had stepped fully into her role as a leader as well. The Haven wolves deferred to her without hesitation, their trust in her a testament to her quiet strength and compassion. She moved through the camp, her words calm but firm, offering guidance where needed and comfort where it was sought.

I watched her with a mix of pride and concern, marveling at the transformation in my mate. The trials she had endured hadn’t broken her; they had forged her into something more—a leader, a protector, an alpha. But the weight of that mantle was heavy, and I worried about how long she could carry it without faltering.

Beside me, Jewel and Jess were engaged in a hushed discussion, their body language tense. I caught the occasional glance in Princess's direction, and my wolf bristled with curiosity and a hint of protectiveness. There was an unspoken tension among the group, a dynamic shifting as new roles and relationships formed within our pack and allies.

As the morning wore on, Jess finally called us together, her expression grim as she held up Princess's phone.

"We’ve received word from Lydia," she began, her tone serious.

I raised an eyebrow at Princess, who shrugged, leaning in to whisper, “She said she had some questions for Rylee. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to let her use it.”

I frowned but kept my attention on Jess as she continued.

“Lydia’s agreed to provide aid,” Jess said, her voice steady, “but she wants us to return to Mayfield Meadows first. There’s… something she needs to discuss with us."

Princess straightened, her tired eyes sharpening. "What is it?"

Alexis’s gaze flickered to me briefly before settling back on Princess. “This isn’t about you or your new pack, so don’t worry.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “This is likely about me. Lydia is… an old acquaintance of mine. And let’s just say our history is complicated. It may complicate our alliance.”

The Haven wolves exchanged uneasy glances, their instincts clearly picking up on the undercurrents. Princess, ever the diplomat, nodded thoughtfully, her tone calm as she said, “Complicated isn’t impossible. We’ll handle it.”

Her words were steady, but the flicker of uncertainty in Alexis's expression hinted at deeper layers to this complication—layers that might unravel and leave us all trapped in a web if we weren’t careful.

“Anything we should know about before heading back?” Princess asked, her tone calm but curious.

Alexis hesitated, her usual composed demeanor cracking slightly. “Not anything I am willing to tell. This is between Lydia and me. If she wants to discuss it in person…” She gave a half-smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m okay with that.”

Princess studied her for a moment before nodding slowly. “I see. Well, then it’s a good thing we’ll be there to mediate.”

Alexis’s lips quirked into a wry smile, but the tension in her stance remained. “So it would seem. If it’s fine with your pack, I suggest we pack our things and leave within the hour. The sooner we get to Mayfield, the sooner we can plan our next move.”

Princess motioned for Jess, who trotted over and handed her the phone. With a few quick taps, Princess handed it back. “Before we leave, can you please go find the truck? Naomi will never let us hear the end of it if it’s lost again.”

Jess laughed, throwing an exaggerated hug around her Alpha before darting off, Jewel following close behind with a muttered, “Why do we always have to find the damn truck? Just fucking park it somewhere normal.”

As the rest of the pack dispersed to gather our supplies, Princess turned to me, her brow furrowed. “What do you think is going on with Lydia and Alexis?”

I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “I don’t know, but I hope it’s juicy. Lydia squirming for once? Sign me up.” I grinned, pressing a kiss to her temple. “And since I’m not part of her pack anymore, I can enjoy it from a safe distance.”

Princess smiled faintly, but her concern didn’t fade. “Maybe they’re… mates?”

I laughed, the sound breaking the lingering tension in the air. “There is no world in which Lydia has a mate—especially not one like Alexis. Can you imagine those two together?”

“They would make quite the sight, though,” Princess teased, waggling her brows. “Blonde and platinum beauties strolling down main street together? Heads would turn, and half the town would faint on the spot.”

“Careful now,” I joked, squeezing her gently. “Let’s not give the locals any more reasons to riot at the compound.”

Princess’s laugh was soft but genuine, the warmth in her eyes rivaling the sunrise creeping through the trees. “But really, what do you think it is? Between them, I mean.”

I shook my head, my expression thoughtful. “No idea. But something tells me it’s been brewing for a long time. Whatever it is, we’ll be there to see it play out—and maybe to stop them from tearing Mayfield apart in the process. No matter what, it can’t hurt that there is now a full time doctor on staff.”

Princess’s smile widened, and she leaned into me, her weight a welcome reminder of the bond we shared. Whatever secrets Lydia and Alexis held, they would have to wait.

Nothing compared to my Princess.

CHAPTER 25

The familiar scents of Mayfield Meadows enveloped us as we approached the compound, though the air was thick with exhaustion and tension.We had left the vehicles on the edge of the territory, opting to walk in as both Alexis and Princess agreed that a convoy riding into Mayfield Meadows might send the wrong impression to an Alpha who was already known to be overly cautious and edgy.

Alexis led the way, her confident stride a stark contrast to the stiffness in her shoulders. Years of battles and unspoken grievances seemed to weigh heavy on her frame as every step brought us closer to my old home, and more importantly for me - a familiar bed and my daughter.

I spotted Lydia first, standing on the edge of the main house deck. Her sharp, icy gaze swept over us with an Alpha’s precision, taking stock of every wolf in our party. Flanking her were Naomi and Olivia, with Rylee standing slightly behind them. A human woman I assumed to be Daisy, lingered nervously at the edge, her stance somehow both protective and unsure. It was slightly adorable.

Princess moved closer to me, her hand slipping into mine. The gesture wasn’t just for comfort—it was a warning. Lydia’s territory was already volatile ground for us, but Princess’s newfound power as an Alpha in her own right added another layer of tension.

The Haven wolves trailed behind, their whispered murmurs betraying a mix of awe and unease. To them, Mayfield was a sanctuary, but Lydia’s reputation preceded her.

As we drew near, Lydia’s piercing gaze landed on Maya. Her eyes narrowed briefly, and the young wolf instinctively pressed closer to Alexis. I saw it—a flicker of recognition in Lydia’s expression before her stoic mask slipped back into place.

Alexis paused before her, inclining her head in what could barely pass as a greeting. “Lydia.”

“Alexis.” Lydia’s voice was cool, clipped. It held the kind of politeness that was more calculated than genuine. “I see you’ve brought more strays to add to my collection.”

A growl escaped me before I could stop it. These wolves weren’t strays—they were survivors.

Princess squeezed my hand, her warning clear. Alexis, however, didn’t flinch. “They’re not strays. They’re pack.”

Lydia’s sharp gaze swept over the Haven wolves before returning to Alexis. “I see. But unless I’m mistaken, they don’t belong to you.” Her eyes flicked to Maya again, this time lingering. Something unreadable swept like a shadow across her face—grief, anger, regret? It was gone before I could name it. “We have much to discuss.”

Without waiting for a response, Lydia turned and strode towards the main house. Her movements were deliberate, commanding, and it was clear the conversation ahead would not be a casual one.

Alexis spared us a glance, her gaze softening ever so slightly as it met Princess’s. “Wait here. I’ll handle this. She’s all bark, no bite.”

Princess opened her mouth, no doubt ready to argue, but Alexis was already walking away. Her steps were long and purposeful, the tension between the two Alphas palpable even as they disappeared into the house.

“What do you think that was about?” Emma asked in a hushed whisper, her eyes darting between the main house and Princess.

Princess sighed, running a hand through her hair as she watched the retreating figures. “I’m not sure, but it can’t be good.”

Maya slumped, her eyes wide as she muttered, “Did you see the way she looked at me?” Her hand slipped up, rubbing at her neck where the collar had been removed. While she didn’t carry the same scars, I saw the same trauma and weariness in her that Princess carried and it made my wolf itch beneath my skin.

None of these young girls should have ever had to feel like that and I had to be sure that my daughter never would.

Tali shifted uneasily, her eyes darting between the main house and the Ghost Pack Alpha’s daughter. “Do you think they’ll fight?”

I gave Princess’s hand a reassuring squeeze, my voice calm but firm as I answered. “Lydia may be intimidating, but she’s not reckless, nor is she one to ignore tradition. If she wanted a fight, she would have challenged Alexis outright.” I paused, the weight of the unspoken pressing down on all of us. “Besides, this feels like more than just pack dynamics.”

Princess nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “I agree. There’s something deeper at play here.” She turned to the Haven wolves, her voice steady and sure. “But whatever it is, they’ll figure it out. For now, we wait.”

Her calm confidence seemed to ripple through the group, easing the tension in their stances. The young wolves visibly relaxed, and I felt a swell of pride for my mate. Reluctant though she was to fully embrace the title of Alpha, it was clear her pack saw her as exactly the leader they needed.

Emma stepped forward, her brow furrowed with worry. “No matter what’s happening between them, we can’t let them forget about Ryan.” Her voice wavered slightly but held firm. “He’s still in there, with the Hunters. He tried to save us, to protect us when they cornered us but…” Tears shown in her eyes as I remembered the young teen male that had been with them when we first met. He had courageous then, trying to shield them from strangers and I could only imagine how hard his wolf had fought when the Hunters had come for them. “They have him...and others too.”

Tali nodded, her voice quieter but no less resolute. “We promised each other if anything ever happened we go back. No matter what. He’s in there waiting for us.”

Princess’s face tightened, a flicker of guilt crossing her features. “You’re right,” she said softly, her voice carrying a weight of responsibility. “We will go back for him—for all of them. I promise you that.”

The reminder settled heavily over us, the stakes sharper and more urgent than ever. The mission ahead wasn’t just about survival; it was about redemption, about keeping the promises made to those we had left behind.

I rested a hand on Princess’s shoulder, grounding her as the enormity of the task loomed before us as I looked at the girls. “We’ll find him,” I said, my voice steady with conviction. “And when we do, the Hunters won’t know what hit them.”

Princess nodded, her eyes glinting with determination as she straightened her shoulders. “That’s not quite right. They’ll know. And they’ll regret it.”

We stood in a silence that stretched on, the moments marked only by the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional murmur of voices from the main house deck. Up there, Rylee and the two humans—Naomi and Daisy—whispered amongst themselves. Daisy giggled at something until Rylee punched her in the shoulder, eliciting a mock glare that kept the mood light enough to distract us for a few minutes.

But the calm was short-lived. The sharp creak of the main house door cut through the stillness, drawing every gaze. Lydia and Alexis emerged side by side, their faces unreadable.

Princess instinctively latched onto my hand, her worry evident in the tightness of her grip. I squeezed back, my wolf rumbling low and steady to soothe her unease.

Lydia’s piercing gaze swept over our group, her icy demeanor enough to make the Haven wolves fidget nervously. She stopped a few paces from us, her voice cold but measured. “It would seem we have much to discuss.”

Alexis stepped forward, her bearing calm yet resolute. She radiated quiet strength, the kind born of battles fought and burdens borne. “Indeed. As you all know, the Hunters’ activities have escalated. We need to coordinate a response.”

Princess, her shoulders square but her voice betraying a hint of nerves, asked, “What did you two decide?”

Lydia’s lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes locking onto Princess. “That is what we must determine. There are... differing perspectives on how best to proceed.” She paused, her tone sharpening. “And apparently there is now a third Alpha whose voice must be heard.”

The weight of her words settled over us. The young wolves stiffened at the realization, and Princess’s grip on my hand tightened.

Alexis’s gaze softened as it met Princess’s, her tone carrying a tempered patience. “Lydia is concerned about the risks of direct confrontation. She believes we should prioritize hiding and protecting the wolves we’ve already rescued, rather than risking an offensive.”

Princess frowned, her brow furrowing as she processed the implications. “And you disagree?”

“I think we both know I do. I believe we have a responsibility to fight back,” Alexis replied, her voice firm but not without compassion. “The Hunters have grown bolder, and so have our home packs. If we don’t take a stand, more of our kind will suffer, or worse. You have seen the evidence of that twice in the past few weeks and without a these young wolves would be lost or worse.”

A murmur of agreement swept through the Haven wolves. Among them, Sara’s eyes blazed with a fiery resolve, her stance practically daring anyone to suggest otherwise. It was clear the Haven pack, scarred though they were, wanted a fight.

Lydia’s icy gaze hardened, her tone clipped. “The Hunters are no ordinary enemy. Reckless action will lead to more casualties—wolves we cannot afford to lose.”

I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on Princess. Her decision as an Alpha would shape not only our next steps but also the way the pack and the allied wolves saw her. Would she be a protector, cautious and measured? Or would she stand as a warrior, ready to risk it all?

Her eyes flicked to mine, searching for reassurance. I gave her hand another squeeze, offering silent support. Whatever she chose, I knew she would do so with the pack’s best interests at heart.

And as Lydia and Alexis’s unspoken tension simmered just beneath the surface, I couldn’t help but wonder if this wasn’t just about strategy. Old wounds and unresolved feelings lingered between the two Alphas, threading through every exchange like a taut wire, ready to snap.

Sensing her hesitation, I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "You’ve got this, my love. Whatever you decide, we’re with you."

Then, with a grin that promised trouble, I gave her an unceremonious shove forward. It was time to promote her from our Princess to my Queen, whether she was ready or not.

Princess shot me a wide-eyed glare, her snarl promising retribution that I fervently hoped would come in the privacy of our room. Around us, more of the Mayfield pack had gathered, their curious and wary gazes fixed on her.

Taking a deep breath, Princess stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over the assembled wolves. "I understand both of your concerns. The Hunters are a dangerous enemy, and we can’t afford to be careless." Her gaze lingered on Alexis. "But I also believe that if we unite our strength, we have a chance to put an end to their cruelty once and for all."

Lydia’s expression remained stoic, though a flicker of surprise crossed her icy eyes.

"Princess is right," Alexis said, moving to stand beside my mate, her presence commanding but not overshadowing. "We can’t hide forever. The Hunters will only grow stronger if we don’t take action."

Lydia’s gaze flickered between the two opposing Alphas standing on her front doorstep, her jaw tightening. For a long moment, tension thickened the air until Lydia finally nodded. "Very well. As I appear to be outnumbered in my own territory, I will hear your plan."

Princess’s shoulders straightened, even as I caught the soft whoosh of a held breath released. Yet beneath the burden, I caught a spark of determination in her eyes—a fire that had been forged in hardship and loss.

As she began to outline her strategy, I couldn’t bring myself to pay attention. They would inevitably change the plan twice before I really needed to know and by then someone would fill me in. Instead, I marveled at how far my mate had come. The timid, wounded wolf we had rescued was now a leader, commanding the respect of seasoned Alphas and traumatized Haven wolves alike. Her voice was steady, her ideas well-formed, and she spoke with the authority of someone who understood the gravity of the situation.

As plans took shape, Lydia and Alexis occasionally exchanged glances that lingered too long, their gazes a mix of wariness, unresolved tension, and something unspoken. I couldn’t help but notice Lydia’s subtle blush when Alexis mentioned “leather straps” as part of some defense mechanism.

I bit back a laugh, leaning toward Princess. "Did you see that?"

Princess shook her head but whispered back, "No, but did you see Alexis flutter her lashes? We’ve been with her for days, and she’s never done that. It’s... odd."

I smiled, shrugging. "I’m not sure we’re in a position to say what’s normal for either of them."

Princess chewed her bottom lip—a habit I’d come to recognize as her deep-thinking tell. Her gaze shifted to Lydia, whose eyes kept darting to Maya, the young wolf clearly uncomfortable under the older Alpha’s scrutiny. Alexis noticed too, her expression darkening before she moved closer to Lydia. The two began a quiet, tense conversation that was impossible to overhear but heavy with meaning and a flurry of hand gestures.

Princess followed my gaze, her brow furrowing. "What’s going on between them?"

I glanced at the scene before us, trying to read the charged undercurrents. "Still can’t tell. But it feels... personal. Has to do with the daggers Lydia keeps shooting at Maya.”

Princess’s eyes softened as they settled on Maya, each glance from Lydia has pushed her further back into the pack and now she huddled with Emma and Tali. "Do you think it’s because of Alexis? Or something else?"

"Could be both," I mused, my voice low. "They’ve clearly got history. Maybe it’s tied to Maya. Lydia definitely recognized her, though she’s trying to hide it."

Princess nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. “There’s something going on.”

Her words lingered between us as the conversation inside the circle of wolves continued. The tension between the two older Alphas wasn’t just about strategy; it was personal, raw, and charged with a depth of emotion that hinted at wounds that had never healed.

I replied, my own curiosity piqued. “I’m still holding out hope for mates. Their bond might be enough to make the Hunters surrender just to avoid dealing with both of them together.”

Princess’s eyes widened, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Can you imagine the two of them storming the mountains? The Hunters wouldn’t stand a chance."

I shuddered dramatically, earning a playful elbow to the ribs. "I’d rather not, to be honest. The idea of Alexis and Lydia united is somehow both inspiring and terrifying."

Princess laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Well, whatever their history, I’m glad Alexis is here. Lydia may be intimidating, but Alexis seems more than capable of keeping her in check."

I nodded, pulling her closer and pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "You’re doing great, you know. I’m proud of you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she buried her face against my chest. "I still can’t believe this is happening," she murmured. "I’m no Alpha, Jayne. I’m just... me."

I tilted her chin up, meeting her gaze with a soft smile. "You are so much more than 'just you,' my love. You’re a leader, a protector, and above all, you’re my mate. These wolves chose you for a reason. They see the same strength and compassion in you that I’ve always seen."

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and she leaned up to press a tender kiss to my lips. "I couldn’t have done any of this without you," she whispered.

I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, my heart swelling with love and pride. “I know,” I said, earning a playful bite on my palm. With a grin, I added, “But you’re stronger than you realize, Princess. I’m honored to be by your side, no matter what.”

Our moment was interrupted by the rising voices of Lydia and Alexis as they approached us. The tension between them was palpable, their expressions grim as they stood together, shoulders tense but united in purpose.

"It’s time we discussed the next steps more privately," Lydia announced, her icy gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves. "We have much work to do. Ghost Pack, assist the Mayfield wolves with whatever they need. We’re not freeloaders here."

Princess nodded, stepping forward and addressing her own group with quiet authority. "The same goes for all of you. Help where you can, and don’t get in the way."

The Haven wolves immediately straightened, scattering to find ways to contribute. The subtle shift in their demeanor spoke volumes about how much they trusted and respected Princess.

As she and I prepared to join the others, a quiet sense of foreboding settled over me. Whatever lay ahead, it would be unlike anything we had faced before.

CHAPTER 26

I hated politics, and I’d had more than enough for a lifetime in the past few weeks. Luckily, my mate seemed born to discuss strategy and formations, her quiet authority captivating even the most skeptical among us. The moon hung high in the sky, full and an angry red.

A Blood Moon.

The name felt appropriate as we gathered to hear how we would take down the Hunters and retrieve our missing pack mates.

Princess stepped forward, her presence commanding the attention of the gathered wolves. "Alexis and I have been discussing a plan of action, and we believe we have a way to infiltrate the Hunters' facility and rescue the remaining captives." Her gaze shifted to Lydia, seeking her buy-in before continuing.

Lydia’s brow arched, her expression skeptical. She had left Alexis and Princess to their “scheming” over an hour ago, and I could see she wasn’t entirely thrilled to be hearing this secondhand. “Well?” she said, her tone cool. “We’re waiting.”

Princess squared her shoulders, meeting Lydia’s gaze without flinching. "A two-pronged approach. A small, specialized team will infiltrate the facility and secure the captives, while the rest of us provide a distraction and evacuation support."

The plan sounded familiar, too familiar, but it had worked once. If we had more wolves—more paw power, as it were—maybe it would be enough.

Lydia’s lips pressed into a tight line. "That is... a risky proposition. The Hunters are not to be underestimated, and I cannot condone sending our people directly into their den."

Alexis stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute. "I understand your concerns, Lydia, but we can't afford to play it safe any longer. The Hunters' activities have escalated, and they are mobilizing at an alarming rate. If we don't act now, we may lose our chance to rescue those still trapped."

Lydia’s gaze flickered briefly to Maya, the young wolf once again shrinking slightly under the weight of her scrutiny. A flicker of emotion crossed Lydia’s features—regret, perhaps, or guilt—before her expression hardened once more. "And what of the young ones? We cannot simply throw them into the fray."

Princess’s voice softened, empathy radiating through her words. "Of course not. The main pack’s enforcers will focus on providing a strong defense and evacuation plan. Our infiltration team will be small and highly skilled, prioritizing speed and stealth over brute force." Her blue eyes locked with Lydia’s, and I could see the silent plea in her gaze. “We’ve done it before, and we all made it back. You’re right—we can’t survive by throwing everyone at them head-on. But this can work. It has to. We don’t have time for anything else.”

Lydia considered her words carefully, her brow furrowed in thought. The silence stretched, and I could feel the tension mounting. Finally, she spoke, her tone measured. "And who, precisely, would you propose for this infiltration team?"

"Myself, Jayne, and a small number of our most capable fighters," Princess replied, her voice calm but assured. "We've faced the Hunters before and know their tactics. And with Jewel and Jess providing intel and support from the inside, I'm confident we can pull this off."

The mention of Jess visibly bristled Lydia. Her hands curled into fists, her icy demeanor cracking for the first time and I swore I saw a hint of claw and fang. "Jess?" she repeated, her tone sharp enough to draw the attention of the entire group.

I glanced at my mate, silently urging her to tread carefully. Lydia would need time to process the revelation about Jess’s role as a double agent. Springing it on her like this wasn’t just risky; it could undermine her standing in front of her pack.

“She is under direct supervision of one of my most trusted seconds,” Alexis interjected smoothly, stepping in before the tension could escalate further. Her tone left no room for argument, effectively shutting the door on further discussion. I caught her eye and gave her a subtle nod of thanks, acknowledging her tact.

Lydia’s gaze shifted to Alexis, and the unspoken power struggle between the two Alphas crackled like static in the air. After a tense pause, Lydia exhaled, her shoulders relaxing by the barest fraction. "Very well. I will allow this plan to proceed, but I reserve the right to intervene if necessary."

Princess inclined her head respectfully. "That’s fair, considering your wolves will be in danger too."

Alexis offered a faint, almost relieved smile. "Thank you, Lydia. I know this isn’t easy for you, but this is our best shot at stopping the Hunters' cruelty."

“My wolves…” Lydia’s gaze flicked to Maya, lingering there as something close to sorrow softened her features. "I… I just hope you’re right."

The weight of the exchange didn’t go unnoticed. The gathered wolves—both Mayfield and Haven—murmured quietly among themselves. The Haven wolves, in particular, cast curious glances toward the two Alphas. Lydia rarely showed cracks in her icy exterior, and her visible emotion now only fueled the whispers.

Princess caught my eye, her expression reflecting the same questions I had. I gave her a small, reassuring smile, even though my own curiosity was piqued.

As the group began to disperse, Alexis stepped toward Lydia, the two women veering off to the side for yet another a private discussion. Their voices were low, their words lost in the rustling of the trees, but their body language spoke volumes. There was tension, yes, but also something else—an undeniable pull that neither seemed willing to acknowledge. They leaned toward each other instinctively, only to retreat as if the proximity burned.

Princess moved to my side, her brow furrowed in thought. “They have to be…right?”

I shrugged, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "It’s possible. There’s definitely history there. And the way Lydia kept looking at Maya…"

Princess nodded slowly, her gaze drifting back to the two Alphas. "It’s like she wanted to say something but couldn’t."

"Maybe we’ll find out, eventually," I murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "For now, though, we’ve got bigger things to focus on. There’s a rescue mission to plan, a daughter to see, and I believe I remember something about retribution? I can’t think of anything I have done to earn it, but if it’s my Alpha’s will to punish me...”

Princess laughed, leaning into me, her thoughtful expression softening. “Oh no, you have never done anything that a reasonable person would consider worthy of punishment. I must be such a hard ass if you think I would possibly want to take you to your room and dress you down.”

I grinned, my chest almost aching as her familiar tone and happiness. "That’s my Alpha."

Princess rolled her eyes, but the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "Don’t you start, too."

“Whatcha gonna do if I do?” I shot back with a grin.

The lightness in her voice eased the lingering tension, and as we stood together under the Blood Moon, I felt the unshakable certainty that, whatever lay ahead, we would face it—stronger as a pack.

Tother as mates.

As the evening deepened and the three packs settled into the rhythm of the night, I found myself drawn to Luna’s crib. The soft rise and fall of her tiny chest was mesmerizing, a quiet reminder of the miracles we’d managed to salvage from the chaos. Olivia had worked tirelessly to heal her, and it showed—almost all traces of the Hunters’ cruelty had faded, leaving behind only the innocence of a sleeping pup.

Princess joined me, her footsteps light yet deliberate. Her eyes, a mixture of grief and hope, shone as they landed on our daughter. Without a word, she reached into her pocket and pulled out Sage’s locket. The simple, tarnished piece of jewelry gleamed faintly in the moonlight as she gently placed it around Luna’s neck. The weight of the gesture settled over both of us, a tangible link between the past we mourned and the future we were fighting for.

I stepped closer, pulling her into my arms. She melted against me, her frame small but brimming with the quiet strength I had come to cherish. My fingers traced soothing patterns along her back as she took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Sage would be so proud of you, my love," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there as I let the moment stretch between us. "Of everything you’ve accomplished. Of the pack you’ve built. Of the strength you’ve found within yourself."

Princess tilted her head up to meet my gaze, her blue eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m sorry you lost her,” she said softly, her voice trembling but firm. "And I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to protect her family. Our family. Our pack. No matter what the Hunters throw at us."

The conviction in her words wrapped around my heart like a balm, soothing old wounds even as it reminded me of the ones that would never fully heal. Together, we turned back to Luna, the locket resting gently against her tiny chest, its chain too large for her yet somehow perfect.

As we stood there, watching over her, I could almost feel Sage’s presence. It was as though she was beside us, her quiet smile teasing at the corners of her lips, her eyes sparkling with amusement at a joke only she could hear. The memory of her, both comforting and bittersweet, filled the room with a sense of peace that I hadn’t felt since her death.

I tightened my hold on Princess, burying my face in her hair and silently letting my tears fall. They mixed with hers as we stood united in our grief, our hope, and our love.

Sage’s spirit, I realized, would forever live on—not just in Luna, but in the family and the pack we were building together.

As the night deepened to the quiet hours of the early morning, the compound settled into a hushed stillness. Wolves sprawled across beds, piled together in their natural way of finding comfort and security, their breaths deep and even as exhaustion claimed them. The quiet murmurs of shared dreams floated through the halls, carrying with them a sense of unity forged through shared struggle and hope.

Which made my bed feel colder and lonelier than ever.

Unable to rest, I found myself drawn to the same place I always seemed to go when I needed solace: to her.

Princess still stood by Luna’s crib, silhouetted against the faint pink glow of the fading moonlight streaming through the window. Her gaze was fixed on our sleeping daughter, her profile a portrait of quiet strength interlaced with vulnerability. The soft glow of a nightlight framed her, catching on the fiery strands of her hair and the delicate curve of her lips as she whispered silent words I couldn’t hear.

I approached her quietly, wrapping my arms around her waist and resting my chin atop her head. She didn’t startle, just leaned back into me, her muscles slowly softening under my touch as our bond thrummed with the comfort of togetherness. The faint scent of wildflowers and pine wrapped around me like a balm, easing the ache in my own chest.

Her fingers moved to the locket resting against Luna’s small chest, brushing over the silver surface as though trying to memorize its every detail. "I wish Sage could be here," she murmured, her voice low and laced with bittersweet longing. “And that I could have met her. I wish I could thank her…for everything.”

I tightened my hold on her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I know, my love. I miss her too. But she is here—with us, in every way that matters. In our memories, in our hearts..." My eyes drifted to the locket, its silver catching the faint glow of the moonlight. A soft smile tugged at my lips. "And in the legacy she left behind."

Princess's hand stilled, her gaze dropping to Luna's peaceful face. "It feels wrong," she admitted quietly. "Like I’m trying to replace her."

"You’re not replacing her," I said firmly, turning her in my arms so she could see the truth in my eyes. "No one ever could. But you’re filling the spaces she left behind, loving us, being here for Luna in ways Sage would have wanted. You’re not erasing her, Princess. You’re honoring her."

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she didn’t look away. "It still hurts."

"It always will," I admitted, brushing a tear from her cheek. "But that pain doesn’t diminish who you are to us. To me. To Luna. You’re my mate, my partner, and her mother now. Sage would have wanted you to embrace that."

Her lips trembled, but she nodded, leaning into my touch. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

I kissed her softly, letting the bond between us hum with the love and strength we shared. "Always."

Princess’s hand covered mine, her slender fingers intertwining with my own. She smiled softly, her voice tinged with a teasing warmth. “Are you just trying to get me to go to bed with you?” Her laugh was quiet, delicate, as though she feared waking the world outside this moment. She lifted our joined hands, pressing a kiss to my knuckles before her expression grew wistful. “I just wish she could see this. See how far we’ve come. How much we’ve grown.” Her voice wavered, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "How much we’ve found in each other."

I pressed my lips to her temple, my wolf rumbling with quiet contentment at the contact. “Sage would be in awe of you, my fierce Alpha,” I murmured. “She’d be so proud of the pack you’ve built, the lives you’ve saved. And she’d love you for the promise you’ve given her daughter.”

Princess let out a watery laugh, one that held equal parts grief and joy. Turning fully into my embrace, she cupped my face in her hands, her thumbs brushing gently over my cheeks. “And you, my love. She’d be overjoyed to see the strength and compassion you’ve found. The way you’ve learned to love so openly—yourself, our pack...me.”

Her words cracked something deep within me, filling the space with a fierce and tender warmth. I leaned down, capturing her lips in a kiss that spoke of all the emotions I could never put into words. The depth of my love, the respect I held for her strength, the gratitude I felt for every second we’d fought to earn this life together.

When we finally parted, breathless and trembling, I rested my forehead against hers. The silence between us was heavy, not with sadness, but with the weight of a shared promise. “Together,” I whispered, my voice raw with conviction, “we’ll honor her memory. And we’ll build a future where no one has to suffer like we have. Like she did.”

Princess closed her eyes for a brief moment, her hand tightening around mine. When she opened them, they blazed with determination, her soft voice steady and unwavering. “For Luna. For Sage. For all those we’ve lost. And for the pack we’re building.”

She turned to glance at Luna, her gaze softening as it settled on the pup’s peaceful face. The faint glow of the moonlight painted her hair with a fiery halo, and the corners of her lips curved into a tender smile. “Our future. Our pack. We’ll fight for it, no matter what.”

I drew her close once more, resting my chin atop her head as we stood together in the quiet of the night. The fading remnants of the Blood Moon bathed the room in its ethereal glow, a silent witness to the promises we made.

As I held her, my heart swelled with a bittersweet ache. It was not just the weight of loss or the battles to come—it was the overwhelming realization that in this moment, in this fragile, fleeting space of time, we had found something worth fighting for.

Something worth living for.

Together.

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GUILDED MOON

Three Packs

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