I could hear the sound of the leaves as the wind slowly rocked the trees. I could hear the sound of running water coming from somewhere in the distance. It was such a lovely and peaceful day as I walked around my mate's pack. From what I could understand, the prison cells I was in were along the back of the pack and semi-close to the pack's border. This is meant to make the facility more guarded in case someone escapes. Unfortunately, though, it appears that everyone who is meant to guard the facility has become far too complacent, as I haven't seen a single guard since I left the cell. I understand that they have probably never once had a prisoner escape before, and they probably believe that no one will ever be able to escape the prison, but that is still no excuse to slack off on their duties. Once this is over, I'll have to speak with my mate. Complacency is a slow killer; you must be prepared for the impossible, because one day, the impossible happens.
The faint sound of children laughing distracted me from my thoughts. So, I decided to follow the sound and hopefully get an idea of where I currently was inside the pack. As I got closer to the sound, I started to notice a change in the scenery. Trees began to thin out a bit more as it opened up to more of an open field with a few trees splattered around the area. The closer I got to the sound, I began to notice stone pathways. I even noticed a couple of benches seated close to the pathways. I immediately realized that I was probably located near a park, which my thought was confirmed a moment later as I noticed the playground equipment.
As I noticed all the children running around and playing in the playground, I decided to stay a good distance away as I continued. I could even see some houses in the distance, and I couldn't help but think how dangerous it would have been if I were an actual rogue or a shifter who had any desire to harm this pack. I mean, honestly, it wasn't that far of a walk from the prison to this park where the children play, and there was nothing but trees blocking the path either. They could have at least put roadblocks in the way, like other buildings meant solely for extra protection to ensure the pack's safety in case a poisoner escapes. If I were a rogue or an angry shifter, I would have already shifted and started attacking and killing as many of their children as possible before any warriors or parents could even figure out what was happening. This is just plain stupid and reckless. They would learn their lesson if something like that were to happen, but I hope to God for their sake that doesn't take that to happen before they realize that.
The sound of children playing faded behind me, replaced by the quiet of the deeper estate. I was deep among the houses when a small, sharp voice sliced through the air: 'Stop it!' A heavy thud followed, sending a prickle of concern down my spine. I moved toward the sound, slipping behind the thick trunk of an oak to remain unseen. In a secluded, wooded pocket of the park, five children stood in a jagged semi-circle. They were laughing—a sound that felt wrong in the shadows. Then, the smallest boy shifted, and the gap in the circle revealed the truth: they weren't playing a game. They were standing over another child.
The child sat on the ground, tears streaming down her face, yet a fierce anger burned in her gaze—she hadn't given up the fight. But it was the eyes themselves that caught me off guard; they were a striking, mismatched pair. One was a deep, oceanic blue, while the other was a bright, startling pink. Against her ivory skin and shoulder-length brown hair, the colors popped with a unique beauty that made her look almost ethereal. Her outfit was a testament to a mother's pride. Beneath a thick black coat, she wore a red plaid skirt and matching leggings, every piece topped off by a tidy black beret and sturdy boots. She looked cherished, which made the dirt on her coat and the tears on her face feel like a personal insult to whoever had dressed her that morning.
I couldn't see the faces of the other children as they all had their backs to me, but based on their heights and the fact that the little girl didn't appear to be afraid, I could safely assume that they were all the same age or close enough in age that she wasn't scared of them. Suddenly, one of the children's voices rang out through the air tauntingly, "You don't belong here, mutt." The word hung in the damp air, foul and heavy. Mutt. It was a word meant to strip away her humanity, to turn her beautiful rarity into something 'mongrel.' My feet, which had been ready to turn back toward the safety of my isolation, rooted into the earth.
"Yeah, no one wants you here, you freak."
"You don't belong in this pack, and you never will."
I felt my blood run cold at their cruel and taunting words, feeling absolutely appalled by these children's behavior. But I also felt incredibly impressed by the little girl's strength, as even though these children said those things to her, she refused to cower. She looked at them with so much determination, as if saying she refused to be pushed around. But the moment one of the children walked towards her with their hand raised, ready to hit, I decided I had enough of watching this. So, I stepped out from behind the tree and leaned on the tree with my arms over my chest. I then cleared my throat loudly, ensuring that they could hear me. Which immediately caused them to freeze in their tracks.
They all stood there, completely frozen, too afraid to move for a moment, all except the little girl, as she looked at me with curious eyes. She seemed to be looking at me with just as much interest as I had shown her. The other children slowly began to turn their heads to look at me, and as soon as they did, all their eyes grew wide with fear as they realized they had been caught. And they feared the kind of trouble they were about to be in. I allowed it all to sink in for a moment before saying, "Just what do you think you are doing to this little girl?" I raised my chin as I spoke with authority dripping with my every word. The moment I spoke, it was like whatever was holding the kids to their spot finally broke. Two of the kids at the opposite ends of the semi-circle suddenly took off in opposite directions. The other kids fell to their knees; two of them started crying, while the others just stared at me.
A curse slipped through my teeth as I rubbed my face, the weight of the situation settling on me. But when I looked back, the little girl was already on her feet, calmly brushing dirt from her black leggings. Then, she did something that stopped my heart: she walked over to the sobbing child who had just been taunting her and began to pet her head, murmuring reassurances. I felt a surge of pride so sharp it nearly hurt—she was extraordinary. As I started toward them, she didn't run. Instead, she stepped in front of the others, her small arms raised protectively to shield them from me. My smile widened, seeing this tiny warrior.
I crouched down to meet her at eye level. "You don't have to worry," I said softly. "I mean no harm to you or the others. Did you know you are an impressive little girl? Not only did you show kindness to her, but you stood up to protect the very people who were just hurting you." She watched me warily, her mismatched eyes searching mine. "My mother always says that no matter the circumstance, I should be kind to those around me." I smiled, resting a hand gently on her hair. "Your mother sounds like a very wise woman." The caution in her expression didn't vanish, but she gave a small, proud nod. "Yes. My mother is the best." Behind her, the sobbing had finally stopped. The other children were staring at us now; their faces streaked with tears but wide with wonder.
I looked at each of the children before asking them gravely, "Is this honestly how you think you should behave toward another person? Would your parents appreciate how you all have been acting toward this little girl?" I watched as the children looked down at the ground in shame, and I sighed, "Would you like it if other people started saying the same thing you did to her? Would you like to be told that no one likes you or wants you around? And how would you feel if your friends started calling you names and pushing you to the ground so you couldn't run away?" The other little girl looked up and looked toward the other little girl before saying, "I'm sorry, Hope." The little girl in front of me turned towards the other little girl and smiled slightly before saying, "It's okay, Jenny."
I smiled at them, but then the little boy at the end spoke up and said, "But she's a freak. Just look at her eyes." I let out a long sigh, meeting the little boy's defensive gaze until he looked away. I turned back to look at the little girl again as I said, "I think her eyes are beautiful and unique. And don't ever let anyone convince you otherwise." I watched as her eyes softened, and she smiled sweetly at me. I then turned to look at the little boy, who looked shocked by my words and added, "I turned to the boy, who looked shocked by my words. 'Just because you see something new—something you don't yet understand—doesn't give you the right to treat it with hatred. Embrace the difference. Who knows? That very thing might become their greatest strength. And when that day comes, you will deeply regret the way you treated them, for they will be more powerful than you ever imagined."
I know from the look on his face that everything I just said went right over his head, but I still felt the need to say that. As he might just remember these words later when he grows up and understands the true meaning behind them. I took a deep breath before adding, "Besides, how would you feel if you met your mate one day, only to find they have the same condition as this girl here? Can you honestly say that you would reject them because of it? Could you honestly reject the only person who can truly make you happy? The only person that you can love or that can truly love you with all their heart. Would you hate your mother if she had different colored eyes like hers?" He scuffed his boot against the dirt, the defiance finally draining out of him. He looked down at the ground and mumbled, "I guess not. My mommy is still my mommy no matter what... and she'll always be beautiful to me."
I looked at each of them, my smile softening. "Now then, don't you think it's better to be friends than enemies?" They looked at one another, hesitant and skeptical, waiting for someone else to make the first move. I leaned back against the tree. "I mean, honestly—can any of you truly look at each other and say you feel nothing but hate?" The silence stretched. Hope watched them, her mismatched eyes wide with a mix of doubt and a tiny, flickering spark of hope.
Finally, the ringleader of the group stood. Under the watchful gaze of the other children, he stepped forward and walked toward Hope. I watched as she tensed up and tried to prepare for what he might do next. He took a deep breath before saying, "I never hated you, Hope. Nor have I ever disliked your eye color; in fact, I always thought they were kind of cool." She looked at him skeptically "Then why did you do all this, Cain?" Cain looked down at his boots, his voice small but steady. "I was just... I was afraid I'd be next. But the Silver Lady is right. I don't want to do it anymore." He looked up, meeting her mismatched eyes. "If you don't hate me... could we be friends? I'll stay by your side. I won't let them pick on you again." Hope let out a long, weary sigh, but then a smile broke through. "Alright, Cain. I forgive you. But a promise like that... you can never break it." "I promise," he said, and for the first time, the circle around her didn't feel like a cage—it felt like a shield.
She held out her hand, a peace offering in the dappled sunlight. "Friends?" Cain grabbed it eagerly, his face breaking into a wide, relieved grin. "Friends." As they shook hands, the other girl finally rose. She approached Hope with timid, halting steps, her eyes fixed on the ground as she clenched the hem of her jacket. "I'm sorry for how we've been acting," she whispered. "And thank you for helping us... even though we were so mean to you. Do you think you could ever forgive the rest of us, too?"
Hope wrapped her arms around the girl, who immediately clung to her. When they finally pulled away, both were smiling. "Does this mean we can be friends from now on?" the girl asked softly. Hope's smile was bittersweet. "I've always wanted real friends." As they embraced again, Jeffery shuffled toward them. "I guess I can be friends with you, too," he muttered. I raised an eyebrow at his bluntness, but Cain was faster—he gave Jeffery a sharp nudge to the arm. "Be nice, Jeffery," Cain hissed, making me huff a small, silent laugh.
Jeffery rubbed his arm, scowling. "Hey, that was uncalled for! I am being nice. Besides, y'all need someone as smart as me in this group." The others rolled their eyes in unison. Cain snorted. "Yeah, right. You're so smart? Just look at the score you got on our last test." "You heard what the Lady said!" Jeffery huffed, gesturing toward me. "She thinks I'm a smart one." Cain crossed his arms, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "That's only because she doesn't know you yet." Jeffery let out a dramatic gasp of betrayal while Hope and the other girl dissolved into giggles. I couldn't help but smile, watching the light return to their faces.
Hope stepped between the boys, her hands on her hips. "Alright, that's enough. Why don't we all play together before we have to go home?" The boys nodded, the rivalry forgotten in an instant. As I started to stand, intending to slip away, a small hand caught my shirt. I looked down into Hope's mismatched eyes, now wide and pleading. "Will you play with us, too?" The other children gathered around, a sea of hopeful faces. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. "Sure," I said softly. "Why not?" They cheered, jumping for joy. "What should we play first?" I asked. "Hide-and-seek!" Hope shouted. I laughed, the sound feeling foreign but good in my chest. "Okay then. All of you go hide, and I'll come find you." Giggles erupted as they scrambled for position, waiting for the signal. I closed my eyes, blocked out the world, and began to count.
*
*
I took a deep breath before entering the drafty corridor that led to the cells. The soldiers stood at alert, their postures radiating confidence, yet they bowed their heads respectfully as I passed. I could feel their tension; they knew a tiger shifter was within the pack borders, and they were clearly uncomfortable being kept in the dark—only a few of us were privy to the full truth. The clicking of Mia's heels echoed off the damp concrete, growing sharper the deeper we went. As the heavy door of the cell block came into view, Mia quickened her pace to announce our arrival. I slowed my stride, giving her space to talk to the guard, but mostly giving myself a moment to breathe. My mind raced—what was I supposed to say to my mate once I was standing on the other side of those bars?
I rolled my neck, my muscles coiling like a spring as the heavy steel door to the cell blocks ground open. My wolf was pacing at the back of my mind, a low, possessive growl vibrating in my chest. I needed to see her. But as I stepped into the corridor, the air didn't smell like a prisoner's fear. It smelled like... laundry? I froze. A few feet ahead, a gray suit jacket was draped neatly over an open cell door, a matching tie slung over it with mocking precision. "Alpha?" Mia's hand touched my shoulder; her voice laced with sudden caution.
I didn't answer as I rushed toward the cell where the tiger shifter was supposed to be held. The guard reached it first, but he didn't draw his weapon. Instead, he recoiled, his face turning a ghostly shade of white. "Move," I snarled, shoving him aside. The sight inside the cell hit me like a physical blow. My mate was gone. In her place, two men were incapacitated in the most humiliating display I had ever seen. And one of those men I recognized, as I knew for a fact that he was currently training to become a higher-ranked warrior for the pack. The other was working as one of the lawyers for the pack's businesses.
One was sprawled on the concrete, stripped to his skin with nothing but his own trousers thrown over his lap to preserve a shred of dignity. He was spread-eagled, pinned by two different sets of heavy-duty shifter shackles that kept him from so much as curling a finger. The second warrior was suspended against the wall, his feet dangling inches from the floor. He was a mess of disheveled white cotton and silver chains. The metal hissed against his skin, and a thick gray sock was stuffed into his mouth, cutting off his ability to shift or speak.
The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the frantic chink-chink-chink of the silver chains as the man on the wall struggled.
I turned to Mia. She was looking at the empty cell, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. A roar erupted from my throat, a sound so primal the guard fell to his knees. "How?" I demanded, the word coming out as a jagged edge of fury. "I-I just started my shift, Alpha! Ten minutes ago!" the guard stammered, his eyes wide with terror. I slammed my fist into the stone wall, the impact vibrating up my arm. My mate hadn't just escaped; she had dismantled my security and left a punchline in their place. My wolf was howling now-not just in anger, but in a twisted sort of pride. She was a ghost. A dangerous, brilliant ghost.
I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to calm myself down. With my eyes still closed, I felt Mia's hand lightly touching my elbow, and when I opened my eyes and looked at her, she nodded her head as if to tell me to do whatever I needed to do. I took another deep breath "Mia, you're in charge," I bit out, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Find out how she did this. No one leaves this wing until I have names and a timeline."
The guard's eyes were wide with fear, and I knew he recognized the threat behind my words. I didn't wait. I spun on my heel and took off at a dead run, my heart hammering against my ribs. She was out there somewhere in my territory, and if she could take down two warriors without making a sound, the rest of my pack didn't stand a chance.
*
The wind rushed past, fighting to slow me down, but neither my wolf nor I cared. We had a mate to find, and nothing was going to stop us. The greenery of the forest blurred into a single smear of color as I pushed my pace. My chest tightened; the thought of her hurt or alone sent a cold spike of dread into my stomach. Yet, beneath the fear, a bitter anger simmered. I couldn't believe she'd dared to leave the cell without my permission. If the pack found out what she truly was, it would be chaos—total panic. A growl vibrated in my chest. What the hell was she thinking? She was the one who agreed to the cell in the first place, and now, she'd put everything at risk.
Frustration boiled over as the miles ticked by with no sign of her. I had scoured every inch of the building, and it made no sense—there wasn't a trace of her scent left behind. My blood turned to fire just thinking about those two men I found in her cell, but I forced the image away. I couldn't afford the distraction. She couldn't have been gone long, yet the wind offered nothing but the smell of pine and damp earth. It was impossible. No wolf, no matter how fast, could vanish this completely. The lack of a trail didn't just frustrate me; it terrified me.
The sound hit me before I saw her—high-pitched squeals and melodic laughter cutting through the heavy silence of the evening. It felt wrong. The sun was dipping low, bleeding orange across the horizon, and the park should have been a ghost town by now. Normally, I would have ignored it, but my gut twisted, a primal instinct urging me toward the noise. My wolf went silent, ears pricked forward. I followed the laughter past the edge of the park, my heart hammering against my ribs.
I rounded a thicket of oaks and froze, the breath leaving my lungs in a single, sharp exhale. There she was. At first, she was nothing but a silver, shimmering blur of impossible speed. Then, the world seemed to snap into focus. She stopped dead behind a little girl, moving with a predatory silence I'd never witnessed in our kind. Before the child could even gasp, my mate scooped her up, spinning her into the air with a grace that made my heart stutter. She caught the girl with a radiant smile—a look so pure it could have lit up the darkest corners of my territory. In an instant, the fury that had been consuming me evaporated. The anger that she'd dared leave her cell, the bone-deep terror that someone would discover she was a tiger... it all vanished, replaced by a stunned, aching awe.
As soon as my mate set the little girl down, she collapsed onto the grass with a dramatic laugh. The children didn't hesitate; they tumbled down around her like falling leaves, lining up on either side of her in the grass. A smile tugged at my lips as I watched them—a chorus of breathless giggles and bright faces. It was, without question, the sweetest thing I had ever seen. My heart quickened, a different kind of pulse than the one that had driven my run. In the fading light, she looked more radiant than the moment I'd first met her. I leaned against the rough bark of an oak, watching as she propped herself up on an elbow to talk to them. Even from the shadows, the excitement on the children's faces was unmistakable. They were hanging on her every word. I stayed perfectly still, not daring to move closer; I knew the second I stepped out, the spell would break. I wasn't ready to ruin the beauty of this moment just yet.
My mate suddenly sat up, and like a row of little ducklings, the children mirrored her every move. It was impossibly sweet. I watched her lips move as she whispered something to them, and then a flash of mischief crossed her face. Without warning, she snatched the little girl into her lap and began tickling her. The girl's laughter erupted—pure, high, and infectious. When the girl finally caught her breath, she didn't pull away. Instead, she threw her small arms around my mate's neck in a fierce hug. A soft, genuine smile transformed my mate's face as she squeezed back. Then, as if on a silent signal, the rest of the children scrambled up and piled in, burying her in a massive group hug. I felt my heart swell—a literal 'swoon' of my wolf's spirit. I had been so ready to hunt, to punish, and to hide her away, but my gut had led me here instead. If I hadn't followed that instinct, I would have missed the most heartwarming sight of my life."
The children finally pulled back, settling into a circle around her, though the little girl remained anchored in her lap. I glanced at the sky; the sun was a dying ember on the horizon. With a heavy sigh, I pushed off from the tree. It was time to break the spell. I had barely taken two steps into the clearing before her head snapped up. Her eyes locked onto mine with unsettling precision. She stopped mid-sentence, tilting her head to the side as a flicker of curiosity crossed her face. Sensing her change in mood, the children turned as one. A ripple of confusion spread through them as they watched their Alpha approach. As I drew closer, my mate's expression shifted. She lifted her chin, a mischievous smirk dancing on her lips. "Well, well, well," she said, her voice carrying a rhythmic, mocking lilt that vibrated in the air. "What a surprise, Alpha. Whatever brings you out here at this hour?"
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at the look on his face. He narrowed his eyes, lifting an eyebrow, and when he caught the corner of my mouth twitching, he rolled his eyes, a flicker of genuine annoyance crossing his features. The children glanced between us, their confusion deepening as they tried to understand the sudden tension between the two of us. He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze sharpening on me for a heartbeat before he turned his attention to the little ones. He cleared his throat, his 'Alpha voice' dipping into something softer but firm. "It's getting late, children," he said, gesturing toward the darkening tree line. "Don't you think you should be heading home before your parents start worrying about where you all are?"
A collective groan rose from the group, but they didn't argue. One by one, they scrambled up. My mate gently lifted the little girl from her lap, setting her firmly on her feet before rising with that same fluid, silver grace that made my heart ache. Then came the goodbyes. I stood as a silent witness as the children lined up, taking turns to wrap their arms around her. It was a bittersweet sight; they pulled away with slumped shoulders and pouting lips, their eyes mirroring a deep, sudden sadness at the thought of leaving her side. A small, involuntary smile tugged at my mouth. It was baffling, really. They didn't act like they were saying goodbye to a stranger or a prisoner—they acted like they had known her their entire lives.
As I hugged Hope and we started to pull apart, she leaned in, her voice a tiny, breathless whisper against my ear. "Thank you." I pulled back just enough to look into her unique, bright eyes, my heart softening. "You're welcome," I said, my voice barely above a murmur. "Now, go on. Join your friends. I'm sure your mother is looking for you." Hope gave me one last radiant beam of a smile before spinning around. She caught up to the others in a few quick strides, and I watched as they all instinctively joined hands. They drifted toward the cluster of houses just a few hundred feet away, their small forms silhouetted against the twilight. I stayed there, a smile lingering on my face as their chatter drifted back to me—a happy, rhythmic hum of childhood innocence.
I felt his presence—a wave of heat and solid strength—as he moved to stand beside me. "You know, you sure are full of surprises," he rumbled. I kept my gaze on the retreating children, a smirk tugging at my lips. "Oh, really now? How do you figure?" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him turn toward me, his face a mask of pure disbelief. I couldn't help a low chuckle before finally turning to meet his gaze. 'You really don't know how to take a joke, do you?' His eyes widened in genuine shock. The great, brooding Alpha was speechless. I laughed, the sound bright in the evening air, and reached out to pat his chest. The muscle beneath his shirt was rock-solid. 'You honestly make this too easy,' I teased. "I'm only playing with you." He narrowed his eyes, a low, playful growl vibrating against my palm. "I am fully aware of what you are doing." I leaned in just a fraction, my smile turning sharp and feline. "Then loosen up some, my dear Alpha."
He snorted, rolling his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. A smirk played on his lips as he raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Me loosening up isn't going to help you stay out of trouble."
"Me? In trouble?" I let out a mock-offended chuckle, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Whatever could I have possibly done to make you think I'm the type to get into trouble?"
"Really?" He deadlocked my gaze, his eyebrow creeping even higher. I didn't explain; I simply gave him a small, innocent shrug. He rolled his eyes again, but the tension in his shoulders finally snapped. His arms dropped to his sides, and the stern Alpha mask melted away, replaced by a soft, genuine smile. He reached out, his large hand cupping my cheek. The moment his skin met mine, the mate bond exploded into a shower of sparks that raced down my spine. My body betrayed my playful attitude instantly. Without thinking, I leaned into his palm, my eyes fluttering shut as I drank in the sheer pleasure of his touch. In that second, the forest, the cell, and the secrets didn't matter—there was only the heat of him against me.
A low groan vibrated in his chest, his voice dropping into a deeper, huskier register that sent a fresh jolt of electricity through me. "What am I going to do with you?" The words were out of my mouth before I could filter them. I smirked, my gaze dropping to his lips. "I could think of a couple of things... and none of them involve our clothes staying on." His reaction was instantaneous. A deep, primal growl erupted from his throat, and his eyes narrowed with a sudden, dark intensity. He leaned in, his breath hot against my skin. "Don't tempt me, kitten." I didn't flinch. Instead, I let a wicked smirk spread across my face, my eyes dancing with challenge. "Aww, what's the matter?" I whispered teasingly, my voice a silk-wrapped blade. "Can't you take the heat?"
His eyes narrowed sharply, the playfulness vanishing into a dark, focused hunger. In one fluid motion, he hooked a hand around my waist and jerked me against him, while his other hand slid from my cheek to the back of my head. He didn't wait; he lowered his head and claimed my lips with a ferocity that made my breath hitch in my throat. The world tilted. His hand moved from my waist to the small of my back, crushing me against his solid frame, while his fingers tangled deep into my hair. He gave a sharp, possessive tug, tilting my head back to expose my throat and grant him better access. I let out a jagged gasp at the sensation, and he took full advantage, his tongue sweeping in to explore. A moan rumbled deep in my chest as his scent invaded my senses, drowning out everything else. My body moved on instinct. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, my fingers digging into the hair at the nape of his neck as I responded to his kiss with an eagerness that matched his own.
Our tongues battled for dominance, a feverish struggle for control as my hands roamed across the broad, solid expanse of his chest. Then, without warning, he broke the connection. He pulled back, his hands heavy on my shoulders as his chest heaved with ragged breaths. The sudden coldness made my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. A sharp sting of rejection flared in my chest—had I pushed too far? Was I not what he wanted? My expression must have betrayed me, because his gaze softened instantly, his eyes dark with a mix of frustration and longing. He cleared his throat, his voice sounding like gravel. "If we don't stop now," he rasped, his grip on my shoulders tightening, "Anyone could walk out of those houses and see us." His voice dropping into a low, territorial rumble, "And I refuse to share your view of you with anyone."
Relief washed over me, a warm tide that swept away the sting of imagined rejection. He didn't want to pull away; he was just being cautious of our surroundings. He released my shoulders, but he didn't move back. He stood there, looking slightly caught off guard, watching me with an intensity that bordered on anxious. I couldn't help a low chuckle. "Relax, Alpha. It's not like I'm going to jump your bones right here on the lawn." His eyes widened in shock before he shook his head, a half-laugh of disbelief escaping him. "You truly are something else."
"Well, thank you," I smirked, preening slightly under his gaze. "It's so nice of you to finally notice. Don't worry; you'll learn to love it."
"What am I going to do with you?" he murmured, the question sounding more like a prayer than a complaint. This time, he didn't look frustrated; he looked captivated. I gave him a slow, wicked wink. "Oh, I'm sure we can think of a few things to try... later." He actually chuckled at that, his eyes darkening as his smirk returned to match mine. "Oh, I'm sure we can," he rumbled, his voice dropping into that dangerous, honey-thick tone. "I'm sure we can come up with a few ways to punish you for your behavior today."
I felt a jolt of shock, quickly followed by a spark of genuine impression. The Alpha had some bite to him after all. I didn't let my surprise show, though; I simply arched an eyebrow and leaned in. "Oh? Is that a promise?" He blinked, caught off guard by the boldness of my countermove, before a low chuckle escaped him. "You truly are something else," he admitted, shaking his head. "Why, thank you," I replied, my smile widening.
"Come on," he said, his expression softening as he rolled his eyes. "Let's go." The playful fog in my brain cleared slightly, replaced by a touch of wariness. "Go where?" He didn't answer with words. Instead, he reached out, his large hand open and waiting between us. "Away from here," he said softly. "Away from prying eyes." A part of me wanted to ask more out of general curiosity, but looking at the smile on his face, I quickly realized none of it mattered as long as I was with him. I placed my hand in his, and the smile he gave me in return was so breathtakingly beautiful that it stole the very air from my lungs.
The moment she smiled up at me and took my hand, I couldn't help but admire her raw, captivating glow. Even though she was still in the same clothes from the cell, she looked ethereal in the fading light, and I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that this lethal creature was my mate.
His eyes suddenly widened, a look of pure panic washing over his face. Before I could even ask what was wrong, he blurted out, 'Why aren't you wearing any shoes?' I glanced down at my bare feet, the grass feeling cool and soft between my toes, and gave a casual shrug. "So?"
"How could you be walking around without shoes?" He looked completely flabbergasted, as if I'd just told him I'd forgotten how to breathe. I rolled my eyes, offering him a sweet, slightly mocking smile. "Probably because I don't have any."
"They didn't give you shoes when we brought you the clothes?" When I shook my head, he let out a sharp curse, mumbling something under his breath about incompetence before looking back at me, horrified. "So, you've been walking around this entire time... barefoot?" I chuckled softly, reaching out to steady him. "It's really not that big of a deal. I don't know why you're making such a fuss."
"Not a big deal?" He looked at me as if I were insane. "You could have stepped on glass, or a jagged root—you could be bleeding right now!" I opened my mouth to reassure him that my skin was tougher than it looked and that I was perfectly fine, but I never got the chance. Before I could utter a word, he lunged forward, swept his arms under my knees and back, and hoisted me into his arms, bridal style.
I gasped as the ground disappeared, my hands instinctively flying to his shoulders to steady myself. He began walking with a grim determination, his stride long and unwavering. "Honestly," I huffed, "I can walk. It really isn't that big of a deal." He looked down at me; a deep scowl etched into his features. "How could you say that? No, you aren't taking another step until we get your feet protected. We're going to get you checked out to make sure you haven't injured yourself." I rolled my eyes, but the humor was starting to drain out of me. "Checked by who? Your pack doctor?" I let out a sharp, cynical laugh. "I'm sure he'd just love that. The second he remembers what he's dealing with, he'll probably refuse to treat me—or worse, he'll "accidentally" slip with a scalpel just because I'm a tiger shifter." That comment made him stop in his tracks, and the silence that followed was heavy. I felt his grip on me tighten, his fingers digging slightly into the fabric of my clothes as my words hit home. I wasn't just a mate he could protect; I was an outsider in a territory that was built to hunt things like me.
"I mean, seriously, I'm not a delicate human who gets hurt that easily, and even if I did, we heal incredibly fast. This isn't something you should be freaking out about." He sighed, "Fine, we won't go to the clinic." I smiled, "Good, now can you let me down?" He immediately tightened his grip on me "Absolutely not. Just because I said we are not going to the clinic doesn't mean you aren't still getting treated."
"What-" he cut me off, "I will treat you myself. And I mean it when I said you aren't allowed to walk around the pack or anywhere without shoes." I rolled my eyes "You are incorrigible." He smirked down at me before looking ahead to pay attention to where he was heading. I shook my head at his behavior and sighed, just letting it go and allowing him to focus on where he was going instead of arguing.
As he broke into a fast walk, the sparks from the mate bond intensified, turning into a constant, electric hum everywhere our skin met. Being held against him like this made me hyper-aware of everything. I could feel the ripple and flex of his muscles with every stride, the powerful rise and fall of his chest against my side. His scent enveloped me completely, just as intoxicating now as the very first time I'd caught it. I rested my head against his chest, my ear pressed right over his heart. It was a steady thrum until, suddenly, it skipped, then began to race.
I wasn't the only one affected; I could feel the hitch in his breathing that mirrored my own. When I looked up at him, I saw the tension in his face. His jaw was clenched so tight the bone looked ready to snap. He didn't say a word, but his pace shifted. The fast walk became a jog, then a full-on run, his feet pounding against the earth as he hurried toward our destination. He wasn't just worried about my feet anymore—the bond was screaming, and he was desperate to get us somewhere private.