I sank into a food court chair, my feet throbbing. Carrying a mountain of shopping bags makes you feel heavy, even with the supernatural strength of an animal shifter. The bags themselves were technically weightless to me, but the mental drain was a different story.Mia had dragged me into every shop in the mall, ignoring my protests with a cheerful, remorseless energy. To be fair, it wasn't all bad. We'd spent the afternoon talking about everything and nothing at all. I hadn't laughed this much in ages. It was nice to connect with someone again, even if we kept things on the surface. I smiled to myself, carefully peeling the plastic handles off my arms.
Nearby, Mia stood in the food line. She was carrying nearly as many bags as I was, yet she looked entirely unfazed. People were gawking at her—mortals aren't used to seeing a girl carry half a department store without breaking a sweat—but Mia didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she just didn't care. The moment our food was ready, Mia grabbed our tray of food and walked to the table I was sitting at.
The moment our food was ready, Mia grabbed the tray and carried it over to the table. I stood and took it from her, setting it down so she could sit more easily. She smiled, murmured a thank you, and began peeling the bags from her arms. I did the same, relieved as the plastic handles slipped free. She handed me my food and then grabbed her own. The smell hit me all at once—hot, salty, unmistakably real—and my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. Mia laughed. "Hungry?"
"Well," I shrugged, "it's been a while since I actually ate." Her smile faded. "How long is a while?" I paused, mentally counting, then shrugged again. "I don't know... maybe forty-eight hours?" Her eyes widened. "Oh my god. You should have told me. We could've gotten you something last night." She stopped herself, guilt flickering across her face. "No—we should have offered. You weren't a prisoner. You're our alpha's mate. Our future luna. We should've been more hospitable."
My heart swelled at her kindness and obvious concern. I reached out and took her hand, drawing her gaze back to mine. "Thank you for caring about my well-being," I said softly. "But I'm fine." She sighed, then fixed me with a determined look. "I'll let it go this time. But from now on, I promise I'll be more hospitable—and make sure you're welcomed and well taken care of. Since you clearly can't be trusted to look out for yourself." I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at my lips. It was oddly sweet. And a little amusing. "Alright, Mia," I said. "I'll take you up on that." She smiled, then suddenly frowned. "I just realized—you know my name, but I have no idea what yours is." I smiled at her, then held out my hand. "My name is Artemis Silverfang." She took it, giving my hand a firm shake. "Hello, Artemis. I'm Amelia Calahan—but everyone calls me Mia."
I smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, Amelia. I know I won't always be the easiest to deal with, but I hope we'll get along—and maybe, if it's not too much trouble, even become friends one day." Her smile brightened. She reached across the table and took my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'd like that very much," she said. "And don't worry—I'll help you win over our stubborn alpha and the rest of the pack. I think you'll make a wonderful Luna. I can already tell we'll get along just fine." I squeezed her hand back, my heart swelling at her words. After that, we ate in comfortable silence. I noticed her checking her phone now and then, pausing to type a message before returning to her food. I didn't ask about it. Instead, I focused on eating, content to let the moment be.
I had a feeling it had something to do with me. Every time I caught her on her phone and looked up at her, she'd smile shyly—almost like she expected me to ask about it and wasn't sure what she'd say if I did. She always seemed to find some way to distract me instead. She kept doing it even after we left the food court. What I thought would be our last stop turned into several more as we continued shopping, Mia discovering yet another store we just had to check out. You have no idea the immense joy I felt the moment we finally walked out of the mall. I knew, with absolute certainty, that the shopping trip was over—and that I wouldn't have to set foot in that place again anytime soon.
That joy didn't last long. Confusion—and then tension—set in when I spotted a group of ripped biker dudes loitering outside the mall. There were at least six of them, all different sizes. One breath was enough to tell me what they were. Wolves. Friend or foe, I couldn't tell. I stepped in front of Mia, straightening as I subtly shifted my weight, ready for a fight. It wasn't until Mia placed a hand on my shoulder that I realized she was stepping past me.
Despite her arms being loaded with bags, she still managed to plant her hands on her hips. "Darren," she said sharply, "if you were sent here to help, the least you could do is actually help instead of standing around." She gestured pointedly at the bags. "Do you see us? We're clearly struggling here. You could at least take these instead of trying to look intimidating." Her voice rose as she glanced at the rest of them. "Honestly, what were you all thinking? You're scaring the poor mortals." She shook her head. "I know your mothers raised you better than this. They'd have a field day with the lot of you if they heard about this."
I felt my body relax when it became clear Mia knew these wolves. Judging by how familiar they were with one another, they were almost certainly part of my mate's pack. And I had to admit—Amelia had this whole scolding thing down to an art. I feared for the day she had children of her own. Those poor kids would be in for an earful. The boys seemed used to it. They stood there rolling their eyes and smirking, utterly unfazed—right up until Mia mentioned their mothers.
Their entire demeanor changed instantly. One of them hurried forward and started gathering bags from Mia's arms. I assumed this was Darren, because the moment he did, Mia huffed, "Honestly, Darren, why do you make me go on these long ranting tangents when you could save us both some time and just do it in the first place?" He rolled his eyes. "We both know you enjoy hearing yourself talk too much. You'd do it anyway."
She rolled her eyes as she began handing bags off to the others. While she was distracted, I felt Darren's gaze settle on me. He looked me over from head to toe, clearly sizing me up. My eyebrow lifted slightly. He was trying to decide if I was a threat. I knew he wasn't one to me—but he didn't know that. I was carefully masking my scent, hiding my nature completely. To any other shifter, I would seem human. Scentless. It was enough to unsettle even the most experienced wolves.
Darren jerked his thumb in my direction. "And who is this?" Mia followed his gesture, then immediately shook her head. Disappointment flashed across her face as she turned back to him. "It's a good thing our alpha isn't here to hear you say that," she said coolly. "I doubt he'd appreciate your tone—let alone you speaking to his mate and your future Luna like that."
Every man froze. Wide eyes turned to me, shock written across their faces. "Are you serious right now?" one of them asked. "Yeah, you're not messing with us right now, Mia," one of them said. Mia shook her head. "No. I'm being one hundred percent honest." She glanced around at them before continuing, her voice steady. "Our alpha has finally found his mate. She'll be staying with us for a while as they decide whether or not to accept one another. If they do, she'll officially become our Luna."
As she spoke, their gazes drifted back to me. For a moment, they simply stared, awe written plainly across their faces. Then, all at once, they broke into cheers. High-fives were exchanged as they began talking excitedly over one another. "It's about time he found his mate."
"That's true. He rarely leaves that damn office of his."
"At least now we won't have to hear his mother coming to practice, complaining that he needs to get out more and find his mate."
"Or about how she wants to hold her grandbabies before she gets too old to do so."
One of them snorted. "I mean, it's not wrong. He's not getting any younger. Out of all of us, he's the only one without a mate—and we all went to high school together."
He trailed off, glancing at me suddenly. "And that was—"
"Enough," Mia cut in sharply, though her lips twitched like she was holding back a smile. I smiled faintly, enjoying their chaotic rambling. "Are you all just going to stand there all day," she asked pointedly, "or are you going to help your future Luna and relieve her of those bags?" Every gaze snapped to me. Only then did they seem to notice the armful of bags I was carrying. A split second later, they surged forward, each trying to reach me first. My eyes widened in surprise as hands reached out from every direction, all offering to take the bags. I couldn't help but chuckle at the sudden shift in their behavior as they scrambled for my favor now that they knew who I was. Still, I didn't sense any ill intent. If anything, there was worry in their eyes. From what they'd been saying earlier, it was clear—they were afraid that if I were treated poorly, I might leave. And after waiting so long, none of them wanted their alpha to be alone again.
I let them take the bags and immediately felt relieved to be rid of the weight. I rubbed my arms where the straps had started digging into my skin. Darren looked at Mia, disbelief written all over his face. "Jesus, Mia... you know your car isn't capable of handling all this stuff. What were you thinking?" Mia just smiled. "We filled the car a while ago. These will be going in yours." His jaw dropped. "You're kidding, right?"
"Nope," she replied calmly. "Besides, I knew you'd be coming with backup. And our alpha insisted I spare no expense for his mate, so who am I to argue?" Darren shook his head and muttered under his breath, "Shopaholics, I swear."
Mia either didn't hear him or pretended not to, continuing toward her car. "It's a good thing we brought two cars besides just our bikes," Darren said. "I don't think all of this would fit in just one," Mia called over her shoulder without looking back. "It would have—if you brought the jeep and didn't let anyone ride in it on the way here."
Darren gasped. "Do you think I would let any of your girly stuff touch the inside of my jeep? No. You are not allowed anywhere near my precious jeep." Mia didn't respond. Instead, she held up her middle finger over her shoulder, and I couldn't help but chuckle at their childish antics. Darren just rolled his eyes. Watching them, a strange smile played on my lips. My heart felt at peace in a way it hadn't in a long time. Somehow, I knew I could definitely get used to this.
*
*
Anxiety gnawed at me as I paced the foyer in front of the door. The floorboards nearly groaned under my boots as I walked back and forth. I wanted to be there the moment they arrived. I'd been down here ever since Mia's text saying they were on their way back from the mall. It felt like hours, even though I knew it had only been thirty minutes—maybe less. I tried sitting, tried forcing myself to be patient. It hadn't worked. How could it?
Knowing that my mate was injured. Knowing I'd done nothing to help her—nothing to prevent it from happening in the first place. Mia had told me about the bruise on her back, and it had taken everything in me not to crush my phone in my hand when I read the message. Especially when she added that today was the first time in two days my mate had eaten at all for the past forty-eight hours. What kind of mate lets that happen? I hadn't thought to offer her food when she arrived. I hadn't even learned her name until she introduced herself to Alisha. If it weren't for our interaction earlier in my office, I might not have introduced myself at all. Pathetic. A failure.
A low growl rumbled from my chest as I paced, anger burning hot—directed entirely at myself. Then I heard it. The distant roar of engines pulling into the drive. I moved instantly, opening the door just as Darren's car pulled in, Mia's close behind him, with another vehicle following. Two motorcycles flanked Mia's car on either side—the other four I'd sent riding escort to ensure her safety. My mate was finally back.
As they got closer, I couldn't see Mia or my mate. Everything felt slow—like time itself was stretching, moving longer than it should. Once they finished parking, I rushed out the doorway, moving as quickly as I could without breaking into a run. I reached their cars just as Darren and Mia stepped out. Both of them looked at me with surprise.
"Is everything okay, Alpha?" Mia asked. I stared at the passenger side of her car, waiting for the door to open. When it didn't, my eyes returned to Mia, confusion—and something heavier—visible on my face. Fear coiled in my chest. What if she realized what a terrible mate I'd been? What if she decided to leave because of it? "Where is she?" I asked, my voice tight. Mia's lips curved into an all-knowing smirk, but before she could speak, I heard the car doors behind me open.
I turned my head—and immediately knew something was wrong. Two men climbed out of the car instead of one. Alarm bells went off in my head as my attention snapped to the bikes. That shouldn't have been possible. One by one, the riders removed their helmets. I recognized each of them. All except the last.
They remained seated on the bike, legs planted on either side, their body leaned forward slightly as they stared at me. The intensity of that gaze made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Just as I was about to demand they remove their helmet, they shifted. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth as I watched—unable to look away. Their movements were fluid, controlled, almost effortless. They straightened on the bike, resting their weight on their heels. A black leather jacket clung to their frame, zipped tight, paired with ripped black jeans. That was all I could see—but it was enough. Their build was different. Not weaker. Just... different. Then they swung one leg over the bike and dismounted with smooth, practiced ease.
Once she was off the bike, the scent hit me—honey and vanilla, unmistakable. Even before she removed her helmet, I knew it was my mate. Relief washed over me. She hadn't left. In that instant, I promised myself I would do better—would prove I wasn't a terrible mate—so she would never have a reason to leave, and I would never feel this helpless again.
Confusion crept in. Why had she been riding a motorcycle instead of taking the car, where it was safer? I'd specifically sent warriors to protect her. That was why I'd deployed so many. And yet... I couldn't help but admire her. She rode with the skill of a seasoned pro, her balance and control flawless. She was talented. Independent. Dangerous—and somehow, utterly captivating.
I watched as she removed her helmet, and my breath hitched. Everything I had been about to say died on my tongue. The reddish-orange glow of the setting sun made her hair shine, almost as if she had a halo. I could tell she'd gotten a haircut while they were out shopping. Her hair wasn't as long as before, though worn up, it still framed her face beautifully. She had sideswept bangs now, ending at her rosy cheeks, highlighting the perfection of her features.
My mate smiled at me. My heart skipped a beat, and the rest of the world seemed to vanish. Without thinking, I crossed the small distance between us and wrapped my arms around her waist. I rested my head in the crook of her neck and inhaled her intoxicating scent. For the first time all day, my body began to relax. She chuckled softly, rubbing my back with one hand while holding her helmet at her side with the other.
I pulled back slightly to look at her, marveling at how lucky I was. She truly was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Gently, I cupped her cheek in my palm and pulled her closer, pressing my lips to hers. The moment our mouths met, pleasure erupted through me, as if the world had finally fallen into place.
She sighed softly against me, and my need for her intensified. Sliding my hand from her cheek to the back of her neck, I drew her closer—and she leaned into me willingly. My fingers tangled in her ponytail, tugging slightly to angle her head just the way I liked it. At the same time, I nipped her lip, and she gasped. Taking the opportunity, I let my tongue explore her open mouth, savoring the taste of her as my body pressed into hers.
Everything about her was intoxicating, and I felt my lower body harden with desire. I was lost in her—until a heavy thud landed squarely on my foot. I yanked my foot back and looked down. A black helmet sat a few feet away. Glancing up, I saw my mate staring at me, eyes wide, one hand covering her mouth in shock and apology. Soft chuckles and snickers drifted from the side. I didn't have to look to know Mia and the others had seen everything that had just happened.
I groaned as my mate moved closer, her hand resting lightly on my shoulder. Electricity from the mate bond ran down my arm, making both me and my wolf acutely aware of her presence. I clenched my teeth, struggling to keep myself from grabbing her. My wolf wanted her—needed her—right here, right now. Her hair brushed against the top of my nose, making it itch. I lifted my head to escape it, and in that moment, I met her eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes were filled with concern, and my heart swelled. She looked like an angel, bathed in the soft light behind her. For a moment, I forgot everything else in the world, lost entirely in her presence.
She bent down in front of me, and I realized her lips were moving. "Are you alright?" Her voice was laced with concern. Behind me, I heard Mia and the others giggling, reminding me of everything that had just happened. I took a deep breath, clenching my teeth as my foot throbbed. Those helmets were heavy—and made of bulletproof material to keep my men safe from rogues or hunters.
"I'm so sorry, Kayden," she said quickly. "I didn't mean to drop that helmet on your foot. I completely forgot I was even holding it." I snorted, ready to make a snarky comment—but the moment I looked into her eyes, I let it go with a sigh. "It's okay," I said softly. "I'll be fine in a few minutes. Don't worry. We just got caught up in the moment." She smiled shyly, and my heart skipped a beat. She was stunning, and I had to fight the urge to pull her into my arms and reclaim her lips—knowing that if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop myself.
I clenched my fists to keep from reaching out to her and sighed. "It's okay. I didn't think you did it on purpose. It's the mate bond's fault, not yours." She smiled softly. "Honestly... it's still surprising how strong the pull of the mate bond is. I've always heard tales of it, but you don't realize how strong it is until you experience it yourself." Before I could respond, she stood and held out her hands. I hesitated for only a moment before placing mine in hers. She tugged gently, helping me to my feet. Once I was standing, she let go of one hand and slid under my arm, guiding me as we began to walk together.
My body stiffened, shock running through me, but my heart swelled at her sweet, caring gesture. "Come on, I'll help you get back into the house," she said softly. A snicker came from the side. I glanced over and saw the entire pack standing in a line, watching us. Mia's eyebrow was arched, her eyes twinkling with amusement. That smirk told me she was already thinking, I told you so. The others grinned like fools, while a few struggled to hold back their laughter at their alpha in such a... vulnerable position. I narrowed my eyes, growling as anger flared. When I noticed everyone except Mia looking away, pretending not to see, my frustration only grew. I tried to step out of my mate's reach—but she refused to move.
She tightened her grip on my arm, and I growled in irritation. "I don't need any assistance. I can walk on my own." She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you can. But that doesn't mean you have to." Then she looked up at me, eyes full of sincerity. "I'm the one who hurt you. Please... allow me to help." Her words drained the anger from me. I exhaled, softening. "You don't need to feel guilty. I'm fine. The pain is already subsiding." She pursed her lips. "Just because the pain is easing doesn't mean you shouldn't take it easy for a bit." My shoulders slumped in quiet defeat. "Very well... do whatever you like." Her lips curved upward slightly as she turned her head, guiding me toward the house.
She guided me into the living room and didn't let go until I was sitting in one of the chairs. She even insisted I prop my foot up, despite my protests that it wasn't a big deal. Her persistence was both amusing and slightly annoying—like being cared for by a worried mother. When she stepped aside, I noticed everyone had followed us into the room. They stood to the side, staring. The boys looked at me with wide, shocked expressions, while Mia's arms were crossed, and an all-knowing smirk played across her face. I clenched my jaw, irritated by their reactions.
Before I could say anything, Mia clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright," she said, her tone commanding, "now that shopping is finished, where should we place your mate's things? I don't think it'll be wise for her to stay..." She paused, glancing at the others, then added cryptically, "In the same place she was staying earlier today."
The others exchanged glances before looking back at me, confusion clear on their faces. Mia was rarely cryptic with them—especially since they were among our highest-ranking warriors, aside from my mate and me. Luckily, they hadn't been with us last night. They didn't know she was a tiger shifter, and I intended to keep it that way for now. I nodded. "I'm aware."
Mia smirked. "Good. So, which room should we put her things in? Unless you can't stand being apart from her—I'd be happy to put her in your room." I felt my nostrils flare at the thought, even as I glared at her. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught my mate's lips twitch upward in an amused smirk. Mia tilted her head, clearly pleased. "But then you wouldn't be able to keep your hands to yourself," she added sweetly. "As we all just witnessed on the lawn. And considering you're still deciding whether you're going to accept her..." Her smirk widened. "I'm not too sure that's such a good idea."
Shock and confusion were written all over the guys' faces, while my mate's shoulders shook as she covered her mouth, clearly fighting back laughter. Irritation flared. I ran a hand through my hair and glared at Mia. "You're trying to test my patience, aren't you?" Mia's smirk widened into a devious grin. "No, but it is a pleasant side effect of tonight." She shrugged lightly. "Besides, you made it far too easy. How could I possibly refuse such a tempting opportunity?" She raised an eyebrow, daring me to argue. My eyes narrowed, a low growl rumbling from my chest. "Just because we're friends," I warned, "don't think for one second that I won't do something if you keep pushing my buttons."
I watched as Kayden's nostrils flared in anger, his eyes locked on Mia, daring her to choose her next words carefully. Mia only smiled wider, a wicked, mischievous glint twinkling in her eyes. I couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips—watching the two of them spar like this was oddly entertaining, and I felt my affection for them both grow ever so slightly.
"Oh, really?" Mia said, her voice light but sharp. "You're always more than welcome to try. But we both know you'd be completely lost without me. Still, if you think you can handle everything alone, I'd be more than happy to take a little vacation—leave you to manage everything by yourself for a few days."
Kayden's eyes widened, and I could almost see the shock radiating from him. He opened his mouth to say something, but Mia cut him off before a word could escape. "Now," she continued, her tone crisp and commanding, "since it's obviously pointless asking which room you want to provide your mate, I suppose I'll just have to decide for you."
She turned to me without missing a beat. "Now then, you can follow me. I'll show you to your room. The boys and I brought the shopping bags on our way in—we set them down by the stairs before following you both into the living room, so we can grab them on our way to your room." She glanced at the other guys. "Don't bother following us. We can take care of it from here. You'd just get in the way—and besides, we handle it better without slowing down."
Without sparing a glance at my mate, Mia turned and walked out of the living room, heading back the way we had come. My mate's face was a mixture of shock and anger, which made me laugh despite myself. The moment the laughter escaped my lips, Kayden's head snapped in my direction, his expression a mix of displeasure and betrayal. I could practically see him asking, 'How could you laugh at me?' It took everything in me not to burst into more laughter. I simply shrugged and turned, following Mia out of the living room, curious where she planned to take me next.
I watched my mate walk out of the living room without so much as a word, leaving me completely flabbergasted. How could she just leave me like this? And how could she be enjoying watching her mate get ridiculed? No sooner had she left than the others erupted into laughter. Darren leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, a smug smile on his face as the others doubled over. "Wow, man," Darren said between chuckles, "I've never seen you act like this." I snapped my head toward him, nostrils flaring. I noticed him twitching slightly, clearly trying not to laugh. "Don't start with me, Darren," I growled.
He smiled and shrugged. "I was just saying—you're going to have your hands full with a mate like that." I narrowed my eyes at him, letting him feel the weight of my glare. "Choose your next words carefully." He chuckled nervously and raised his hands in surrender. "Look, I'm not saying anything bad about her," he added quickly. "I'm just saying she's probably as stubborn as you are—if not more."
"Yeah, that's true," another man said, leaning back casually. "She didn't listen to a single word when we picked her up with Mia from the mall. Honestly, she didn't even speak until she demanded the keys to one of our motorcycles. Said it had been ages since she last rode one—and she wasn't taking no for an answer."
"Yeah, we tried telling her we were supposed to guard her," one of them said. "She just claimed she could take care of herself. Honestly, why are humans so stubborn? Don't they realize they get killed way too easily for that to be true?" The others nodded in agreement. Darren, however, didn't join in. He simply watched me, studying my expression as if trying to figure out what we were hiding—and why.
"We were hoping Mia would back us up," another added. "But she just got into her car and told us to let her do what she wanted. Said she'd be just fine. As if riding a motorcycle isn't dangerous—" He was cut off. "Especially for a human," someone else muttered. "Even experienced riders lose control sometimes. A shifter would heal in days, but a human..." He shook his head. "They're more likely to die."
"Yeah," another said. "You should probably talk to Mia. Make sure this doesn't happen again." I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, irritation building with every word. Darren noticed immediately. With a sharp look, he began ushering the others toward the door, muttering that they had work to do. Once they were gone, he turned back to me and smiled. "Congratulations on finally finding your mate, Kayden," he said sincerely. "We're all really happy for you. She seems nice—and no matter what you decide, we'll stand by your side."
I felt my heart swell at his touching words, and just as he took a step toward the door, Mia's voice floated in from the other side. "Awww, how touching." She stepped into the doorway, leaning against it with one hand over her chest. "Bromance is always the cutest and sweetest." I glared at her. She smiled, unfazed. "Be careful your mate doesn't see this and get the wrong idea. Remember that rumor back in high school? That you weren't into girls, since you never gave them the time of day." I rolled my eyes and sighed. "And I wonder who started that rumor, Mia." She smirked. "You asked me to take care of it—to make sure the girls in school would leave you alone. I fulfilled my duty perfectly." I groaned and pinched the bridge of my nose. "I never said to make it seem like I was gay."
She shrugged. "I didn't make it seem like you were gay—you did that yourself. You were always the one surrounded by men, and the only female you ever talked to besides your family was me." I heard Darren quietly chuckle, trying not to get caught. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Mia smiled at me. "Don't worry, I haven't told your mate about it... yet." I glared. She smirked back before turning. "I should go find my mate and let him know I'm back." She paused, looking over her shoulder at me. "I'm sure you can find your mate without me telling you which room she's in. Or at least I hope you aren't that helpless." With that, she left without another word. My chest tightened, and I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.
I heard Darren chuckle and snapped my head toward him, glaring. He only smiled wider. "It's truly never a dull moment with you all," he said. "Feels just like we're back in high school." He turned and headed for the doorway. Just before stepping out, he lifted a hand and waved without looking back. "I'll see you later, Kayden. Training grounds tomorrow." His voice carried a hint of amusement. "Have fun with your beautiful mate."
And then he was gone. The door closed, and the house fell unnervingly quiet. My heartbeat picked up as the reality hit me—I was alone. Alone in this house with my mate. I groaned, dragging a hand down my face before burying my head in my hands. "God," I muttered, "what am I going to do?"
My mind raced with all the things I wanted to do with her, though I knew it was far too soon. I was supposed to be getting to know her, learning her, not giving in to the fire burning inside me. And yet, every thought of her—her warmth, her scent, the soft sounds she made—made it impossible to focus. I could feel myself hardening, a physical reminder of my need, and I shook my head, trying to push the desire away. Moon goddess, I whispered under my breath, help me keep myself under control.
*
Mia showed me to a guest room that felt more like a five-star hotel than a packhouse. After she left, I began unpacking the mountain of bags. A moment later, I heard footsteps on the stairs. My body immediately straightened, every movement stalling as I focused on the sound. Logically, I knew it was most likely my mate. But after years of running, logic had very little power over instinct. Being alert—always listening—had become second nature to me. Each step grew closer, heavier, and more deliberate, and suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.
The unmistakable sensation of being watched settled over me like a weight. My muscles tensed, my hands curling into fists as I clenched the fabric still in my grip, and my pulse quickened. My eyes darted around the room, scanning every corner, every shadow, searching for the source of that sensation. I'd felt this presence before—more than once in my life—and even though it carried no malice or dark intent, that knowledge did little to calm me. It never had. My jaw clenched as a low growl rumbled from my chest, restrained but unmistakable. "Show yourself," I demanded. Silence answered me.
I shifted, focusing harder, trying to pinpoint where the presence might be hiding when—there. The sensation shifted, sudden and unmistakable, pressing in from the other side of the door. I didn't hesitate. I crossed the room in two quick strides and yanked the door open, moving fast—too fast to allow whoever it was the chance to slip away again.
I swung the door open, ready to launch myself at whoever had intruded, demanding to know their intentions. But I froze. My mate was standing there, hand slightly raised, eyes wide with concern. His presence alone made the sensation I'd felt moments ago vanish, and I cursed under my breath as it slipped away, leaving me empty-handed again. "Are you all right?" His voice was tight with worry, slightly panicked. "Is everything okay? What happened? I heard you growl."
His voice pulled me back to the present. I noticed his chest rising and falling a little too quickly—proof that the moment he heard my growl, he had rushed to me as fast as he could. My heart swelled at the thought, and a small smile formed on my lips. "I'm just fine. Nothing happened." He gave me a skeptical look. "Are you sure?" His eyes scanned the room, searching for any clue. When he found nothing, they returned to me. "Then why did you growl?" I shook my head. "Honestly? I don't think I could explain it, even if I wanted to." He still looked doubtful, but for now, it seemed he let it go.
Then, suddenly, he grabbed my hand and lifted it to inspect it. I glanced down and realized my fingers were still curled tightly around the fabric of my shirt. Slowly, I unclenched my fist, releasing the cloth and letting my hand relax in his grasp. He raised an eyebrow at me, questioning, but instead of pressing the issue, he let out a slow sigh.
"I hope you know," he said, his voice steady, "that as long as I'm the alpha here, you're safe. I won't let anything happen to you." I blinked twice, caught off guard by his sudden declaration. A small smile tugged at my lips. "Thank you," I murmured. "That's truly sweet of you. Although—as I'm sure you already know—I'm fully capable of taking care of myself." He chuckled and released my arm, his gaze softening. "I'm aware. I don't doubt that for a second. But I want you to know this—I'm on your side. And I'm just as capable of taking care of you."
I smirked, teasing lightly. "I don't know if that's entirely accurate. We'll just have to see. As you might recall, I haven't seen you fight yet—and, unfortunately, your pack members don't give me much hope if you're anything like them." He scoffed, eyebrows rising. "Are you seriously questioning my capabilities right now? I'm not the alpha of this pack for no reason." I shrugged, smirk widening. "I don't know... most alphas are born into their roles because of their parents. That doesn't necessarily mean you've earned your title."
He leaned toward me, a confident smirk tugging at his lips. His voice dropped, deep and husky. "Well then," he murmured, "I guess I'll just have to prove to you why I am the alpha of this pack."
His scent—sandalwood and forest rain—suddenly filled my senses, and I became acutely aware of how close he was. All it would take is for me to lean forward a little, and our lips would meet. I could tell he noticed, too. His eyes traveled slowly down my face, lingering on my lips, and I saw the desire there—the same hunger that had already begun to stir within me. My own desire for him intensified, making my chest ache. I swayed forward slightly, drawn to him, but just as our lips were about to meet, he pulled back.
His face turned slightly away, as if ashamed of the urge that had almost betrayed him. The ache in my chest deepened at the rejection, and I stepped back, giving him the space he apparently needed. I sighed softly. "Is there anything else you want? I should probably get back to putting away all these clothes if you don't need anything else."
When I heard her words, I turned to look at her. Her expression was exasperated, but there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes—gone the moment she realized I was staring. I felt a rush of confusion, my mouth opening and closing as I searched for something to say. Nothing came. She crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow as if her patience was fraying. I blurted the first thing that came to mind: "I... I was hoping we could spend some time together. Get to know one another." Her gaze didn't soften; if anything, she looked unimpressed. She sighed, turning away from me as she walked into the room. "Do whatever you want," she said, her voice carrying just enough dismissal to sting.
My heart was pounding in my chest, his words repeating over and over in my mind. A flicker of hope surged—I wondered if maybe he would accept me as his mate, and not just because the mate bond demanded it. I had to remind myself, every time we lost ourselves in one another, that it was the bond influencing him. That it didn't always mean he truly wanted me. And I knew, deep down, that he could reject me at any moment. Wolves have been at odds with tigers for centuries. Nothing was guaranteed for us. Even if the gods had put us together for a reason, it didn't mean he—or his pack—would accept it.
I watched her stand in front of the bed, completely still, and I couldn't help wondering what she was thinking. Whatever it was, it had drawn a serious expression across her face. When she sighed, my curiosity deepened. Even without knowing her thoughts, I wanted to pull her into my arms and reassure her that everything was going to be okay. That I was here for her. The desire was so strong that my arms slowly lifted, almost on their own. But the moment I realized what I was doing, I forced them back to my sides. If I touched her now, I wouldn't be able to control myself. We would be at the mercy of the mate bond—whether we wanted it or not. And as much as I wanted her—God, how badly I wanted her—I couldn't. Not until I knew for certain that she wanted the same thing.
A sigh sounded behind me, and I quickly turned to see my mate standing a few feet away. I'd been so lost in my thoughts that I'd nearly forgotten he was still there. Taking a steady breath, I straightened and met his gaze. "Well," I said evenly, "don't just stand there. If you're coming in, then come in. And if not, go somewhere else—and close the door on your way out."
I felt taken aback by her words for a moment, but then I realized she was right—there was no time to hesitate. I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me. She turned her head slightly, noticing me, and her voice was calm but firm. "Well, no need to be shy. This is your house, not mine. Feel free to take a seat wherever you want." Her eyes flicked back to the bed, where the pile of shopping bags waited. She picked up one and began sorting through it, methodically putting things away. I took a step closer, trying to sound casual despite the pull of the mate bond. "Would you like a hand?"
She turned her head, one eyebrow raised. "Do you really think that's a good idea? Have you ever seen women's clothes? Let alone underwear... or their, you know, feminine products?" A smirk tugged at her lips. I could tell she was joking, but I couldn't help feeling a flicker of annoyance as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. She shrugged, still smirking. "It's an honest question. I mean, you were believed to be gay to avoid the female population, weren't you?"
He narrowed his eyes, glaring at me. His hands ran through his hair aggressively, and a low growl escaped under his breath. "Mia said she didn't tell you, so how did you—" He deliberately trailed off. I arched an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at one corner of my lips. "She didn't." His eyes narrowed further, skeptical. "Then how did you—" He paused, then softened, almost doubtfully. "You were... listening?" My lip twitched with amusement. "I was grabbing the last of my bags when you were all talking about it." He cursed under his breath, a groan of annoyance escaping his lips. "She planned this." I shrugged casually. "It's possible." A low growl rumbled from his chest. "I swear, when I get my hands on her, I'm going to make sure she regrets it."
Then he looked at me—really looked at me. "You have to know I didn't let it happen," he said firmly. "And I didn't choose it. You have no idea what it's like to be constantly surrounded by females all vying for your attention—knowing they don't want you, just your position. What could I give them? Never being able to trust anyone because of that." I didn't know why, but his words almost made me laugh. Not because they were funny—but because he couldn't have been more wrong. I knew that feeling far better than he realized. Only... he'd had it easier than I ever did. Some of those horrors still clung to my mind, no matter how hard I tried to bury them. And if I hadn't escaped when I did, I knew—without a doubt—it would have been so much worse.
I watched as she smiled, but it was a sad smile, the kind that didn't reach her eyes. She looked away, and I noticed her hands balling into fists, as if recalling something unpleasant. The instant I saw it, I wished I could take back my words, erase anything that might have made her uncomfortable or upset. Without thinking, my hand reached out toward her, an instinctive move to comfort her. Her eyes flicked to my hand, questioning, and the moment I noticed, I froze. I shouldn't touch her—not yet. One single touch could ignite the mate bond, a spark I might not be able to control. And I couldn't risk losing myself... not when she hadn't permitted me to draw that close.
I stood there like an idiot for a moment, lost in my own thoughts, when she finally looked at me—then at my hand—and back again. "Why do you keep doing that?" she asked, drawing me from my spiral. I quickly brought my hand back to my side. "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. Just... pretend it never happened." She tilted her head, a confused expression crossing her face. Then she sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "That's not what I meant." My eyebrows knit together. "I'm sorry, what?" She shook her head, sighing again. "Never mind." Before I could ask her to clarify, she shifted, her tone lightening. "So... what exactly brought you to my room in the first place?"
He suddenly sighed and took a step back, creating distance between us. It felt like an invisible wall slammed down between us, the sensation sharp enough to feel like a knife in my chest. He rubbed the back of his neck, his discomfort obvious. "I was kind of hoping we could use this time to get to know one another." My heart skipped at his words, warm and sincere, and I couldn't help thinking he was just... too cute. I smiled at him. "That's very sweet of you. What would you like to know about me?"
The moment she asked, my mind went completely blank. Every thought, every question I'd planned—gone. My mouth opened and closed uselessly as I tried to form words. I noticed her lips purse slightly, a hint of amusement trying to escape as she fought to keep from laughing. That little expression somehow snapped me back. Then I remembered—her name. She'd told me in my office earlier. Normally, I wouldn't care about her last name, but for some reason, it nagged at the back of my mind, insisting I not forget it. "You said your name was Artemis Silverfang." I noticed her shoulders tense slightly, a skeptical eyebrow rising. "Yes, I did. Why?"
"Silverfang... as in Silverfang Technologies, the biggest company in Europe." I watched her carefully, noticing the subtle shift in her expression—a tight-lipped smile forming. "The same company known for supplying the most advanced technologies nationwide. But it's run by animal shifters and owned by the Silverfang family. If I'm not mistaken, they're some of the most well-known tiger shifters. From what I've heard, they're not picky about who they hire, so many of their workers are other animal shifters rather than tigers. They don't hire humans, obviously, but beyond that... I'd heard they were fair and kind, even taking in rogues on the run. But that's only if what I heard is correct."
As I spoke, I noticed Artemis nodding along, almost confirming my words. "Yep... all of that is true, plus more." Confusion prickled through me. "You talk as if you've met them before," I said jokingly, knowing very few people had—despite their relative fame. She raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, considering they're my parents, I'd hope I'd know them well enough to say so."
My eyes went wide, and my mouth fell open. "You... you can't be serious. You're messing with me. This isn't funny." Her smile widened as she studied my reaction, clearly enjoying it. "And why do you think I'm messing with you?" I scoffed, still reeling. "Because I've never heard anything about them having a child. And wouldn't the press have all over it? That's exactly the kind of thing they love to plaster everywhere." I ran a hand through my hair, my thoughts racing. Silverfang? You're telling me you're a Silverfang? Every shifter in the world knows that name—they practically own the European tech sector. But they're tigers, Artemis. Powerful, ancient tigers. There hasn't been a word about an heir in twenty years. I couldn't even breathe, my mind spinning.
I watched as her smile faded into something sad, and she sighed. "Welp... sorry to disappoint you, but I am their child." Confusion hit me like a punch to the chest. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to make sense of it all. "But... that makes no sense. How... how come no one knows you exist? Did they... not want a child or something?" She let out a slow sigh. "Kayden... you have to understand that tiger shifters are... different from wolf shifters." Frustration flared, and I ran my fingers through my hair again, scoffing. "I know tigers are different! Wolves and your kind have been at war for hundreds of years, don't act like I don't understand that."
I felt frustration and sadness rise in my chest at his words. "No, Kayden... you don't know. Your mind is too biased to fully understand. I've met many other wolf kinds, and I can say this with absolute certainty. It's nothing against you—it's just my experience." He rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Oh yeah? Then why don't you tell me?" I pinched the bridge of my nose and held my hands up in surrender. "Fine. But it's a long story." He crossed his arms over his chest and huffed. "I've got time." I raised an eyebrow at his childish stubbornness—oddly endearing—and gestured toward one of the chairs. "Then you'd better sit down." He scoffed but sauntered over and dropped into the chair, eyes fixed on me expectantly, almost daring me to start. I rolled my eyes and let out a soft sigh. This is going to be a long night.