Maya's POV
Three nights later, I wake up dying.
The clock glows 3:17 AM when my body catches fire from the inside out. Not warm. Not feverish. Burning—like someone poured gasoline in my veins and struck a match.
I try to sit up. Try to scream. But my voice comes out as a strangled gasp as my spine cracks.
The sound echoes off the walls, loud as a gunshot.
Then the real pain starts.
Every bone in my body breaks at once. My back arches off the bed as my skeleton reshapes itself. I can feel my bones splintering, reforming, growing.
The scream that tears out of me doesn't sound human.
My hands claw at the sheets as my fingers elongate, nails sharpening into claws. Fur erupts across my skin like a living thing, silver and shimmering in the moonlight.
No—not ready—can't— The words dissolve into howls.
I'm shifting. Finally, after twenty-three years, my wolf is coming.
And it feels like being ripped apart.
Another crack—my legs. My ribs. My jaw stretching, teeth sharpening. The pain is so complete I can't think, can't breathe, can't do anything but scream and shake and break.
The connecting door explodes inward.
Dominic is there instantly, shirtless and wild-eyed. He takes one look at me convulsing on the bed and drops to his knees beside me.
Maya, listen to me! His voice cuts through the pain. You have to breathe. Don't fight the shift—
It HURTS! Half-human, half-growl.
I know, I know it does. His hands hover over me, shaking. But fighting makes it worse. Let your wolf come out.
I shake my head frantically. Every movement sends fresh agony through my body. My skin is splitting. My bones are reshaping. This isn't natural. This is dying.
I can't Dominic, please, I can't
He makes a decision.
His hands close around my shoulders, pulling me up against his bare chest. The moment we touch, power floods through me—his wolf's dominance wrapping around mine like a safety net.
Feel my wolf, he murmurs against my hair, his voice rough. Let her guide yours. You're not alone, Maya. I've got you.
His heartbeat thunders against my cheek. Steady. Strong. An anchor in the storm.
I focus on it. On the warmth of his skin. On the low rumble in his chest that sounds like comfort and safety and home.
My wolf responds.
She rises through the pain, through the breaking and reforming, and finally
Finally
The shift completes.
I'm on four legs. The world explodes into color and scent and sound. I can hear Dominic's racing heart. Can smell fear-sweat mixed with something wild and dangerous. Can feel power humming under my skin.
I look up at him.
Our eyes meet—storm gray looking into glowing amber—and something snaps.
Like a rope pulled too tight suddenly going taut. Like puzzle pieces slamming together. Like everything I've ever felt crystallizing into one absolute truth:
MATE.
The word screams through my mind. My wolf's voice and mine speaking together. This man. This wolf. Mine.
Dominic's eyes go wide with shock. His hands are still on my fur, frozen in place. I watch his pupils blow wide, watch realization crash over his face like a wave.
He feels it too.
The mate bond.
No. The word comes out broken. No, this isn't—this can't be—
He releases me like I've burned him, stumbling backward off the bed.
I shift back to human without thinking—one second wolf, the next myself again, naked and shaking on the floor.
Dominic immediately turns his back, grabbing my blanket and throwing it at me without looking.
Cover yourself. His voice shakes. Actually shakes.
I wrap the blanket around my body, but I can barely think past the bond. It's still there—humming between us, pulling me toward him with magnetic force.
You felt it, I whisper. Dominic, you felt it. We're
Don't. He holds up a hand like he's warding off a blow. Don't say it.
We're mates. The word tastes like destiny. The moon chose us. You can't deny
I can and I will. He finally turns, and the look on his face makes my heart crack. Pure torment. This changes nothing, Maya.
How can you say that?
Because you're my ward! The words explode out of him. I swore an oath to your father. To protect you. To guide you. Not to— He cuts himself off, jaw clenching. This bond is a mistake.
Tears burn my eyes. The moon doesn't make mistakes.
Then she's cruel. His laugh is bitter. Making you my mate? When I'm fifteen years older? When I've known you since you were a child? When I'm responsible for you? He shakes his head. No. We're going to ignore this.
You can't ignore a mate bond!
Watch me. His eyes go cold. Flat. What I want doesn't matter. You're under my protection. That makes you untouchable. This bond—whatever we feel—it's forbidden.
By who?
By me. He moves toward the door. Get some sleep. Training starts in three hours.
Dominic, please
That's Beta Ashford, Miss Thornhill. He stops at the door, back rigid. The mate bond is a biological reaction. We're going to ignore it and move forward professionally. Are we clear?
Each word feels like a knife. Crystal clear.
He leaves.
The door clicks shut with finality.
I sink onto my bed, the blanket falling away, and stare at the wall between us.
On the other side, I hear a crash. Hear him curse. Hear something that might be a sob or a snarl.
Then silence.
The mate bond pulls at me, begging me to go to him. But I don't move.
He made his choice.
And it wasn't me.
I'm sitting there—numb and hollow—when my enhanced hearing picks up voices downstairs. Low. Conspiratorial.
I move to my door, cracking it open.
shifted tonight. Right on schedule.
That's Marcus's voice.
Good. A woman. Vanessa. And Ashford?
Felt the bond, just like we predicted. But he's too honorable to claim her. Marcus sounds satisfied. Which means she's vulnerable. Unmated. Unclaimed.
When do we move?
Soon. The Trials are in six months. We need her gone before then.
My blood turns to ice.
They're planning to kill me.
And they knew about the mate bond. Knew I would shift. Knew everything.
I'm backing away from the door when floorboards creak behind me.
I spin.
Dominic stands in the hallway, eyes glowing gold in the darkness. He heard it too.
For one heartbeat, we just stare at each other. Mates. Bonded. In danger.
Then he moves.
His hand closes around my wrist, yanking me back into my room. He closes the door silently and presses me against the wall, his body caging mine.
How long have you been investigating? he whispers, his breath hot against my ear.
What?
Don't lie to me. You've been looking into your father's death. What did you find?
My heart pounds. How did you
I'm your guardian, Maya. I know everything. His eyes bore into mine. Now tell me what you found before you get yourself killed.
The mate bond flares between us. His hand on my wrist. His body pressed against mine. The heat of him making it hard to think.
Wolfsbane, I breathe. Iris found traces in Dad's medical records. Someone poisoned him slowly over months.
Dominic's expression goes deadly. Who?
We don't know yet. But Marcus and Vanessa are working together. They want me dead before the Trials.
How long have you known?
Three days.
And you didn't tell me? His voice drops to a growl. You're investigating a murder without backup?
You've been avoiding me! Pretending the bond doesn't exist!
To protect you!
By pushing me away? By denying what we are?
We're nose to nose now, both breathing hard. The bond screams between us, demanding completion.
Yes, he says roughly. Because if they know we're bonded, you become an even bigger target. An unmated Alpha female is valuable. A mated one with a powerful Beta? His eyes flash. They'll kill you and me.
The truth hits me. He's not rejecting me.
He's protecting me.
Dominic
A door slams downstairs. Footsteps in the hall. Coming closer.
Dominic moves fast. He pulls me tight against his chest, one hand covering my mouth, the other wrapped around my waist. We're pressed into the shadow beside my door, barely breathing.
The footsteps stop outside my room.
Through the crack, I see a shadow. Someone testing my doorknob.
Locked.
The shadow moves on.
We stay frozen for long minutes after the footsteps fade. Dominic's heart pounds against my back. His breath is ragged against my neck.
The mate bond is overwhelming this close. Every nerve in my body is screaming for him to claim me. Mark me. Complete this.
Dominic, I whisper against his palm.
He removes his hand slowly. But doesn't let me go.
We can't tell anyone about the bond, he says quietly. Not until we know who killed your father and why. Promise me, Maya.
I promise.
And no more investigating alone. If you're looking into this, I'm with you. Understand?
I nod.
Good. He finally releases me, but doesn't step back. We're still close enough that I can feel his heat. Tomorrow we start your training. In public, I'm your guardian. Cold. Professional. Distant.
And in private?
His eyes drop to my lips. In private, we figure out who wants you dead. Then we make them pay.
It's not a declaration of love.
But it's a promise.
And right now, that's enough.
He moves toward the connecting door, then stops.
Maya?
Yeah?
Your wolf is beautiful. His voice is rough with emotion. Silver, like your father's. You're going to be a hell of an Alpha.
Then he's gone, the door clicking shut behind him.
I sink onto my bed, touching my lips where his breath had been.
We're mates.
Someone wants to kill us.
And somewhere in this manor, a murderer is sleeping soundly.
But for the first time since Dad died, I don't feel alone.
Because Dominic Ashford—my mate, my guardian, my father's best friend—just chose me after all.
Even if he can't admit it out loud yet.