reeked of fe

l. His pack's wolves pressed close behind him, teeth bared, claws scraping the ground. T

idn't flinc

her fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt. Even now,

rous. "She is mine by right of the Moon Well prophecy

nes. He had faced enemies before-wolves, witches, traitors-but never a situation like this. His mate...

ered, voice barely

ry soldier, every Beta, every pack member had frozen in place, staring in awe and terror. No one dared

l. "What's the matter, Untouc

alms. "Step closer," he said, voice low and lethal. "One st

less. Your curse isn't your own to command. You know what will happen

it. He shouldn't touch her. He couldn't.

side him-a dangerous t

ed. I can

ot here. Not surroun

ed deep from his chest. His wolf surged

id, voice low, each word sharpened lik

You can't. Not with her here. You can't risk... k

e. His wol

a

un

a had figured

ade Lykos's b

s cursed touch-she was someone everyone in the region wanted. And that meant every Alpha

d to

fa

liberately. "You want her? You

widened. "Yes

howled, low a

word, he scooped Aria

ykos moved like lightning through the gates, past startled guards, past

ged. Teeth snapped.

faster. Strong

urther from safety and

l hands clutching his neck. Her voice

nd... Why... Why can I

e forest at a speed that blurred the

ted, his voice low, pain

chest. She whispered, "Pleas

erately. "I promise you, Aria, no one will touch y

rest path. Lykos's wolf senses flared. There was movement ahead

den grove he used for emergencies. It was

eathing was shallow, her skin pale. Lykos set her down g

said. "Yo

g herself. "I... I d

sed. "All of it. Eventually

lmost musical whisper. It was faint, but Ly

Moon

, eyes n

r. There was something more. So

wante

noticed the shift in his po

voice sharp as a blade. "You're... important

a near whisper. "...y

ak but insistent. "Then... stay

on't let anyone touch y

inst his arm again. And

ilver light shimmered under her skin, str

thudded hard

He could feel it.

bo

commanding sound. Not Varun's

t made the fo

ing his shirt. "Wha

ently. Roots snapped. Moss tore. A shadow larger than any wolf e

he reco

urse

had cursed h

cruel. "So... he has found

blood

lver crystal glinting at the top. Magic

aid, eyes narrowing on Aria. "The borrowed life... the st

im, terrified. "Lyko

narling in his chest. "We fig

said it, he k

dn't to

n't let

tch whose power rivaled his own and who had

e growled. "No one

Terrifying. "Oh, Alpha Lykos...

, illuminating the forest in a

ws slashed the air, silver lightning

moved faster

th

ing wen