er's

gering warmth that seemed to pulse through my entire being. It was as if a

voice cut through my

ring at the closed door like some lovestruck pup. H

tle brother. You're looking a bit... dazed. Not like you at a

ld I explain what I'd felt? The instant connection, the surge of protectivene

hen I touched her hand, I felt... something. A bond.

ual stoic expression giving way t

over me like a warm blanket. "I think

ned in the hallway. Then K

ind your mate in the most dramatic way possible. Rescuing a damsel in distress on a storm

the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "As

Luc. I can't explain it, but... I just know. It's like e

ughtful. "Well, this certainly co

footsteps. We turned to see one of our pack's messe

efore us. "Your parents request your presence

our parents to summon us so abruptly,

is Alpha-in-training voice brookin

k house, my mind raced. What could be so urgent? Had there

short time, made my wolf restless. I pushed the feeling down, remindi

before pushing open the heavy oak door. Our pa

and broad-shouldered, with salt-and-pepper hair and eyes the same piercing dar

tenance, our mother was grace and warmth personified. Her long, chestnut hair fell in soft w

us, his voice tight with te

ked, immediately alert. "Is

word from the Crimson Moon Pack. They've issued a notice and a substantial reward of 10 millio

o my throat. Serap

ed, his gaze sweeping over each of us in t

feel the weight of my brothers' gazes on

, my voice steadier t

y offer a reward of 10 million. This girl must be really important to them! To do other

ul than I'd intended. Everyone in the room turned to stare at me, shock evi

rn etched on her features. "What's wrong?

to organize my thoughts. How

't see her, didn't hear what she told us. Her own pack, her own *famil

story. "Now her mate has rejected her, choosing her sister instead. She's lost

ank in. Our mother's hand flew to her mou

ured. "To go through something

his eyes. "I understand your concern, Asher. But we can't simply ignore an of

ion. "When I was with her, I felt... a connection. A bo

ned even further. "Ash

espite the seriousness of the situation. "Ye

ations and questions. Our mother rushed

voice thick with emotion. "A mate! A

gs," he said thoughtfully. "If she truly is your mate, Asher, then she has a place here with

nk you," I said, looking between our parents. "I know this complicates

artlingly of Kael. "Well, now I simply mustmeet this girl who's captured o

creeping up m

hush. It's not every day a mother gets to meet he

r at hand. "We still need to respond to the Crimson Moon Pack's notice

d. " Lucian stepped forward, ever the strategist. "What if we tell them we found an injured gir

son Moon Pack is willing to pay such a price and Seraphina is strong

"Good thinking, Lucian. We'll

finer points of the message, I felt a hand on m

only I could hear. "Destined mates, huh? Looks like thi

as butterflies danced in my stomach.

back to Seraphina, a

dopey, lovestruck look on your face again. Come on, lover boy. L