k against the bark, straining to hear the approaching footsteps. Two feet, not four paws. I couldn't decide if that w

d, followed by a soft splash of water. My instincts screamed that moving from my spot would be a terrible mistake, yet an o

locking onto the figure cr

ntained in the most irresistible form I had ever encountered. Enzo might have been

t intimidating. Clad in black leather pants and a partially unbuttoned shirt that clung to his muscular arms, I found myself froze

would likely become my mate by dawn-and yet, I

ng here felt reckless, but escaping might prove even more dangerous

ng fingers, dipping into the cool water. Then he

ted he was hurt, which meant the blood wasn't his. I was an idiot for ogling a man who could easi

through the stillness. "A

ath caught i

ut, little one? I don

t tell if it was fear or something else ent

these woods at night." His amusement was p

scanned the area, desperately searching for an escape route. My only option was uphi

oice, freezing me in place.

ng away! Seizing my opportunity, I sprinted up the hill. I might have heard a chuckle as I fled, but I dared not glance

d called him a general... Did that mean he was a warrior? What kind

ning around. Once I was sure I wasn't being purs

surprise!" a chilling voice

n and Enzo's friend. I often wondered how Enzo could be friends with someon

. Dante was one of the few in our pack who knew about my rel

arp breath and t

as he approached. I clenched my fists, teeth grind

te purred, eliciting laug

n disbelief. "W-w

retty little wolf." His gaze lingered on the haphazardly tied knots of my dress. "You should let u

touching me," I hissed

s having a little taste." A dark gri

d never learned to fight, but I would use every ounce of my st

s. No, it wasn't thunder-it was a growl. But wh

ched on their faces as they st

rged from the shadows, baring its sharp teeth. When I met its gaze, I stumbled back, frozen by the f

ror clouded my thoughts. A low growl rumbled from its chest, and I swore the ground beneath me tr

tumbling backward in a de

olf come from? Whoever this Alpha was must have known that trespassing on our lan

iors lunged for the beast's throat, but the Alpha caught him mid-air, swatting him down with a massive paw before snapping his neck

over my mouth, ho

ast. They were as good as dead... and I would surely follo

every ounce of strength I had. I needed to escape th

et a brutal end. Did I regret leaving them behind? Not at all. If the Alpha h

ke this. I clenched my fists tighter, channeling every last bit of strength into my flight. Finally, I bur

knew it wouldn't keep the monster I had seen at bay. I stared at

nd Livia had likely gone to bed early, hoping to hide any fatigue before the Mating Ball. I let them remain blissfully ignoran

sleep. I had learned to trust my instincts long ago, and now they screamed with urgency. It felt as if an omin