The sun was setting when Kai returned to Maya's cabin. She'd spent the afternoon trying to rest, but her mind wouldn't stop racing. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw wolves transforming, heard bones cracking, felt the weight of silver eyes watching her.
"It's time," Kai said from the doorway.
Maya had changed into simple jeans and a sweater—the most normal clothes she'd packed during her panicked escape. She stood, wiping sweaty palms on her thighs. "Any last-minute advice?"
"Don't lie. They'll smell it." Kai's expression was serious. "Don't show weakness, but don't challenge anyone directly unless you're prepared to back it up. And if anyone asks you to submit, look at me first."
"Submit how?"
"Bare your throat, lower your eyes. It's a sign of respect in wolf hierarchy." Kai moved closer. "But you don't submit to anyone except me. Understand? If they try to force you, they're challenging my authority, and I'll handle it."
Maya's stomach twisted with nerves. "This feels like walking into a courtroom where everyone wants me convicted."
"Some do," Kai admitted. "But others are curious. You're something rare, Maya. A human with a Luna bloodline who stumbled into our world by accident. That's interesting to them."
"I'd rather be boring."
Kai's mouth twitched. "Too late for that."
They walked through the compound as twilight painted everything purple and gold. Pack members watched them pass, some with curiosity, others with open hostility. Maya kept her chin up and her shoulders back, channeling every ounce of confidence she'd built over years of dealing with difficult clients and skeptical colleagues.
The main lodge was massive—three stories of timber and stone that looked like it had stood for centuries. Inside, the main hall was arranged like an amphitheater, with rows of seats surrounding a central floor. Dozens of wolves were already gathered, talking in low voices that cut off when Maya and Kai entered.
At the far end sat seven wolves on an elevated platform—the council, Maya assumed. Marcus was among them, his kind eyes finding hers with an encouraging nod. The others ranged from a severe-looking woman in her sixties to a young man who couldn't be more than twenty-five but radiated power that made Maya's skin prickle.
Kai led her to the center of the floor. Maya felt exposed, like a specimen under a microscope. Every eye in the room watched her, judging, analyzing, deciding if she deserved to live.
"Silvermoon Pack," Kai's voice rang with authority. "I present Maya Rivers, human with dormant Luna bloodline, under my protection by right of life debt."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The severe woman on the council leaned forward. "You claim life debt, Alpha Blackwood?"
"I do, Elder Victoria. She saved my life without knowledge of what I was or what consequences would follow. That debt is sacred."
Elder Victoria's lips thinned. "Life debts are between wolves, not humans."
"She carries Luna blood," Marcus interjected smoothly. "Which makes her one of us, whether awakened or not."
"Dormant bloodline doesn't grant pack rights," another council member said—a broad-shouldered man with gray streaking his temples. "She's witnessed our secrets without consent. Protocol demands memory alteration or—"
"Elder Thomas," Kai cut him off. "With respect, protocol also states that carriers of the Luna bloodline are to be given the opportunity to awaken and integrate. Maya has done nothing wrong. She helped an injured animal and is now being punished for compassion."
"She's a security risk," Thomas shot back. "One angry phone call to the media, and everything we've built for centuries collapses."
"I'm not going to tell anyone," Maya said, her voice carrying across the hall. Every head swiveled toward her. "I don't expect you to take my word for it, but I have no reason to expose you. I'm a veterinarian—I work with animals, I understand predators, and I know when to keep my mouth shut about things people wouldn't believe anyway."
"Bold words," Victoria said coldly. "But words are cheap, human."
"So is fear," Maya replied before she could stop herself. "You're all so worried about humans discovering you, but maybe the real fear is that you don't trust yourselves to handle it if we did. You've built this whole hidden society on the assumption that humans are the enemy, but I'm standing here having saved one of your Alphas. Maybe your protocols are outdated."
The silence that followed was deafening. Maya's heart hammered against her ribs. Had she just signed her death warrant?
Then Marcus started laughing—a deep, genuine sound that broke the tension. "I like her. She's got fire."
"She's got a death wish," Victoria muttered, but some of the hostility had left her expression. "You don't speak to the council that way, girl."
"I'm sorry," Maya said, though she wasn't entirely sure she meant it. "But I'm tired of being treated like a criminal for doing the right thing. I didn't ask for any of this. I just want to go back to my life."
"That's no longer possible," the young council member said. His voice was surprisingly deep, and his eyes—pale gold—studied Maya with unsettling intensity. "Your life as you knew it ended the moment you touched our Alpha. The question now is what life you'll have going forward."
"And who are you?" Maya asked.
"Elder Dominic Reed. Youngest council member in pack history." He tilted his head, almost predatory. "I'm also the one who'll decide if you're worth the risk."
"Dominic," Kai's voice held warning. "She's under my protection."
"Which means nothing if the council votes against her." Dominic stood, descending from the platform with fluid grace. He circled Maya slowly, and she forced herself not to turn with him, not to show the fear screaming through her veins. "Tell me, Maya Rivers. What do you think you know about our world?"
"Not much," Maya admitted. "Werewolves exist. You live in packs. You have rules. You turn into wolves. Beyond that, I'm completely lost."
"Honest." Dominic completed his circle, standing directly in front of her. "Do you fear us?"
"Yes."
"Good. Fear is smart." His gold eyes bore into hers. "Do you fear your Alpha?"
Maya's gaze flicked to Kai, who stood tense and ready to intervene. Did she fear him? The man who'd killed three wolves in seconds? The predator who could tear her apart without effort?
"No," Maya said truthfully. "I trust him."
That got a reaction. Whispers erupted throughout the hall. Even Dominic looked surprised.
"You trust an Alpha you met twelve hours ago?" Victoria's voice dripped skepticism.
"He's had multiple opportunities to hurt me and hasn't," Maya said. "He protected me when he didn't have to. He's been honest about the danger I'm in. That's more than most humans have given me, so yeah. I trust him."
Marcus smiled like he'd won a bet. Thomas looked thoughtful. Victoria still seemed suspicious, but less hostile. Dominic studied Maya for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
"The Luna bloodline is awakening in her," Dominic announced to the council. "I can smell it. She's changing already."
"Which creates complications," Victoria said. "An awakening Luna without proper guidance could become a rogue herself. Who will take responsibility?"
"I will," Kai said immediately.
"You're Alpha," Thomas protested. "You have pack responsibilities. You can't babysit a human through transformation."
"She's not human," Marcus said firmly. "Not anymore. The awakening has started, and it chose to start around our Alpha. That means something. The bloodline recognizes him as a catalyst and anchor. Separating them now could kill her."
Maya's breath caught. "What?"
Dr. Chen emerged from the crowd, climbing onto the floor. "It's true. I examined her this afternoon. The awakening is aggressive—her body is trying to complete in weeks what should take months. She needs constant proximity to Alpha Blackwood, or the transformation could tear her apart."
"How convenient," Victoria said dryly. "The Alpha claims protection over a pretty young human, and suddenly she needs to stay by his side constantly. Forgive my skepticism."
"Test her," Kai said suddenly. "If you don't believe she's awakening, test her. Let Dominic challenge her. If she can hold her ground against a council member, that proves the Luna bloodline is active."
Maya's head whipped toward him. "What are you doing?"
"Giving you a chance to prove yourself," Kai said quietly. "Trust me."
Dominic's smile was sharp. "I accept. A simple challenge—no claws, no teeth. Just dominance through will. If she can resist my Alpha command for thirty seconds, she passes."
"That's impossible for a human," Thomas said. "Even dormant carriers can't resist full Alpha commands."
"Then we'll know if she's truly awakening or if this is all an act." Dominic cracked his knuckles. "What do you say, Maya Rivers? Ready to prove you belong here?"
Maya looked at Kai, who nodded almost imperceptibly. This was a test—not just of her changing biology, but of her courage. She could refuse, let them vote on her fate, hope for mercy. Or she could fight.
She'd never been good at hoping for mercy.
"Let's do it," Maya said.
The crowd erupted in excited chatter. Dominic and Maya moved to opposite sides of the floor space. Dr. Chen approached Maya, whispering urgently, "His Alpha command will feel like a physical force trying to make you kneel. Fight it with everything you have. Think of something that makes you angry, something that makes you strong. Hold onto that feeling."
Maya nodded, her mouth dry. She thought of her parents dismissing her dreams. Her brother calls her career "cute." Every person who'd underestimated her because she chose compassion over ambition.
She thought of Kai, who'd shown her more respect in twelve hours than most people showed in years.
"Ready?" Dominic asked.
"Ready."
Dominic's eyes flashed gold, and power slammed into Maya like a physical blow. SUBMIT. KNEEL. BARE YOUR THROAT.
The command wasn't spoken—it resonated through her bones, her blood, her DNA. Every instinct screamed to obey, to drop to her knees, to expose her vulnerable throat to a predator.
Maya's knees trembled. Sweat broke out across her forehead. The pressure was immense, crushing, like an invisible hand forcing her down.
NO.
The word came from somewhere deep inside her, somewhere ancient and fierce. Maya's eyes snapped up, meeting Dominic's gold stare. She felt something shift inside her chest—a warmth spreading through her veins, making her stronger.
Ten seconds.
Dominic's expression shifted from confident to surprised. He increased the pressure of his command, and Maya gasped, her vision swimming. But she stayed on her feet.
Twenty seconds.
The crowd was shouting now, but Maya couldn't hear words—just a roar of sound and blood pounding in her ears. Her hands clenched into fists. Her fingernails felt strange, too long, too sharp.
When she looked down, she saw claws extending from her fingertips.
Twenty-five seconds.
"Enough!" Kai's voice cut through everything. "She's passed. End it, Dominic."
Dominic released his command, and Maya collapsed to her hands and knees, gasping. The claws retracted, leaving her shaking and disoriented. Strong hands helped her up—Kai, his face fierce with pride and concern.
"You did it," he murmured. "You incredible, stubborn woman. You actually did it."
The crowd was going wild. Even the council members looked impressed. Marcus was grinning like a proud father. Victoria's skepticism had transformed into grudging respect.
Dominic approached, extending his hand. "I apologize for doubting you. That was remarkable for someone barely awakened."
Maya shook his hand on instinct, still too dizzy to process what had happened. "Did I grow claws?"
"You did," Dr. Chen confirmed, appearing with a medical scanner. "Your body responded to perceived threat by initiating a partial shift. That's advanced for your stage of awakening."
"Is that good or bad?"
"Good," Kai said firmly. "It means you're strong."
The council convened in hushed discussion for several minutes while Maya caught her breath. Finally, Marcus stood to deliver their verdict.
"The council has decided," he announced. "Maya Rivers, human carrier of Luna bloodline, you are granted provisional acceptance into Silvermoon Pack. You will remain on pack lands during your awakening, under the direct supervision of Alpha Blackwood. You will learn our laws, our ways, our traditions. At the end of your transformation, you will face a final trial to determine permanent pack status."
Relief flooded through Maya so intensely that she nearly collapsed again. "Thank you."
"Don't thank us yet," Victoria said. "The awakening is dangerous. Many don't survive. And even if you do, the final trial is designed to push you to your absolute limit. You may wish we'd killed you mercifully tonight."
"I'll take my chances," Maya said.
Victoria's lips curved slightly. "Perhaps you will surprise us, girl. I hope so. We could use more females with spines around here."
The meeting adjourned, and wolves dispersed into the night. Maya found herself surrounded by well-wishers and curious pack members wanting to meet the human who'd stood up to a council member. It was overwhelming, but not entirely unpleasant.
Kai extracted her from the crowd after twenty minutes, leading her back toward her cabin. The night air was cool and fresh, helping clear Maya's spinning head.
"That was the most terrifying thing I've ever done," Maya said.
"You were amazing," Kai replied. "Most wolves twice your age couldn't resist Dominic's command for thirty seconds. You did it while barely awakened."
"I had good motivation."
"What did you think about? Dr. Chen told you to focus on something, right?"
Maya glanced at him, then away. "I thought about you. About how you've protected me, respected me, and given me choices when you could have just commanded. I thought about not wanting to disappoint you."
Kai stopped walking. When Maya turned back, his expression was intense, almost vulnerable. "Maya—"
"I know it's stupid," she said quickly. "We barely know each other. This is probably just adrenaline and trauma bonding. But you asked, so I'm being honest."
"It's not stupid." Kai moved closer. "And it's not just adrenaline."
Maya's breath caught. "What is it then?"
"I don't know yet. But I want to find out." His hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing her skin with surprising gentleness. "If you'll let me."
Maya should say no. Should put distance between herself and this dangerous Alpha who'd upended her entire world. Should focus on surviving her awakening, not developing feelings for someone who could crush her heart as easily as he'd crushed those rogues.
But when had she ever done what she should?
"Yeah," Maya whispered. "I'll let you."
Kai smiled—genuine and warm, transforming his usually serious face into something breathtaking. Then he stepped back, professional distance returning. "You need rest. The awakening takes a toll on your body, especially after tonight's stress."
"Where will you be?"
"Close. Dr. Chen says you need proximity, so I'll sleep on your couch tonight. If that's okay."
The thought of Kai nearby, protective even in sleep, sent warmth through Maya's chest. "That's okay."
They walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence. Inside the cabin, Maya changed into sleep clothes while Kai made himself comfortable on the small couch that was definitely too short for his frame. When she emerged from the bedroom, he'd removed his boots and jacket, looking more relaxed than she'd seen him.
"Kai?" Maya paused in the doorway. "Thank you. For everything today."
"You saved my life," Kai said simply. "This is me saving yours. We're even now."
"Are we?"
His silver eyes found hers in the darkness. "No. But we're getting closer."
Maya smiled and retreated to the bedroom. She lay awake for a long time, processing everything that had happened. Twenty-four hours ago, she'd been a normal veterinarian. Now she was a werewolf-in-training under the protection of an Alpha who made her heart race.
Her life had become impossible.
And somehow, she wouldn't change it.