Thieves.
I growled, fury rising. How dare they? How dare they try to harm what was mine?
They would die slow. Cold. I would make sure of it.
**********
I rushed toward her, my steps laced with dominance and power, my eyes darkening. In that moment, my wolf had taken control and I was damn pissed off.
As I stepped forward, the attacking wolves froze. They sensed it, the rage and fury radiating off me. Worse, I was sure they recognized I was an Alpha.
I wasn't going to give them a second to breathe. I would march through them, make them tremble.
I looked back at my mate one last time, she looked so weak. Something was wrong. I smelled it. Poison. The stench clung to her skin. My jaw clenched.
What the hell did they do to her?!
Without a second thought, I leapt into the air and shifted, my massive black wolf making its entrance. My paws hit the ground, claws tearing through dirt. I lunged toward one of the wolves.
My canines clamped down on its neck. It struggled, its claws swiping at my face, but I dodged and deepened the bite. It howled in agony as the rest of its pack swarmed me.
But I shook them off, refusing to let any of them land a hit.
"Lucas, you're needed," I mind-linked my Beta. He had to come fast. My mate needed help.
Even in battle, my mind kept flashing back to her - her pale, broken expression. She must've fought her way here, struggled just to stay alive. I could already imagine her bruised knees, and that only fueled my rage.
I grabbed another wolf with my jaws, slammed it to the ground, then crushed its skull under my claws. Blood sprayed. I snarled at the rest.
They would all pay.
The air was thick with blood. I'd killed at least fifteen, and the rest had begun retreating. That was when my men arrived, chasing after the cowards.
Lucas appeared beside me, in his wolf form too. His eyes met mine, questioning why I'd summoned him.
I shifted back. Thankfully, I wasn't naked. It was a rare ability only I possessed—being able to shift with my clothes still intact. Only my closest men knew of it.
I turned and strode to my mate, my Luna. A pang pierced my chest. I should've arrived sooner. My hand brushed her cheek they were so soft, yet cold.
I scooped her up in a bridal carry and vanished, speeding through the forest in my human form. I reached the packhouse in seconds, Lucas was right behind me.
I knew he had questions-too many-but I didn't care. I barged into my chamber and heard a startled yelp.
Kieran.
I growled. Why was she still here? She should have left.
Her gaze locked on my mate, her eyes wide in disbelief, but I ignored her and carried my Luna to my bed, laying her down gently.
Her skin was ice cold. I froze, terrified. I had never felt fear like this.
I just met her... I can't lose her already.
Kieran still hadn't moved and I slammed my fist on the table, rage boiling. Where the hell is the pack doctor?! I'd already mind-linked him!
"Please... don't hurt me."
The words escaped her lips in a weak, trembling whisper and my heart shattered.
I was late. I'd failed her.
*Growl.*
I let out an angry snarl, at myself. At my own failure.
"Who is she?" Kieran asked softly.
I wasn't in the mood to answer.
The door burst open and Leonardo, the pack doctor, walked in. I turned sharply.
"You're late," I snapped.
He sighed. "Calm down, Alpha."
His words only enraged me more. I nearly lunged at him—but Draven, my wolf, pulled me back. She needs help, he reminded me.
Leonardo stepped toward her. Kieran stared at the girl on my bed, then glanced at me again. Her lashes fluttered. She was putting the pieces together.
"I... Is she... your mate?" she asked, voice shaky.
I ignored her.
My eyes were fixed on my Luna.
Leonardo checked her eyes, her pulse. When he reached for her chest, I growled instinctively, and he paused.
"I need to check her heartbeat," he said carefully.
I grunted and stepped back, allowing him to continue.
He pulled out a syringe and filled it with some kind of liquid. My eyes narrowed.
"What's that?" I asked.
Leonardo sighed again. "Let me do my job if you want her to survive."
I clenched my jaw and nodded. He was right—I trusted him.
"Continue," I said tightly.
He inserted the needle into her arm, slowly pushing the medicine in. She hissed softly, and my entire body jolted.
She already had so much effect on me. Damn. I was definitely going to spoil her.
But questions lingered in my mind. Who was she? How did she end up poisoned? Was she fleeing a pack?
My thoughts scattered when Leonardo spoke again.
"It was a life-threatening poison. She'll be fine by tomorrow, though her body is expelling the toxin slowly. She's extremely weak, but she'll recover."
Weak?
Was she an Omega?
I didn't care.
She was my mate. Her past status meant nothing to me.
"She'll be fine. Just keep an eye on her," Leonardo added as he stood, patting my shoulder gently before walking out.
"Prepare something sweet for her tomorrow," he added, and I gave a soft hum.
The door shut, and silence returned.
"Everyone, leave," I ordered coldly.
The servants and Lucas obeyed, but Kieran didn't move.
"And why are you still here?" I asked sharply.
Her eyes darkened.
"Am I nothing now that you've found your mate?"
I sighed. Of course she wasn't nothing, but her tone was irritating.
"We'll talk tomorrow. Right now, I need to be by my mate's side," I said.
I saw the way her fists clenched, her body tense as she turned and stormed off.
The door slammed shut, and I turned back to my mate.
"Don't worry. You're safe now," I whispered.
"She's from the Stone Moon Pack," Draven said suddenly.
I froze.
What?
I hadn't even thought to scent her pack origin. Too focused on everything else.
But now...
If she's from Stone Moon... then that means..
My nephew's Luna....