"What''s happening?" I ask urgently as another piercing scream cuts through the tense air.


    "Your mate has arrived for you," he replies, his voice hollow and resigned, as if all hope has drained from him.


    "Why aren''t you fighting back?" I press, confusion twisting inside me.


    "Why aren''t you running away?" he counters, his eyes searching mine.


    “Because I don''t believe you''d ever hurt me,” I say softly. "I don''t think you ever intended to. Honestly, I''m still trying to understand why I''m even here."


    He exhales slowly, the weight of his confession settling between us. "I wanted my mate. I thought you were the key to that. But it turns out I was just a pawn in someone else''s game. None of this was about proving my worth. It was all orchestrated to separate you from your alpha. We did all the hard work for her." A single tear escapes, trailing down his cheek like a silent admission of defeat.


    I feel a pang of empathy for him, recalling the crushing void of rejection and the slow, painful eptance that follows. "I''m sorry, Finn," I whisper.


    "This isn''t your fault. She''s the one who set this in motion. I''m lost. I''m a warrior, not an alpha. I don''t want that burden. But I can''t stand to see anyone else get hurt.”


    I meet his gaze, determination rising within me. "I can help end this, but you have to get me to Ryker-right now." I extend my wrists toward him.


    He inhales deeply, and as he exhales, a single w shes through the air. I flinch instinctively, then rx as my hands are freed. He has released me.


    "Time to find out if you''re truly as strong as everyone says, Luna," he says quietly. Without hesitation, I dart forward, Finn close behind. I can sense Ryker nearby, his presence like a faint pulse. Something about the ropes binding me felt wrong.


    "Ryker, I''m here! I''m safe! Please stop! These people don''t deserve this!" I repeat silently, hoping my calm will reach him. I know I can''t mindlink, but maybe my steady thoughts will resonate with their heightened senses.


    "KENNEDY! Baby, where are you?" a frantic voice calls out.


    "I can feel him that way," I tell Finn, pointing toward the part of the camp where the noise is loudest.


    We weave through the crowd, dodging frantic pack members. The pack isn''t enormous, but at least a hundred people fill the camp, adding to the chaos.


    A low, furious growl shakes the ground just as a blur of ck fur crashes into Finn.


    "Ryker! Alpha! No! Stop! You have to listen-please!” I shout desperately.


    In the blink of an eye, Finn has shifted, and the two are locked in a violent tangle― snarling, snapping, biting, wing. The ferocity is overwhelming, too fast for me to follow clearly.


    "LUNA!" warm arms suddenly encircle me, and I wince at the rough contact. "Shit! Luna, are you okay?" Josh spins me around.


    "No! Stop them! Please! They have to stop! He didn''t hurt me," I plead.


    "They took you. That''s all that matters,” Josh replies grimly.


    "He didn''t kidnap me. He didn''t harm me. He''s the only one who showed any kindness. Now make them stop!" I insist.


    "No can do, Luna. He has to pay for his men abducting you," Josh answers firmly.


    I throw my hands up in frustration. "For fuck''s sake, STOP. ALL OF YOU NOW!" I release my Luna aura. Though I don''t fully understand it, I feel a powerful wave of energy radiate from me.


    Suddenly, every sound and movement halts as if the world itself has frozen.


    A muffled chuckle breaks the silence. "Yeah, she''ll never be able to do that," someone sneers.


    "Ryker. Let him go, please. I can exin,” I say, my voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil inside.


    Both men have shifted back to human form—I hadn''t noticed when the change urred. Ryker''s eyes meet mine, locking with an intensity that stops my breath. Without hesitation, he leaps forward and moves directly toward me. Warriors close in on Finn at the edges of my vision, but my focus remains fixed on my mate.


    Ryker scoops me into his arms. I cling to him tightly, wrapping around him like a ko, holding on as best I can despite my aching muscles.


    "Kennedy," he breathes, his voice trembling almost like a cry.


    "I''m here. I''m not hurt. You have to listen. Can you do that? Because this story... it''s deeper than you realize."