《Alpha's Regret: Too Late to Love Me》 Secure 1 Summer¡¯ POV ¡°Alpha Foster, you orchestrated that so-called rogue attack¡ªjust to save Suzanna¡¯s child? You harvested organs from Luna Summer and your own son¡ªdo you really think it was worth it?¡± Then came a voice I knew all too well¡ªfamiliar, yet colder than a de against skin. ¡°This is what they owe Suzanna and Moore.¡± My body trembled. A roar exploded in my head, and the ground crumbled beneath me. No¡­ no, it couldn¡¯t be true. I had to be hearing it wrong. It had to be a hallucination. Foster is Felix¡¯s father. How could he¡ªhow could he hurt his own son for another woman¡¯s child? I mped a hand over my mouth to muffle the scream rising in my throat. I couldn¡¯t make a sound. This had to be a nightmare. But his voice dragged me back to reality¡ªcolder than death itself. ¡°As long as Suzanna is happy, I¡¯ll do anything.¡± In that moment, I could no longer deny the truth. Instinctively, I reached out and covered Felix¡¯s ears. No. He couldn¡¯t hear this. But it was toote. Felix was shaking. His tiny body trembled beneath my hands. I looked down¡ªhe was covering his mouth with both hands, his eyes wide with terror, disbelief, and something else¡­ A raw, soul-crushing pain. He had heard everything. The one who took his left eye, the one who haunted his nightmares¡ªit was his own father. And then, like a broken dam, the memories came flooding back¡ª Felix lying in the ICU, tubes and wires all over his fragile body. He turned to me with his only eye, his voice as soft as falling leaves. ¡°Mommy¡­ was it Daddy who took my left eye?¡± I didn¡¯t know how to answer. That night, I cried until my throat gave out, until my body seized, until I nearly disappeared into the darkness with him. I med myself again and again: Why did I take him away from the pack? Why couldn¡¯t I protect him? Why¡­ why couldn¡¯t I even be a good mother? I used to think all of this was just a cruel twist of fate. But now I know the truth. The one I should truly hate¡­ is Alpha Foster. He took Felix¡¯s eye. He shattered my wolf spirit¡ªand stole my kidney. Maybe the Moon Goddess took pity on me and finally let me hear the truth. ¡ª Five years ago, I married Alpha Foster¡ªmy fated mate¡ªto help the struggling Silver Creek Pack. Foster never believed in mate bonds, but I foolishly thought that if I loved hard enough, he¡¯d eventually love me back. After the wedding, I began to realize¡ªhis heart was never mine. That space had long been taken by Suzanna. Still, I tried everything I could to melt the ice around his heart. I worked tirelessly to manage the pack¡¯s affairs, trying to ease his burdens. I gave birth to our son, Felix, with joy in my heart¡ªbut all I got in return was his growing indifference. Three months ago, I finally saw through the lies and the futility of it all. I couldn¡¯t keep giving everything in a one-sided marriage. So I gathered my courage and left the pack with Felix, hoping to find a little breathing room for both of us. But on the road, we were attacked by ¡°rogues.¡± When I woke up, I learned that my kidney had been removed due to injuries from the attack, and my wolf had gone dormant. Poor Felix had lost an eye. I med myself for taking him away. But then Foster suddenly appeared in our lives¡ª This man who used to hide behind leader duties to avoid us, who never even showed up on Pack Family Day. Now he was always there¡ªgentle, attentive. He came to the hospital every day. He knelt to ask Felix what he wanted to eat, tucked him in at night, and sat by our beds until we fell asleep. For a while, I let myself believe he had changed. That he had finally realized the importance of family. Maybe¡­ we really meant something to him. After all, our marriage began as a political alliance. I only ever wanted a little sincerity¡ªeven just a sliver. But the truth is always cruel. I could feel Felix¡¯s tears wetting my fingertips. My eyes stung too, but I crouched down and whispered for him to stay quiet. We had to be careful. No one in this pack would protect us. My little pup was a strong Alpha¡ªhe nodded slightly and wrapped his thin arms around me. Inside the room, the doctor¡¯s voice exploded in anger. ¡°What if Luna Summer and Felix find out the truth? What if the entire Silver Creek Pack learns you broke your blood oath and betrayed your mate bond?¡± Foster said nothing. He lifted a hand and absentmindedly stroked the moonstone ring on his left ring finger¡ªthe same ring we exchanged during our fated ceremony beneath the Mooke. I stared at that ring. It used to symbolize forever. Now it just felt like a cruel joke. In the room, Foster finally spoke¡ªhis voice cold and steely. ¡°Then we¡¯ll make sure they never find out. All they want is a happy family. I¡¯ll spend this life¡ªand the next¡ªmaking it right. Show me Suzanna and Moore¡¯stest health reports.¡± Toote, Foster. Felix and I no longer need your fake love. Inside, he flipped through the reports the doctor handed him. A trace of relief crossed his face. ¡°Felix¡¯s retinal transnt is stable¡­ Moore can be released from the recovery pod. Good. I can breathe again.¡± The doctor went pale, trembling with rage. ¡°Alpha Foster! Suzanna may be important to you, but she is not your Luna! You took organs from your own son! That¡¯s a direct vition of Councilw! If this gets out, it won¡¯t just destroy you¡ªit¡¯ll destroy the entire Silver Creek Pack!¡± ¡°You really think it was worth it?¡± Foster¡¯s golden-grey wolf eyes turned icy. He mmed the report onto the oak desk, his Alpha aura crashing through the room like a thunderstorm. ¡°Enough,¡± he said coldly. ¡°You don¡¯t get to lecture me. I¡¯m Alpha. Your only job is to obey.¡± He paused, his voice turning darker. ¡°Suzanna only has one child¡ªMoore. I couldn¡¯t just watch him go blind. He only lost one eye. Felix can still live a normal life. Under my protection, he¡¯ll be fine.¡± I almostughed. If ¡°just one eye¡± is so minor, why not give up your own? But I should¡¯ve known¡ªFelix and I never mattered in his world. Then I heard the doctor again. ¡°You think you can keep this secret forever? That they¡¯ll never find out? You really believe that?¡± Foster¡¯s voice was calm, certain. ¡°They won¡¯t. I¡¯ve covered every trace.¡± He even smiled¡ªconfident, smug. ¡°Besides¡­ Summer and Felix love me.¡± Not anymore, I thought. The Luna who once loved you¡­ died the day you betrayed her. Inside, Foster rolled up the report and said tly, ¡°Now that Suzanna and Moore are stable, it¡¯s time to bring them home.¡± I saw his gaze go distant¡ªhe was using mind-link, probably contacting his Beta, Smith. Soon, Smith appeared from another wing of the hospital¡ªSuzanna¡¯s room. ¡°Get everything ready,¡± Foster ordered. ¡°And make sure Summer doesn¡¯t find out.¡± Footsteps echoed down the hall, growing closer. Instinct kicked in¡ªI grabbed Felix and slipped into the shadows of a nearby corridor. But¡­ it was toote. ¡°Summer? Felix?¡± Foster¡¯s voice rang out, with a note of panic. I took a deep breath and met Felix¡¯s eyes. We wiped away our tears together. When we turned around, I was already smiling softly. ¡°You¡¯ve been gone a while. We got worried and came looking. I think we got lost¡ªalmost couldn¡¯t find our way back.¡± He blinked, then forced a smile. ¡°Really? What a coincidence.¡± My eyes fell to the report in his hand. My voice was calm, but left no room for argument. ¡°Is that¡­ our test result?¡± His eyes flickered. He quickly hid the papers behind his back. ¡°Uh¡­ Let¡¯s talk back at the warehouse. No rush.¡± I looked at him¡ªthis man I once loved and trusted. My lips curled into a smile, but my eyes were hollow. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go home.¡± I took Felix¡¯s hand and turned away. Foster hesitated, then hurried to catch up¡ªlifting Felix into his arms. Still ying the perfect father. Still pretending nothing had changed. But everything has. And I won¡¯t sit and wait anymore. Getting out will take time. But I will get Felix out of this hell. Secure 2 Summer¡¯ POV Alpha Foster held Felix in his arms, his fingers gently brushing the top of Felix¡¯s head, lips curved into a soft, doting smile. But I could see it clearly¡ªFelix¡¯s eyes were filled with nothing but disgust. Alpha Foster had absolutely no idea. He kept holding him all the way until we reached the car. As he opened the door, he casually checked the child seat, speaking in an almost offhand tone: ¡°Summer, do you remember Suzanna? Her pup was sick for a while, right? He¡¯s recovered now¡ªpretty much ready toe back to the pack.¡± He paused deliberately, adjusting his tone to sound more thoughtful. ¡°She¡¯s an Omega, and she¡¯s lost all her family. I was thinking¡­ maybe she could stay at the Alpha House for a few days?¡± As he spoke, he tilted his head to nce at my expression, then quickly added: ¡°Of course, just a suggestion. If you or Felix feel ufortable, we¡¯ll forget it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mind,¡± I replied ndly. ¡°If you want her back, bring her back.¡± ¡°Thank you, Summer. You¡¯re always so understanding¡­ Mating with you is the greatest blessing of my life.¡± Alpha Foster seemed slightly taken aback, but quickly smiled again. What did he expect me to do? Throw a fit? Break down crying? Demand to know why another Omega and her child were being brought into our home? That was the old me. Now, the only thing I care about is my child¡ªand myself. I didn¡¯t answer him. I simply walked quietly to the backseat and gently lifted Felix into my arms. When we got back to the Alpha House, Foster quickly found an excuse to leave. I knew exactly where he was rushing off to¡ªto make arrangements for Suzanna¡¯s return to the pack. I didn¡¯t stop him. I didn¡¯t say a word. I didn¡¯t even bother to look at him. My only concern was Felix. I looked over and saw him sitting in the corner of the couch, his favorite little wolf plushie at his feet. He was hugging it tightly, eyes nk, as if he had sunkpletely into a silent, bottomless void. I sat beside him and gently pulled him into my arms. ¡°Felix,¡± I whispered, my voice soft, but filled with a strength I¡¯d never had before, ¡°Mommy needs to tell you something.¡± He didn¡¯t look up, but his ears twitched slightly¡ªa sign he was listening. I took a deep breath and ran my fingers through his soft hair, my fingertips brushing over the cold surface of his prosthetic eye. Pain twisted in my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm. ¡°We¡¯re leaving this house.¡± His small body trembled slightly. Then, finally, he looked up at me. ¡°Leave?¡± he asked softly. His voice was barely audible, like the rustling of leaves in the night. ¡°Yes,¡± I nodded, my gaze tender yet unwavering. ¡°We¡¯re leaving this fake, heartless pack. Leaving the one who only knows how to hurt us. The farther away we go, the better. Ideally¡­ we¡¯ll never see Alpha Foster again.¡± Felix stared at me, as if trying to make sure I truly meant it. ¡°Where are we going?¡± he asked. I hugged him gently. ¡°To a ce where no one willugh at you, where no one will lie to you. A ce that truly belongs to us.¡± He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. In that moment, I saw a flicker of light in his eyes¡ªlike a spark finally reigniting after being smothered for too long. ¡°Mommy¡­¡± he murmured, his voice choked with emotion, ¡°I¡­ I hate him. I don¡¯t want to call him Daddy anymore.¡± I held him tightly, kissed his damp cheek, and whispered: ¡°You don¡¯t have to. He doesn¡¯t deserve it.¡± He didn¡¯t say anything else. He just leaned in quietly for a while before pulling away and walking over to his desk. I thought he was just going to grab a toy or a picture book. But to my surprise, he reached into the bottom drawer and pulled out a thick journal. It was the one he¡¯d always kept hidden¡ªcovered in cartoon stickers, wrapped in brightly colored paper, its corners worn and frayed. He had once clutched it tightly to his chest and said, ¡°This is my secret. Mommy, you¡¯re not allowed to peek, okay?¡± I frowned slightly and asked gently: ¡°Felix, isn¡¯t that your treasure? Why are you taking it out?¡± He didn¡¯t answer. He just lowered his head and opened the cover, his fingers trembling. Then, all of a sudden, he tore the entire journal apart. The sound of ripping paper echoed loudly in the quiet living room¡ªeach tear like a wound splitting open, each page shredding thest thread of trust he once held. I was stunned, frozen in ce. Only when the torn pages scattered across the floor did I see what he had written¡ª The tiny, crooked handwriting¡ªall done with such care. Every word was filled with his trust, his love, and his belief in the man who betrayed him. ¡¾Day 1 after the ident: I lost my left eye.¡¿ I asked Mommy where it went. She didn¡¯t answer. She just kept crying. Daddy cried too. He hugged me for the first time and said he would be my eyes from now on. ¡¾Day 3 after the ident: Daddy visits us in the hospital every single day.¡¿ He said he really loves Mommy and me. He said he wants to protect us. I told him I love him too. Daddy cried again. ¡¾Day 21 after the ident: I got discharged from the hospital.¡¿ Jack from daycare saw my fake eye and called me a ¡°one-eyed freak.¡± He got the other pups tough at me. They said I was gross and said they didn¡¯t want to y with me anymore. I hid in the supply closet and cried for a long time. But¡­ it¡¯s okay. Mommy and Daddy love me. ¡¾Day 25 after the ident: The doctor gave me a silver-gray prosthetic eye.¡¿ Daddy said now other kids wouldn¡¯tugh at me anymore. I showed it to Jack and told him I wasn¡¯t gross. He poked my eye with a pencil. He said demons don¡¯t feel pain. ¡­ At that moment, I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. Tears fell¡ªsilent, heavy¡ªandnded on the pages of his innocent, heartfelt words, smudging the ink. I pulled Felix tightly into my arms and broke down, sobbing uncontrobly. My precious boy¡­ Mommy will never let you be hurt again. Not even a little. Secure 3 Foster¡¯ POV ¡°Still going with the same kind of roses, Alpha Foster?¡± The florist tied the bouquet with practiced ease, smiling as she teased, ¡°You and Luna Summer must really be in love.¡± I smiled faintly and didn¡¯t bother exining. After getting into the car, I turned on the radio. By chance, a light jazz tune was ying¡ªan old ssic with a modern twist,id-back and breezy. I started the engine, fingers tapping the rhythm on the steering wheel, humming along without caring that I was off-key. I nced at the bouquet on the passenger seat, the banana muffins Moore loved sitting beside it, and then at the pair of limited-edition sneakers in the back seat¡ªsomething I had pulled every string to get. The corners of my mouth lifted again. Today¡¯s surprise¡ªhe¡¯s going to love it. We¡¯d have dinner togetherter. I¡¯d picked that little Italian bistro downtown¡ªkind of dated, but authentic. Suzanna would like it. Tomorrow, they¡¯d officially move into the Alpha House. Just the thought of it made me smile again, my fingertips tapping against the steering wheel. Finally, I could bring them home¡ªfor real. No more driving back and forth between Suzanna¡¯s apartment and the Alpha House. No more going to sleep every night with a heavy heart, wondering if they were safe, if Moore was having nightmares again. Especially Moore¡­ He¡¯s been through enough. I still remember the way he curled up in the corner of the sofa, body trembling, crying in his sleep, ¡°Don¡¯t hit me, please don¡¯t hit me¡­¡± He¡¯s just a little kid. He shouldn¡¯t have to know that kind of fear. But now, things are going to get better. ¡ªUntil that voice crashed in. ¡°You really think this is fair to Summer?¡± Aksher¡¯s voice exploded in my head without warning¡ªdeep and cold, like a bucket of ice water dousing every piece of the dream I had just built. My brows furrowed, irritation creeping into my voice. ¡°What now?¡± ¡°How could you¡ª¡± Aksher¡¯s voice suddenly spiked, his rage boiling from the depths of our shared consciousness. ¡°She¡¯s our mate, Foster! How can you smile like nothing happened after everything you¡¯ve done to her?!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± I gritted my teeth. ¡°You heard what I said. I talked to her. She agreed.¡± ¡°Did she, though?¡± Aksher let out a bitterugh, his voice sharp as a de. ¡°That wasn¡¯t a conversation, that was an announcement. You didn¡¯t even tell her¡ªSuzanna and the kid already returned to the pack.¡± My fingers stiffened, the tapping on the wheeling to a halt. The knuckles gripping the wheel turned white, and the air inside the car suddenly felt heavy¡ªlike something lodged in my chest, pressing down until I couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°I just¡­ hadn¡¯t found the right moment,¡± I said quietly, all the certainty from earlier drained from my voice. ¡°Or maybe you just didn¡¯t have the guts to tell her?¡± Aksher shot back, merciless. ¡°Enough.¡± I growled, eyes locked on the road ahead, the car beginning to slow without me realizing it. Because I knew he was right. I hadn¡¯t told her. Because I was afraid. Because I knew¡ªonce Summer found out the truth, she might never look back at me again. But¡ª ¡°¡­I just feel like I owe Suzanna too much,¡± I muttered, my voice low and heavy. If I hadn¡¯t been such a useless Alpha back then¡­ If I had had the strength to protect her¡­ She wouldn¡¯t have had to flee the country. She wouldn¡¯t have been forced to marry that bastard. She wouldn¡¯t havee back with a child who was half-blind. What I owe her isn¡¯t just an apology. It¡¯s an entire ruined life. But Aksher Akshay sounded like he¡¯d finally snapped. His voice roared in my mind, shaking with rage: ¡°And why the hell should Summer have to pay the price for your guilt?! Because of you, our mate lost a kidney. Her wolf is dormant. And Felix¡ª Felix being born as your pup is the worst damn luck of his life!¡± I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Stop talking.¡± I growled the words out, one by one, voice low and dangerous. Then¡ªI cut the mental link. I sat in the driver¡¯s seat, chest heaving, like I¡¯d just been dragged out of deep water, lungs full of ice. The wind blew through the half-open window, bitter cold,shing against my face like a whip. I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers to my forehead, sucking in a deep breath, trying to shove all the chaos back where it came from. Just then, my phone lit up. Suzanna¡¯s name glowed on the screen. I stared at it for a few seconds, my fingertip trembling ever so slightly. Then I answered, adjusting my voice to sound as calm as possible. ¡°Hello?¡± Her voice came through, soft as always. ¡°Alpha Foster, are you almost here? We¡¯re already waiting outside.¡± My lips pulled into a smile¡ªa practiced one¡ªas if nothing had happened at all. ¡°Just around the corner.¡± Suzanna and Moore¡­ They¡¯re my real family. Secure 4 Foster¡¯ POV ¡°Daddy!¡± Moore came running and leapt into my arms, his voice clear and joyful like a little deer in mid-bounce¡ªsweet and light, full of the fizzy energy of sparkling soda. I froze for a second, caught off guard, before Suzanna gently tapped his arm. Her tone was soft, though tinged with a helpless reproach. ¡°I told you, didn¡¯t I? You can¡¯t call someone ¡®Daddy¡¯ so casually.¡± She turned to me with an apologetic smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, he¡¯s still little¡­ I¡¯ve been trying to correct himtely, but he keeps saying he forgets.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± I crouched down and hugged Moore, gently patting his soft hair. ¡°If he wants to call me that, I¡¯d be happy to be his dad.¡± ¡°Have you been a good boy today?¡± I asked. ¡°The best!¡± He proudly held up one finger, beaming. ¡°Mom said I could have a little soda!¡± I smiled and looked at Suzanna. She nodded softly, a gentle warmth in her eyes. ¡°Sorry I¡¯mte, traffic was a mess,¡± I said as I handed her the bouquet. She blinked, her eyes flickering between the roses and me, as if surprised I¡¯d brought them. ¡°These¡­ are for me?¡± I nodded, then took Moore¡¯s hand and we headed into that familiar little Italian restaurant. Amalia, the owner¡ªa warm-hearted woman in her fifties¡ªwaved enthusiastically when she saw me. ¡°Alpha Foster! Same table as always?¡± I nodded. She quickly barked a few directions in Italian to the staff, and we were promptly seated. Moore hopped into the window seat, pressing his small hands against the ss, eyes wide with excitement. ¡°This ce is so pretty!¡± ¡°Careful not to lean in too close,¡± I reminded him while cing a napkin over hisp. ¡°The hot dishes will be out soon¡ªyou might get burned.¡± Suzanna nced around the cozy restaurant and murmured, ¡°This ce is lovely. Do youe here often?¡± ¡°From time to time.¡± ¡°With Summer?¡± I paused. ¡°She liked the minestrone here.¡± She didn¡¯t press further¡ªjust smiled faintly. Dinner arrived quickly. The steam rising from the shrimp risotto filled the air with the rich scent of tomatoes and spices. The plump shrimp glistened in a thick, savory sauce¡ªenough to make anyone¡¯s mouth water. I carefully cut the shrimp into small pieces, cing them on Moore¡¯s te, and then added a few to Suzanna¡¯s dish as well. She looked at me and smiled gently. ¡°You¡¯re still as thoughtful as ever.¡± ¡°Mommy, was Daddy always this nice to you too?¡± Moore looked up, his innocent face full of curiosity. ¡°Mouths are for eating during dinner.¡± Suzanna gave him a slight re, though she couldn¡¯t help butugh. She wiped the tomato sauce from the corner of Moore¡¯s mouth, then turned to me and said quietly, ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. Kids say whateveres into their heads.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± I looked at Moore, smiling. ¡°Honestly, I wish we really were a family.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say that,¡± Suzanna said, her smile tinged with caution. ¡°If Luna Summer finds out, she¡¯ll be upset.¡± ¡°But I really do appreciate you.¡± She looked up at me, her voice as soft as water. ¡°The doctor said Moore¡¯s recovery is going really well. The eye feelsfortable too¡­ I¡¯m just really grateful.¡± ¡°As long as you¡¯re happy, I¡¯d do anything.¡± I paused, looking into her eyes. ¡°There¡¯s something I wanted to tell you in person today.¡± She looked at me, her expression shifting slightly. ¡°The Alpha House is ready. Starting tomorrow, you and Moore can move in.¡± She clearly hadn¡¯t expected me to bring it up. For a moment, she froze¡ªthen her smile slowly bloomed, eyes sparkling faintly with emotion. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She lowered her head slightly, her fingers curling around the edge of her napkin. Her voice was cautious, restrained. ¡°Will we be¡­ intruding on you and Summer? If it¡¯s still not the right time, we can wait.¡± I didn¡¯t hesitate. I cut her off. ¡°She won¡¯t mind. I already spoke to her.¡± She looked up at me, visibly relieved, then gave a soft nod with a warm smile. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. I just¡­ didn¡¯t want to make things harder for you.¡± A wave of tenderness swept through me. She was always like this¡ªputting my situation first before her own feelings. Not like Summer¡­ Summer was always too controlling. Too emotional. Always starting fights over the smallest things. Out of habit, I reached for my pocket¡ªonly to realize my phone hadn¡¯t buzzed all night. That was odd. Not a single message from Summer today. Normally, if I was even a littlete, she¡¯d call and send voice messages nonstop until I got home. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Suzanna noticed my distraction and asked softly. ¡°Nothing.¡± I quickly pulled myself back. ¡­ After dinner, I used a wet wipe to clean Moore¡¯s mouth, then poured him a ss of orange juice. He leaned back in his chair, sipping the juice, swinging his legs back and forth, looking thoroughly content. ¡°Thank you for dinner.¡± Suzanna put down her utensils, her voice gentle. ¡°This ce is amazing. Moore really liked it.¡± ¡°As long as he¡¯s happy.¡± I wiped my hands and nced at my watch. ¡°The room¡¯s ready. Let me take you both upstairs.¡± But as soon as Moore heard ¡°go back to the room,¡± he immediately sat up. ¡°No! I want to go to the amusement park! There¡¯s a w machine there¡ªI didn¡¯t win a prizest time!¡± ¡°Moore,¡± Suzanna frowned gently, ¡°It¡¯s toote. And Alpha Foster still has work¡­¡± ¡°Just a little while! Please?¡± He clung to my arm, whining sweetly. ¡°You saidst time you¡¯d go with me¡­¡± I looked down at him, those little eyes full of hope. Suddenly, Felix¡¯s face shed through my mind. The same eyes¡ªlying in that hospital bed, looking up at me, asking softly, ¡°Daddy, when I get better, will you take me to the Ferris wheel? I want to see the world from the top.¡± I had nodded. I said, ¡°Once you recover, I¡¯ll take you.¡± But after he recovered, I never did. That thought hit me like a punch to the gut. And I remembered how quiet Felix had been after returning from the hospital today¡ªsilent, withdrawn. I couldn¡¯t help but worry. ¡°Alpha Foster?¡± Moore¡¯s voice pulled me back to the present. I looked at his little face, full of anticipation. Right then, I made up my mind. After this, I would spend proper time with Felix. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Moore.¡± I reached out and ruffled his hair. ¡°It¡¯s toote tonight. I¡¯ll take you to the amusement park another day, alright?¡± Right now, all I wanted was to get home and check on Felix. The moment those words left my mouth, the smile on Moore¡¯s face copsed. ¡°Why? You said you had time today! You promised!¡± His voice rose in pitch, eyes brimming with anger and hurt. ¡°You lied! You never wanted to take me! You don¡¯t even like me! You don¡¯t want to be my dad!¡± ¡°Moore¡ª¡± I frowned, my voice dropping. ¡°No! I want to go!¡± Moore suddenly shouted, drawing the attention of everyone around us. A wave of irritation rose in my chest. I furrowed my brows, just about to say something when Suzanna quickly stood up, scooped Moore into her arms, and began softly soothing him. She looked up at me, eyes apologetic and full of cautious hurt. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m really sorry.¡± Her voice trembled. ¡°Moore just¡­ he really loves being with you. We don¡¯t get this chance often¡­ Maybe we were being too greedy.¡± Her eyes were red, and in an instant, all my frustration vanished. Of course. Moorecked a father figure. It¡¯s no wonder he clings to me like this. I sighed and softened my tone. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. You and Moore¡­ you¡¯re already part of our pack. From now on, both Summer and I will look after you.¡± Suzanna looked up at me, her gazeplex¡ªas if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she just nodded. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered. I nodded back. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Let me take you to the hotel.¡± She carried Moore in her arms, and though he was still sniffling, he had clearly calmed down. We walked toward the parking lot together. ¡­ By the time we got to the hotel, night had fallenpletely. I walked them to their room and was about to leave when Moore suddenly wrapped his arms around my neck. ¡°Don¡¯t go¡­ Daddy¡­¡± I froze. His small face pressed against my shoulder, his voice soft and pleading. ¡°Stay with me. Just tonight¡­ please?¡± I looked down at him. His eyshes fluttered slightly, like he was afraid I¡¯d say no. Suzanna stood by the door, hesitating. Then she spoke softly: ¡°If you¡¯re okay with it¡­ maybe you could stay with him for a bit? He¡¯s been having nightmarestely. He¡¯d sleep better with you nearby.¡± Her voice was barely a whisper. ¡°If it¡¯s an inconvenience, I understand¡­¡± I looked at her silently, then at Moore¡¯s little hands clinging tightly around my neck. ¡°All right,¡± I said softly. Moore¡¯s face lit up like sunshine breaking through the clouds. He smiled so brightly, like he¡¯d just been given the whole world. And my heart softened. Felix would understand. I¡¯d have plenty more time with Summer and Felix. Plenty of time. Secure 5 Summer¡¯ POV After I made the decision to leave, I set a seven-day countdown on my phone. Seven days. Seven days from now, I¡¯ll take Felix and leave this pack, leave Alpha Foster, and leave behind every painful memory tied to this ce. But before I go, there¡¯s one thing I have to do. I have to take back what¡¯s mine. So, I contacted Evelyn Sage. She was a close friend from myw school days, and now one of the senior legal advisors in the pack. We agreed to meet at a caf¨¦ on the edge of the territory. The moment I stepped inside, I spotted her in the crowd. She sat by the window, a crisp trench coat draped over the back of her chair, her chestnut hair pinned into a perfect bun. A ck coffee sat beside a thick stack of documents. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± she said, rising as she saw me. ¡°Evelyn.¡± I walked over, and she politely pulled out a chair for me, every move clean and precise. ¡°You look like someone who¡¯s made up her mind,¡± she said after studying me for a second. I nodded, without a hint of hesitation. ¡°I want to sever the mate bond.¡± ¡°Luna Summer, no wolf ever willingly walks away from Mooke¡¯s resources. And no Omega would choose to give up Alpha Foster.¡± Her gaze sharpened. ¡°What happened? I thought you¡­ used to love him.¡± ¡°I did,¡± I said with a bitter smile that barely touched my lips. ¡°That was in the past.¡± She didn¡¯t press further. Instead, she pulled a document from the stack, flipped to a few pages, and slid it toward me. ¡°This is the prenuptial agreement you and Foster signed. And this¡ª¡± her tone remained calm and professional, ¡°¡ªis the current legal code regarding severance of mate bonds and property division.¡± She flipped through the pages, her voice steady and clear. ¡°If you initiate the severance, ording to both the agreement and the updatedws, you are not entitled to any shared assets.¡± My fingers tensed. I asked quietly, ¡°Nothing? I walk away with nothing?¡± Evelyn nodded, not sugarcoating it. ¡°Leaving Foster is legally considered a voluntary dissolution of the mate bond. As an Omega, you have no inheritance rights and no im to joint property.¡± She paused, her expression turning serious. ¡°More importantly¡­ custody of Felix automatically defaults to the paternal bloodline. You¡ªwon¡¯t have the right to take him with you.¡± In that moment, I felt like I had fallen straight through the ice of a frozenke¡ªso cold I could barely breathe. I stared at the documents in silence, Felix¡¯s face shing through my mind¡ª The way he furrows his brows in his sleep. How he tries so hard not to cry when the other kidsugh at him. How tightly he clutches my coat when he¡¯s scared. Atst, I closed the folder and slowly pushed it back toward her. ¡°Even if I walk away empty-handed,¡± I said, voice soft but firm, ¡°I will still sever the bond.¡± I paused, then added quietly, ¡°But I¡¯m not leaving without Felix. I have to take him with me.¡± Evelyn¡¯s eyes flickered, and for the first time, I saw her expression soften. She pulled the file back toward herself and pointed to a page. ¡°That depends on whether you can provide evidence¡ªproof that Foster has seriously failed in his parental duties, or that the environment is emotionally harmful to Felix.¡± Her voice gentled. ¡°This part isn¡¯t absolute. If you make a convincing case, the court will consider awarding you custody.¡± I exhaled slowly. Good. That¡¯s all I needed. Negligence? Emotional harm? Felix¡¯s missing eye¡­ is all the proof I need. ¡°I¡¯ll get everything ready,¡± I said quietly. ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the paperwork. If this is really what you want¡ª You know how to reach me.¡± ¡°Thank you, Evelyn.¡± She looked at me, something unreadable in her gaze. ¡°Then¡­ I wish you luck.¡± I nodded and stood to leave. ¡ª It was sunset when I got home. The kitchen was empty and silent. I rolled up my sleeves and began preparing dinner. The Omega servants here never listened to me. They never saw me as their Luna. I had gotten used to it. I washed vegetables, chopped chicken, peeled carrots, tossed a bundle of herbs into the pot, and turned on the stove to let the soup slowly simmer. Soon, the familiar aroma filled the air¡ªrosemary and thyme blending with the scent of chicken broth. Just as I was about to slice bread, my phone buzzed on the kitchen ind. I picked it up. A F******k notification. Suzanna had posted something. I tapped it open¡ª And a photo loaded. It was the outdoor patio of an Italian restaurant. Suzanna was wearing a deep red dress, smiling brightly, her cheek pressed against his shoulder like something precious and carefully treasured. And he¡ªhe was looking down at her, his eyes soft with affection, a look I had never seen on him before. On the table were the same dishes: shrimp risotto, tiramisu, and two sses of his usual red wine. In the center of the photo was Moore¡ªthrowing up a peace sign at the camera, grinning ear to ear, his eyes sparkling like stars. My breath caught. A dull ache mmed into my chest like a blow from a blunt weapon. That wasn¡¯t just any restaurant. It was the one Foster and I used to go to the most. The one Felix always said he wanted to visit again. Every time we passed by that street, he¡¯d look longingly out the car window and ask, ¡°Mommy, is that ce still open?¡± And I¡¯d tell him, ¡°When Daddy has time, we¡¯ll all go together.¡± But he never had time. And now, he did. Just¡­ not with us. He sat at the same table we always used to sit at, ordered the same dishes we always ordered¡ªonly now, with someone else. Turns out, all those memories I thought were special¡­ Were just temtes he could recycle for another person. Before I could close the photo, I heard small footstepsing from the living room. ¡°Mommy, it smells so good! What are you making?¡± Felix¡¯s voice was soft, slightly nasal. I snapped back to reality, quickly flipped the phone face-down on the counter, and turned to smile at him. ¡°Are you hungry, sweetheart?¡± ¡°Not really¡­ Mommy, what were you just looking at?¡± He blinked up at me. My heart clenched. I kept my tone light. ¡°Just some work stuff, baby.¡± Luckily, Felix didn¡¯t question it. I knelt down and gently ran my hand over his hair. ¡°Sweetheart, the soup still needs a bit more time. Why don¡¯t you go upstairs and change intofy clothes? Then you can pick a cartoon to watch while we eat.¡± He blinked. ¡°Can I pick Bluey?¡± I smiled. ¡°Of course you can¡ªas long as it¡¯s not the fifth time we¡¯re watching the same episode. And remember to take a break after. Protect your eyes, okay?¡± Finally, he smiled a little and ran back to the living room, his footsteps light and carefree. Once he was gone, I turned back around, resting my hands on the edge of the sink. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. That photo was still burned into my mind¡ªlike a splinter lodged deep in my skin. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t pull it out. I looked down at the bubbling pot of soup. My eyes stung. It¡¯s okay. Just hold on a little longer. Countdown: six days. ¡ª I took Felix to the preschool to file his withdrawal paperwork. Outside the principal¡¯s office, I raised my hand to knock¡ª But paused when I heard voices inside. ¡°Alpha Foster, are you really nning to transfer Moore to this preschool?¡± Suzanna¡¯s soft, familiar voice. ¡°Yes. I reviewed the curriculum here¡ªit¡¯s well-structured, and the faculty seem solid,¡± Foster¡¯s voice, deep and sure, with that typical air of finality. ¡°But¡­¡± she hesitated, drawing the word out, ¡°isn¡¯t this Felix¡¯s old school? Aren¡¯t you worried Luna Summer might misunderstand?¡± ¡°Alpha Foster, I don¡¯t want to make things harder for you¡­¡± Secure 6 Summer¡¯ POV Suzanna¡¯s familiar voice made my stomach churn with nausea. She had always been this way¡ªreaping all the benefits while putting on that sickeningly innocent face, all doe eyes and soft smiles, making everyone believe she was delicate and lovable. But I knew whaty beneath that mask¡ªcalcting, maniptive, cruel. I took a deep breath, forcing down the rage bubbling in my chest. I was about to turn and leave with Felix when the long-absent principal finally turned the corner and spotted us. ¡°Oh! Luna Summer, you¡¯re here? Come in,e in¡ªAlpha Foster is inside too.¡± I didn¡¯t have time to stop her. She had already pushed open the office door. The door mmed into the wall with a loud thud, and the conversation inside came to an abrupt halt. Alpha Foster¡¯s face stiffened, a flicker of panic shing in his eyes. ¡°When did you get here?¡± he asked, forcing a smile. His voice sounded rushed. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you knock?¡± I didn¡¯t answer. My eyes had already found her¡ªSuzanna. She wore an ivory dress, her long hair pulled into a loose low ponytail. A gentle smile sat perfectly on her face, her hands folded neatly on herp. She looked every bit the refineddy of the house. Noticing where my gaze hadnded, Alpha Foster quickly stepped in to exin. ¡°Summer, don¡¯t misunderstand. I only just found out that Suzanna and Moore had returned to the country.¡± ¡°We happened to run into each other, so I figured I¡¯d help them enroll here, and you¡ª¡± ¡°I understand,¡± I cut him off coldly, my face expressionless. I tightened my grip on Felix¡¯s hand and turned to leave. But Suzanna¡¯s voice stopped me¡ªgentle, bright, and perfectly timed, as if she werepletely unaware of the tension in the room. ¡°Luna Summer, it¡¯s been a while.¡± She calmly took Moore¡¯s hand and said sweetly, ¡°Felix, this is your big brother Moore. Come say hi. You two really are fated to meet.¡± The little boy stepped forward, tilting his head as he studied Felix. Then he scrunched up his face in disgust and said, loud and clear: ¡°Mommy, his left eye is fake. That¡¯s gross. Why didn¡¯t someone get him a real one?¡± The air froze instantly. Felix¡¯s body went rigid. His face turned pale, and he instinctively shrank behind me. Something in my chest snapped¡ªlike a match igniting gasoline. I felt my fury erupt, hot and uncontroble. ¡°Say that again, I dare you.¡± I ground the words out through clenched teeth, stepping forward, hand raised. ¡°Summer, that¡¯s enough!¡± Alpha Foster caught my wrist¡ªnot forcefully, but firmly enough to stop me. I whipped around, my eyes red with rage, my voice trembling beyond control. ¡°He called Felix disgusting! You heard him! He humiliated my son!¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a kid! He didn¡¯t mean it!¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s brows drew together, his tone suddenly cold, impatient. ¡°You¡¯re an adult. Are you really going to fight with a child?¡± I froze. I stared at him, stunned. And in that moment, all I could think of was a memory from just days ago¡ªwhen someone else had mocked Felix with a careless word, and Foster hadpletely lost control. He¡¯d flown into a rage, not even his Beta could hold him back. But now? Because the child in question was Suzanna¡¯s¡­ he excused it. Brushed it off. Defended the one who insulted our son. So that¡¯s how it was¡ªswitch the person, and the rules change. I slowly pulled my hand out of his grasp. My heart felt like it had turned to ice. ¡°Hah,¡± I let out a bitterugh. ¡°I should¡¯ve known. As long as it¡¯s her child, they¡¯ll always have special privileges. They¡¯ll always be worth protecting.¡± ¡°Just like five years ago¡ªon the day I gave birth to Felix.¡± My voice dropped, but the pain in it was razor sharp. ¡°She deliberately inducedbor early, and you¡ª You didn¡¯t even look at Felix. Not once.¡± His face darkened. ¡°Summer, don¡¯t bring up the past.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± My voice was shaking now. ¡°Do you know how much pain I was in that day? All I wanted was for you toe see us¡ªjust once. But you looked at me holding Felix and said I was being dramatic. Said I was faking it to get attention.¡± I stared straight into his eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t even nce at Felix. You walked away. Because Suzanna ¡®needed you more.¡¯¡± ¡°And now, again¡ªonce more¡ªyou choose them. You¡¯ve never changed.¡± With that, I turned and grabbed Felix¡¯s hand, ready to leave. ¡°Summer, wait¡ª¡± He finally moved, reaching out to stop me. But before he could take a single step, Suzanna spoke up. ¡°Alpha Foster, I think something¡¯s wrong with Moore.¡± He stopped. Of course he did. He always stopped for them. I looked down at Felix beside me and whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s go. They¡¯re not worth staying for.¡± And without looking back, I walked out of the principal¡¯s office. Secure 7 Summer¡¯ POV Countdown ¡¤ Day Five I woke to the sound of furniture being moved. Felix was still asleep in my arms, his small body curled tightly, his brows slightly furrowed as if he couldn¡¯t find peace even in his dreams. I slipped out of bed carefully and walked to the door. When I opened it, I could hear Suzanna¡¯s bright, cheerful voice floating up from downstairs: ¡°These curtains are way too old. Let¡¯s swap them out for the ivory ones I brought¡ªthey¡¯ll match the overall aesthetic better.¡± ¡°And this rug¡ªMoore is allergic to wool. Let¡¯s put it away.¡± I slowly descended the stairs and found that the living room had beenpletely transformed. The warm, muted tones that once made this ce feel like home had been reced by a parade of new items: rose-gold ornaments, scented candles, soft beige cushions¡­ even the central vase had been swapped for one filled with Suzanna¡¯s favorite hyacinths. I stood on the staircase, watching a group of Omega servants expertly ce her things into the space I had lived in for years. I had never realized there were so many Omega servants in this house. I stood there for a moment longer, then turned to go back upstairs¡ªonly to catch Moore peeking at me from behind the couch. He suddenly made a face at me, then stuck out his tongue smugly. I shot him a cold nce. He immediately burst out crying. ¡°Mommy! Luna Summer¡¯s being mean! She red at me!¡± ¡°There, there, baby,¡± Suzanna said, lifting her chin with a smug smile. ¡°This is going to be our home now¡ªno one can bully you here.¡± She looked directly at me, her tone syrupy sweet. ¡°Right, Luna Summer?¡± She wore a tight-fitting beige dress today, her waist cinched unnaturally thin. Her makeup was wless, her hair styled in voluminous waves, and her ears adorned with glittering pearl earrings that sparkled harshly under the morning light. ¡°Since we¡¯re all going to be under one roof now,¡± she said with a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes, ¡°you¡¯d better get used to it.¡± I raised an eyebrow slightly, lips curling into a faint smile. ¡°Then I hope you enjoy your stay.¡± Truthfully, her provocation didn¡¯t stir me one bit. A woman who fights over what I¡¯ve already thrown away¡ªher words areughable at best. I turned to head back upstairs. Just then, the front door opened. Alpha Foster walked in. His gazended immediately on me standing at the staircase¡ªthen shifted to Suzanna, who stood nearby with a delicately aggrieved expression, her head slightly lowered. His brows furrowed. ¡°What happened?¡± Gosh. Herees Suzanna¡¯s bargain-bin performance. Sure enough, Suzanna shook her head gently, her voice soft andced with just the right amount of vulnerability. ¡°It¡¯s nothing¡­ It¡¯s my fault, really. I might¡¯ve disturbed Luna Summer. I just changed a few things in the living room, and I think¡­ she wasn¡¯t too happy about it.¡± She paused, gently stroking Moore¡¯s hair. ¡°I understand, though. This used to be her home. I¡¯m moving in all of a sudden¡ªit must be ufortable for her.¡± Who else but Foster would fall for such a cheap act? I scoffed silently. As expected, his expression darkened, and his voice turned cold. ¡°Summer, Suzanna is part of this pack too. Moore¡¯s still recovering¡­ I¡¯m not asking you to help them settle in, but as the Luna of this pack, I expect a little more grace from you.¡± My gaze flickered slightly. I looked at him calmly. ¡°So¡­ the reason you didn¡¯t return to the packst night¡ªwas that because you were spending the night at this new pack member¡¯s home? You really are taking good care of Suzanna and her son.¡± He froze for a second. His expression faltered, as if I¡¯d hit a nerve. ¡°I was just helping them get settled¡­ Moore had a feverst night, and I didn¡¯t think Suzanna could handle it alone.¡± His eyes were evasive. ¡°Besides, didn¡¯t you agree to let them move in?¡± I nodded, my voice steady. ¡°I never said I didn¡¯t.¡± He blinked, clearly surprised by how easily I admitted it. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. ¡°You¡­ really don¡¯t mind?¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± I looked straight at him and smiled. He opened his mouth but said nothing. Just then, my phone buzzed. I looked down¡ª A message from Evelyn: Evidence so far is insufficient. We need something more concrete. I pressed my lips together and typed a calm reply: ¡°I¡¯ll find it.¡± ¡°You texting someone?¡±Foster suddenly stepped closer, his voice low and edged with suspicion. I put my phone away, expression calm. ¡°A friend.¡± ¡°What friend?¡± I looked up at him, fluttering myshes just a little. My tone was nonchnt. ¡°Someone you don¡¯t know.¡± He looked like he wanted to ask more, but before he could, Suzanna called out from behind him: ¡°Alpha Foster, could you help me for a moment? These boxes are too heavy for me to carry alone.¡± He nced back at me¡­ then turned and walked toward her. I immediately turned and went upstairs. When I opened the bedroom door, Felix was just waking up, rubbing his sleepy eyes. ¡°You¡¯re up?¡± I walked over and gently ruffled his hair. ¡°Felix, can you do Mommy a favor? Go to your room and start packing the things you want to take with you.¡± He looked up at me, his eyes filled with unease. ¡°Mom¡­ are we moving?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I knelt down to meet his gaze. ¡°We¡¯re going to stay somewhere else for a while. This ce¡­ isn¡¯t really right for us right now.¡± Looking at his innocent little face, my heart twisted painfully. That picture-perfect little family downstairs¡ªI didn¡¯t want Felix to see it. Not when he still longed for a father¡¯s love. That image would be far too cruel. ¡°Go ahead and pack,¡± I said softly.¡°Just take what matters most to you.¡± He nodded and left the room quietly. I turned back to my own packing. There wasn¡¯t much to gather. A few sets of clothes, scattered skincare products¡­ even with everything in the suitcase, there was still space left. I stood still for a moment, staring at the room I¡¯d lived in for years. A strange hollowness crept into my chest. Atst, I walked over to the vanity and opened the drawer. Inside was a jewelry box, everything arranged neatly. All of it had been gifts from him. After the ident, every holiday, every anniversary¡ªeven random mornings without any reason¡ªhe would give me something. Nes, earrings, bracelets¡ªall different styles, always beautifully packaged. Werewolves are supposed to choose only one mate in their lifetime, to whom they offer all their loyalty. I thought I was that one. Those gifts had once been proof of my hope in love. I thought they meant he was learning to love. I thought his silence was just his way of showing tenderness. Now I know¡ªthose weren¡¯t gifts of love. They were guilt offerings. How ridiculous. I closed the drawer and kept packing. Just then, I heard muffled crying from upstairs. Felix. My heart clenched. I shot to my feet and rushed out the door. Secure 8 Chapter 8 Summer¡® POV I arrived at Felix¡¯s room to find the door half¨Copen and the room in chaos. Moore¨CSuzanna¡¯s son¨Cwas stomping gleefully on something, looking proud of himself. Felix, still in his pajamas, was sitting on the floor, pale and visibly panicked, his eyes filled with fear and humiliation. One hand was covering his face. The other was reaching out, trying desperately to grab the prosthetic eye Moore was stepping on ¨Cbut no matter how hard he tried, he couldn¡¯t reach it. ¡°Don¡¯t step on it! That¡¯s my eye!¡± His voice shook as tears streamed down his cheeks, his throat hoarse from crying. ¡°Mama¡­ he¡¯s stomping on my eye¡­¡± His cries were helpless, fragile¨Cand hearing them felt like someone was crushing my heart in their fist. It hurt. It hurt so much. I rushed to him without thinking, pulling him into my arms protectively. Moore, startled, slipped and fell to the floor, immediately bursting into loud wails. ¡°Mommy! Help! The meandy hit me!¡± He rolled on the floor, clutching his knee, crying so loudly it echoed through the entire hallway. Before I could react to him, I heard the sharp click of high heels approaching fast. Suzanna burst through the doorway, her face twisting when she saw Moore crying on the floor. She stormed toward me, her gaze burning with fury. ¡°You darey a hand on my son?¡± she hissed, raising her hand as if to strike me. But midway through the motion, she seemed to remember something. Her hand paused midair. Then¨Cher lips curled into a smile. Cold. Dangerous. And deeply, disturbingly satisfied. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± she said, her voice sweet as poison. ¡°Do you think Moore¡¯s new eye looks good?¡± The malice in her eyes hit me like a punch to the chest. And in that moment, I realized This might be the opening, I needed. I pushed down the rage boiling inside me and slowly slipped my hand into my pocket, discreetly tapping the voice recording button on my phone. ¡°The doctor said Moore¡¯s eye had issues,¡± she began, casually. ¡°They thought he might lose his vision. As soon as Alpha Foster found out, he started searching nationwide for apatible donor.¡± Sheughed lightly, full of pride. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought this new eye would work so well? No rejection, noplications. It¡¯s even healthier than the one he had before.¡± She paused, then looked at me with false innocence. ¡°Who do you think it came from? I really should thank that little ¡®donor.¡°¡± Felix¡¯s crying suddenly stopped. (1) He buried his face deeper into my chest, his small body trembling violently. Suzanna clearly noticed the shift. Amused, she leaned closer to Felix, her voice low and venomous, like a snake whispering in the dark: ¡°There were plenty of matches avable, you know? But your daddy¨Che wanted to be extra sure the transnt would be a sess. So, he handpicked a donor. A five¨Cyear¨Cold boy. The doctors said it was the safest option.¡± She straightened and gave me a meaningful smile. ¡°Luna Summer, look at that. Your son Felix¡¯s eye is now in my son Moore¡¯s socket. Isn¡¯t it beautiful?¡± I couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. I raised my hand and pped her. Hard. ¡°Smack!¡± She didn¡¯t even have time to dodge. The blow sent her stumbling backward, her hand flying to her cheek. ¡°Luna Summer, are you insane?!¡± she shrieked. But then¨Csheughed. A sick kind of satisfaction spread across her face. She gritted her teeth and hissed: ¡°Did Alpha Foster tell you that the scar on your waist was from an ident? Don¡¯t be stupid. That was from the surgery¨Cwhen they took your kidney.¡± ¡°Your son¡¯s eye. Your kidney. Those were Alpha Foster¡¯s gifts to me!¡± ¡°You and Felix were nothing but a carefully prepared organ bank for us!¡± Her face lit up with twisted glee, thinking I¡¯d break down, scream, or fall apart. But what she didn¡¯t know- Was that I wanted tough. Because I got it. Every word had been recorded. This was it. This was the evidence I needed to win custody of Felix in court. I just had to wait for thewyer- My thoughts were abruptly cut off as Felix suddenly broke free from my arms. He ran up to her, choking on tears, his little hands balled into fists. ¡°You¡¯re a bad person! You can¡¯t say that! Don¡¯t hurt my mommy!¡± Suzanna, clearly enraged, reached out and grabbed his ear, twisting it hard as she snarled: ¡°Stupid little cripple!¡± I lunged forward and shoved her away, my hand already swinging back to p her again- But before I could deliver the blow- ¡°Smack!¡± A sharp, deafening pnded on my face instead. I staggered back, my cheek burning. Stunned, I turned to see Foster standing between us, staring down at his own hand in disbelief¨Cas if he couldn¡¯t believe what he¡¯d just done. ¡°Summer, I¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to. I didn¡¯t¡ª¡± His eyes were red, his voice shaking as he reached out for me, panic written all over the face that was usually so cold. ¡°Does it hurt? I swear I didn¡¯t mean-¡± ¡°Alpha Foster!¡± Suzanna tugged on his arm, tears streaming freely now. ¡°I was so scared¡­¡± She buried herself in his chest. Moore clung to his leg, big amber eyes brimming with tears. ¡°Daddy, they hurt me and Mommy.¡± And just like that¨Chis expression changed. The concern in his eyes vanished, like the tide pulling back. What remained was disappointment. Deep. Unforgiving. ¡°Summer, haven¡¯t I given you enough?¡± ¡°Why do you always have to make things so hard for Suzanna?¡± ¡°You need to calm down. I¡¯m taking Suzanna and Moore to stay somewhere else.¡± With that, he wrapped one arm around Suzanna and took Moore¡¯s hand with the other. He turned to leave. Felix watched him go, and¡ªwithout thinking¨Ccalled out: ¡°Daddy!¡± His voice was soft. Fragile. Like it took everything he had to say it. Foster paused for a second. But he didn¡¯t turn around. When the door closed behind them, I saw the light go out in Felix¡¯s eyes. He didn¡¯t cry. He didn¡¯t scream. I crouched down and pulled him into my arms, holding him so tightly it hurt. But he didn¡¯t shed a single tear. He just pouted slightly, leaned against my cheek, and blew a tiny breath of air. ¡°Mommy, does it hurt?¡± He pointed at my face, then at my arm. ¡°And here¡­ does this part hurt too?¡± He looked up at me, his eyes glistening with tears he refused to let fall. I thought I was strong. I thought I wasposed. But the moment he whispered those words, all my defenses crumbled. ¡°Felix¡­¡± My voice broke. ¡°It hurts. It really, really hurts.¡± He gently patted my back¨C, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Suzanna. A photo. Explicit and vulgar¨Cshe and Foster, naked, tangled together, eyes locked, limbs entwined. It wasn¡¯t just a provocation. It was humiliation. She didn¡¯t even bother with a caption¨Cjust sent a red lips emoji. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. Saved the photo. And forwarded it straight to mywyer. The evidence I needed was in hand. Now I could take Felix and leave¨Cwhenever I wanted. Secure 9 Summer¡® POV It was thest day of the countdown. I helped Felix get dressed, then knelt to pack his favorite toys carefully into a small suitcase. Once everything was ready, we grabbed a cab and headed toward the airport. We hadn¡¯t gotten far from the Alpha House before we were stopped by Beta Sean. ¡°Luna, where are you going?¡± ¡°Taking Felix on a trip. He needs a change of scenery.¡± Sean frowned. ¡°But the Alpha said¡ª¡± ¡°Are you going to stop me?¡± I looked up at him calmly. ¡°I already spoke to your Alpha. He knows.¡± I wasn¡¯t the least bit afraid of being caught in a lie ¨C Even if Sean called Foster right now, Suzanna would intercept the call in an instant, or answer on his behalf. There¡¯s no way she¡¯d let me steal Foster¡¯s attention right now. Sean hesitated for a few seconds, then finally stepped aside. ¡°Have a safe trip, Luna.¡± I nodded, took Felix¡¯s hand, and walked toward the curb to call another cab. The sky was overcast, and the wind carried a bite of chill. But for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe freely. As we drove, Alpha Foster attempted to reach me through the mindlink. I blocked him without hesitation. I wouldn¡¯t give him another chance to shake my resolve. A string of texts followed: [Summer, what happenedst night was my fault. I lost my temper.¡¿ [I¡¯ve already apologized to Suzanna for you. From now on, maybe it¡¯s best if you and Felix avoid them when possible.] Then, two photos of elegantly wrapped gift boxes: [Got you and Felix something. I¡¯ll be home soon.) Felix leaned over and nced at the screen. His expression was so cold, it didn¡¯t belong on a five¨Cyear¨Cold. ¡°Mommy, let¡¯s go.¡± I nodded and powered off my phone. +15 BONUS We were walking into the airport terminal, preparing to check our bags when I heard a voice behind me¨Ccalm, amused, and unmistakably familiar. ¡°¡­Summer Winters?¡± I turned instinctively. Through the crowd, a man stood by the terminal windows, leaning casually against the ss, his posture rxed yetposed. The light streamed behind him, outlining his tall, athletic frame. His ck hair was slightly tousled, with a few strands falling over his forehead. But his face- Sharper than I remembered. More defined. More mature. He¡¯d gotten taller. His shoulders were broader. His features had grown more angr and striking¨Chigh cheekbones, a strong nose, and a cool, thin¨Clipped mouth. A short, neatly trimmed beard framed his jawline, adding a rugged edge to his alreadymanding presence. He wore a fitted dark gray suit, and even though the cut was formal, it couldn¡¯t hide the fact that his body underneath was all muscle and strength. His shirt was buttoned to the top, his posture straight, and his waistline sharply tailored. His long legs added to the sense of power and control that radiated off him. He didn¡¯t have to speak¨Chis presence alone drew nces from everyone passing by. He stood there like the center of gravity in the entire airport. Alpha Alexander¨Ccurrent Alpha of the ckwood Pack, the most powerful wolf pack in North America. And once¡­ my closest friend. ¡°Business. Negotiations with the Red Maple Pack nearby.¡± I didn¡¯t doubt it. He¡¯d always been the youngest, most ambitious Alpha in North America. A diplomatic meeting like that was entirely in character. Still¡­ I never imagined we¡¯d see each other again. Not after the way we ended, six years ago. We met when we were young. Every summer, I was sent to my grandmother¡¯s house for vacation, which happened to be near the ckwood territory. I ended up spending a lot of time there, and gradually, Alexander and I grew close. He brought me through the forests, ran with me across the entire territory. Those long summer afternoons and misty mountain mornings became some of my happiest memories. Later, we ended up at the same high school. Naturally, we grew even closer, Back then, I didn¡¯t understand what love was. But I knew¨CI was special to him. If I hadn¡¯t met Alpha Foster, I think¡­ I would¡¯ve bonded with Alexander. Now, standing here again, I couldn¡¯t even find a proper sentence to say. Silence stretched between us¨Cuntil he finally broke it. His gaze dropped to the small hand I was holding. His eyes darkened slightly. ¡°Is that your son?¡± I nodded. +15 BONUS He didn¡¯t ask any further. He simply said, ¡°You¡¯ve changed a lot these years.¡± I gave a small smile. ¡°You too¡­ you¡¯ve changed a lot.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± He raised an eyebrow, half amused. ¡°You mean¡­ I got better¨Clooking?¡± ¡°¡­You were already pretty handsome before,¡± I mumbled awkwardly. He gave a lowugh but didn¡¯t tease me further. Instead, his expression shifted. He looked at Felix¡¯s left eye, brows furrowing slightly. After a pause, he said- ¡°I might know someone who can help him.¡± I looked up sharply, stunned. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°I can guess what happened to Felix.¡± His tone was steady, serious. ¡°You¡¯ve probably heard¨Cckwood¡¯s medical division has been working on some advanced regenerative research. One of the programs focuses on organ reconstruction. It¡¯s not 100%, but¡­ there¡¯s a chance.¡± My heart stopped¨Cthen started racing. ¡°You mean¡­ Felix might be able to see again?¡± Alpha Alexander nodded. ¡°But only if you bring him to us. He¡¯ll need to be assessed and treated.¡± I didn¡¯t even hesitate. ¡°Yes.¡± Even the smallest chance¨CI would take it. Because he¡¯s Felix. The child I risked everything to protect. I looked down at him. He must have understood something, because he looked up at me, eyes wide. ¡°Mommy¡­ does this mean I really might see the whole world again?¡± I knelt in front of him and pulled him into my arms. ¡°Yes, baby. As long as you¡¯re willing to try, Mommy will take you there.¡± He nodded softly, his little arms wrapping around me in return. ¡°I want to try,¡± he said, his voice gentle¨Cbut firm. Secure 10 The private jet cabin was quiet and spacious. Felix satfortably in the soft leather seat, his little head turning left and right, eyes sparkling with excitement and curiosity. ¡°Mommy, this seat can give massages¨Cand there¡¯s even a little light!¡± He lowered his voice and leaned in close to my ear, whispering like it was a secret, ¡°This ne is way nicer than the ones we used to take.¡± I smiled and gently patted his head. ¡°That¡¯s because this is ckwood Pack¡¯s private aircraft. Of course it¡¯sfortable.¡± He nodded, eyes shining. ¡°So cool!¡± He nced secretly at Alexander, who was seated not far from us, then whispered again, ¡°Mom¡­ is that man the Alpha of the ckwood Pack? He¡¯s really nice to us. Nicer than Daddy.¡± I followed his gaze. Alexander sat a few seats away, flipping through a stack of contract papers. His expression was calm, focused. His presence steady and grounded. I paused for a moment, then answered softly, ¡°He was Mommy¡¯s best friend when I was little.¡± Felix gave a quiet ¡°Oh,¡± clearly satisfied with that answer. He shifted in myp, resting his head gently on my shoulder. ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m kinda tired.¡± I rubbed his back lightly and whispered, ¡°Then take a nap, sweetheart. We still have a bit of flying ahead.¡± He slowly closed his eyes in my arms. And as I looked out at the sea of clouds rushing past the window, for the first time in what felt like forever, a sense of peace settled into my heart. Foster¡¯s POV Thadn¡¯t slept all night. 1 By the time I got home, the sky was just beginning to lighten. ¡°Summer? Felix? I¡¯m home.¡± The vi echoed with silence. A creeping sense of dread began to rise in my chest. I tried to reach her through the mindlink¨Cbut it was blocked. My throat tightened. A terrible thought started forming in my mind. I pulled out my phone to call her, but before I could dial, a call came in from the hospital. ¡°Alpha Foster¨Cbad news. Luna has discovered the truth. The legal notice just arrived at the hospital¡­¡± I hung up immediately and dialed Summer¡¯s number. Two rings. Then the automated voice message: ¡°The number you¡¯re calling has been turned off.¡± I opened our chat and typed: [Summer, where are you?] ¡¾I know this is hard to ept, but can we talk?] ¡¾I¡¯m sorry. I was wrong. Tell me where you are¨CI¡¯lle get you.¡¿ Every second of waiting felt like torture. She used to reply within ten seconds. Now¡­ it was like she had vanished. I could still feel the sting of yesterday¡¯s p on my palm. I could still see the hatred and despair in her eyes. I should¡¯ve known then- I had truly broken her heart. I rushed upstairs, taking three steps at a time, and threw open the master bedroom door. ¡°Summer¡­¡± The room was empty. I opened the closet with trembling hands. Her side was already cleaned out. She was gone. She had taken everything¨Cincluding Felix¡¯s things. As I turned around, something underfoot caught and jolted me. I looked down. A diamond ringy quietly on the floor, its shine piercing my eyes like a de. It was the one I bought for our third anniversary, in Zurich. I had told her, ¡°My love for you is like this diamond¨Cforever brilliant.¡± How ironic. The diamond still sparkled. But my heart¨Cand our marriage¨Chad turned to dust. +15 BONUS I bent down to pick it up, but before I could, I heard the sound of heels behind me. Suzanna had entered without me noticing. She stepped forward, picked up the ring with practiced ease, and slipped it onto her finger. She smiled. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful, Alpha Foster. Don¡¯t you think?¡± I stared at the ring¨Cher fingers¨Cmy chest tightening. ¡°Take it off,¡± I said, my voice hoarse and cold. She froze, smile faltering. She tried to speak, but no words came out. ¡°I said, take it off.¡± This time, I used my Alpha tone. She paled, lowered her eyes, and slowly twisted the ring off. She passed it back to me, and I clenched it in my fist. The cold metal bit into my skin, a sharp reminder that all of this¡­ was real. Secure 11 I turned to leave- But then I heard something at the end of the hallway. From Felix¡¯s room. I walked over, pushed the door open. Moore was sitting cross¨Clegged in the middle of the plush carpet, carefully building a small block city. It was the birthday gift I had given Felix. ¡°Daddy!¡± Moore¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Can you help me build? I want to make it really tall!¡± Then he looked up at me, hesitant. ¡°Also¡­ can I live in this room?¡± A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. Justst month, Felix had looked up at me the same way. ¡°Daddy, will you build with me?¡± And what did I say? ¡°Daddy¡¯s busy. Later.¡± Butter never came. Because my attention was always on Suzanna and her son. I ignored Felix over and over again. ¡°This room doesn¡¯t belong to you,¡± I said, my voice raw. ¡°Get out.¡± Moore blinked, confused. ¡°Daddy?¡± ¡°I said get out!¡± I snapped. ¡°And don¡¯t ever set foot in this room again!¡± Tears welled up in his eyes. He took a step back, frightened. ¡°Alpha Foster!¡± Suzanna rushed in, shielding Moore in her arms. ¡°Do you even realize how terrifying your tone just was?!¡± ¡°Crash-!¡± The block city copsed. Pieces scattered across the floor. +15 BONUS +15 BONUS Among the mess, a small y figurine rolled to a stop at my feet. I froze. It was the one we made together at Felix¡¯s first parent¨Cchild activity. He had held it up proudly that day, saying: ¡°This is Daddy. This is Mommy. And this is me.¡± I even joked: ¡°Then you better keep it safe. The three of us have to stay together forever.¡± Now the little sculpture was cracked in two- Like a silent mockery of everything I once promised. I couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. I sank to the floor, covered my face, and broke down in tears. I had lost them. ¡°Alpha Foster¡­¡± Suzanna¡¯s voice came from beside me. She crouched down, gently cing a hand on my shoulder. ¡°I know this is hard. But you still have me. And Moore. Luna Summer and Felix leaving might be a good thing for you¡ª¡± Disgust surged in my chest. I shoved her hand away, my voice a growl. ¡°Get out.¡± At that moment, a low voice echoed from the doorway. ¡°Alpha. You¡¯re back.¡± I turned sharply, eyes zing. Sean stood at the door, his expression torn. 1 stormed over, grabbed his cor, and mmed him against the frame. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?!¡± ¡°Alpha-¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me Summer took Felix and left?!¡± My roar shook the hallway. Suzanna wentpletely silent. Sean¡¯s voice was steady, but low. ¡°We tried to contact you immediately¡­ but you had blocked the mindlink.¡± I froze. Last night shed through my mind- The dim lights in the suite. Suzanna¡¯s bare shoulders. Her whispers in my ear. Yes. I had cut off the mindlink on purpose¨Cso I could ¡°rx.¡± The realization made my stomach churn. I nearly threw up. ¡°Alpha?¡± Sean asked cautiously. I didn¡¯t respond. I leaned against the wall, crushed under the weight of regret. Summer¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I finally understood- I had driven them away with my own hands. Just then, Aksher¡¯s voice growled in my head. ¡°Pathetic. What good are your tears now?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re still an Alpha, go get her back. Don¡¯t just sit here.¡± He was right. I took a deep breath and straightened up. ¡°Sean. Pull the passenger manifests for all outbound flights in thest three hours. Now.¡± Sean¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± He turned and left immediately. I slowly turned back to Suzanna, my expression ice¨Ccold. ¡°You and your son. Out of the Alpha House. Now.¡± Her eyes widened, color draining from her face. ¡°What?¡± she whispered. ¡°Alpha Foster, what are you saying? You can¡¯t-¡± ¡°Guards!¡± I barked. My voice cut through the air like a de. ¡°Come in. Pack up their things. I want them gone within thirty minutes.¡± Two Omega servants pushed the door open, bowed, and nodded. ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± I didn¡¯t look at her again. I lowered my eyes, staring at the ring in my palm. No matter how far she¡¯s gone- I¡¯ll bring her back. Even if I have to risk everything. Secure 12 Summer¡¯s POV As soon as the ne touched down and I powered on my phone, the notification chime went off like a machine gun, threatening to shred myst nerve. The screen lit up with dozens of missed calls and voice messages¨Cevery single one from Alpha Foster. He¡¯d been blowing up my phone sincest night, sending a message almost every hour: At 7 PM, his first ¡°apology¡°: ¡¾Summer,st night was my fault. I lost control.] [I bought gifts for you and Felix. I¡¯ming home soon.] By 8 PM, desperation crept in: [Summer, why can¡¯t I reach you?] ¡¾Where are you and Felix? Please, just reply. I¡¯m worried.] By 10 PM, the mask came off: [Summer, I really messed up. Don¡¯t ignore me, please. I can exin everything¡­] ¡¾Come home. I can¡¯t live without you¡­ without Felix.] Voice messages flooded W******p, each one a full 60 seconds long¨Clike they were trying to drag me back from the edge I was finally escaping. I frowned, disgusted, and shoved the phone back into my bag. Every word he sent was a cruel reminder of how foolish I¡¯d been¨Chow I was the one who led Felix and myself into that abyss. If the divorce wasn¡¯t still pending, I would¡¯ve blocked him ages ago. ¡°Was that Alpha Foster?¡± came a deep, smooth voice from the driver¡¯s seat. I looked up and caught Alexander¡¯s gaze in the rearview mirror. His emerald eyes were full of concern. I tried to keep my tone steady. ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Do you want me to step in?¡± he asked gently, his voice calm but carrying a steel¨Clike resolve. I nced down at the sleeping little boy in my arms¨Ceven in sleep, his darkshes quivered slightly¨Cand shook my head. ¡°No. I can handle it. You¡¯ve already done more than enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll never see helping you as a burden, Summer.¡± His words were like thunder cracking through my chest. I couldn¡¯t breathe. I thought he¡¯d moved on. After everything, after we both walked away so cleanly, I believed whatever had once connected us had long withered. But the way he said my name¡­ it didn¡¯t feel distant at all. I didn¡¯t know how to respond. I didn¡¯t even want to consider the possibility of developing feelings for anyone again. Alpha Foster had shattered my heart into pieces¨Cit would take time to heal. Thank god for Felix. ¡°Mommy?¡± Felix stirred in my arms, rubbing his eyes groggily. ¡°Are we there yet?¡± I let out a breath, grateful for the interruption. ¡°Almost, baby. Just rest a little longer.¡± As we crossed the mountain ridge, the ckwood territory finally came into view. I had never seen anything so breathtaking. The ckwood Packhouse wasn¡¯t a house¨Cit was a fortress. A masterpiece carved from earth and sky. ssical limestone columns stood side by side with sleek ss facades¨Ccontrasting, yet somehow harmonious. The setting sun cast golden light over its metal trim, making the structure glow with quiet authority. Inside, polished marble floors reflected the warm light beneath our feet. A massive crystal chandelier hung overhead. Priceless artwork adorned the walls. The air smelled of luxury¡­ and of Alexander. ¡°This way,¡± Alpha Alexander said, guiding us through hallway after hallway, all while eyes followed us. Every Omega. Every warrior. Every unmated wolf¡­ They were all watching me. Watching Felix. ¡°Summer Winster?¡± A surprised male voice called out. I turned to see Beta Ethan striding toward me, handsome features lit up with shock and delight.¡°It really is you!¡± Before I could react, he pulled me into a warm hug. ¡°It¡¯s been so long.¡± I smiled and hugged him back. ¡°Yeah, it has.¡± And then I felt it¨Cthat burning gaze behind me. I turned to find Alexander watching us, his expression unreadable, lips tightly pressed together, his eyes practically nailing Ethan¡¯s arm in ce. Was he¡­ jealous? ¡°Ahem.¡± Alexander cleared his throat, his voice tinged with something subtle and sharp. ¡°Let me show you to your room.¡± X Ch Secure 13 apter 13 Chapter 13 He gently ced a hand on the small of my back. The touch was barely there, but it sent an electric jolt through me. His warmth seeped through the fabric of my shirt, making my heart race. We turned a corner, and Alexander opened a carved oak door. I held my breath. The suite was stunning. A wall of floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows revealed rolling hills bathed in moonlight. Velvet curtains shimmered in the soft glow of crystal sconces. The king¨Csized bed was dressed in pristine Egyptian cotton, inviting and impossibly plush. ¡°The bathroom¡¯s to your left,¡± Alexander said, gesturing to a marble¨Cd doorway. ¡°An Omega wille up to help you settle in. If you need anything¡­¡± He hesitated, and a flicker of something passed over his face.¡°Call me. Anytime.¡± I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. ¡°Thank you, Alexander.¡± ¡°You know you never have to thank me,¡± he said softly, reaching out to ruffle my hair like he used to. The familiar gesture shattered something inside me. Tears welled up before I could stop them. My shoulders trembled as I looked down. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± I whispered. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have pushed you away. If I had handled things differently, maybe¡­¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Without hesitation, he pulled me into his arms¨Cwrapping me in strength and warmth. One hand cradled the back of my head, the other stroked slowly down my spine. ¡°It¡¯s over. Let the past stay in the past.¡± I leaned into him, burying my face in his button¨Cup shirt. His scent¨Ccedar andvender¨Cwrapped around me, taking me back to a simpler, happier time. I don¡¯t know how long we stayed like that. Slowly, my sobs subsided. But every second, his body heat, his scent, his heartbeat against my cheek¨Cit all felt too close. Too intimate. Damn it, why did it feel so good to fall into his arms again? Then I noticed the damp patch on his shirt from my tears. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry I ruined your shirt.¡± I tried to pull away, but his arms only tightened. ¡°Summer¡­¡± His voice was rough and low, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°You think I care about a shirt?¡± My heart skipped a beat. His fingers brushed against the back of my neck, sending a shiver down my spine. ¡°What I care about¡­¡± he paused, his other hand wiping thest of my tears away, ¡°is why you were crying.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± I looked up at him, only to be caught in those deep, burning eyes. They were too intense. I looked away quickly. ¡°It¡¯ste. I should get cleaned up. You should rest too.¡± He let me go, but just before he stepped away, his fingers lightly grazed my chin¨Cas if he needed onest touch. ¡°Goodnight, Summer.¡± I practically fled into the room, pulling the heavy door shut behind me. Leaning back against it, I could feel my heart thudding. My ears, my cheeks, even my corbone felt like they were on fire. ¡°Mommy, why is your face all red?¡± Felix asked from the velvet armchair, blinking sleepily. ¡°You look like a tomato.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ probably just a little warm,¡± I said, forcing augh and pressing a hand to my burning cheek. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get you ready for bed.¡± He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. I grabbed his overnight bag and led him to the bathroom. Once he was clean and tucked under the downforter, I leaned over to kiss his forehead. ¡°Sleep well, baby.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Mommy.¡± He yawned wide and drifted off almost instantly. ¡¤ I climbed into the massive bed on the other side, but sleep didn¡¯te. Alexander¡¯s voice, his expression, his scent¨Cit kept looping in my head like a stuck record. Cedar andvender still clung to the air around me. I turned over with a frustrated sigh. If Alpha Alexander¡­ God, I really wish my wolf was awake. She would know what to do. Secure 14 Alexander¡¯s POV The moment the water touched my skin, a biting chill cut straight through me, like a de slicing into my bare soul. The cold coursed down my spine, dousing the wildfire of desire that had been raging inside me¨Cat least for now. With a sweep of my arms, I glided through the water, my body slicing clean lines beneath the surface. Ripples shimmered beneath the moonlight, casting sharp shadows over the water¨Cbroad shoulders, chiseled chest, and defined abs surfaced and submerged again like a predator moving through the night. If there were any females standing on the edge of the pool right now, they wouldn¡¯t be able to tear their eyes away. The weaker¨Cwilled ones? They¡¯d be soaked just from looking. After all, I¡¯m every she¨Cwolf¡¯s fantasy¨CAlexander ckwood, current Alpha of the ckwood Pack and the highest¨Cranking Alpha in the North American Council. The most powerful resources of thergest wolf pack in the world are under mymand. But I don¡¯t care about any of them. The only one I¡¯ve ever wanted is Summer. She was the flutter in my chest when I was young. Even though we¡¯re not fated mates, my wolf chose her when I first caught her scent at seventeen. I thought we¡¯d bond, build a life, raise a pup together. But that dream shattered the night of the Moonlight Festival, when she met Alpha Foster¨Cthat bastard who never even looked at her properly. She knew he didn¡¯t love her. Still, like a moth to me, she threw herself into his arms. When she told me she was going to marry him, I nearly lost my mind. We fought, tore each other apart. The connection we once shared splintered into pieces, and I swore I¡¯d never say her name again. But when I saw her at the airport, I realized¨CI never let her go. She¡¯s not the same Summer she used to be. She¡¯s thinner now, her eyes dimmer, a shadow clinging to her that won¡¯t let go. The proud, radiant woman I once knew¨Cgone. I didn¡¯t ask questions. I just told Ethan to dig. Before the ne even left the tarmac, I had him activate our most discreet intelwork. I needed to know what happened during the six years she vanished from my life. My wolf growled, yanking me out of my thoughts. [You should be on your knees at her feet, licking her wounds, not in here trying to suppress your instincts.] [I can¡¯t,] I gritted my teeth, jaw clenched tight as my Adam¡¯s apple bobbed. [She¡¯s still healing. If I go to her now, I¡¯ll scare her away.] [That¡¯s bullshit,] my wolf snarled. [She wants you. I can feel it.] My fingers curled into fists, grabbing the towel beside me and wringing it hard. I thought of holding her earlier, how that long- lost closeness had surged through me like electricity. My cock had hardened instantly, thick and aching with need. My wolf had howled in my head, begging me to pin her against the wall, to mark her, to take her¨Cmake her mine again. Make her my Luna. But I didn¡¯t. I couldn¡¯t. I was terrified of chasing her off again. I could¡¯ve summoned anypliant she¨Cwolf in the pack to my bed within fifteen minutes, as I had on countless other nights. But I didn¡¯t. +15 BONUS Because she was here. Under this roof. So I swam. Again and again, trying to burn off the desire boiling in my blood. My wolf growled in frustration. [Coward. Keep stalling like this, and another male will slip in.) ¡°I won¡¯t let anyone touch her,¡± I snarled under my breath. ¡°But I won¡¯t hurt her either.¡± ¡°Alpha.¡± Ethan¡¯s voice rang from the edge of the pool, cutting through my sh with my wolf. I opened my eyes and turned to him. He stood tall in a ck suit, expression grim, a thick folder in his hand. ¡°The report¡¯s ready.¡± He handed it to me, his voice as calm as ever, but I could see the fury burning beneath his eyes. I climbed out of the water, wrapped a towel around my waist, and took the folder. Droplets slid from my chest onto the cover as I flipped it open, my fingers trembling. Her life in the Silver Creek Pack was appalling. All of her assets had been seized by the Foster family. Her title as Luna? Nothing but a hollow name. She wasn¡¯t even listed in the council registry. Not once had she been allowed to represent the pack. She was treated like furniture¨Cno, less than that. Even low¨Cranking Omega servants had more presence than her. ¡°This is real?¡± My voice came out low, a rasp scraped from the depths of my throat, each word edged with barely contained rage. Ethan nodded, his eyes heavy. ¡°Confirmed by multiple sources within the pack. On the surface, Silver Creek appears legitimate, but under the table, they¡¯re dealing in ck market trades. And the worst part-¡± He flipped to the next page, pausing. ¡°You need to read this yourself.¡± I looked down. My eyes scanned the densely printed lines, and my fingers tightened, knuckles turning white. During her pregnancy, Alpha Foster had administered high¨Cdose suppressants to regte her heat and hormone cycles, deliberately destabilizing fetal development. She suffered a miscarriagest year¨Cprematurebor¨Cbut was denied any proper recovery time. Instead, she was forced to continue fulfilling administrative duties within the pack. My chest split open. A raw, bleeding wound. ¡°He¡¯s a dead man,¡± I growled, the sound torn from deep within my chest. It was harsh, primal¨Cthick with rage. My wolf echoed with a snarl. [Tear out his throat. Now.] I forced myself to breathe, clenching my fists until the folder crumpled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Ethan said coldly, his voice like frost creeping across winter ss. ¡°Alpha Foster will pay for this. But you need to stay focused. She¡¯s not free of him yet¡­ Not legally.¡± ¡°We have the best legal team in the world,¡± I said, voice like ice. ¡°She¡¯ll get her divorce. I can wait. But this time, I¡¯m not letting her go.¡± This time, I¡¯ll make sure the world knows- She¡¯s mine. Forever. +15 BONUS Chapter 15 Secure 15 Chapter 15 Summer¡¯s POV I barely slept a wink. When I finally drifted off, the sky was already beginning to lighten. The ceiling above me was unfamiliar and white. The room held none of my scent, none of my presence. For a split second, I was disoriented¨Cuntil I remembered. I was in Alpha Alexander¡¯s territory. I was still trying to gather my thoughts when a small body suddenlyunched itself onto the bed. ¡°Mommy!¡± Felix squealed, diving under the covers with a burst of energy only a child could summon. His little arms wrapped around my neck, and his scent¨Cwarm oatmeal and wildflower honey¨Csoothed something feral deep inside me. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake!¡± I pressed a kiss to his tousled hair. ¡°Good morning, sweetheart.¡± A soft knock on the door interrupted our moment. A female Omega stepped in¨Celegant,posed, her posture respectful. ¡°Good morning, Miss Winston,¡± she said with a gentle smile. ¡°Breakfast has been prepared in the dining room.¡± 1 After washing up, Felix and I followed her. The ckwood Pack¡¯s dining hall looked like something out of a lifestyle magazine. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting golden halos over a long obsidian hardwood table. The ce settings were already arranged: pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, soft¨Cboiled eggs, saut¨¦ed mushrooms, crispy bacon, thick¨Ccut sausages, a pot of freshly brewed coffee, and a bottle of warm milk. Alexander sat at the head of the table. Beside him, stoic as ever, was Ethan. Felix mbered into his seat, already reaching for a pancake. Pure, innocent joy lit up his face. ¡°Mommy, aren¡¯t you eating?¡± he asked between bites, staring up at me with his puppy¨Cdog eyes. I forced a smile and picked up a piece of toast, chewing slowly. But my stomach was a tight knot. Every bite felt like swallowing ss. A sense of dread coiled around me. My entire body was screaming a silent warning. After breakfast, we were going to the hospital. And I knew¨Cthis wasn¡¯t going to be a routine check¨Cup. What if the truth was worse? What if he could never see again? ¡°Hey. Come back to earth.¡± Alexander¡¯s voice cut through the storm swirling in my head. ¡°Breathe, Summer. Don¡¯t spiral.¡± He was looking right at me, steady and calm. ¡°ckwood has the most advanced medical facility in North America.¡± There was something about his voice- so grounding, so sure that I actually telt a hint of peace. I nodded and sipped my coffee, using its bitterness to keep myself awake. +15 BONUS After breakfast, we drove to the ckwood International Medical Center¨Ca breathtaking building of ss and steel, equipped with the most cutting¨Cedge technology in the world. ¡°Miss Winster, we¡¯re ready to begin Felix¡¯s initial data intake and full diagnostic testing,¡± the doctor said, approaching with a professional yet kind smile. ¡°I assure you, he¡¯ll be perfectly safe throughout the process.¡± 1 Felix squeezed my hand tightly and whispered, ¡°Mommy, I¡¯m not scared.¡± I ran my fingers through his hair, feeling my chest ache. I should be the oneforting him, but instead, he wasforting me. ¡°You¡¯re so brave, sweetheart,¡± I said softly, choking back tears. He grinned up at me, his soft hair brushing against my cheek. A nurse gently took his hand and led him through the frosted ss doors. As soon as he disappeared, the silence copsed over me like a wave. I sat frozen on the cold silver bench, hands restless in myp, rubbing my palms together in a futile attempt to dispel the anxiety buzzing in my bones. Every minute dragged like an eternity. My heartbeat was deafening in my ears. What if he never saw again? 1 Was his life already irreversibly changed? ¡°Summer.¡± His voice found me again. Alexander sat beside me, his hand enveloping mine. His palm was warm, rough, grounding. ¡°We¡¯ll find a way,¡± he said gently, voice low but unwavering. That quiet certainty had always been part of him. ¡°You¡¯re not alone in this.¡± I nodded, inhaling shakily. Then the door opened. The doctor stepped into the corridor. His expression spoke volumes before he even said a word. ¡°Miss Winston,¡± he began, his tone formal, eyes solemn, ¡°we¡¯vepleted the scans. Felix¡¯s eyes were surgically removed. The optic nerve damage is severe.¡± (1 +15 BONUS Chapter 16 No. Secure 16 Chapter 16 No. No, no, no. It felt like I¡¯d been shot. I lurched backward, knees giving out¨Cbut strong arms caught me before I could fall. Alpha Alexander. His scent wrapped around me¨Ccedar andvender. He held me close, my face pressed against his solid chest. His heartbeat- steady and deep¨Canchored me as panic threatened to consume me. ¡°Breathe, Summer,¡± he whispered, voice like velvet over steel. ¡°I¡¯m here.¡± ¡°What do we do?¡± I rasped, trembling. ¡°How do we fix this?¡± The doctor pulled up a scan on his tablet. ¡°We can attempt ocr reconstruction. Combined with neural stimtion therapy, there¡¯s a 30% chance of restoring vision- or at least partial function. But¡­ we need to begin treatment immediately.¡± Thirty percent. The number sliced through me like a de. ¡°He¡¯s just a child,¡± I whispered, my voice breaking. ¡°Stay calm,¡± Alpha Alexander said behind me, firm yet warm. ¡°You¡¯re not alone, remember? I¡¯ll handle everything.¡± I took a deep breath and stepped into the recovery room. Felixy on the hospital bed, surrounded by machines and tubes¨Cbut still wearing that innocent, unshakeable smile. I walked to his bedside and took his tiny hand. ¡°If you keep being this brave,¡± I said, brushing his cheek, ¡°Mommy promises¨Cwe¡¯ll fix your eyes. We will, I swear.¡± ¡°I know we will!¡± he beamed. ¡°Especially with Alpha Alexander helping!¡± God. His trust broke me. I looked over at Alpha Alexander. He smiled¨Ca rare, soft smile¨Cas he walked to the bed and gently ruffled Felix¡¯s hair. ¡°You¡¯re right, little guy,¡± he said warmly. ¡°We¡¯re going to help you see the world again.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Felix¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Then can we y basketball together when I get better?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± Alpha Alexander said withplete sincerity. ¡°I¡¯ll teach you everything you want to learn.¡± ¡°Awesome!¡± Felix cheered, ¡°Mommy, did you hear that? I won¡¯t have to y alone anymore!¡± His voice was filled with pure joy and longing. I forced a smile and stroked his hair, blinking back tears. ¡°I heard you, baby,¡± I whispered. But inside, my heart clenched. Thadn¡¯t realized just how lonely he was. +15 BONUS In his tiny world, there was only me. Soon after, under the influence of the medication, Felix drifted off to sleep¨Cstill smiling. Alpha Alexander and I stepped quietly out of the room, closing the door behind us. I stopped outside the ss window, pressing my palms against the cold surface, eyes locked on the too¨Cwhite hospital bed. My child. So small. So fragile. Surrounded by IV lines, monitors, machines¨Clike he was being circled by silent predators. Tears came hard and fast, scalding my cheeks and blurring my vision. I hated Foster. He didn¡¯t deserve to be called a father. Then, a warm handnded gently on my shoulder. ¡°You okay?¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was low and tender, almost hesitant. I didn¡¯t answer, just sniffled and nodded slightly. ¡°Summer,¡± he murmured, turning me to face him. He leaned down a little, his gaze soft but unwavering. ¡°Let me help you.¡± I looked into his eyes¨Cthose deep emerald eyes¨Cand felt something stir. This time, I didn¡¯t shake my head. ¡°Thank you, Alpha Alexander.¡± I knew I needed his strength. Now more than ever. ¡°And¡­¡± I hesitated, ¡°thank you for what you said to Felix. He¡­ he was really happy.¡± Alpha Alexander¡¯s expression softened. ¡°I really like him.¡± My heart skipped. That wasn¡¯t¡­ ordinary. In fact, it was rare, Alphas are territorial by nature. Possessive by instinct. They rarely take to someone else¡¯s child. But Alpha Alexander- he did it effortlessly. Genuinely. I couldn¡¯t let my mind go there, Some thoughts, once entertained, can¡¯t be undone. Just then, my phone buzzed. A message from mywyer: The divorce papers have been delivered. We expect confirmation of receipt by tomorrow morning. I wiped my tears, fingers trembling as I replied: Thank you. Soon, I thought, I¡¯ll have nothing more to do with Alpha Foster. Secure 17 Chapter 17 Foster¡¯s POV The doctor paced the room, his footsteps restless and sharp, every movement reeking of anxiety and frustration. His voice trembled, no longer able to mask his panic. ¡°I told you from the beginning¨Cthis was too risky! We were never going to keep this under wraps! And now? What the hell are we supposed to do?¡± I stood by the window, taking a deep breath. The cold seeped in through the condensation¨Cfrosted ss, chilling me to the bone. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged an exit route,¡± I said quietly. ¡°Take the money and disappear. The faster, the better. Don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯t talk.¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m an idiot?¡± He stopped pacing and red at me with bloodshot eyes. ¡°If I run now, it¡¯ll only confirm everything! You nned this, didn¡¯t you? You¡¯re setting me up to take the fall!¡± I turned my head slowly, cold fury settling into my expression. ¡°If that¡¯s what I wanted, do you really think you¡¯d still be standing here?¡± Crossing my arms over my chest, I let the ice in my voice sink in. ¡°You¡¯ve got enough skeletons in your closet tond you ten years in prison. Don¡¯t test me.¡± His face drained of color, but his mouth kept moving. ¡°Luna Summer¡¯s already filed charges¨Cagainst all of us. Not just me. You included. Even the kid. When this blows up, you think you¡¯lle out clean?¡± Before I could respond, the door mmed open. ¡°What did I just hear?! That bitch is suing us?!¡± Suzanna stormed in, heels clicking like gunshots on the tile floor. Her makeup was wless, but her eyes screamed panic. The moment I saw her, disgust rose in my throat. She shouldn¡¯t be here¨Cespecially now. It was her mouth, her need to unt, that ruined everything. If we¡¯d just stayed quiet, kept it low¡­ maybe, just maybe, we could¡¯ve gotten away with it. My voice turned to ice. ¡°You really want the whole building to hear you screeching like that?¡± ¡°I¨CI didn¡¯t mean to,¡± she stammered, instantly shifting her tone, tears sparkling in her eyes as she moved toward me. ¡°Alpha Foster, Moore¡¯s still so small. I can¡¯t go to jail. You have to fix this¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t even reach her,¡± I muttered. ¡°Even if I wanted to talk, she¡¯s gone.¡± Her face twisted. ¡°I don¡¯t care! This was your n, your decision. You and that doctor aren¡¯t pinning this on me. If I go down, you both go with me.¡± The doctor snapped. ¡°Oh, give me a break, Suzanna! None of this would¡¯ve happened without you. You wanted to save Moore. That¡¯s why we did it in the first ce!¡± My fists clenched tight. She acted like we were pawns¨Ctools to be used. And now that it¡¯s falling apart, she wants to wash her hands of it. ¡°When they dig through this, you won¡¯t walk away clean,¡± I said coldly. ¡°Your son¡¯s eye transnt¨Cwhose name is on the donor record? Who performed the surgery? You think you¡¯re untouchable?¡± Her face twisted into a snarl. She grabbed a ss off the table and hurled it at the doctor. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault! I didn¡¯t force you to break thew¨Cyou did it yourselves!¡± +15 BONUS ¡°You-¡± the doctor growled, but I cut them both off. I was done. Done with the shouting, the me, the chaos. ¡°Enough,¡± I snapped. ¡°Suzanna.¡± She froze, eyes wide. Then came the tears. She crawled to my feet, clutching the hem of my jacket like some pathetic, broken thing. ¡°Alpha Foster, I¡¯m just scared¡­ I¡¯ll do anything if you make this go away. Anything¡­¡± Her voice trembled,ced with desperation and something darker. I nearly gagged. There was a time I thought she was everything. I gave up Summer for her. Lost everything for her. And in return? When the walls started to close in, she was the first to throw us all to the wolves. I shoved her hand away, straightened my jacket, and spoke slowly, clearly. ¡°If you really want my help, get out of my sight.¡± I didn¡¯t look back as I left the room. Outside, the sky was a thick, angry gray¨Cclouds churning like the storm in my chest. I dragged myself into my own office, barely had time to sit before my Beta knocked. He handed me a courier envelope. I took it without thinking¨Cuntil I saw the sender¡¯s name. Summer Winster. 1 Her name hit me like a punch to the gut. A flicker of foolish hope sparked in my chest. Was she finally agreeing to meet? Did she want to talk things through? I opened the envelope- And froze. Inside was a stack of documents. Stamped. Signed. Final. Divorce papers. The answer I¡¯d been waiting for, from a marriage long dead. Final Irrevocable, Over Secure 18 Chapter 18 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS I had been staying at the hospital with Felix for seven days straight. The scent of antiseptic had seeped into my skin, and the cold white lights overhead made my eyes feel dry and strained. I hardly left the stiff, narrow visitor¡¯s chair beside his bed, only returning home briefly to shower and change clothes when absolutely necessary. ¡°You¡¯ve been here for days without a break,¡± Alexander said softly, his arm wrapping gently around my shoulders as he coaxed me to my feet. ¡°Today, I¡¯m taking you somewhere.¡± My instinct was to refuse¨CI didn¡¯t want to be even a step away from Felix. But Alexander¡¯s hand enclosed mine with patient firmness. ¡°Felix is stable for now. The nurses will watch over him. You need fresh air, Summer. Please. Just for a few hours.¡± The concern in his eyes made it impossible to say no. And maybe¡­ maybe he was right. I needed to breathe something other than antiseptic and grief. ¡°Okay,¡± I said quietly, ¡°But we have to be back in time for dinner.¡± He smiled¨Cthat familiar, heart¨Cwrenching smile that made my chest tighten unexpectedly. We drove away from the medical center, weaving through dense pine forests. Alexander¡¯s ck Range Rover rolled smoothly over the soft forest path. The windows were down, allowing the breeze to sweep in, carrying with it the scent of pine and wildflowers. Eventually, he pulled over in front of a break in the trees that opened into a clearing. ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± I blinked, stunned by what I saw. This ce- ¡°Do you remember this?¡± he asked, his voice low and gentle. How could I forget? Our secret ce. The hidden waterfall and pool we¡¯d discovered over a decade ago before he became Alpha, before I ever met Foster, before everything becameplicated. It had been our sanctuary. The waterfall still cascaded elegantly from the rocks above, crashing into the granite below and sending up a mist of cool droplets. The trees had grown taller than I remembered, but the patch of grass where we onceid out a pic nket was still there, lush and green. ¡°You remember¡­¡± I murmured, warmth blossoming painfully in my chest. ¡°I remember everything about this ce,¡± Alexander said, his gaze soft, ¡°Everything about you. There was something in his voice that made my heart tighten. Memories I had forced myself to bury came rushing back¨Cusughing here, dreaming aloud, making promises only the young and hopeful would believe in¡­ ¡°Come on,¡± he said, taking my hand gently and leading me toward that familiar patch of grass. He opened the trunk and pulled out a plenic basket, surprising me. Inside were fruits, sandwiches, chocte, and a bottle of red wine. Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, scattering mosale patterns across the grass, wrapping the moment in a golden warmth as if time had folded back on itself. Alexander opened the wine and poured it into two crystal sses. The deep red liquid sparkled like ga under the sun. He handed me a ss, and we gently clinked them together. The rich aroma of wine lingered in the air between us. ¡°Try the sandwich,¡± he said, sliding the te toward me with that familiar glint in his eye. ¡°Do you remember your favoritebo? Ham, cheese, and cucumber.¡± I couldn¡¯t help but smile. I picked one up and took a bite. The taste was just right¨Cperfect, the way I remembered it. He grabbed one too and, true to form, devoured half of it in a single bite. Some things never change. We sat in afortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The sound of the waterfall created the perfect rhythm in the background. He peeled an orange and handed me a slice, the citrusy scent blooming gently between our fingers. ¡°Sum,¡± he said suddenly, using that old nickname only he ever dared to use, brushing a trace of wine from the corner of his mouth, ¡°Do you remember thest time we were here?¡± Of course I remembered. It was the day before we went to the Moonlight Festival. I sipped my wine, letting the warmth slide down my throat. ¡°I meant to tell you something that day¡­¡± His voice was low, edged with an emotion I couldn¡¯t quite name. He tapped the rim of his ss with his index finger, then added, ¡°I was going to¡­¡± ¡°Alex,¡± I interrupted gently, cing my half¨Ceaten sandwich back on the te, ¡°That was a long time ago.¡® He looked at me, his gaze so intense I had to look away. I reached for a grape and popped it into my mouth, the sweetness bursting across my tongue. ¡°Give me your hand,¡± he said softly, setting his ss aside. When I offered it, he ced something small and cool in my palm. A smooth, green¨Cblue river stone¨Coddly shaped, but unmistakable. ¡°You kept this?¡± I whispered, recognizing it instantly. I had found it on my fourteenth birthday, the day I called it my ¡®lucky stone.¡® 2/2 Secure 19 ¡°I¡¯ve always kept it,¡± he said, his fingers brushing mine. The touch sent a shiver through me. ¡°Just like I¡¯ve always kept my memories of you.¡± The mountain breeze tousled my hair. Alexander reached out and gently tucked a strand behind my ear, his fingertips grazing my cheek. I froze. He frowned slightly, his hand lingering near my neck. ¡°Summer¡­ I can¡¯t smell your wolf. What happened?¡± My breath caught. I hadn¡¯t expected him to notice¨Cat least not so soon. ¡°I¡­¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°My wolf¡­ she¡¯s gone.¡± ¡°What?¡± His voice turned sharp, rmed. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Since the night of the rogue attack,¡± I said quietly, ¡°She vanished. I don¡¯t know what Alpha Foster injected me with, but¡­ ever since then, she¡¯s been silent. I can¡¯t feel her anymore.¡± Alexander¡¯s hand clenched into a fist, his knuckles whitening. His eyes darkened with barely restrained fury. ¡°That bastard,¡± he growled, voice shaking with rage. ¡°I¡¯ll kill him. I swear, I¡¯ll break his neck slowly¨Cmake him understand ¡°Alex-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tear him apart,¡± he snarled, his voice no longer entirely human. The edge of his Alpha wolf was surfacing¨Cwild, vengeful, dangerous. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± I grabbed his hand, holding it tightly. ¡°Please. Violence won¡¯t fix this.¡± He turned to me, gold flickering in his irises. His wolf was close to the surface, desperate to avenge me. ¡°Alexander, look at me.¡± I spoke gently but firmly. ¡°I¡¯m here. Felix is here. We need you. Not your rage.¡± Our eyes locked. After a long pause, his breathing began to slow. The gold in his eyes faded. ¡°You¡¯ve always had a way of calming me,¡± he murmured, voice raspy. ¡°Even back then.¡± The tension eased. He led me to the riverbank where we took off our shoes and dipped our feet into the icy water. Just like we used to when we were teens. He picked up a t stone and skipped it across the surface. ¡°Ha! Five skips!¡± he said triumphantly, grinning as water sshed up. ¡°Cheater!¡± I used,ughing despite myself. I bent down, scooped a handful of water, and sshed him. He feigned shock and retaliated. Soon, we wereughing like children, soaked and breathless. I hadn¡¯tughed like that in years. It felt foreign but right. At some point, he stepped closer, the space between us shrinking until there was nothing but the sound of our ragged breathing. Alexander reached out, brushing a tear from my cheek with his thumb. His hand slid to the back of my neck. I flinched instinctively, trying to step back. His brow furrowed, but then he gently pulled me into his arms. One hand cradled my face, the other wrapped tightly around my waist, drawing me close to his chest. His scent engulfed me¡ªpine andvender, wild and grounding. It wasn¡¯t just his Alpha presence. It was something older, deeper. A maic pull I couldn¡¯t fight. ¡°Summer¡­¡± he whispered, voice hoarse and thick with desire. Before I could respond, his lips imed mine. It was the first time in a month someone had kissed me. +15 BONUS A soft whimper escaped my throat. My hands pressed against his chest, unsure whether to push him away or pull him closer. Stars burst behind my eyelids. His kiss was warm, firm, chest, vibrating through me. His kiss was all¨Cconsuming, urgent, and possessive. His grip tightened, pulling me flush against his body. Heat red between us as I melted into him. I should¡¯ve stopped it. I knew that. But I didn¡¯t want to. His lips, his hands, his scent¨Ceverything overwhelmed my senses. ¡°Yes¡­¡± I moaned softly between kisses. He kissed me harder, iming me with every stroke of his tongue. I felt him lift me, my feet no longer on the ground. His arousal pressed hot and hard against my stomach. The way he kissed¨Chungry, raw¨Cmade my head spin and my knees weak. Why was I reacting like this? Was it because of Foster¡¯s emotional neglect? Was it just pent¨Cup longing? No. It was more than that. I had never felt this way¨Cwith anyone. It was too much. Too fast. My heartbeat thundered as I gathered my strength and pushed gently against his chest. He paused, breathing hard, his eyes glowing with golden fire. We stared at each other¨Cboth shaken, breathless, lips trembling. ¡°You can¡¯t¡­ do that,¡± I whispered. Then¨Clike a whisper in the wind¡ªI heard it. A voice, soft and wild, deep inside my mind.¡°I need him.¡± I froze. My heart skipped a beat. No. It couldn¡¯t be. I looked around, panicked, searching for something unseen. Was my wolf, Aurora, really back? ¡°Aurora?¡± I whispered. Silence. Only the wind. Was my imagination ying tricks on me? Secure 20 ¡°Summer¡­¡± When Alexander reached out to touch me again, I instinctively took a step back. But his scent¨Ccedarwood andvender, with that unmistakable Alpha aura¨Clingered in the air, tugging at something deep inside me, drawing me toward him. Still, I stood my ground, fists clenched tightly at my sides, resisting the pull. He stepped closer, but respectfully kept his distance. ¡°You felt it, didn¡¯t you?¡± he asked, his voice low and certain. ¡°Whatever¡¯s between us¨Cit¡¯s always been there, Summer.¡± I couldn¡¯t deny it, but I couldn¡¯t admit it either. The wounds Alpha Foster left on me were still raw, still bleeding beneath the surface. Every time Alexander tried to get close, my instinct was to flinch, to retreat. My past trauma had built an invisible wall around my heart¡ªone meant to keep pain out, even if it also kept healing away. ¡°No, I¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± I said, drawing in a shaky breath, forcing my voice to stay steady. ¡°Alpha Alexander¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but I need time to heal. I¡¯m not ready to belong to anyone.¡± He ran a hand through his hair¨Cthat same old gesture I¡¯d seen a hundred times before, whenever he was irritated or deep in thought. My chest tightened at the familiarity. ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± he said gently, his voice softening, though his gaze still burned with intensity. ¡°I can wait. You forget¨Cthat¡¯s what I¡¯m best at.¡± Those words hit me like a wave of memories. Ten years ago, the week before our graduation dance, he said something simr. A promise that never got to bloom¨Ccut short by fate and the diverging paths we were forced to take. ¡°Don¡¯t call me Alpha Alexander,¡± he said suddenly, taking a small step forward. ¡°Let¡¯s go back¨Cto before. To who we were. To who we still are. To you, I¡¯ll always be just Alex.¡± Something in me softened at that. ¡°Okay¡­ Alex.¡°His name felt strange on my tongue¨Cstrange, but familiar. Likeing home after a long, weary journey. ¡°But there¡¯s one condition,¡± I said quickly, regaining myposure. ¡°You don¡¯t get to touch me without permission.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he replied, stepping closer but keeping his hands to himself. A mischievous glint flickered in his eyes, and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was truly capable of keeping that promise. Why did he look like he was lying? Why did it seem so hard for him not to reach for me? Still, his restraint meant everything. Most Alphas don¡¯t wait. If they find their Luna, they im her¨Cwhether she¡¯s ready or not. But Alexander was ditterent, and that was what I admired about him. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± I whispered, warmth blooming slowly in my chest. When we returned to the hospital, thest rays of sunset were spilling through the window blinds, bathing the white¨Cwalled room in a soft, amber glow. Felix was lying in bed, looking slightly stronger than before, though still far too pale. He had a picture book in his hands, but the moment we walked in, his gaze lifted, sharp and curious. His eyes flicked from me to Alexander and back again. ¡°Where¡¯d you go?¡± he asked, nose twitching slightly as if sniffing the scent in the air. ¡°Took your mom out for some fresh air,¡± Alexander replied casually, though the slight upward twitch of his lips betrayed his amusement. Felix raised one eyebrow but didn¡¯t press further. His eyes lingered on mine, and I could feel heat rushing up my cheeks. Then suddenly, he started coughing¨Charsh, dry, and painful. My heart clenched in panic. I rushed to his side, taking his hand in mine. ¡°Hey, sleepy wolf,¡± I said softly, trying to sound cheerful, ¡°How are you feeling?¡± He smiled¨Cweak, but still full of that mischievous spark. ¡°If this is a dream, I really hope I never wake up.¡± Guilt crashed over me like a wave. Only hours ago, I had been kissing Alexander beneath the waterfall¨Cwhile my sony here, enduring pain I couldn¡¯t take away. Secure 21 +15 BONUS Chapter 21 Before I could spiral, the door opened and a doctor stepped in, white coat pristine, tablet in hand. He gave Alexander a nod. ¡± There¡¯s something we need to discuss in private, Alpha.¡± Alexander looked at me briefly, his eyes calm and reassuring, then followed the doctor out. I stayed with Felix, gently tucking the nket around him. He caught my hand again and asked in a small voice, ¡°Do I¡­ still have to stay here?¡± I hesitated. ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay, sweetheart,¡± I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead. ¡°We¡¯re doing everything we can to help you get better.¡± He nodded, still unsure, but eventually closed his eyes and rested his head back on the pillow. Not long after, Alexander returned and motioned for me to join him in the hallway. We walked to the end of the corridor, where it was quiet, and he finally spoke. ¡°Felix¡¯s recovery is slower than we expected. If tomorrow¡¯s tests go well, we¡¯ll move to the second phase of treatment. But for now, we need to keep a close eye on him to avoidplications.¡± I felt my chest tighten. ¡°And his healing rate?¡± I asked. Alexander¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Far below what¡¯s normal for a wolf pup. It¡¯s¡­ not good.¡± I stared at him, stunned. ¡°That¡¯s not possible. He¡¯s an Alpha¡¯s child.¡± He looked me in the eye, his tone grave. ¡°I suspect it¡¯s because of the suppressants¨Cespecially the ones Foster gave you during your heat.¡± The blood drained from my face. ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ what he did to me¡­ is affecting Felix?¡± He nodded. ¡°And we need to find out if the drug is still in your system. If it¡¯s the samepound that¡¯s suppressing your wolf, we might be able to reverse it.¡± ¡°You want to test me?¡± I asked, my voice suddenly small. ¡°Yes, Sum.¡°His voice was gentle, but firm. I hesitated, then slowly nodded. If there was any chance I could bring Aurora back¡­ I had to try. We went straight to the medical wing. The moment the doctor heard our exnation, his expression turned serious. He immediately began the tests. Two long hourster¨Cbloodwork, scans, endless questions¨Cthe doctor returned with the results. ¡°There¡¯s a syntheticpound in your bloodstream,¡± he said, his tone professional but concerned. ¡°It suppresses the wolf¡¯s presence temporarily. Normally, it wouldn¡¯t cause permanent separation. But whenbined with psychological trauma, it can lead to prolonged disconnection.¡± ¡°So¡­ Aurora can , but his expression remained cautious. ¡°Theoretically, yes. But it would require a powerful trigger. Usually, the presence of a bonded mate¨Ctheir scent, their energy¨Ccan draw the wolf back.¡± Alexander looked at me then, and something red in his eyes¨Csomething intense, something I couldn¡¯t quite name. ¡°So Foster could help her?¡± he asked through gritted teeth, his voice strained. I shook my head, pain rising sharp and fast in my chest. ¡°I¡¯m not going back to Alpha Foster,¡± I said, steel in my voice. ¡°Even if it means I never get my wolf back.¡± And in that moment, I heard it again. A whisper¨Csoft, faint, unmistakable. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go back to him¡­ your mate¡­¡± I froze, ncing around in shock. But all I saw was Alexander, watching me with concern. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked, his voice low and gentle. ¡°L¡­ I just heard her again,¡± I whispered. ¡°Aurora. She was speaking to me. But¡­ I don¡¯t know if I imagined it.¡± The doctor leaned in slightly, intrigued. ¡°That¡¯s a good sign. If you can hear her, the connection is still there¨Cit¡¯s just suppressed.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes lit up like dawn breaking through a stormy sky. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out, Summer,¡± he said firmly. ¡°I promise.¡± His voice was so certain, so steady, that it warmed something inside me. In that moment, I didn¡¯t feel so alone anymore. I nodded slowly, and for the first time in a long while¡­ I felt hope begin to bloom. Secure 22 Chapter 22 Foster¡® POV My wolf, Aksher, restless and pacing anxiously inside me, we arrived at this brand new office building in downtown Seattle. The email address on the divorce papers led me here¨Cto aw firm that seemed to think it could steal everything I had. I pushed through the ss doors, my dominance radiating in waves that made the receptionist straighten in her chair. Her eyes widened as she recognized me ¨C Alpha Foster Thorn of the Silver Lake Pack. My reputation preceded me. ¡°I need to speak with whoever is handling my mate¡¯s case,¡± I growled, not bothering with pleasantries. The scent of Summer lingered faintly in the air ¨C she¡¯d been here recently, confirming my suspicions. ¡°I¨CI¡¯ll see if Ms. Sage is avable,¡± the woman stammered, reaching for her phone with trembling fingers. Minutester, a tall woman with sharp features and calcting eyes emerged from a side hallway. Her power suit screamed authority, but I could smell the Beta rank beneath her designer perfume. She extended her hand with practiced precision. ¡°Evelyn Sage. How may I assist you, Alpha Foster?¡± I ignored her hand. ¡°Where is my mate? Summer Thorn ¨C I know she¡¯s been here.¡± A smile curved Evelyn¡¯s lips, predatory and knowing. ¡°I believe you mean Summer Winster. She¡¯s reimed her maiden name in the divorce proceedings.¡± My wolf snarled at the challenge in her voice. ¡°There will be no divorce,¡± I stated tly. ¡°Summer is my mate and Luna. This little rebellion of hers has gone far enough.¡± Evelyn¡¯s smile only widened, infuriating me further. ¡°Perhaps you should have considered that before your¡­ indiscretions became so frequent. Your mate has made her decision, Alpha Foster, and my firm is assisting her in executing her legal rights.¡± I stepped closer, using my Alpha tone to intimidate her. ¡°I asked you where she is.¡± To her credit, thewyer didn¡¯t back down. ¡°I¡¯m afraid attorney¨Cclient privilege prevents me from discussing Ms. Hayes¡® whereabouts. Besides,¡± her eyes shed with contempt, ¡°after what you put her through, do you really believe she wants to be found by you?¡± My wolf howled with rage, demanding I force the information from this insolent Beta. But attacking awyer in her office would onlyplicate matters. Summer was mine, and I would find her with or without this woman¡¯s help. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± I threatened, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper. ¡°Summer belongs with me. With her pack. I will find her.¡± ¡°¡°Good luck with that, Alpha.¡± Evelyn said, examining her perfectly manicured nails. I stormed out before I could give in to the urge to tear her throat out. Back in my car, I punched the dashboard hard enough to crack it. That fucking bitch! Both of them! By the time I reached home, my rage had built to a dangerous level. Pack members scattered as I stormed through the house. In my office, I hurled a ss against the wall, watching it shatter like my patience. A soft knock came at the door. ¡°WHAT?¡± 1 roared. Susanna slipped inside, looking appropriately contrite. Her blouse was unbuttoned just enough to show the swell of her breasts, her perfume filling the room. ¡°Alpha,¡± her voice was honey sweet, cating, ¡°I wanted to apologize for ourst conversation.¡± +15 BONUS ¡°Get out!¡°I growled, not ready to forgive her outburst from yesterday. Susanna winced. ¡°I know. I was wrong to me you earlier. I was just¡­ scared for Moore.¡± She moved closer, pressing against me. ¡°You¡¯ve done so much for us. I didn¡¯t mean those horrible things I said.¡± Her hands slid up my chest. ¡°Let me make it up to you, daddy.¡± Her fingers worked deftly, working my belt buckle. ¡°You¡¯re an Alpha, Foster. You deserve respect, loyalty¡­¡± her hands slid lower, ¡°¡­and pleasure.¡± Before I could respond, she sank to her knees before me, her mouth finding my hard length with familiar eagerness. ¡°Let me take care of you,¡± she whispered, licking her lips before taking me into her hot, wet mouth. ¡°Fuck,¡± I groaned, gripping her hair roughly as she swallowed me deep. Her tongue worked magic, swirling around the head before she took me to the back of her throat. Unlike Summer, who always hesitated, Susanna knew exactly what I wanted. Her hands cupped my balls as she sucked harder, moaning around my shaft like she was tasting something delicious. The vibrations sent pleasure shooting up my spine. ¡°That¡¯s right, you fucking slut,¡± I growled, thrusting deeper. ¡°Show me how much you need me.¡± Susanna¡¯s eyes watered as I hit the back of her throat, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she grabbed my ass, encouraging me to use her mouth however I wanted. I fucked her face mercilessly, watching my cock disappear between those plump lips. Her saliva dripped down her chin as she gagged and moaned, never breaking eye contact. ¡°Going to fill that pretty mouth,¡± I warned, feeling my release building. She nodded eagerly, sucking harder until I exploded, flooding her mouth with hot cum. Unlike Summer, who always turned away, Susanna swallowed every drop, licking her lips afterward like she was savoring dessert. ¡°Better?¡± she asked, voice hoarse as she wiped her chin. I zipped up, my rage temporarily sated. ¡°For now.¡± Just after climax, my mind¨Clink vibrated with an urgent call. ¡°Alpha Foster. I have news.¡± Sean¡¯s voice cut through the haze of pleasure. ¡°Report,¡± I just hours after she did.¡± ¡°The day Luna Summer disappeared, Alexander ckwood¡¯s private jet took off from the same airport.¡± My mind raced. Alexander ckwood? Summer¡¯s old friend from high school? Alexander and Summer had been close once, before we were mated. Childhood friends, I¡¯d been told. After our mating, I¡¯d made sure Summer cut ties with her old pack connections ¨C it wasn¡¯t appropriate for my Luna to maintain such rtionships, especially with another Alpha. But could she have run to him now? I didn¡¯t want to miss any possibility ¡°Book me on the next flight to Vermont,¡± I ordered, hanging up. ckwood¡¯s pack is in Vermont ** +15 BONUS ¨C Twenty¨Cfour hourster, I was sitting in Alexander ckwood¡¯s pack house.The Beta who greeted us a tall, broad¨Cshouldered man with watchful eyes ¨C led us to a waiting area adorned with tasteful artwork andfortable seating. ¡°Alpha Alexander will be with you shortly,¡± he said, his neutral tone betraying nothing. ¡°Can I offer you refreshment while you wait?¡± ¡°No,¡± I snapped. ¡°Just tell him to hurry up. I don¡¯t have all day.¡± The Beta¡¯s eye twitched slightly at my rudeness but he maintained his professional demeanor as he departed. I grunted, too tense to appreciate the surroundings. My senses were on high alert, searching for any trace of Summer¡¯s scent. If Alexander had hidden her away somewhere in this building, I would tear the ce apart brick by brick. Minutes stretched into an hour. My patience was wearing dangerously thin. I paced the waiting area like a caged animal, my wolf raging beneath my skin at the disrespect. How dare another Alpha keep me waiting? And then I heard it ¨C her voice. Summer¡¯s voice, , sweetheart,¡± I said, keeping my voice gentle despite my wolf¡¯s rage. ¡°I¡¯vee to take you home.¡± Today¡¯s Bonus Offer X Secure 23 Chapter 23 Summer¡¯s POV My pupils dted in shock as electricity seemed to surge through my entire body. I stood frozen in the doorway of the ckwood Pack house, unable to process what I was seeing. Alpha Foster¨Cmy estranged mate, the Alpha who had betrayed me countless times¨Cwas standing in Alexander¡¯s waiting area, looking at me like he owned me. ¡°Alpha Foster¡­¡± I breathed, my voice barely audible even to my own ears. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± He smiled at me that same calcted smile I¡¯d seen countless times before when he was confident he held all the cards. His hand extended toward me, the gesture slow and assured. ¡°I¡¯vee to take you home, of course,¡± he said, his voice carrying that familiar authoritative tone. ¡°Your pack misses you.¡± He paused meaningfully. ¡°I miss you.¡± I stared at his outstretched hand, feeling nauseous at the mere thought of touching him again. How many times had those same hands touched other women while I waited at home, loyal and ignorant? ¡°No,¡± I said quietly but firmly. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you.¡± Foster¡¯s smile faltered, his eyes hardening. ¡°Summer, don¡¯t be ridiculous. You¡¯re my mate, my Luna. This little rebellion has gone far enough.¡± ¡°Rebellion?¡± I echoed, disbelief coloring my voice. ¡°Is that what you call it when someone finally stands up for themselves?¡± I said, my voice gaining strength with each word. ¡°I¡¯ve filed for divorce. It¡¯s over between us.¡± Foster¡¯sugh was cold and dismissive. ¡°Over? A mate bond doesn¡¯t just end because you want it to, Summer. You belong with me, with your pack.¡± Alexander moved then, stepping fully in front of me, his towering frame creating a protective barrier between Alpha Foster and myself. The tension between the two Alphas instantly electrified the air. ¡°She said no,¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was deceptively calm, but I could feel the power vibrating beneath his words. ¡°Summer is under my protection now.¡± Foster¡¯s lips curled into a snarl, his facade of civility crumbling. ¡°Your protection? She¡¯s MY mate. MY Luna. You have no right to interfere in pack business,Alpha ckwood.¡± ¡°She was my best friend, came to me for help,¡± Alexander replied evenly. ¡°As an Alpha and his friend,it¡¯s my duty to provide sanctuary to those in need.¡± 1 ¡°Your mate?¡± Alexander let out a low, mirthlessugh. ¡°The one you cheated on? Humiliated? Left broken and bleeding for my pack doctor to heal?¡± ¡°What happens between a mated pair is none of your business,¡± Alpha Foster snarled, taking a step forward. The air crackled with tension as two Alphas squared off, neither willing to back down. ¡°It became my business when she showed up on my territory, seeking sanctuary.¡± Alexander¡¯s fingers syed slightly wider across my back, a subtle im that made Alpha Foster¡¯s nostrils re. ¡°Sanctuary?¡± Alpha Foster stepped forward, closing the distance between them until they were nearly chest to chest. ¡°You¡¯re harboring my mate! The mother of my son!¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about us, Thorn. About what it means to be mated. About what it takes to run a pack. Summer is MINE.¡± ¡°She is not a possession,¡± Alexander growled, his eyes beginning to glow with the golden light of his wolf. ¡°She is a woman who deserves respect, loyalty, and love ¨C none of which you¡¯ve provided.¡± Foster¡¯s hands balled into fists at his sides. ¡°You¡¯ve always wanted her, haven¡¯t you? Since we were young. I saw the way you looked at her. And now you think you can steal her?¡± ¡± I said She is not a possession!¡± Alexander retorted, his own hands flexing with barely controlled rage. ¡°And I didn¡¯t have to take her ¨C you drove her away all on your own with your cruelty and betrayal.¡± ¡°Stop it! Both of you!¡± I shouted, pushing between them despite the danger. ¡°I am not a prize to be fought over!¡± Both men froze at my intervention, though neither backed down from their aggressive stance. I turned to Alpha Foster, meeting his gaze directly. ¡°I won¡¯t go back with you, Alpha Foster. I, Summer Winster reject you, Alpha Foster Thorn, as my mate.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s expression contorted with fury. He opened his mouth to reject my deration, but Alexander cut him off, releasing a wave of Alphamand so powerful it seemed topress the very air in the room. Secure 24 Chapter 24 +15 BONUS ¡°She has spoken,¡± Alexander¡¯s voice rumbled with primal authority. ¡°You will respect her decision.¡± Alpha Foster struggled visibly against the Alphamand, his face reddening with effort, but he couldn¡¯t form words to contradict me. I¡¯d never seen another wolf ovee Alpha Foster¡¯s dominance before the realization of Alexander¡¯s raw power was staggering. ¨C When Alpha Foster finally regained his ability to speak, his voice was tight with controlled rage. ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Summer. I won¡¯t sign those divorce papers. Don¡¯t even think about leaving me.¡± Alexander¡¯s smile was predatory, all teeth and challenge. ¡°Then I guess we¡¯ll see you in court. And if legal means don¡¯t work¡­¡± he let the threat hang in the air between them, unspoken but clear. Alpha Foster¡¯s gaze flickered between us, calction recing some of the blind rage. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± he repeated, backing toward the door. ¡°Not by a long shot.¡± The door mmed behind him with such force that the paintings on the wall rattled in their frames. For several long moments, neither Alexander nor I moved, both listening to Alpha Foster¡¯s retreating footsteps. When I finally exhaled, my legs nearly gave out beneath me. Alexander¡¯s arm wrapped around my waist, steadying me instantly. ¡°You¡¯re safe,¡± he murmured, his voice returning to its normal timbre. ¡°He¡¯s gone.¡± I couldn¡¯t stop the tremble that ran through my body. ¡°For now. But you don¡¯t know Alpha Foster like I do. He won¡¯t give up. He won¡¯t let me go ¨C especially not to you.¡± Alexander guided me to one of the plush couches in the room, his hand warm against the small of my back. ¡°Let me worry about Alpha Foster,¡± he said as we sat down. I shook my head, anxiety wing at my throat. ¡°The divorce¡­ what if it doesn¡¯t go through? What if he blocks it somehow? I can¡¯t go back to that life, Alexander. I can¡¯t.¡± Alexander was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful. When he spoke, his voice was measured, careful. ¡°There might be another option. One that would give you protection from Alpha Foster¡¯s ims.¡± I looked up at him questioningly. ¡°A marriage contract,¡± he said simply. ¡°Between you and me.¡± My eyes widened in shock. ¡°What? You can¡¯t be serious.¡± ¡°It would be in name only,¡± Alexander rified quickly. ¡°A strategic alliance. As my Luna, even in title, you would have the protection of my pack, my name. Alpha Foster couldn¡¯t touch you without risking war between our packs.¡± ¡°But¡­ that¡¯s insane,¡± I whispered, stunned by the suggestion. ¡°I can¡¯t ask you to do that. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to you.¡± Alexander¡¯sugh was soft, genuinely amused. ¡°Fair to me? Summer, I¡¯m not exactly making a sacrifice here. My council has been pushing me to take a Luna for years. This arrangement would benefit us both.¡± I stared at him, searching his expression for any sign of reluctance or deception. ¡°The council¡­ they would ept me? A previously mated wolf from another pack?¡± ¡°They would ept my choice,¡± Alexander stated with the simple confidence of an Alpha secure in his position. ¡°And you would have time, space, freedom to heal without looking over your shoulder for Alpha Foster.¡± I stared at our joined hands, emotion clogging my throat. It was tempting, ¨C so tempting that it terrified me. Safety. Security. Freedom from Alpha Foster¡¯s constant threats. Protection for me and my son. But at what cost to Alexander? ¡°I¡­ I need to think about this,¡± I finally said, my mind whirling with possibilities and fears. ¡°It¡¯s a lot to consider.¡± Alexander nodded, respecting my need for space. ¡°Take all the time you need. The offer stands, whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± I murmured, knowing the words were insufficient for what he was offering me. As Alexander left me to my thoughts, I wrapped my arms around myself, still feeling the phantom pressure of Alpha Foster¡¯s gaze. Without my wolf to guide me, I had only my human instincts to rely on¨Cand they were screaming that I needed Alexander¡¯s protection. But could I bind another man to me, knowing I might never be whole again? Knowing my wolf might never return toplete the bond? How could I choose the right path, when none of them seemed free of pain? +15 Secure 25 Summer¡¯s POV The hospital corridor felt eerily quiet as I made my way to Felix¡¯s room. My mind was still spinning from yesterday¡¯s confrontation with Alpha Foster¡­ and Alexander¡¯s unexpected proposal. With every step, the weight of my choices pressed heavier on my shoulders. I paused outside Felix¡¯s door, inhaling deeply. He didn¡¯t need to see my anxiety¨Cnot again. He was already shouldering more than any five¨Cyear¨Cold ever should. ¡°Mommy!¡± Felix¡¯s face lit up when I entered, his one remaining eye sparkling. He looked so small, dwarfed by the oversized hospital bed. My heart ached. ¡°Hey, sweetheart,¡± I murmured, bending to kiss his forehead. His scent¨Cwarm oatmeal and wildflower honey¨Cwrapped around me like a nket, briefly grounding me. ¡°How are you feeling today?¡± ¡°Better,¡± he said, though the shadows under his eyes betrayed him. ¡°The doctor said I might get to go home soon.¡± ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news,¡± I said, forcing a smile as I smoothed the tangles from his dark hair. He studied me with a seriousness far beyond his years. ¡°You look worried, Mommy.¡± ¡°Just tired, baby.¡± His gaze dropped. ¡°Dad came by yesterday.¡± I froze. ¡°What?¡± ¡°After you left,¡± he said, voice t. ¡°He brought me a new video game.¡± I turned to the side table. The gift sat unopened. A chill crept down my spine. ¡°Did he¡­ say anything?¡± Felix nodded. ¡°He said we¡¯d be a family again soon. He said you¡¯re just confused right now.¡± My pulse spiked. ¡°And what did you say?¡± ¡°I told him I liked it here. With you. And with Alpha Alexander.¡± Pride swelled in my chest. My brave little wolf. ¡°What did he say to that?¡± Felix hesitated. ¡°He got that look. The one before he gets mad. Dad said he¡¯s going to fix things,¡± Felix added, almost too quietly to hear. ¡°He doesn¡¯t like to lose,¡± Then he looked up at me, eyes wide with fear, his voice trembling. ¡°Are we going back to that ce again, Mommy? I don¡¯t want to go back.¡°D I swallowed hard. My voice came out low but steady. ¡°No, baby. Mommy won¡¯t let you go back there. I promise.¡± We spent the next hour reading, picture books and talking about the squirrels he spotted outside. I avoided further mention of Alpha Foster. Eventually, Felix¡¯sughter returned¨Csoft, tired, but real. When it was time to leave, I kissed him again and stood. ¡°Momuny¡­¡± he said as I reached the door. I turned, surprised by the gravity in his voice He hesitated, then added penily, ¡°We¡¯re not going back, right?¡± I nodded, forcing a smile. ¡°Yes, sweetheart.¡± Felix whispered. ¡°Please don¡¯t let him win.¡± Another sharp ache pierced my chest. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± I said. ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about any of that. You just focus on getting better.¡± +15 BONUS I managed to hold myposure until I reached my car. Once inside, I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white, fury and fear battling for dominance in my chest. Foster had visited our son after I¡¯d explicitly told him to stay away. A clear message: he would do whatever he wanted, regardless of my boundaries. I pulled out my phone and dialed Evelyn¡¯s number. The call went to voicemail. ¡°Evelyn, it¡¯s Summer. I need to meet with you today. It¡¯s urgent.¡± I ended the call and started the car. Four hourster, I walked into the offices, downtown Seattle. The receptionist recognized me instantly. ¡°Ms. Winster, Ms. Sage is expecting you. Go right in.¡± Evelyn Sage was exactly as I remembered¨Cpolished, poised, and razor¨Csharp in her tailored navy suit. She gestured for me to sit. ¡°You sounded concerned on the phone.¡± I sank into the chair across from her. ¡°Foster visited Felix yesterday. How can I stop him from continuing these visits? This is causing Felix significant emotional harm.¡± Evelyn¡¯s pen froze mid¨Cnote. ¡°But that¡¯s against the arrangement. He¡¯s still Felix¡¯s father.¡± ¡°So I can¡¯t do anything?¡± My frustration leaked into my voice. Evelyn tapped her pen against the desk. ¡°The documentation you provided is strong¨Cespecially the medical records. They clearly show that Felix¡¯s injury wasn¡¯t an ident. It was deliberate. I have the petition for emergency custody ready. If the Council agrees, Alpha Foster will be prevented from visiting Felix.¡± I sighed with relief. ¡°What about the divorce proceedings? I want them finalized as soon as possible.¡± Evelyn paused, then looked me straight in the eye. ¡°That¡¯s moreplicated. The Council still treats mate bonds as sacred, even in legal proceedings.¡± ¡°The evidence I gave you¨Chis threats, the abuse, Felix¡¯s injury¨Cisn¡¯t it enough?¡± ¡°Alpha Foster has submitted evidence to the Council iming that your wolf ispromised,¡± Evelyn continued, her tone grim. ¡°He¡¯s using that to paint you unfit for custody and unfit to pursue a divorce. And unfortunately, the Council moves slowly, especially when it involves high¨Cranking pack members.¡± Secure 26 ¡°But we have evidence,¡± I insisted. ¡°My wolf¡¯s dormancy is a direct result of Alpha Foster¡¯s abuse. How can they ignore that?¡± ¡°The evidence isn¡¯t sufficient to prove Alpha Foster caused your wolf¡¯s condition,¡± Evelyn sighed. ¡°There is one thing that could expedite the divorce process. If you found a second chance with another Alpha¨Csomeone the Council deems more powerful than Alpha Foster¨Cit would override his standing in the case.¡± My thoughts immediately shed to Alexander¨Chis proposal, his strength, his remarkable restraint. But I shook my head. ¡°I¡¯m not looking for another Alpha. I just want my freedom¨Cfor me and for Felix.¡± Evelyn gave a small nod. ¡°Then we proceed as nned. But if circumstances change¡­ iming by a stronger Alpha could help us push this through faster.¡± As I stepped out of her office and into the lobby, a familiar, sharine scent hit me like a p¨Cvani and artificial flowers. Susanna. She was seated like a queen, legs crossed at the ankle, tan coat draped over one shoulder. When she noticed me, she stood with feline grace. ¡°Summer,¡± she said, voice as smooth as syrup. ¡°What a pleasant surprise.¡± ¡°Susanna,¡± I replied, keeping my voice t. ¡°This is no coincidence, is it?¡± She smiled wider, all teeth. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ve been waiting for you.¡± I tensed. ¡°I don¡¯t see what we have left to talk about.¡± ¡°Oh, I think you¡¯ll want to hear what I have to say¡­ about Felix. ¡°She shot a pointed look at the receptionist, then tilted her head toward the ss doors. ¡°Shall we find somewhere more private?¡± I didn¡¯t trust her¨CI never had¨Cbut she¡¯d said Felix¡¯s name. And if there was even a chance she had something that could affect him¡­ I had to know. Without a word, I followed her through the ss doors and into a small courtyard just outside the building. The moment the heavy door clicked shut behind us, her smile vanished. ¡°Alpha Foster wants you to drop the usations,¡± she said bluntly. ¡°The abuse ims, the custody filing, the medical negligence report¨Call of it.¡± I stared at her, heart pounding. ¡°He thinks he can just threaten me into silence?¡± ¡°No.¡± Her voice was cold now. ¡°He simply wants you to return to your ce.¡± 1 scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s rich,ing from you. I would¡¯ve thought you¡¯d be thrilled to see me gone. Lesspetition, right?¡± Susanna didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°That¡¯s the thing, Summer. You leaving wasn¡¯t the n. You fighting back? Thatplicates everything. ¡± I narrowed my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not here to negotiate. You¡¯re here to deliver a threat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here to give you a choice,¡± she said smoothly. ¡°Withdraw everything. Go back to Silver Creek Pack. Resume your duties. In exchange, Alpha Foster will make sure things remain¡­ discreet between us.¡± ¡°And if I say no?¡± Her eyes turned to ice. ¡°Then Alpha Foster will file for emergency custody. He¡¯ll argue that your dormant wolf renders you unfit. +15 BONUS He¡¯s already spoken to three Council elders who owe him favors. Once Felix is transferred to Silver Creek Pack¡¯s care, it¡¯ll be nearly impossible for you to see him again.¡± My hands balled into fists. ¡°You¡¯re bluffing.¡± ¡°I¡¯m warning you,¡± she replied, stepping closer. ¡°Onest time. Walk away before you lose everything.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t scare me.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯re not thinking clearly.¡± I took a step back. ¡°We¡¯re done here.¡± She turned, heading back toward the lobby, but tossed onestment over her shoulder: ¡°Think about it, Summer. Is your pride worth your son?¡± I stood there in the cold silence, trembling with fury. Then I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers and dialed. ¡°Alex?¡± My voice was barely a whisper. ¡°I¡¯m here,¡± he answered immediately, voice tense. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Foster¡¯s making his move,¡± I said, fighting to stayposed. ¡°He¡¯s trying to take Felix.¡± ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Outside Evelyn¡¯s office. Seattle.¡± ¡°Stay where you are. I¡¯ming.¡± As I waited, I stared at my reflection in a nearby window. The woman looking back at me seemed hollow¨Ceyed and frightened. But beneath the fear, I saw something else starting to burn¨Cdetermination. Alpha Foster might think he held all the cards, but he¡¯d forgotten one crucial thing: a mother will do anything to protect her child. And I was done being afraid. +15 BONUS Chapter 27 Secure 27 Chapter 27 Alexander¡¯s POV The morning had started like any other day at ckwood territory. I sat behind my desk, buried in paperwork that never seemed to end. Being Alpha meant more administrative work than most of my pack members realized¨Cterritory disputes, alliance negotiations, resource management. Today¡¯s focus was finalizing the expansion of our hunting grounds to the north. Ethan, my Beta, had just ced another stack of documents on my desk when my phone rang. Summer¡¯s name shed across the screen, sending an unexpected jolt through my system. ¡°Summer?¡± I answered, already sensing something was wrong from her uncharacteristic mid¨Cmorning call. ¡°Alex¡­¡± Her voice trembled in a way that made my wolf instantly alert. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to bother you, but-¡± ¡°You¡¯re not bothering me,¡± I interrupted, already on my feet. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± ¡°Alpha Foster¡¯s making his move,¡± she said, her words barely audible. ¡°He¡¯s trying to take Felix.¡± My grip tightened on the phone. ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Outside Evelyn¡¯s office. Seattle.¡± ¡°Stay where you are. I¡¯ming.¡± I hung up, already calcting the fastest route to her. Ethan raised an eyebrow, sensing my shift in mood. ¡°Everything alright, Alpha?¡± ¡°No. Summer and Felix are in trouble.¡± I grabbed my jacket from the back of my chair. ¡°I need the helicopter prepped immediately.¡± 1 Ethan nodded, reaching for his phone. ¡°I¡¯ll have it ready in five. What about the ckwater territory negotiations?¡± ¡°Postpone everything,¡± I ordered, already heading for the door. ¡°And get Wilson on the phone. Tell him to meet me at Evelyn Sage¡¯sw offices in Seattle as soon as possible.¡® ¡°The packwyer? This must be serious.¡± ¡°It is.¡± I paused at the doorway. 11 Twenty minutester, I was airborne, flying my own helicopter toward Seattle. I¡¯d earned my pilot¡¯s license years ago, finding it invaluable for managing territory as extensive as ckwood¡¯s. The familiar mechanical routine helped focus my thoughts, but couldn¡¯t entirely suppress my growing concern. My mind raced with possibilities. What had Alpha Foster done now? Was Summer safe? The thought of Summer in danger made my wolf pace restlessly beneath my skin. Summer had already endured enough at Foster¡¯s hands¨Cthe physical abuse, the emotional maniption, the forced wolf dormancy. One hourter, Inded on the helipad atop a nearby corporate building¨Cone of many advantages of being Alpha to a pack with substantial business holdings¨Cand took a car the rest of the way to Evelyn¡¯s office. I found Summer sitting on a bench outside the building, shoulders slumped, looking smaller than I remembered. When she spotted me approaching, relief visibly washed over her tired features. ¡°Alex,¡± she breathed, standing quickly. ¡°Thank you foring ¡± Without hesitation, I pulled her into my arms. ¡°Of course I came.¡± She felt fragile against my chest, though I knew better than most how resilient she truly was. When we separated, I kept my hands on her shoulders, studying her face. ¡°Tell me everything,¡± I said, guiding her back to the bench. +15 BONUS As Summer recounted her meeting with Evelyn and the subsequent encounter with Susanna¨CFoster¡¯s mistress and apparent enforcer¨Dmy anger built to a dangerous simmer. Foster¡¯s threat to use Summer¡¯s dormant wolf against her was particrly insidious. In our world, a wolf going dormant was rare and typically seen as a profound trauma response¨Cwhich it was, in Summer¡¯s case. But instead of receiving support and understanding, she was being threatened with losing her child because of
  1. it.
¡°He can¡¯t do this,¡± I said when she finished, struggling to keep my voice even. ¡°He won¡¯t.¡± My fingers tensed around my phone as I dialed Ethan. My Beta answered immediately. ¡°I need four of our best warriors at ckwood Memorial,¡± I instructed without preamble. ¡°Full rotation, round¨Cthe¨Cclock protection for Felix. And Ethan? Choose wolves who can blend in. I don¡¯t want to frighten the boy.¡± ¡°Consider it done, Alpha,¡± Ethan replied. ¡°I¡¯ll send Adam¡¯s team¨Cthey¡¯ve all worked with cubs before.¡± ¡°Perfect.¡± I nced at Summer, whose eyes had widened with surprise. After ending the call, I noticed Summer staring at me, her eyes glistening. ¡°Alex¡­¡± she whispered. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± I took her hand, surprising myself with how natural the gesture felt. ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°Thank you. But what if my divorce fails?¡± Her voice was soft, vulnerable. My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack. ¡°We¡¯ll find the evidence,¡± I promised. ¡°Alpha Foster won¡¯t get away with this.¡± ¡°But what if he can?¡± Summer whispered, her amber eyes clouded with fear. ¡°The Council values active wolves over dormant ones. And Foster has influence.¡± ¡°So do I,¡± I reminded her gently. ¡°And unlike Foster, my reputation with the Council is untarnished.¡± Then My phone buzzed. Secure 28 Chapter 28 Alexander¡¯s POV Wilson had arrived. I stood, offering Summer my hand. ¡°Mywyer¡¯s here. Let¡¯s meet him and then head to Evelyn¡¯s office.¡± Wilson was waiting in the lobby of Evelyn¡¯s building¨Chis imposing six¨Cfoot¨Cfive frame and tailored suit making him impossible to miss. He nodded respectfully as we approached. ¡°Alpha. Ms. Winster.¡± Upstairs, Evelyn Sage greeted us with professional courtesy, though I could sense her surprise at my presence. ¡°Alpha ckwood,¡± she said, extending her hand. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be personally involved.¡± ¡°Summer and Felix are under my protection now,¡± I stated simply. The atmosphere in the conference room was tense but focused. Evelyn sat at the head of the table, Wilson beside her. Summer and I sat across from them, a silent wall of resolve. Evelyn opened a file. ¡°We¡¯ve reviewed the materials Summer provided¡ªincluding the audio from her encounter with Susanna. While it¡¯s emotionallypelling, it¡¯s not enough to stand on its own in a Council tribunal.¡± Wilson nodded. ¡°There are no specific dates, surgical documentation, or medical consent forms mentioned in the recording. It implies intent, but the legal weight is limited.¡± Summer¡¯s hands clenched in herp. ¡°So we still don¡¯t have enough to charge him?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± Evelyn said. ¡°But we¡¯re close. The most serious legal opening is the unauthorized transnt of Felix¡¯s eye and your kidney. If we can prove those surgeries urred without your informed consent, we can shift the whole case.¡± Before I could respond, a low growl echoed in the back of my mind. [You saw the report. The suppressants. He poisoned her cycle for years. You should say it!] I stiffened slightly in my seat, jaw tightening. ¡°Not here.¡± I sent the thought back firmly. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need that today.¡± ¡°She was already carrying too much, and this would break her all over again.¡± ¡°Later, when we were back in ckwood, I¡¯d send the file to Wilson. Let him verify it. Let him decide when and how to use it.¡± My wolf huffed, frustrated but quiet. He knew when to push¨Cand when to wait. I drew in a slow breath, forcing myself to refocus on the conversation unfolding in front of us. ¡°But Alpha Foster knows we¡¯re building a case,¡± Summer said quietly. ¡°That¡¯s why he¡¯s elerating his efforts to take Felix.¡± ¡°Then we need to elerate ours,¡± I responded, turning to bothwyers. ¡°What¡¯s our most immediate countermove?¡± Evelyn and Wilson exchanged looks. ¡°There is one option,¡± Evelyn said carefully. ¡°A legal mating bond with another Alpha¨Cparticrly one of your standing- would supersede Foster¡¯s im on both Summer and Felix.¡± I shifted ufortably, remembering Summer¡¯s hesitation when I¡¯d suggested this very solutionst night. Her words had been gentle but firm: ¡°I need time to think about it, Alex. This isn¡¯t just about me¨Cit¡¯s about Felix too.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s explore other avenues first,¡± I said firmly. ¡°I won¡¯t pressure Summer into a decision she¡¯s not ready to make.¡± Summer¡¯s gaze flickered to me, surprise evident in her expression. Thewyers exchanged another look. ¡°In that case,¡± Wilson said, ¡°our only immediate option is for you to leverage your Council influence to expedite the restraining order, while we search for those original medical records.¡± ¡°Those records will be heavily guarded,¡± Evelyn cautioned. ¡°Alpha Foster won¡¯t have left such evidence lying around.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll find them,¡± I promised. ¡°I have connections in Sliver Creek pack territory¨Cwolves who owe me favors.¡± The meeting concluded with clear action items for everyone. Wilson and Evelyn would prepare to counter any legal maneuvers Alpha Foster might make. And I would focus on gathering the evidence we needed while ensuring Felix¡¯s protection. As Summer and I left the building, heading toward the car that would take us back to the helipad, I noticed her growing quieter, her brow furrowed in thought. ¡°Are you alright?¡± I asked as we pulled away from the curb. She nodded, though her expression betrayed her anxiety. ¡°Just processing everything. It¡¯s a lot to take in.¡± Secure 29 Chapter 29 At the helipad, I helped her into the helicopter, making sure her safety harness was secure before taking my seat at the controls. The powerful engine roared to life, and soon we were airborne, the city sprawling beneath us like a glittering mosaic. Summer stared out the window, her reflection in the ss revealing the turmoil behind her calm facade. I focused on the controls, giving her the space she seemed to need. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful up here,¡± she finally said, breaking the silence between us. ¡°Peaceful.¡± ¡°One of the reasons I got my license,¡± I admitted. ¡°The perspective helps when things get overwhelming on the ground.¡± She turned toward me then, her amber eyes studying my profile. ¡°You¡¯ve changed, Alex.¡± ¡°Have I?¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ steadier now. More certain of yourself.¡± A small smile touched her lips. ¡°But your eyes are the same. They still give away what you¡¯re thinking.¡± I nced at her briefly, curious. ¡°And what am I thinking now?¡± ¡°That you¡¯re worried about me. About Felix.¡± She paused, her voice softening. ¡°That you want to protect us, but you¡¯re afraid of overstepping.¡± My hands tightened on the controls, surprised by her uracy. ¡°And is it overstepping?¡± She was quiet for so long I thought she might not answer. When she finally did, her voice was barely audible over the helicopter¡¯s engine. ¡°No,¡± she said simply. ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± The next few minutes passed in silence as I navigated through a patch of clouds. When we emerged into clear air, Summer spoke again. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about your proposal,¡± she said, surprising me. ¡°The one you madest night.¡± My heart rate picked up slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to decide anything right now, Summer. I meant what I said in Evelyn¡¯s office.¡± ¡°I know.¡± She turned more fully toward me closer. ¡°But I want to.¡± ¡°Want to what?¡± I asked, keeping my eyes fixed on the horizon. ¡°Marry you.¡± The helicopter dipped momentarily as my concentration slipped. I quickly recovered, casting her a startled look. ¡°Are you sure?¡± She nodded, a new determination in her eyes. ¡°Foster won¡¯t stop until he¡¯s taken everything from me¨Cmy son, my dignity, my future, I won¡¯t let him win, Alex. Not again.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t just about beating Alpha Foster,¡± I said carefully. ¡°Marriage¨Ceven one of convenience¨Cmeans something in our world.¡± ¡°I know that.¡± She reached across the small space between us, cing her hand on my arm. Even through my jacket, her touch sent heat coursing through my veins. ¡°But it¡¯s more than convenience to me. It¡¯s¡­¡± Something warm unfurled in my chest at her words. ¡°What?¡± Her gaze dropped to where her hand rested on my arm. ¡°At having someone I can trust. Someone who sees me¨Cthe real me, not just the perfect Luma that Alpha Foster tried to mold me into.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always seen you, Summer,¡± I said quietly. ¡°Since we were cubs.¡± She looked up then, her eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. ¡°I know,¡± she whispered. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m saying yes.¡± The air between us crackled with something electric and primal. My wolf was suddenly at full attention, urging me to close the distance between us, to im what he already considered ours. With effort, I kept my focus on flying, though every instinct screamed to pull over to the nearest clearing and show her exactly what this ¡°marriage of convenience¡± could be. ¡°When wend,¡± I said, my voice rougher than intended, ¡°we should discuss the details.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she agreed, she move back to her seat. I couldn¡¯t resist any longer.As the ckwood territory came into view below us, my wolf grew restless, pacing beneath my skin. Landing the helicopter in a small clearing just short of our destination, I unbuckled my harness in a single fluid motion. I reached over, unbuckled her harness, and pulled her onto myp in one fluid motion. Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting on a gasp. ¡°Alex-¡± Ch Secure 30 apter 30 ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer,¡± I growled, one hand cupping the back of her neck while the other settled possessively on her hip. ¡°Tell me to stop if you don¡¯t want this.¡± Her pulse fluttered wildly at her throat, but she didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, her hands came to rest tentatively on my shoulders, her gaze dropping to my lips. That was all the permission I needed. I imed her mouth with mine, swallowing her surprised moan as her body melted against me. She tasted sweeter than I¡¯d imagined¨Clike summer berries and promises. My wolf howled in triumph. She shifted on my , creating a delicious friction that made me groan into her mouth. I tightened my grip on her hip, guiding her movements as I deepened the kiss. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to do this since the moment I saw you at the Airport,¡± I confessed against her lips, my voice barely recognizable through the haze of desire. Her fingers threaded through my hair, tugging slightly as she pulled back to look at me. Her lips were swollen from my kiss, her cheeks flushed with color. ¡°I never thought-¡± ¡°Never thought what?¡± I prompted, trailing kisses along her jawline to the sensitive spot beneath her ear. She shivered, tilting her head to give me better ess. ¡°That you would still want me¡­ after everything Alpha Foster did.¡± I pulled back, framing her face with my hands. ¡°Listen to me, Summer. Nothing Alpha Foster did changes how I see you. Nothing.¡± Tears gathered in her eyes, but before she could respond, I captured her lips again, pouring everything I couldn¡¯t say into the kiss. My hands roamed her body, memorizing every curve as her breathing became more ragged. She whimpered when my fingers slipped beneath the hem of her blouse, tracing patterns on the soft skin of her lower back. The sound drove me wild, making me pull her closer until there was no space left between us. My mouth traveled down her throat to the edge of her corbone, and I reveled in the way she arched against me, seeking more contact. ¡°Alpha-¡± For a moment, I thought it was Summer who had spoken, but the distinctly male voice in my mind made me freeze. [Alpha, you need toe to the main gate. Your sister just arrived.] I blinked. ¡°Lyra?¡± (Yes, sir. She¡¯s alone. No warning, no escort. She says she needs to speak with you¨Curgently.] Hleaned back slightly, my mind still catching up. I hadn¡¯t seen my sister in almost two years¨Cnot since she left the ckwood territory under strained circumstances. She¡¯d cut ties with everyone, even me. And now she was back? I groaned, pressing my forehead against Summer¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Ethan¡¯s timing is impable as always,¡± I muttered. She pulled back just enough to look at me. ¡°What happened?¡± I met her gaze. ¡°My sister. Lyra. She just showed up at the front gate.¡± Surprise flickered in her eyes. ¡°Is she alright?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admitted. ¡°But if she¡¯s back after all this time, something¡¯s wrong. Summer hesitated for only a second before quietly saying, ¡°Then let¡¯s go. I looked at her, a part of me wanting to shield her from any moreplications¨Cbut another part already knowing she wouldn¡¯t be left behind. Not now. Not when we¡¯d just started standing side by side. ¡°Alright,¡± I said, offering her my hand. ¡°We¡¯ll go together.¡± She took it without hesitation. As we left the room and headed toward the gate, a strange feeling settled in my chest¨Ca mixture of unease, curiosity, and something else I couldn¡¯t name yet. Whatever brought Lyra back¡­ it wouldn¡¯t be simple. But this time, I wasn¡¯t facing it alone. Secure 31 entire body tingled as Alex¡¯s hands gripped my waist, his touch leaving trails of heat through the thin fabric of my blouse. I hadn¡¯t expected this reaction¨Chadn¡¯t expected that the mere proximity of him would awaken sensations I¡¯d thought long dead. When his mouth found my neck, I couldn¡¯t help the small gasp that escaped my lips. How long had it been since I¡¯d been touched like this¨Cwith desire rather than possession? My wolf, though dormant, stirred somewhere deep inside me, responding to his scent, to the primal call of an Alpha who saw me as something precious rather than property. ¡°Alex¡­¡± I breathed, surprising myself with the need I heard in my own voice. His responding growl vibrated against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. This was dangerous territory¨Cwe had only just agreed to this arrangement hours ago, and already the lines were blurring between convenience and something far moreplicated. Part of me wanted to pull away, to establish clearer boundaries. But another part¨Ca stronger part¨Cwanted to surrender to this feeling, to let myself be imed by someone who had always seen me, always protected me. My fingers trembled against his shoulders, uncertain whether to push him away or pull him closer as his mouth traveled across my corbone. The pure masculinity of him surrounded me¨Chis scent like Cedar and Lavender and something uniquely Alex that had always called to me, even when we were younger. Just as I felt myself giving inpletely to the sensation, Alex suddenly stiffened, his body going alert in a way that immediately pulled me from my haze of desire. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I whispered, my heart still pounding. His eyes, which had been dark with desire moments before, now held concern. ¡°Lyra¡¯s back.¡± ¡°Lyra?¡± The name brought me back to reality with jarring speed. ¡°Is she okay? Did something happen?¡± Alex¡¯s sister had always been kind to me. Though our friendship had been cut short when I became Alpha Foster¡¯s mate, I still remembered her gentle spirit. ¡°Ethan says she¡¯s upset,¡± Alex exined, already helping me to my feet. ¡°Won¡¯t tell anyone what¡¯s wrong.¡± My protective instincts red. ¡°Was she hurt? Did someone-¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± The muscle in Alex¡¯s jaw ticked with tension. ¡°Let¡¯s go find out.¡± We made our way quickly through the packhouse, following the distinctive scent of Alex¡¯s sister. The smell of salt¨Ctears¨Chung heavily in the air as we approached the sunroom at the back of the house. Lyra sat curled into a corner of the sofa, her knees pulled to her chest, looking smaller and more vulnerable than I remembered. Her usually bright eyes were red¨Crimmed and swollen, her red¨Cbrown hair tangled as if she¡¯d been running her hands through it repeatedly. The moment she spotted Alex, sheunched herself off the couch and into his arms, sobbing against his chest. ¡°I missed you so much,¡± she cried, her words muffled against his shirt. ¡°I just needed toe home.¡± Alex¡¯s arms came around his sister, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion. ¡°What happened, ty? Talk to me.¡± I stood awkwardly by the doorway, feeling like an intruder in this family moment. As I began to quietly step back, intending to give them privacy, Lyra¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°Summer?¡± Her tear¨Cstained face registered genuine surprise. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± I froze, uncertain how to respond. This wasn¡¯t how I¡¯d envisioned reconnecting with my old friend¨Cstanding in her brother¡¯s packhouse as his soon¨Cto¨Cbe mate of convenience. Without hesitation, Alex reached for me, pulling me into the solid line of his chest, steady and reassuring. ¡°Summer is going to be my Luna,¡± he said simply, though the possessive note in his voice sent a shiver through me. Lyra¡¯s eyes widened, darting between us with growing curiosity. For a moment, her personal troubles seemed forgotten. ¡°Since when? How did this happen? When did you finally convince her to give you a chance?¡± Finally? The word caught me off guard. I nced at Alex, whose ears had reddened slightly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ ¡°Complicated,¡± Lyra repeated, a hint of her old mischief briefly lighting her eyes. ¡°That sounds like code for ¡®there¡¯s a good story here.¡°¡± Alex cleared his throat. ¡°The important thing is that Summer and Felix are part of our pack now.¡± His voice softened as he addressed his sister again. ¡°Now, are you going to tell me what¡¯s going on with you?¡± Lyra¡¯s expression clouded again. ¡°Not yet,¡± she whispered. ¡°I just need some time.¡± I recognized that look¨Cthe protective wall that came up when a wound was too fresh to expose. I¡¯d worn it myself for years. ¡°That¡¯s okay,¡± I said gently, stepping forward. ¡°You don¡¯t have to talk until you¡¯re ready.¡± Lyra¡¯s gaze met mine, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. ¡°Thanks, Summer.¡± An ufortable silence settled over the room. I shifted my weight, again feeling like I was intruding. Secure 32 Chapter 32 ¡°I think I¡¯ll head back to my room for a bit,¡± I said finally. ¡°Give you two some time to talk.¡± Alex looked like he wanted to protest, but nodded. ¡°I¡¯lle find youter.¡± +15 BONUS As I made my way back to my room, my mind raced with possibilities. I needed to start nning, to be more proactive in our fight against Alpha Foster. I couldn¡¯t rely solely on Alex¡¯s protection, no matter how tempting it was to surrender everything to his capable hands. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through my contacts. The list was depressingly short. Years of being Alpha Foster¡¯s Luma had meant istion, not connection. He¡¯d systematically cut me off from anyone who might have been an ally, monitoring mymunications and limiting my interactions to those he approved of. The few names I did have were mostly pack members who had never truly epted me as their Luna. Some had pitied me, certainly, but pity rarely tranted to loyalty. I scrolled through, hoping to find anyone who might have ess to information or influence that could help our case. Nothing. No connections to Council members, no friends in administrative positions, no allies in other packs. Tears of frustration pricked at my eyes. After five years as Luna to one of the most powerful Alphas in the region, I had nothing to show for it but scars and an empty contact list. I should have been smarter, should have built my ownwork despite Alpha Foster¡¯s restrictions. But I¡¯d been so focused on survival, on protecting Felix, that I¡¯d never thought beyond our immediate safety. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Felix,¡± I whispered to the empty room. ¡°I should have done better.¡± Now I was bringing nothing to Alex except problems¨Cmy dormant wolf, Alpha Foster¡¯s vengeance, legal battles. The weight of my helplessness settled heavy on my shoulders. A knock sounded at my door, interrupting my spiral of self¨Crecrimination. Alex stood on the other side, his expression serious as he held out a leather portfolio. ¡°The marriage contract,¡± he exined, stepping into the room when I moved aside. ¡°Wilson drew it up while we were flying back. He wanted to make sure it was irond before Alpha Foster¡¯s people arrived.¡± I took the portfolio, careful not to touch his fingers. After our earlier encounter, I wasn¡¯t sure I could handle even that small contact without my emotions betraying me. ¡°That was fast.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t have the luxury of time.¡± His eyes searched my face. ¡°Are you having second thoughts?¡± I shook my head. ¡°No. It¡¯s the right decision.¡± ¡°For Felix,¡± he added, watching me carefully. ¡°Yes,¡± I agreed, meeting his gaze. ¡°For Felix. And¡­maybe for us too.¡± Something shifted in his expression¨Ca sh of the desire I¡¯d glimpsed earlier, carefully contained but unmistakably present. ¡°No matter what happens,¡± he said quietly, ¡°I will honor thismitment, Summer. This isn¡¯t just strategy to me.¡± The intensity in his voice made my heart flutter traitorously in my chest. I knew I should be focusing on the practical aspects of our arrangement¨Cthe protection it would provide Felix, the shield it would create against Alpha Foster¡¯s machinations. Instead, I found myself remembering the feel of Alex¡¯s mouth against my skin, the strength of his arms around me, the way he looked at me as if I were something precious rather than broken. ¡°I know,¡± I whispered, dropping my gaze to the portfolio in my hands. ¡°I trust you, Alex. I always have.¡± His eyes darkened at my words, and for a moment, I thought he might step closer. Instead, he took a deliberate step back, maintaining the distance between us with visible effort. ¡°Read through the contract,¡± he said, his voice rougher than before. ¡°If you have any questions or want any changes, let me know. This is as much for your protection as it is for Felix¡¯s.¡± I nodded, clutching the portfolio to my chest. ¡°Thank you.¡± He turned to leave but paused at the doorway. ¡°Summer?¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°When this is over¨Cwhen Alpha Foster is no longer a threat¨CI want you to know that you¡¯ll always have a ce here. With or without¡­¡± He gestured between us, leaving the implication hanging. The offer touched something deep inside me¨Ca ce that had been hollowed out by years of conditional eptance and measured affection. The knowledge that Alex would keep me safe, would provide for Felix, regardless of whether I shared his bed or bore his mark, was more intimate than any physical touch could have been. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said again, this time with a tremor in my voice. After he left, I sat on the bed and opened the portfolio, prepared to read through the legal terminology that would bind me to yet another Alpha wolf. But this time, as my fingers traced over Alex¡¯s signature already imprinted at the bottom of the document, I felt something I hadn¡¯t expected. Not resignation. Not strategic satisfaction. Hope. Secure 33 Chapter 33 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS Morning sunlight filtered through the hospital windows as Alex and I made our way down the now¨Cfamiliar corridor toward Felix¡¯s room. The antiseptic smell that had once made my stomach churn now barely registered¨Cfunny how quickly the human mind adapts to even the most clinical environments when someone you love is housed within them. What wasn¡¯t familiar was the third person walking beside us. Lyra had practically insisted on joining us this morning, her tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°I need to meet my future nephew properly,¡± she¡¯d dered over breakfast, her eyes still showing traces of whatever had driven her back to her brother¡¯s territory. The sadness that clung to her like a second skin seemed temporarily pushed aside by her determination. When we entered Felix¡¯s room, his face lit up at the sight of the three of us, but his curious gaze lingered on Lyra. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± he asked, sitting up in his bed, the bandages around his eyes slightly less bulky than before. I moved to his side, smoothing his hair back from his forehead. ¡°This is Lyra, Alex¡¯s sister. She really wanted to meet you.¡± Lyra approached the bed, her entire demeanor softening. ¡°Hi there, Felix. I¡¯ve heard so much about you.¡± Felix tilted his head, seeming to assess her through other senses since his sight was limited. He inhaled deeply¨Cscenting her to learn more. ¡°You smell nice. Like cookies and flowers.¡± Lyraughed, the sound more genuine than anything I¡¯d heard from her since her return. ¡°Well, that¡¯s the nicestpliment I¡¯ve gotten in ages.¡± Within minutes, Felix was chattering away with her, telling her about the doctor with the funny voice and the nurse who snuck him extra pudding cups. The connection between them was immediate and unmistakable¨CFelix had always been quick to warm to people with genuinely kind hearts. ¡°Can I go outside today?¡± Felix asked suddenly, turning toward me. ¡°Nurse said there¡¯s a garden where they let kids y sometimes.¡± I hesitated. ¡°I don¡¯t know, sweetie. Your eyes-¡® ¡°Please, Mom?¡± His voice took on that pleading tone that had been my undoing since he was old enough to talk. ¡°Doctor Miller said small doses of filtered sunlight might even be good for me. Please?¡± I looked at Alex, who nodded encouragingly. ¡°I can check with the medical team if you¡¯d like.¡± Twenty minutester, after receiving approval from Dr. Miller with specific instructions about keeping Felix¡¯s eyes protected from direct sunlight, the four of us made our way to the hospital¡¯s healing garden. It was a carefully designed space with shaded seating areas and y equipment modified for children with various medical needs. Several other young patients were already there, supervised by nurses and parents. Felix¡¯s heightened senses immediately picked up on their presence, his head turning toward the sounds of their y. ¡°Can I join them?¡± he asked, his voice vibrating with excitement. After a brief conversation with one of the supervising nurses who assured me they were ustomed to watching children with visual impairments, I reluctantly let Felix join the small group. Alex squeezed my hand reassuringly as we watched him carefully navigate toward the other children, his steps measured but determined. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine,¡± he murmured, his breath warm against my car. ¡°The staff here know what they¡¯re doing.¡± Lyra, Alex, and I settled onto a bench with a clear view of the y area. Within minutes, Felix was fully integrated into whatever +15 BONUS game the children had invented, hisughter carrying across the garden. The sound wrapped around my heart, easing a tension I hadn¡¯t realized I¡¯d been carrying. ¡°He¡¯s remarkable,¡± Lyramented, watching Felix with a wistful expression. ¡°Most kids would be overwhelmed by what he¡¯s going through, but he just¡­ adapts.¡± ¡°He¡¯s always been that way,¡± I said softly, unable to keep the pride from my voice. ¡°Even when things were at their worst with Alpha Foster, Felix found ways to be happy.¡± My words hung in the air between us, and I immediately regretted the reference to my past. Lyra¡¯s expression shifted to one of concern, and I could feel Alex tense beside me. ¡°Alex told me some of what happened,¡± Lyra said carefully, her eyes on Felix rather than me. ¡°Not everything, I¡¯m sure, enough to understand why you left.¡± I nodded, unsure what to say. The garden suddenly felt too small, too public for this conversation. but ¡°He mentioned the treatments,¡± she continued, her voice dropping to ensure we weren¡¯t overheard. ¡°What Alpha Foster did to suppress your wolf.¡± The familiar ache bloomed in my chest¨Cthat hollow space where my wolf should be, responding and vital. ¡°Yes,¡± I managed, keeping my own gaze fixed on Felix. ¡°It was¡­ effective.¡± ¡°And inhumane,¡± Alex growled softly, his hand finding mine again. His touch grounded me, kept me from spiraling into memories I tried to avoid. Secure 34 Chapter 34 Lyra watched this interaction with shrewd eyes. After a moment of silence, she stood. ¡°I¡¯m going to grab us some coffee from that cart over there. Alex,e help me carry everything?¡± Before either of us could respond, she was walking away, clearly expecting her brother to follow. Alex hesitated, looking at me with concem. ¡°Go,¡± I said with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine here watching Felix.¡± Once they were out of earshot, I took a deep breath of the garden air, savoring the scent of herbs and flowers that helped mask the hospital smell. I kept my eyes on Felix, who was now sitting in a circle with three other children, their heads bent together in conspiracy over something one of them held. ¡°He seems to be thriving here,¡± Lyra¡¯s voice startled me as she returned alone, holding out a paper cup of coffee. ¡°Alex got waid by Dr. Miller. Something about insurance paperwork.¡± I epted the coffee with murmured thanks, making room for her on the bench. We sat inpanionable silence for a few minutes, both watching Felix interact with his new friends. ¡°You know,¡± Lyra finally said, ¡°I¡¯ve known my brother all my life, and I¡¯ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.¡± Heat crept up my neck. ¡°Lyra-¡± ¡°No, let me finish.¡± She turned to face me directly. ¡°When we were teenagers, he used to talk about you all the time. Summer this, Summer that. It drove me crazy.¡± A small smile yed at her lips. ¡°Then when you left with Alpha Foster¡­ something in him changed. He became harder, more focused on pack business. Less¡­ Alex.¡± I swallowed hard. This wasn¡¯t information I was prepared to handle¨Cnot now, when everything between Alex and me was so tenuous, so calcted. ¡°What I¡¯m trying to say,¡± Lyra continued, her voice gentle but firm, ¡°is please don¡¯t break his heart. This might have started as some kind of arrangement for Felix¡¯s sake, but my brother has been waiting for a second chance with you for a very long time.¡± My stomach clenched. I opened my mouth to exin that what Alex and I had was practical, not passionate¨Ca strategic alliance rather than a love match¨Cbut the words died in my throat as I met Lyra¡¯s knowing gaze. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hurt him,¡± I said instead, which was at least the truth. ¡°Things between us are¡­ ,¡± she replied with a softugh. ¡°But I¡¯ve seen how he looks at you, and more importantly, I¡¯ve seen how you look at him when you think no one¡¯s watching.¡± Before I could formte a response, Felix¡¯s voice called out to us. ¡°Mom! Aunt Lyra! I¡¯m tired now.¡± Aunt Lyra. The title came so naturally to him, despite having just met her hours ago. Something warm spread through my chest at the easy eptance children showed¨Ctheck of walls, the willingness to embrace new connections. ¡°Coming, sweetie!¡± I called back, grateful for the interruption. As we guided Felix back to his room, his steps gradually slowed, his earlier energy ebbing away. By the time we reached his bed, his eyelids were drooping beneath the bandages. The nurse helped him get settled, checking his vitals and making notes in his chart. ¡°I think someone¡¯s ready for a nap,¡± Lyra observed with a smile. ¡°Not sleepy,¡± Felix protested through a yawnI. ¡°Of course not,¡± I agreed, tucking the nket around him. ¡°You¡¯re just resting your eyes.¡± He smiled at the familiar joke between us, then reached for my hand. ¡°Will you stay until I fall asleep?¡± ¡°Always,¡± I promised, settling into the chair beside his bed. Within minutes, his breathing deepened and evened out. I carefully extracted my hand from his grasp and stood, stretching muscles that had grown stiff. ¡°I should go find Alex,¡± I whispered to Lyra. ¡°See what¡¯s happening with that paperwork.¡± She nodded, but her expression was thoughtful as she studied Felix¡¯s sleeping form. ¡°I¡¯ll stay with him. You go.¡± I found Alex near the nurses¡® station, deep in conversation with Dr. Miller. His powerful frame dwarfed the doctor¡¯s slighter build, but there was nothing intimidating in his posture¨Cjust focused attention as he absorbed whatever medical information was being shared. He sensed my approach before I reached them, his head turning, eyes finding mine with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. Dr. Miller followed his gaze and smiled at me. ¡°Luna summer, perfect timing. I was just updating Alpha Alexander on Felix¡¯s progress.¡± The title¨CLuna summer¨Csent an unexpected shiver through me. It was strange how words that had once felt like shackles when associated with Alpha Foster now carried a different weight when connected to Alex. ¡°How is he doing?¡± I asked,ing to stand beside Alex. His hand immediately found the small of my back, warm and steadying. +15 BONUS Secure 35 Chapter 35 Summer¡¯s POV Dr. Miller¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°Better than expected, actually. The organ regeneration therapy is showing remarkable results. Felix has an incredible resilience we don¡¯t often see, even in werewolf children. The surrounding tissue is epting the treatment at rates we typically only see in born wolves.¡± My breath caught. ¡°What does that mean for his recovery?¡± ¡°It means,¡± Dr. Miller said, his voice warm with genuine pleasure, ¡°that we can schedule the corneal transnt much sooner than anticipated. Possibly as early as next week, if the current progression continues.¡± The news hit me with physical force. Next week. My son might see again next week. The hope I¡¯d been carefully restraining burst free, flooding through me with such intensity that I swayed slightly. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s incredible,¡± I whispered, tears springing to my eyes. Before I could think about what I was doing, I turned and threw my arms around Alex¡¯s neck, burying my face against his chest. His arms came around me immediately, solid and secure, holding me together as emotion threatened to shatter me. ¡°Thank you,¡± I breathed against his shirt, inhaling his scent¨CCedar and Lavender and something uniquely him that calmed my racing heart. ¡°Thank you for making this possible.¡± His hold tightened, one handing up to cradle the back of my head. ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me,¡± he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°I¡¯d do anything for that boy.¡± After a brief pause, he added even more quietly, ¡°For both of you.¡± The raw honesty in his voice made me suddenly aware of our embrace, of how natural it felt to be held by him. I pulled back slightly, a flush rising to my cheeks as I realized Dr. Miller was still present. But when I nced around, the doctor had discreetly disappeared, leaving us alone in the small alcove by the nurses¡® station. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said, attempting to step back. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¡ª¡± Alex¡¯s arms tightened, keeping me close. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize,¡± he said, his voice low. ¡°Not for this.¡± The intensity in his eyes made my stomach flutter with a sensation I hadn¡¯t experienced in years¨Clike a thousand butterflies taking flight all at once. Why did my body react to him like this¨Cso instinctively, without reason? His thumb traced a gentle path along my jawline, his touch causing my pulse to race. ¡°You have no idea how long I¡¯ve wanted to hold you like this,¡± he murmured. My breath hitched. This wasn¡¯t part of our agreement¨Cthis wasn¡¯t about protection or Felix¡¯s safety or standing against Alpha Foster. This was something else entirely, something that both terrified and thrilled me. ¡°Alex,¡± I whispered, not sure if I was warning him or encouraging him. ¡°We should focus on Felix.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t stopped focusing on Felix,¡± he said, his eyes never leaving mine. ¡°But I¡¯m not going to pretend I don¡¯t feel something for his mother, too.¡± The directness of his statement sent heat rushing through me. I didn¡¯t know how to respond¨Cdidn¡¯t know how to navigate this territory where my calcted decisions were being overridden by feelings I couldn¡¯t control. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to do this,¡± I admitted quietly. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can be what you want.¡± Alex¡¯s gaze softened, though there was no less fire in it. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be anything except yourself.¡± I looked down, fingers curling slightly at my sides. ¡°After what Alpha Foster did to me.I¡¯m not good at letting people in. I don¡¯t trust easily.¡± +15 BONUS His voice dropped, low and steady. ¡°Then let me earn it.¡± My breath caught.I searched Alex¡¯s face, finding nothing but honest intensity in his dark eyes.God, why did he have to look so damn sexy right now? I wanted kissing him. Without warning, Alex leaned down and captured my lips with his. The kiss was gentle at first, almost questioning, but when I gasped in surprise, he took advantage, deepening the kiss with a hunger that made my knees weak. His hand slid into my hair, angling my head to give him better ess as his tongue swept into my mouth. I melted against him, my body responding with a passion I¡¯d thought long dead. My fingers clutched at his shirt, pulling him closer as heat pooled low in my belly. This wasn¡¯t supposed to happen¨CI wasn¡¯t supposed to feel this way about the man who was only meant to be my protector, my strategic ally¨Cbut I couldn¡¯t bring myself to care. ¡°Well, this is certainly more interesting than insurance paperwork.¡± We jerked apart, both breathing heavily, to find Lyra leaning against the wall, arms crossed and a satisfied smirk ying on her lips. Secure 36 Alexander¡¯s POV I couldn¡¯t remember thest time I¡¯d felt this alive¨CSummer¡¯s body pressed against mine, her scent filling my lungs, her soft curves molding perfectly to my harder frame. The feel of her in my arms was intoxicating, and I found myself tightening my grip, unwilling to let this moment end. Then Lyra¡¯s amused voice cut through our bubble. ¡°Well, this is certainly more interesting than insurance paperwork.¡± I shot her a withering re that would have sent any of my pack members scurrying for cover, but Lyra merely raised an eyebrow, immune to my displeasure after decades of sibling rivalry. Summer immediately tried to pull away, but I kept one arm firmly around her waist. Mine. The possessive thought came unbidden, but I didn¡¯t bother to suppress it. I¡¯d spent too many years denying what I wanted. ¡°Felix is awake, asking for both of you,¡± Lyra continued, her eyes twinkling with amusement. ¡°But I can tell him you¡¯re busy if you¡¯d prefer¡­¡± Summer nodded, her cheeks flushed as she smoothed down her blouse. ¡°No. We¡¯ll be right there.¡± As Lyra turned to leave, I bent my head to whisper in Summer¡¯s ear. ¡°Your lipstick¡¯s smeared, sweetheart.¡± My voice was rough with desire as I ran my thumb along the corner of her mouth, deliberately prolonging the contact. ¡°Though I rather like seeing my mark on you.¡± She gasped and red at me, and I felt myself hardening instantly in response. ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± she hissed, but there was no real anger in her voice. ¡°And you¡¯re fucking irresistible,¡± I growled back, enjoying the way her pupils dted at my crudenguage. ¡°We¡¯ll continue this conversationter.¡± When we entered Felix¡¯s room, he was sitting up in bed, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°Mom! Alex! Dr. Miller said I¡¯m getting better super fast!¡± Summer moved to sit on the edge of his bed, taking his small hand in hers. ¡°That¡¯s what we just heard, baby. Do you know what that means?¡± ¡°That I can leave the hospital soon?¡± he asked, eyes wide with hope. ¡°I wanna go home¨Cand start training with the other pups! The eagerness in his voice made my chest tighten. His world had been so small for so long¨Cjust hospital rooms and quiet corners. Now, he was ready to run again, to be part of something bigger than just recovery. ¡°That¡¯s the goal,¡± I said, stepping up beside Summer and resting a gentle hand at the nape of her neck. ¡°You¡¯re healing taster than expected, but we still need to finish the treatments. Once the doctors clear you, you¡¯ll be back outside with the others in no time,¡± After spending another hour with Felix¨Clistening to his wild ns for pack training and sparring with the other pups¨Cwe finally said our goodbyes. He was half¨Casleep by the time we stood to leave, still grinning. The three of us exited the room together, the hospital corridor quiet in thete afternoon light. Lyra walked beside us in silence for a moment before checking her watch. ¡°I¡¯ve got some personal matters to attend to,¡± she said casually, but when her gaze met mine, I caught the unspoken weight behind her words. Thank God the third wheel was finally leaving. Once we¡¯d said our goodbyes, I guided Summer toward my car, my hand resting possessively on the small of her back. ¡°I +15 BONUS thought we could take a detour on the way home,¡± I suggested as I held the passenger door open for her. ¡°There¡¯s something I¡¯d like to show you.¡± She looked at me quizzically but nodded her agreement. As we drove away from the hospital, I found myself stealing nces at her profile¨Cthe gentle slope of her nose, the fullness of her lips, the graceful line of her neck. [You should mark her.] my wolf insisted again, and for once, I didn¡¯t argue with him. Our first stop was the training grounds, a vast open space where several of my warriors were engaged inbat drills. I parked the SUV at the edge of the field and turned to Summer. ¡°Our senior warriors hone their fighting skills here,¡± I exined, unable to hide the pride in my voice as I watched Ethan directing aplex formation exercise. ¡°My Beta trains them personally.¡± Summer¡¯s gaze swept over the scene, her expression thoughtful. ¡°What about the younger wolves? The new arrivals?¡± ¡°They train separately in the converted warehouse near the packhouse,¡± I told her. ¡°I oversee their training myself each morning.¡± I could see the surprise in her eyes. ¡°You train them yourself? Not your Beta or gamma?¡± ¡°Some things an Alpha needs to do personally,¡± I replied. ¡°Knowing each member of my pack, understanding their strengths and weaknesses¨Cthat¡¯s how I keep them safe.¡± Next, I drove us to the far edge of ckwood territory, where a crystal¨Cclear stream cut through the forest. I parked a few yards away and led Summer by the hand to the water¡¯s edge. Thete afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled light on the flowing water. ¡°After training or pack runs, especially in summer, the packes here to cool off and hydrate,¡± I exined, watching her reaction carefully. ¡°They y, howl, enjoy each other¡¯spany. My great¨Cgrandfather started the tradition because he believed such activities foster a strong sense ofmunity and kinship.¡± Summer looked genuinely surprised by this. ¡°But your pack has so many members,¡± shemented. ¡°They all gather together? 41 Today¡¯s Bonus Offer X Secure 37 Chapter 37 I smiled, moving behind her to wrap my arms around her shoulders. ¡°No, that wouldn¡¯t be possible. Somee, some don¡¯t. It¡¯s about choice, not obligation.¡± ¡°I¡¯m showing you this because I want you to understand what life will be like for you and Felix here,¡± I said, my voice low and intense. ¡°This isn¡¯t Foster¡¯s pack, Summer. Wolves here aren¡¯t just soldiers or servants¨Cthey¡¯re family. They have freedom, autonomy, joy. That¡¯s what I¡¯m offering you both.¡± ¡°The pack you knew under Foster wanted obedience above all else,¡± I continued, my thumb tracing her lower lip. ¡°My pack values loyalty that¡¯s freely given. Can you feel the difference?¡± Summer¡¯s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked around at the pristine wilderness. ¡°I can,¡± she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. ¡°This is how a pack should be. How I always imagined it could be before¡­¡± She trailed off, but I knew she was thinking of Foster, of all she¡¯d endured. ¡°Felix would thrive here,¡± she added softly, turning back to face me. ¡°He¡¯d have the childhood I always wanted for him.¡± I cupped her cheek in my palm, savoring the way she instinctively leaned into my touch. ¡°And what about you, Summer? Could you see yourself belonging here? With me?¡± Her breath caught, eyes darkening as she held my gaze. The air between us crackled with the same electric tension that had been building since that moment in the hospital. ¡°I believe I still owe you a continuation of our earlier¡­ conversation,¡± I murmured, pulling her closer until our bodies were flush against each other. ¡°The one so rudely interrupted by my sister.¡± Her heart rate quickened; I could hear its frantic rhythm matching my own. ¡°Here?¡± she asked, voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Right fucking here,¡± I growled, tangling my fingers in her hair and tilting her head back. ¡°I¡¯ve waited five years to taste you again. I¡¯m not waiting another minute.¡± (1 When my lips imed hers, there was nothing gentle about it. This was possession, pure and raw. Her mouth opened beneath mine with a soft moan that sent fire racing through my veins. I backed her against a nearby tree, pinning her with my body as my tongue swept into her mouth, iming, tasting, devouring. ¡°God, you taste even better than I remembered,¡± I groaned against her lips, my hands sliding down her sides to grip her hips. I pressed my hardness against her, letting her feel exactly what she did to me. ¡°Tell me you want this, Summer. Tell me you want me.¡± ¡°I want you,¡± she gasped, her fingers digging into my shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ve never stopped wanting you.¡± That admission broke something loose inside me. I captured her mouth again as my hands slipped beneath her blouse, palming the soft weight of her breasts through her bra. Her nipples hardened instantly against my touch, and I growled my approval. ¡°These perfect tits,¡± I rasped, roughly pushing her bra aside to feel her bare skin. ¡°I¡¯ve dreamed about them. About you.¡± Summer moaned, arching into my touch as I pinched her nipples between my fingers. ¡°Alex, please¡­¡± I didn¡¯t need to be asked twice. In one fluid motion, I lifted her, wrapping her legs around my waist and grinding against her core. Even through our clothes, I could feel her heat, her wetness. ¡°You¡¯re soaked for me,¡± I said, voice rough with desire as I nipped at her throat. ¡°I can smell how badly you want me.¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t make me wait,¡± she begged, her head falling back as I sucked a mark onto her neck¡ªa temporary im until 1 could make it permanent. My hands moved to her jeans, unbuttoning them with desperate need. She was equally frantic, her fingers fumbling with my belt. When I finally slipped my hand inside her panties and felt her slick heat, we both groaned. ¡°So fucking wet,¡± I growled, stroking through her folds before pushing two fingers inside her. ¡°So tight. I can¡¯t wait to feel you around my cock.¡± Summer whimpered, grinding against my hand as I curled my fingers inside her. ¡°Alex, I need-¡± ¡°I know what you need, baby,¡± I promised, working my fingers faster as my thumb circled her clit. ¡°I¡¯m going to give it to you. Going to fill this pretty pussy until you can¡¯t remember anyone but me.¡± She was close already¨CI could feel her walls fluttering around my fingers, her breathing in short, desperate pants. I wanted her on the edge before I took her, wanted to ensure she¡¯de apart the moment I was inside her. With my free hand, I managed to get my jeans open, freeing my aching cock. I positioned myself at her entrance, relishing her whimper of anticipation as the head of my cock brushed her sensitive flesh. ¡°Look at me,¡± Imanded, waiting until her heavy¨Clidded eyes met mine. ¡°I want to see your face when I make you mine.¡± Just as I was about to thrust forward and im herpletely, Summer¡¯s phone rang¨Cthe shrill sound shattering our heated moment. ¡°Ignore it,¡± I growled, my grip on her hip tightening. She started to nod, but then froze as she nced at the screen. All color drained from her face. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s Alpha Foster.¡± Secure 38 Summer¡¯s POV I couldn¡¯t help but stare when Alex freed himself from his jeans. His cock was intimidatinglyrge¨Cthick and heavy with prominent veins running along the shaft. It made Foster look pathetically average inparison. My core clenched at the thought of taking him inside me, a mixture of apprehension and desperate need flooding through me. Then, the phone screen burned into my vision, Foster¡¯s name shing like a warning sign. All the heat and desire that had been building between Alex and me instantly froze. ¡°I have to take this,¡± I whispered, my voice shaking as Alex¡¯s grip on my hips tightened possessively. ¡°Fuck him,¡± Alex growled, his cock still pressed against my entrance, hard and insistent. ¡°Let it go to voicemail.¡± But we both knew I couldn¡¯t. With trembling hands, I hit the answer button, trying to regte my breathing as I pressed the phone to my ear. ¡°Hello?¡± My voice sounded steadier than I felt. ¡°Where the fuck are you?¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s cold voice sliced through me. ¡°And who the hell are you with?¡± I pulled away from Alex slightly, but he refused to let me go ¡°Don¡¯t y games with me, Summer.¡± His tone dropped dangerously low. ¡°Are you fucking him? Are you letting that ckwood bastard touch what¡¯s mine?¡± ¡°You know what, Foster?¡± I said, my voice growing stronger even as Alex¡¯s other hand found my breast, roughly pinching my nipple. ¡°Maybe I am. And maybe he knows exactly how to make me wet in ways you never could.¡± I heard Foster¡¯s sharp intake of breath. ¡°You stupid bitch,¡± Foster snarled. ¡°I¡¯ve already petitioned the Council. You belong to me ¨Cboth of you do. You have one week to return home before Ie and drag you back myself.¡± ¡°Fuck you. The moment you chose Susanna, you lost the right to call me yours. Go¨Crun back to her and stay the hell away from me!¡± As if to emphasize my defiance, Alex¡¯s hand moved from my breast to between my legs, pressing firmly against my core through my jeans. I had to bite my lip to suppress a moan. ¡°You forget your ce,¡± Foster¡¯s voice went deathly quiet. ¡°I am still your Alpha. Your mate.¡± ¡°Not anymore,¡± I whispered, feeling something inside me finally break¨Cthest remnants of the bond I¡¯d been forced to ept. ¡°I rejected you. Or did you forget that already?¡± I ended the call before he could respond, letting out a shaky breath as Alex pulled me against his chest. ¡°That was fucking hot, the way you stood up to him¡­¡± he murmured against my hair, his voice thick with desire. ¡°¡­makes me want to bend you over right now.¡± His crude words sent a shock of desire through me, but Alpha Foster¡¯s call had effectively doused any passion that had been burning between us moments earlier. Alex seemed to sense this, reluctantly pulling back and helping me readjust my clothing. ¡°That bastard has a talent for ruining moments. But he won¡¯t ruin what¡¯s between us.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go home,¡± he said softly, leading me back to the car. The drive back to the pack house was quiet,both of us lost in our thoughts. Foster¡¯s threats hung in the air between us, an unwee reminder of the battle that stilly ahead. 1/2 As we entered the main hall of the pack house, Alex turned to me with reluctance in his eyes. ¡°I need to take care of some pack business,¡± he told me. ¡°Will you be alright on your own for a while?¡± I nodded, forcing a small smile to my lips despite the lingering tension in my shoulders. ¡°I think I can manage not to get lost in your obscenelyrge house.¡± He chuckled, seeming relieved by my attempt at humor. ¡°Dinner¡¯s at seven. I¡¯lle find you.¡± Alexander¡¯s POV In my office, I sank into the leather chair behind my desk, allowing myself a moment to breathe. Summer¡¯s scent clung to my clothes, a constant reminder of what had almost happened in the forest. My cock throbbed painfully against my zipper, still hard from having her so close. Secure 39 Chapter 39 [We should have taken her right there,] my wolf growled. [imed her thoroughly despite Alpha Foster¡¯s call.] ¡°She¡¯s been through enough,¡± I countered. ¡°The thing I want is for her to feel pressured or used the way Foster made her feel for years.¡± [She¡¯s ours,] my wolf insisted. [She wants us as much as we want her.] ¡°And she¡¯ll be ours properly,¡± I promised. ¡°But on her terms, not because we couldn¡¯t control ourselves.¡± My wolf reluctantly backed down, though I could still feel his frustration mirroring my own. I closed my eyes, focusing on the mindlink that connected me to my Beta. ¡®Ethan, my office. Now.¡® Less than five minutester, there was a brisk knock at my door before Ethan strode in. My Beta was efficient as always, a trait I valued almost as much as his loyalty. ¡°Well, well,¡± Ethan smirked, his nostrils ring slightly as he entered. ¡°Someone¡¯s been busy. Your little she¨Cwolf¡¯s scent is all over you. Did you finally fuck her senseless like you¡¯ve been fantasizing about for years?¡± I shot him a murderous re. ¡°Watch your fucking mouth. That¡¯s my mate you¡¯re talking about.¡± Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender, but the shit¨Ceating grin remained. ¡°Just saying what everyone¡¯s thinking. You¡¯ve been walking around with a hard¨Con since she arrived. It¡¯s painful to watch.¡± I ignored his insinuation, leaning forward in my chair. ¡°What¡¯s the status of my petition to the Council?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve acknowledged receipt of your mate im,¡± Ethan reported, his expression turning more serious. ¡°They¡¯re reviewing the circumstances, given Summer¡¯s¡­ unique situation. The fact that she was previously matedplicates things, even though Foster¡¯s treatment constitutes grounds for dissolution.¡± I growled low in my throat. ¡°They¡¯re taking too fucking long. Every day that passes is another day Foster could try to reim them.¡± ¡°I understand your frustration,¡± Ethan said cautiously, ¡°but alienating the Council won¡¯t help your case. They¡¯re bound by their ownws.¡± He wasn¡¯t telling me anything I didn¡¯t already know, which only added to my irritation. ¡°I want this formalized as quickly as possible. We¡¯ll be hosting a wee celebration this weekend,¡± I told him. ¡°Make sure every member of the pack attends.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°You¡¯re going to present her as your mate before the Council¡¯s ruling?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to make it fucking clear to everyone that Summer and Felix are under my protection,¡± I corrected him, my voice dropping to a dangerous register. ¡°The Council can take all the time they need with their paperwork, but I won¡¯t hide my intentions.¡± A slow grin spread across Ethan¡¯s face. ¡°I¡¯ll make it happen. It¡¯ll be the biggest event ckwood has seen in years.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I leaned forward, my expression darkening. ¡°Now tell me what your sources have learned about Alpha Foster¡¯s movements.¡± Ethan¡¯s posture shifted subtly, his bodynguage broadcasting caution. ¡°He¡¯s been quiet¨Ctoo quiet. No public appearances, no pack gatherings. His Beta has been handling day¨Cto¨Cday operations.¡± ¡°He¡¯s nning something,¡± I muttered, the knowledge settling like lead in my gut. ¡°Most likely,¡± Ethan agreed. ¡°But we¡¯ve increased border patrols, and I have eyes in three neighboring territories. If he makes a move toward ckwood, we¡¯ll know,¡± ¡°Double the patrols,¡± I ordered, rising from my chair to stare out the window at my territory¨Cat everything I¡¯d built and everything I stood to lose if Foster seeded in taking Summer and Felix from me. ¡°Consider it done,¡± Ethan said, standing to leave. ¡°And Ethan?¡± I turned back to face my Beta. ¡°Make sure this weekend¡¯s celebration is unforgettable. I want every unmated female in the pack to understand that Summer is off¨Climits. Mine.¡± ¡°Got it. No alpha bitches in heat sniffing around your woman,¡± he said with a smirk. ¡°Though some might need more convincing than others.¡± After Ethan left, I remained at the window, watching as thest rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains. Soon, I promised myself. Summer would understand that she had always belonged here¨Cwith me, with my pack. And I would do whatever it took to ensure she never left again. Secure 40 Summer¡¯s POV Dinner with Alex and Lyra was surprisinglyfortable. Lyra kept the conversation flowing easily, chatting about pack gossip and the drama. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe what happened at the full moon gatheringst week,¡± Lyra said, leaning forward conspiratorially.¡± Megan from the northern sector challenged Diane for her position in the hierarchy. It was quite the spectacle.¡± ¡°Who won?¡± I asked, grateful for the distraction from Alex¡¯s intense gaze that hadn¡¯t left me since we sat down. ¡°Diane, of course,¡± Lyraughed. ¡°Megan may be younger, but Diane has been training with our warriors for decades. Poor girl didn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± I nodded, taking a small bite of my food, hyper¨Caware of Alex¡¯s eyes following my every movement. The way his pupils dted slightly when I licked my lips made heat pool low in my belly. I shifted ufortably in my chair, trying to focus on Lyra¡¯s stories rather than the man whose presence seemed to fill the entire room. After dinner, Lyra excused herself with a knowing smile, leaving Alex and me alone at the table. ¡°I should give you something,¡± I said, standing abruptly. ¡°It¡¯s in my room. I¡¯ll get it.¡± ¡°I¡¯lle with you,¡± Alex said, rising from his chair. My heart pounded as we walked side by side through the quiet hallways. His presence next to me felt overwhelming, the heat of his body radiating towards mine even though we weren¡¯t touching. In my room, I retrieved the folder from my nightstand. ¡°I signed the marriage contract,¡± I said, my voice steadier than I felt as I handed it to him. ¡°All the terms are eptable.¡± Alex¡¯s eyes darkened as his fingers brushed mine while taking the folder. ¡°You¡¯re sure about this?¡°Signing this makes you my wife, Summer. My mate in the eyes of the pack and the Council.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I nodded. ¡°It¡¯s what¡¯s best for both of us given the circumstances.¡± He set the folder aside without opening it, his focus entirely on me as he stepped closer. The scent of cedar andvender enveloped me, making my knees weak with desire. ¡°Summer¡­..¡°His voice dropped to a husky whisper as his hand came up to brush a strand of hair from my face. The simple touch sent electricity racing through me. His thumb traced my bottom lip, and I found myself leaning into his touch. For a moment, I was back in the forest, his body pressed against mine, the promise of pleasure making me dizzy with want. ¡°Alex¡­¡± The warning in my voice was weak at best.¡°You should go.¡± Something shifted in his eyes ¨C a sh of restraint recing the hunger. He stepped back, giving me space to breathe, to think. ¡°It¡¯s been a long day,¡± I said, my rational mind finally pushing through the fog of desire. ¡°I should probably rest. I¡¯m still adjusting to everything.¡± Disappointment flickered across Alex¡¯s face, but he nodded. ¡°Of course. We have plenty of time to discuss¡­ everything.¡± His eyes dropped to my lips once more before he stepped backpletely. ¡°Good night, Summer.¡± After he left, I copsed onto my bed, my body humming with unfulfilled need. How could I still want him so desperately after everything, I¡¯d been through? After the years of pain and neglect with Foster, I¡¯d thought my desire had been permanently extinguished. Yet here I was, practically melting under Alex¡¯s gaze. That night, my dreams were filled with Alex ¨C his hands, his mouth, his body moving against mine. In my dream, there was no phone call interrupting us in the forest. Heid me down on the soft earth, his powerful body covering mine as he ripped my clothes away with animalistic need. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted this pussy for so long,¡± dream Alex growled, spreading my legs wide and dipping his head between them. His tongue plunged into me without warning, making me arch off the ground with a scream of pleasure. His fingers dug into my thighs, holding me open as he devoured me like a starving man. ¡°You taste like fucking heaven,¡± he groaned against my most sensitive flesh, the vibrations sending shockwaves through my core. ¡°Please,¡± I begged, writhing beneath him as his tongue flicked relentlessly against my clit. ¡°I need more.¡± ¡°Tell me what you need, baby,¡± he demanded, sliding two thick fingers into my dripping entrance while his mouth continued its assault on my swollen bud. ¡°You,¡± I gasped, grinding shamelessly against his face. ¡°I need you inside me. Please, Alex.¡± Secure 41 The crawled up my body, his massive cock pressing against my entrance as he imed my mouth in a bruising kiss. I could taste! myself on his lips, and the erotic sensation only heightened my desperation. ¡°Look at me,¡± hemanded, one hand gripping my jaw. ¡°I want to see your eyes when I make you mine.¡± When he finally moved up my body and entered me with one powerful thrust, I felt filled, stretched to my limit around his impressive girth. The slight burn of the stretch only added to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through my veins. ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re so tight,¡± he groaned, his hips beginning a punishing rhythm that had me seeing stars. ¡°This dirty cunt was made for me.¡± His crude words should have offended me, but instead, they sent waves of heat through my body. Each thrust drove me higher, closer to the edge of bliss. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± dream Alex growled against my neck, his pace relentless as he pounded into me. ¡°Say it, Summer. Tell me you¡¯re mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯m yours,¡± my dream self gasped, nails drawing blood on his back as my body clenched around him. ¡°Always yours. Please¡­ harder¡­ fuck me harder, daddy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it, baby,¡± he praised darkly, angling his thrusts to hit that perfect spot inside me. ¡°Take all of this cock. Show me how much you fucking need it.¡± The coil of pleasure inside me wound tighter and tighter with each brutal thrust. My back arched off the ground as the first waves of my orgasm crashed through me. ¡°Alex!¡± I screamed, my inner walls mping down around him as my entire body convulsed in ecstasy. The pleasure was so intense it bordered on pain, my vision going white as wave after wave of release washed over me. I woke with a start, my body slick with sweat, an unbearable heat between my thighs. Had I really be so desperate that I was having wet dreams like a teenager? After Foster, I never thought I¡¯d crave a man¡¯s touch again, yet here I was, fantasizing about Alexander like my life depended on it. The sound of the doorbell startled me from my embarrassing thoughts. Throwing on a robe over my pajamas, I hurried to the door, wondering who would be visiting this early. When I opened the door, I froze. Alex stood tall andposed on my doorstep,beside him stood a far more cheerful Lyra, practically bouncing. I was stunned. ¡°Summer!¡± she squealed, throwing her arms around me before I could even process what was happening. ¡°Guess what? Alex is throwing a ball this weekend!¡± Iblinked, still recovering from the shock of seeing him here while trying very hard not to make eye contact. ¡°A¡­ ball?¡± Lyra beamed, linking her arm through mine like we were already sisters. ¡°Mm¨Chmm. In your honor.¡± ¡°In my-?¡± I spluttered, ncing briefly at Alex, then away just as quickly. I could still feel the echo of his hands from my dream, ¡°Why would you do that? I really don¡¯t want¡­ all this attention,¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be dramatic,¡± Lyra said with a grin that made me suspicious. ¡°You deserve a little celebration. Besides, it¡¯ll be fun Nowe on¨Cwe¡¯re going to the market to find dresses. Something stunning. Something worthy of a Luna.¡± Before I could protest, she turned to her brother, fluttering hershes. ¡°How much can we spend, dear Alpha?¡± Without a word, Alex pulled a sleek ck card from his wallet and handed it to her, his gaze never leaving me festimi Use whatever you need.¡± +15 BONUS He pulled out his wallet and handed her a ck card, his eyes on me as he said: ¡°It¡¯s an unlimited card, you can spend as much as you want.¡± Lyra snatched the card from his hand with a grin, and I suppressed a gasp. I knew what that card was. There were only ten such cards in the world, and if Alex had one, it meant he was among the ten wealthiest men alive. Alpha Foster wasn¡¯t even close. ¡°I don¡¯t need your money,¡± I protested. Alex¡¯s eyes narrowed, voice low and possessive. ¡°As my future Luna, you don¡¯t need to ask.¡± Lyra giggled while I was left speechless. I was only his future Luna on paper¨Cand only after I was officially free of Foster. So why did he act like it was already real? (1) Secure 42 Chapter 42 Summer¡¯s POV Walking through the gleaming doors of the massive shopping mall, I felt like I¡¯d stepped into another world. After years of pinching pennies and shopping at thrift stores for both Felix and myself, the excessive luxury around me seemed almost offensive. ¡°When was thest time you went shopping?¡± Lyra asked, noticing my wide¨Ceyed expression as we passed store after store of designer brands. ¡°For fun? Probably before Felix was born,¡± I admitted, ncing at the outrageous price tags visible through the windows. Lyra looked horrified. ¡°That¡¯s criminal! You¡¯re telling me Alpha Foster never took you shopping? Not even for special asions? ¡°1 I gave her a wry smile. ¡°Alpha Foster believed a Luna¡¯s job was to look after the pack house and produce heirs. Fashion wasn¡¯t exactly a priority.¡± ¡°Well, my brother definitely doesn¡¯t share that prehistoric mindset,¡± Lyra dered, linking her arm through mine and steering me toward a boutique with mannequins dressed in flowing gowns that looked like they belonged on a red carpet. ¡°Alex appreciates a woman who expresses herself.¡± My stomach fluttered at the mention of his name, memories of my vivid dream flooding back. I quickly pushed them aside, focusing instead on the intimidating storefront before us. ¡°Lyra, I can¡¯t afford anything in there,¡± I whispered as a salesperson approached with a practiced smile. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Alex is paying,¡± she replied before turning to greet the saleswoman. ¡°We¡¯re looking for something spectacr for the ckwood Pack G.¡± The mention of Alex¡¯s pack name transformed the saleswoman¡¯s polite smile into one of genuine enthusiasm. ¡°Of course! Alpha ckwood called ahead. We¡¯ve prepared several options for you to consider.¡± I shot Lyra a questioning look, but she just winked at me. What followed was two hours of me feeling like a reluctant doll as Lyra and the saleswoman¨CVivienne, as she¡¯d introduced herself¨Cparaded me in and out of dresses. Each one cost more than I¡¯d spent on clothes in the past five yearsbined. ¡°Too in,¡± Lyra would say about one. ¡°The cut doesn¡¯t tter her waist,¡± Alex wouldment about another when Lyra sent him photos. I hadn¡¯t even realized he was part of this selection process until Lyra started showing me his responses. The fact that he was so invested in what I would wear made my cheeks burn. ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± I muttered after the seventh rejected gown. ¡°It¡¯s just a party. Can¡¯t I just wear something simple?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just a party,¡± Lyra insisted. ¡°It¡¯s your formal introduction to the pack as Alex¡¯s-¡± She stopped herself, clearing her throat. ¡°As an honored guest of the Alpha.¡± Before I could question what she¡¯d been about to say, Vivienne returned with a garment bag, her expression reverent. ¡°The manager suggested we try our signature piece,¡± she said, unzipping the bag with careful fingers. I gasped despite myself. The dress was stunning¨Ca deep emerald silk that seemed to capture and reflect light in hypnotic ways. Intricate beadwork adorned the bodice, creating patterns that reminded me of ancient runes. ¡°This is our crown jewel,¡± Vivienne exined. ¡°Designed exclusively for us. The color would be magnificent with yourplexion and eyes.¡± +15 BONUS Lyra was practically bouncing with excitement. ¡°Try it on! Alex will lose his mind when he sees you in this.¡± I hesitated, fingering the price tag discreetly and nearly choking when I saw the figure. ¡°This is too much.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Lyra dismissed my concern with a wave. ¡°Go try it on before I drag you into that fitting room myself.¡± Reluctantly, I took the dress and retreated to the spacious changing room. The fabric felt like liquid in my hands as I carefully stepped into it, pulling it up over my hips and chest. The fit was eerily perfect, as if it had been made for me. The problem came when I tried to zip up the back. The zipper caught halfway, and no matter how I contorted my arms, I couldn¡¯t reach it properly. ¡°Lyra?¡± I called out. ¡°I need some help with the zipper.¡± I heard the curtain rustle behind me, and my eyes met Alex¡¯s in the mirror. My breath caught in my throat as his intense gaze traveled down my exposed back. ¡°Lyra had to take a call,¡± he said, his voice deeper than usual. ¡°She asked me to check if you needed anything.¡± ¡°May I?¡± he asked, gesturing to the zipper. I nodded. As his fingers brushed against my spine, images from my dream shed through my mind¡ªhis hands gripping my hips, his mouth on my neck, his voice rough as he imed me. I needed to say something¨Canything¨Cto pull my focus away from the heat crawling up my neck. ¡°So¡­ I thought you weren¡¯ting shopping with us,¡± I said. ¡°I wasn¡¯t I just had to pick something up before joining you,¡± he replied, his eyes never leaving mine in the reflection.¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss seeing you like this for anything in the world.¡± Secure 43 My pulse quickened at the intensity of his gaze, making it difficult to breathe normally. When he finished, his hands didn¡¯t leave my body. Instead, they settled on my arms, holding me in ce. ¡°You were dreaming about mest night,¡± Alex said suddenly, his voice low and certain. It wasn¡¯t a question. Heat rushed to my face. ¡°How-¡± ¡°I could hear you,¡± he admitted, his fingers lingering on the now¨Cfastened zipper. ¡°My room is directly above yours. You called my name.¡± Mortification washed over me. Had I really been that loud? What else had he heard? ¡°What exactly was I doing to you in that dream?¡± he murmured, his handsing to rest on my shoulders as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°Tell me, little wolf, am I bending you over in these dreams? Or are you riding my cock?¡± ¡°No!Nothing,¡± I lied, unable to meet his eyes in the mirror. ¡°It was just a dream.¡± He didn¡¯t press further, but the knowing smirk on his face told me he wasn¡¯t fooled. ¡°You look breathtaking,¡± Alex murmured, his eyes meeting mine in our reflection. ¡°Every unmated wolf at that g will want you, but they¡¯ll all know you¡¯re mine.¡± His hands slid slightly down my arms, possessively. ¡°This dress makes me want to bend you over right here and bury my face in your sweet pussy until you scream.¡± My core clenched at his words, warmth spreading through my lower belly. Before I could process his obscene words, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. With practiced ease, he opened it to reveal a stunning ne¨Cemeralds set in intricate silver that matched the dress perfectly. ¡°Alex,¡± I gasped as he draped it around my neck, the cool stones resting against my heated skin. ¡°This is too much.¡± ¡°Nothing is too much for my mate,¡± he replied simply, fastening the sp and letting his fingers trail down my neck. ¡°The emeralds match your eyes when you¡¯re aroused¡­ like now.¡± His fingertips traced along my corbone, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°I bet your pretty little cunt is the same color¨Cpink and glistening wet, just begging for my tongue.¡± I swallowed hard, acutely aware of how my body was responding to his word. The thin silk of the dress did nothing to hide my hardened nipples, and I could feel dampness gathering between my thighs. ¡°Alex¡­..¡°I instinctively took a small step forward, trying to put some distance between us. I need some space to breathe. And then he pulled me back against his chest, I felt the unmistakable hardness of his arousal pressing against my lower back. The sensation sent me straight back to my dream¨Cwhere that same hardness had filled mepletely, stretching me in the most delicious way as he thrust relentlessly into me. My underwear grew damper at the memory, ¡°I can smell how wet you are,¡± Alex whispered. His hands slid from my shoulders to my waist, pulling me tighter against him. You¡¯re soaked just from me talking to you? Fuck, I can¡¯t wait to feel those tight walls clenching around my cock when I make you His filthy words made my cheeks burn with equal parts embarrassment and arousal. ¡°You should go,¡± I managed to say, though my body screamed for the opposite. ¡°Lyra mighte back.¡± With a knowing smirk, he ced a burning kiss on the side of my neck before stepping back. His breath ghosted against my skin as he murmured, ¡°We¡¯re not done, Summer. Not even close.¡± Just then, Lyra stepped inside¨Conly to freeze when her eyesnded on me. ¡°Oh my God!¡± she squealed. ¡°You look absolutely incredible! And the ne¨CAlex, it¡¯s perfect with the dress!¡± I touched the emeralds self¨Cconsciously, still stunned by the extravagance of the gift. ¡°It¡¯s too much,¡± I repeated. ¡°Nonsense,¡± Lyra dismissed. ¡°You¡¯re going to be the most beautiful woman at the g.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be the most beautiful woman in the room no matter what she wears,¡± Alex corrected, his eyes still fixed on me with an intensity that made my knees weak. ¡°But yes, the dress is perfect.¡± With that, he excused himself from the fitting room, leaving me blushing under Lyra¡¯s knowing gaze. ¡°He¡¯spletely smitten,¡± she dered once her brother was out of earshot. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him look at anyone like that¡­ well, ever.¡± I cleared my throat, trying to calm my racing heart. ¡°He¡¯s just being nice.¡± Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Nice isn¡¯t part of my brother¡¯s vocabry. Possessive, protective, passionate¨Cthose are Alex words. Nice? Not so much.¡± Before I could respond, she was already moving on to shoes and clutches, but her words stayed with me. I touched the ne again, realizing what it might mean. The question was: was I ready to be imed? Secure 44 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS After our shopping excursion, Lyra and I wandered through the market za, enjoying the afternoon sun casting a golden glow over the bustling boutiques and caf¨¦s. What surprised me most wasn¡¯t the luxury surrounding us, but Alexander¡¯s persistent presence just steps behind, carrying our shopping bags with casual strength. ¡°Is your brother always this¡­ attentive?¡± I whispered to Lyra, feeling Alexander¡¯s eyes burning into my back. Lyra smirked. ¡°Never. He usually sends security to trail me while he handles ¡®important Alpha business.¡® This is definitely new territory.¡± I couldn¡¯t help noticing how people parted like the Red Sea as we walked. Women paused mid¨Cconversation, openly staring at Alexander with hungry eyes before shifting their curious gazes to me. Men straightened their postures, offering respectful nods that reeked of submission. ¡°They¡¯re wondering who you are,¡± Lyra murmured, catching my observation. ¡°An Alpha rarely shows himself in public spaces like this, especially not following a woman around like a lovesick puppy.¡± ¡°I can hear you,¡± Alexander growled from behind us, though there was no real anger in his tone. I nced back at him. His eyes were fixed on me, dark and possessive. Each time our gazes met, heat pooled low in my belly, reminding me of his words in the fitting room. ¡°We need to get something for Felix too,¡± I said, trying to distract myself. ¡°He¡¯ll need a suit for the weekend.¡± Alex immediately nodded. ¡°Lead the way.¡± In the boys¡® formal wear shop, I carefully selected a navy suit that wouldplement Felix¡¯s coloring. When I checked the price tag, I hesitated. ¡°This one¡¯s perfect,¡± Alex said, taking it from my hands before I could put it back. ¡°He¡¯ll look sharp.¡± ¡°It¡¯s expensive,¡± I protested weakly. Alex¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°My son deserves nice things too. Get whatever he needs.¡± The intimate way he referred to Felix as ¡°my son¡± left me breathless. My God, was this the same Alpha I¡¯d known? By the time we¡¯d finished shopping, Alex wasden with bags while I tried not to think about the obscene amount of money he¡¯d spent. Without warning, he handed the bags to one of his security detail who had discreetly followed us. Then reached out and took my hand. ¡°You look tired,¡± he dered, his tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°We¡¯re going home.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I insisted, even as I suppressed a yawn. ¡°We haven¡¯t even had lunch yet.¡± ¡°I can make her something at home,¡± Alex said to Lyra, ¡°You¡¯re being ridiculous,¡± I muttered as we walked. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly capable of shopping all day.¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re capable,¡± he replied, his lips brushing against my ear. ¡°But I¡¯ve been watching you parade around in that tight little dress for hours, and my control is fucking slipping. Unless you want me to bend you over in a public changing room, we¡¯re going home.¡± 112 +15 BONUS My cheeks burned at his crude words, but I couldn¡¯t deny the thrill they sent through me. The drive back to the packhouse was charged with tension, Alex¡¯s hand resting possessively on my thigh the entire way. As we pulled into the circr driveway, my stomach dropped. The grand entrance hall was visible through the open doors, and it was filled with flowers¨Cdozens upon dozens of borate arrangements in dramatic whites and purples. ¡°What the hell?¡± Alexander muttered, parking haphazardly and stalking toward the entrance. We followed close behind, the sweet perfume of lilies and roses hitting us as we entered. A small card was attached to the nearest arrangement. My heart sank as I recognized the crest stamped on the envelope. ¡°Foster,¡± Alexander spat the name like poison as he snatched the card. His eyes darkened dangerously as he read it, before crushing it in his fist. From across the hall, Beta Sean appeared, his face tight with barely contained hostility. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Alex holding my hand. ¡°Alpha Foster sends these with his apologies to Luna Summer,¡± Sean announced formally, though his expression was anything but respectful. ¡°He wishes to express his regret for any misunderstandings.¡± ¡°Ex¨CLuna,¡± Alex corrected coldly. ¡°And she doesn¡¯t ept.¡± Sean¡¯s eyes shed with challenge. ¡°I believe that¡¯s for her to decide, not you, Alpha ckwood.¡± In an instant, Alex released my hand. Before I could blink, he had Sean pinned against the wall, hand around his throat. ¡°You dare challenge me in my own territory?¡± Alex snarled, his voice dropping to that dangerous Alpha timbre that made my knees weak. ¡°You forget your ce, Beta.¡± Sean struggled against Alex¡¯s grip, his face turning red. ¡°The Luna belongs with her rightful Alpha,¡± he choked out. ¡°She is MINE,¡± Alexander roared, his eyes shing crimson. The disy of power was so intense that the very air seemed topress around us. ¡°Choose your next words very carefully, or I will rip out your fucking throat with my teeth.¡± The raw power emanating from Alex was palpable. Despite Sean being Foster¡¯s second¨Cinmand, he was clearly no match for Alex¡¯s strength. ¡°Ethan,¡± Alex called, not taking his eyes off Sean. His Beta appeared immediately. ¡°Yes, Alpha?¡± ¡°Escort this piece of shit off my territory. If he or any of Foster¡¯sckeys step foot here again without my explicit permission, consider it an act of war.¡± X Secure 45 2/2 +15 BONUS Chapter 45 Ethan nodded grimly, taking the now¨Creleased and gasping Sean by the arm. ¡°Wait,¡± came a new voice. Council Envoy Theo, stepped forward with a folder in hand. ¡°Before you go, Sean, as Beta representing Alpha Foster, please ept these court documents. The divorce hearing is scheduled for next week. Please inform your Alpha that his presence is expected.¡± Sean¡¯s face contorted with rage as he snatched the papers. Ethan¡¯s grip on his arm tightened as he practically dragged Foster¡¯s Beta toward the exit. Once they were gone, Alex turned his attention to the flowers, his jaw tight with barely contained fury. ¡°Get rid of these. All of them. Now.¡± Pack members hurried to follow his orders, quickly removing the borate arrangements. As they worked, Alex pulled me into his arms, burying his face in my neck and inhaling deeply. ¡°You smell like me,¡± he murmured against my skin. ¡°Good.¡± I shivered as his lips grazed my pulse point. ¡°Alex¡­¡± ¡°Mine,¡± he growled softly, the word vibrating against my throat. His hand slid down to squeeze my ass possessively. ¡°Everyst fucking inch of you.¡± During dinner, my phone rang. Seeing Susanna¡¯s number, I answered hesitantly. ¡°Do you like the flowers?¡± she asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. ¡°What do you want, Susanna?¡± I demanded. ¡°I just thought you should know where those flowers came from,¡± she said with smug satisfaction. ¡°Foster sent them to me first. I refused them, of course. I suppose you were second choice¡­ again.¡± My stomach twisted painfully as humiliation washed over me. I ended the call without another word. ¡°Who was that?¡± Alex asked, his voice deceptively calm though I could see the muscles in his jaw twitching. ¡°Susanna,¡± I whispered, unable to meet his gaze. ¡°She¡­ she said the flowers were originally meant for her. Foster only sent them to me after she rejected them.¡± Alex¡¯s fingers tightened around mine. ¡°Look at me,¡± hemanded softly. When I raised my eyes to his, the intensity I found there stole my breath. ¡°You are nobody¡¯s second choice. Not to me. Never to me.¡± Lyra reached across the table to squeeze my other hand. ¡°My brother¡¯s right. And honestly, who cares what Foster does? The man clearly has the taste of a blind goat and the personality to match.¡± Iughed, though it sounded hollow even to my ears. But my appetitepletely gone,Alex didn¡¯t push me to eat more, but I noticed his protective gaze never left me for the rest of the meal. I had barely reached my bedroom when a knock sounded at the door. A timid maid stood outside, holding the most stunning arrangement of deep red roses I¡¯d ever seen. ¡°From Alpha ckwood,¡± she whispered, cing them on my bedside table betore scurrying away. Unlike Foster¡¯s ostentatious disys, these roses were simple but breathtaking¨Ctheir petals dark as blood, their scent rich and intoxicating. A small note was tucked among them, written in bold, masculine script: ¡°These were grown for you alone. -A¡± I was still staring at them, fingers tracing the velvety petals, when another knock came at my door. +15 BONUS ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Lyra called out. ¡°Girl talk time!¡± I let her in, and her eyes immediately went to the roses. ¡°Well, well¡­ my brother doesn¡¯t do things by halves, does he?¡± She flopped onto my bed, patting the space beside her. I sat down hesitantly, still feeling emotional whish from the day¡¯s events. ¡°He¡¯s never brought a woman home before,¡± Lyra said suddenly. ¡°Not once in all these years.¡± ¡°Never?¡± I asked, surprised despite myself. She shook her head. ¡°Oh, he¡¯s had his¡­ arrangements. Discreet meetings in neutral territories. But never here, never in our home.¡± She looked at me meaningfully. ¡°Do you know what that means?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t ask to be here,¡± I reminded her. ¡°No, but you belong here,¡± Lyra insisted. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Alex like this¨Cprotective, yes, he¡¯s always been that way with me. But possessive? Openly affectionate? That¡¯s new territory.¡± ¡°He threw me over his shoulder and kidnapped me,¡± I deadpanned. Lyraughed. ¡°Wolves aren¡¯t known for their subtle courtship.¡± Her expression turned more serious. ¡°Just¡­ give him a chance, okay? He¡¯s been alone for so long, carrying the weight of the pack, never letting anyone close enough to see the man behind the Alpha.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid,¡± I admitted quietly. ¡°Not of him, exactly. But of what happens when he gets bored, or realizes I¡¯m not what he wants.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not how mate bonds work,¡± Lyra said softly. ¡°When a true Alpha finds his mate, it¡¯s for life. No substitutes, no recements.¡± I wanted to believe her, but years with Foster had taught me that men¨Cespecially powerful men¨Ctook what they wanted until something better came along. After Lyra left, I changed into my nightgown and crawled into bed, pulling the roses closer so their scent enveloped me. Despite my doubts, there was something undeniablyforting about being surrounded by Alexander¡¯s gift as I drifted off to sleep. I woke the next morning to the sensation of being watched. Opening my eyes, I found Alexander standing at the foot of my bed, his eyes dark and hungry as they trailed over my body beneath the thin sheet. ¡°You sleep with my roses,¡± he observed, voice rough with desire. I sat up quickly, clutching the sheet to my chest. ¡°What are you doing in my room?¡± Secure 47 Summer¡¯s POV Instead of answering, he moved toward me with predatory grace, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hand came up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing across my lower lip. ¡°I couldn¡¯t sleepst night,¡± he murmured, his eyes locked on mine. ¡°I was too busy thinking about you.¡± Heat surged to my cheeks before I could stop it. I looked away, flustered, cursing how easily he could make me blush with just a few words. He leaned down, plucking a rose petal from my cheek. ¡°¡°If you don¡¯t get ready soon, I might just climb into this bed and fuck you senseless.¡± Then he pressed his lips against mine. I should have pushed him away, should have maintained some dignity. Instead, I moaned into his mouth, my hands fisting in his hair to pull him closer. With a growl of approval, he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine as he pushed me back onto the pillows. His weight settled partially on top of me, one thick thigh pressing between my legs as he devoured my mouth. I moaned at the delicious pressure against my core, my hands fisting in his shirt. ¡°That¡¯s it, baby,¡± he rasped against my lips. ¡°Let me hear how much you want my cock inside that tight little cunt.¡± I gasped at his filthy words, my body responding with a rush of wetness between my thighs. His hand slid under my sleep shirt, moving upward until he cupped my breast, thumb circling my nipple until it hardened into a desperate peak. ¡°Alex,¡± I whimpered as his mouth moved to my neck. I swear I could feel his sharp canines grazing my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, but I couldn¡¯t push him away. I couldn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t know what had changed in my world, but I wanted him to continue. As if knowing my thoughts, he kissed my cheek a few times, then moved to the spot on my neck where his mark should go. When his fangs scraped across it, I cried out, grabbing his hair. Heat pooled in my belly. ¡°You¡¯re fucking soaked,¡± he growled, his thigh pressing harder against my center. ¡°I can smell how wet your pussy is for me. Want me to taste it, baby? Want me to lick that sweet cunt until you¡¯re screaming my name?¡± ¡°Please,¡± I begged, not even sure what I was asking for. His lips curved into a triumphant smile against mine. ¡°Please what? Tell me what you need, Summer. Be explicit.¡± Before I could answer, the door suddenly flew open, making us both freeze. Alexander snarled as he turned to see who had interrupted. Lyra. ¡°Lyra, when will you break this bad habit of barging into people¡¯s rooms?¡± Alexander asked with obvious irritation. I climbed out of bed, noticing rose petals scattered across both Alexander¡¯s clothes and my skin. I didn¡¯t know what was wrong with me, but I desperately wanted to pick every petal off his skin. With my tongue. Fuck. Where were these thoughtsing from? ¡°Sorry,¡± Lyra said, not sounding sorry at all. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she took in our disheveled state. ¡°Breakfast is ready, and I thought you¡¯d want to know Ethan is looking for you. Something about border security.¡± Alexander cursed under his breath. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll be down in five minutes.¡± ¡°Five minutes?¡± Lyra smirked. ¡°That¡¯s hardly enough time for-¡± ¡°OUT,¡± Alexander roared. Lyra giggled as she backed out, closing the door with a decisive click. Alexander turned back to me with hunger still evident in his eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll continue thister,¡± he promised, voice thick with desire. ¡°And next time, I¡¯m locking the fucking door.¡± He ced one final, possessive kiss on my lips before reluctantly pulling away. As he straightened his clothes, I noticed the impressive bulge straining against his zipper and couldn¡¯t help the small thrill of satisfaction knowing I¡¯d affected him so strongly. ¡°Don¡¯t look so pleased with yourself, little wolf,¡± he warned, noticing my gaze. ¡°When I finally get you underneath me, you won¡¯t be wearing that smug smile. You¡¯ll be too busy screaming my name.¡± After he left, I copsed back onto the bed, my entire body humming with unfulfilled desire. How had I gone from fearing this man to craving his touch in such a short time? During breakfast, Lyra couldn¡¯t contain her excitement as she filled me in on thetest pack gossip. ¡°You won¡¯t believe what happened to Suzanna yesterday,¡± she said with barely concealed glee. ¡°Someone actually punched her in the face at the Wolf¡¯s Den bar! Apparently, she was running her mouth about you and Felix, and some pack member¨Cwe still don¡¯t know who¨Cjust snapped. Broke her nose and left some nasty scratches across her cheek too.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ quite unfortunate,¡± I said carefully, though I couldn¡¯t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. ¡°Unfortunate? It¡¯s divine justice,¡± Lyra dered. ¡°After how she¡¯s treated you? Please.¡± ¡°A rather coincidental ident, don¡¯t you think?¡± Lyra¡¯s eyes widened slightly before she gave me a sly smile. ¡°My brother does have a knack for¡­ solving problems.¡± Chapter 47 The days that followed were a blur of activity. I spent most of my time at the hospital with Felix, while Alexander seemed constantly caught up in pack business. Our paths rarely crossed, save for brief moments in hallways or the asional dinner where his heated stares promised things he hadn¡¯t yet delivered. Each night, though, fresh roses would appear in my room¨Ca silent reminder that I hadn¡¯t been forgotten. Saturday evening arrived with a flurry of activity. After collecting Felix from the hospital¨Chis face lighting up at the prospect of attending the ball¨CLyra swept us both into her suite for what she called ¡°the full transformation experience.¡± While Felix rested on Lyra¡¯s plush sofa, she worked her magic on me, styling my hair in loose waves and applying makeup that somehow enhanced my features without making me look overdone. When I emerged from Lyra¡¯s bathroom in the emerald green dress that hugged my curves before flowing out at the hips, Felix gasped. ¡°Mom, you look beautiful,¡± he said, his good eye shining with pride. ¡°Indeed, she does,¡± came Alexander¡¯s deep voice from the doorway. I turned to find him leaning against the frame, his gaze traveling slowly over my body in a way that made heat pool in my stomach. He was devastating in his ck tuxedo, the fabric straining slightly across his broad shoulders. A sh of emerald at his cuffs and throat caught my eye¨Chis cufflinks and tie were the exact shade of green as my dress. My heart fluttered. Had he done that on purpose? He wanted us to match. The thought made my cheeks warm¨Cit was stupidly sweet, and I loved it. ¡°I¡¯ll take Felix down to get settled,¡± Lyra said with a knowing smirk. ¡°You two can¡­ follow when you¡¯re ready.¡± After they left, Alexander crossed the room in three long strides, pulling me against him. ¡°You¡¯re fucking gorgeous,¡± growled, his lips brushing my ear. ¡°I want to hide you away, where only I get to see you.¡± he Before I could respond, he captured my mouth in a kiss that left me gasping. Then, just as quickly, he pulled away. ¡°We should go down. Before I decide to rip that pretty dress off you.¡± As we descended the grand staircase, Felix waiting for us at the bottom with Lyra, I noticed my son studying Alexander with unexpected interest. ¡°Is he your boyfriend now, Mom?¡± Felix asked when Alexander stepped away to speak with one of his pack members. I choked slightly. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ ¡°I like him. He visits me at the hospital when you¡¯re not there. Brings me books and tells me about the pack.¡± Alexander had been visiting my son without telling me?A rush of warmth spread through my chest, softening something inside me I didn¡¯t even know was braced. ¡°He makes the doctors nervous,¡± Felix continued with a small smile. ¡°But he makes them try harder with my treatments. And¡­ ¡°he hesitated, ¡°he talks about you a lot. He really likes you, Mom.¡± Before I could process this information, Alexander returned, cing a possessive hand at the small of my back. ¡°The pack is eager to meet you both properly,¡± he said, guiding us toward the packed ballroom. To my surprise, we were greeted with warmth and curiosity rather than the hostility I¡¯d expected. Pack members came forward to introduce themselves, many crouching to Felix¡¯s level to wee him specifically. ¡°Alexander has never brought anyone to these events before,¡± a kindly older woman whispered to me. ¡°You must be very special indeed.¡± As the evening progressed, I found myself rxing, especially after seeing how carefully the pack members included Felix in conversations, never treating him differently because of his eye or making him feel self¨Cconscious. When a slower song began to y, Alexander appeared at my side. ¡°Dance with me,¡± he said, not a question but not quite a On the dance floor, his arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me closer than was strictly proper. ¡°Every man in this room is watching you,¡± he murmured against my hair. ¡°And I can¡¯t fucking me them.¡± Iughed softly. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s you they¡¯re watching. The mighty Alpha showing interest in a woman.¡± His hand tightened on my waist. ¡°Not just any woman. My woman.¡± The possessiveness in his voice should have angered me, but instead, it sent a thrill down my spine. As we swayed to the music, his body pressed intimately against mine, I began to think that perhaps I could have a ce here, with him. Perhaps Felix and I both could. The fantasy shattered with the sound of gasps rippling through the ballroom. Alexander stiffened, his body going rigid against mine before he slowly turned toward the entrance. There, looking smug and dangerous, stood Alpha Foster. And on his arm, wearing a triumphant smile despite her still¨Cvisible bruised nose and poorly concealed scratch marks across her cheek, was Suzanna. +15 BONUS Secure 48 Beta Sean burst into my office, his face grim as he handed me the man envelope. ¡°This arrived by courier, Alpha. It¡¯s from the Council.¡± I snatched the envelope, ripping it open with barely contained fury. As I scanned the documents inside, rage boiled within me. ¡°This is outrageous!¡± I mmed my fist against the polished mahogany desk, causing the crystal decanter to rattle precariously. ¡°She can¡¯t legally divorce me! She¡¯s my Luna!¡± ¡°The Council ruled unanimously,¡± Sean said cautiously, keeping a safe distance from my desk. ¡°And the court summons that Council Envoy Theo handed me yesterday makes it official.¡± I immediately called Martin, my packwyer. He arrived within the hour, nervous energy radiating off him as he took a seat across from me. ¡°This is impossible,¡± I thrust the papers at him. ¡°Fix it.¡± Martin cleared his throat nervously as he reviewed the documents. ¡°I¡¯m afraid the Council has already reviewed Alpha ckwood¡¯s petition thoroughly. The ruling is binding.¡± ¡°What petition?¡± I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. Martin adjusted his sses, clearly ufortable. ¡°Alpha ckwood has formally imed Summer as his mate. Given the¡­ circumstances of your marriage, and the evidence of negligence regarding her medical care while under your protection, the Council has granted his request.¡± ¡°Bullshit! She¡¯s been my Luna for years. This mate im is conveniently timed, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°The ckwood Pack is currently thergest in the North America territory,¡± Martin exined carefully. ¡°They¡¯ve been without a Luna for nearly a decade. The Council elders were¡­ persuaded by his argument.¡± ¡°You mean they didn¡¯t want to risk angering him,¡± I spat. ¡°Spineless old fools.¡± ¡°There¡¯s still the matter of her medicalwsuit,¡± Martin continued. ¡°That could be problematic.¡± I waved dismissively. ¡°The hospital records have been taken care of.¡± ¡°Yes, but we need to ensure everyone involved understands the narrative. The women who received the¡­ donations¡­ must believe they were anonymous contributions.¡± ¡°They¡¯ve been paid handsomely to keep their mouths shut,¡± I assured him. Martin looked unconvinced. ¡°It only takes one person to speak out, Alpha. If anyone deviates from our story-¡± ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± I cut him off. ¡°No one would dare cross me.¡± After dismissing Martin, I felt the need to release some tension. I made my way to the Omega quarters where I¡¯d relegated Susanna after Summer¡¯s departure. Despite being the cause of Summer leaving, Susanna¡¯s particr skills in the bedroom were still useful to me. I found her lounging on the bed, flipping through a magazine with feigned disinterest. When she saw me enter, her expression changed to one of practiced concern. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± she purred, setting aside her magazine. ¡°I was just thinking about you. I tried calling Luna Summer earlier to smooth things over, but she wouldn¡¯t even speak to me.¡± Her lower lip jutted out in a calcted pout. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve done to help make this pack a home¡­¡± +15 BONUS I grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back sharply. ¡°You think I¡¯m a fool? You¡¯ve done nothing but sabotage my marriage from day one.¡± ¡°No, Alpha,¡± she gasped, eyes wide with manufactured innocence. ¡°I¡¯ve only ever wanted what¡¯s best for you and the pack. Luna Summer was never strong enough to¡ª¡± I pped her hard across the face, the sound echoing in the small room. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare speak her name¨Cyou¡¯re not even worthy of saying it.¡± ¡°Daddy, stop!¡± Moore¡¯s small voice came from the doorway. The seven¨Cyear¨Cold boy stood there, trembling as he watched me with his mother. ¡°Get out, boy,¡± I growled, not bothering to cover myself. ¡°This doesn¡¯t concern you.¡® Instead, Moore rushed to his mother¡¯s side, small arms trying to shield her from me. ¡°Leave her alone! You¡¯re hurting her!¡± With one smooth motion, I kicked him away from Susanna, sending him sprawling across the floor. ¡°Don¡¯t test me, boy. The only reason you¡¯re not getting the same treatment is because you¡¯re a child.¡± Moore scrambled to his feet, tears streaming down his face but defiance in his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s my mom! You can¡¯t hurt her!¡± ¡°Get out,¡± I ordered him. ¡°Now.¡± When he hesitated, I took a menacing step forward. That was enough to send him scurrying from the room. Turning back to Susanna, I fixed her with a cold stare. ¡°The next time you feel like interfering in my affairs, remember this moment. Remember that your position here is entirely dependent on my goodwill.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha, I understand. I won¡¯t overstep again.¡± Despite her reddened cheek, Susanna¡¯s demeanor shifted instantly. Her eyes lowered submissively as she reached for my belt with practiced fingers. ¡°Let me make it up to you, Alpha,¡± she whispered, her voice a seductive caress. ¡°I know exactly what you need after a stressful day.¡± I didn¡¯t stop her as she unbuckled my belt, her movements deliberately slow and teasing. Even as I despised her maniptions, I couldn¡¯t deny that she knew how to please me physically. Secure 49 Chapter 49 ¡°I¡¯m not in the mood for games,¡± I warned, pushing her roughly onto her back. ¡°No games,¡± she promised, her tears mysteriously gone as she gazed up at me with calcted desire. ¡°Just let me take care of you, Alpha.¡± I tore her flimsy nightgown down the middle, exposing her breasts. Once, I¡¯d found her beautiful. Now she was just a convenient outlet for my frustration. I bit down hard on her neck, marking her roughly as I forced her thighs apart with my knee. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± she gasped, wincing at my roughness, ¡°please-¡± I silenced her with a punishing kiss, biting her lower lip hard enough to draw blood. She whimpered beneath me as I positioned myself. ¡°You¡¯re my property,¡± I growled against her ear as I thrust into her without preparation. ¡°Remember that.¡± She cried out in pain, but I didn¡¯t slow down. Each thrust was harder than thest, driven by my rage at Summer¡¯s betrayal, at the Council¡¯s decision, at everything spiraling out of my control. Susanna¡¯s tears streamed down her face, but I didn¡¯t care. She¡¯d brought this on herself. ¡°It¡­ it hurts,¡± she whispered, voice small and trembling, ¡°You¡¯re just¡­ so rough tonight, Alpha¡­¡± I grabbed her throat with one hand, squeezing just enough to make her eyes widen with fear. ¡°You think this hurts? This is nothingpared to what I¡¯ll do if you ever interfere with my ns again.¡± The fear in her eyes only drove me harder. I finished with a final, brutal thrust, releasing her throat as I rolled away. She immediately curled into herself, sobbing quietly. As my breathing steadied, Susanna¡¯s sobs gradually subsided. After a moment, she crawled toward me, her movements deliberately sensual despite her obvious pain. ¡°Alpha,¡± she murmured, her voice honey¨Csweet as she ced a gentle hand on my chest. ¡°What¡¯s your n for Luna Summer?¡± Her fingers traced patterns on my skin. I regarded her coldly, unmoved by her transparent maniption. ¡°That¡¯s none of your concern. Just know this¨Conce she¡¯s back, you¡¯re gone.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± she said, fingers stillzily tracing my chest. ¡°But to have even a few days in your bed¡­ it¡¯s worth it.¡± She looked up at me, eyes soft and glistening. ¡°She¡¯s so lucky. I envy her more than I can say.¡± Her hand slid lower, over my stomach, and I felt myself responding despite my contempt for her. Noticing my reaction, she smiled and slid down my body, her mouth recing her hand. I grabbed her hair again, this time to control her movements as she worked to please me. Within minutes, I was pushing her onto her back again, taking her a second time with the same brutal intensity as before. I left Susanna in bed and returned to my office. Dr. Randall was waiting for me, his normally confident demeanor reced with obvious anxiety. ¡°Is it done?¡± I demanded without preamble. ¡°Yes, Alpha. All records have been wiped from the database. There¡¯s no digital trace of Summer¡¯s fertility treatments or the¡­ alternative procedures.¡± ¡°And the staff?¡± ¡°Everyone who had ess to those files has beenpensated for their discretion.¡± I nodded, but something nagged at me. ¡°What about physical records? Charts, printouts, nurse notes?¡± Dr. Randall straightened his posture. ¡°Already taken care of, Alpha. I personally supervised the destruction of all physical documentation this morning. Everything was incinerated ording to our special protocol for sensitive materials.¡± I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. ¡°Good. Now get out.¡± Once alone, I poured myself a generous ss of whiskey. As I sipped the amber liquid, my phone lit up with a notification. I opened it to find an invitation being circted among the regional pack leaders¨Ca g at the ckwood Pack house this week. The invitation featured a professional photograph of Alexander ckwood standing proudly beside Summer, his arm possessively around her waist. She was smiling¨Cgenuinely smiling¨Cin a way I hadn¡¯t seen in years. The caption read: ¡°Alpha Alexander ckwood cordially invites you to celebrate the introduction of his mate, Summer, to the ckwood Pack.¡± My ss shattered in my grip, whiskey and blood mingling as shards embedded in my palm. The audacity¨Cto parade her around as if she belonged to him, to act as though years of marriage to me could be erased with a simple Council ruling. This wasn¡¯t over. Not by a long shot. ¡°Sean!¡± I roared, knowing my Beta would hear me from anywhere in the house. He appeared within moments, taking in the blood dripping from my hand with practiced neutrality. ¡°Call Mason and Burke,¡± I ordered, referring to my most trusted enforcers. ¡°I need a suit for the party and find out what store Summer got her dress from.¡± ¡°You¡¯re attending the g?¡± Sean asked, surprised. Secure 50 Summer¡¯s POV Alpha Foster entered the ballroom like a storm cloud crashing through summer skies, with Suzanna draped on his arm, wearing crimson silk far too bold for the asion. Her cheek bore a faint bruise under heavy makeup, and w marks trailed down the edge of her corbone, poorly concealed by her diamond ne. I could feel every eye turning toward them, the room thick with anticipation. ¡°They came to provoke,¡± I whispered to Alex. His jaw flexed. ¡°Let them. They¡¯re stepping into our territory now.¡± Foster¡¯s gaze locked onto mine. There was fury in his eyes, yes¨Cbut something else, too. Possession. Entitlement. Suzanna clung to him like a trophy, her smile brittle as ss. Her lips moved, whispering something into his ear, and he gave a tight nod. I saw the flicker of pain in her eyes despite her mask of pride. Then Foster¡¯s voice cracked through the ballroom¨Cloud and full of righteous fury. ¡°This is outrageous!¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s voice boomed across the ballroom, silencing all conversation. ¡°Summer is my Luna, my mate. This entire charade shouldn¡¯t even be happening.¡± A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd as representatives from neighboring packs exchanged nces. My blood boiled at his audacity. ¡°We are divorced, Foster,¡± I said coldly, my voice carrying despite its softness. ¡°You already have a new Luna at your side.¡± I gestured toward Suzanna, whose bruised face and poorly concealed scratch marks drew curious stares. ¡°Whom I choose to be with is my freedom, not yours to dictate.¡± Alex¡¯s hand tightened protectively around my waist, his body radiating heat and barely contained rage. ¡°Summer,¡± Alpha Foster took a step forward, eyes scanning the room until theynded on Felix, who stood beside Lyra. A calcting smile spread across his face. ¡°Felix, son, surely you don¡¯t want your mother to make this mistake? You understand family should stay together.¡± Before I could intervene, Felix stepped forward, his one good eye fixed unwaveringly on Alpha Foster. ¡°You stopped being my father the moment you took my eye and gave it to Moore,¡± he said, his young voice wavering slightly but growing stronger with each word. ¡°When you chose him over me, you lost the right to call me son.¡± Gasps echoed through the ballroom. Pack members stared at Alpha Foster with undisguised disgust and horror. An Alpha who would betray not only his mate but mutte his own child? It was unthinkable. Alpha Foster¡¯s face contorted with fury. ¡°That¡¯s a lie! You ungrateful little-¡± I moved before I even realized it. My hand connected with his face in a sharp, resounding p that echoed through the ballroom like a thunderp. ¡°You do not speak to him like that,¡± Thissed, my voice shaking with rage. ¡°Not atter everything you¡¯ve done.¡± A stunned hush fell over the room. Even the music had stopped. Alpha Foster stood frozen, cheek reddening, the imprint of my hand blooming across his skin. Then Alex broken the silence, He stepped forward with deliberate calm, unbothered by the tension still thick in the air. Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out an official¨Clooking document and let it fall at Alpha Foster¡¯s feet. ¡°The Council formally recognizes Summer as my intended mate,¡± Alex said, his voice deceptively mild despite the lethal promise in his eyes. ¡°Your im has been nullified. She belongs with the ckwood Pack now.¡± Alpha Foster snatched up the papers, scanning them before his face twisted with rage. With a roar, he tore the documents to shreds, the pieces fluttering to the marble floor like confetti. ¡°This isn¡¯t real,¡± he snarled. ¡°You¡¯ve forged these documents. The Council would never-¡± ¡°Call them,¡± Alex challenged. ¡°See what they say.¡± Alpha Foster lunged forward suddenly, reaching for my arm. ¡°You¡¯reing home with me now,¡± he growled, attempting to use his Alphamand on me. Before his fingers could make contact, Alex moved with blinding speed. A ferocious snarl ripped from his throat as he mmed Alpha Foster to the ground, pinning him with one hand around his throat. The full force of Alex¡¯s Alpha aura pressed down, making even those of us watching struggle to breathe. Secure 51 Chapter 51 ¡°If you ever try to touch her again,¡± Alex said, his voice a terrifying whisper, ¡°I will tear your throat out and watch you bleed.¡± I could see the killing intent in Alex¡¯s eyes, the way his canines had lengthened. If he killed Alpha Foster here, in front of representatives from every major pack in the region, it would damage the ckwood Pack¡¯s reputation regardless of how justified his actions might be. ¡°Alex,¡± I said softly, approaching cautiously. I ced my hand on his back, feeling the tremors of rage coursing through his muscles. ¡°He¡¯s not worth it.¡± For a moment, I thought he wouldn¡¯t respond. Then, with visible effort, Alex loosened his grip on Alpha Foster¡¯s throat, though his eyes never lost their murderous glint. I wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my body against his back. ¡°Please,¡± I whispered against his skin. ¡°For me.¡± Alex stood in one fluid motion, stepping back but keeping himself between me and Alpha Foster. As Alpha Foster struggled to his feet, gasping for air, Alex signaled to his security team. ¡°Escort Alpha Foster and hispanion off my property,¡± he ordered. ¡°If they resist, use whatever force necessary.¡± As the guards surrounded Alpha Foster and Suzanna, leading them toward the exit, Alex turned to our stunned guests. ¡°My apologies for the interruption,¡± he said smoothly, his formal Alpha persona sliding back into ce.¡± Please, the night is young. Enjoy the celebration.¡± The band began ying again, though conversations remained hushed and eyes continued to flicker toward us. Alex wrapped his arm around me, pulling me close against his side. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked, his voice low. ¡°Yes,¡± I replied, though my heart was still racing. ¡°I should check on Felix.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Alex kept his hand at the small of my back as we moved through the crowd toward my son, who was already beingforted by Lyra. As we approached, Felix looked up at Alex with something like admiration in his eye. ¡°You were really going to kill him, weren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Felix,¡± I admonished, though without much conviction. Alex crouched down to Felix¡¯s level, his expression serious. ¡°I will always protect what¡¯s mine,¡± he said simply. ¡°And that includes you now, too.¡± 1 I watched as my son¡¯s face transformed with a shy smile, and something in my chest squeezed tight. This fierce, dangerous man who could bring an Alpha to his knees was speaking to my son with genuine care and protection. Maybe, just maybe, we had finally found somewhere we truly belonged. Alexander¡¯s POV As soon as I was certain Summer and Felix were settled, I scanned the room for Ethan. Finding my Beta near the bar, I strode over, fury still simmering beneath my skin. ¡°Who the fuck let them in?¡± I demanded without preamble. ¡°Alpha Foster¡¯s entire pack is on our cklist.¡± Ethan¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°I¡¯m already investigating, Alpha. The security team at the main gate ims they had clearance.¡± ¡°Clearance? From who?¡± My voice dropped to a dangerous growl. ¡°Someone in my pack authorized this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m working on it,¡± Ethan assured me, already typing on his phone. ¡°Give me five minutes.¡± I nodded curtly and returned to Summer, who was now engaged in conversation with some of the elder pack members. Her emerald dress caught the light as sheughed at something one of them said, and possessive pride surged through me. Despite the interruption, she seemed to be handling everything with remarkable poise. ¡°They love you,¡± I murmured in her ear as I slid an arm around her waist. She smiled up at me, her eyes bright. ¡°Your pack has been surprisingly weing.¡± ¡°Our pack,¡± I corrected her, enjoying the slight flush that colored her cheeks. ¡°And why wouldn¡¯t they be? You¡¯ve already charmed the most difficult member.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± She raised an eyebrow. ¡°And who would that be?¡± ¡°Me,¡± I said simply, brushing my lips against her temple. We were interrupted by Ethan¡¯s return. His expression told me everything before he even spoke. ¡°A word, Alpha?¡± he requested, his eyes flickering briefly to Summer. I squeezed Summer¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Once we were out of earshot, Ethan¡¯s professional facade slipped slightly. ¡°It was Natalia Thompson who authorized their entry. She apparently told the guards you had personally approved it.¡± Secure 52 My jaw clenched. Natalia was the daughter of Alpha Thompson from the Eastern territory¨Cand a woman I¡¯d briefly been involved with several months ago. The rtionship, if you could call it that, had been purely physical and ended when she began making demands I had no interest in fulfilling. ¡°That vindictive bitch,¡± I muttered under my breath. Ethan shifted ufortably. ¡°She¡¯s still here. Do you want me to handle it?¡± I nced across the room to where Summer stood, looking breathtaking as she chatted with my sister. Thest thing I needed was for Summer to witness a confrontation with a former lover. ¡°No,¡± I said finally. ¡°Not tonight. We¡¯ll deal with her tomorrow. For now, make sure she doesn¡¯t cause any more trouble.¡± Ethan nodded and melted back into the crowd as I returned to Summer¡¯s side. ¡°Everything okay?¡± she asked, her perceptive eyes searching my face. ¡°Just pack business,¡± I replied, not wanting to worry her with the details. ¡°Nothing that can¡¯t wait until tomorrow.¡± She looked skeptical but didn¡¯t press the issue. Instead, she leaned closer, her scent enveloping me in a way that made my wolf stir with possessive pleasure. ¡°You know,¡± she said softly, ¡°I think I owe you a thank you for how you handled Alpha Foster.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t owe me anything,¡± I told her seriously. ¡°Though I have a few ideas about how you could show your appreciationter.¡± Her breath caught, and I felt her pulse quicken under my touch. ¡°Is that so?¡± ¡°Mmm,¡± I hummed against her ear. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about getting you out of that dress since the moment I saw you in it.¡± The flush that spread across her cheeks was deeply satisfying. Before she could respond, however, I caught sight of Natalia watching us from across the room, her expression venomous. I shifted slightly, positioning myself to block Summer from her view. ¡°What is it?¡± Summer asked, noticing my sudden tension. ¡°Nothing important,¡± I assured her, not wanting anything to ruin our evening. ¡°Just remembering I need to speak with the security team about ensuring this kind of breach doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± She wasn¡¯t fooled. ¡°Alex,¡± she said firmly, ¡°if there¡¯s something else going on, I¡¯d rather know about it.¡± I sighed, knowing she deserved honesty but reluctant to bring up past rtionships. ¡°We¡¯ll talk about it With that, I swept her into my arms without warning, cradling her against my chest as she let out a startled gasp. ¡°What are you doing?¡± she whispered, her eyes wide as several guests turned to look at us. ¡°Taking what¡¯s mine,¡± I growled low in her ear. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of sharing you with everyone tonight. Now I want you all to myself.¡± Her pulse quickened, the sweet scent of her arousal reaching my sensitive nose. ¡°But the party-¡± ¡°Can continue without us,¡± I finished, already striding toward the grand staircase. ¡°I¡¯ve fulfilled my duties as host. Now I¡¯m going to fulfill my promise to fuck that sweet little cunt of yours until you can¡¯t remember your own name.¡± Her sharp intake of breath and the way she pressed her thighs together told me everything I needed to know about how my words affected her. ¡°What about Felix?¡± she asked, her voice barely a whisper. ¡°Lyra will make sure he¡¯s taken care of,¡± I assured her, never breaking stride as I carried her up the stairs. She already offered to show him the game room and get him settled for the night.¡± As we reached thending, I couldn¡¯t resist pressing her against the wall in the darkened hallway, my mouth finding hers in a bruising kiss. She moaned as I ground my hardness against her center, her legs wrapping instinctively around my waist. ¡°Feel what you do to me,¡± I murmured against her lips. ¡°I¡¯ve been hard for you all fucking night, watching you in that dress, knowing what¡¯s underneath it is all mine.¡± Secure 54 Chapter 53 Summer¡¯s POV My back pressed against the cold wall of the darkened hallway as Alexander¡¯s powerful body pinned me in ce. His hardness ground against my core through the thin fabric of my dress, making me whimper with need. ¡°Alexander,¡± I gasped as his lips traveled down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. ¡°Someone could see us.¡± ¡°Let them,¡± he growled against my skin, his hands gripping my thighs tightly. ¡°Let them all see who you belong to now.¡± The possibility of being discovered, of someone from the party downstairs wandering up and finding us like this¨Cthe respectable Luna candidate pinned against a wall with her dress hiked up to her waist- sent a forbidden thrill through me. Alexander¡¯s fingers found the edge of my panties, pushing them aside with an impatience that made me tremble. ¡°You¡¯re soaked,¡± he murmured, his voice dropping to that dangerous timbre that made my insides clench. ¡°All this wetness just for me?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I breathed, unable to deny it as his fingers slid through my folds. ¡°Only for you.¡± He slipped one thick finger inside me, then another, making me bite my lip to stifle my moan. ¡°Such a tight little cunt,¡± he said roughly. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to feel it wrapped around my cock.¡± The crude words from his sophisticated mouth only heightened my arousal. I clung to his shoulders, my nails digging into the expensive fabric of his suit as he worked his fingers in and out of me with expert precision. Suddenly, voices echoed from the stairwell¨Cguests from the party, ¡°You were made for me,¡± Alexander growled, his pace increasing as he drove into me. ¡°This perfect pussy was made to take my cock.¡± His dirty talk inmed me further, my nails digging into his back as I met him thrust for thrust. When his hand slipped between us to circle my clit, I knew I wouldn¡¯tst much longer. ¡°That¡¯s it, baby,¡± he encouraged, his voice strained with the effort of maintaining control. ¡°Come on my cock. I want to feel you squeeze me when youe.¡± His words pushed me over the edge, my second orgasm crashing over me with even greater intensity than the first. I cried out his name as my body convulsed around him, dimly aware of Alexander¡¯s rhythm faltering as he chased his own release. With a guttural groan, he buried himself to the hilt, his body shuddering as he found hispletion. For several long moments, we remained locked together, our ragged breathing the only sound in the room. Finally, Alexander rolled to his side, bringing me with him without breaking our connection. His fingers tracedzy patterns on my back as he pressed gentle kisses to my forehead. ¡°Mine,¡± he murmured against my skin, his possessiveness somehow tender in the aftermath of our passion. As Iy in his arms, sated and secure, I realized I no longer wanted to fight the connection between us. Whatever tomorrow might bring, tonight I was exactly where I belonged. Secure 55 Alexander¡¯s POV I watched Summer sleeping beside me, her body still flushed from our lovemaking. ¡°Mine,¡± I whispered, tracing my fingers along the curve of her shoulder. I couldn¡¯t remember ever feeling this¡­plete. Summer had finally surrendered herself to me, not just her body but her trust. The way she¡¯d trembled beneath me, her walls clenching around my cock as she screamed my name it was fucking perfection. I pulled her closer against my chest, nuzzling my face into her hair and inhaling deeply. Her scent was intoxicating ¨C wildflowers and honey, now mingled with my own woodsy musk. The wolf inside me purred with satisfaction. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted this for so long,¡± I admitted. ¡°Having you in my bed, carrying my scent.¡± Summerughed softly, the sound warming something deep inside me. ¡°You say that like you¡¯ve been pining for decades,¡± she teased, turning in my arms to face me. ¡°Yet I seem to recall you had no shortage of willing females in your bed before me.¡± I growled yfully, guiding her hand down to my hardening length. ¡°None of them were you.¡± ¡°Alex,¡± she protested weakly, attempting to pull away. ¡°I need to sleep. You¡¯ve already had me three times tonight.¡± I pulled her back against me, capturing her lips in a slow, deep kiss that had her melting into my arms despite her protests. ¡°Fine,¡± she conceded when we finally broke apart, ¡°but I¡¯m serious about needing rest. My body can¡¯t keep up with your insatiable appetite.¡± I chuckled, pressing onest kiss to her forehead. ¡°Sleep then, little wolf. We have all the time in the world now.¡± Within moments, her breathing had evened out as sleep imed her once more. Eventually, I slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom, returning with a warm washcloth. As I gently cleaned between her thighs, removing the evidence of our passion, my cock stirred again at the sight of her naked and vulnerable before me. ¡°Down, boy,¡± I muttered to myself, forcing my attention elsewhere. She needed rest, not another round of my insatiable appetite. Once I¡¯d finished, I crawled back into bed and pulled her against me. She instinctively curved her body to fit mine, her ass pressing against my groin in a way that tested my resolve. But I simply held her, content for now to have her in my arms. Tomorrow, I decided, watching her sleep. Tomorrow I¡¯d show her what it meant to be courted by an Alpha. No more hiding in bedrooms or dealing with pack drama. I wanted to see her smile, to hear herugh freely without the weight of the past pressing down on her. With that thought, I finally allowed myself to join her in sleep, my arms wrapped protectively around what was mine. Morning light streamed through the curtains I¡¯d forgotten to close, waking me from the deepest sleep I¡¯d had in months. Summer was still nestled against me, her hair spread across my pillow like spilled ink. I checked the time ¨C just past nine. We¡¯d sleptter than I usually allowed myself, but afterst night¡¯s activities, I wasn¡¯t surprised. Careful not to disturb her, I reached for my phone to send a quick message to Ethan, letting him know I wouldn¡¯t be avable for pack business today. ¡°Taking the day off. Handle anything urgent. Will be unreachable.¡± His reply came almost immediately: ¡°Understood, Alpha. Enjoy your day.¡± I set my phone aside and returned my attention to the sleeping woman beside me. As if sensing my gaze, Summer¡¯s eyes fluttered open, confusion briefly crossing her features before recognition set in. ¡°Good morning,¡± she murmured, her voice husky with sleep. ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡± I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°How did you sleep?¡± ¡°Better than I have in years,¡± she admitted, stretching like a cat. The movement caused the sheet to slip down, revealing her naked breasts. My cock immediately hardened in response. She noticed, of course, a small smile ying at the corners of her mouth. ¡°Again? Already?¡± ¡°Always,¡± I growled, leaning down to capture her lips. ¡°I¡¯ll never get enough of you.¡± Before we could get carried away, however, her stomach rumbled loudly, causing her to blush with embarrassment. Iughed, pressing a kiss to her forehead. ¡°Food first, then I can have my way with you again.¡± Secure 56 ¡°Where¡¯s Felix?¡± she asked suddenly, sitting up as maternal concern overrode everything else. ¡°With Lyra, remember? I¡¯m sure they¡¯re already up and having breakfast.¡± I stroked her arm reassuringly.¡± We can check on him after we eat.¡± She rxed slightly, but I could see her mind working. ¡°I should get dressed and find him.¡± ¡°Actually,¡± I said, catching her hand before she could leave the bed, ¡°I was thinking we could do something different today.¡± ¡°Different how?¡± Her curiosity was piqued. ¡°A date,¡± I said simply. ¡°Just you and me. No pack business, no interruptions. Felix will be fine with Lyra for a few hours ¨C she¡¯s great with kids, and he seemed to like her.¡± Summer looked surprised, as though the concept of a normal date was foreign to her. It probably was, I realized with a surge of anger toward Foster. Had that bastard never even taken her out properly? ¡°A date,¡± she repeated, testing the word. ¡°I¡¯d like that.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I pressed a quick kiss to her lips before standing. ¡°First, breakfast in bed for my Luna, then we¡¯ll get ready for the day.¡± Her eyes widened slightly at the title, but she didn¡¯t correct me. Progress. I returned twenty minutester bncing a tray loaded with pancakes, bacon, fruit, and coffee. Summer had slipped on one of my t¨Cshirts in my absence, the hem barely reaching mid¨Cthigh. The sight of her in my clothing sent a surge of possessive satisfaction through me. ¡°This looks amazing,¡± she said as I set the tray across herp. ¡°Did you make this yourself?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t sound so surprised,¡± I teased, sliding back into bed beside her. ¡°I do have some domestic skills.¡± We ate infortable silence, asionally feeding each other bites of food. It was startlingly intimate in a way that had nothing to do with sex just two people sharing a quiet morning together. After breakfast, I led her to my massive ensuite bathroom where a shower big enough for four people dominated one wall. ¡°Care to join me?¡± I asked, already turning on the water. The showersted twice as long as necessary, partly because I couldn¡¯t keep my hands off her, and partly because I took my time washing every inch of her body, memorizing each curve and freckle. Once dried and dressed ¨C Summer in clothes Lyra had brought for her, me in casual jeans and a henley- we checked on Felix, who was indeed having the time of his life in the pack¡¯s recreation room with Lyra and several other pack children. ¡°Mom!¡± he eximed when he saw Summer, running to give her a hug. I noticed his eye patch was gone, revealing the scarred socket beneath. The fact that he feltfortable enough to remove it around pack members spoke volumes. ¡°Are you having fun?¡± Summer asked, returning his embrace. ¡°The best! Lyra showed me how to y pool, and I beat Tyler twice!¡± He gestured excitedly toward a boy slightly older than himself, who grinned good¨Cnaturedly at the mention of his defeat. ¡°Alpha Alexander is taking me out for a few hours,¡± Summer exined, crouching to his level. ¡°Will you be okay with Lyra until we get back?¡± Felix looked between us, a knowing smile spreading across his face. ¡°Are you guys going on a date?¡± ¡°We are,¡± I confirmed, cing a hand on Summer¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Is that okay with you, buddy?¡± He considered this for a moment before nodding solemnly. ¡°It¡¯s okay. But you better bring Mom back before dinner.¡± I fought back augh at his protective tone. ¡°You have my word.¡± With Felix¡¯s blessing secured, I led Summer to the garage where my collection of vehicles awaited. Her eyes widened as she took in the rows of luxury cars. ¡°Which one should we take?¡± I asked, enjoying her amazement. ¡°You choose,¡± she replied, clearly overwhelmed by the options. I selected the least ostentatious vehicle ¨C a sleek ck Audi convertible ¨C and helped her into the passenger seat before sliding behind the wheel. ¡°Where are we going?¡± Summer asked as we pulled out of thepound. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise,¡± I told her with a wink. ¡°Trust me?¡± She studied me for a moment before nodding. ¡°I do.¡± Those two simple words meant more to me than any passionate deration could have. Trust wasn¡¯t something Summer gave easily not after what she¡¯d been through. Secure 57 Chapter 57 Our day in the city was perfect. I took her to all the ces we¡¯d loved as teenagers but hadn¡¯t visited together in years¨Cthe old bookstore where she¡¯d spend hours browsing poetry volumes, the art gallery that had once featured her watercolors, and the small caf¨¦ where we¡¯d shared our first innocent kiss at sixteen. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you remember all these ces,¡± she said as we strolled through the botanical gardens, her hand tucked into mine. The autumn sun cast a golden glow over everything, making her hair shine like burnished copper. ¡°I remember everything about us,¡± I told her honestly. ¡°Those memories kept me going during some dark times.¡± She squeezed my hand, a silent acknowledgment of all the years we¡¯d lost. ¡°I missed you, you know. Even when I was with Foster, there were moments I¡¯d catch myself wondering what you were doing, if you ever thought of me.¡± ¡°Every damn day,¡± I admitted. ¡°My wolf never stopped recognizing you as ours, even when my human side tried to move on.¡± As evening approached, I drove us to Phoenix, the most exclusive restaurant in the city. It was perched on the top floor of a skyscraper, offering panoramic views of the city lights below. The ma?tre d¡® recognized me immediately, bowing slightly. ¡°Alpha ckwood, your table is ready.¡± I¡¯d reserved the most private table, set in an alcove with floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows and softly flickering candles creating an intimate atmosphere. Summer gasped softly as we were led to our seats. ¡°This is beautiful,¡± she whispered once we were settled, her eyes wide as she took in the view of the twinkling city lights below. ¡°Only the best for you,¡± I replied, enjoying the way the candlelight yed across her features. ¡°I should have done this years ago.¡± The sommelier approached with a bottle of champagne I¡¯d pre¨Cordered. After pouring our sses, he retreated with a bow, leaving us in our private bubble. I raised my ss. ¡°To new beginnings.¡± Summer touched her ss to mine, her eyes shining with emotions too to name. ¡°To finding our way back to each other.¡± We ordered a feast¨Coysters, followed by perfectly seared steaks, and decadent chocte desserts that had Summer making almost indecent sounds of pleasure. The conversation flowed effortlessly, sometimes serious as we discussed the past, but often light and teasing as we rediscovered the easy 22/01/2 +15 BONUS rapport we¡¯d had as teenagers. ¡°Do you remember Mrs. Haverford¡¯s face when she caught us skinny dipping in the packke?¡± Summer asked,ughing into her third ss of champagne. The alcohol had brought a lovely flush to her cheeks. ¡°How could I forget? She lectured us for an hour about ¡®appropriate behavior for future pack leaders¡® while we stood there dripping wet, trying to look contrite.¡± I reached across the table to stroke her wrist.¡± You were always getting me into trouble.¡± ¡°Me?¡± She raised an eyebrow. ¡°I seem to recall it was your idea to sneak into the pack¡¯s wine cer during that full moon ceremony.¡± I smirked. ¡°Sure, but it was your idea to actually drink the ceremonial wine. And Mrs. Haverford made me mop the training hall for a week.¡± I shook my head, half amused. ¡°She always had it out for me, I swear. ¡± ¡°Yeah.She always did think you were a bad influence on me. But she respected you,¡± she admitted with a fond smile. ¡°She used to say you¡¯d make a great Alpha one day.¡± ¡°And what did you think?¡± I asked, genuinely curious. She met my gaze steadily. ¡°I always knew you would be extraordinary, Alex. Even before you presented as an Alpha. There was something about you¨Cthis quiet certainty, this innate leadership. It drew me to you even when we were children.¡± I was about to respond when a familiar scent hit my nostrils, making my muscles tense. Summer noticed the change immediately, her own body going alert. ¡°Alexander, what a delightful surprise!¡± The silky voice belonged to Natalia Thompson, daughter of the Eastern Pack¡¯s Alpha and my former lover. She stood beside our table in a dress that left little to the imagination, her blonde hair cascading down her back in perfect waves. Her predatory gaze flicked dismissively over Summer before settling on Secure 58 Chapter 58 Summer¡¯s POV I felt the shift in Alex¡¯s demeanor before I saw the cause¨Chis shoulders tensed, jaw tightening imperceptibly. Following his gaze, I spotted her: a stunning blonde with legs that seemed to stretch forever, wearing a dress that hugged every perfect curve of her body. ¡°Alexander, what a delightful surprise!¡± Her voice was like honey, smooth and practiced. She glided toward our table, cing a manicured hand on Alex¡¯s shoulder with casual familiarity. The gesture was deliberate, her thumb stroking small circles against the fabric of his shirt as she leaned down slightly, her perfume wafting between us. ¡°Natalia.¡± Alex¡¯s tone was cool, controlled. ¡°I wasn¡¯t expecting to see you here.¡± Sheughed, the sound practiced and musical. ¡°Clearly. I¡¯m meeting Daddy¡¯s business associates.¡± Her gaze finally settled on me, sharp and assessing. ¡°And who might this be?¡± ¡°Summer Winster,¡± I responded before Alex could, offering a polite smile that didn¡¯t reach my eyes. This she¨Cwolf had touched what was mine, had clearly shared his bed. The realization made my stomach clench with jealousy so fierce it startled me. I hadn¡¯t felt this possessive since¡­ well, ever. Not even with Foster. Yet I maintained myposure, refusing to give this woman the satisfaction of seeing me affected. ¡°Summer?¡± Natalia repeated my name with feigned interest. ¡°Oh. I didn¡¯t recognize you at first ¨C ¨C you¡¯re Alpha Foster¡¯s ex, right? The one he rejected? ¡± Her eyes raked over me dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s just like him. He always did have a soft spot for strays.¡± Before I could respond, Alex removed her hand from his shoulder with deliberate slowness. When he spoke, his voice carried the unmistakable edge of an Alphamand.¡°Careful, Natalia. You¡¯re addressing my Luna.¡± I felt heat rush to my face as Natalia¡¯s perfect features contorted briefly in shock before she recovered. ¡°Luna? You can¡¯t be serious.¡± Sheughed, but it sounded brittle. ¡°Alexander ckwood, notorious bachelor, finally iming a Luna? And her?¡± She gestured toward me with barely concealed disdain. ¡°Deadly serious,¡± he replied, his hand finding mine across the table. ¡°And I suggest you remember your ce when speaking to the Luna of the ckwood Pack.¡± Natalia¡¯s face flushed with anger or embarrassment¨Cpossibly both. ¡°Well,¡± she said stiffly,¡± congrattions, I suppose. Daddy will be¡­ surprised to hear about this development.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he will,¡± Alex replied dismissively. ¡°Now, if you¡¯ll excuse us, we were enjoying a private evening.¡± The dismissal was unmistakable. Natalia¡¯s eyes narrowed, but she knew better than to challenge an 732 +15 BONUS Alpha directly. ¡°Of course. Enjoy your¡­ evening.¡± She turned on her heel and walked away, her posture rigid with wounded pride. When she finally sauntered away, I released a breath I hadn¡¯t realized I was holding. Alex¡¯s eyes were still tracking her retreat, his expression unreadable. ¡°Ex¨Cgirlfriend?¡± I asked, aiming for casual but not quite seeding. His attention snapped back to me. ¡°Not girlfriend. Just someone I spent time with asionally.¡± He studied my face. ¡°Are you jealous, little wolf?¡± I snorted, taking a sip of champagne to hide my expression. ¡°Should I be?¡± ¡°God, I hope so,¡± he said, his voice dropping to a low rumble. ¡°Because seeing that sh in your eyes when she touched me¨Clike you wanted to tear her hand off¨Cwas fucking hot.¡± ¡°I did not-¡°I began to protest, but stopped at his knowing look. ¡°Fine. Maybe I didn¡¯t appreciate her pawing at you.¡± Alex¡¯s smile was predatory and pleased. ¡°We were just physical. Nothing more,¡± he rified. ¡°Convenient when pack business brought us together.¡± ¡°Convenient,¡± I repeated, the word tasting bitter. ¡°Like the others you mentioned before.¡± ¡°All meaningless.¡± He leaned forward, his fingers tracing circles on my wrist. ¡°None of them were you, Summer. None of them made my wolf howl or my heart race. None of them haunted my dreams for years.¡± I tried to maintain myposure, but the intensity in his gaze made my body respond traitorously, heat pooling low in my belly. ¡°You¡¯re very good at this, you know.¡± ¡°At what?¡± ¡°Saying exactly what a woman wants to hear.¡± Secure 59 Chapter 59 Alex¡¯sugh was rich and genuine. ¡°Is that supposed to be apliment?¡°His voice was low, steady.¡°I¡¯m not good with words, Summer. I¡¯m just good at meaning them when it¡¯s you.¡± My body responded instantly to his words, heat blooming low in my belly. ¡°The check would be nice,¡± I agreed, my voice embarrassingly breathless. We managed to finish our dessert and coffee without further interruption, though I caught Natalia watching us from across the restaurant more than once. Each time, Alex would touch me¨Cbrushing hair from my face, taking my hand, or leaning in to whisper something that made meugh¨Cclearly staking his im. By the time we left the restaurant, the night air had cooled considerably. Alex wrapped his jacket around my shoulders, the fabric carrying his woodsy scent. ¡°Thank you for today,¡± I said as we drove back toward thepound, the stars twinkling above us in the open convertible. ¡°I can¡¯t remember thest time I just¡­ enjoyed myself like this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just the beginning,¡± he promised, reaching over to ce a hand on my thigh. ¡°I have years of courting to make up for.¡± The pack house was quiet when we returned, most pack members having retired for the evening. We stopped at thending, where the hallway split¨Chis room in one direction, mine in the other. I turned to him with a small smile. ¡°Goodnight, Alex.¡± Alexander caught my hand gently,turning me to face him, his hands settling on my hips. ¡°Stay with me tonight?¡± The temptation to say yes was overwhelming. But I shook my head reluctantly. ¡°I should be there when Felix wakes up. He¡¯s still adjusting to everything.¡± Though disappointment flickered in his eyes, Alex nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± He pressed his lips to my forehead. ¡°Can I at least walk you to your room?¡± ¡°Always the gentleman,¡± I teased. ¡°Only in public,¡± he growled against my ear. ¡°Nothing gentlemanly about what I want to do to you right now.¡± His lips imed mine then, hungry and demanding. I melted against him, my body responding instantly to his touch as he backed me against the wall. His hands slid beneath my shirt, fingers skimming over my ribs to cup my breast, thumb brushing across my nipple through the thince of my bra. A soft moan escaped me, encouraging him further. His kiss deepened, tongue tangling with mine as his +15 BONUS free hand gripped my thigh, lifting it to wrap around his waist. I could feel his hardness pressing against me, the evidence of his desire making my own intensify. It would be so easy to surrender, to let him carry me to bed and lose myself in his touch. But the rational part of my brain¨Cthe small portion not clouded by lust¨Creminded me of Felix waiting in my room. With enormous effort, I pressed my hands against Alex¡¯s chest, breaking the kiss. ¡°Alex,¡± I gasped. ¡°We have to stop.¡± His eyes were almost ck with desire, pupils blown wide. For a moment, I thought he might argue, but then he exhaled slowly and stepped back, running a hand through his tousled hair. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he said hoarsely. ¡°I just¡­ find it hard to control myself around you.¡± The admission sent another wave of heat through me. ¡°Alex¡­¡± His smile was wolfish. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t tempt me right now.¡± He pressed onest, gentle kiss to my lips. ¡°Sweet dreams, little wolf.¡± ¡°Goodnight.¡± Inside, I found Felix curled up in the center of my bed, looking small and vulnerable without his eye patch. I changed quietly into pajamas and slipped in beside him, careful not to wake him. I settled under the covers, the steady rhythm of Felix¡¯s breathing a smallfort in the quiet. Iy awake much longer, my mind reying the evening¡¯s events and the casual way Alexander had imed me as his mate in front of Natalia. It should have frightened me, this rapid progression, but instead it felt right¨Clike things were finally falling into ce after years of being broken. Secure 60 Summer¡¯s POV The days passed in a blur of domesticity and preparation. Alex bnced his Alpha duties with spending time with Felix and me, often joining us for meals or evening walks around the territory. The pack members had epted my presence with surprising ease¨Cthough I suspected that had more to do with their respect for Alex than any affection for me. Lyra became a constantpanion, helping me navigate pack protocols and introducing me to other members. As Wednesday approached, we returned to the hospital for Felix¡¯s final pre¨Coperative check-
  1. up. Miller seemed pleased with his condition and confirmed that everything was on track for the procedure.
The hospital room was sterile and bright, the scent of antiseptic making my nose twitch. Alex sat beside me, his presence steady and reassuring as we waited for Felix to be called in for his procedure. Felix, remarkably, seemed the mostposed of all of us. Dressed in a hospital gown that swallowed his small frame, he sat calmly flipping through aic book Alex had brought him. ¡°Are you scared, Mom?¡± he asked perceptively. ¡°A little,¡± I admitted. ¡°Don¡¯t be. Alex said werewolves heal super fast, so I¡¯ll be okay.¡± Speaking of the Alpha, he returned to us then, paperworkpleted. ¡°All set,¡± he announced, crouching down to Felix¡¯s level. ¡°Ready for your upgrade, pup?¡± Felix nodded solemnly. ¡°Will you take care of Mom while I¡¯m in there? She¡¯s nervous.¡± Alex¡¯s eyes met mine over Felix¡¯s head, warm with affection. ¡°I promise.¡± A nurse appeared then, clipboard in hand. ¡°Felix Thorn? We¡¯re ready for you.¡± My heart lurched as Felix stood, suddenly looking very small and vulnerable despite his brave face. I hugged him tightly, breathing in his familiar scent. ¡°I love you so much.¡± ¡°Love you too, Mom.¡± He pulled back, offering a crooked smile. ¡°See you when I wake up.¡± Alex squeezed his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll keep your mom safe. You focus on getting better.¡± Felix nodded, then followed the nurse through the double doors that led to the surgical ward. I watched until they disappeared from view, my heart in my throat. ¡°Come on,¡± Alex said gently, guiding me to a seating area. ¡°It¡¯ll be a few hours.¡± The minutes crawled by with excruciating slowness as I waited for news about Felix. Every sound in the sterile hospital corridor made me flinch¨Cthe squeak of nurse¡¯s shoes against linoleum, the distant ping of elevators, the muted conversations of medical staff. I alternated between pacing the confined space and sitting rigidly in the ufortable chairs, my fingers worrying the hem of my sweater until Alexander gently covered my hands with his. ¡°You¡¯re going to wear a hole through that,¡± he murmured, his thumb stroking soothingly across my knuckles. ¡°I can¡¯t help it,¡± I whispered, the scent of antiseptic burning my nostrils and making me queasy. ¡°What if his wolf rejects the prosthetic? What if the neural pathways don¡¯t connect properly? What if-¡± ¡°Summer.¡± Alexander¡¯s voice held that gentle Alphamand that somehow calmed the frantic beating of my heart without making me feel controlled. ¡°Felix is stronger than most pups twice his age. His wolf is resilient¨Che survived Foster¡¯s abuse, he survived the initial injury. This surgery is his path to healing.¡± I inhaled deeply, drawing strength from his woond scent that somehow cut through the clinical hospital smell. ¡°How do you always know exactly what to say?¡± His lips quirked into a half¨Csmile. ¡°It¡¯s an Alpha thing.¡± ¡°Liar,¡± I whispered, attempting a smile that felt wobbly at best. ¡°You¡¯ve always been this way, even before you became Alpha.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression softened as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my cheek. ¡°Only with you, little wolf.¡± The tenderness in his touch was my undoing. I felt tears welling up, the emotional dam I¡¯d carefully constructed beginning to crack. ¡°I¡¯m so scared, Alex. He¡¯s been through so much already.¡± ¡°I know.¡± He pulled me against his chest, one hand cradling the back of my head while the other stroked my back in long, soothing motions. ¡°But he¡¯s not going through this alone. Neither are you. Not anymore.¡± I nestled into his embrace, breathing in hisforting scent¨CTRAN Secure 61` +15 BONUS Chapter 61 Lyra arrived midway through the wait, bringing food that I couldn¡¯t eat and news from the pack that I barely registered. At some point, Alexander¡¯s phone buzzed. He nced at the screen, murmured something under his breath, and stepped out of the room to take the call. Alexander returned, his expression carefully neutral. ¡°Pack business,¡± he exined briefly. I studied his face, noting the slight tension around his eyes. ¡°What is it? And don¡¯t say ¡®nothing¡®¨CI can tell something¡¯s wrong.¡± He hesitated, then sighed. ¡°Alpha Foster¡¯s been making noise at the borders. Nothing serious yet, but he¡¯s been sending scouts.¡± My blood ran cold. ¡°He¡¯s looking for Felix.¡± ¡°He won¡¯t find him,¡± Alexander stated with absolute certainty, a dangerous edge entering his voice. ¡°And if he tries to enter ckWood territory, he¡¯ll regret it.¡± The predatory gleam in his eyes should have frightened me. Instead, it made me feel protected in a way I¡¯d never experienced before. Alexander would defend us¨Cnot out of obligation, but because we were his to protect. Hours stretched on like taffy, pulling my nerves taut until I thought they might snap. Alexander remained a steady presence beside me, his hand rarely leaving mine. When exhaustion finally overtook me, I rested my head on his shoulder, his arm around me providing a safe harbor in the storm of my anxiety. ¡°Sleep if you can,¡± he murmured against my hair. ¡°I¡¯ll wake you the moment there¡¯s news.¡± I must have dozed off despite my determination to stay alert, because the next thing I knew, Alexander was gently shaking me awake. ¡°Summer,¡± he said softly. ¡°Dr. Miller is here.¡± I bolted upright, instantly alert, heart hammering against my ribcage as I met the doctor¡¯s gaze. His expression gave nothing away, and for one terrible moment, I feared the worst. ¡°The surgery was aplete sess,¡± he announced, his professional demeanor softening into a genuine smile. ¡°Felix did beautifully.¡± Relief hit me like a physical force, making my knees buckle. Alexander¡¯s arm around my waist was the only thing that kept me upright as tears of gratitude spilled down my cheeks. ¡°The prosthetic is responding perfectly to the neural connections we established,¡± Dr. Michaels continued. ¡°With his elerated werewolf healing, I expect him to adjust quickly, though we¡¯ll keep him +15 BONUS for observation tonight and possibly tomorrow.¡± ¡°Can I see him?¡± I asked, my voice cracking with emotion. Dr. Miller shook his head apologetically. ¡°He¡¯s still in recovery and hasn¡¯t regained consciousness from the anesthesia. We need to monitor him carefully during this critical period. The first few hours are crucial to ensure the prosthetic integrates properly with his neural pathways.¡± My face must have shown my disappointment, because he quickly added, ¡°I promise you can see him the moment he wakes up. For now, the best thing you can do is get some rest yourself. He¡¯ll need you at full strength when hees around.¡± Alex¡¯s hand found mine, squeezing gently. ¡°We¡¯ll stay,¡± he said firmly. ¡°Summer needs to be here when Felix wakes up.¡± After a brief discussion with hospital administration that I was too exhausted to follow, Alexander managed to secure us a small private room adjacent to Felix¡¯s recovery area. ¡°You should try to get some real sleep,¡± he said, guiding me to the narrow bed. ¡°I¡¯ll wake you the moment there¡¯s any news about Felix.¡± ¡°What about you?¡± I asked, noting the shadows under his eyes. He smiled, brushing my hair back from my face. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. Alphas are built to endure.¡± ¡°Even Alphas need rest,¡± I countered, patting the space beside me. ¡°There¡¯s room.¡± For a moment, he looked tempted, then shook his head. ¡°If I lie down with you, sleep won¡¯t be what¡¯s on my mind.¡± The heated look in his eyes sent warmth spreading through my body, momentarily distracting me from my worry. ¡°OK.¡± I murmured. ¡°Definitely.¡± He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. ¡°Now sleep. I¡¯ll be right here.¡± As the hours stretched on, my body eventually gave in to exhaustion.I drifted into an uneasy sleep, dreaming of my son with two perfect, matching eyes, running freely through the forest without fear or pain. Secure 62 Chapter 62 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS I woke to the sound of birds chirping outside the hospital window, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. Alexander was already awake, his hair slightly disheveled, making him look unexpectedly boyish despite the powerful aura that constantly surrounded him. He was speaking quietly on the phone, his voice a low rumble that sent pleasant shivers down my spine. When he noticed me stirring, his expression softened. ¡°Morning, beautiful. Felix is doing well ¨C nurses checked on him twice during the night.¡± I stretched, feeling the kinks in my back from sleeping in the ufortable hospital bed. ¡°Can I see him?¡± ¡°Doctor Miller said we can visit as soon as you¡¯re ready.¡± I quickly freshened up in the small adjoining bathroom, sshing cold water on my face to chase away thest vestiges of sleep. The pediatric recovery ward was quieter than I expected as we made our way to Felix¡¯s room. A nurse intercepted us before we reached his door. ¡°Luna? Your son woke up about fifteen minutes ago. He¡¯s been asking for you.¡± My heart leapt at the news, and I quickened my pace, Alexander¡¯s steady presence right behind me as I pushed open the door. Felix was propped up against several pillows, his small face still pale but considerably more alert than the previous evening. The bandage remained over his left eye, but his right one brightened immediately when he spotted me. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°Hey, sweetheart,¡± I rushed to his bedside, carefully gathering him in my arms. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°My head hurts a little,¡± he admitted, ¡°but Dr. Miller said that¡¯s normal.¡± His hand tentatively touched the bandage covering his eye. ¡°When can I see out of it?¡± ¡°They¡¯ll remove the bandage tomorrow if everything continues healing well,¡± Alexander answered, moving to stand at the foot of the bed. ¡°How¡¯s the hospital food, pup? As terrible as I remember?¡± Felix¡¯s nose wrinkled. ¡°They gave me jello. The green kind. I hate green jello.¡± ¡°Tragic.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression wasically serious. ¡°Should I stage a jello heist and smuggle in the red kind?¡± Felix giggled, the sound making my heart swell. ¡°Yes, please!¡± We spent the next hour with Felix. Then Dr. Miller stopped by, checking his vitals and examining the surgical site with satisfied nods. ¡°The integration is progressing exceptionally well,¡± he informed us. ¡°At this rate, we might be able to remove the bandage this evening rather than tomorrow.¡± Felix perked up at that news. ¡°Really? Can I go home after?¡± Dr. Miller chuckled. ¡°Let¡¯s see how things lookter today before making any promises.¡± A knock at the door interrupted us, and I turned to see Ethan, Alexander¡¯s Beta, standing in the doorway. His expression was apologetic as he caught Alexander¡¯s eye. ¡°Alpha, I¡¯m sorry to interrupt, but may I speak with you and Luna for a moment?¡± Alexander nodded, cing a reassuring hand on Felix¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll be right outside, pup. Don¡¯t let the nurses give you any more green jello while we¡¯re gone.¡± In the hallway, Ethan¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°I hate to bring this up now, but I wanted to remind you that the Council hearing regarding your divorce petition is scheduled for today at afternoon.¡± My stomach dropped. With Felix¡¯s surgery, I¡¯dpletely forgotten about the hearing scheduled with the Werewolf Council regarding my divorce from Alpha Foster. ¡°I¡¯ll reschedule,¡± Alexander said immediately, his hand finding mine. ¡°Felix needs us here.¡± ¡°No,¡± I said, surprising myself with my firmness. ¡°You can¡¯t reschedule a Council hearing, not without serious consequences. Felix is stable, and we¡¯ll be back before he even knows we¡¯re gone.¡± ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Alexander asked quietly. ¡°I can handle the Council alone if you need to stay with Felix.¡± I shook my head. ¡°No, this concerns both of us. Besides, I need to face Alpha Foster head¨Con if I ever want to be truly free of him.¡± Alex¡¯s expression darkened at the mention of Alpha Foster¡¯s name, but he nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s get it over with then.¡± After Dr. Millerpleted his morning examination¨Cconfirming that Felix was healing perfectly and could begin initial testing of the prosthetic that afternoon¨Cwe reluctantly prepared to leave for the Council hearing. ¡°Be good for Lyra,¡± I instructed, kissing Felix¡¯s forehead. ¡°No trying to peek under the bandage until Dr. Miller says it¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°I promise,¡± he replied solemnly. ¡°We¡¯ll be back as soon as possible,¡± Alexander assured him, ruffling his hair affectionately. The sleek ck SUV waited for us outside, a driver and additional security already positioned. Alexander helped me into the backseat before sliding in beside me, his thigh pressing against mine as the vehicle pulled away from the curb. As we pulled onto the highway, I couldn¡¯t help my growing anxiety. ¡°You seem very confident about this hearing.¡± Alexander¡¯s lips curved into a mysterious smile. ¡°Let¡¯s just say I¡¯ve been preparing for this day for a long time.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± His hand found mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. ¡°Trust me, little wolf. By this afternoon, any im Alpha Foster had on you will be ancient history.¡± Secure 63 Chapter 63 The confidence in his voice both reassured and intrigued me, but each time I pressed for details, he skillfully changed the subject. As we approached the city limits, traffic slowed to a crawl. Alexander checked his watch and frowned.¡± We¡¯re still early, but this dy is unexpected.¡± ¡°Construction,¡± I noted, pointing to the signs ahead. He nodded, then nced at me with a mischievous glint in his eye. ¡°This means we have some time to kill.¡± Before I could respond, his handnded on my knee, his touch warm even through my jeans. ¡°Alexander,¡± I whispered, ncing nervously at the privacy partition between us and the driver.¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Helping you rx.¡± His fingers slowly crept upward, tracing tantalizing patterns along my inner thigh.¡± You¡¯re too tense, Summer.¡± My breath caught as his fingers reached the seam of my jeans, applying just enough pressure to make me squirm. ¡°Alexander¡­ we¡¯re in traffic.¡± ¡°The partition is soundproof,¡± he murmured against my ear, as if reading my thoughts. ¡°And the windows are tinted. No one can see us.¡± Then his fingers deftly unbuttoned my jeans, slipping beneath the waistband with practiced ease. ¡°Still want me to stop?¡± he asked, voice husky with desire. I bit my lip, heat pooling low in my belly as his fingertips brushed against the cotton of my panties. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare.¡± His chuckle was dark and satisfied as he pushed the fabric aside, finding me already wet for him. ¡°So responsive,¡± he praised, circling my clit with deliberate slowness. ¡°Always so ready for me.¡± I gripped the door handle, my head falling back against the seat as pleasure built rapidly under his skilled touch. Two fingers slipped inside me, curling to find that perfect spot while his thumb continued its assault on my sensitive bundle of nerves. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he encouraged, his voice dropping to thatmanding Alpha tone that made my inner walls clench around his fingers. ¡°Let go for me, little wolf. I want to feel youe.¡± Thebination of his words, his touch, and the forbidden nature of our location pushed me rapidly toward the edge. My breathing became ragged, my hips rising to meet his hand as the tension built to an almost unbearable level. ¡°Alexander,¡± I gasped, feeling my release approaching like a tidal wave. ¡°I¡¯m going to-¡± ¡°Do it,¡± hemanded. ¡°Come for your Alpha.¡± The orgasm crashed through me with unexpected intensity, making me cry out as waves of pleasure radiated from my core. Alexander continued his movements, drawing out everyst tremor until I was boneless and breathless beside him. As I slowly returned to reality, I realized the traffic had begun moving again. Alexander withdrew his hand with obvious reluctance, bringing his fingers to his lips and licking them clean while maintaining eye contact in a way that made me want to climb into hisp right there. ¡°Delicious,¡± he murmured. ¡°Though not as satisfying as tasting you properly.¡± I flushed, hastily rebuttoning my jeans as we elerated toward our destination. ¡°You¡¯re incorrigible.¡± ¡°Only with you.¡± His smile was predatory. ¡°And don¡¯t think I¡¯m done with you today.¡± Without warning, he leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss that stole what little breath I had left. His mouth was demanding, possessive, iming me with an intensity that made my toes curl in my shoes. I melted against him, my hands finding their way into his hair, holding him close as our tongues danced together. And then I heard it¨Ca soft, feminine voice that wasn¡¯t my own conscious thoughts. [Mate.] The word echoed through my mind with crystal rity, causing me to gasp and pull away from Alexander¡¯s kiss. ¡°Summer? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alexander¡¯s expression shifted from desire to concern in an instant. ¡°I¨CI heard her,¡± I whispered, my voice trembling. ¡°Aurora. My wolf. She spoke to me.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes widened, a sh of something¨Chope? excitement?-crossing his features before he carefully schooled his expression. ¡°What did she say?¡± I hesitated, not quite ready to share the exact word that had resonated through my consciousness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­ I didn¡¯t catch the whole word.¡°¡± Alexander studied me for a moment, then reached out gently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. ¡°That¡¯s a good sign. It means she¡¯s waking up.¡± His voice was low, thoughtful. ¡°Maybe she¡¯s still gathering strength. Maybe one day soon, you¡¯ll be able to talk to her¨Creally talk.¡± There was something in his eyes¨Ca knowledge he wasn¡¯t sharing¨Cbut before I could question him further, the SUV slowed, turning into the impressive circr drive of the Council headquarters. ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he said, his voice returning to its usual authoritative tone. ¡°Ready to face them?¡± I nodded, trying to focus on the hearing ahead, even as my mind raced with questions about what had just happened. Why had Aurora chosen this moment to speak after years of silence? And why had her first word been ¡°mate¡°? Secure 64 Summer¡¯s POV The Council headquarters loomed before us, an imposing structure of ss and stone that seemed to radiate ancient power despite its modern architecture. Alexander¡¯s hand found the small of my back as we ascended the marble steps, his touch reassuring yet possessive. ¡°Summer.¡± A familiar voice called as we entered the grand foyer. I turned to see Evelyn Sage, my attorney, striding toward us with purpose, her tailored suit and confident demeanor instantly putting me at ease. ¡°Evelyn, thank you for being here,¡± I greeted her. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t miss it,¡± she replied with a determined smile. ¡°Alexander¡¯s legal team has been absolutely brilliant with the preparation. They¡¯ve left no stone unturned.¡± Alexander nodded respectfully to Evelyn. ¡°Let¡¯s head in. They¡¯ll be starting soon.¡± The council chamber was intimidating ¨C a semicircr room with elevated seating for the seven Council Elders, their faces impassive as we entered. My stomach tightened when I spotted Alpha Foster already seated at the respondent¡¯s table, Susanna perched beside him like she belonged there. His attorney, a sharp¨Cfeatured man in an expensive suit, was arranging documents with calcted precision. Alpha Foster¡¯s eyes found mine immediately, his lip curling into that familiar sneer that once made me shrink into myself. Today, with Alexander beside me, I met his gaze steadily. ¡°Remember who you are now,¡± Alexander whispered, his breath warm against my ear. ¡°You¡¯re no longer his to intimidate.¡± The head Elder, a silver¨Chaired woman named Eliza Montgomery, called the hearing to order with a single strike of her gavel. ¡°We are gathered today to address the petition regarding the divorce decree between Summer Winster and Alpha Foster Thorn, as well as the matter of custody for the minor child, Felix Thorn.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s attorney rose immediately. ¡°Elder Montgomery, my client contests the very validity of the divorce decree. He was not properly notified of proceedings, and-¡± Alexander¡¯s attorney interrupted smoothly. ¡°With respect, that matter has already been adjudicated. The second¨Cchance mate bond between Alpha ckwood and Ms. Winster, along with Ms. Winster¡¯s formal rejection of Alpha Foster, renders their marriage contract void under Werewolf Law Section 342, Paragraph B.¡± I watched Alpha Foster¡¯s face darken as Elder Montgomery reviewed the file before her. ¡°Indeed,¡± she confirmed. ¡°The Council has already ruled on this matter. Today¡¯s hearing specifically concerns custody arrangements for the minor child, Felix Thorn.¡± Alpha Foster leaned forward, whispering furiously to his attorney, who nodded before addressing the Council again. ¡°My client wishes to present new evidence that challenges both the divorce ruling and requests primary custody of the child.¡± The attorney produced a folder with a flourish. ¡°While the Council may believe the mate bond was neverpleted, Alpha Foster has evidence that contradicts this im.¡± My heart raced as I turned to Evelyn, who remained remarkably calm. She rose gracefully. ¡°Elders, we anticipated this tactic. If I may?¡± She approached with her own documentation. ¡°I have here medical records documenting the extensive injuries my client sustained while under Alpha Foster¡¯s so- called ¡®care.¡® Additionally, we have evidence of Alpha Foster¡¯s infidelity with other partners during his marriage to Ms. Winster.¡± Sheid out evidence showing that I had been administered heat suppressants throughout my pregnancy with Felix, along with photographs showing Alpha Foster with Susanna¨Ctaken during our marriage. ¡°Furthermore,¡± Evelyn continued, ¡°we have medical reports showing that both Ms. Winster and her son were subjected to unauthorized procedures to determine theirpatibility as organ donors.¡± Gasps echoed through the chamber. Even some of the Elders looked disturbed. Alpha Foster¡¯s attorney jumped to his feet. ¡°These allegations are grossly exaggerated! Any physical altercations were simply¡­ mishandled discipline, not abuse. As for the medical procedures, they were merely for treatment purposes and done with the best intentions. Ms. Susanna Moore and their child never received any organs from either theinant or the child.¡± ¡°Liars! All of you! You¡¯re lying!!¡± I couldn¡¯t contain myself any longer, the words bursting forth. ¡°Ms. Winster,¡± Elder Montgomery cautioned, ¡°please allow your counsel to speak.¡± Alpha Foster smirked at my outburst, his eyes gleaming with that familiar cruel satisfaction that once ruled my life. What followed was an hour of intense legal debate. To my growing horror, it became increasingly apparent that several Council Elders were swaying toward Alpha Foster¡¯s position. Their questions revealed biases deeply rooted in traditional pack politics ¨C the kind that viewed women and children as property of the Alpha. When Elder Montgomery called for a brief recess, Alpha Foster seized the opportunity. He approached us in the corridor outside the chamber, Susanna trailing behind him like a trophy. ¡°You should give up now, Summer,¡± he said, his voice dripping with condescension. ¡°You and Felix belong with me, in my pack. Return willingly, or you¡¯ll regret the consequences.¡± Alexander tensed beside me, but before he could respond, something extraordinary happened. A fierce +15 BONUS growl echoed through my mind ¨C primal, angry, and undeniably female. [MINE!] The voice snarled with protective fury. [MY PUP!] It was Aurora. Her emotions toward him were both irritated and furious. Before I could process what was happening, my hand shot forward, connecting with Alpha Foster¡¯s cheek in a resounding p that echoed through the corridor. His head snapped to the side, shock registering on his face as his hand flew to the reddening mark. ¡°You will never touch my son again,¡± I stated, my voice steady despite the trembling in my limbs. ¡°This charade ends today.¡± Alpha Foster recovered quickly, his expression darkening. ¡°You¡¯ll regret that,¡± he hissed. ¡°No,¡± Alexander stepped forward, his voice dangerously low. ¡°You¡¯ll regret ever thinking you could win this.¡± When the hearing reconvened, the tension in the room was palpable. The Elders seemed ready to announce their decision when Wilson suddenly stood. ¡°Honored Elders, before you render judgment, I request permission to submit new evidence that has just Elder Montgomery frowned. ¡°This is highly irregr, Mr. Wilson.¡± ¡°The evidence pertains directly to Alpha Foster¡¯s fitness as a parent and his true motivations in this case, ¡°Wilson pressed. ¡°I believe the Council will find itpelling enough to warrant consideration, even at thiste stage.¡± Alpha Foster shifted ufortably in his seat as Elder Montgomery conferred quietly with the other Council members before finally nodding. 1 ¡°We will allow this submission, Mr. Wilson. Present your evidence.¡± Alexander squeezed my hand under the table, and that¡¯s when I realized ¨C whatever was about to happen, he had nned for this moment all along. The confidence in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. The game was about to change. Secure 65 Chapter 65 Foster¡¯s POV Victory was within my grasp. I leaned back in my chair, allowing myself a small smile as I surveyed the Council chamber. These fools had no idea how thoroughly I¡¯d stacked the deck in my favor. Three of the seven Elders had already epted my ¡°donations¡± to their pet charities. Another was deeply indebted to me from a business deal years ago. The vote was practically a formality at this point. All I needed was Felix. Once I had my son back, Summer would follow. She might be ying house with that bastard Alexander ckwood now, but I knew her weakness. She¡¯d crawl back to me for the chance to see her precious boy. The thought of how much this little insurance policy had cost me made me wince internally. My pack finances would take months to recover from the bribes I¡¯d distributed. Worth every penny, though, to put Summer back in her ce. I nced over at her, sitting beside ckwood with that newfound confidence. Pathetic. She¡¯d leam soon enough who she truly belonged to. ¡°Court will now resume,¡± Elder Montgomery announced, her voice cutting through my thoughts. I straightened my tie, exchanging a knowing nce with my attorney. This was merely a formality before my victory. Then ckwood¡¯swyer stood up. ¡°Honored Elders, before you render judgment, I request permission to submit new evidence that has juste into our possession.¡± My blood ran cold. What evidence? I¡¯d been meticulous. ¡°This is highly irregr, Mr. Wilson,¡± Elder Montgomery frowned. ¡°The evidence pertains directly to Alpha Foster¡¯s fitness as a parent and his true motivations in this case, ¡°Wilson pressed. ¡°I believe the Council will find itpelling enough to warrant consideration.¡± I shifted in my seat, maintaining myposed expression while my mind raced. There couldn¡¯t be anything. I¡¯d personally ensured all those medical records were destroyed. After a brief consultation, Montgomery nodded. ¡°We will allow this submission.¡± With sickening rity, I watched as Wilson approached the Council bench with a thick folder. ¡°These are theplete medical records for both Summer Winster and Felix Thorn during their time in Alpha Foster¡¯s pack.¡± The blood drained from my face. This was impossible. ¡°We have testimony from three different medical staff members who were pressured to conduct these +15 BONUS procedures and falsify records,¡± Wilson continued, handing copies to each Elder. ¡°Additionally, we have financial records showing payments from Alpha Foster¡¯s ounts to these staff members after the procedures,beled as ¡®consulting fees.¡°¡± ¡°This is absurd!¡± My attorney jumped in. ¡°These documents could easily be falsified!¡± ¡°Each record has been authenticated by the medical board and bears the hospital¡¯s official verification seal,¡± Wilson replied smoothly. ¡°Most damning, we have Alpha Foster¡¯s own emails discussing the procedures with Ms. Moore, where he explicitly states, and I quote: ¡®Summer is useless to me except as a donor. Once we get what we need from her and the brat, we can dispose of them however you want.¡°¡± I felt the room spinning. Those emails were on a private server. They couldn¡¯t possibly- ¡°This evidence has been verified by independent digital forensics experts,¡± Wilson concluded.¡°And we have provided their certification in your packets.¡± The Elders¡® faces had transformed from potential allies to disgusted jurors. Even those I¡¯d paid off couldn¡¯t ignore evidence this damning. The ruling came swiftly. Not only did Summer receive full custody of Felix, but the Council ced a restraining order against me, preventing me froming within 500 yards of either Summer or my son. My son. My son. The rage boiling inside me was almost uncontroble as we left the Council chambers in disgrace. Back at the pack house, rage consumed me. I hurled a crystal decanter against the wall, watching it shatter with grim satisfaction. ¡°You ipetent fool!¡± I roared at my attorney. ¡°You said this was guaranteed! What the fuck happened?¡± The man cowered, stuttering excuses about unforeseen circumstances and surprise evidence. ¡°We can appeal, Alpha Foster. This isn¡¯t¨C¡± ¡°Get out of my sight before I tear your throat out.¡°When he scurried away, I bellowed for my Beta. ¡°Find Dr. Randall! NOW!¡± My Beta returned minutester, his expression telling me everything I needed to know. ¡°He¡¯s gone, Alpha. Left the territory two days ago. No forwarding address.¡± The realization hit me like a physical blow¨CRandal had betrayed me, bringing those records straight to ckwood. That¡¯s why they were so well¨Cprepared. ¡°Find him,¡± I snarled. ¡°When you do, bring him to me. Alive.¡± +15 BONUS Susanna chose that moment to enter, her face twisted with concern. ¡°Alpha Foster, darling, what happened?¡± I rounded on her, all my fury finding a convenient target. ¡°What happened? Your little n to secure organs for your son has cost me my son!¡± She backed away, eyes wide. ¡°I never meant-¡± ¡°Pack your things,¡± I ordered, my voice deadly calm. ¡°You and Moore are leaving this pack tonight.¡± ¡°Alpha Foster, please,¡± she begged, reaching for me. ¡°I love you. We can fix this together. I have an idea-¡± ¡°I said GET OUT!¡± I roared, my wolf surging forward. ¡°You¡¯ve been nothing but a liability. Your presence, your schemes, your worthless child ¨C all of it has cost me everything!¡± Tears streamed down her face as she fell to her knees. ¡°Please, I know how we can get Felix back. We can take him-¡± I turned to her with a sneer. ¡°And how do you propose we do that? The Council will be watching my every move now.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll be watching you,¡± she pointed out, a slow, dangerous smile spreading across her face. ¡°But nobody pays attention to me. I can get close to Felix¡­ and I know people who can help us take him.¡± ¡°Kidnapping a pup from another Alpha¡¯s territory? That¡¯s suicide,¡± I scoffed. ¡°Not if it¡¯s done right,¡± Susanna insisted, stepping closer. ¡°Think about it, Foster. Summer would do anything to get her son back. Anything. Including returning to you.¡± I paused, I considered her words. ¡°I know people from my old pack who specialize in this kind of¡­ delicate work,¡± she continued. ¡°They can slip in, take the boy, and disappear without a trace. By the time anyone figures out what happened, we¡¯ll have Felix safely hidden away.¡± The rage that had been consuming me began to cool, reced by calcted interest. ¡°And Summer woulde crawling back,¡± I murmured, the possibilities unfolding in my mind. Susanna nodded eagerly. ¡°She¡¯d have no choice. And once she¡¯s back, you can do whatever you want with both of them.¡± I studying Susanna with new appreciation. ¡°Maybe I underestimated you.¡± ¡°I know what I want,¡± she replied, moving closer until her body pressed against mine. ¡°And I know what you want. Let me help you get it.¡± I cupped her face roughly. ¡°Make the calls. But if this goes wrong¡­¡± ¡°It won¡¯t,¡± she promised, her eyes gleaming with vicious determination. ¡°Soon, you¡¯ll have everything you deserve. Summer, Felix¡­ and me.¡± As I pulled Susanna against me, I allowed myself to imagine Summer¡¯s face when she realized her son was gone¨Cand that only I could bring him back. This defeat was merely temporary. The real game was just beginning. Secure 66 Chapter 66 Summer¡¯s POV My heart soared as Elder Montgomery¡¯s words echoed through the council chamber: ¡°The Council awards full custody of Felix Thorne to Summer Winster, with Alpha Foster to have no visitation rights until further reviewed by this body.¡± Relief crashed over me like a tidal wave. After years of Foster¡¯s control, my son was finally safe. I turned to Alexander, overwhelming emotion surging through me, and before I could think twice, I flung my arms around his neck and pressed my lips against his. The kiss was instinctive, passionate, and over almost as quickly as it began. When I pulled back, Alexander¡¯s eyes were dark with something that made my stomach flutter. His hands lingered on my waist, steadying me. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m sorry,¡± I stammered, suddenly aware of our audience. ¡°I just¨D¡± ¡°Don¡¯t apologize,¡± he murmured, his thumb brushing my cheek. ¡°Ever.¡± My attorney, Evelyn, cleared her throat discreetly beside us. I turned, embarrassment heating my face. ¡°Congrattions, Summer,¡± she said with a genuine smile. ¡°This is andmark victory.¡±I managed a small smile in return. ¡°It¡¯s only possible because of you¡­ and Mr. Wilson.¡± I turned to Alexander¡¯s attorney. ¡°Mr. Wilson, I can¡¯t thank you enough for everything you¡¯ve done.¡± He gave a polite nod, his tone professional. ¡°Just doing my job, Luna Summer.¡± As the adrenaline began to fade, something suddenly clicked in my mind. I turned back to Evelyn, cheeks flushing. ¡°Wait¨CI still haven¡¯t finished paying your fees, have I?¡± My stomach twisted with guilt, and I fumbled for words.¡°Sorry,Evelyn, I¡¯ll transfer your fees tomorrow.¡± She shook her head, a knowing smile ying on her lips. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary, Summer. Alpha Alexander has already taken care of everything.¡± My eyes widened as I turned to Alexander, who simply shrugged as if paying thousands in legal fees was nothing more consequential than buying coffee. ¡°Consider it an investment in our pack¡¯s future,¡± he said smoothly, but the intensity in his eyes told me it was more personal than that. On the drive back to the pack house, the adrenaline began to fade, allowing my thoughts to clear. ¡°You lied to the Council,¡± I said suddenly. ¡°About us getting a second chance.¡± Alexander¡¯s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. ¡°Would you rather I told them the truth? That 1/3 case would have dragged on forever otherwise.¡± ¡°But we¡¯re not-¡± ¡°Not what?¡± His voice dropped, dangerous and seductive. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to be my mate, Summer?¡± ¡°But didn¡¯t you say this was just a contract marriage?¡± ¡°If I hadn¡¯t, you would¡¯ve run long ago¨Cwouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Alex, you¡­¡± My words were cut off by his sudden kiss¨Cnothing like the brief, teasing ones from before. This time, his tongue pushed past my lips with a forceful hunger, iming every inch of my mouth with rough, searing heat. His hand cradled the back of my head, fingers tangled in my hair, holding me in ce with no chance of escape. I felt the sharp graze of his teeth on my lower lip, his tongue tangling with mine in a way that made my whole body shudder. The temperature inside the car spiked, his kissced with a possessiveness that left me weak, a soft moan slipping from my throat before I could stop it. ¡°You¡¯re mine, Summer,¡± he growled against my lips, his breath ragged, eyes burning with dangerous desire. ¡°Completely mine.¡± I felt breathless at his blunt deration. I didn¡¯t know how to respond¨Cmy dormant wolf offering no guidance. He finally pulled back, his long fingers brushing across my kiss¨Cswollen lips, his gaze dark and focused. ¡°If I hear the words ¡®contract marriage¡® from that pretty little mouth of yours again,¡± he murmured, voice low andced with threat, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you learn exactly what punishment means, baby.¡± A jolt of heat shot down my spine, and I instinctively pressed my thighs together. God. How could a threat sound so damn sexy? I forced myself to stayposed, refusing to let him see how hard my heart was pounding. ¡°How did you convince Dr. Randall to testify against Foster?¡± I asked, deliberately changing the subject. ¡°I thought he waspletely loyal to him.¡± Alexander¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°Money talks, sweetheart. Everyone has a price.¡± Despite the joyous atmosphere, worry gnawed at me. ¡°I should check on Felix,¡± I said, already moving toward the stairs. Alexander¡¯s lips curved into a satisfied smirk. ¡°Money talks, sweetheart. Especially when paired with a first¨Css ticket to a non¨Cextradition country and a new identity.¡± ¡°You bought his testimony?¡± I asked, surprised. ¡°I paid for the truth,¡± Alexander corrected. ¡°There¡¯s a difference.¡± When we arrived at the pack house, news of our victory had already spread. Pack members greeted us with cheers and congrattions. Lyra rushed forward, enveloping me in a bone¨Ccrushing hug. ¡°We have to celebrate!¡± she eximed, already nning what sounded like a full¨Cblown party. Despite the joyous atmosphere, worry gnawed at me. ¡°I should check on Felix,¡± I said, already moving toward the stairs. Alexander caught my hand, his touch immediately grounding me. ¡°Dr. Miller says he¡¯s doing well. And I¡¯ve assigned four of my best guards to watch over him around the clock.¡± My eyes welled with tears at his thoughtfulness. ¡°You¡¯ve thought of everything, haven¡¯t you?¡± ¡°When ites to protecting what¡¯s mine, always,¡± he replied, his voice dropping to that deep, possessive tone that made my insides melt. ¡°Alexander, I don¡¯t know how to thank you for everything you¡¯ve-¡± He bent down and hoisted me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. My surprised squeal was met with his deep chuckle as he carried me toward the staircase. ¡°Alexander!¡± I gasped, halfughing, half¨Cscandalized. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Taking what¡¯s mine,¡± he growled yfully, carrying me toward his bedroom. The authority in his voice sent heat pooling low in my belly. He kicked his bedroom door closed behind us and deposited me gently on his massive bed. I bounced slightly on the mattress, looking up to find his eyes darkened with hunger as he towered over me, the muscles in his arms flexing as he braced himself above me. ¡°Now,¡± he said, his voice dropping to that delicious rumble that made my thighs clench. ¡°How exactly did you n to thank me, little wolf?¡± Secure 67 Chapter 67 Summer¡¯s POV Looking up at Alexander¡¯s question about how I nned to thank him, I felt something primal take over. Without a word, I reached up and pulled his face down to mine, crushing my lips against his. This wasn¡¯t the innocent kiss we¡¯d shared in the council chambers¨Cthis was raw hunger. I opened my mouth to him immediately, my tongue seeking his, tasting him deeply. Alexander groaned against my mouth, his hand fisting in my hair to control the angle. His tongue invaded my mouth possessively, exploring, iming every inch as if marking territory. When he bit my lower lip and tugged, I whimpered, feeling heat pool between my thighs. ¡°Is this how you thank me, little wolf?¡± he whispered darkly against my lips. ¡°Because I can think of better ways.¡± He stripped away my blouse, then my bra, his eyes darkening further as my breasts spilled free. ¡°God, look at you,¡± he groaned, lowering his head to take one sensitive peak into his mouth. I arched beneath him, gasping as his tongue swirled around my nipple. His hand found my other breast, kneading gently, thumb brushing over the hardened bud. ¡°Alexander,¡± I moaned, my hands clutching at his shoulders. ¡°Say it again,¡± he demanded, teeth grazing my sensitive flesh. ¡°Say my name.¡± ¡°Alexander, please¡­¡± He chuckled darkly. ¡°Please what, little wolf? Tell me what you want.¡± ¡°Touch me,¡± I whispered, heat flooding my cheeks at my own boldness. His smile turned wicked. ¡°I am touching you.¡± ¡°You know what I mean,¡± I said, frustration building. ¡°I want to hear you say it,¡± he insisted, his fingers tracing maddening patterns on my skin, never quite going where I needed them most. ¡°Tell me exactly where you want my hands, my mouth.¡± ¡°Between my legs,¡± I finally gasped, overwhelmed by need. ¡°I want your fingers inside me.¡± His eyes shed with approval. ¡°Good girl.¡± His fingers traced up my inner thigh, sending shivers through my body. When he finally touched me where I needed him most, I nearly came undone, a cry escaping my lips. ¡°So fucking wet,¡± he growled, circling my entrance. ¡°All this for me, Summer?¡± I nodded desperately, beyond words as his finger slid inside me, quickly joined by a second. ¡°You¡¯re soaked, honey.¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was husky. ¡°Is this all for me? Your tight little pussy dripping just for your Alpha?¡± His crude words should have shocked me, but instead they sent heat spiraling through me. I¡¯d never been spoken to this way¨Cand God help me, I loved it. ¡°Answer me,¡± he demanded, curling his fingers inside me to hit that spot that made me see stars. ¡°Yes,¡± I gasped. ¡°Only for you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± he said, satisfaction heavy in his tone. ¡°Only for me. This pussy belongs to me now. Say it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s yours,¡± I moaned as his thumb found my clit. ¡°I¡¯m yours.¡± He added another finger, stretching me in the most delicious way. His long fingers pumped in and out of me in a steady rhythm, pushing deep then withdrawing almostpletely before thrusting back in. Each time he curled them upward, hitting that sweet spot that made my vision blur, then dragged them slowly out, making me feel every inch of movement against my sensitive walls. ¡°Alexander,¡± I moaned, feeling myself climbing toward release. Just as I was about to fall over the edge, he withdrew his fingerspletely. I whimpered at the loss, my body trembling with unfulfilled need. ¡°Why did you stop?¡± I asked, frustration evident in my voice. Alexander¡¯s eyes darkened with wicked intent. ¡°Because I decide when youe, little wolf. And I want my pleasure first.¡± He sat back against the headboard and unbuckled his belt, freeing himself from his pants. ¡°Show me how badly you want me to finish what I started.¡± Understanding his meaning, I moved between his legs, my heart hammering in my chest. I¡¯d never wanted to please someone so desperately before. ¡°You¡¯re soaked, sweetheart,¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was husky. ¡°If you need toe, you¡¯ll have to earn it.¡± I took him into my mouth eagerly, encouraged by his deep groan of satisfaction. As I worked my tongue around his length, taking him deeper with each bob of my head, I couldn¡¯t ignore the throbbing emptiness between my legs. My core ached desperately to be filled, clenching around nothing as I pleasured him with my mouth. ¡°Fuck, Summer,¡± he growled, his hand gripping my hair tightly. ¡°That¡¯s it, baby. Take more.¡± I hollowed my cheeks, sucking harder as I took him to the back of my throat. The ache between my thighs intensified with every sound he made, my inner walls clenching with need. I was embarrassingly wet, feeling my own arousal dripping down my thighs as I worked him with increasing desperation. Secure 68 Chapter 68 ¡°You love this, don¡¯t you?¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°Serving your Alpha, making me feel good?¡± I moaned around him in agreement, the vibration making him hiss with pleasure. My own body was on fire, desperate for relief that only he could provide. I squeezed my thighs together, trying to create some friction to ease the building pressure, but it wasn¡¯t enough. ¡°I¡¯m close, baby,¡± he warned, his grip in my hair tightening painfully. ¡°Take all of it.¡± With a final, guttural groan, he came hard, filling my mouth. I swallowed eagerly, not spilling a drop, then licked my lips as I looked up at him through myshes. The taste of him on my tongue only made my need more desperate. His cock hardened again almost immediately as he watched me, his eyes dark with renewed lust. ¡°Turn around,¡± he ordered gruffly. ¡°Hands on the headboard.¡± Iplied, gripping the wooden frame as I felt him position himself behind me. The head of his cock pressed against my entrance, teasing but not entering. I was so empty, so desperately in need of being filled that I pushed back against him, trying to take him inside. ¡°Remember this position, Summer,¡± he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. ¡°This is how you¡¯ll be whenever I decide I want you. Ready and waiting for me to im what¡¯s mine.¡± ¡°God, yes,¡± I moaned, past caring about anything but the need consuming me. ¡°You want me to fuck you, baby?¡± His hand came down on my ass with a sharp smack that made me cry out in surprise and pleasure. ¡°Beg for it.¡± ¡°Please,¡± I whimpered, pushing back against him. His hand connected with my other cheek, leaving a stinging heat in its wake. ¡°You can do better than that.¡± ¡°Please, Alexander,¡± I begged, my pridepletely abandoned. ¡°I need you inside me. I¡¯m so empty. Please fuck me. I need your cock so badly.¡± The words poured out of me without restraint, my body¡¯s desperate need overriding any sense of shame. To my surprise, my confession made me even wetter, arousal dripping down my thighs at my own wanton behavior. He groaned, finally pushing into me with one powerful thrust that knocked the breath from my lungs. ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re tight,¡± he hissed, his hands digging into my hips hard enough to bruise. ¡°So fucking perfect around my cock.¡± He began a relentless pace, each thrust harder than thest. Just when I thought I couldn¡¯t take more, his +15 BONUS hand came down on my ass again, the sharp sting paradoxically heightening my pleasure. I felt myself getting impossibly wetter, my body responding to the mixture of pain and pleasure in ways I never imagined. ¡°Look at you, getting wetter from being spanked,¡± he growled,nding another stinging p. ¡°Such a dirty girl for your Alpha. You like it rough, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I gasped, shocking myself with how much I meant it. ¡°God, yes.¡± Each smack sent jolts of electricity through my body, the pain transforming into a pleasure so intense I could barely breathe. The dual sensation of his punishing thrusts and the stinging heat spreading across my ass created a feedback loop of pleasure I¡¯d never experienced before. His other hand snaked around to find my clit, rubbing tight circles that had me seeing stars. ¡°You¡¯re going toe on my cock, Summer. And when you do, I want you to scream my name so the whole fucking pack knows who you belong to.¡± The pressure built inside me, a coiling tension that threatened to snap at any moment. ¡°I can¡¯t¨CI¡¯m going to-¡± ¡°Do it,¡± hemanded, his thrusts bing erratic as his own release approached. ¡°Come for me. Now.¡± My orgasm crashed over me like a tidal wave, my inner walls mping down on him as pleasure ripped through every nerve ending. ¡°Alexander!¡± I screamed, just as he¡¯d demanded, not caring who might hear. He followed secondster, his body going rigid as he emptied himself inside me with a primal groan that sounded almost like a howl. Copsing beside me, Alexander pulled me against his chest, his breathing ragged. His fingers traced gentle patterns along my spine, a stark contrast to the roughness of moments before. When I looked up, his eyes held an unexpected softness. He pressed a gentle kiss to my temple, ¡°I love you, Summer.¡± Secure 69 Chapter 69 Summer¡¯s POV I woke to the sensation of warm lips trailing along my shoulder de. Early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow across Alexander¡¯s massive bed. His strong arm was wrapped possessively around my waist, holding me against his hard chest. ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡± he murmured against my skin, his voice deliciously rough with sleep. Memories ofst night flooded back¨Chis hands exploring every inch of my body, his mouth iming mine with a hunger that matched my own. I felt my cheeks warm as I remembered how I¡¯d surrendered to himpletely, how I¡¯d called out his name as waves of pleasure crashed over me. I turned in his arms to face him, taking in his tousled dark hair and those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me. A slight stubble darkened his jaw, making him look even more dangerous and irresistible. ¡°Stop looking at me like that,¡± I whispered, suddenly self¨Cconscious. ¡°Like what?¡± He traced my lower lip with his thumb. ¡°Like you want to devour me whole.¡± His lips curved into that wicked smile that made my heart race. ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I want to do.¡± He leaned down, capturing my mouth in a kiss that stole my breath. When he pulled back, his eyes were dark with desire. ¡°Again.¡± His hand slid down my bare side, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. I shivered, arching into his touch despite myself. ¡°Alexander¡­¡± I breathed, half¨Cprotest, half¨Cinvitation. ¡°Say it again,¡± he demanded, his lips moving to my neck, finding that sensitive spot just below my ear that made me gasp. ¡°Say what?¡± ¡°My name.¡± His hand slipped between my thighs, making me whimper. ¡°I love how it sounds when you say it.¡± ¡°Alexander,¡± I whispered, giving in to his demand and the pleasure building inside me. ¡°Mine,¡± he growled against my skin, his fingers working their magic, bringing me to the edge embarrassingly fast. Just as I was about to fall over that edge, he suddenly stilled¨Cjust for a breath. His jaw tensed. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I asked breathlessly, blinking up at him. ¡°Nothing,¡± hemanded, resuming his delicious torture. The phone stopped, only to start buzzing again secondster. With a frustrated growl, Alexander reached for his phone on the nightstand. His Beta¡¯s name shed on the screen. ¡°This better be important,¡± he barked into the phone, his free hand still tracingzy circles on my hip. I watched as his expression hardened, the yful lover reced by the powerful Alpha in an instant. He sat up, the sheet pooling around his waist. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes,¡± he said curtly before hanging up. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, propping myself up on my elbows. ¡°Emergency pack council meeting,¡± he replied, running a hand through his tousled hair. ¡°Ipletely forgot I scheduled it for this morning. The elders are already there.¡± I sat up, clutching the sheet to my chest.¡°You? Forget a council meeting?¡± I raised a brow, feigning mock surprise. ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be the most responsible Alpha in the pack?¡± His lips curved into a slow, wicked smirk as his eyes roamed shamelessly over my bare skin.¡°I had more pressing matters on my mind.¡± I rolled my eyes, trying¨Cand failing¨Cto ignore the heat blooming under his gaze.¡°Go to your meeting, Alpha.¡± Alexander nodded, finally dragging himself out of bed. I tried and failed not to stare at his perfect naked form as he strode to the bathroom. The man was built like a Greek god, all hard muscles and smooth skin, and the memory of how those muscles had felt under my hands made my mouth go dry. ¡°See something you like?¡± he teased, catching me staring. I threw a pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly. ¡°Hurry up and get in the shower, you.¡± Minutester, he emerged dressed in a tailored suit that made him look every bit the powerful Alpha he was. ¡°I¡¯ll see youter,¡± he said, dropping onest kiss on my lips before heading for the door. ¡°When you see Felix,let Felix know I¡¯m thinking of him, would you? I¡¯ll stop by as soon as I can.¡± I nodded, softening.¡°Of course. I¡¯ll tell him.¡± After he left, Iy in bed a moment longer, my body still humming with unfulfilled desire. With a sigh, I finally dragged myself to the shower, letting the cold water calm my heated skin. Once dressed, I decided to visit Felix before breakfast. As I stepped into the hallway, a young Omega servant approached me, her eyes downcast. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± she said softly. ¡°You have a visitor waiting in the formal sitting room.¡± ¡°A visitor? Who would be calling this early?¡± I frowned. Secure 70 ¡°Miss Thompson, ma¡¯am. She insisted it was urgent.¡± I froze. Natalia Thompson. The statuesque blonde I¡¯d encountered at the restaurant weeks ago. Alexander¡¯s former lover. ¡°Did she say what she wanted?¡± I asked, keeping my voice level. ¡°No, Luna. Only that it concerned Alpha Alexander and was a private matter.¡± ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll see her now.¡± I steeled myself as I descended the grand staircase. What could she possibly want? Whatever it was, I wasn¡¯t going to let her see any weakness. When I entered the sitting room, Natalia stood by the window, sunlight illuminating her perfect figure encased in a designer dress that probably cost more than most people¡¯s monthly sry. She turned as I entered, her blood¨Cred lips curving into a smile that didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°Summer, darling,¡± she purred, advancing toward me with the grace of a predator. ¡°How lovely to see you again. Though you do look a bit¡­ tired. Long night?¡± I refused to take her bait. ¡°What do you want, Natalia? Alexander isn¡¯t here.¡± ¡°Oh, I know exactly where he is.¡± She settled elegantly onto the sofa, crossing her long legs. ¡°And I¡¯m not here to see him. I came to see you.¡± ¡°Me? I can¡¯t imagine what we have to discuss.¡± Sheughed, the sound like breaking ss. ¡°Don¡¯t y naive, Summer. It doesn¡¯t suit you.¡± She reached into her designer handbag and pulled out an envelope, tossing it onto the coffee table between us. Consider this a gift.¡± Cautiously, I picked up the envelope and opened it. Inside were photos¨Cintimate photos of Alexander and Natalia together. Recent photos, from the timestamp. My stomach dropped, but I kept my face carefully neutral. ¡°Photoshop has really advanced these days,¡± I said coldly, tossing the envelope back at her. ¡°Check the dates, sweetie.¡± Her smile widened. ¡°Last week. While you were busy ying mommy to that crippled pup of yours. I felt rage bubble up inside me. ¡°Get out.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you want to hear about how he called me?¡± she continued, examining her perfect manicure. ¡°How desperate he was to feel a real woman? How he said his new Luna was¡­ what were his words? ¡®Too broken to satisfy him¡°?¡± I stood, my hands trembling with fury. ¡°I said get out.¡± ¡°We fucked right there on his desk,¡± she continued cruelly. ¡°The same desk where he probably signs your son¡¯s medical bills. Did you know he likes to be called ¡®Daddy¡® when he-¡± ¡°Security!¡± I called out, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. The door opened immediately, two burly guards appearing. ¡°Please escort Miss Thompson off the property,¡± I said coldly. ¡°And ensure she understands she¡¯s not wee here again.¡± Natalia rose, smoothing her dress. ¡°You can y pretend Luna all you want, Summer. But we both know what you are¨Ca temporary distraction. A charity case.¡± She leaned closer as she passed me. ¡°And when he gets bored ying hero to your pathetic little family, he¡¯lle back to me. He always does.¡± The guards nked her, but she walked out with her head high, leaving the envelope of photos behind. I sank onto the sofa once she was gone, my hands still trembling.I knew exactly what Natalia was doing- every word, every look, calcted to cut deep. The photos, the timing, the tone¡­ all of it designed to get under my skin. And it worked. I told myself not to fall for it, not to give her the satisfaction. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn¡¯t stop the images from forming in my mind. Her in his arms. Her in his bed. Her wearing the same look of satisfaction I¡¯d seen on his face when he touched me. Had he kissed her the same way? Held her the same way? Whispered those same things in her ear? I hated myself for imagining it, for letting her get to me. But the doubt had already wormed its way in, whispering questions I didn¡¯t want to hear. Then my phone rang, startling me from my thoughts. An unknown number shed on the screen. ¡°Hello?¡± ¡°Luna summer? This is Dr. Miller from Memorial Hospital.¡± I sat up straight, instantly alert. ¡°Yes? Is something wrong with Felix?¡± There was a pause, and my heart stopped. ¡°Felix is missing, Luna Summer,¡± he said gravely. ¡°When the nurse went to check on him an hour ago, his bed was empty.¡± The phone nearly slipped from my numb fingers. ¡°What do you mean ¡®missing¡®? He can¡¯t just be missing! There were guards¡ª¡± ¡°The guards were found unconscious. Security footage shows someone in hospital scrubs entering his room, but their face was never visible to the cameras-¡± I didn¡¯t hear the rest. The phone slipped from my fingers as one thought consumed me: Alpha Foster had taken my son! Secure 71 Alexander¡¯s POV I drummed my fingers against the polished oak table, growing increasingly irritated as the Emergency Pack Council Meeting dragged on. Orion, my wolf, paced restlessly beneath my skin, mirroring my mood with every tense breath I took. Three hours. We¡¯d been sitting here for three damn hours, circling the same points, and still no real action taken. My mind kept drifting¨Cto Felix, still recovering, and to Summer. Always Summer. I wondered if she¡¯d eaten. If she¡¯d thought about me at all. ¡°-and until we can determine the origin of these foreign scents, I suggest doubling the eastern patrol rotations,¡± Elder Morgan was saying, his voice droning on like he had all day. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Normally, I wouldn¡¯t interrupt council proceedings, but when I saw Summer¡¯s name shing on the screen, instinct took over. I raised my hand, cutting off Elder Morgan mid -sentence. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I said, stepping away from the table. ¡°I need to take this.¡± The moment I answered, I could hear the panic in her voice. ¡°Alexander!¡± Summer¡¯s voice cracked. ¡°Felix is gone. He¡¯s missing from the hospital!¡± My blood turned to ice. ¡°What do you mean ¡®missing¡®?¡± I demanded, my voice dropping to a dangerous octave. ¡°I was going to visit him this morning, but Natalia showed up at the house,¡± she exined frantically. ¡°I had to deal with her first, and then right after she left, Dr. Miller called saying Felix wasn¡¯t in his room! Oh God, Alexander¨CI think Alpha Foster took him.¡± The mention of Natalia momentarily confused me¨Cwhat the hell was she doing at my house?-but Felix¡¯s disappearance immediately took precedence. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in three minutes,¡± I growled, ending the call. I turned to the council members who were watching with concerned expressions. ¡°Meeting adjourned. There¡¯s been an incident with Felix.¡± The drive to the hospital was a blur of rage and fear. Orion was practically taking over, demanding we find our mate¡¯s pup immediately. Though Felix wasn¡¯t biologically mine, both my wolf and I had formed a profound bond with the boy. He was ours to protect. I found Summer in the hallway outside Felix¡¯s room, her face ashen, eyes wild with fear. When she saw me, something broke in her expression, and she rushed into my arms. ¡°They can¡¯t find him anywhere,¡± she whispered against my chest, her body trembling. I could feel her tears soaking through my shirt. I pulled back just enough to cup her face, wiping away tears with my thumbs. ¡°We¡¯ll find him, Summer. I promise you that.¡± My voice was steady despite the murderous rage building inside me. ¡°When was thest time anyone actually saw him?¡± ¡°The day nurse checked on him this morning, but-¡± Summer¡¯s words faltered as she struggled to maintainposure. I scanned the area, inhaling deeply. The corridor was thick with hospital scents¨Cantiseptic, illness, medications¨Cbut beneath it all, something else lingered. Something wrong. My attention snapped to the four pack guards stationed at Felix¡¯s door. They stood with heads bowed, shoulders slumped in shame. I stalked toward them, Alpha power rolling off me in waves that had them both dropping to their knees before I¡¯d even spoken. ¡°EXPLAIN!¡± I roared, my eyes zing gold as Orion pushed forward. The windows in the hallway rattled with the force of my anger. ¡°How does a child disappear on YOUR WATCH?¡± The taller guard, Ryan, kept his eyes on the floor as he spoke. ¡°Alpha, we don¡¯t know how it happened. Last night, during our shift, we caught an unusual scent¨Csomething sweet and dense in the air. Then everything got¡­ foggy. We both felt drowsy. Next thing we knew, it was morning.¡± My ws extended involuntarily, drawing blood from my own palms. ¡°You¡¯re telling me,¡± I snarled, barely containing my shift, ¡°that someone drugged you LAST NIGHT, and Felix has likely been missing for HOURS?¡± The guards trembled visibly. ¡°We¡¯ll ept any punishment, Alpha,¡± the second one whispered. I grabbed Ryan by the throat, lifting him until his feet dangled above the floor. ¡°I trusted you with my mate¡¯s child,¡± I growled, my voice distorted by my lengthening fangs. ¡°Do you have ANY IDEA what you¡¯ve done?¡± Orion howled for blood. For retribution. For their throats between our jaws. ¡°Alexander,¡± Summer¡¯s gentle touch on my arm was the only thing that prevented me from shifting fully.¡± They were drugged. It wasn¡¯t their fault.¡± Secure 72 Chapter 72 Herpassion, even in crisis, was remarkable. The beast within me reluctantly retreated enough that I could think clearly. I dropped the guard, who gasped for air as he hit the floor. ¡°Find out what substance was used,¡± I ordered instead, my voice still rough with suppressed rage. ¡°And have Beta Ethan collect all security footage fromst night. NOW!¡± As the guards scrambled away, I turned to Summer, taking her hands in mine. ¡°If they were druggedst night, that means Felix has been missing for hours. Not just since this morning.¡± Horror dawned in her eyes. ¡°Oh God¡­¡± We marched to the hospital administrator¡¯s office, where a nervous man in a white coat awaited us. I didn¡¯t bother with pleasantries. ¡°How,¡± I demanded, mming my palm on his desk hard enough to crack the wood, ¡°does a CHILD go missing from your hospital for TWELVE HOURS before anyone notices?¡± The administrator¨CDr. Peterson ording to his namete¨Cvisibly paled. ¡°Alpha Alexander, Luna Summer¡­ there was a critical failure in ourmunication protocols. The night shift nurse ims another staff member took Felix for what they said were scheduled tests. She handed him over without question because they had proper credentials.¡± ¡°What?¡± Summer¡¯s voice rose sharply. ¡°And nobody verified this? Nobody checked with us?¡± I leaned forward, my patiencepletely evaporated. ¡°You¡¯re telling me,¡± I growled, my voice deadly quiet, ¡°that anyone can walk into this hospital, im to be staff, and walk out with a child?¡± ¡°N¨Cno, of course not! They had proper ID badges and authorization codes, ording to the night nurse¡¯s report. We¡¯re pulling the security footage now, but-¡°he stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. Summer¡¯s phone rang, interrupting the pathetic exnation. She nced at the screen, her expression shifting from worry to shock. ¡°It¡¯s Alpha Foster,¡± she whispered, her voice suddenly hollow. My jaw clenched so hard I could hear my teeth grinding. ¡°Put it on speaker.¡± Summer¡¯s hand trembled as she answered the call. ¡°Foster? Where is my son?¡± Her voice held a strength I admired, despite the fear I could smell rolling off her in waves. ¡°If you¡¯ve hurt him-¡± ¡°Hurt him?¡± Fosterughed, the sound cold and hollow. ¡°Why would I hurt my own son? Unlike you, I actually care about his wellbeing.¡± I could see Summer¡¯s knuckles turning white as she gripped the phone. ¡°Then bring him back. Now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t do that,¡± Foster replied, his tone hardening. ¡°He belongs with his father and his pack. The Silver Creek Pack is his birthright, his heritage.¡± ¡°You gave up that right when you rejected us both,¡± Summer hissed, tears forming in her eyes. ¡°A mistake I¡¯m rectifying,¡± Foster replied smoothly. ¡°Felix needs proper guidance from his true Alpha father, not whatever mockery of a family you¡¯ve created with your¡­ new mate.¡± I¡¯d heard enough. I took the phone from Summer¡¯s hand, my voice deadly calm as I spoke. ¡°Foster. This is Alexander of the ckwood Pack. You have exactly twenty¨Cfour hours to return Felix unharmed.¡± There was a brief silence before Fosterughed again. ¡°Alexander ckwood? I should have known. Always cleaning up others¡® messes, aren¡¯t you? Let me make this clear: This is between me and my former Luna. Stay out of it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong,¡± I growled, allowing my Alpha power to seep into every word. ¡°Summer and Felix are under my protection now. My pack. My family. You¡¯ve not only vited Councilw by abducting a minor, you¡¯vemitted an act of aggression against the ckwood Pack. Return the boy, or the consequences will be severe.¡± ¡°Such threats,¡± Foster mocked, though I could hear the slight tremor in his voice. Everyone knew the ckwood Pack was not to be trifled with. ¡°Here¡¯s my counter¨Coffer: Summer returns to Silver Creek Pack -alone¨Cand submits to proper pack discipline for her desertion. Once she¡¯s back where she belongs, perhaps we can discuss visitation rights for Felix.¡± Summer gasped beside me, her face paling further. I wrapped my arm around her waist, steadying her. ¡°That¡¯s not going to happen,¡± I stated tly. ¡°Then I¡¯m afraid Summer will never see her son again,¡± Foster replied coldly. ¡°My decision is final. Summer returns home, or Felix stays with me permanently. She has until midnight tomorrow to decide. I¡¯ll text the location for her arrival. If she brings anyone¨Cespecially you, ckwood¨Cthe deal is off.¡± The line went dead. Secure 73 Summer¡¯s POV The drive back to Alexander¡¯s packhouse was filled with tense silence. My mind was consumed with images of Felix¨Cscared, alone, wondering why his mother hadn¡¯te for him. My baby, my precious child who had already suffered too much in his short life. I couldn¡¯t bear to think what Alpha Foster might be telling him, what lies he might be poisoning our son with. Alexander¡¯s hand found mine across the console, his thumb tracing soothing circles against my skin. The gesture would normally calm me, but right now, nothing could quiet the storm raging inside me. ¡°We¡¯ll get him back,¡± Alexander promised for what felt like the hundredth time. ¡°I¡¯ve already called in every favor I have. The Council is being notified, and I have scouts tracking Alpha Foster¡¯s movements.¡± I nodded mechanically, but deep down, I knew what had to be done. There was only one guaranteed way to ensure Felix¡¯s safety, and Alexander wasn¡¯t going to like it. The moment we stepped inside, Alexander¡¯s Beta, Ethan, approached with a folder in his hands. ¡°Alpha, we¡¯vepiled all the information we have so far on Alpha Foster¡¯s movements. The hospital security footage shows-¡± ¡°Later,¡± Alexander cut him off with a curt gesture. ¡°I need to speak with Summer alone first.¡± Ethan nodded respectfully and retreated, though I could see the concern in his eyes. Alexander guided me to his office, closing the door firmly behind us. ¡°Sit,¡± he said, gesturing to the leather sofa against the wall. ¡°I¡¯m going,¡± I stated at the exact same moment, my voice surprisingly steady. Alexander¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Going where?¡± he asked, though the darkening of his eyes told me he already knew. ¡°To Silver Creek pack,¡± I confirmed, lifting my chin slightly. ¡°It¡¯s the only way to guarantee Felix¡¯s safety.¡± ¡°That is absolutely not happening, Summer.¡± His voice was like granite¨Cunyielding and cold. ¡°¡°So you¡¯re nning to leave me here while you handle everything on your own?¡± I crossed my arms over my chest, challenging him.¡°Let me guess you¡¯re about to tell me I need to trust you. That you¡¯ll bring Felix back. That you have a n.But what you don¡¯t seem to understand, Alexander, is that he¡¯s my son.¡± A heavy silence settled between us, broken only by the ticking of the antique clock on his desk. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he finally admitted, surprising me. ¡°I am going to bring Felix back. But I need you to stay here where it¡¯s safe.¡± Iughed, the sound bitter and hollow. ¡°Safe? While my child is with that monster? Do you have any idea what Alpha Foster is capable of?¡± ¡°Better than you think,¡± Alexander replied grimly. ¡°Which is exactly why you can¡¯t go near him.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice!¡± I eximed, myposure finally cracking. ¡°Alpha Foster said midnight tomorrow. If I don¡¯t show up-¡± ¡°If you show up,¡± Alexander interrupted, his voice dropping dangerously low, ¡°he wins.¡± He closed the distance between us in two powerful strides, grasping my shoulders gently but firmly.¡± Summer, listen to me. Going to Alpha Foster is exactly what he wants. The moment you step onto Silver Creek territory alone, you lose all leverage. He¡¯ll have both you and Felix.¡± My hands curled into fists at my sides. ¡°But what can I do? Felix is in his hands right now.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression softened slightly. ¡°I have resources Alpha Foster can¡¯t even imagine,¡± he said, his thumb gently stroking my face. ¡°Council connections. Alliances with neighboring packs. Intelligenceworks that can find anyone, anywhere.¡± He ran his free hand through his hair, ¡°Summer, please. Give me twenty¨Cfour hours. Let me try to locate him first.¡± ¡°And what if that¡¯s not enough?¡± I demanded, tears threatening to spill. ¡°What if your resources and connections fail? I can¡¯t take that chance with Felix¡¯s life!¡± ¡°I will not let you sacrifice yourself!¡± Alexander¡¯s voice rose to a near roar, his Alpha power filling the room like a physical force. The windows seemed to vibrate with it. ¡°There is always another way!¡± ¡°No!¡± I whispered, tears finally spilling over. ¡°You don¡¯t understand what it¡¯s like to be a mother. To know your child is suffering and be unable to help them. I would walk through fire for Felix. I would die for him. ¡°And I would rather die than lose either of you,¡± Alexander replied, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°Which is why I can¡¯t let you sacrifice yourself,¡± I pulled away from his grasp, anger ring hot in my veins. ¡°It¡¯s not your decision to make!¡± ¡°The hell it isn¡¯t!¡± he roared suddenly, his eyes shing gold as Orion pushed forward. The Alpha dominance rolling off him was almost suffocating. ¡°You are my mate, Summer! Felix is under my protection! I will not allow you to walk into a trap!¡± ¡°Allow me?¡± I repeated incredulously, finding strength in my outrage. ¡°I don¡¯t need your permission, Alexander. I am Felix¡¯s mother. His fate is my responsibility.¡± ¡°And if you get yourself captured or killed, how does that help him?¡± Alexander demanded, his chest heaving with barely contained emotion. We red at each other across the room, neither willing to back down. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it, but I refused to yield. Secure 74 ¡°I¡¯m going,¡± I stated tly. ¡°With or without your support.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression hardened into something I¡¯d never seen before. ¡°No, you¡¯re not.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t stop me.¡± Hisugh was cold and devoid of humor. ¡°Actually, I can.¡± Before I could respond, he turned on his heel and strode from the room. I heard the distinct click of a lock engaging. For a moment, I stood frozen in disbelief. Had he just¡­? I rushed to the door, twisting the handle frantically. Locked. Through the door, I heard him giving instructions to someone¨Cprobably guards to ensure I stayed put. ¡°You can¡¯t do this!¡± I shouted, pounding on the door with my fists. ¡°Alexander! You have no right!¡± Nothing. ¡°Alexander! Open this door right now!¡± Silence. ¡°ALEXANDER!¡± I screamed, rage and betrayal washing over me in equal measure. I couldn¡¯t believe it. He had actually locked me in. Like a child. Like a prisoner. Like¡­ like Alpha Foster would have done. Theparison struck me like a physical blow, and I slid down the door to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. Of all people, I never expected this from Alexander. Not him. Not the man who had shown me what it meant to be respected, to be treated as an equal. Hours passed. I alternated between pacing the office like a caged animal and sitting in numb silence. As darkness fell outside the windows, my anger congealed into something cold and resolute. If Alexander thought he could control me like Alpha Foster had, he was about to learn a painful lesson about who I¡¯d be. When the door finally opened again just past night, Alexander stood in the doorway with a tray of food. His expression was guarded but determined. ¡°You need to eat,¡± he said simply. I stared at him, letting the full weight of my contempt show in my eyes. ¡°You locked me in.¡± ¡°To protect you,¡± he replied evenly. ¡°My team is already tracking Alpha Foster. We have leads on three possible locations where he might be keeping Felix.¡± ¡°Congrattions,¡± I said coldly. ¡°Is that supposed to make me feel better about being treated like a prisoner?¡± Alexander set the tray down on his desk with a heavy sigh. ¡°Summer, please try to understand-¡± ¡°Oh, I understand perfectly,¡± I cut him off. ¡°You¡¯re just like him.¡± The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Alexander flinched as if I¡¯d pped him, genuine pain crossing his features before his expression shuttered closed. ¡°What did you just say?¡± he asked, his voice dangerously quiet. ¡°You heard me,¡± I continued, unable to stop now that the dam had broken. My voice was hard as steel. ¡°I am nothing like Alpha Foster,¡± he said, each word precisely measured. ¡°But if you can¡¯t see the difference between someone trying to control your entire existence and someone trying to prevent you from throwing your life away, then perhaps you¡¯re not thinking clearly right now.¡± ¡°I need to be doing something, Alexander!¡± I cried out, desperation wing at my throat. ¡°I can¡¯t just sit here while my son is in danger!¡± ¡°And you think I¡¯m not doing everything possible?¡± he demanded, frustration evident in every line of his powerful frame. ¡°My best trackers are out there right now. Beta Ethan is coordinating with Council security. I¡¯ve called in favors from three neighboring Alphas.¡± ¡°But it might not be enough,¡± I insisted, my voice breaking. ¡°Alpha Foster said midnight tomorrow. That¡¯s less than twenty¨Cfour hours away!¡± ¡°We will find him before then,¡± Alexander stated with absolute conviction. I shook my head, tears finally spilling over. ¡°You can¡¯t promise that. Nobody can.¡± Alexander approached me cautiously, as if I were a wounded animal,he gently reached out to wipe a tear from my cheek with his thumb. I jerked away from his touch, unable to bear the tenderness when I was still so angry. His hand fell back to his side, rejection shing briefly in his eyes. Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You can hate me all you want, but I¡¯m doing what¡¯s necessary, I¡¯ll bring Felix home, Summer. I swear it.¡± He turned to leave, pausing at the door. ¡°There¡¯s food on the tray. Please eat something. And try to rest if you can.¡± The door closed behind him, the lock clicking into ce once more. I stared at it for a long moment before my gaze drifted to the tray he¡¯d left. Despite my anger, my stomach growled at the sight of the steaming soup and fresh bread. I approached the tray and began to eat methodically. If I was going to escape, I would need my strength. Alexander might think he was protecting me, but he didn¡¯t understand¨Ca mother would walk through hell itself for her child, and no locked door would stop me. I finished eating, pushing the tray aside with a quiet tter. Some time passed in silence.I sat on the edge of the sofa, hands clenched in myp, thoughts spiraling. Then, the lock clicked quietly. Secure 75 Chapter 75 Summer¡¯s POV The lock clicked quietly. I jolted upright from where I¡¯d been sitting against Alexander¡¯s desk, my heart thundering in my chest. Had hee back to reason with me again? I quickly wiped away any trace of tears from my face and squared my shoulders, ready for another confrontation. But when the door cracked open, it wasn¡¯t Alexander¡¯s imposing figure that slipped through¨Cit was Lyra. ¡°Lyra?¡± I whispered in disbelief. She pressed a finger to her lips and quickly closed the door behind her. ¡°Shh. We don¡¯t have much time.¡± As I studied her face, confusion tightened in my chest.L and I were friends, yes¨Cbut Alexander was her brother. Their bond ran deeper. Why would she risk sneaking into his office like this, knowing it could infuriate him?¡°What are you doing here?¡± I asked, keeping my voice low. ¡°If Alexander finds out-¡± ¡°He won¡¯t,¡± she cut me off, her eyes darting nervously to the door. ¡°He¡¯s in an emergency meeting with Ethan and the gamma squad. nning the search operation for Felix.¡± My heart clenched at the mention of my son¡¯s name. ¡°Have they found anything?¡± Lyra shook her head regretfully. ¡°Not yet. But that¡¯s why I¡¯m here.¡± She took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m going to help you escape.¡± I stared at her, stunned. ¡°What? Why would you do that? Alexander is your brother.¡± ¡°Precisely because he¡¯s my brother,¡± she said with a sad smile. ¡°I love him, Summer. And I can see how much he loves you. I don¡¯t want this¡­ this situation to create a permanent rift between you two.¡± ¡°Besides,we¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t we?¡°She moved closer, her expression earnest in the dim light. ¡°Oh, and by the way¨Cthose cozy pictures of Natalia and my brother? Totally fake. Photoshop.¡± ¡°Well¡­ that¡¯s good to know.¡± I said, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°But I still don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re helping me?¡± Lyra¡¯s eyes softened, and something vulnerable flickered across her face. ¡°Yes, because¡­. because I know what it means to protect your child. At all costs. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Lyra¡¯s hands twisted together in herp, and she seemed to be weighing her words carefully. ¡°I have a secret of my own. One that not even Alexander knows.¡± Her hands unconsciously drifted to her stomach.¡± I¡¯m pregnant.¡± The revtion hit me like a physical blow. ¡°Pregnant? But how¨Cwhen-?¡± ¡°After I left the pack two years ago, I found myself in trouble. Serious trouble with some rogues near the Canadian border.¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°An Alpha from a neighboring territory saved me. He was¡­ everything. Strong, protective, kind¨Cat least I thought so at the time.¡± Understanding dawned. ¡°And you fell in love with him.¡± Lyra¡¯sugh was bitter. ¡°Yes. Stupid, right? ssic damsel¨Cin¨Cdistress falling for her rescuer. ¡°But he didn¡¯t return my feelings. To him, I was just¡­ a charity case. A wounded wolf he¡¯d helped.¡± ¡°Lyra¡­ ¡°My heart ached for her. I knew all too well what unrequited love felt like. ¡°One night, after too much alcohol during a pack celebration, we¡­ well, one thing led to another,¡± she continued, her cheeks flushing. ¡°I found out I was pregnant a few weekster.I thought maybe things would change between us after that, but they didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± I prompted when she fell silent. She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. ¡°I overheard him speaking with his Beta. He said he¡¯d¡® take care of the situation.¡® That he couldn¡¯t let a half¨Cbreed cub from a meaningless fling jeopardize his position with his intended mate.¡± Her voice hardened with remembered pain. ¡°He was going to make my baby ¡®disappear.¡°¡± ¡°Oh my Goddess,¡± I breathed, genuine horror washing through me. ¡°So you ran?¡± ¡°That night,¡± she confirmed. ¡°I came back here, but I haven¡¯t told Alexander yet. I can¡¯t bear to see the disappointment in his eyes.¡± She looked up at me, fierce determination recing her momentary vulnerability. ¡°That¡¯s why I understand, Summer. I know what it means to protect your child at all costs. I know what it feels like to have your heart walking around outside your body.¡± I was stunned into silence, my mind reeling from her revtion. Finally, I reached out and squeezed her hand. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lyra. And your pregnancy now¡­ are you alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± she admitted. ¡°But I¡¯m going to be fine. This isn¡¯t about me right now¨Cit¡¯s about Felix. She straightened and pulled a small makeup case from her bag. ¡°Now, we don¡¯t have much time. The meeting shouldst another forty minutes, but we need to work fast.¡± ¡°What exactly is your n?¡± I asked, hope kindling in my chest for the first time since Alexander had locked me in. ¡°You and I are simr enough in build,¡± she exined, her eyes assessing me professionally. ¡°Simr hair color, though mine¡¯s a bit darker. With the right makeup and clothes.¡± She let the implication hang. My eyes widened as understanding dawned. ¡°You want us to switch ces?¡± ¡°That will never work,¡± I protested. ¡°Alexander will know instantly that you¡¯re not me.¡± +15 BONUS Lyra smiled, reaching into the small bag she¡¯d brought. ¡°Not with my help, he won¡¯t. Did you know I worked as a makeup artist in New York beforeing back to the pack?¡± She pulled out apact cosmetics case and flipped it open to reveal an array of professional¨Cgrade supplies. ¡°I can make us look simr enough to fool the guards at a distance. By the time Alexander realizes, you¡¯ll be long gone.¡± I watched in amazement as she worked quickly, applying makeup to my face with expert precision.¡± Hold still,¡± she murmured, blending foundation along my jawline. ¡°We need to minimize your cheekbones and reshape your lips a bit.¡± Secure 76 Chapter 76 Twenty minutester, I stared into the small mirror she handed me, gasping at my reflection. While we didn¡¯t look identical, she had somehow managed to make me resemble her enough that a casual observer might mistake us. ¡°This is¡­ incredible,¡± I breathed. ¡°Now for the finishing touch,¡± she said, pulling off her silver pendant¨Ca distinctive piece I¡¯d seen her wearing often. She fastened it around my neck. ¡°The guards are looking for you, not me. This will help sell the disguise.¡± We quickly exchanged clothes, and I felt a strange sense of discement as I pulled on her jeans and sweater. They smelled faintly of her perfume¨Csomething floral and delicate. Then, without hesitation, she drew a small de from her boot and sliced a shallow line across her palm. ¡°Hold out your arm,¡± she said. I did, wordless, heart pounding. She pressed her bleeding palm to my wrist, letting her blood smear against my skin.Her scent clings to me now. ¡°Alright.Take my car,¡± she said, pressing her keys into my palm. ¡°It¡¯s the silver sedan parked by the east entrance. The guards are used to seeing mee and go at odd hours, so they shouldn¡¯t pay much attention.¡± I clutched the keys tightly. ¡°What will you do when Alexander finds out I¡¯m gone?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll dy as long as I can,¡± she promised. ¡°I¡¯ll stay in here with the door locked and pretend to be you if he knocks. Once you¡¯re safely away, I¡¯ll deal with my brother¡¯s rage.¡± She gave me a wry smile. ¡°It won¡¯t be the first time.¡± Impulsively, I pulled her into a fierce hug. ¡°Thank you, Lyra. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll ever repay you for this.¡± ¡°Just bring Felix back safely,¡± she whispered against my hair. ¡°And forgive my brother for being an overprotective idiot. He loves you both too much to think straight right now.¡± With one final squeeze of her hands, I slipped out the door, heart pounding so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it. I kept my head down as I navigated the hallways, mimicking Lyra¡¯s distinctive walk as best I could. Several pack members passed me, but none looked twice. The night air hit me like a blessing when I finally reached the side entrance. I spotted Lyra¡¯s silver sedan exactly where she¡¯d said it would be and hurried toward it, keys gripped tightly in my sweating palm. ¡°Lyra?¡± a deep voice called just as I reached for the car door. My blood froze in my veins. I kept my back turned, affecting Lyra¡¯s casual posture as best I could. ¡°Yeah?¡± I answered, pitching my voice slightly higher. ¡°You heading out thiste?¡± It was one of Alexander¡¯s Warrior wolf. ¡°Just need to clear my head,¡± I replied, forcing lightness into my tone. ¡°Girl stuff, you know.¡± He chuckled awkwardly. ¡°Right. Well, drive safe. Been reports of rogues spotted near the southern border.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll stick to the main roads,¡± I promised, relief flooding through me as I slipped into the driver¡¯s seat. The engine purred to life, and I eased the car toward the main gate, my fingers white¨Cknuckled on the steering wheel. The guard at the checkpoint waved me down, and I felt sweat beading at my hairline beneath the makeup. ¡°Evening, Lyra,¡± he said, leaning down to peer into the window. ¡°Headed into town?¡± ¡°Just for a quick errand,¡± I replied, praying my voice sounded like lyra. He frowned slightly, studying my face. ¡°You look different. New makeup or something?¡± My heart stuttered. ¡°Trying a new contouring technique,¡± I said with what I hoped was Lyra¡¯s characteristic confidence. ¡°Not sure if I like it yet.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Well, Alpha¡¯s put increased security measures in ce tonight. Make sure you¡¯re back before midnight, or call ahead so we know to expect you.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± I promised, relief making me light¨Cheaded as he stepped back and waved me through. I managed to maintain a normal speed until the gates disappeared from my rearview mirror, then pressed the elerator to the floor. ording to the navigation system, Silver Creek territory was a five¨Chour drive away. I had roughly ten hours until Foster¡¯s deadline,I should be able to make it. I drove through the night, stopping only once for gas and coffee, keeping my head down and avoiding cameras. As dawn broke across the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, I crossed into Silver Creek territory. The familiarndscape sent a chill down my spine¨Cthe rolling hills and dense forests where I had once believed I would spend my entire life. The ce where my son had been born. The ce where both of us had suffered. I approached the main pack house with my heart in my throat, pulling Lyra¡¯s car to a stop in front of the imposing structure. Before I could even open my door, two figures emerged from the entrance. Suzanna, with her deceptively fragile frame and cold eyes, stood blocking my path. Beside her was her son, Moore, his face a twisted mask of triumph. ¡°Well, well,¡± Suzanna drawled, her voice carrying across the morning air. ¡°Look what the wind blew in. The reject Luna returns.¡± I stepped out of the car, standing tall despite the fear coursing through my veins. I hade too far to be intimidated now. ¡°Where is my son?¡± I demanded, my voice steady despite the rapid beating of my heart. ¡°Safe,¡± she said vaguely. ¡°For now.¡± Moore stepped forward, his young face twisted with malice beyond his years. ¡°My father doesn¡¯t want to see you yet. He said to tell you that ns have changed.¡± Secure 77 Summer¡¯s POV ¡°What about our arrangement?¡± I demanded, confusion and anger surging through me like wildfire. This wasn¡¯t what Foster had promised.¡°Alpha Foster agreed to meet me, to discuss Felix¡¯s return. That was the deal.¡± Suzanna¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile. ¡°ns change, Summer. Did you really think it would be that simple? That you could just demand terms from an Alpha?¡± ¡°If you want to see Alpha Foster,¡± Suzanna continued, her voice honeyed with malice, ¡°you can bow down and kiss my feet first. Then maybe I¡¯ll take you to him.¡± ¡°And if I don¡¯t?¡± I challenged, though I already knew the answer. Suzanna stepped closer, her perfectly manicured fingernails suddenly digging into my arm. ¡°Then you¡¯ll never see your precious son again. Is that clear enough for you?¡± I jerked my arm away from her grasp, fighting the urge to sh at her smug face with my ws, but I couldn¡¯t risk Felix¡¯s safety. ¡°Fine, ¡°I growled through my teeth, my knees starting to bend, every muscle in my body screaming in protest. Suzanna stood tall before me, arms crossed, her lips curled in triumph. I could feel her victory radiating off her like heat. But just before I hit the ground- ¡°Summer, you¡¯re early. I was expecting youter.¡± Themanding voice cut through the tension like a de. I looked up to see Alpha Foster standing at the top of the stone steps leading to the pack house, his imposing figure backlit by the morning sun. He looked exactly as I remembered¨Ctall, broad¨Cshouldered, devastatingly handsome. But in my eyes, he had lost all his charm¨CI now saw only the cruelty beneath the attractive facade. Suzanna¡¯s face instantly paled, her bodynguage shifting from dominant to submissive in a heartbeat. That¡¯s when I realized¨Cthis humiliation wasn¡¯t Foster¡¯s order. It was Suzanna¡¯s own power y. I straightened up and turned to Foster.¡°This is your idea of weing me back? Having me kneel to her?¡± Foster¡¯s eyes narrowed as they flicked between us, clearly assessing the situation. ¡°What is this about?¡± ¡°Your Omega here,¡± I said, emphasizing the lower rank with deliberate cruelty, ¡°informed me that our arrangement had changed. That I wouldn¡¯t see Felix unless I submitted to her first¨Cgot on my knees and kissed her feet. Is that what you ordered, Alpha?¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s expression darkened dangerously as he turned to Suzanna. ¡°Is this true?¡± ¡°Alpha, I was just-¡± Suzanna stammered, her earlier arrogance evaporating like morning dew, ¡°-trying to test her loyalty. For the pack¡¯s protection.¡± ¡°Did I ask you to test her loyalty?¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s voice was deceptively soft, but I recognized the deadly undercurrent. ¡°Did I authorize you to change the terms of my agreement with the mother of my son?¡± Suzanna visibly trembled now. ¡°N¨Cno, Alpha.¡± Alpha Foster descended the steps with measured confidence, each footfall like a drumbeat of approaching doom for Suzanna. ¡°You presume to speak for me? To issuemands in my name?¡± ¡°I only wanted what was best-¡± ¡°Silence!¡± Alpha Foster¡¯smand reverberated through the courtyard, making even Moore flinch beside his mother. ¡°You¡¯ve overstepped, Suzanna. Badly.¡± What happened next brought me a cold, vindictive satisfaction that I wasn¡¯t proud of¨Cbut couldn¡¯t deny. Alpha Foster turned to Suzanna, his voice deadly quiet. ¡°Kneel.¡± Her eyes widened in horror. ¡°Alpha Foster, please-¡± ¡°I said kneel.¡± The Alphamand in his voice was unmistakable. ¡°Before Summer. Now.¡± Tears welled in Suzanna¡¯s eyes as she slowly, reluctantly sank to her knees before me. The woman who had tormented me,now humiliated where everyone could see. ¡°Lower,¡°Alpha Fostermanded mercilessly. ¡°Bow your head to the ground.¡± Suzannaplied, her forehead touching the gravel, her perfect blonde hair falling around her in disarray. Her son Moore watched in horrified silence, his young face contorted with helpless rage. Alpha Foster turned to me. ¡°Is this satisfactory, Summer? Or do you think she deserves something more severe?¡± I looked down at Suzanna¡¯s trembling form. Part of me¨Cthe wounded, vengeful part¨Cwanted to prolong her humiliation. But another part recognized that this disy wasn¡¯t really about justice, it was Alpha Foster demonstrating his control over everyone around him. I wanted no part in his power games. ¡°I¡¯ve done what you asked,¡± I said tly, ignoring his question. ¡°Now take me to my son. Alpha Foster smiled, clearly pleased with my direct approach. ¡°Of course. That was our arrangement.¡± He gestured toward the pack house. ¡°Shall we?¡± Alpha Foster led me through familiar hallways to a suite of rooms I recognized immediately¨Cour old quarters, where we had lived together as husband and wife. The rooms looked exactly the same, as though I¡¯d never left. ¡°Nothing has changed since you left,¡± Foster said, confirming my observation. ¡°Your clothes are still in the closet. Your books on the shelf. I knew you¡¯d return eventually.¡± His delusional certainty made me want to scream. Instead, I asked tly, ¡°Where¡¯s Felix?¡± ¡°In good time,¡± he repeated, his patience clearly wearing thin. ¡°First, you need to clean yourself. I can¡¯t stand that Alpha¡¯s scent on you.¡± He gestured toward the bathroom. ¡°Everything you need is in there. I¡¯ll wait.¡± ¡°Where is my son?¡± I demanded, ignoring his attempt at charm. ¡°Safe,¡± Alpha Foster replied vaguely, echoing Suzanna¡¯s earlier answer. ¡°And he¡¯ll remain that way as long as you cooperate.¡± ¡°You promised I could see him. That was our arrangement. Alpha Foster¡¯s expression hardened slightly. ¡°You¡¯ll see him when I decide the time is right. For now, you¡¯ll do as you¡¯re told.¡± He leaned closer, inhaling deeply near my neck. His face twisted in disgust. ¡°You reek of him. Of ckwood.¡± I lifted my chin defiantly. ¡°Good.¡± The thought of being naked in the next room from Alpha Foster made my stomach heave, but I needed to y along until I could find Felix. Once inside the bathroom, I locked the door and leaned against it, trying to steady my breathing. The familiar fixtures and expensive toiletries were like ghosts from another life¨Ca life where I had been broken down piece by piece until nothing remained of the woman I once was. I turned the shower on full st, letting the steam fill the room as I assessed my options. Where would they be keeping Felix? The pack house was massive, with dozens of rooms, but Alpha Foster wouldn¡¯t want him far away. The east wing, perhaps? That had always been strictly off¨Climits to me during my time here¨Ca perfect ce to hide a prisoner. Would Alexander know something was wrong by now? Would hee looking for me? Secure 78 Summer¡¯s POV After showering quickly, I wrapped myself in a towel and faced an unpleasant reality¨CI had nothing to wear except the clothes hanging in the closet outside, where Alpha Foster waited. Taking a deep breath, I cracked open the door. ¡°I need clothes,¡± I said tly. Alpha Foster was sitting on the edge of the bed, scrolling through his phone. He looked up with a smile that made my skin crawl. ¡°In the dresser,¡± he said, pointing. ¡°I had some new things brought in for you.¡± I slipped out, clutching the towel tightly around me as I hurried to the dresser. Inside were brand new clothes¨Call in my size, but nothing I would ever choose for myself. Low¨Ccut blouses, skin¨Ctight pants, and dresses so short they barely qualified as clothing. Each piece screamed of Alpha Foster¡¯s possessive fantasy, designed to disy me as his prized possession rather than clothe me with dignity. I had just picked up one of the least revealing options when I felt his heat at my back, his scent enveloping me before his arms did. ¡°You look beautiful, Summer,¡± Alpha Foster said softly, his breath hot against my neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist. ¡°You¡¯ve always been exquisite.¡± Every muscle in my body tensed. I grabbed the first items my hands touched¨Ca simple shirt and pants- and twisted out of his embrace, retreating back to the bathroom to change. When I emerged again, Alpha Foster was pouring two sses of wine. ¡°A drink to celebrate your return?¡± he offered, holding out a ss. ¡°I¡¯m not celebrating,¡± I replied coldly. ¡°And I haven¡¯t returned. I¡¯m here for Felix, nothing more.¡± Alpha Foster set down the ss with a sigh. ¡°Always so stubborn. It¡¯s one of the things I¡¯ve missed about you.¡± He moved closer, his hand reaching to tuck a strand of wet hair behind my ear. ¡°We were good together once, weren¡¯t we?¡± I stepped away from his touch. ¡°We were never good together. You made sure of that.¡± His expression darkened momentarily before smoothing back into practiced charm. ¡°You¡¯re upset about the past. I understand. But we have a chance to start fresh now. To be a family again¨Cyou, me, and Felix.¡± ¡°What about your other family?¡± I asked pointedly, ¡°Suzanna? Moore? The son you chose over your firstborn?¡± ¡°They served their purpose,¡± Alpha Foster dismissed with a wave of his hand. ¡°Political necessities. But you were always the one I truly wanted, Summer.¡± He moved closer, his eyes never leaving mine. ¡°I was blind, manipted by Suzanna and her family¡¯s connections. I see that now. She poisoned me against you, against our son.¡± His voice dropped, bing almost tender. ¡°If you don¡¯t want them around, say the word and I¡¯ll send them away. Tonight. Right now. I¡¯ll do anything to prove to you that you¡¯re the only one who matters.¡± The audacity of his lies made me want tough hysterically. Did he really think I was still that naive, broken woman who would believe anything he said? ¡°I want to see my son. Now.¡± My voice was steel, brooking no argument. ¡°All in good time,¡± he repeated, his tone hardening. ¡°First, we need to reestablish some understanding between us.¡± When he reached for me again, I couldn¡¯t suppress my revulsion. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me.¡± His eyes shed dangerously. ¡°I am still your Alpha. Your legal husband.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re not,¡± I said firmly. ¡°The Council approved our divorce petition. I am legally and ritually bound to Alpha Alexander ckwood now.¡± The change in Alpha Foster was immediate and terrifying. His handsome face contorted with rage, eyes zing with a fury I knew all too well. ¡°Do not speak that name in my house!¡± he roared. ¡°You are MY mate! MINE!¡± The p came so quickly I didn¡¯t see iting. My head snapped to the side, cheek burning from the impact. For a moment, the room spun around me as old terror came rushing back¨Cthe memory of countless other blows, other punishments. ¡°You ungrateful bitch,¡± Alpha Foster snarled, all pretense of charm vanishing. ¡°After everything I¡¯ve offered you¨Ca second chance, your son back, your position restored¨Cthis is how you respond?¡± Secure 79 Chapter 79 Then, as quickly as the storm had appeared, it vanished. Alpha Foster¡¯s expression changed, horror recing rage as he stared at his own hand. He fell to his knees before me, reaching for my hands. ¡°Summer, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, voice breaking. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to¨CI would never hurt you. You know that, don¡¯t you? You just¡­ you make me crazy sometimes. When you talk about him¡­¡± I stared down at him, frozen in disbelief. This man wasn¡¯t just cruel¨Che waspletely unhinged. The realization sent ice through my veins. Alpha Foster had always been calcting, maniptive, but this erratic behavior was something new and infinitely more dangerous. I said nothing, afraid any word might trigger another explosion. Alpha Foster took my silence as forgiveness, rising slowly to his feet and gently touching my reddened cheek. ¡°Summer,¡± he cajoled, his voice dropping to the seductive tone that had once made my heart race. Now it only made my stomach churn. ¡°Think of Felix. He needs his mother. His father. He needs us together.¡± The mention of Felix doused my anger with cold reality. I needed to y along¨Cfor now. ¡°What do you want from me?¡± I asked tiredly. Alpha Foster¡¯s smile widened as he stepped closer. ¡°Just be my Luna again. My wife. My mate.¡± His fingers traced a line down my arm. ¡°Remember how good we were together? How I could make you feel?¡± I remained stiff under his touch, fighting the urge to recoil. ¡°And if I do this, you¡¯ll let me see Felix?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he promised, his lips now dangerously close to my neck. ¡°We¡¯ll be a family again. The three of us.¡± His hand slid around my waist, pulling me against him. The familiar scent of his cologne¨Conceforting, now nauseating¨Cenveloped me as his lips brushed against my skin. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± he murmured, his other hand threading through my damp hair. ¡°No one elsepares to you, Summer.¡± I closed my eyes, trying to disconnect my mind from my body as his mouth moved to my jaw, then toward my lips. But when his tongue pressed against my closed mouth, demanding entry, something in me snapped. My stomach heaved violently, and before I could stop it, I was vomiting¨Call over his expensive shirt and perfectly pressed pants. Alpha Foster leaped back with a disgusted cry, looking down at the mess in horror. ¡°What the hell?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I gasped, not sorry at all, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. ¡°I¨CI don¡¯t feel well.¡± His handsome face twisted with fury, ¡°You did that deliberately!¡± ¡°No,¡± I lied, though we both knew better. ¡°I think it was the food I ate on the road. I was in such a hurry to get here for Felix that I barely stopped.I really don¡¯t feel well. Please, I just need to rest.¡± Alpha Foster stared at me for a long moment, his expression calcting. Then he turned abruptly, stripping off his soiled shirt. ¡°Fine. Rest,¡± he spat, stalking toward the door. ¡°But don¡¯t think this changes anything. You¡¯ll learn your ce here, Summer, one way or another.¡± The lock clicked into ce as he left, trapping me inside. I sank onto the edge of the bed, trembling with dyed reaction. The brief satisfaction of seeing his disgusted face was quickly reced by fear. I had angered him¨Cand an angry Alpha Foster was an unpredictable, dangerous Alpha Foster. I moved to the window, trying to open it, but discovered it had been sealed shut. No escape that way. As night fell outside, I curled up on the bed, my thoughts turning desperately to Alexander. Would he know by now that I was gone? Would he understand where I¡¯d gone, why I¡¯d left? And even if he did- would he reach us in time? I closed my eyes, whispering into the darkness. ¡°Please find us, Alexander. Please find Felix.¡± Secure 80 Alexander¡¯s POV I mmed my fist down on the table, causing the maps and documents to jump. ¡°This is uneptable. How the hell can Silver Creek keep a five¨Cyear¨Cold child prisoner without someone noticing?¡± My Beta, Ethan, remained calm despite my outburst. ¡°Alpha, we¡¯ve confirmed through our contacts that Felix is definitely within pack territory. The problem is narrowing down the exact location.¡± ¡°What do we have so far?¡± I demanded, studying the satellite imagery of Foster¡¯s sprawling territory. My Gamma, Jackson, pointed to three locations circled in red. ¡°These are our most likely candidates based on the intelligence we¡¯ve gathered. First, there¡¯s the east wing of the main pack house ¨C heavily guarded, minimal windows, and ording to our source, has been recently renovated with new security systems.¡± Jackson continued, ¡°Second possibility is this guest house on the northern edge of the property. It¡¯s isted but well¨Cpatrolled. The guards change shifts every four hours rather than the standard eight, suggesting something valuable inside.¡± ¡°And the third?¡± I asked, my finger tracing the boundary line between our territories. ¡°The old hunting lodge near Crystal Lake. It¡¯s technically on neutral ground, which would give Foster usible deniability if confronted by the Council. Our source reports unusual activity there ¨C food deliveries, medical supplies, and at least two guards stationed at all times.¡± I nodded, absorbing the information. ¡°The hunting lodge makes strategic sense. It¡¯s far enough from the mainpound that Felix¡¯s scent wouldn¡¯t be detected by casual visitors.¡± ¡°But?¡± Ethan prompted, reading my expression. ¡°But Alpha Foster is an arrogant bastard,¡± I growled. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t hide his own son away like some shameful secret. No, he¡¯d keep Felix close ¨C as a trophy, a reminder of his victory over Summer.¡± ¡°So the east wing is our primary target,¡± Jackson concluded. ¡°With contingency ns for the other locations,¡± I confirmed. ¡°We¡¯ll need three teams, coordinated attacks. If Felix is being moved between locations, we need to know immediately.¡± We spent the next hour nning the rescue operation in meticulous detail. Entry points, guard rotations, extraction routes ¨C nothing was left to chance. Orion growled approvingly as we finalized our strategy. ¡°I want this executed tomorrow night,¡± I ordered, rolling up the maps. ¡°Summer¡¯s been without her son for too long, and that boy has suffered enough under Foster¡¯s control.¡± Ethan and Jackson nodded in agreement, and I felt a surge of pride in my top lieutenants. Unlike Foster, who ruled through fear and intimidation, my pack followed me out of loyalty and respect. ¡°One more thing,¡± I added as they prepared to leave. ¡°Contact our allies in the Northern Alliance. If this turns ugly, I want backup waiting just across our border.¡± ¡°You think Foster will risk war over this?¡± Jackson asked. ¡°For his own son? No. But for his pride? Absolutely.¡± The meeting dragged on longer than expected. By the time we finally adjourned, it was well past three in the morning¨Ccloser to four. I considered checking in on Summer, eager to share the progress we¡¯d made. The thought of reuniting her with Felix filled me with a fierce sense of purpose. After everything she¡¯d been through, she deserved good news. She deserved hope. But I stopped myself. She was probably asleep. Exhausted. I didn¡¯t want to wake her. So I turned down the hallway and let her rest, telling myself it could wait until morning. ¡°Summer? I have good news about Felix.¡°When the door opened, my smile vanished. Instead of Summer¡¯s beautiful face, I found myself staring at my sister Lyra, looking guilty but defiant. ¡°Where is she?¡± I demanded, pushing past her into the empty room.¡°What the FUCK did you do?¡± Lyra crossed her arms. ¡°I helped her leave¨Cto find her son. Honestly, Alex, keeping her locked up was a mistake. She¡¯s going to hate you for it, and I don¡¯t want to see you ruin what you two have.¡± The rage that surged through me was blinding. Orion wed beneath my skin, howling for release. ¡°This was between the two of us! You had no right to interfere!¡± ¡°She was dying inside, Alex!¡± Lyra shot back. ¡°Sitting here, waiting, while you and your men yed detective. She¡¯s a mother! Her child is being held captive!¡± ¡°She¡¯s walking into a trap!¡± I roared. ¡°Foster will never let her leave once he has her! Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?¡± Lyra¡¯s confidence faltered slightly. ¡°She had a n. She was going to meet Foster, negotiate-¡± Iughed bitterly. ¡°Negotiate? With Foster? The man who stole her son and had her wolf suppressed with ck market drugs? The man who let his new mate torture her for years?¡± ¡°She said he agreed to meet her, that he wanted to talk-¡± ¡°Of course he did! Because he wants HER, Lyra. He¡¯s obsessed with her. This was never about Felix for him ¨C the boy is just bait!¡± The color drained from my sister¡¯s face as the reality of the situation finally hit her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ I was just trying to help,¡± Lyra whispered, her voice cracking. ¡°I didn¡¯t think-¡± ¡°No, you didn¡¯t,¡± I snapped. ¡°Now both of them are in danger.¡± I turned away, already mentally adjusting our rescue ns to include Summer. When I spoke again, my voice was deadly calm. ¡°When did she leave?¡± ¡°Last night,¡± Lyra admitted. ¡°I gave her my car.¡± Last night. She¡¯d be at Silver Creek by now, already in Foster¡¯s clutches. Orion howled in frustration, wing to break free and race after her. I pulled out my phone with shaking hands and called her.Once. Straight to voicemail. I tried again. And again. Nothing. No answer. No message. Just silence. A cold knot formed in my stomach. Something was wrong. Very, very wrong. ¡°Alex?¡± Lyra¡¯s voice came from behind me. ¡°What is it?¡± I turned to her, jaw tight. ¡°Her phone¡¯s off. It went straight to voicemail.¡± Lyra¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Maybe her battery died?¡± I shook my head. ¡°No. Summer wouldn¡¯t turn it off, not unless she had to. She might be in danger.¡± ¡°When I get back,¡± I said, heading for the door, ¡°we¡¯re going to have a serious conversation about loyalty, Lyra.¡± Then I was moving the timeline up. Alpha Foster wouldn¡¯t expect us¨Che¡¯d be too busy gloating over Summer¡¯s return. We¡¯d use that arrogance against him. ¡°Change of ns. We move NOW!¡°I shouting for Ethan and Jackson. Foster would pay for this ¨C I¡¯d make certain of it. And if he¡¯d harmed either Summer or Felix, there wouldn¡¯t be enough left of him to bury. Secure 81 Author¡¯s POV Moore watched his mother¡¯s humiliation with burning eyes. Suzanna, forced to kneel in the dirt before that bitch who¡¯d returned to ruin everything. His mother¡¯s beautiful face pressed to the gravel, tears streaming down her cheeks as Alpha Foster¨Cthe man who¡¯d promised to make her Lunamanded her submission. And all for what? For Summer, the weak female who¡¯d abandoned her son and her pack. The one his mother had told him was unworthy of being Luna, unworthy even of being a wolf. As Alpha Foster led Summer away, Moore helped his trembling mother to her feet. ¡°He didn¡¯t mean it, Mom,¡± he whispered, brushing dirt from her tear¨Cstreaked face. ¡°He¡¯s just confused because she¡¯s back. It will pass.¡± Suzanna gripped his arm with surprising strength. ¡°This is her fault,¡± she hissed. ¡°Everything was perfect before she returned. We were going to be a family¨Cyou, me, and Alpha Foster. She¡¯s poisoning him against us.¡± Moore nodded, hatred crystallizing in his young heart. ¡°I¡¯ll help you drive her away, make her leave a second time with her tail between her legs.¡± His mother¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Yes, she will leave again. Permanently this time.¡± Moore knew he couldn¡¯t touch Summer¨Cnot yet. But he could hurt someone else. Someone she loved. He slipped away toward the east wing of the pack house, where Felix was being held. Two guards stood outside the reinforced door, but they knew him¨Che was Suzanna¡¯s son, after all. ¡°I brought food for the prisoner,¡± he lied smoothly, holding up a small paper bag. ¡°Alpha Foster sent me.¡± The guards exchanged nces before the taller one shrugged. ¡°Make it quick. Alpha doesn¡¯t want anyone spending time with him.¡± Moore smiled innocently. ¡°I¡¯ll just drop it off.¡± The moment he stepped inside, his eyes swept across the room¨Cand jealousy hit him like a punch in the gut. It wasn¡¯t a prison. Not really. The floors were carpeted in soft wool. There were shelves lined with books, a gaming console hooked up to a t¨Cscreen TV, and a collection of expensive toys stacked neatly in a corner. Felix even had his own private bathroom. Moore¡¯s lips curled. He thought of the room he¡¯d been moved to after his mother¡¯s fall from grace¨Can Omega¡¯s quarters. Cramped. Cold. Humbling. And yet this one¨Ceyed brat lived in luxury? Moore stepped closer, his tone deliberately casual and mocking.¡±Obviously, I came to see how pathetic you look. Thought I¡¯d get augh out of it.¡± He grinned cruelly.¡°You really think Alpha Foster brought you back to make things right? To make up for what happened? No, kid. He brought you here to rot. And no one¡¯sing to save you.¡± Felix¡¯s eye widened before he could control his reaction. ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°My mother wille for me,¡± he said, calm and unwavering. ¡°And when she does, she¡¯ll burn this whole pack to the ground. Alpha Alexander too.¡± Moore let out a cruelugh.¡°Your mommy¡¯s noting,¡± he sneered. ¡°Your mother¡¯s nothing but a used- up whore. That¡¯s what my mom says. She spread her legs for Alpha Alexander the second she left here. Everyone knows it. Once a slut, always a slut.¡± Felix¡¯s face hardened. He stood up slowly, walked right up to Moore¨Cand spat in his face. The glob of saliva hit Moore square on the cheek and slid down slowly.¡°Don¡¯t you dare insult my mother.¡± For a moment, Moore just stood there, stunned. Then he wiped the spit away with the back of his hand. The rage that surged inside him was white¨Chot. His vision blurred. He drew back his fist and mmed it into Felix¡¯s stomach. The younger boy doubled over, coughing, but didn¡¯t cry out. ¡°Fucking bitch couldn¡¯t even keep her legs closed,¡± Moore hissed, driving another punch into Felix¡¯s ribs. And you? You¡¯re a one¨Ceyed freak nobody wants!¡± He kept hitting him¨Cover and over¨Cuntil Felix copsed onto his knees, blood dripping from a cut on his lip. But still, Felix looked up at him, eye burning with defiance. ¡°The saddest person here¡­ is you,¡± he whispered, voice shaking but proud. Then he wentpletely still. Moore froze. Felix had passed out. A cold wave of panic washed over him. Shit. He stumbled back, heart pounding, and bolted from the room. Elsewhere in the pack house, Alpha Foster pounded into Suzanna with punishing force. After Summer¡¯s rejection¨Cthe locked bathroom door, her refusal to even speak to him¨Che needed release. And Suzanna was always eager to please.He took her from behind. ¡°Alpha,¡± she moaned beneath him, arching her back as he thrust deep inside her. The bed creaked rhythmically as his powerful body drove into hers with increasing intensity. Alpha Foster grabbed her hair, yanking her head back as he bit down on her shoulder¨Cnot the mating bite, never that, but hard enough to make her whimper in that mixture of pain and pleasure he knew she craved. Her skin was slick with sweat, her breasts bouncing with each powerful thrust. ¡°Tighter,¡± hemanded, pping her ass hard enough to leave a handprint. ¡°You¡¯re not gripping me tight enough.¡± Suzanna¡¯s inner walls clenched around his thick length, desperate to please him. ¡°Like this, Alpha? Is this what you need?¡± Alpha Foster closed his eyes, imagining it was Summer beneath him instead. Summer¡¯s tight heat squeezing him. Summer¡¯s silky hair wrapped around his fist. Summer¡¯s voice calling his name. The fantasy drove him closer to the edge, his thrusts bing more frantic, more punishing. ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he growled, digging his fingers into Suzanna¡¯s hips hard enough to bruise. ¡°Say it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m yours,¡± Suzanna gasped, her inner muscles contracting around him as her own pleasure built. Always yours. Only yours. Please, Alpha!¡± ¡± He flipped her onto her back without withdrawing, hooking her legs over his shoulders to prate even deeper. Suzanna¡¯s eyes rolled back, her breathing in short, desperate gasps as he hammered into her, the headboard mming against the wall with each powerful thrust. Just as Alpha Foster approached his climax, a sharp knock came at the bedroom door. ¡°This better be fucking important,¡± Alpha Foster snarled, not bothering to stop or slow his punishing rhythm. ¡°Alpha, urgent news,¡± Beta Sean¡¯s voice called through the door, tension evident even without seeing his face. Alpha Foster cursed but kept thrusting, determined to finish. ¡°Talk.¡± Sean cleared his throat awkwardly. ¡°Alpha Alexander is at our gates. With what looks like half his pack.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s pleasure evaporated instantly. ¡°What?¡± He pulled out of Suzanna abruptly, leaving her whimpering and unfulfilled. ¡°He¡¯s demanding to speak with you,¡± Sean continued through the door. ¡°Says it¡¯s about Summer and Felix. Alpha Foster grabbed his pants, mind racing. This was too soon¨Che¡¯d expected Alexander to wait, to n, to negotiate. Not to show up mere hours after Summer had arrived. ¡°Tell him I¡¯ll meet him,¡± Alpha Foster said, hastily dressing. ¡°And get word to the lodge. Double the guard on the boy.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± Sean acknowledged. ¡°And Sean?¡± Alpha Foster called as he buckled his belt. ¡°If Alexander so much as steps a foot over our boundary line without permission, kill him.¡± Secure 82 Chapter 82 Foster¡¯s POV Power coursed through me as I strode toward our territory border, Beta Sean nking my right side and six of my strongest warriors following behind. ¡°Are the scouts in position?¡± I asked Sean without breaking stride. ¡°Yes, Alpha. We have eyes on all points of our perimeter.¡± I nodded, my mind calcting possibilities. Summer and Felix were my most valuable assets now¨Cthe only things standing between me and Alexander¡¯s wrath. As long as I controlled them, I controlled this situation. When we reached the border clearing, I saw them¨CAlpha Alexander at the forefront, nked by his Beta Ethan and that insufferable gamma Jackson. Behind them stood at least thirty wolves, allbat¨Cready, their eyes tracking our every movement. Alpha Alexander¡¯s reputation was well¨Cdeserved. Even from this distance, his power radiated like heat from a furnace. He stood taller than most, his broad shoulders and watchful eyes marking him as an apex predator. But I was an Alpha too, and this was my territory. ¡°Keep your wolves in check,¡± I called out as we approached the neutral zone. ¡°You¡¯re trespassing, Alexander.¡± Alpha Alexander¡¯s expression remained impassive as we met in the center. Up close, his eyes were colder than I remembered¨Ccial blue harboring a storm. ¡°Where are they, Alpha Foster?¡± he demanded, his voice deceptively calm. I smiled. No pleasantries, no diplomatic preamble. Just raw demand. ¡°Summer and Felix are under my protection, in my territory, where they belong. Summer is my Luna, and Felix is my son. This isn¡¯t your concern.¡± ¡°Summer and Felix areing with me today,¡± Alexander replied. ¡°How that happens is entirely up to you.¡± I ¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Your mate?¡± His voice dropped dangerously. ¡°Summer ceased being your mate the moment you carved out Felix¡¯s eye and gave it to another child.¡± The words hit me like a bullet to the chest.My blood ran cold. 1/4 Goddamn him. He¡¯d really said it¨Chere, in front of everyone. I could feel the shift in the crowd. Every eye was on me now. Watching. Judging. Waiting to see how I¡¯d respond. I couldn¡¯t let them doubt me. Not even for a second. I straightened my shoulders, forced my voice into something controlled, dismissive. ¡°He¡¯s lying,¡± I said sharply. ¡°Desperate to make himself look like the noble Alpha while ndering me with stories no one can prove.¡± I forced a smirk, as if his words didn¡¯t rattle me¨Cthough they absolutely did. Then I stepped forward,trying to turn the tables. ¡°If you attack us,¡± I said, voice steady despite my inner turmoil, ¡°Summer and Felix will be the first casualties. Is that what you want? Their blood on your hands because you couldn¡¯t control yourself?¡± Alexander took a step closer, and my wolves tensed behind me. Behind my back, I gestured subtly to one of the silent sentries near the trees¨Ca low¨Cranked scout who only took orders directly from me. ¡°Find Suzanna,¡± I murmured under my breath, not breaking eye contact with Alexander. ¡°Tell her to take Summer to the basement. Keep her quiet. No one is to know.¡± The scout nodded once and vanished into the trees. Just in case this didn¡¯t end in words, I needed to make sure my leverage stayed locked away. ¡°You have exactly ten minutes,¡± he said, each word precisely measured, ¡°to bring Summer and Felix to this border. Unharmed. After that, I¡¯ming for them myself.¡± ¡°And if I refuse?¡± I challenged. Alexander¡¯s eyes shed wolf¨Cgold, power rolling off him in waves that made even my strongest warriors step back. ¡°Then I will tear through every wolf, every building, every inch of your territory until I find them. And then, Alpha Foster,¡± his voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear, ¡°I¡¯ll show you exactly what I learned during those years you thought I was just a reckless young Alpha.¡± I maintained myposure even as ice formed in my veins. ¡°Ten minutes won¡¯t change anything. They¡¯re mine, Alexander. They¡¯ve always been mine.¡± ¡°Nine minutes and forty seconds,¡± he replied, checking his watch. I turned away, gesturing for my wolves to follow. ¡°Prepare the defenses,¡± I muttered to Sean. ¡°And make sure Summer and Felix are secure. If Alexander wants war, we¡¯ll give him one he won¡¯t survive.¡± As we walked back toward the pack house, I felt Alexander¡¯s eyes boring into my back. The fool actually thought he could intimidate me into submission. But I was Alpha Foster of Silver Creek. And as long as Summer and Felix remained in my grasp, victory would be mine. What Alexander didn¡¯t understand was that I would rather destroy everything I built than surrender what belonged to me. Some things were worth burning the world for. Summer¡¯s POV ¡°Move faster, bitch,¡± Suzanna hissed, shoving me toward the basement stairs with enough force that I stumbled, barely catching myself on the wall. Her perfectly manicured nails dug into my shoulder as she propelled me forward. The afternoon light filtering through the high windows cast long shadows across the hallway, marking how many hours had passed since my disastrous attempt to reason with Foster this morning. ¡°Your precious Alexander is at our gates,¡± Suzanna sneered, her voice dripping with venom. ¡°Did you really think he could just march in here and take what belongs to Alpha Foster?¡± My heartbeat quickened at the mention of Alexander. He was here already? I hadn¡¯t expected him to arrive so quickly¨Chope surged through me like an electric current. ¡°When Alpha Foster crushes your Alpha,¡± Suzanna continued, clearly relishing every word, ¡°I¡¯ll personally make sure you live long enough to watch him die. Then we¡¯ll see how smug you are.¡± She yanked open the heavy steel door that led to the basement. Despite her threats, I couldn¡¯t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. Alexander was here. He hade for us, just as he promised. ¡°Is Felix safe?¡± I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral. If Alexander had already managed to extract my son from wherever Alpha Foster was keeping him, our chances would be significantly better. Suzanna¡¯s answeringugh was cruel. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that little one¨Ceyed freak. Alpha Foster has special ns for him once he¡¯s dealt with your would¨Cbe savior.¡± The words sent ice through my veins, but I forced myself to remain calm. ¡°Alpha Foster is making a terrible mistake,¡± I said quietly as she shoved me down the concrete steps. Alexander isn¡¯t like other Alphas.¡± ¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Suzanna pped me hard across the face, the sound echoing in the empty stairwell. ¡°Your mate bond with Foster may have protected you before, but don¡¯t think for a second that will stop me now.¡± At the bottom of the stairs, she pushed me into a small storage room that had been hastily converted into a makeshift cell. The space was cold, damp, and smelled of mildew. A single bulb hung from the ceiling, casting sickly yellow light over the concrete walls. ¡°Enjoy your amodations, Luna,¡± she spat the title like a curse. ¡°When I return, you¡¯ll be kneeling before me, begging for mercy.¡± The door mmed shut behind her, followed by the heavy click of a lock engaging. Alone in the darkness, I let out the breath I¡¯d been holding.I reached into my pocket and pulled out what I¡¯d slipped from hers upstairs¨Ca slim burner phone.It wasn¡¯t her main one. But I¡¯d seen her check it earlier. And she hadn¡¯t noticed it was gone. I had to reach Alexander. Now. Secure 83 Alexander¡¯s POV The phone in my pocket vibrated just as I was walking away from my confrontation with Foster. I checked the screen¨Cunknown number. ¡°Alexander.¡± I kept my voice low, Orion on high alert. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± Summer¡¯s voice sent a wave of relief through my entire body. ¡°I¡¯m locked in the basement of the main house. I managed to steal Suzanna¡¯s phone.¡± Orion surged with pride at her resourcefulness. *Even captive, she was fighting.* ¡°Are you hurt?¡± I demanded, signaling to Ethan to gather close. ¡°No, but Alexander¨CI know where Felix is.¡± Her voice broke slightly. ¡°He might be in one of the rooms on the east wing. Alexander, please-¡± her breath hitched. ¡°I¡¯m terrified of what they might do to him.¡± ¡°Breathe, sweetheart,¡± I said, keeping my voice steady despite the fury building inside me. ¡°I¡¯m going to get him. I promise you.¡± ¡°Please hurry,¡± she whispered, her voice cracking. ¡°If anything happens to him-¡± ¡°Nothing will happen to our pup,¡± I vowed, the possessive im feelingpletely natural. ¡°I won¡¯t let it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m love you,¡± I said softly, keeping my voice low and steady. ¡°Just hang on a little longer. I¡¯ming.¡± ¡°I love you too,¡± she whispered back. As I ended the call, my mind was already racing.I couldn¡¯t make a move myself¨Cnot yet.Alpha Foster had seen both my Beta and my Gamma. If either of them disappeared now, he¡¯d know something was wrong. I needed to stall him. Keep him focused on me¨Cand blind to everything else. Without hesitation, I opened the pack mind¨Clink and sent a message to my Delta Carson. *Felix is at the hunting lodge on the eastern property. Take a small team and extract him. Radio silence until he¡¯s secure.* I needed to hold his attention, give Carson the window he needed. ¡°Alpha Foster!¡± I called out, my voice carrying across the neutral ground between us. He paused, then turned slowly, suspicion evident in his posture. ¡°Changed your mind about starting a war, Alpha Alexander?¡± ¡°Perhaps there¡¯s another solution,¡± I said aloud, stopping several yards from him. ¡°One that doesn¡¯t result in bloodshed between our packs.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± While maintaining eye contact with Foster, I continued the mental conversation with my team. *No warriors left behind. If you¡¯repromised, abort immediately. The child is priority.* ¡°What if we discussed terms?¡± I suggested to Foster. ¡°A formal arrangement, perhaps. You must recognize that Summer has chosen to sever her bond with you.¡± Alpha Foster scoffed. ¡°A mate bond isn¡¯t something you can simply walk away from because you¡¯re unhappy. The Council-¡± ¡°The Council has already ruled that your actions constitute a severe vition of the mate bond,¡± I interrupted. ¡°But perhaps there¡¯s room for negotiation regarding both Summer and Felix.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s expression shifted from dismissal to interest. ¡°What exactly are you proposing?¡± ¡°Name your price,¡± I said bluntly. ¡°What would it take for you to relinquish all ims to both Summer and Felix?¡± A slow, calcting smile spread across Foster¡¯s face. ¡°Generous of you to offer. Would you be willing to surrender the ckwater Mining operation? I hear it¡¯s your most profitable venture.¡± My face remained impassive, though the request was exactly what I¡¯d expected¨CFoster going straight for my financial jugr. ¡°Yes,¡± I answered without hesitation. Alpha Foster blinked, clearly surprised by my immediate agreement. ¡°Just like that?¡± ¡°Just like that,¡± I confirmed. ¡°Summer and Felix are worth more than any business interest.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s eyes narrowed again. ¡°Forgive me if I find your generosity suspicious. How do I know you won¡¯t renege once they¡¯re safely with you?¡± ¡°We can draw up a contract right now,¡± I suggested. ¡°Your legal team can draft it, mine can review it. We sign it before any exchange takes ce.¡± Alpha Foster studied me for a long moment before nodding. ¡°Very well. But ckwater Mining isn¡¯t enough. I also want the northern territories your pack acquiredst year, and exclusive rights to the trading routes through the mountain pass.¡± The demands were outrageous¨Cdesigned to cripple my pack economically. But I needed time, and Foster¡¯s greed would provide it. ¡°Call yourwyer,¡± I said calmly. ¡°Let¡¯s get this in writing.¡± +15 BONUS Twenty minutester, we sat across from each other at a makeshift table just inside Silver Creek territory. Our respective legal representatives were drafting terms while Foster watched me with smug satisfaction. A message flickered through my mind¨Clink: *Alpha, we¡¯ve breached the lodge perimeter. Guards neutralized. Proceeding inside.* I kept my expression neutral as I pretended to review another use in the growing contract. ¡°Thisnguage is too vague,¡± I pointed out, buying more time. ¡°It needs to specify exactly which mineral rights are included.¡± Alpha Foster waved dismissively. ¡°Fine, fine. Make the changes.¡± Thewyers began arguing over terminology as another message came through: *Alpha, we¡¯ve found the boy. He¡¯s unconscious but breathing. Signs of physical trauma. Extracting now.* Orion howled with rage inside me, but I maintained myposure. ¡°Actually,¡± I said, sliding the contract away, ¡°I¡¯ve changed my mind.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s head snapped up. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I said, I¡¯ve changed my mind,¡± I repeated, standing slowly. ¡°There will be no deal.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s face darkened with fury as he rose to his feet. ¡°You were never negotiating in good faith.¡± ¡°No,¡± I admitted. ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡± ¡°You realize this means war,¡± Alpha Foster snarled. I stepped closer, letting my Alpha power roll off me in waves. ¡°Not war. Just justice.¡± ¡°I challenge you,¡± Foster spat, his pride wounded and his desperation showing. ¡°Trial bybat. Now.¡± Secure 84 Chapter 84 I smiled coldly. ¡°Challenge epted.¡± As the traditional circle formed around us, I removed my jacket and handed it to Ethan. Foster stripped to his waist, revealing a physique that had clearly seen better days¨Csoft where an Alpha should be hard, indulgent where discipline should have prevailed. Alpha Foster charged first, as I knew he would. His attack was all fury and no strategy¨Cthe desperate lunge of a man who knew his power was slipping away. I sidestepped easily,nding a punishing blow to his kidney that sent him staggering. ¡°You¡¯re out of practice, Alpha Foster,¡± I taunted, circling him. ¡°Too many years letting others fight your battles.¡± He came at me again, this time managing tond a ncing blow to my shoulder. I barely felt it through the adrenaline pumping through my veins. ¡°Summer was never happy with you,¡± I said, blocking his next swing and countering with a strike to his sr plexus that left him gasping. ¡°And Felix deserved a better father.¡± ¡°They¡¯re mine!¡± Alpha Foster wheezed, swinging wildly. I caught his arm mid¨Cswing, twisting until I heard the satisfying pop of his shoulder dislocating. ¡°No,¡± I said calmly as he howled in pain. ¡°They¡¯re not.¡± The fight ended quickly after that. Alpha Foster, fueled by desperation and wounded pride, was no match for the cold, calcted rage that drove me. When he fell to his knees, blood streaming from his broken nose, I stood over him, victorious but unsatisfied. Now it was time to get Summer. Third Person POV Suzanna burst into her private quarters, breathless from her confrontation with Summer. Locking the insufferable woman in the basement had brought her immense satisfaction. Then she turned down the hall toward Moore¡¯s room, eager to share the moment with her son. But when she entered Moore¡¯s room, she found her son sitting on the edge of his bed, looking uncharacteristically pale and agitated. ¡°Moore?¡± Suzanna approached her son cautiously. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The boy¡¯s hands were trembling slightly. ¡°Nothing. I¡¯m fine.¡± But Suzanna noticed the faint scent of blood on him¨Cnot his own, but Felix¡¯s. Her maternal instincts immediately triggered her suspicion. ¡°What did you do?¡± she demanded, gripping his shoulders. ¡°Tell me now!¡± Moore¡¯s defiant expression crumbled under her intense gaze. ¡°I just wanted to teach the freak a lesson! He bit me first!¡± ¡°What. Did. You. Do?¡± Each word was punctuated with increasing dread. ¡°I just hit him in the stomach,¡± Moore mumbled, avoiding her eyes. ¡°But I didn¡¯t know he was so weak. I only punched him a few times, and he just¡­ passed out.¡± ¡°You stupid fool!¡± Suzanna hissed, fear recing her anger. ¡°Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?¡± ¡°I was just trying to defend your honor,¡± Moore¡¯s face crumpled. ¡°I didn¡¯t know! Alpha Foster is going to kill me!¡± The reality of the situation crashed down on her. If Felix was seriously injured or¨CMoon forbid¨Cdead, there would be no negotiation, no mercy from Alpha Alexander. The stories of his vengeance against those who harmed his loved ones were legendary. ¡°Did anyone see you?¡± she demanded, already pulling out a travel bag from under the bed. Moore shook his head. ¡°Just the guards, but-¡± ¡°Listen carefully,¡± Suzanna Interrupt him, her voice deadly serious as she began throwing clothes into the bag. ¡°We¡¯re leaving. Now. Before anyone realizes what¡¯s happened.¡± ¡°But Alpha Foster-¡± ¡°Alpha Foster will be upied with Alexander,¡± she snapped. ¡°By the time he realizes Felix¡¯s condition, it will be toote for all of us unless we¡¯re gone.¡± ¡°Where will we go?¡± Moore asked, his voice small. ¡°I have contacts in the Western Coalition,¡± she replied, already nning their escape route. ¡°Pack only what you can carry. We leave in five minutes.¡± As Moore scrambled to gather his things, Suzanna quickly essed Alpha Foster¡¯s private safe, removing emergency cash and identity documents he¡¯d prepared for worst¨Ccase scenarios. The irony that she was using Foster¡¯s contingency ns to escape the consequences of his son¡¯s actions wasn¡¯t lost on her. Her phone. Where was her phone? She patted her pockets frantically before realizing it was gone¨Clikely stolen by Summer during their confrontation. Cursing under her breath, she grabbed Foster¡¯s backup phone instead. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m scared,¡± Moore admitted as they prepared to slip out through the service entrance at the rear of the Alpha residence. Suzanna pulled her son close, her survival instincts overriding everything else. ¡°Listen to me. What happened with Felix wasn¡¯t your fault. It was an ident. But we can¡¯t be here when they find out.¡± As they slipped through the kitchen and toward the service door, Suzanna heard the distant sounds of fighting breaking out near the territory border. The confrontation between Alexander and Foster had begun. ¡°Stay close,¡± she whispered to Moore, praying that the chaos would provide cover for their escape. As they reached her emergency vehicle¨Chidden in the groundskeeper¡¯s shed for precisely this type of situation¨CSuzanna couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of regret. She had yed the game perfectly, rising from a nobody Omega to the Alpha¡¯s favoredpanion. She had been so close to everything she wanted. But survival came first. Always. ¡°Moore,¡± she said as they sped away from the only home her son had ever known, ¡°remember this lesson: never leave evidence of your mistakes behind.¡± Suzanna pressed her foot harder on the elerator, the Silver Creek Pack territory shrinking in the rearview mirror as they fled into an uncertain future. Secure 85 Chapter 85 Summer¡¯s POV Every second in this dank basement felt like an eternity. The musty air clung to my skin like a secondyer, and the dim lighting only heightened my anxiety. I paced the small confines of my prison, my wolf restless beneath my skin. The cold concrete floor numbed my bare feet, but I barely noticed. All I could think about was Felix. My baby. My pup. Was Alexander able to reach him in time? The mere thought of what Foster might have done to him caused my chest to constrict painfully. I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm of terrifying scenarios ying through my mind. He¡¯s going to be okay. Alexander promised. He promised.I repeated the words like a mantra¨Ctrying to anchor myself, trying to believe them.But no matter how many times I said it, the images wouldn¡¯t stop. (1 Terrible, vivid shes of what Foster might be doing to my son kept wing their way back into my mind, refusing to let go. I leaned against the wall, sliding down until I hit the floor. My fingers traced the outline of the concrete blocks, searching for any weakness, any escape route. The tactical part of my brain knew it was futile. The basement had been specifically designed to hold rogues when necessary¨Cno wolf, not even an Alpha, could break through these walls. Hours passed. Or maybe it was minutes. Time lost all meaning in the darkness. Every sound made me jump¨Ca creak overhead, footsteps in the distance. Was it Foster returning? Had Alexander failed? Would I be forced to watch as Foster punished me by hurting our son? I pressed the heels of my hands against my eyes, willing away the tears that threatened to fall. No. I wouldn¡¯t break. Not now. Not after everything. The distant sound of scuffling feet and muffled shouts filtered through the heavy door. My heart rate elerated, and I pressed myself against the wall, ready to fight if necessary. The noises grew closer- distinct thuds, a grunt of pain, then silence. The lock on the door clicked. I tensed, prepared to lunge at whoever entered¨Cuntil the door swung open, revealing the one person I¡¯d been desperately waiting for. Alexander stood in the doorway, his powerful frame silhouetted by the light from the hallway. His clothes were torn, his knuckles bloody, but his eyes¨Cthose prating eyes¨Cfound mine immediately. ¡°Summer,¡± he breathed, the single word carrying a thousand emotions. I didn¡¯t hesitate. With a strangled cry, Iunched myself across the room and into his arms. The nightmare was finally over. He caught me effortlessly, his strong arms wrapping around me so tightly it felt like he was trying to absorb me into his very being. I buried my face against his chest, inhaling his scent¨Cpine, musk, and home. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± he murmured into my hair, his lips pressing against my temple. ¡°You¡¯re safe now. I¡¯ve got you.¡± The dam broke. All the fear, the pain, the anxiety I¡¯d been holding back came rushing forth in a torrent of tears. My body shook with sobs as Alexander held me, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other pressed firmly against my lower back. ¡°Felix,¡± I managed to choke out between sobs. ¡°Where¡¯s Felix? Is he okay?¡± Alexander¡¯s slight hesitation sent ice through my veins. ¡°We found him,¡± he said carefully, his voice a low rumble against my ear. ¡°Carson and the team got him out. He¡¯s with Dr. Miller now.¡± I pulled back, searching his face. ¡°But? I hear a ¡®but¡® in your voice, Alexander.¡± His jaw tightened, a muscle working beneath the skin. ¡°He¡¯s unconscious, Summer. He was¡­ hurt.¡± The world tilted dangerously beneath my feet. ¡°How bad?¡± I whispered, already knowing the answer from the shadow that crossed Alexander¡¯s face. ¡°He¡¯s stable for now,¡± he said, clearly choosing his words carefully. ¡°But we need to get you both back to ckwood territory immediately. My medical team is waiting.¡± ¡°Take me to him,¡± I demanded, pulling away and heading toward the door. ¡°Now.¡± Alexander didn¡¯t argue. He simply took my hand and led me up the stairs, past several Silver Creek wolves who were either unconscious or submissively averting their gaze. I barely registered their presence, my focus singr: get to Felix. As we emerged from the main house, the reality of what had happened hit me full force. Bodiesy scattered across thewn¨Cnone dead, I noted with relief, but many injured. Alexander¡¯s warriors moved with military precision, securing the area. The Silver Creek Pack members who remained conscious were being herded into groups, their expressions a mixture of shock and fear. ¡°What happened?¡± I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Justice,¡± Alexander replied simply, guiding me toward a waiting SUV. ¡°Come. We need to hurry.¡± The drive to the ckwood medical facility was a blur. I vaguely remember Alexander¡¯s arm around me, his voice a constant reassurance in my ear, but my mind was with Felix. What had they done to my boy? The question looped endlessly, each iteration more horrifying than thest. 1 Secure 86 When we arrived at the medical center, I moved to get out of the car, but a wave of dizziness hit me hard. My vision tunneled, ck spots dancing at the edges. Thest thing I heard was Alexander¡¯s rmed voice calling my name before darkness imed me. I woke to the steady beep of a heart monitor and the smell of antiseptic. For a disorienting moment, I feared I was back in the hospital after my transnt surgery. Then I felt the warm weight of a hand holding mine, and reality snapped back into focus. Alexandery half¨Csprawled in a chair beside my bed, hisrge frame looking ufortably contorted to maintain his grip on my hand even in sleep. The sight of him¨Cpowerful Alpha reduced to an awkward position just to maintain contact with me¨Cbrought an unexpected lump to my throat. As if sensing my consciousness, his eyes snapped open, instantly alert. The relief that flooded his face was palpable. ¡°Summer,¡± he breathed, leaning forward to brush hair from my forehead. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, despite the barely contained strength I knew resided in those hands. ¡°How do you feel?¡± ¡°Like I¡¯ve been hit by a truck,¡± I admitted, my voice raspy. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°You copsed,¡± he exined, his brow furrowed with concern as he scrutinized every inch of my face. Dr. Miller says it was abination of stress, dehydration, and exhaustion. Your body simply couldn¡¯t take anymore.¡± I struggled to sit up, memories rushing back. ¡°Felix! Where¡¯s Felix? I need to see him.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression darkened, and my heart plummeted. ¡°He¡¯s in intensive care,¡± he said slowly, his thumb making soothing circles on the back of my hand. ¡°Summer, I need to prepare you. It¡¯s¡­ it¡¯s not good.¡± ¡°Tell me,¡± I demanded, my voice breaking despite my attempt at strength. Alexander took a deep breath. ¡°The post¨Csurgical care for his eye waspletely neglected. The socket is severely infected. But that¡¯s not the worst of it.¡± His jaw clenched, a sh of pure rage crossing his features before he controlled it. ¡°He was beaten. Badly. There¡¯s internal bleeding, and several of his organs are showing signs of infection and failure.¡± Each word felt like a physical blow. I struggled to breathe, my chest constricting painfully. ¡°But he¡¯ll be okay, right? He has to be okay.¡± The hesitation in Alexander¡¯s eyes told me everything. ¡°Dr. Miller is doing everything she can,¡± he said carefully. ¡°But if we don¡¯t see improvement in the next few days¡­¡± He couldn¡¯t finish the sentence. ¡°No,¡± I whispered, shaking my head in denial. ¡°No, no, no. I can¡¯t lose him, Alexander. I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°I know, sweetheart,¡± he murmured, gathering me into his arms as I began to shake. ¡°I know.¡± I pushed against his chest, wild with grief and determination. ¡°I need to see him. Now. Take me to my son. ¡°Summer, you need to rest-¡± ¡°I need to see my son!¡± My voice broke on a sob. ¡°Please, Alexander. Please.¡± He studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. ¡°Alright. But you¡¯re going in a wheelchair. No arguments.¡± I would have agreed to anything at that point. Within minutes, Alexander had arranged a wheelchair and was carefully lifting me into it, his movements gentle despite his obvious strength. The IV line attached to my arm was transferred to a portable stand, and soon we were moving through the quiet corridors of the medical center. As we approached the intensive care unit, Alexander paused, his hand warm on my shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s something else you should know,¡± he said quietly. ¡°We caught Suzanna and her son trying to flee Silver Creek territory.¡± My head snapped up in surprise. ¡°What?¡± Alexander¡¯s expression was cold, calcting¨Cthe face of an Alpha protecting what was his. ¡°They¡¯re being held securely. It appears Moore was responsible for Felix¡¯s most recent injuries. Suzanna was trying to escape with him before anyone discovered what he¡¯d done.¡± A cold fury unlike anything I¡¯d ever experienced washed over me. My wolf, which had been dormant for so long, stirred violently beneath my skin, demanding blood. ¡°I want to see them,¡± I said, my voice eerily calm even to my own ears. ¡°After Felix. I want to look them in the eyes.¡± Alexander squeezed my shoulder gently. ¡°And you will. I promise you that. But first, your son needs you.¡± He wheeled me through the double doors into intensive care, and the sight that greeted me shattered what remained of my heart. Felix, my beautiful, brave boy,y motionless on the hospital bed, tubes and wires connecting him to various machines. His small body looked even tinier surrounded by medical equipment, his skin pale against the stark white sheets. A sound escaped me¨Chalf whimper, half howl¨Cas Alexander pushed me to the bedside. ¡°Felix,¡± I whispered, reaching out with trembling fingers to touch his hand. ¡°Mommy¡¯s here, baby. Mommy¡¯s right here.¡± In my heart, I prayed to the Moon Goddess¨Cplease, let my son wake up. Secure 87 Summer¡¯s POV I¡¯d been sitting at Felix¡¯s bedside for nearly three days¨Cduring the limited hours I was allowed in¨Cbarely eating, refusing to sleep for more than brief snatches. Alexander had tried repeatedly to convince me to rest properly, but how could I close my eyes when each moment with my son felt so precious, so fleeting? The soft, rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor had be the soundtrack to my vigil. I¡¯d memorized every pattern, every fluctuation, tensing whenever the rhythm changed even slightly. Dr. Miller and his team came and went, their faces increasingly grim as they checked Felix¡¯s vitals and adjusted his medications. I was clutching Felix¡¯s small hand, tracing the delicate veins visible beneath his too¨Cpale skin, when I felt his fingers twitch. My gaze shot to his face just as his remaining eye fluttered open. ¡°Felix?¡± I breathed, hardly daring to believe it. ¡°Sweetie, can you hear me?¡± His eye focused on me slowly, confusion giving way to recognition. ¡°Mom,¡± he whispered, his voice so faint I had to lean closer to hear it. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m here, baby. I¡¯m right here.¡± I gently stroked his hair back from his forehead, noting how damp it was with fever sweat. ¡°How do you feel?¡± He didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the medical equipment and therge window overlooking the forest beyond. ¡°We¡¯re at the ckwood Pack,¡± I exined softly. ¡°Alexander brought us here. You¡¯re safe now.¡± Felix¡¯s eye returned to my face, studying me with an intensity that broke my heart. Even at such a young age, my son had learned to read people far too well¨Ca survival skill no child should need to develop. ¡°Am I dying, Mom?¡± he asked suddenly, his voice steady despite its weakness. The question hit me like a physical blow. I opened my mouth to deny it immediately, but the words stuck in my throat. Felix deserved better than titudes and false hope. ¡°No, baby,¡± I finally managed, trying to keep my voice from trembling. ¡°You¡¯re very sick, but the doctors here are going to make you better. They¡¯re working on special medicine just for you.¡± He looked at me for a long moment, his expression far too knowing for a child his age. ¡°I can feel it, you know. Inside. Something¡¯s wrong. More wrong than before.¡± ¡°Felix-¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom,¡± he interrupted, his small fingers tightening around mine with surprising strength. ¡°I¡¯m not scared. Not really.¡± I felt tears spilling down my cheeks before I even realized I was crying. ¡°You¡¯re the bravest person I¡¯ve ever known,¡± I told him, meaning every word. ¡°But you don¡¯t have to be brave all the time. It¡¯s okay to be scared sometimes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m tired of this ce,¡± he said after a moment, his eye moving around the sterile hospital room. ¡°I don¡¯t want to stay here anymore. Can we go somewhere else?¡± My heart constricted painfully. Just yesterday, Dr. Miller had pulled Alexander and me aside, his expression grim as he told us that¨Cif we were lucky¨Cour son might have a month left. ¡°The doctors need to keep an eye on you, sweetie,¡± I said gently. ¡°They¡¯re working very hard to help you get better.¡± Felix shook his head slightly, his expression growing more determined. ¡°Please, Mom. I don¡¯t want to die in a hospital.¡± The word ¡®die¡® on his lips shattered something inside me. I bent over, pressing my forehead to our sped hands, trying desperately to muffle my sobs. I couldn¡¯t break down, not now when he needed me to be strong. ¡°You¡¯re not going to die,¡± I whispered fiercely, raising my head to look at him. ¡°I won¡¯t let that happen. I promise you.¡± But Felix just looked at me with that too¨Cold expression. ¡°Can we please go home? Wherever home is now. I want to see trees and sky, not just through a window.¡± I stared at my son¨Cmy beautiful, brave, dying son¨Cand knew I couldn¡¯t deny him this. If his time was truly limited, didn¡¯t he deserve to spend it somewhere that made him happy? ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered, squeezing his hand. ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Alexander and the doctors. If they say it¡¯s safe to move you, we¡¯ll go.¡± The smile that lit up his face was worth any battle I might have to fight with the medical staff. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Really,¡± I promised, wiping away my tears. ¡°Just rest now, and I¡¯ll see what I can arrange.¡± As if the conversation had drained what little energy he had, Felix¡¯s eye drifted closed again. I sat with him until his breathing evened out into sleep, then reluctantly slipped out of the room to find Alexander. I didn¡¯t have to search far. He was standing just outside the door, his broad shoulders leaning against the wall, his face lined with concern. ¡°You heard?¡± I asked, knowing his enhanced wolf hearing would have picked up our conversation. He nodded, reaching out to pull me against his chest. I went willingly into his embrace, drawing strength from his steady presence. ¡°I¡¯ll make the arrangements,¡± he said quietly, his hand stroking soothingly along my back. ¡°Dr. Miller can set up home medical care at the pack house. Felix will have everything he needs.¡± I pressed my face against his shirt, inhaling hisforting scent. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered. ¡°For everything. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you.¡± Alexander tilted my chin up, his eyes fierce with emotion. ¡°You¡¯re not alone anymore, Summer. Whatever happens, we face it together.¡± Secure 88 Chapter 88 Within hours, Alexander had arranged everything. The ckwood Pack¡¯s resources seemed limitless- specialized medical equipment was installed in a suite at the pack house, a team of nurses was organized to provide round¨Cthe¨Cclock care, and Dr. Miller himself agreed to make daily visits. When we carefully transferred Felix to his new room at the pack house, his face lit up at therge windows overlooking the forest and mountains beyond. ¡°This is better,¡± he whispered, his small body looking even tinier against therge bed. ¡°Much better.¡± The next morning, Felix surprised me by asking to get out of bed. Despite his weakness, there was a determination in his eye that I recognized all too well. ? ¡°Alexander promised to teach me some fighting moves,¡± he said with more animation than I¡¯d seen in days. ¡°Before¡­ everything happened. He didn¡¯t forget, did he?¡± My throat tightened painfully. Even now, facing what we both knew wasing, my son was still trying to live, to experience new things, to grow stronger. ¡°I¡¯m sure he remembers,¡± I managed to say. ¡°But Felix, you¡¯re not strong enough for training right now. You need to rest and let your body heal.¡± ¡°Mom.¡± His voice was soft but firm. ¡°Please. I don¡¯t want to just lie here waiting to¡­ waiting. I want to do something.¡± Before I could respond, there was a gentle knock at the door, and Alexander stepped in. From the look on his face, I knew he¡¯d overheard our conversation. ¡°I haven¡¯t forgotten my promise,¡± he said, approaching Felix¡¯s bed with a warm smile. ¡°But your mom¡¯s right that regr training would be too much for your body right now.¡± Felix¡¯s face fell, but Alexander continued, ¡°However, I could show you some defensive stances and meditation techniques that won¡¯t strain your system. Those are actually the foundation of bing a strong warrior.¡± My son¡¯s expression brightened immediately. ¡°Really? When can we start?¡± ¡°How about after lunch, if Dr. Miller approves?¡± Alexander suggested, his gaze meeting mine briefly, seeking permission. I hesitated, torn between wanting to protect Felix from any exertion and understanding his need to live rather than just exist. Finally, I nodded slightly. ¡°After lunch,¡± I agreed. ¡°And only for a short time.¡± Felix¡¯s smile was worth every moment of worry. True to his word, Alexander returned after Felix had eaten and rested. Dr. Miller had reluctantly approved a brief, very gentle session, with the strict understanding that Felix was to stop at the first sign of fatigue. I followed them to a small, private training room that Alexander had prepared. He¡¯d removed most of the equipment, leaving only soft mats covering the floor and a few cushions arranged in a circle. ¡°We¡¯ll start with breathing,¡± Alexander exined to Felix, helping him settlefortably on one of the cushions. ¡°Proper breath control is the foundation of allbat skills. It gives you focus, endurance, and power.¡± I stood at the edge of the room, watching as Alexander knelt beside my son, demonstrating the deep, controlled breathing technique. Felix copied him diligently, his small chest rising and falling in measured movements. ¡°Good,¡± Alexander praised. ¡°Now, let¡¯s work on your center. Feel the core of your strength here-¡± he gently tapped Felix¡¯s midsection. ¡°This is where all poweres from, not just your arms or legs.¡± Tears welled in my eyes as I watched them. Alexander¡¯s patience and gentleness with Felix touched something deep within me. He wasn¡¯t just humoring a sick child; he was treating Felix with genuine respect, teaching him as he would any young wolf under his protection. And Felix¨Cmy brave, dying boy¨Cwas giving it his all, his face set in concentration as he followed Alexander¡¯s instructions. Even as his body failed him, his spirit remained unbroken. After showing Felix some simple defensive hand positions that he could practice from a seated position, Alexander helped him through a final meditation. ¡°Close your eye,¡± he instructed softly. ¡°Imagine your wolf running free through the forest, strong and powerful. Feel the earth beneath your paws, the wind in your fur.¡± Felix¡¯s face rxed, a small smile ying at his lips as he followed the visualization. ¡°Your wolf is always with you,¡± Alexander continued, his deep voice soothing. ¡°Even when your body is weak, your wolf spirit remains strong. Remember that, Felix.¡± When the brief session ended, Felix was visibly tired but glowing with quiet satisfaction. Alexander carried him back to his room, handling him with such care it made my chest ache. Once Felix was settled and drifting to sleep, I followed Alexander into the hallway. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. ¡°That meant everything to him.¡± Alexander drew me into his arms, holding me close. ¡°He¡¯s an extraordinary child, Summer, So much courage in such a small body.¡± I pressed my face against his chest, letting the tears flow freely now that Felix couldn¡¯t see them. ¡°I can¡¯t lose him,¡± I sobbed quietly. ¡°He¡¯s my whole world.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Alexander murmured into my hair, his arms tightening around me. ¡°I know.¡± We stood like that for a long time, drawing strength from each other as we faced the unbearable reality of what wasing. With each passing day, we were running out of time, and there was nothing either of us could do to stop the clock. But for now, at least, Felix was more at peace. And somehow, I had to find a way to make whatever time he had left as meaningful as possible. It was all I could give him now. Secure 89 Chapter 89 Alexander¡¯s POV The early morning sunlight filtered through the training room windows as I watched Felix attempt the breathing exercises I¡¯d shown him. Despite his frail condition, determination burned in his one good eye. Summer had stepped out to speak with Dr. Martens about Felix¡¯s medication schedule, leaving us alone for the first time since bringing him home. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Felix,¡± I encouraged, adjusting his posture slightly with gentle hands. ¡°Remember, strength isn¡¯t just about muscles. It¡¯s about control, patience, and knowing when to use your power.¡± Felix nodded seriously, his small face scrunched in concentration. After a few more breaths, he suddenly looked up at me, his expression shifting to something more vulnerable. ¡°Alpha Alexander?¡± ¡°Just Alexander is fine when we¡¯re alone,¡± I told him with a smile. He hesitated, biting his lower lip¨Ca gesture so like his mother it made my chest tighten. ¡°Will you take care of my mom? Even if I¡¯m¡­ not here?¡± The question hit me like a physical blow. I carefully masked my reaction, not wanting him to see how deeply his words affected me. This child, facing his own mortality, was worried about his mother¡¯s future. It broke my heart and filled me with fierce admiration in equal measure. ¡°Felix,¡± I said, meeting his gaze directly, ¡°I need you to understand something important.¡± I moved closer, sitting cross¨Clegged directly in front of him. ¡°Your mother is the strongest person I¡¯ve ever known. But everyone needs someone in their corner sometimes. I promise you¨CI swear on my life and on my position as Alpha¨Cthat I will always protect and care for your mother.¡± Felix studied my face with that unnervingly perceptive gaze of his. ¡°Do you love her?¡± The directness of the question caught me off guard, but I didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve loved your mother since we were younger than you are now. I never stopped, even when we were apart.¡± ¡°Good,¡± he said, satisfaction coloring his voice. ¡°She deserves someone who loves her. My dad-¡± he stopped, correcting himself, ¡°Foster never did. He pretended, but I could tell.¡± I fought against the wave of rage that always threatened to surface at the mention of Foster. ¡°Your mother deserves the world, Felix. And so do you.¡± He nodded, seeming satisfied with my answer. ¡°I like it when you call me ¡®son,¡°¡± he admitted quietly, dropping his gaze to his hands. ¡°I never had a real father before.¡± My throat tightened. ¡°Then I¡¯ll be honored to be that for you, for as long as you¡¯ll have me.¡± Our moment was interrupted by amotion in the hallway. I recognized Beta Ethan¡¯s voice, along with Lyra¡¯s higher, distressed tones. Felix looked toward the door with concern. ¡°Stay here,¡± I told him gently. ¡°I¡¯ll see what¡¯s happening.¡± I stepped into the hallway to find Ethan gripping Lyra firmly by the arm while she struggled against him. Summer had just arrived as well, her face clouded with worry. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± I demanded, my Alpha tone causing both Ethan and Lyra to still immediately. ¡°Alpha,¡± Ethan inclined his head respectfully. ¡°I caught Lyra attempting to leave Pack grounds without permission¨Cagain. This is the third time this week. Lyra¡¯s face was tear¨Cstained, her normally confident demeanor crumpled with distress. After her involvement in helping Summer escape to Silver Creek pack,I¡¯d restricted Lyra from leaving pack grounds without an escort. The punishment had been necessary, though I took no pleasure in confining my sister. ¡°Let her go,¡± I ordered Ethan, who immediately released her arm. ¡°Lyra, exin yourself.¡± She wrapped her arms protectively around her midsection, refusing to meet my eyes. ¡°I just needed some air,¡± she mumbled, the lie obvious to all of us. ¡°In my office. Now,¡± I said, my voice brooking no argument. Ethan escorted her downstairs while I turned to Summer, whose concern was evident in her beautiful eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll handle this. Will you stay with Felix?¡± She nodded, though I could tell she was worried about Lyra. ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on her, Alexander. She¡¯s been through a lot.¡± I squeezed her hand reassuringly before heading to my office, where Lyra stood trembling before my desk. I dismissed Ethan with a nod, waiting until the door closed behind him before I spoke. ¡°Sit down, Lyra.¡± When sheplied, I leaned against my desk, studying her closely. ¡°This is the third time you¡¯ve tried to sneak off packnds. What¡¯s so urgent that you¡¯re willing to defy my direct orders?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± she muttered, still not meeting my gaze. ¡°I told you, I just needed space.¡± I caught the subtle change in her scent¨Csomething I¡¯d noticed over the past week but hadn¡¯t fully registered until now. The slight hormonal shift, the protective way she held her body¡­ ¡°You¡¯re pregnant,¡± I stated tly. Her head snapped up, eyes wide with shock before she quickly looked away again, tears spilling down her cheeks. Her silence was confirmation enough. I sighed deeply, leaning back against my desk. ¡°Who¡¯s the father?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, she whispered. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want anything to do with me or the baby.¡± ¡°It matters to me,¡± I countered, struggling to keep my rising anger in check. ¡°No member of my pack abandons their responsibilities like that.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not from your pack,¡± Lyra admitted, her voice barely audible. ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve been trying to leave? To find the father of your child?¡± Lyra shook her head, more tears falling. ¡°I was trying to find a clinic¡­ to take care of it.¡± She paused, her voice breaking. ¡°I want to keep it, but I was afraid of what you¡¯d say when you found out.¡± I frowned, confused by her admission. ¡°Why would you be afraid to tell me? You¡¯re my sister, Lyra. I¡¯ll always protect you.¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± she choked back a sob. ¡°I thought you¡¯d make me get rid of it. That you¡¯d be ashamed of me.¡± My expression softened as I moved to kneel in front of her chair. ¡°Lyra, look at me.¡± I waited until she reluctantly met my eyes. ¡°I would never force you to terminate a pregnancy. This is your choice, and I¡¯ll support whatever decision you make. But I do need to know who the father is. If he¡¯s mistreated you-¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t,¡± Lyra cut in quickly. ¡°It was just a mistake. A one¨Ctime thing during a full moon. He made it clear afterward that he wasn¡¯t interested in anything more.¡± My jaw clenched. The urge to track down this Alpha and teach him a lesson about responsibility burned through me. Tell me his name.¡± Lyra shook her head stubbornly. ¡°I won¡¯t. And you can¡¯t make me.¡± ¡°Actually, I could,¡± I reminded her, my Alpha authority a subtle pressure in the room. Then the door opened suddenly. Secure 90 Chapter 90 Alexander¡¯s POV I saw Summer entered with Felix at her side. Felix looked pale and tired, but his expression brightened slightly when he saw Lyra. ¡°Aunt Lyra!¡± he called, moving carefully toward her. I withdrew my Alpha pressure immediately, not wanting Felix to feel it. Summer gave me a significant look that clearly said we needed to talk. ¡°Hello, little warrior,¡± Lyra said, forcing a smile as she wiped her tears. ¡°How are you feeling today?¡± While Lyra and Felix chatted, Summer beckoned me to the corner of the office. ¡°Don¡¯t push her,¡± she whispered, her eyes earnest. ¡°Trust me on this¨Cforcing her to reveal the father will only make things worse. She¡¯s already scared and feeling alone.¡± ¡°Summer, some Alpha took advantage of my sister-¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know that,¡± she countered gently. ¡°And interrogating her won¡¯t help. Let me talk to her, woman to woman. I¡¯ve been where she is¡­ scared, pregnant, unsure of the future.¡± I exhaled slowly, allowing her wisdom to temper my protective instincts. ¡°Fine. But I won¡¯t let this unknown Alpha shirk his responsibilities.¡± Summer touched my cheek, her fingers soft against my skin. ¡°Give her time. She¡¯ll tell us when she¡¯s ready.¡± After Summer took Lyra and Felix upstairs, I summoned Ethan to my office. ¡°I need you to discreetly investigate Lyra¡¯s movements over the past couple of months,¡± I said, my voice low. ¡°Specifically during thest full moon. Find out which Alphas she may have encountered.¡± Ethan nodded, his expression carefully neutral. ¡°And when I find him?¡± ¡°I want to know who he is before I decide what to do,¡± I replied, the wolf in me snarling at the thought of anyone hurting my sister. ¡°But make no mistake¨Che will answer for his actions.¡± ¡°Understood, Alpha.¡± Ethan hesitated before adding, ¡°What about Suzanna and Moore? They¡¯ve been in the cells for over a week now.¡± I rubbed my temples, feeling the weight of too many responsibilities. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for Summer to decide what she wants done with them. They hurt her and Felix more than anyone.¡± I paused, then looked at him sharply. ¡°Any progress on the hospital leak? Someone on the inside helped Foster¡¯s people get to Felix.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Not yet. The hospital staff have been cooperative, but whoever it was covered their tracks well. We¡¯re still narrowing down the list of suspects.¡± ¡°Keep pushing,¡± I said, my voice cold. ¡°Whoever betrayed us is still a threat.¡± After Ethan left, I spent the next few hours reviewing pack business¨Cborder reports, financial statements, and requests from pack members. The work was a wee distraction from my worry about Lyra and Felix. A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. Summer entered, closing the door behind her. ¡°Felix is resting,¡± she said,ing to perch on the edge of my desk. ¡°Dr. Miller says he did well with the light exercise this morning.¡± I reached for her hand, needing the connection. ¡°And Lyra?¡± ¡°I talked with her,¡± Summer replied, threading her fingers through mine. ¡°She¡¯s terrified, Alexander. Not just of motherhood, but of disappointing you.¡± ¡°She could never disappoint me,¡± I insisted. ¡°I know that, and deep down, so does she. But fear isn¡¯t always rational.¡± Summer paused. ¡°I told her I¡¯d support whatever decision she makes, and that you would too.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I agreed. ¡°Did she tell you who the father is?¡± Summer shook her head. ¡°She¡¯s not ready. We need to give her time.¡± I growled in frustration. ¡°Whoever he is, he should face consequences.¡± ¡°Like you said to Felix this morning ¨C strength is also about knowing when to use your power,¡± Summer reminded me gently. ¡°Sometimes, backing off is the stronger choice.¡± Looking at her, bathed in the afternoon sunlight streaming through my office window, I felt that familiar pull that had only grown stronger since we¡¯d reconnected. I stood, moving around the desk to stand before her. ¡°What would I do without you keeping me bnced?¡± I murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Summer leaned into my touch. ¡°The same goes for me. I don¡¯t know how I would have survived these past days without you, Alexander,¡± I couldn¡¯t resist any longer. I leaned down, capturing her lips with mine, my hands framing her face as though she were the most precious thing in the world ¨C because to me, she was. She responded immediately, her arms winding around my neck, drawing me closer. The kiss deepened, months of longing and days of fear channeling into something urgent and needful. I lifted her onto my desk, papers scattering to the floor as she wrapped her legs around my waist. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you,¡± I breathed against her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. ¡°Every minute, every second you¡¯re not in my arms, I feel like I¡¯m going mad.¡± ¡°I missed you too,¡± she whispered, her voice trembling. ¡°Tell me if you want me to stop,¡± I murmured against her neck, trailing kisses down to her corbone.¡± I¡¯ve wanted you like this for so long.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± she breathed, her fingers tangling in my hair. ¡°Please.¡± 19 My hands slid beneath her shirt, tracing the soft skin of her waist before moving higher. She arched into my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips when my thumbs brushed the undersides of her breasts. ¡°Alex, ¡°Her breath came faster, and her eyes met mine¨Cdark with need, silently asking for more. My hands found the hem of her shirt, and she raised her arms, allowing me to pull it over her head. The sight of her in a simple ck bra nearly undid me. ¡°You¡¯re perfect,¡± I breathed, cupping her breasts through the thin fabric. Her head fell back, offering me her throat. I epted the invitation, pressing open¨Cmouthed kisses to the sensitive skin, careful not to mark her until she was truly mine. Her fingers dug into my shoulders as I unsped her bra, revealing her fully to my hungry gaze. ¡°Alex,¡± she moaned as my mouth moved lower, teasing the peaks that had hardened under my attention. I could smell her arousal, driving my wolf wild with need. My hands slid to the waistband of her jeans, seeking permission with my eyes before unbuttoning them. ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered, understanding my silent question. ¡°Please, touch me.¡± As my fingers slipped beneath the denim, finding the heat at her core through thin cotton underwear, Summer trembled against me. ¡°God, I¡¯ve missed this,¡± she gasped, her hips rocking against my hand. ¡°Missed you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been going crazy wanting you,¡± I admitted, my voice rough with desire as I stroked her through the fabric, feeling how wet she was already. ¡°Every night, dreaming of having you like this.¡± Summer¡¯s hands moved to my belt, her intentions clear. ¡°I need you, Alexander. All of you.¡± I was about to help her undo my belt when a sharp knock at the door froze us both. ¡°Alpha Alexander?¡± called a timid voice¨Cone of the Omega house staff. ¡°Lunch is ready, and Dr. Miller has arrived to check on Felix.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± I called, my voice rougher than normal. ¡°We¡¯ll be right there.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± came the reply, followed by retreating footsteps. I turned back to Summer, who was now blushing beautifully. I couldn¡¯t help but smile, reaching out to smooth her tousled hair. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± I cupped Summer¡¯s face in my hands, pressing one more lingering kiss to her lips before helping her off the desk. Secure 91 Chapter 91 Summer¡¯s POV After Dr. Miller finished examining Felix and assured us there was no immediate concern,we made our way downstairs to the dining room where Beta Ethan, Lyra, and several other pack members were already seated. Therge table wasden with tters of roast chicken, fresh sds, and warm bread. My mouth watered at the sight¨Cthe ckwood Pack certainly knew how to feed their people. Alexander guided Felix and me to seats at his right hand, the position of honor that still made me ufortable despite everyone¡¯s eptance. He reached for the serving spoon and ced a small portion of chicken onto Felix¡¯s te, then added a few pieces of bread and sd. I couldn¡¯t help but notice how natural this felt¨Cthe three of us together like a real family. The thought sent a flutter through my stomach that had nothing to do with hunger. ¡°Mom?¡± Felix¡¯s voice pulled me from my thoughts. ¡°Yes, honey?¡°I watched Felix take a few bites, slow but steady. It was more than he¡¯d managed in the hospital, and that alone eased something in me. He pushed his food around his te, suddenly looking nervous. ¡°I was wondering¡­ since I¡¯m feeling better¡­¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°Could we go to Disney World tomorrow?¡± The table fell silent. I blinked in surprise, catching Alexander¡¯s equally startled expression. ¡°Disney World?¡± I repeated. Felix nodded eagerly. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to go. And¡­ and Dr. Miller said I should do things that make me happy, right? I¡¯ve never been to an amusement park.¡± My heart clenched. Felix had never been to an amusement park¨Cbecause Alpha Foster never cared about what we needed, about what Felix needed. And now, my precious boy just wanted to feel joy while he still could. He only had a month left. ¡°I think that¡¯s an excellent idea,¡± Alexander said before I could respond, his hand finding mine under the table and giving it a gentle squeeze. ¡°We can make a day of it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Felix¡¯s face lit up with such hope it nearly broke me. ¡°Really,¡± I said, blinking back tears. ¡°If Dr. Miller says it¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll call him immediately,¡± Alexander said, already pulling out his phone. ¡°We¡¯ll make all the arrangements.¡± The rest of lunch passed in a blur of excited chatter as Felix peppered us with questions about Disney. Which rides could he try? Would Mickey Mouse be there? Could he get a souvenir? Each question made my heart both lighter and heavier¨Cjoy at his excitement tangled with sorrow for all the normal childhood moments he¡¯d never had. After lunch, we helped Felix upstairs. He was still grinning, still mumbling about roller coasters when he finally drifted off to sleep. In the evening, Alexander and I met with Dr. Miller in the study to go over what Felix could and couldn¡¯t do at the park. ¡°Avoid the more intense rides ¨C anything with sharp drops or that spins too much,¡± he cautioned, jotting notes for us. ¡°Keep him hydrated, stick to his medication schedule, and make sure he rests periodically.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have a wheelchair on standby,¡± Alexander assured him. ¡°And I¡¯ve arranged for VIP ess so there¡¯s no waiting in long lines.¡± I watched Alexander as he spoke, marveling at how thoroughly he¡¯d nned everything in just a few hours. His dedication to making this perfect for Felix touched me deeply. ¡°Will his eye be ufortable in the sun?¡± I asked, my fingers nervously twisting together. ¡°We¡¯ll bring his special sunsses,¡± Dr. Miller said. ¡°And don¡¯t hesitate to call me if anything concerns you.¡± After reviewing every detail twice, Dr. Miller gathered his papers. ¡°I think Felix will be just fine for a day out. It¡¯ll be good for his spirits.¡± Alexander walked the doctor out while I remained in the study, staring at the list of approved activities and rides. The reality of why we were doing this creating memories while we still could ¨C settled heavily on my shoulders.
I didn¡¯t hear Alexander return until his strong arms wrapped around me from behind. His warm breath tickled my neck as he pressed a kiss just below my ear. ¡°He¡¯s going to have an amazing day,¡± he murmured, turning me to face him. ¡°Thank you,¡± I whispered, reaching up to trace the strong line of his jaw. ¡°For all of this.¡± His eyes darkened as he caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm. ¡°I¡¯d do anything for him. For you both.¡± ¡°We should talk about what we ended Mid¨Cmorning,¡± he said, his voice dropping to that deep timber that made my knees weak. The intensity in his gaze made heat pool low in my belly as his hands slid to my waist, drawing me closer until our bodies pressed together. I couldn¡¯t deny the way my body responded to him¨Cthe quickening of my pulse, the flush spreading across my skin. When his lips found mine, I melted into the kiss, my fingers tangling in his hair as he backed me against the desk. His hands were everywhere, relearning the curves of my body as ifmitting them to memory. I moaned softly when he lifted me onto the desk, stepping between my thighs just as he had that time. ¡°Summer,¡± he growled against my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin. ¡°I want you so fucking bad.¡± For a moment, I lost myself in the sensation¨Chis hands, his mouth, the delicious weight of him against me. But then Felix¡¯s face shed in my mind¨Cmy sweet boy upstairs, excited about tomorrow, counting on me. ¡°Alexander,¡± I breathed, cing my hands against his chest. ¡°I can¡¯t¡­ not tonight.¡± He stilled immediately, pulling back to search my face. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whispered, the ache of wanting him still throbbing through me. ¡°With everything happening with Felix¡­ I just can¡¯t focus right now. My mind keeps going to tomorrow, to making sure everything is perfect for him.¡± Disappointment shed in his eyes, but it was quickly reced by understanding. He pressed his forehead to mine, his breathing still ragged. ¡°You don¡¯t need to apologize. You¡¯re an incredible mother, Summer. It¡¯s one of the things I love most about you.¡± The word ¡°love¡± hung in the air between us, neither acknowledged nor denied. He stepped back, giving me space even though I could see how difficult it was for him. His arousal was evident, straining against his jeans, but he made no move to pressure me. ¡°We should both get some rest,¡± he said, offering his hand to help me down from the desk. ¡°Tomorrow is going to be a big day.¡± I straightened my clothes, grateful for his understanding yet frustrated by my own divided desires. Part of me still hummed with need for him, but therger part¨Cthe mother in me¨Ccouldn¡¯t fully surrender when my son needed every ounce of my attention. As we made our way upstairs, Alexander paused outside my bedroom door. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. ¡°Goodnight, Summer. Try to get some sleep.¡± ¡°Goodnight,¡± I whispered back, watching him walk toward his own room at the end of the hall. I checked on Felix onest time before getting ready for bed. He was sleeping peacefully, a small smile Secure 92 Chapter 92 Summer¡¯s POV The morning sun streamed through my window as I jerked awake, momentarily disoriented. Then it hit me¨Ctoday was our Disney day. Felix¡¯s Disney day. I rushed through my morning routine, trying to tame my hair into something presentable while simultaneously checking and rechecking the list of medications Felix would need throughout the day. Alexander had arranged for a private car to take us to Disney World,plete with a small medical kit Dr. Miller had prepared. A soft knock on my door made me turn. ¡°Mom! Are you ready? Alpha Alexander says the car is waiting!¡± Felix¡¯s excited voice called through the door. My heart swelled at the enthusiasm in his voice¨Ca sound I hadn¡¯t heard in so long. When my wolf heard it too, I felt her stir inside me, responding to my cub¡¯s happiness in a way I hadn¡¯t experienced since the mate bond broke. When I opened the door, I found my son dressed in new clothes Alexander must have purchased for him- cargo shorts, a bright blue t¨Cshirt with Mickey Mouse emzoned across the front, and a baseball cap to shield his sensitive eye from the sun. But what took my breath away was his smile¨Cwide and genuine, reaching all the way to his good eye. ¡°You look ready for adventure,¡± I said, kneeling to adjust his cap. ¡°Alpha Alexander got me these!¡± He twirled to show me his new outfit. ¡°And look, special sunsses too!¡± I nced up to find Alexander leaning against the wall, watching us with a soft expression. He was dressed casually in dark jeans and a fitted ck t¨Cshirt that showcased his powerful build. Even in simple clothes, he exuded the natural authority of an Alpha. ¡°Ready for the best day ever?¡± he asked, his eyes meeting mine over Felix¡¯s head. ¡°More than ready,¡± I replied, feeling a flutter of something dangerously close to hope. The flight to Disney World was filled with Felix¡¯s excited chatter. He¡¯d researched all the rides and attractions online with Beta Ethan¡¯s help the previous night, creating a detailed n of everything he wanted to see. Alexander sat beside him on the leather seat, listening attentively and asking questions about which characters were Felix¡¯s favorites. He even shared stories about his own first visit to Disney as a child, making Felixugh so hard he nearly dropped the tablet. When the jet touched down at the private airstrip just outside Ondo, Felix pressed his nose to the window, eyes shining with anticipation. From the distance, we could already see glimpses of the park skyline. Alexander helped him down the steps while I grabbed our day bag¨Cmedications, water bottles, sunscreen -then we headed straight for the car waiting on the tarmac. ¡°Remember what Dr. Miller said,¡± I murmured to Felix as we approached the park entrance. ¡°If you start feeling tired or dizzy-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you right away,¡± he promised, though his attention was already captured by the colorful sights and sounds around us. True to his word, Alexander had arranged everything. We were met by a Disney representative who handed us special passes and exined how the VIP ess worked. ¡°You¡¯ll be able to enter all attractions through the FastPass line,¡± she exined cheerfully. ¡°And we have a wheelchair avable whenever you need it.¡± Felix frowned at the mention of the wheelchair. ¡°I¡¯m strong enough to walk,¡± he insisted, his little chin jutting out with the stubborn pride that reminded me so much of his Alpha heritage. Alexander knelt to his level. ¡°I know you are, buddy. But it¡¯s a big park, and we want to save your energy for all the fun stuff, right? Even I get tired walking around all day here.¡± Felix seemed to consider this logic before nodding reluctantly. ¡°Okay, but only when I say so.¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Alexander agreed, holding out his hand for a solemn shake that made Felix beam with importance. Our first stop was Tomorrond, where Felix was determined to try Space Mountain. My heart raced with anxiety¨Cwas it too intense for his condition?-but Dr. Miller had specifically cleared it, and Alexander assured me he¡¯d be right beside Felix the whole time. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine,¡± Alexander said, squeezing my hand. ¡°I promise I¡¯ll protect him.¡± The touch of his skin against mine sent that familiar warmth through my body. I watched them disappear into the ride entrance until they emerged about fifteen minutester. Felix was practically vibrating with excitement, his face flushed and eyes bright. ¡°Mom! Mom! We went to space! It was so fast and dark and there were stars everywhere!¡± he babbled, gesturing wildly with his hands. ¡°Can we go again?¡± Secure 93 Chapter 93 ¡°Maybeter,¡± Iughed, relief washing over me. ¡°Let¡¯s try something else first.¡± We made our way to Mickey¡¯s Toontown, where Mickey himself was greeting visitors. Felix¡¯s steps quickened when he spotted the iconic character, his favorite since he was a toddler. ¡°Look, Felix,¡± Alexander said, pointing. ¡°There he is. Should we go say hello?¡± Felix suddenly seemed shy, clinging to my hand. Alexander gently ced his hand on Felix¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Come on, little Alpha. I¡¯ll go with you,¡± he offered, his voice soft but encouraging. My heart melted watching Alexander lead Felix toward Mickey, kneeling beside him as they approached. Mickey bent down, offering his white¨Cgloved hand to my son, who hesitantly reached out to shake it. Within moments, Felix¡¯s shyness evaporated, reced by pure joy as Mickey pantomimed with him. ¡°Mom! Come take a picture with us!¡± Felix called, waving me over excitedly. A kind park employee offered to take our photo. Alexander lifted Felix onto his shoulders as I stood beside them, Mickey¡¯s arms spread wide behind us. When I saw the digital preview of the photo, my breath caught. They looked so natural together, like father and son. My heart swelled watching them, imagining what could have been if life had been kinder. By midday, Felix had begun to tire, so we stopped for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the castle. As Alexander helped Felix with his medication, I noticed how carefully he measured each dose, double- checking against the instructions Dr. Miller had provided. ¡°You¡¯re good at this,¡± Imented softly. Alexander¡¯s eyes met mine. ¡°I pay attention to what matters,¡± he replied simply. The intensity in his gaze made me look away, my cheeks warming. I knew he wasn¡¯t just talking about the medication. After lunch, we used the wheelchair to visit Frontiend and Adventurnd. Felix insisted on the Jungle Cruise,ughing at the guide¡¯s corny jokes and pointing excitedly at the animatronic animals. When the boat passed under a waterfall, a few drops sshed onto his face, and his delighted giggle was the purest sound I¡¯d ever heard. ¡°Make a wish,¡± Alexander told him when we passed the wishing well near the castle. Felix closed his eyes, his small face serious as he tossed a coin into the sparkling water. When I asked what he¡¯d wished for, he shook his head. ¡°Can¡¯t tell or it won¡¯te true,¡± he said solemnly. ¡°But it¡¯s a good one, Mom.¡± I felt my eyes grow misty, wondering what my brave little boy would wish for. More time? A miracle cure? Or something simpler¨Ca childhood wish untainted by the shadow of illness? I turned away briefly, not wanting him to see my tears on what was supposed to be a perfect day. Alexander¡¯s warm hand found the small of my back, a silentfort that somehow conveyed he understood exactly what I was feeling. ¡°How about some ice cream?¡± he suggested brightly to Felix, seamlessly shifting the mood. ¡°I heard they make Mickey¨Cshaped ice cream bars that are out of this world.¡± As afternoon faded into evening, we watched the parade from a special viewing area Alexander had arranged. Felix sat on Alexander¡¯s shoulders, pping and waving as the borate floats passed by. I caught Alexander watching me instead of the parade, his eyes soft with an emotion I wasn¡¯t ready to name. ¡°Thank you,¡± I mouthed to him over Felix¡¯s excitedmentary. He reached for my hand, intertwining our fingers. ¡°This is where I want to be,¡± he replied, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. The simple touch sent shivers up my arm, and for a moment, I allowed myself to imagine a future where moments like this weren¡¯t stolen¨Cwhere they were our normal life. After the parade, Felix insisted on one more ride-¡°It¡¯s a Small World¡°-before admitting he was finally tired enough to head home. As we made our way toward the park exit, the lights of Main Street twinkled around us, casting everything in a magical glow. Felix was chattering about his favorite parts of the day, the wheelchair pushed by Alexander while I walked beside them, when suddenly Alexander tensed. His hand shot out to grip my arm, stopping me mid¨Cstep. ¡°What-¡°I began to ask, but then I saw what had triggered his reaction. Standing near the park exit, his tall frame unmistakable even from this distance, was Alpha Foster. My blood turned to ice, and I instinctively stepped in front of Felix¡¯s wheelchair, shielding him from view. Beside me, I felt Alexander¡¯s energy shift as he moved into a protective stance, his body radiating power and warning. ¡°Mom?¡± Felix¡¯s voice was suddenly small, confused by our abrupt stop. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Secure 94 Chapter 94 Foster¡¯s POV The silence of my office was deafening. Since Summer had taken my son and fled with that bastard Alexander,emptiness echoing through the halls of my territory. My pack members moved like ghosts around me, avoiding my gaze, whispering behind closed doors about their failed Alpha. I hurled my ss of bourbon against the wall, finding brief satisfaction in the way it shattered¨Cmuch like my life had. Aksher paced restlessly inside me, his rage matching my own. We¡¯d been betrayed. My mate¨Cformer mate¨Chad broken our bond, stolen my heir, and run straight into the arms of my oldest rival. The burning sensation that had reced our bond felt like acid in my veins. ¡°Alpha Foster?¡± Sean, my Beta, cautiously stuck his head through the doorway. ¡°The Council representative called again. They¡¯re requesting a formal statement about-¡± ¡°Tell them to go to hell,¡± I snarled, watching him flinch. ¡°Better yet, tell them to ask Alexander. He seems to have all the fucking answers.¡± Sean nodded quickly and retreated, probably grateful to escape my vtile mood. I couldn¡¯t me him. I¡¯d been impossible since Summer left, alternating between murderous rage and crushing despair. Aksher howled inside me. *Find mate. Find cub.* ¡°She¡¯s not our mate anymore,¡± I growled aloud, rubbing at my chest where the phantom pain lingered. I reached for my phone, scrolling to Suzanna¡¯s number. I needed release. Needed to lose myself in the one person who¡¯d never questioned me, never challenged me. Suzanna would offerfort, remind me why I¡¯d made the choices I had. After six rings, her voicemail picked up. Strange. Suzanna always answered my calls, no matter the hour. I pushed myself out of my chair and headed to the east wing where I¡¯d set her up in a private suite. The hallway stretched longer than I remembered, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. When I threw open the door to her suite, I was hit by an overwhelming emptiness. The closet doors stood open, hangers bare. The bathroom counter, usually cluttered with her expensive creams and perfumes, was spotlessly clean. ¡°Suzanna?¡± I called, though I already knew she wasn¡¯t there. My blood ran cold as realization dawned. I sprinted to my office, fumbling with the painting that concealed my private safe. Thebination clicked under my trembling fingers, and when the door swung open, I stared in disbelief. The emergency cash¨Cover a hundred thousand dors¨Cgone. The fake passports and IDs I¡¯d prepared for worst¨Ccase scenarios, gone. The untraceable credit cards and documents detailing offshore ounts- all gone. ¡°SHE BETRAYED ME TOO?¡± The windows rattled with the force of my rage. ¡°After everything I gave her? After I risked EVERYTHING for her?¡± A snarl tore from my throat as red¨Chot fury surged through me. I mmed my fists into the desk, splintering wood. Chairs crashed against the walls. Shelves toppled. Papers flew like ash in a storm. I tore through the office like a beast unleashed, blind to everything but the betrayal burning in my chest. Nothing survived my rage. When Sean and two guards burst in, I was standing amid the wreckage, breathing heavily. ¡°Find Suzanna,¡± I ordered, my voice deadly calm. ¡°Now.¡± The days blurred together after that. I functioned on autopilot, handling pack business during the day and drinking myself into oblivion each night. The Council demanded more documentation, more evidence. Mywyers scrambled to counter Summer¡¯s ims. The pack members whispered behind my back, their loyalty wavering as rumors spread. Then exactly seventeen days after Summer and Felix disappeared, an unexpected visitor arrived at the pack house. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± Sean announced at my office door, his tone cautious. ¡°There¡¯s someone here to see you. Natalia Thompson.¡± The name meant nothing to me. ¡°Who is she? What does she want?¡± ¡°She says¡­¡± Sean hesitated. ¡°She says she has information about Summer and Felix. And about Alexander ckwood.¡± My head snapped up, instantly alert. ¡°Bring her in.¡± The woman who entered was stunning¨Ctall with sleek blonde hair and calcting eyes. She carried herself with confidence but respectfully lowered her gaze in my presence, acknowledging my Alpha status despite my current disheveled state. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± she purred, her voice smooth as velvet. ¡°Thank you for seeing me.¡± I gestured impatiently to a chair. ¡°Sean says you have information. What is it?¡± She smiled, crossing her legs elegantly as she sat. ¡°I know where Summer and your son are staying. And I know how to help you get them back.¡± Secure 95 Aksher surged forward, suddenly attentive. ¡°Why would you help me? What¡¯s your connection to this?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just say Alexander ckwood and I have¡­ history.¡± Her expression darkened. ¡°He discarded me when I was no longer useful.I want what you want¨Cto see him suffer. And you want your family back. Our interests align perfectly.¡± ¡°Prove you know something useful,¡± I challenged, unwilling to be yed again. Natalia¡¯s smile widened. ¡°The sedative that was used on your son¡¯s hospital guard¨CSuzanna gave it to you, didn¡¯t she? But where do you think she got it?¡± My eyes narrowed. ¡°You?¡± ¡°Pharmaceutical¨Cgrade. Untraceable in standard tox screens. I gave it to her through our mutual contact.¡± She leaned in slightly, lips curling in a satisfied smile. ¡°And I was there that day. I intercepted Summer on her way to the hospital. Kept her talking, distracted her long enough for your men to get Felix out.¡± I narrowed my eyes. ¡°What do you propose?¡± ¡°Direct confrontation won¡¯t work. Alexander¡¯s too powerful, his security too tight.¡± Her eyes glittered with something dangerous. ¡°But I¡¯ve been watching them. Learning their patterns.¡± ¡°And?¡± I prompted when she paused. ¡°They¡¯re at Disney World today.¡± She pulled out her phone, showing me a photo that made my blood boil- Summer walking beside Alexander, who was pushing my son¡¯s wheelchair. They wereughing. Felix was wearing Mickey Mouse ears. ¡°How did you¡ª¡± ¡°Alexander thinks he¡¯s untouchable,¡± she cut in. ¡°But everyone has blind spots. His is thinking no one would dare approach them in such a public ce.¡± I stared at the photo, my fists clenching. Felix looked happy¨Chappier than I¡¯d seen him in months. And Summer¡­ the way she looked at Alexander made something dark twist inside me. ¡°What¡¯s your n?¡± I asked, unable to tear my eyes from the image. ¡°They¡¯ll be leaving soon. The park closes at nine, and Felix¡¯s condition means they won¡¯t stay until the very end.¡± Natalia checked her watch. ¡°If you leave now, you can be at the main exit when theye out.¡± ¡°And then what?¡± ¡°That depends on you, Alpha.¡± Her eyes met mine. ¡°How badly do you want your family back?¡± I hesitated only briefly before standing. ¡°Sean!¡± I called. ¡°Prepare the car. We¡¯re going to Disney World.¡± ¡°One request, Alpha Foster. When you confront them¡­ don¡¯t mention me. Not yet. My usefulness depends on Alexander not knowing I¡¯m involved. ¡°As I turned away, Natalia stepped forward, brushing invisible lint from the shoulder of my jacket with a practiced, almost affectionate gesture. ¡°Go show them who you are,¡± she said softly. Her fingers lingered for half a second too long near my cor. I barely noticed. I nodded curtly, already nning what I would say, what I would do. Summer had humiliated me, betrayed me, turned my son against me. But I would reim what was mine. The drive to Disney World passed in tense silence. Sean kept ncing at me from the driver¡¯s seat, clearly concerned about my stability but knowing better than to question me directly. ¡°What will you do if Alexander refuses to let them go?¡± he finally asked as we approached the Disney Worldplex. ¡°He won¡¯t have a choice,¡± I growled, Aksher stirring at the thought of confrontation. ¡°Summer is my wife. Felix is my son. Alexander has kidnapped them both.¡± Sean wisely remained silent after that. The sun was setting as we positioned ourselves near the main exit. Families streamed past, tired children clutching souvenirs, parents looking equally exhausted but content. There they were. Felix in a wheelchair pushed by Alexander, Summer walking beside them, her hand asionally brushing Alexander¡¯s arm in a casual intimacy that made my vision blur red. My son was chattering excitedly, gesturing with his hands,pletely oblivious to his surroundings. Then Alexander tensed. His head snapped up, eyes locking with mine across the distance. I saw his posture shift instantly into protective mode, one arm moving to pull Summer behind him. I stood my ground, letting theme to me, savoring the moment when Summer finally spotted me. The color drained from her face as recognition hit, and the fear that shed in her eyes was deeply satisfying. She thought she could escape me? Run from her responsibilities? Take my son? No one escapes an Alpha. Especially not mine. Secure 96 Chapter 96 Summer¡¯s POV Today is the day we¡¯re taking Felix to Disnend, but there¡¯s an ominous feeling hanging over me. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°Nothing, sweetheart,¡± I said, forcing a smile as I brushed a hand over his hair. ¡°Everything¡¯s fine.¡± (1) That was when I heard it. ¡°Summer.¡°Alpha Foster¡¯s voice carried across the space between us, drawing curious nces from passing tourists. Alexander¡¯s arm came around me protectively, his body shifting to shield both me and Felix. I felt his muscles tense, ready for confrontation. ¡°Alexander, we have to leave¨Cnow.¡± ¡°I see him,¡± Alexander murmured back, his eyes never leaving Alpha Foster. ¡°Jackson,¡± he addressed his gamma who materialized seemingly from nowhere, ¡°call Brayden and the others. Now.¡± By the time he finished speaking, Alpha Foster was already in front of us¨Cclose enough that I could see the toll the past weeks had taken on him. He looked awful. Unshaven, hair a tangled mess, clothes wrinkled and stained. But it was his eyes that froze me¨Cwild, fever¨Cbright, burning with a manic intensity that sent a chill down my spine. This wasn¡¯t the calcted,posed Alpha I had once married. This was something far more dangerous: a desperate, cornered predator. ¡°Summer, please,¡± Alpha Foster called, his voice unexpectedly soft. ¡°I just want to talk. I¡¯ve missed you both so much.¡± ¡°You need to leave,¡± I said firmly, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. ¡°You¡¯re not wee here.¡± Felix, who had gonepletely silent the moment he spotted Alpha Foster, suddenly tugged at my sleeve. ¡°Mom, I want to talk to him,¡± he said quietly. I looked down at my son in shock. ¡°Felix, no-¡± ¡°Please, Mom. I need to say something to him.¡± Alexander and I exchanged nces. The determination in Felix¡¯s eyes was unmistakable¨Cthat same stubborn resolve he¡¯d inherited from me. oter ¡°Two minutes,¡± Alexander said tersely. ¡°And I¡¯ll be right here.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s face lit up with something like hope as he approached. He dropped to one knee in front of Felix¡¯s wheelchair, bringing himself to eye level with my son. The gesture might have seemed respectful if I hadn¡¯t recognized it as the same maniptive tactic he¡¯d used countless times before. ¡°Felix, buddy,¡± Alpha Foster said, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much. How are you feeling? Are they taking good care of you?¡± Felix stared at him with an expression far too old for his young face.¡°Why are you here?¡± Felix asked bluntly. ¡°I came to bring you home,¡± Alpha Foster replied, reaching for Felix¡¯s hand. ¡°Both of you. Where you belong.¡± Felix pulled his hand away before Alpha Foster could touch him. ¡°I am home. With Mom and Alexander.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s expression hardened slightly, though he maintained his fa?ade. ¡°Felix, I know you¡¯re angry with me. I made mistakes. But I¡¯m still your father-¡± ¡°No,¡± Felix interrupted, his voice surprisingly powerful for a child. ¡°You¡¯re not my daddy,¡± Felix continued, his small hands gripping the armrests of his wheelchair. ¡°A real daddy doesn¡¯t hurt his family. A real daddy doesn¡¯t make his son give away his eye.¡± He paused, then delivered the final blow. ¡°Alexander is my dad now.¡± The transformation in Alpha Foster¡¯s face was instantaneous. The mask of contrition fell away, revealing the rage underneath. His eyes shed dangerously as he stood up, looming over Felix¡¯s wheelchair. ¡°You ungrateful little¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough!¡± I stepped between them, my maternal instincts overriding any fear. ¡°You¡¯ve had your time. Now leave.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s gaze shot to me, then to Alexander who had moved closer, radiating lethal intent. ¡°You¡¯ve poisoned my son against me,¡± Alpha Foster snarled. ¡°Both of you.¡± Alexander¡¯s voice was deadly calm, ¡°You did that yourself when you chose Suzanna over your family. When you let her harm an innocent child¨Cyour own son.¡± ¡°Where is she, by the way?¡± I couldn¡¯t resist asking. ¡°Your precious Suzanna? Still standing loyally by your side?¡± A flicker of something¨Cpain, rage, humiliation¨Ccrossed Alpha Foster¡¯s face before he masked it. ¡°You¡¯reing home with me,¡± Alpha Foster dered suddenly, reaching for my arm. ¡°Both of you. This charade ends now.¡± Alexander moved so fast even I couldn¡¯t track it. One moment Alpha Foster was reaching for me, the next he was stumbling backward, Alexander¡¯s hand around his throat. Secure 97 Chapter 97 ¡°Touch her,¡± Alexander growled, ¡°and it will be thest thing you ever do.¡± Sean lunged forward to defend his Alpha, but froze mid¨Cstep as six massive warriors materialized behind us¨CAlexander¡¯s elite security team, led by his gamma Jackson. ¡°Stand down, Sean,¡± Alpha Fostermanded, recovering his bnce. ¡°Not here.¡± But I could see the calction in his eyes. He hadn¡¯te alone either. I spotted several of our¨Chis- pack members strategically positioned around the exit, trying to blend in with tourists but unmistakable to my trained eye. ¡°Felix,¡± I whispered urgently, ¡°stay close to me.¡± The situation was escting too quickly. Families with children were hurrying past, sensing the tension even if they couldn¡¯t understand it. Park security would be arriving soon, drawn by the disturbance. ¡°You¡¯ve overstepped, Alpha Foster,¡± Alexander said, his voice carrying that unmistakable Alphamand. ¡°Summer is already my Luna.¡± ¡°NO!¡± Alpha Foster spat. ¡°She¡¯s still my wife.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I countered.¡±I¡¯m Alexander¡¯s Luna¨Crightfully, officially, and recognized by the Council.¡± ¡°Enough talking,¡± Alpha Foster dered. ¡°Sean, signal the others.¡± Alexander must have anticipated this because he immediately moved between us and Alpha Foster.¡± Jackson,¡± he called to his gamma, ¡°get Summer and Felix to the car. Now.¡± Everything happened at once. Alpha Foster¡¯s men converged on us from multiple directions. Alexander¡¯s warriors formed a protective circle around us. Tourists scattered, screaming. A child dropped their ice cream cone, the sound of it hitting the pavement somehow audible despite the chaos. ¡°Mom!¡± Felix cried as Jackson grabbed the handles of his wheelchair and began moving rapidly toward the parking area. I ran alongside them, heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my system. Behind us, the sounds of fighting erupted¨Cgrowls and impacts that were barely contained in human form. ¡°Alexander!¡± I called back desperately. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine,¡± Jackson assured me, not slowing. ¡°Just keep moving.¡± We reached the SUV in record time. Jackson efficiently transferred Felix from the wheelchair to the backseat while I climbed in beside my son. Another warrior¨CI thought his name was Mason¨Cfolded the wheelchair with practiced ease and stowed it before jumping into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Secure?¡± he asked, already starting the engine. ¡°Go!¡± Jackson confirmed, taking the passenger seat. The SUV peeled out of the parking space with controlled urgency. I clutched Felix¡¯s hand, looking back through the window for any sign of Alexander or pursuit. ¡°Will Alexander be okay?¡± Felix asked, his voice small. ¡°Yes, baby,¡± I promised, hoping I wasn¡¯t lying. ¡°Alexander is very strong.¡± For several minutes we drove in tense silence, Mason navigating skillfully through the Disney resort traffic. I kept checking my phone, waiting for a message from Alexander. Then Felix made a strange sound beside me. ¡°Mom¡­¡± he whispered, his voice suddenly weak. ¡°I don¡¯t feel good.¡± I turned to look at him just as his eyes rolled back in his head. His small body went limp against me, Mickey ears sliding off his head. ¡°Felix!¡± I screamed, catching him as he slumped sideways. ¡°Felix! Baby, wake up!¡± ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Jackson demanded, turning in his seat. My hands frantically checked my son¨Cpulse racing but present, breathing shallow but steady. His skin was mmy and pale. ¡°He¡¯s passed out,¡± I said, panic making my voice shake. ¡°I think¨CI think it¡¯s the stress. His condition-¡± Jackson didn¡¯t wait for me to finish. He swore under his breath and yanked the wheel, making a sharp U- turn that sent the tires screeching. ¡°Hang on. I¡¯m getting us to the hospital.¡± I fumbled for my phone with shaking fingers, nearly dropping it before unlocking the screen. My heart thundered in my ears as I found Alexander¡¯s name and hit call. He picked up on the first ring. ¡°Summer?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Felix,¡± I choked out. ¡°He copsed. We¡¯re on our way to the hospital now.¡± There was a beat of silence¨Csharp, cold. ¡°What happened?¡± His voice was suddenly razor¨Csharp. ¡°I don¡¯t know¨Che just went quiet and then passed out. His skin¡¯s cold, his breathing¡¯s shallow-¡± My voice cracked. ¡°Please, just meet us there.¡± ¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡± The line went dead. Secure 98 Chapter 98 Alexander¡¯s POV The moment I mmed Alpha Foster into the concrete, my wolf was begging to be unleashed. It had been decades since I¡¯d shifted in public, but the primal need to tear this man apart¨Cthis monster who had hurt Summer and Felix¨Cwas almost overwhelming. ¡°You¡¯re dead, Alexander,¡± Alpha Foster snarled, blood trickling from his split lip. ¡°The Council will hear how you stole my mate and turned my son against me.¡± I tightened my grip on his throat, watching his eyes bulge. ¡°The Council already knows what you did. The medical records, the witness testimonies. It¡¯s over.¡± Sean attempted to nk me, but Ethan intercepted him with brutal efficiency. Around us, my security team was systematically neutralizing Alpha Foster¡¯s men while tourists fled screaming. Disney security would arrive soon¨Cwe needed to end this quickly. Alpha Foster¡¯s face was turning an interesting shade of purple when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I would have ignored it, but the specialized ringtone told me it was Summer. Without releasing Alpha Foster, I pulled out the phone. ¡°Summer-¡± Her voice cut through me like a de. ¡°Alexander! It¡¯s Felix¨Che copsed. We¡¯re rushing to Ondo Memorial. Emergency. Please-¡± My blood ran cold. ¡°I¡¯m on my way.¡± I dropped Alpha Foster like the garbage he was, mming him once more against the pavement for good measure. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± I growled. ¡°But my son needs me.¡± The look of pure hatred in Alpha Foster¡¯s eyes shifted to something else¨Cshock, perhaps even fear at the casual way I¡¯d imed Felix as mine. ¡°Carson,¡± I barked, ¡°finish here. Make sure these fuckers understand the consequences of following us again.¡± I was running before Alpha Foster could respond, pushing my body to its human limits. The nearest hospital was ten minutes by car, but in this traffic¡­ I pulled out my phone again, calling my driver. ¡°James, front entrance, now.¡± The ck SUV screeched to a halt beside me thirty secondster. I jumped in, barking, ¡°Ondo Memorial. Emergency entrance.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha.¡± As the car surged forward, I pulled out my phone again and hit another speed dial. ¡°Ethan,¡± I snapped the moment he answered, ¡°get Dr. Miller on a private jet. I want him at the hospital before I get there.¡± ¡°Yes, Alpha,¡± came the immediate response. The drive was the longest seven minutes of my life. I called Summer twice, but she didn¡¯t answer, which only increased my panic. The SUV hadn¡¯t fully stopped when I leaped out at the emergency entrance and rushed inside. I burst through the doors of the pediatric emergency department. ¡°Summer!¡± She was there¨Cface pale as paper, tears streaming down her cheeks as she spoke frantically with a doctor. When she saw me, she broke away and ran into my arms. ¡°He¡¯s in surgery,¡± she sobbed against my chest. ¡°His¨Chis heart¡­ they think it¡¯s failing.¡± I held her tighter, trying to ground us both. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°He just copsed in the car. One minute he was fine, talking about you, and the next¡­¡± Her voice cracked. ¡°The stress triggered something. The Doctor says the damage fromst year was worse than they thought.¡± I guided her to a chair, keeping her close. Hospital staff bustled around us, throwing nces at my bloodied knuckles and torn shirt. I didn¡¯t even notice. All I could think about was Felix. I cupped her face gently, forcing her to meet my eyes. ¡°Listen to me,¡± I said firmly. ¡°I¡¯ve already dispatched a private jet. Dr. Miller is on his way and will be here any minute. He knows Felix¡¯s case better than anyone.¡± Her shoulders trembled, but I felt her take a deeper breath. Just enough to hold on. ¡°I can¡¯t lose him. I can¡¯t ¡°We won¡¯t,¡± I vowed, though fear wed at my insides. In that moment, I would have given anything¨Cmy alpha status, my fortune, my life¨Cto save this child I¡¯de to love as my own. Secure 99 Chapter 99 Hours passed in agonizing slowness. Summer alternated between pacing and copsing against me in silent grief. Just when the tension felt unbearable, the sound of private jet des cut through the night. A momentter, Dr. Miller strode into the emergency wing, still in his flight jacket, a medical bag in one hand. ¡°How is he?¡± he asked briskly. ¡°He¡¯s crashing,¡°doctor said. ¡°We¡¯ve stabilized him twice, but the rhythm won¡¯t hold.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll scrub in,¡± Miller replied without hesitation. ¡°Let¡¯s try everything.¡± He disappeared into the OR, and I turned to Summer, wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders.¡± He¡¯s here. If anyone can save Felix, it¡¯s him.¡± More hours dragged by. The walls of the waiting room seemed to close in around us, every second stretching like an eternity. Dr. Miller came out twice to update us¨Cneither time with good news.¡°His heart suffered extensive damage from the previous trauma,¡± he exined during his second update. ¡°We¡¯re doing everything possible, but you should prepare yourselves.¡± Dr. Miller, recognized as the world¡¯s foremost authority in pediatric cardiac surgery, had taken over the operation. If he couldn¡¯t save Felix, no one could. But even miracles have limits. Summer made a sound I never want to hear again¨Chalf¨Cwhimper, half¨Cwail, entirely heartbroken. Five hours after we arrived, Dr. Miller emerged from the operating room. One look at his face told me everything. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± he said quietly, using her title with solemn respect. ¡°Alpha Alexander. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± No. No no no. ¡°We did everything we could,¡± the doctor continued, his voice fading in. ¡°The damage was too extensive. Felix¡¯s heart gave out at 7:42 PM. We attempted resuscitation for forty minutes, but¡­¡± Summer¡¯s scream would haunt me for the rest of my life. It was the sound of a mother¡¯s heart shattering, a primal cry of loss that no parent should ever have to make. ¡°No!¡± she screamed, lunging toward the operating room doors. ¡°No! He can¡¯t be¨CFelix! FELIX!¡± I caught her as her knees gave way, holding her trembling body against mine as she beat her fists against my chest. ¡°Not my baby,¡± she sobbed, her voice breaking. ¡°Please, not my baby boy.¡± The doctor was saying something about arrangements and condolences, but I couldn¡¯t process his words. All I could feel was Summer¡¯s agony and my own crushing grief for the bright¨Ceyed boy who had called me ¡°dad¡± just hours ago. Summer suddenly went limp in my arms. Her eyes rolled back as she copsed unconscious, her body¡¯s defense against unbearable pain. ¡°I need help here!¡± I called, lifting her effortlessly. Medical staff rushed over, guiding me toy her on a nearby gurney. A nurse quickly checked her vitals. ¡°She¡¯s in shock,¡± the nurse informed me. ¡°We¡¯ll get her stabilized.¡± As they wheeled Summer away, I stood alone in the waiting room, covered in both Alpha Foster¡¯s blood and Summer¡¯s tears. The hospital sounds faded to a distant buzz as reality crashed down on me. Felix was gone. The boy who had faced so much pain with courage. The child who had looked up at me with trust despite all the men who had failed him before. The son who had imed me as surely as I had imed him. Gone. I sank into a chair, my head in my hands, and for the first time in decades, I let tears fall freely. Not as an Alpha, not as a warrior, but as a man who had just lost a child. And as the grief tore through me, one thought burned brighter than all others: Alpha Foster would pay for this. The injuries that had weakened Felix¡¯s heart came directly from that bastard¡¯s negligence and Suzanna¡¯s cruelty. This wasn¡¯t over. Not by a long shot. But first, I had to be there when Summer woke up. When she opened her eyes to a world without her son. Secure 100 Summer¡¯s POV Darkness enveloped mepletely. For blessed moments as consciousness slowly returned, I believed it had all been a horrific nightmare. A terrible dream I could wake from, where Felix would be waiting with his mischievous smile. But the sterile scent of antiseptic piercing my nostrils. Then the steady beep of monitors. The stiffness of hospital sheets against my skin. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy as I forced them open, blinking against harsh fluorescent lights. Alexander sat beside my bed, his powerful frame somehow diminished. Dark circles haunted his eyes, his normally immacte appearance disheveled. When he noticed my eyes open, relief washed over his face. ¡°Summer,¡± he whispered, reaching for my hand. For one blessed moment, confusion clouded my mind. Why was I here? What had happened? Then memory crashed through me like a physical blow. Felix. My baby. My son. ¡°No,¡± I gasped, the word barely audible through my parched throat. ¡°No, no, no.¡± ¡°1 Alexander gripped my hand tighter as I tried to sit up. ¡°Easy, sweetheart. You¡¯ve been unconscious for days.¡± Days? The word didn¡¯t register. Nothing mattered except- ¡°Felix,¡± I choked out. ¡°Tell me it wasn¡¯t real. Please.¡± The look in Alexander¡¯s eyes shattered whatever hope I¡¯d been desperately clinging to. His jaw clenched as he struggled to maintainposure. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Summer.¡± The pain that erupted was unlike anything I¡¯d ever experienced¨Cworse than Foster¡¯s beatings, worse than losing my wolf. It was primal and all¨Cconsuming. My heart wasn¡¯t just breaking; it was being ripped from my chest. A scream tore from my throat as I thrashed against the bed, pulling at tubes and wires. ¡°My baby! I want my baby!¡± Alexander tried to hold me still, his voice urgent but gentle. ¡°Summer, please. You¡¯ll hurt yourself.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± I screamed, wing at his arms. ¡°Let me die too! I want to be with him!¡± Nurses rushed in, alerted by the frantic beeping of machines. ¡°My son,¡± I sobbed as a sedative was injected into my IV. ¡°My baby boy.¡± The drugs pulled me back toward darkness, but this time, it offered nofort. When I woke again, the room was dimmer. Night had fallen, but Alexander remained at my side, his hand still holding mine. He looked even more exhausted than before. ¡°How long?¡± I whispered. ¡°You¡¯ve been in and out for five days,¡± he answered, his thumb stroking my palm. ¡°The doctors said your body shut down from the shock.¡± ¡°You tried to remove your IV and take your own pills when you first regained consciousness three days ago. You don¡¯t remember?¡± I shook my head slowly. Those days remained nk. Why hadn¡¯t I seeded? Why did they save me? My gaze drifted to the small table beside my bed. The medication¡­ if I could just- Alexander followed my gaze, his expression hardening. ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point?¡± I whispered, tears streaming down my face. ¡°He¡¯s gone. My reason for living is gone.¡± ¡°Summer, please. Felix wouldn¡¯t want-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± The word came out sharper than I intended. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what he would want. He¡¯s gone.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes shed,¡°And you think that¡¯s the end? You don¡¯t want to know who¡¯s responsible for his death?¡± I froze. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Felix didn¡¯t just die from his previous injuries,¡± Alexander said, his voice dropping dangerously low. ¡°The toxicology report came back yesterday. They found traces of apound that elerates organ failure. Someone poisoned him, Summer. Someone made sure he wouldn¡¯t survive.¡± The numbness that had enveloped me suddenly shattered, reced by something white¨Chot and dangerous. ¡°Who?¡± The word escaped like a growl. ¡°We don¡¯t have proof yet. But I have my suspicions.¡± His eyes met mine, dark with shared rage.¡°Are you really going to check out before we find who did this to our boy?¡± His words ignited something in my hollow chest. A spark. A reason. ¡°Where is he?¡± I asked. Secure 101 Chapter 101 Alexander understood immediately. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ being taken care of. Ethan and Lyra arranged everything, but we¡¯ve waited for you.¡± The thought of my baby alone in some cold morgue nearly triggered another breakdown. I bit my lip until I tasted blood, trying to anchor myself to physical pain rather than emotional. ¡°I need to see him.¡± ¡°Summer-¡± ¡°I need to see my son.¡± My voice broke on thest word. Alexander nodded slowly. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange it when the doctors say you¡¯re stable enough.¡± For a while, we sat in silence. The enormity of loss pressed down on me, making each breath a conscious effort. ¡°The doctors said you were severely dehydrated and malnourished even before¡­ before this happened,¡± Alexander eventually said. ¡°You haven¡¯t been taking care of yourself.¡± ¡°Here,¡± he said, reaching for a cup of water with a straw. ¡°Small sips.¡± I stared at the offered cup, not caring enough to reach for it. Then something in Alexander¡¯s expression caught my attention¨Cthe raw, naked grief etched into every line of his face. For the first time, I really looked at him¨Csaw the red¨Crimmed eyes, the unshaven face, the slumped shoulders. He had loved Felix too. Something shifted inside me, a tiny crack in the wall of my istion. Slowly, I turned back and epted the water, taking a small sip. Alexander¡¯s relief was palpable. ¡°I¡¯m well enough to see him now,¡± I said after a moment, my voice strengthening with determination. ¡°I won¡¯t copse or try anything stupid. But I need to see my son, Alexander.¡± He studied my face for a long moment before nodding. ¡°I¡¯ll speak with the doctor.¡± An hourter, after the doctor¡¯s reluctant approval and Alexander¡¯s fierce insistence, I was in a wheelchair being pushed toward the hospital morgue. Every inch we traveled felt like moving through concrete, my heart pounding harder with each floor we descended. The morgue attendant looked ufortable as Alexander spoke quietly with him. Words like ¡°special circumstances¡± and ¡°family closure¡± drifted to me, along with the soft rustle of what I suspected was a substantial amount of cash changing hands. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Alexander asked onest time, kneeling beside my wheelchair. I nodded, unable to speak. The attendant led us into a cold room where a small sheet¨Ccovered formy on a table. My breath caught in my throat. ¡°Do you want me to-?¡± Alexander began. ¡°No.¡± I gripped the armrests of the wheelchair. ¡°Help me up.¡± With his support, I stood on trembling legs and approached the table. The attendant discreetly stepped outside, leaving us alone. For a long moment, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to pull back the sheet. As long as I didn¡¯t see him, I could pretend this wasn¡¯t real. But it was. And I needed to say goodbye. With shaking fingers, I gently folded the sheet back to reveal Felix¡¯s face. He looked peaceful. Almost like he was sleeping, except for the unnatural stillness and the slight gray cast to his normally rosy skin. Someone hadbed his hair the way he liked it, and dressed him in his favorite blue pajamas¨Cthe ones with little wolves running across the fabric. ¡°Oh, baby,¡± I whispered, touching his cold cheek. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I couldn¡¯t protect you.¡± Alexander stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders, supporting me both physically and emotionally. I felt a tear drop onto my hair¨Che was crying too. ¡°He loved you,¡± I told Alexander, my voice breaking. ¡°You made hisst days happy ones.¡± ¡°He was the son I always wanted,¡± Alexander replied, his voice thick with emotion. ¡°He deserved so much more time.¡± I leaned down to press a kiss to Felix¡¯s forehead. ¡°Mommy loves you,¡± I whispered. ¡°Forever and always.¡± As I straightened, something hardened inside me. A resolve crystallizing from the molten grief. They would pay. Both of them would pay for what they¡¯d done to Felix. Secure 102 Chapter 102 Summer¡¯s POV The day we cremated Felix was the coldest I¡¯d ever felt, despite the sun shining mockingly bright above
  1. us.
¡°Are you sure you¡¯re ready for this?¡± Alexander asked as he helped me from the car, his hand steady at my elbow. We stood before the crematorium, a tasteful stone building that seemed too peaceful for the violence of what would happen inside. ¡°I¡¯ll never be ready,¡± I whispered. ¡°But he deserves a proper goodbye.¡± Alexander gave a small nod, and together, we stepped inside. I stood motionless as mes consumed my baby¡¯s body. I couldn¡¯t cry anymore. The tears had run dry days ago, leaving nothing but a hollow ache where my heart used to be. ¡°It¡¯s almost over, sweetheart,¡± Alexander murmured, his voice rough with his own grief. I nodded, unable to speak. Felix¡¯s body¨Cso small in death¨Cdisappeared into the mes. How could someone so vibrant, so full of life and mischief, be reduced to ashes? Later, when the technician handed me the simple silver urn containing my son¡¯s remains, I clutched it to my chest like I once held him as a newborn. How fitting that he should return to me this way¨Ccradled against my heart where he belonged. ¡°He¡¯s really gone,¡± I murmured, staring down at the container that now held all that remained of my beautiful boy. Alexander¡¯s arm wrapped around my shoulders. ¡°Notpletely,¡± he said softly. ¡°Not as long as we remember him.¡± The journey to the ckwood pack felt endless. I cradled the urn on myp the entire way, unable to let it go even when we stopped to rest. The pack house loomed ahead of us as we finally arrived ¨C massive, imposing, and filled with strangers who had never met my son. It was so different from the Silver Creek pack, where he had been treated as less than nothing. ¡°They all know,¡± Alexander said, seeming to read my thoughts. ¡°They¡¯re here to support you, not to intrude.¡± Despite his reassurance, I hesitated at the entrance. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can face them all.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything you don¡¯t want to,¡± he promised. ¡°Everyone understands.¡± The funeral ceremony took ce in a beautiful clearing within the pack territory¡¯s forest. The pack members stood in respectful silence, forming a circle around an area decorated with blue wildflowers- Felix¡¯s favorite color. I clutched the urn tighter as Alexander guided me to the center of the circle. Ethan approached, his normally cheerful face solemn as he handed Alexander a small wooden box. ¡°The ceremonial earth from our ancestral grounds,¡± he exined softly to me. ¡°For when a wolf returns to the Mother Moon.¡± I swallowed hard. Felix had never gotten the chance to shift, never experienced the joy of running with his wolf. Yet here, among strangers, he was being honored as one of their own. Alexander cleared his throat, addressing the gathered pack. ¡°Today we honor Felix, a brave young warrior taken from us far too soon. Though not born to our pack, he became family¨Cmy family.¡± His voice broke slightly on thosest words. I looked up at Alexander, seeing the genuine grief in his eyes. In just those few precious weeks, he had trulye to love Felix as his own. ¡°Felix had the heart of an Alpha,¡± Alexander continued. ¡°Courageous, kind, and stronger than anyone should have to be.¡± He turned to me. ¡°Summer, would you like to say anything?¡± The silence hung heavy as I stepped forward. The urn felt impossibly heavy now. ¡°My son,¡± I began, my voice barely audible before gaining strength, ¡°lived more life in his short years than many do in decades. He endured pain that would break grown wolves, yet never lost his capacity for joy or love.¡± Tears streamed freely down my face now. ¡°He should be here. nning mischief, asking too many questions, demanding another bedtime story.¡± A sob caught in my throat. ¡°He should be here.¡± Alexander¡¯s warm hand found mine, steadying me. ¡°But Felix isn¡¯t gonepletely,¡± I continued, gathering my strength. ¡°He lives in our memories, in our hearts. And I swear by the Moon Goddess, his death will not be in vain.¡± With trembling hands, I knelt and opened the urn. Alexander knelt beside me with the box of ceremonial earth. Together, webined my son¡¯s ashes with the sacred soil, while the pack members began a low, mournful howl that built until it seemed to shake the very trees around us. After the ceremony, we scattered some of Felix¡¯s ashes among the wildflowers in the clearing, keeping the rest in the urn that would find a permanent ce in my new home. The reception afterward was a quiet affair. Pack members came to offer condolences, many leaving small tokens ¨C carved wolves, children¡¯s drawings, smooth river stones ¨C on a memorial table. I received their kindness like a woman underwater, everything muffled and distant. ¡°You should rest,¡± Alexander murmured after thest guests had gone. ¡°You¡¯re exhausted.¡± I shook my head. ¡°There¡¯s something I need to do first.¡± His eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Summer?¡± ¡°Take me to the holding cells,¡± I said, my voice steady for the first time in days. ¡°I need to see them.¡± Alexander hesitated. ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s wise? You¡¯ve been through enough today.¡± ¡°I need to look in their eyes,¡± I insisted. ¡°I need to see the people who took my son from me.¡± After a long moment, he nodded. ¡°They¡¯re in separate cells. Ethan¡¯s been interrogating them, but neither has broken yet.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t expect them to confess,¡± I said coldly. ¡°I just need to see them.¡± He studied my face for a long moment before nodding. ¡°Follow me.¡® The ckwood Pack¡¯s holding cells were nothing like I expected. Rather than dank, underground chambers, they were secure rooms in a separate building ¨C sparse but clean, with basic amenities. ¡°We¡¯re not barbarians,¡± Alexander said, noticing my surprise. ¡°Even prisoners deserve humane treatment.¡± ¡°Some don¡¯t,¡± I replied coldly. He didn¡¯t argue as he led me down a hallway to a heavy door with a small observation window.¡°She¡¯s in here. I¡¯ll be right outside.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going in alone.¡± Alexander stepped in front of the door, blocking my path. His jaw was tight. ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea.¡± I met his gaze, steady and unblinking. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking what you think.¡± He didn¡¯t move. But his voice lowered. ¡°You¡¯re not ready.¡± I tilted my head slightly. ¡°I¡¯m exactly ready.¡± A long pause stretched between us. Then, finally, he stepped aside. ¡°Five minutes,¡± he said. ¡°And I¡¯ll be watching.¡± The lock clicked. The door creaked open. I walked in without hesitation¨Cand the moment I saw her, the rage I¡¯d kept buried surged like fire under my skin. Suzanna sat in the corner of the cell, her wrists bruised, her lip split, and her once¨Csleek hair now a tangled mess. She looked up at me slowly, eyes swollen from crying¨Cor maybe from whatever she¡¯d been through since her arrest. For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then I stepped forward, my voice low but razor¨Csharp. ¡°Who gave you the drug?¡± She blinked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The one you used to knock out the guards in Felix¡¯s hospital room.¡± I took another step closer. ¡°Where did ite from?¡± Suzanna¡¯s mouth opened, then closed. She looked away. ¡°You¡¯re not smart enough toe up with that on your own,¡± I continued. ¡°So who helped you?¡± Secure 103 Chapter 103 Summer¡¯s POV Suzanna didn¡¯t answer. She sat still on the narrow cot, wrists resting limply in herp, her eyes fixed on a crack in the floor like she could fall through it if she stared hard enough. Her silence didn¡¯t surprise me. She was a coward. Cowards always hoped silence would be mistaken for strength. I stepped forward and crouched in front of her, lowering my voice until it was barely above a whisper. ¡°You¡¯d better say the truth now, Suzanna.¡® She blinked, but didn¡¯t lift her head. ¡°Because I¡¯m the calmest I¡¯m going to be. And you should know better than anyone¨CI have time. And I have ways.¡± Still nothing. But I saw it¨Cthe tiniest twitch in her fingers. A flicker of breath caught in her throat. I leaned in just a little closer. ¡°How do you think Moore would handle it?¡± I murmured. ¡°Having his body slowly pulled apart. No anesthetic. Just pain. Maybe we start with a kidney. Then a lung. Maybe I let him scream for a while before we move on to the next thing.¡± Her head jerked up. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°I would,¡± I said tly. ¡°And if you keep lying to me, I will.¡± Her lips parted in disbelief. Or fear. I didn¡¯t care which. A beat passed. Then another. Finally, her voice cracked through the silence. She closed her eyes briefly, as if gathering courage.¡±I¡­ I contacted someone I knew from the Western Alliance,¡± she admitted, her voice barely audible. ¡°I lived there for a while beforeing to Silver Creek. I have some connections.¡± The Western Alliance was three territories over¨Cfar enough to provide anonymity but close enough for discreet meetings. ¡°And?¡± I prompted when she fell silent again. ¡°I asked if they could get me something quiet, something harmless. A short¨Cacting sedative.¡± She swallowed hard. ¡°A few dayster, a woman brought it to me personally.¡± ¡°You knew her?¡± Suzanna shook her head. ¡°No. She said she was sent by iny contact. She dressed normally, didn¡¯t say much. She handed over the medication, told me it came from ¡®internal channels,¡® and instructed me to use it ording to directions. She warned me not to ask questions.¡± I narrowed my eyes. ¡°And you just trusted her?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Suzanna¡¯s voice took on a defensive edge. ¡°I checked with my people in the Western Alliance. The woman was legitimate.¡± ¡°What about this contact¡¯s information? A name? A number?¡± ¡°It was in the phone you stole from me,¡± she snapped, a sh of her old venom returning. My breath caught. The phone. Damn it¨CI¡¯d forgotten all about it. I took a slow step closer, my voice dropping to a lethal whisper. ¡°You better pray you¡¯re telling the truth. Because if I find out you¡¯re lying-¡± I leaned in, eyes locked on hers. ¡°-you and Moore won¡¯t just die. You¡¯ll wish you had sooner.¡± Alexander was waiting at the top of the stairs when I emerged from the holding cells, his powerful frame tense with concern. The moment he saw my face, he stepped forward, strong arms enveloping me. ¡°She admitted contacting someone from the Western Alliance,¡± I said against his chest. ¡°A woman delivered the drugs, but Suzanna ims not to know her identity.¡± His hand stroked soothingly down my spine. ¡°It¡¯s something. My contacts there might be able to trace it.¡± I pulled back enough to look up at him, my fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. ¡°I want her to suffer everything she put Felix through. Everything she put me through.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes¨Cthose eyes that could be so gentle with me¨Chardened like cial ice. ¡°What exactly did you have in mind?¡± ¡°The organs they took from Felix and me¨CI want them removed from her and Moore. Without anesthesia. I want them to feel every second of the pain they caused.¡± My voice was steady, resolute. ¡°And then I want them expelled from pack territories. Let them try to survive as rogues with their stolen parts ripped away.¡± Anyone else might have been horrified by my viciousness. But Alexander simply nodded, his expression grave but understanding. ¡°If that¡¯s what you need for closure, Summer,¡± he said quietly, ¡°then that¡¯s what we¡¯ll do.¡± The beast inside me¨Cthe part that had awakened when I¡¯d found Felix dying¨Csettled slightly at his words. Alexander understood vengeance. Understood that sometimes mercy was a luxury victims couldn¡¯t afford. ¡°First, let¡¯s see what we can find on that phone,¡± he continued, guiding me toward the private wing of the pack house. ¡°You didn¡¯t throw it out, did you?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± I replied. ¡°But I think the battery¡¯s dead.¡± In Alexander¡¯s office, I plugged in Suzanna¡¯s phone to charge. The sleek device seemed innocent enough, but I knew better¨Cit contained the arrangements for my son¡¯s murder. ¡°It¡¯ll take a few minutes,¡± Alexander said,ing to stand behind me. His strong hands massaged my tense shoulders. ¡°How are you holding up?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I admitted. ¡°I¡¯m running on rage and grief.¡± His lips brushed the top of my head. ¡°That¡¯s enough for now. We¡¯ll get through this together.¡± When the phone finally powered on, I immediately went to the message app. Most conversations were mundane¨Cbeauty appointments, shopping lists, flirtatious exchanges with other man,not Alpha Foster. Then I found it¨Ca thread with no contact name, just a number. ¡°Here,¡± I said, pointing to the screen. Alexander leaned closer, his breath warm against my neck as we scrolled through the messages: *S: Need help with a problem. Discreet.* *Unknown: What kind?* *S: Medical. Something quick, untraceable.* *Unknown: For?* *S: A small nuisance. Nothing permanent. Just need it out of the way.* *Unknown: 5k. Western border. Friday.* *S: Agreed.* Then, weekster: *S: I need something else. Arousal¨Cbased.* *Unknown: Not avable.* *S: Anything simr?* *Unknown: No. We¡¯re done.* *S: I can pay more.* *Unknown: Doesn¡¯t change my answer.* I stared at the screen, lips pressed into a tight line, then typed a message of my own. *S: Who are you really?* I hit send. An error bubble popped up immediately. ¡°Message failed to deliver.¡± I frowned, tried again¨Canother failure, this time with a red exmation mark. Blocked. ¡°They cut her off,¡± I muttered. Alexander leaned over, eyes narrowing as he took in the screen. He tapped a few keys, tried to reroute the message through the system, but the result was the same. ¡°No transmission,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s not just offline¨Cshe¡¯s been cklisted.¡± I looked at him. ¡°You mean-¡± ¡°It¡¯s a virtual number,¡± he confirmed grimly. ¡°Anonymous routing, likely temporary. Whoever it was didn¡¯t just stop responding. They erased the line. This was deliberate.¡± I stared at the screen again, a chill crawling up my spine. Suzanna hadn¡¯t just been ghosted. She¡¯d been eliminated¨Cfrom the chain of contact, from the operation, from the moment she served her purpose. Someone had nned this from the beginning. And they didn¡¯t leave loose ends. Secure 104 Chapter 104 Alexander¡¯s POV One monthter. The darkened bedroom was silent save for Summer¡¯s shallow breathing beside me. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting silver shadows across her sleeping form. As ckwood Pack Alpha, I rarely needed more than four hours of sleep, but tonight I found myself wide awake, watching over my mate as she finally sumbed to exhaustion. She hadn¡¯t slept peacefully in weeks. The events of the past weeks had taken their toll on us both. Orion paced restlessly within me, still furious about what had happened to Felix, to Summer. The investigation into the Western Alliance contact had turned up frustratingly little so far. Beta Ethan had been working tirelessly with our intelligence teams, but whoever orchestrated this had covered their tracks well. Summer whimpered softly in her sleep, her fingers clutching at the sheets. My heart clenched as I reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. ¡°No¡­ please¡­¡± Summer¡¯s voice was barely a whisper, but my enhanced hearing caught every syble.¡± Felix¡­¡± I propped myself up on one elbow, debating whether to wake her. Sometimes, the dreams needed to run their course. Other times, they spiraled into something worse. Her body tensed suddenly, back arching as if in pain. ¡°Don¡¯t take him¡­ please¡­¡± That was enough. I couldn¡¯t bear to watch her suffer, even in sleep. ¡°Summer,¡± I called softly, my hand gently squeezing her shoulder. ¡°Sweetheart, wake up. You¡¯re dreaming. She thrashed once, violently. ¡°Summer,¡± I said more firmly, letting a touch of my Alpha voice surface¨Cnot tomand, but to anchor her to reality. ¡°You¡¯re safe. Come back to me.¡± Her eyes flew open in the darkness. For a moment, she stared through me, still trapped in the nightmare. Then recognition flickered across her face, and her hand shot out to grasp my arm with surprising strength. ¡°Alexander¡­¡± Her voice broke on my name. I pulled her against me immediately, one hand cradling the back of her head as she buried her face against my chest. Her entire body trembled, and I could smell the salt of unshed tears mingling. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± I murmured into her hair, Orion rumbling soothingly as I stroked her back. ¡°Just breathe.¡± Summer pulled back slightly, just enough to look up into my eyes. In the moonlight, I could see the tracks of tears on her cheeks, the raw vulnerability in her gaze that she showed only to me. ¡°When does it stop hurting, Alexander?¡± she asked, her voice small but steady. ¡°When will I stop seeing his face every time I close my eyes?¡± The question broke my heart. I cupped her face between my hands, thumbs gently wiping away her tears. ¡°It doesn¡¯t stop hurting,¡± I told her honestly, because I would never lie to her, not even to ease her pain.¡± But eventually, you learn to carry it differently. The sharp edges wear down. The memories of his smile will someday bringfort instead of agony.¡± Her breath hitched, and I felt the momentary surge of her grief through¨Ca bottomless well of sorrow that threatened to drown us both. Orion whined, desperate to take this burden from her. ¡°I keep thinking about what we found on Suzanna¡¯s phone,¡± she said after a few moments, her breathing slowly steadying. ¡°Someone used her. Someone nned this whole thing.¡± I nodded, brushing my lips across her forehead. ¡°Beta Ethan has teams working on tracing those messages. The Council has granted us ess to theirmunicationswork. If there¡¯s a trail, we¡¯ll find it.¡± ¡°And if we don¡¯t?¡± Her eyes held mine, challenging, searching for the truth. ¡°What if whoever did this is powerful enough to hide from even the Council?¡± The question hung between us in the darkness. Orion stirred, territorial and fiercely protective. As Alpha of one of the strongest packs in North America, there were few who could hide from me for long¨Cbut Summer¡¯s concern wasn¡¯t unfounded. Whoever had orchestrated this had resources, connections, and a disturbing level of ess to information about us both. ¡°Then we get creative,¡± I promised, my voice dropping to a dangerous timbre that made her shiver for entirely different reasons. ¡°Because no matter who they are or where they hide, they made one fatal mistake.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked, her handing to rest over my heart. ¡°They hurt what belongs to me,¡± I answered simply, letting my Alpha power rise just enough that she could feel it¨Cthe absolute certainty of my protection. ¡°My mate. Her child. My pack would tear apart continents to avenge that.¡± Her lips curved into a ghost of a smile, the first I¡¯d seen in days, and the sight of it made Orionrumble with approval. ¡°Our pack,¡± she corrected softly. Pride swelled in my chest at her words. Despite everything¨Cthe trauma, the grief, the betrayal she¡¯d suffered¨CSummer was embracing her role as my Luna. The broken woman Foster had discarded was growing stronger every day. ¡°Our pack,¡± I agreed, brushing my lips against hers in a gentle kiss. I poured my devotion into that touch. She was quiet for a moment, her fingers tracing idle patterns on my chest. When she spoke again, there was a new resolve in her voice. ¡°I want to create something in his name,¡± she said. ¡°A foundation for pups like Felix¨Cones who have been hurt by those meant to protect them.¡± I shifted so I could better see her face, surprised but moved by the determination I found there. ¡°Felix Foundation,¡± she continued, gaining confidence with each word. ¡°We could help young wolves who need transnts, or who¡¯ve been abused by their families. Give them a safe ce. Alexander, I may not be able to bring my son back, but I can make sure other mothers don¡¯t lose theirs.¡± My throat tightened with emotion. This was why she was my perfect mate¨Cher capacity for turning her own pain into purpose was extraordinary. ¡°I think it¡¯s brilliant,¡± I told her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°We have the resources, the connections. The pack would rally behind this cause.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not just a grieving mother,¡± Summer said, her voice steadier than it had been in weeks. ¡°I¡¯m your Luna now, and I have responsibilities to this pack. To all its members, especially the most vulnerable.¡± I pulled her closer, overwhelmed with pride. ¡°You¡¯re extraordinary, you know that? Most would be consumed by their grief, but you¡¯re already thinking of how to channel it into something meaningful.¡± ¡°I learned from the best,¡± she whispered, her handing up to trace the line of my jaw. ¡°You showed me what true leadership looks like¨Cnot just power, butpassion.¡± Her lips found mine in the darkness, no longer seekingfort but offering connection. The kiss was gentle at first, then deepened with a slow¨Cburning intensity that made Orionstir with possessive satisfaction. When she finally pulled away, she rested her forehead against mine. ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured. ¡°For not letting me drown in this.¡± ¡°Never,¡± I promised, ¡°Now try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we start nning the Felix Foundation.¡± She nestled against my chest, her breathing gradually slowing as she drifted back to sleep. Secure 105 Author¡¯s POV Natalia paced her penthouse apartment, her slender fingers clutching her cell phone so tightly her knuckles had turned white. The evening lights of the city sparkled beyond her floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, but she noticed none of it. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of Alexander¨Cand that woman who had taken him from her. ¡°This isn¡¯t how it was supposed to go,¡± she muttered to herself, taking another sip of her third ss of whiskey. The satisfaction she¡¯d expected to feel after orchestrating Felix¡¯s ¡°ident¡± had quickly evaporated. She had been certain that Summer wouldpletely fall apart after losing her precious little Alpha son. As terrible as it sounded, even to her own ears, the boy¡¯s death should have been her opportunity.Summer should have crumbled¨Cbroken beyond repair. What Alpha wouldn¡¯t eventually tire of a mate drowning in endless grief? What man would want to spend his life consoling a woman who had lost everything? That bitch should¡¯ve died with her son. Alexander would have neededfort. Support. Understanding. Things Natalia was more than ready to provide. But instead of the expected emotional copse, Summer had somehow pulled herself together. Not only was she functioning, but she was now establishing some kind of foundation in her dead son¡¯s name. The formal invitation to the charity g sat on Natalia¡¯s ss coffee table, mocking her with its elegant script and embossed lettering. ¡°The Felix Winster Foundation,¡± she read aloud, her voice dripping with contempt. ¡°Dedicated to supporting families affected by pack violence and ensuring justice for victims.¡± Her wolf,Nyra growled inside her, bristling with jealousy and resentment. Summer should have been destroyed by now, not creating legacies and hosting gs. And Alexander¨Cher Alexander¨Cshouldn¡¯t still be by that woman¡¯s side, supporting her every move like some devoted puppy. Natalia drained her ss, enjoying the burn of alcohol down her throat. Her mind raced through possibilities beforending on an idea that made her lips curl into a slow, calcted smile. If Summer wanted to make this public, to invite the entire werewolfmunity to celebrate her son¡¯s memory, then perhaps she should face all aspects of her past. Including the man who had once owned her body and soul. Natalia reached for herptop, quickly pulling up the contact information she needed. As a well- connected she¨Cwolf who had bedded half the Alphas on the eastern seaboard, herwork was extensive and valuable. Finding Alpha Foster ¡®s private number took less than five minutes. Her finger hovered over the call button, Nyra practically salivating at the chaos this would cause. Summer thought she was safe in Alexander¡¯s territory, ying the grieving mother turned social activist. But Natalia knew better. Some wounds never healed¨Cand Alpha Foster was Summer¡¯s deepest wound. ¡°Let¡¯s see howposed you stay when your past walks through those doors, sweetheart,¡± she whispered, pressing call. Alpha Foster answered on the second ring, his voice as cold and authoritative as she remembered from their brief encounter at a Council meeting years before. ¡°This is Alpha Foster.¡± ¡°Alpha,¡± Natalia purred, her voice dropping to its most seductive register. ¡°This is Natalia Thompson.I have some information I believe you¡¯ll find quite¡­ interesting. Regarding your former Luna and your son.¡± There was a pause on the line, followed by the sound of a door closing. ¡°Go on,¡± hemanded, interest evident in his tone. ¡°Your former mate is hosting a g for a foundation in your son¡¯s name,¡°Natalia said, examining my perfect manicure. ¡°The Felix Winster Foundation. The most powerful Alphas and Council members will be there, discussing pack violence prevention measures. Yet somehow¡­ the boy¡¯s father wasn¡¯t invited.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s growl vibrated through the phone. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Alexander ckwood¡¯s territory. The Grand Ballroom at the The Crescent Hall Hotel, three weeks from now. All the event details can be forwarded to you.¡± I paused strategically. ¡°I can ensure Alexander is¡­ distracted¡­ during the event. Give you time to reim what¡¯s yours.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± After ending the call, I immediately dialed another number¨Ca contact who specialized in obtaining hard- to¨Cfind substances within wolf circles. ¡°Nathan? It¡¯s Natalia. I need something special for an uing event. Something that would make an Alpha¡­ particrly receptive to an old me. Yes, that kind exactly.¡± I smiled at my reflection in the window. ¡°Price is no object.¡± Natalia poured myself another drink, raising it in a mock toast to the city lights. After ending the call, Natalia poured herself another drink, raising it in a mock toast to the city lights. U ¡°To reunions,¡± she murmured, satisfaction coursing through her veins like a drug. ¡°May they be as explosive as possible.¡± Nyra rumbled with anticipation. Summer had taken Alexander from her¨Chad somehow managed to hold onto him even through the death of her child. Now Natalia would return the favor by bringing the monster from Summer¡¯s past right back into her carefully constructed new life. The following morning, Natalia hand¨Cdelivered the sealed invitation to a private courier service, adding a personal note that read simply: ¡°A father should honor his son¡¯s memory. Don¡¯t let them erase you from his story.¡± She included the full details of the event¨Clocation, time, security arrangements¨Ceverything Foster would need to make his entrance as disruptive as possible. As she watched the courier drive away, Natalia felt Nyra settle contentedly within her. Alexander had once told her that she was ¡°too unstable for anything serious¡± between them. That he needed someone grounded¡± and ¡°mature.¡± Well, let¡¯s see how grounded your precious mate remains when her worst nightmare walks into your ballroom, Alexander. The foundation g was still three weeks away. Plenty of time for Foster to n his appearance for maximum impact. Plenty of time for Natalia to secure her own invitation through other channels¨Cshe wouldn¡¯t miss this show for anything. 19 Her phone buzzed with a message from one of her regr hookups, some Beta from a neighboring pack wanting to meet tonight. Natalia declined without hesitation. She needed to keep her schedule clear. After all, she had a wardrobe to n. If she was going to witness Summer¡¯s world crumbling around her, she wanted to look absolutely breathtaking for when Alexander finally realized his mistake. Natalia smiled at her reflection in the window, already imagining herself consoling Alexander after Summer¡¯s inevitable breakdown. She would be patient. Understanding. Everything Summer couldn¡¯t be once Alpha Foster stepped back into her life. Nyra purred in anticipation. Let the games begin. Secure 106 Chapter 106 Summer¡¯s POV I curled against Alexander¡¯s warm body in the early morning light, tracing the strong lines of his chest with my fingertips. He captured my hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, little wolf?¡± he asked, his voice still husky from sleep. ¡°The g¡¯s only two weeks away,¡± I sighed. ¡°I still need to finalize my speech, and I don¡¯t even have a dress yet.¡± Alexander chuckled, pulling me closer. ¡°You could wear a potato sack and still outshine everyone in the room.¡± ¡°Easy for you to say,¡± I teased. ¡°Men just throw on a tux and call it a day.¡± His expression grew serious as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. ¡°This foundation means everything to you. To us. It¡¯s more than just a charity¨Cit¡¯s Felix¡¯s legacy.¡± I nodded, emotion tightening my throat. ¡°I want it to be perfect. For him.¡± ¡°It will be,¡± Alexander assured me, cing a gentle kiss on my forehead. ¡°And I¡¯ll be right beside every step of the way.¡± you These quiet moments with Alexander had be my sanctuary¨Ca ce where the pain of losing Felix didn¡¯t disappear, but somehow became bearable. ¡°Lyra called,¡± Alexander mentioned as he reluctantly got out of bed to prepare for his morning meeting with the pack elders. ¡°She¡¯s insisting on taking you shopping today.¡± I groaned. ¡°Your sister is pregnant. She should be resting.¡± Alexander¡¯sugh echoed through the bedroom. ¡°Good luck telling her that. My sister has terrorized Alphas twice her size¨Cyou think a little thing like pregnancy is going to slow her down?¡± ¡°Fair point,¡± I conceded, admiring the y of muscles across his back as he dressed. ¡°Still, I¡¯ll keep an eye on her.¡± Before leaving, Alexander returned to my side of the bed, cupping my face in hisrge hands. ¡°I love you, Summer Winster. More than you¡¯ll ever know.¡± The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. After everything we¡¯d been through, his devotion still amazed me. ¡°I love you too,¡± I whispered back. After he departed with a final kiss, I prepared for my shopping date with my very pregnant sister¨Cinw. ¡°Are you absolutely sure you should be out shopping right now?¡± I asked Lyra for the third time as we stepped through the gleaming doors of New York¡¯s most exclusive shopping district. ¡°You look like you could pop any minute.¡± Lyra rolled her eyes, cradling her heavily pregnant belly with one hand while linking her other arm through mine. ¡°For thest time, Summer, I¡¯m fine. The doctor said I have at least two more weeks, and I refuse to miss helping you pick out the perfect dress for Felix¡¯s foundation g.¡± Her eyes softened at the mention of Felix¡¯s name, and I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. Alexander¡¯s sister had been my rock through everything ¨C from the moment I arrived at ckwood territory, through Felix¡¯s surgeries, to nning this charity event. Beneath her fierce exterior beat a heart of pure gold. ¡°Besides,¡± she added with a mischievous smile, ¡°if I go intobor in Dior or Chanel, imagine the story we¡¯ll have to tell this little one.¡± She patted her stomach affectionately. We made our way through the exclusive boutique section, where sales associates immediately recognized us as the ckwood Alpha¡¯s mate and sister. Doors opened, champagne was offered ( sparkling water for Lyra), and collections not yet avable to the public were presented for our perusal. ¡°This one,¡± Lyra dered, pulling a silver gown from the rack. ¡°This is absolutely stunning.¡± The dress was breathtaking ¨C a floor¨Clength silver slip dress with a delicate mother¨Cof¨Cpearl ovey that caught the light with every movement. It was elegant without being shy, memorable without being ostentatious. ¡°Try it on,¡± Lyra insisted, practically shoving me toward the fitting room. Inside the spacious changing area, I slipped out of my clothes and carefully stepped into the gown. The material whispered against my skin as it fell into ce. When I emerged, Lyra¡¯s gasp told me everything I needed to know. ¡°Holy shit,¡± she breathed, momentarily forgetting her usualdylike persona. ¡°Summer, you look¡­ Alexander is going to lose his fucking mind.¡± I turned toward the three¨Cway mirror and barely recognized myself. The dress hugged my curves in all the right ces, the silver fabric illuminating my skin with an ethereal glow. It was sophisticated yet sensual ¨C perfect for hosting the foundation¡¯s inaugural event. ¡°This is it,¡± I said softly, smoothing my hands over the fabric, ¡°I think Felix would have loved seeing me in this.¡± A lump formed in my throat as I imagined my son¡¯s bright smile, how he would have told me I looked like a princess. I swallowed hard, reminding myself that this g was about honoring him, about creating something meaningful from our shared pain. ¡°I¡¯ll take it,¡± I told the hovering sales associate, who nodded and discreetly began preparing the purchase. ¡°Wait,¡± a sharp female voice interrupted. ¡°I¡¯ll pay double for that dress.¡± I turned. There she was. Natalia Thompson. Impably dressed, lips painted blood¨Cred, and eyes gleaming with the kind of satisfaction only a woman who thought she owned the world could wear. I blinked once. Then turned back to the associate.¡°You heard me. I¡¯ll take it.¡± The saleswoman hesitated, caught between the two of us like a rabbit between wolves. Natalia stepped forward, her heels clicking against the marble like gunshots. ¡°Are you deaf?¡± she said, voice sweet as venom. ¡°I said I¡¯ll pay double. I don¡¯t think she can afford it anyway.¡± I didn¡¯t even look at her.Instead, I reached into my handbag and pulled out Alexander¡¯s ck titanium Centurion card,I handed it to the associate without a word. But before the card could reach her hand, it vanished. Snatched. In one swift, entitled motion, Natalia had stepped in and plucked it from between us like a magpie iming something shiny. She held it up between two fingers, her red nails gleaming under the boutique lights. ¡°You have his CARD?!¡± she sneered. Her voice was sharp and incredulous, like the idea physically offended her. ¡°Of course I do,¡± I replied calmly, though Luna was bristling beneath my skin. ¡°I¡¯m his mate. His wife.¡± ¡°Give it back,¡± I said, extending my hand toward Natalia. ¡°Now.¡± Natalia¡¯s painted lips curved into a cruel smile. ¡°You know, it¡¯s almost cute how you y house with him. Alexander doesn¡¯t domitment. Never has. I should know.¡± She leaned in closer, her expensive perfume choking the air between us. ¡°When he gets bored of ying daddy to your broken little family, he¡¯lle back to me. He always does.¡± ¡°You¡¯re mistaken,¡± I said, my voice deadly quiet. ¡°What Alexander had with you was fucking. What he has with me is a life.¡± Her perfectly made¨Cup face contorted with rage. ¡°You pathetic little bitch! You think because you trapped him with your sob story about your damaged son that he actually wants you?¡± I saw her hand rise, palm open, ready to strike. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t do that if I were you.¡± The deep,manding voice froze Natalia mid¨Cmotion. Alexander stood at the entrance of the boutique section, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe, his expression thunderous. Secure 107 Natalia stood frozen, her hand still suspended in mid¨Cair as Alexander¡¯s presence filled the boutique. His eyes were cold steel, locked on her like a predator assessing prey. ¡°My card,¡± he said, his voice deceptively calm. She dropped the card onto the counter as if it had burned her, forcing a brittleugh. ¡°Alex, darling, I was just having a little fun with your¡­ guest.¡± ¡°Apologize to my mate. Now.¡± Themand in his voice was unmistakable ¨C pure Alpha authority that made even me shiver slightly. Natalia¡¯s face paled beneath her perfect makeup. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry,¡± she muttered, the words dripping with insincerity. I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze directly. ¡°Your apology is as genuine as your highlights, but I¡¯ll ept it anyway.¡± Alexander¡¯s lips twitched slightly at myment before his expression hardened again. He moved to stand beside me, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist. ¡°We¡¯re done here,¡± I said to the saleswoman, who looked eager to escape the tension. ¡°I¡¯ll take the dress.¡± As we left the boutique with my purchase, I could feel Natalia¡¯s hateful stare burning into my back. I refused to give her the satisfaction of looking back. ¡°Don¡¯t let her get to you,¡± Lyra whispered, waddling slightly beside me with her pregnant belly. ¡°That woman has been desperate for Alexander for years.¡± I squeezed her hand. ¡°She can stay desperate.¡± The day of the Felix Winster Foundation g arrived with a flutter of nervous anticipation in my stomach. Lyra had insisted on doing my makeup despite my protests that she should rest. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant, not dying,¡± she huffed, carefully applying highlighter to my cheekbones. ¡°But, there¡¯s no way I¡¯m attending that circus.I¡¯m pretty sure Felix would cut me some ck.Too many people, too many judgmental eyes on my belly.¡± ¡°You know Alexander would make sure-¡± ¡°Summer,¡± she cut me off gently, ¡°I love you, but I¡¯m seven months pregnant. The only g I¡¯m interested in is the one where I sit on my couch eating ice cream while watching trashy TV.¡± Iughed, conceding defeat. ¡°Fair enough.¡± Lyra stepped back, brush still in hand, and gave me a satisfied nod.¡°There. You look like vengeance in silk.¡± I raised an eyebrow at her in the mirror. She smirked. ¡°The ssy kind.¡± I smiled, just a little. Then turned my attention back to the reflection in front of me. I smoothed my hands over the delicate silver chiffon of my gown, watching as the mother¨Cof¨Cpearl embellishments caught the light from my vanity mirror. Tonight was important¨Cmore than just a charity g, it was my first formal appearance since Felix¡¯s death. My first chance to show the world that while I was broken, I refused to be destroyed. My hands trembled slightly as I fastened the teardrop diamond earrings Alexander had gifted me. These past months had been the darkest of my life, punctuated by moments of unbearable grief that threatened to consume me whole. But somehow, with Alexander¡¯s steady presence and my own desperate determination to honor Felix¡¯s memory, I¡¯d found a way to keep breathing. A gentle knock at the bedroom door pulled me from my thoughts. ¡°Summer? Are you ready, sweetheart?¡± Alexander¡¯s deep voice called. ¡°Just a moment,¡± I replied, taking one final look at my reflection. The woman staring back hardly resembled the broken she¨Cwolf who had lost her son. My long dark hair was swept into an elegant updo, my makeup tastefully applied to enhance rather than hide. The silver gown hugged my curves before cascading to the floor in ethereal waves, the slit along one side revealing just enough leg to be alluring without being inappropriate. I smoothed a hand over the small silver wolf pendant resting against my corbone¨Ca miniature replica of Felix¡¯s wolf form that Alexander hadmissioned for me. My mate bond to Alexander pulsed warmly in response to my thoughts of him, aforting presence that had be my anchor. With a deep breath, I opened the door. Alexander stood in the hallway, magnificent in his ck tuxedo. His powerful Alpha frame filled the doorway, but it was the expression in his eyes that made my breath catch. The moment he saw me, those piercing blue eyes softened with such profound tenderness that my wolf, Luna, whined with pleasure inside me. ¡°Goddess above,¡± he whispered, his gaze traveling slowly from my face down to my silver heels and back again. ¡°You are absolutely breathtaking.¡± Secure 108 Chapter 108 Despite everything we¡¯d been through together, the raw admiration in his eyes made heat rise to my cheeks. ¡°You clean up pretty nicely yourself, Alpha,¡± I replied, attempting lightness despite the weight of the evening ahead. Alexander extended his arm, and I ced my hand in the crook of his elbow. The familiar scent of him- pine forests after rain with notes of sandalwood¨Ccalmed my jittery nerves. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re ready for this?¡± he asked quietly as we descended the grand staircase of the pack house. ¡°No one would me you if you needed more time.¡± I shook my head, determination hardening within me. ¡°Felix deserves this foundation. All those children who suffer from pack violence deserve this. I won¡¯t hide away when I could be making a difference.¡± Alexander pressed a kiss to my temple. ¡°That¡¯s my fierce mate. Always thinking of others.¡± ¡°Not always,¡± I admitted. ¡°Sometimes I¡¯m just thinking about how devastatingly handsome my mate looks in formal wear.¡± Heughed, the sound wrapping around me like a warm nket. ¡°Is that so?¡± His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer as we reached the bottom of the stairs. ¡°Then perhaps we should skip the g altogether. I have some very interesting ideas about what to do with this gorgeous dress¡­ and what¡¯s underneath it.¡± ¡°Alexander!¡± I yfully swatted his arm, though Luna purred at the suggestion. ¡°There are at least two hundred people waiting for us.¡± ¡°They can wait a little longer,¡± he murmured against my ear, sending delicious shivers down my spine. ¡°Behave,¡± I warned, though I couldn¡¯t help smiling. ¡°This is serious.¡± His expression sobered, though his eyes still held that special warmth reserved only for me. ¡°I know, love. And I¡¯m so proud of what you¡¯ve aplished with this foundation. Felix would be too.¡± The mention of my son brought the familiar ache to my chest, but tonight it was tempered with purpose. Let¡¯s go make him proud, then.¡± The drive to The Crescent Hall Hotel passed infortable silence, Alexander¡¯s hand resting on mine, his thumb asionally brushing over my knuckles in a soothing rhythm. When we arrived, shbulbs greeted us¨Cthe werewolfmunity¡¯s most prominent journalists documenting the arrival of Alpha Alexander and his mate. ¡°Ready?¡± he asked, before the valet opened my door. I nodded, summoning all my strength. ¡°Ready.¡± The Grand Ballroom of The Crescent Hall Hotel had been transformed into a winter wondend, with crystal decorations catching and refracting light in homage to Felix¡¯s winter birth. Ice sculptures adorned the center of each table, and delicate snowke projections danced across the ceiling. The Felix Winster Foundation logo¨Ca small wolf paw inside a protective circle¨Cwas elegantly disyed throughout the venue. As we entered, conversations hushed momentarily before resuming with increased intensity. I felt the weight of hundreds of eyes upon us¨Csome sympathetic, others merely curious to see how the grieving mother was holding up. ¡°Alpha Alexander and Luna Summer,¡± the announcer called, and heads turned our way. Alexander¡¯s hand pressed reassuringly against the small of my back as we made our way through the crowd. Pack leaders, Council members, and influential werewolves from across the country nodded respectfully as we passed. ¡°You¡¯re doing wonderfully,¡± Alexander whispered. ¡°Just breathe.¡± At the appropriate time, I found myself ascending the steps to the podium, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged animal desperate for freedom. Alexander squeezed my hand once before I stood alone before the sea of faces. The room fell silent. ¡°Thank you all foring tonight,¡± I began, my voice steadier than I¡¯d expected. ¡°The Felix Winster Foundation was established with one purpose: to ensure that no child suffers in silence within our packs. 11 I paused, gathering strength. ¡°My son Felix was taken from me because our system failed him. Because I failed him.¡± My voice cracked slightly, but I pushed forward. ¡°He wasbeled defective, damaged, unworthy¨Cbecause he didn¡¯t fit the perfect Alpha standard. Tonight, we begin changing that narrative for all children who don¡¯t fit neatly into our pack hierarchies.¡± As I continued outlining the foundation¡¯s mission¨Cproviding medical care, legal advocacy, and safe houses for children suffering from abuse within packs¨CI became aware of a disturbance at the entrance. And then I saw him. Alpha Foster. Secure 109 Summer¡¯s POV Alpha Foster¡¯s presence sent ice through my veins, but I refused to let him ruin this night¨CFelix¡¯s night. I continued my speech with practicedposure, though fury burned like wildfire beneath my skin. How dare he show his face here, at an event honoring the son he had abandoned and destroyed? I refused to let him ruin this too¨Cthis one chance to give Felix¡¯s short life meaning. I straightened my spine and continued my speech as if I hadn¡¯t seen him at all. ¡°Together, we can build a world where children like Felix are protected, where their differences are celebrated rather than condemned.¡± From theer of my eye, I could see Alexander tensing, his body coiled like a spring as he tracked Foster¡¯s movement through the crowd. Beta Ethan moved silently to nk his Alpha, ready for whatever mighte. 7 ask you to give generously tonight,¡± I concluded, my eyes briefly meeting Foster¡¯s across the room. ¡°Not for me, not for yourselves, but for the children who deserve better than what our world has offered them. Thank you.¡± Apuse erupted as I stepped down from the podium, Alexander immediately at my side, his arm protectively around my waist. ¡°What is he doing here?¡± I whispered through clenched teeth, maintaining my smile for the benefit of watching eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Alexander growled softly, ¡°but he won¡¯t be staying long.¡± The orchestra began ying, signaling the start of the evening¡¯s dancing portion. Alexander extended his hand to me, his eyes softening despite the tension radiating from his powerful frame. this dance, my love?¡± nd in his, grateful for his steady presence. ¡°Always.¡± to the center of the ballroom, one hand resting possessively on my lower back as he guided me into a graceful waltz. For a moment, I allowed myself to get lost in his eyes, in thefort of his embrace. ¡°Don¡¯t let him steal this moment from you,¡± Alexander murmured against my ear as we began to move in perfect synchronicity. ¡°This night is for Felix.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I whispered back, my gaze locked with his. ¡°It¡¯s just-¡± I stopped short as I caught sight of something over Alexander¡¯s shoulder that made my blood run cold. Foster was on the dance floor now, and his partner was none other than Natalia Thompson, her red dress clinging to her curves like a second skin as she pressed herself against him. ¡°What the hell?¡± I muttered, momentarily stumbling. Alexander steadied me with practiced ease. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°alpha Foster and Natalia,¡± I said, disbelief coloring my tone. ¡°They¡¯re dancing together.¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened as he spun us smoothly, allowing himself a glimpse of the unlikely pair. ¡± Interesting choice of ally,¡± hemented, his voice deceptively casual. ¡°Why would they be together? She was throwing herself at you just days ago.¡± ¡°Focus on me, sweetheart,¡± Alexander said, drawing my attention back to him with a gentle squeeze of my hand. ¡°They¡¯re not worth your energy tonight.¡± I looked up into his beautiful blue eyes, momentarily losing myself in their depths. ¡°You¡¯re right. Nothing matters tonight except honoring Felix.¡± His thumb traced a gentle pattern on my lower back, sending pleasant shivers up my spine. ¡°That, and perhaps showing your mate how utterly irresistible you look in this dress.¡± Despite everything, heat bloomed in my core at his words. ¡°That¡¯s hardly appropriate Alpha behavior,¡± I teased, though my voice was breathy. ¡°I¡¯ve never imed to be appropriate where you¡¯re concerned,¡± he replied, his thumb tracing small, maddening circles against the exposed skin of my back. ¡°Have I mentioned how absolutely stunning you look tonight?¡± ¡°Only about a dozen times,¡± I smiled, allowing myself to be distracted by his intoxicating presence. ¡°Not nearly enough then.¡± He dipped his head, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispered, ¡°Every man in this room envies me right now. And every wolf in me wants to take you somewhere private to show you exactly how much I adore you.¡± Secure 110 Chapter 110 ¡°Alexander,¡± I breathed, feeling my cheeks flush. ¡°We have at least three more hours of this g to get through.¡± ¡°Three hours of torture,¡± he groaned dramatically, making meugh despite the weight of the evening. As the dance ended, Alexander reluctantly released me. ¡°Duty calls,¡± he said with a small sigh.¡°The Bet Pack Alpha has been trying to corner me all evening about that territory dispute.¡± ¡°Go,¡± I said, squeezing his hand. ¡°I need to thank the donors anyway.¡± The next hour passed in a blur of handshakes, grateful smiles, and careful small talk. I moved from group to group, thanking benefactors and answering questions about the foundation¡¯s initiatives. The donations were exceeding our expectations, each generous contribution another step toward protecting vulnerable children. Eventually, the constant socializing began to take its toll. I slipped away to a small alcove near the terrace doors, grateful for a moment alone to catch my breath. The cool night air felt wonderful against my flushed skin. ¡°You¡¯ve done remarkably well tonight.¡± The voice behind me sent chills down my spine. I turned slowly to find Alpha Foster standing there, his expression somber in a way I¡¯d rarely seen during our marriage. ¡°You need to leave,¡± I said, my voice low but firm. ¡°You have no right to be here.¡± ¡°I donated fifty thousand dors to your foundation,¡± he replied calmly. ¡°I have every right to attend.¡± The audacity of it made meugh without humor. ¡°Money doesn¡¯t erase what you did.¡± ¡°Summer,¡± he began, taking a step closer, ¡°I know I can never make amends for-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I cut him off sharply. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare stand there and pretend to feel remorse now.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not pretense,¡± he insisted, a hint of his old Alpha authority creeping into his tone. ¡°I¡¯ve had time to reflect, to understand the gravity of my mistakes.¡± Something inside me snapped. Before I could think better of it, my hand flew through the air, connecting with his cheek in a resounding p that silenced nearby conversations. ¡°Mistakes?¡± I hissed, trembling with fury. ¡°You call what happened to Felix a mistake? He¡¯s dead because of you!¡± Foster¡¯s eyes widened, genuine shock registering on his face. ¡°Dead? No, that¡¯s not possible.¡± ¡°impossible?¡°Iughed bitterly. ¡°If you hadn¡¯t tried to kidnap us at Disney World, if we hadn¡¯t been forced to run from you, Felix would still be alive! He had one month, Foster. One month of happiness before he died¨Cthe only time in his life he felt free and loved without conditions. And you stole even that from him! Alpha Foster stood frozen, the color draining from his face. ¡°I never wanted¨CI didn¡¯t think-¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± I said, each word sharp enough to draw blood. ¡°You didn¡¯t think about anyone but yourself. Not me, not your son. And now it¡¯s toote.¡± Something feral and broken shed in Foster¡¯s eyes. He dropped to his knees, an anguished howl tearing from his throat that made several guards rush toward the balcony. Without another word, he staggered to his feet and fled, pushing past the security personnel and disappearing into the night. I stood there, trembling with rage and grief, feeling both vindicated and hollow. After several deep breaths, Iposed myself enough to return to the g. I searched the room for Alexander but couldn¡¯t spot his towering frame anywhere. Beta Ethan approached, his expression concerned. ¡°Luna, are you alright? We saw Alpha Foster-¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I assured him, though my voice sounded strange even to my own ears. ¡°Where¡¯s Alexander?¡± ¡°He was speaking with Council Member Darius a moment ago,¡± Ethan replied, scanning the room. ¡± Perhaps they stepped out for a private word?¡± A strange unease settled in my stomach. I checked the side rooms, the lobby, even had Ethan check the men¡¯s restroom. No sign of Alexander anywhere. Where was Alexander? 2/2 Secure 111 Alexander¡¯s POV I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Foster and Natalia were plotting something. Their unexpected alliance. bothered me more than I cared to admit. Throughout the evening, I¡¯d stationed pack members strategically around the ballroom to monitor their movements, but so far, nothing suspicious had urred beyond their presence together. ¡°Any updates?¡± I murmured to Beta Ethan as he passed by with a drink. ¡°Nothing concerning, Alpha. They¡¯ve been socializing, dancing, but nothing that suggests immediate trouble.¡± I nodded, eyes still tracking Foster across the room. ¡°Keep watching. I don¡¯t trust either of them, especially together.¡± After sending Ethan back to his surveince post, I returned my attention to Summer. God, she was breathtaking tonight¨Cher dress clinging perfectly to every curve, her eyes bright with determination despite the emotional weight of the evening. More importantly, she carried herself with a quiet dignity thatmanded respect from everyone in attendance, even those who had once dismissed her. The dance we shared was everything¨Cfeeling her in my arms, the warmth of her body against mine. I wanted nothing more than to whisk her away from this event, to have her all to myself. ¡°I want everyone to see that you¡¯re mine,¡± I¡¯d told her during our dance, meaning every word. The possessive feeling I had around her sometimes surprised even me. We had just finished our dance, her breath warm against my cheek. Then Ethan¡¯s voice hit me through the mindlink¨Csharp and unwee. *Alpha, The Bet Pack Alpha has been trying to corner me all evening about that territory dispute.* I suppressed a growl of frustration. The Bet Pack had been pushing boundaries along our northern territories for months¨Ca situation that required diplomatic handling before it escted further. *Where is he?* I responded. *East conference room. He¡¯s requesting a private word.* *Tell him I¡¯ll be there shortly.* ¡°I need to step away for a few minutes,¡± I told Summer reluctantly. ¡°Bet¡¯s trying to force my hand on the territory issue.¡± Chapter Ill She nodded understandingly. ¡°Go. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let Alpha Foster near you,¡± I warned, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before releasing her. ¡°I won¡¯t be long.¡± The territory negotiation with Alpha Bet took longer than expected. The man was stubborn, demanding concessions I wasn¡¯t prepared to make. After nearly forty minutes of circr discussion, we finally reached a tentative agreement that would require further formal meetings. As I left the conference room, eager to return to Summer¡¯s side, a familiar feminine voice called out. ¡°Alexander, there you are.¡± Natalia Thompson stood in the hallway, two champagne flutes in her perfectly manicured hands. Her red dress clung to her body like a second skin¨Ca pathetic attempt at seduction that might have worked on me years ago, before Summer. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking everywhere for you,¡± she purred, extending one of the sses toward me. ¡°I thought we might toast to old times.¡± My lip curled in disgust. ¡°Get the fuck away from me, Natalia.¡± Her smile faltered. ¡°Come now, Alexander. One drink between¡­ old acquaintances? I know things ended¡­ abruptly between us, but surely we can be civil.¡± ¡°We were never anything,¡± I stated coldly, my eyes hard as steel. ¡°You were a convenient distraction, nothing more. Now get out of my sight before I have security remove you.¡± Rage shed in her eyes before she masked it with another forced smile. ¡°Your ¡®mate¡® seems rather upied with her ex at the moment. I saw them heading to the balcony together.¡± Orion snarled at the mention of Foster near Summer, but I kept my expression neutral. ¡°Then I should join them.¡± I brushed past her.I heard ss shatter against the floor behind me¨Clikely one of the champagne flutes. I couldn¡¯t care less. As I made my way through the grand ballroom, searching for Summer, I was intercepted by Council Member Darius and his entourage. ¡°Alpha Alexander,¡± he greeted warmly, though his eyes remained calcting as ever. ¡°Quite an impressive event your mate has organized. The Council is pleased by your pack¡¯s humanitarian efforts. Years of diplomatic training forced me to stop and acknowledge him despite my urgency to find Summer. ¡°Thank you. The credit belongs entirely to Summer. If you¡¯ll excuse me-¡± Chapter II Fuck. This conversation couldn¡¯t be avoided without political consequences. As Darius droned on, a server approached with fresh champagne. I absently took a ss, my attention divided between appearing engaged and scanning the room for Summer or Foster. Secure 112 I sipped the champagne, noting it tasted oddly bitter¨Cperhaps a different vintage than what had been served earlier. As Darius continued speaking, a strange warmth began spreading through my body. Within minutes, my vision blurred at the edges, and an unnatural heat coursed through my veins. Orion growled in rm, recognizing before my human mind did that something was very wrong. My wolf thrashed against my consciousness, trying to purge whatever was in our system. ¡°Excuse me,¡± I interrupted Darius mid¨Csentence, ¡°I need some air.¡± I stepped away, my legs surprisingly unsteady beneath me. The room began to spin, and I caught myself against a pir. My body temperature was rising rapidly, and a familiar tightness formed in my groin. Fuck¨CI¡¯d been drugged. This wasn¡¯t alcohol; this was something designed to trigger a rut. A young Omega server approached, concern etched on her face.¡°Alpha ckwood, are you unwell? May I assist you to a quiet room?¡± ¡°I need¡­ a private room,¡± I managed to say, fighting to maintain control. ¡°Immediately.¡± ¡°Of course, sir. This way.¡± She led me down a hallway to a small sitting room and helped me inside. The moment the door closed behind us, I sank into a chair, drawing deep breaths tobat the drug¡¯s effects. I needed to contact Ethan, to find Summer. I reached for our mindlink, but my concentration scattered like smoke in the wind. ¡°I¡¯ll fetch your mate,¡± the server said, but before she could leave, the door opened and closed again. ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice purred. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of Alpha ckwood.¡± The server hesitated briefly before nodding and departing. As soon as the door closed, Natalia¡¯s demeanor changedpletely. ¡°Finally,¡± she said, approaching me with predatory intent. ¡°Do you know how long I¡¯ve been nning this?¡± ¡°What did you give me?¡± I growled, forcing myself to sit upright despite the room spinning. ¡°Just a little something to help you rx,¡± she smiled, running her fingers along my jawline. I jerked away from her touch. ¡°It¡¯s specially formted for Alphas¨Cbreaks down your resistance, heightens sensitivity. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll enjoy every minute once you stop fighting it.¡± With an effort that sent pain shooting through my skull, I drove my ws into my own thigh, using the sharp agony to clear my mind. ¡°Get out. Now.¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes widened at the blood seeping through my pants, but her shock quickly turned to anger. Don¡¯t be stupid, Alexander. It¡¯s already in your system. You might as well enjoy it.¡± She reached for my belt, and I grabbed her wrist with enough force to make her wince. ¡°Touch me again and I¡¯ll break every bone in your hand.¡± ¡°You ungrateful bastard!¡± she hissed, yanking her arm free. ¡°I could have given you everything! Instead, you chose that broken, barren wolf who couldn¡¯t even protect her own son!¡± Rage gave me momentary rity. I stood, towering over her despite the room spinning around me. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare speak about Summer or Felix!¡± ¡°What¡¯s so special about her?¡± Natalia shrieked, frustration breaking through herposure. ¡°She¡¯s damaged goods! She couldn¡¯t even keep her first mate satisfied!¡± ¡°You know nothing about her!¡°I growled. ¡°I know she¡¯s made you weak,¡± Natalia hissed, pushing me back onto the chaise and straddling myp. I tried to push her off, but my strength was fading fast. With every ounce of will I possessed, I forced my body to respond, shoving her hard enough that she stumbled backward. ¡°Don¡¯t ever speak of my mate again.¡± Rage darkened her features. ¡°Have it your way. Once I¡¯m done with you, I¡¯ll make sure she finds us together. Let¡¯s see how much she loves you then.¡± She lunged toward me again, but before she could reach me, the door crashed open with a thunderous bang. Summer stood in the doorway, her eyes zing with a fury I¡¯d never seen before, the splintered wood around the lock evidence of the force she¡¯d used to enter. ¡°Get away from my mate, you fucking bitch.¡± Secure 113 Summer¡¯s POV I was desperately searching the crowd for any sign of Alexander when a petite Omega server with dark hair stepped into my path, her gaze flickering with nervous urgency. ¡°Luna Summer?¡± she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°I need to speak with you. It¡¯s about Alpha Alexander.¡± My heart skipped a beat. ¡°What about him? Is he okay?¡± ¡°Not here,¡± she murmured, nodding toward a quieter corner. ¡°Please.¡± I followed her to a small alcove away from prying eyes and ears. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°I know where your mate is,¡± she said, wringing her hands. ¡°But I need something in return.¡± A flicker of anger sparked in my chest. Using Alexander as a bargaining chip? That was a dangerous game. But I kept my expressionposed, my voice level. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°My son, Tommy,¡± she said, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°He has a rare blood disorder. The treatments are so expensive, and I can¡¯t¡­ I work two jobs but it¡¯s not enough.¡± She took a shaky breath. ¡°I heard about your foundation, the one for your boy. I was hoping-¡± ¡°The Felix Foundation will help your son,¡± I interrupted, urgency recing any hesitation. ¡°Now please, tell me about Alexander.¡± Relief washed over her face. ¡°Thank you, Luna. I¡­ I saw him being led away by another server. A she- wolf. He looked¡­ strange. Unsteady. Not drunk, but something wasn¡¯t right.¡± Ice filled my veins. ¡°When? Where did they go?¡± ¡°About fifteen minutes ago. I wouldn¡¯t normally follow, but I know those looks some Omegas get when they think they can seduce an Alpha. The other wolves think I¡¯m invisible because I¡¯m just a server, so I followed them. They went to the private guest rooms in the east wing. Room 312.¡± ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± She nodded firmly. ¡°I saw the blonde dismiss the other server and lock herself in with him. That¡¯s when I came to find you.¡± Blonde. Natalia. Rage surged through me, hot and primal. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said, already pulling out my phone. ¡°Come to the foundation offices tomorrow. Bring your son¡¯s medical records. We¡¯ll take care of everything.¡± ¡°Thank you, Luna,¡± she whispered, eyes shining with gratitude. I was already dialing Ethan as I strode toward the east wing. ¡°Luna?¡± he answered immediately. ¡°Alexander¡¯s in trouble. Room 312, east wing. Bring backup.¡± I didn¡¯t wait for his response before ending the call. My heels clicked rapidly against the marble floors as I raced through the corridors, my heart pounding in my ears. If Natalia had done something to hurt Alexander¡­ The east wing was eerily quietpared to the bustling g. Room 312 loomed at the end of the hallway, and as I approached, I heard voices. ¡°What¡¯s so special about her?¡± Natalia¡¯s voice was shrill with anger. ¡°She¡¯s damaged goods! She couldn¡¯t even keep her first mate satisfied!¡± Without hesitation, I kicked the door open with strength I didn¡¯t know I possessed. The solid wood splintered around the lock as it crashed against the wall. The scene before me made my blood boil. Alexander was standing, but clearly struggling to remain upright. His pupils were dted, sweat beading on his forehead, and the scent of blood ¨C his blood ¨C filled the air. Natalia was pressed against him, her hands all over my mate¡¯s body. ¡°Get away from my mate, you fucking bitch.¡± Each word was a deadly promise as I advanced into the room. Natalia spun around, her expression shifting from shock to a smug smile. ¡°Look who finally showed up. Your Alpha needed a real woman, honey. He¡¯s been drugged into a rut, and we both know you can¡¯t satisfy him like I can.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes locked with mine, filled with both relief and something primal. ¡°Summer,¡± he growled, his voice rough with strain. ¡°He¡¯s mine,¡± I snarled. ¡°Touch him again and I¡¯ll rip your throat out.¡± Before Natalia could respond,Ethan burst into the room with two warriors. ¡°Take her,¡± he ordered, and they grabbed Natalia by the arms. ¡°You can¡¯t do this! Let go of me!¡± she shrieked as they dragged her toward the door. ¡°Lock her somewhere secure,¡± Imanded. ¡°I want to know exactly what she gave him.¡± Once they¡¯d removed the screaming woman, I rushed to Alexander¡¯s side. His skin burned under my touch, and his breathing wasbored. ¡°Alexander? What did she give you?¡± ¡°Rut drug,¡± he managed through gritted teeth. ¡°Strong. Fighting it.¡± I could see the puncture wounds on his thigh¨Csmall, brutal crescents where he¡¯d dug his ws in, desperate to stay lucid. They were still bleeding. My heart clenched. Goddess, he must have been in agony. Yet even through the haze of the drug, he had fought for control. For me. I was torn between heartbreak and fierce pride. ¡°You stubborn, stupid Alpha,¡± I whispered, brushing the sweaty hair from his forehead. ¡°You held on.¡± His eyes fluttered open, barely focused, but they found me. Anchored to me. ¡°I¡¯m here now,¡± I murmured, cupping his face with both hands. ¡°I¡¯m here¨Cand you¡¯re safe.¡± His hands gripped my waist, pulling me against him with barely controlled strength. ¡°Summer,¡± he groaned, burying his face in my neck and inhaling deeply. ¡°You need to leave, Summer. I can¡¯t¡­ control this much longer.¡± I felt his hardness pressing against me, understanding now what Natalia had nned. She¡¯d drugged him, hoping to force him into a state where he¡¯d take any avable female. The thought made bile rise in my throat. Instead of retreating, I moved closer, cupping his face in my hands. His skin burned against my palms. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand,¡± he growled, turning his face away. ¡°This isn¡¯t natural. The drug¡­ it makes everything more intense, more aggressive.¡± I turned his face back to mine. ¡°I¡¯m your mate, Alexander. Do you think I can¡¯t handle you? After everything I¡¯ve survived?¡± His pupils dted further as his nostrils red, taking in my scent. I knew what he needed, and I wasn¡¯t afraid. I locked the broken door as best I could, then returned to him, sliding onto hisp. His hands immediately gripped my hips with bruising force. ¡°Summer,¡± he warned, voice guttural. ¡°If we start this, I won¡¯t be gentle. I can¡¯t be.¡± I leaned forward, my lips brushing his ear. ¡°Then don¡¯t be gentle. Show me who I belong to.¡± Secure 114 Summer¡¯s POV In answer, I kissed him, deep and iming. He responded instantly, a growl rumbling from his chest as he lifted me and carried me to the couch against the wall. There was no time for gentleness the drug coursing through his system demanded immediate release. ¡°Mine,¡± he growled, pushing my gown up my thighs with trembling hands. ¡°Say it.¡± ¨C I gasped as cool air hit my exposed skin, but the chill was immediately reced by the scorching heat of his hands. My body responded instantly to his touch, desire pooling between my thighs. ¡°Yours,¡± I breathed, surrendering to the primal need that consumed us both. With a savage sound, he tore the delicate fabric away.His fingers finding me already wet for him. ¡°So fucking ready for me,¡± he growled, satisfaction rumbling in his chest. I fumbled with his belt, desperate to free him, but he was too impatient. He batted my hands away, ripped his pants open, and lifted me with one powerful arm. Without warning, he thrust into me, filling mepletely in one brutal stroke. I cried out, the pleasure¨Cpain sending shockwaves through my body. This wasn¡¯t our usual lovemaking- this was raw, animal iming. ¡°Tell me if I hurt you,¡± he managed to say through clenched teeth, hisst thread of control. I locked my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. ¡°I¡¯m not breakable, Alpha.¡± Something dangerous shed in his eyes at my challenge. He pulled out almostpletely before mming back in with enough force to make the wall behind me creak. ¡°That¡¯s it, daddy,¡± I moaned, knowing the endearment drove him wild. ¡°Take what¡¯s yours.¡± He set a punishing rhythm, each thrust harder than thest. I wed at his back, my head thrown back in ecstasy as he buried his face in my neck, teeth grazing my neck. ¡°No one else touches you,¡± he snarled between thrusts. ¡°No one.¡± ¡°Only you,¡± I gasped, feeling my release building. ¡°Always you.¡± His movements became erratic, more desperate. I knew he was close. He shifted his angle, hitting that perfect spot inside me that made me see stars. ¡°Come for me, little wolf,¡± hemanded, his voice dark with dominance. ¡°Let me feel that tight cunt squeeze my cock.¡± His crude words pushed me over the edge. I shattered around him, screaming his name as waves of pleasure crashed through me. My release triggered his. Alexander found his own climax, his body shuddering against mine as he emptied himself inside me. We stayed joined, panting against each other as the initial frenzy ebbed. But I could feel he wasn¡¯t satisfied¨Cthe drug still pumped through his system. ¡°Bed,¡± he growled, carrying me with him still buried inside me. The movement of his dick sent aftershocks of pleasure through my core. Heid me on the small guest bed, his eyes still wild with need. ¡°It¡¯s not enough. The drug¡­ I need more.¡± I reached up to stroke his face, seeing the conflict in his eyes¨Cthe desire warring with his fear of hurting
  1. me.
¡°Then take more,¡± I whispered. ¡°I can take everything you have to give.¡± His dick still hard had barely receded when he flipped me onto my stomach, hauling my hips up. ¡°Hands and knees,¡± he ordered. Iplied eagerly, arching my back to present myself to him. He growled in approval, hisrge hands spreading me open. ¡°Such a perfect fucking view,¡± he said, his voice hoarse with need. ¡°My mate, so wet with my cum, ready for more.¡± I whimpered as he thrust back in, somehow harder than before. This position allowed him deeper ess, and I buried my face in the pillow to muffle my screams of pleasure. He gripped my hair, pulling my head back. ¡°Let me hear you, Summer. Let everyone know who¡¯s making you feel this good.¡± His words freed something wild in me too. I moaned shamelessly with each thrust, begging him for more, harder, deeper. We lost ourselves in each other for hours, the drug in his system driving him to take me again and again in ways we¡¯d never explored before. By the time dawn broke, both of us were exhausted, our bodies marked with bites, scratches, and bruises that would heal too soon. As wey tangled together, his fever finally breaking, I traced the scratches I¡¯d left on his chest. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I asked, my voice raspy from screaming. He captured my hand, bringing it to his lips. ¡°I should be asking you that. I was¡­ rough.¡± I smiled, nestling closer to his warmth. ¡°I¡¯m more than okay. Though I might need help walking back to our room.¡± A shadow crossed his face. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. She drugged me-¡± I pressed my fingers to his lips. ¡°Don¡¯t apologize for something that wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± I paused, a wicked smile forming. ¡°Besides, I rather enjoyed dominant Alexander.¡± He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. ¡°Did you now?¡± ¡°Mmm,¡± I confirmed, pressing a kiss to his jaw. ¡°Though perhaps next time without the poison?¡± His arms tightened around me protectively. ¡°Natalia will pay for this. The Council-¡± ¡°Will deal with her ordingly,¡± I finished. ¡°But right now, I just want to enjoy this moment with you.¡± He kissed the top of my head. ¡°You¡¯re incredible, you know that? Any other woman would have been terrified.¡± I raised my head to look into his eyes. ¡°I was Alpha Foster¡¯s Luna for years. It takes more than a drug- induced rut to scare me.¡± I traced his lips with my finger. ¡°Besides, I trust youpletely.¡± The weight of those words hung between us. Trust¨Csomething I¡¯d thought I¡¯d never give freely again after Alpha Foster¡¯s betrayal. ¡°I love you, Summer,¡± Alexander whispered, his eyes full of wonder. ¡°Every day, you amaze me more.¡± ¡°I want you to mark me, Alexander. ¡°His breath caught. ¡°Not just because I love you,¡± I continued, ¡°but because if something like this ever happens again¡­ I want to feel it. I want to know. I want us connectedpletely. ¡°Heughed, rolling me under him one more time. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ this had its benefits.¡± For a moment, he just stared at me¨Clike he couldn¡¯t quite believe what he¡¯d heard. Then his hands came up to cradle my face, gently, reverently, as if I were something sacred. ¡°Summer¡­¡± His voice was rough with emotion. ¡°You don¡¯t know what that means to me.¡± ¡°I do,¡± I whispered. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m asking.¡± His thumbs brushed along my cheekbones, his eyes searching mine with something raw and unguarded. Awe. Hunger. Love. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to mark you since the moment I realized you were mine,¡± he said, voice low. ¡°But I told myself I¡¯d wait¨Cuntil you were ready. Until it was your choice, not just instinct or timing.¡± He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine, breathing me in. ¡°And now you¡¯re asking me,¡± he whispered, wonder threading every word. ¡°Goddess, Summer¡­ I don¡¯t deserve you.¡± ¡°You do,¡± I said, lips curving into a soft smile. ¡°And I want this. All of it. You.¡± Then- [Mate!] +1 Secure 115 Summer¡¯s POV ¡°Mate!¡± The word echoed in my mind with startling rity, like a shout across a previously silent canyon. ¡°Cora?¡± I whispered internally, desperately seeking that connection with my wolf that had been severed for so long. ¡°Is that you?¡± Silence answered me, that momentary bridge between us vanishing as quickly as it had formed. ¡°Summer?¡± Alexander¡¯s concerned voice pulled me back to reality. His warm hands cupped my face, thumbs brushing tenderly across my cheekbones. ¡°What happened? You went somewhere just now.¡± I blinked, trying to process the experience. ¡°My wolf¡­ she spoke to me. She said ¡®mate.¡°¡± His eyes widened, briefly shing golden before returning to their natural hazel depths. ¡°She spoke? After all this time?¡± ¡°Yes, but ¡± I closed my eyes, desperate to recapture that fleeting connection. ¡°Cora? Cora, are you there?¡± Nothing but emptiness answered me. ¡°She¡¯s gone again. I don¡¯t understand.¡± Alexander pressed his forehead against mine, his breath warm against my face. ¡°This is progress, little wolf. Your bond with her is healing.¡± I nodded, though disappointment settled heavily in my chest. After such a momentous breakthrough, I¡¯d hoped for more. ¡°Let¡¯s continue,¡± I said, tilting my head to expose my neck. ¡°Please, mark me.¡¯ ¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes darkened with desire, but after a moment of obvious internal struggle, he shook his head. ¡°Not like this.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± I couldn¡¯t keep the hurt from my voice. His fingers traced the curve of my neck gently, sending shivers down my spine despite my frustration. ¡°A marking is sacred, Summer. It should happen when both you and your wolf are fully present. When Cora spoke to you just now¡­ it was a sign she¡¯s returning, but she¡¯s not fully healed yet.¡± ¡°But what if she never fully returns?¡± The fear that had been building inside me finally broke free. ¡°What if I¡¯m always¡­ broken?¡± ¡°You are not broken,¡± he said fiercely, his grip on me tightening protectively. ¡°You¡¯re healing. There¡¯s a difference.¡± I turned away, tears threatening to spill. ¡°Alpha Foster did this to me. He took my wolf¡¯s voice, my connection to her.¡± ¡°And we¡¯ll get it back,¡± Alexander promised, turning my face back to his. ¡°What just happened proves it. Cora is fighting to return to you. But rushing a marking could hurt you both. I won¡¯t risk that¨Cnot when we have all the time in the world.¡± I knew he was right, but the disappointment was crushing. Aftering so close to feeling whole again, the silence in my head seemed even more profound than before. Alexander pulled me against his chest, his heartbeat strong and steady under my ear. ¡°When we mark each other, I want it to be perfect. I want your wolf dancing with joy, not struggling to be heard.¡± I nodded against his skin, takingfort in his warmth. ¡°You¡¯re right. I just¡­ I want to be whole for you.¡± ¡°You are whole,¡± he whispered into my hair. ¡°Wolf voice or not. And I¡¯ll love every version of you until the end of time.¡± His words wrapped around me like a protective nket. He leaned down to press a gentle kiss against my lips, not demanding or passionate like earlier, but sweet and full of promise. ¡°Sleep now,¡± he murmured. ¡°We have a lot to handle tomorrow.¡± I nestled against him, letting his steady breathing lull me toward sleep. I awoke to the sensation of warm hands sliding over my hips and something hard pressing against my lower back. Alexander¡¯s scent enveloped me, spicy and aroused. When I turned my head to look at him, his eyes were already open, watching me with undisguised hunger. ¡°I can¡¯t get enough of you,¡± he growled low in my ear, his cock pressing insistently against me. ¡°Give it to me, baby.¡± Despite my morning drowsiness, my core clenched tight around him as I rolled my hips back into his hardness. We moved together in perfect rhythm, my body responding to his every touch until we both shattered, his release filling me as I cried out his name. By the time we finally emerged from our room, cleaned and dressed, the morning was well advanced. Alexander¡¯s phone buzzed repeatedly with messages from Beta Ethan. The incident with Natalia couldn¡¯t be ignored any longer. ¡°We need to question her,¡± Alexander said, his expression hardening as he read through the messages.¡± Security found no footage of her slipping anything into my drink, but the chemical analysis confirmed it was a specialized rut inducerced with wolfsbane.¡± I nodded. ¡°Someone helped her. The drugging was too perfect, too precisely timed.¡± We made our way down to the pack¡¯s holding cells beneath the main house. Alexander sensed my difort and took my hand, his thumb rubbing reassuring circles against my skin. ¡°You don¡¯t have toe down here.¡± ¡°I do,¡± I replied firmly. ¡°This affects both of us.¡± C Secure 116 hapter 116 Natalia was sitting calmly on a bench in her cell when we arrived, looking remarkablyposed for someone who¡¯d been caught drugging an Alpha. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail, and she wore the same elegant dress fromst night, though it was now somewhat wrinkled. When she saw Alexander, her expression remained neutral, but when her gaze shifted to me, something calcting shed in her eyes. ¡°Alpha,¡± she acknowledged Alexander with a slight nod, deliberately ignoring my presence. ¡°You know why you¡¯re here,¡± Alexander said, his voice dangerously controlled. ¡°Where did you get the drug, Natalia? And why use it on me?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t drug anyone,¡± she replied coolly, examining her manicured nails. Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You admitted itst night.¡± ¡°Did I?¡± Her smile was poison sweet. ¡°I don¡¯t recall. Perhaps I was confused. Or perhaps you were too¡­ affected¡­ to remember correctly.¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a game,¡± I snapped, stepping forward. ¡°You drugged my mate with a controlled substance that could have seriously harmed him.¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes flicked to me, then back to Alexander. ¡°I want mywyer. Otherwise, I¡¯ll be filing charges for uwful detention.¡± Alexander¡¯s hands clenched into fists at his sides, but his voice remained controlled. ¡°You¡¯re wee to have legal representation. But remember, Natalia, this isn¡¯t humanw. This is packw. And drugging an Alpha carries severe penalties.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she said with infuriating confidence. With nothing more to gain from this conversation, we left the holding area. As we reached the stairs, I remembered the Omega who had helped me find Alexanderst night. ¡°There was an Omega,¡± I said. ¡°She helped me locate you when you disappeared. She might have seen something.¡± Alexander nodded. ¡°Beta Ethan,¡± he called, and the man appeared almost instantly. ¡°Find the Omega who was assisting Luna Summerst night.¡± Twenty minutester, a thin, nervous¨Clooking woman was brought to us. She kept her eyes downcast, the posture of someone used to making herself invisible. ¡°You helped mest night,¡± I said gently. ¡°Do you remember?¡± She nodded slightly. ¡°Yes, Luna.¡± ¡°Did you see who was with Alpha Alexander? The one who helped him to the study?¡± She shook her head. ¡°I only saw from behind. An Omega in staff uniform, but¡­¡± ¡°But what?¡± Alexander prompted. ¡°I didn¡¯t recognize her. And I know all the staff.¡± Alexander and I exchanged nces. An infiltrator. ¡°Thank you,¡± I said. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Mira, Luna.¡± ¡°Mira, I promised youst night that the Felix Foundation would help with your pup¡¯s medical care. Lyra will take your information and arrange everything.¡± The woman¡¯s eyes widened, filling with tears. ¡°Thank you, Luna. Thank you.¡± As Lyra led Mira away, Alexander received a mind link that made his expression darken. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked. ¡°Natalia¡¯s father is here. With Council representatives.¡± We hurried to the main hall where Council representatives¨Ctwo stern¨Cfaced older wolves I recognized as Elders Morrow and Daniels¨Cwaited with Beta Ethan and the pack¡¯s head of security. Beside them stood a tall man with the same dark hair as Natalia, his face thunderous. ¡°Alpha Alexander,¡± Elder Morrow greeted, inclining her head respectfully. ¡°Luna Summer. We understand there was an incidentst night involving wolfsbane¨Cbased drugs.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± Alexander confirmed, his posture rigid with controlled anger. ¡°Natalia Thompson administered a rut¨Cinducing substance to me without my knowledge during the Felix Foundation charity g.¡± Elder Daniels¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°A serious usation. And you¡¯re certain it was her?¡± ¡°She admitted it to mest night,¡± Alexander stated firmly. ¡°Under what circumstances?¡± Elder Morrow asked. ¡°Were there witnesses to this confession? Recording devices?¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°No. It was a private conversation.¡± ¡°Convenient,¡± Natalia¡¯s father sneered. ¡°My daughter denies these usationspletely. Where is your Chapter 116. evidence?¡± ¡°We¡¯re analyzing the security footage,¡± Beta Ethan interjected, ¡°but so far, we haven¡¯t found visual confirmation.¡± The atmosphere grew tense as both sides stared each other down. ¡°Without concrete evidence or a confession witnessed by a third party, the Council cannot sanction any punishment,¡± Elder Morrow said finally. ¡°Alpha Thompson¡¯s daughter must be released immediately.¡± I could feel Alexander¡¯s fury radiating beside me, but he kept it controlled. ¡°Very well. But Natalia Thompson is no longer wee in ckwood Pack territory.¡± ¡°Noted,¡± Elder Daniels said dryly. Twenty minutester, we stood watching as Natalia was escorted from her cell. She walked past us with her head held high, but as she passed me, she leaned in unexpectedly. ¡°By the way,¡± she whispered, her voice so low only I could hear it, ¡°little Felix didn¡¯t die because his condition worsened. Someone helped him along.¡± Before I could react, she continued walking, joining her father and the Council representatives. I stood frozen, her words ringing in my ears like a death knell. What did she mean? How would she know about that? Secure 117 Alexander¡¯s POV I watched Summer¡¯s face drain of color as we stood in the hallway. The Council representatives had just left with Natalia, but whatever that witch had whispered to my mate had clearly devastated her. ¡°Summer?¡± I gripped her shoulders gently, trying to bring her focus back to me. Her eyes seemed distant, lost in a nightmare I couldn¡¯t see. ¡°Baby, talk to me. What did she say to you?¡± When she finally looked up at me, the raw pain in her eyes made my wolf snarl protectively. ¡°She said¡­¡± Summer¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°She said Felix didn¡¯t die from his illness. How could she know about him?¡± My blood ran cold. Felix was Summer¡¯s greatest wound, her deepest grief. For Natalia to weaponize that against her was beyond cruel. ¡°Come here,¡± I whispered, pulling Summer into my arms and guiding her away from the hallway where curious eyes might see her distress. I led her to my office and locked the door behind us. ¡°Alexander,¡± she said, her voice hollow as she sank into the leather couch. ¡°What if she knows something? What if Felix¡¯s death wasn¡¯t just his immune disorder?¡± I knelt before her, taking her hands in mine. ¡°Summer, listen to me. Natalia was cornered. She knew she was being exiled from our pack territory, and she wanted to hurt you in the most devastating way possible.¡± ¡°But how would she even know about Felix?¡± Summer¡¯s eyes were wide with confusion and pain. ¡°I¡¯ve never spoken of him publicly here.¡± That was a valid question. How did Natalia know about Felix? My instincts screamed that something wasn¡¯t right. ¡°She¡¯s trying to manipte you,¡± I said, pushing down my own suspicions for now. ¡°She knows Felix was your son, and she¡¯s using that knowledge to twist the knife. It¡¯s what people like her do when they¡¯re desperate.¡± Summer nodded slowly, but I could see she wasn¡¯t fully convinced. Neither was I. ¡°I need to know,¡± she whispered. ¡°I need to know if there was more to his death than what I was told.¡°¡± I stroked her cheek gently. ¡°We¡¯ll look into it, I promise. But first, you need to rest. This has been too much stress in too short a time.¡± After getting Summer settled in our quarters with Lyra watching over her, I sought out Beta Ethan. I found him in the security room, reviewing footage fromst night. ¡°Ethan,¡± I called, my voice low and urgent. ¡°I need you to investigate Natalia Thompson¡¯s movements over the past month. Who she¡¯s met with, where she¡¯s been, everything.¡± Ethan¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°Something specific I should be looking for?¡± ¡°Any connection to Silver Creek Pack. Specifically, to Alpha Foster or his mate Suzanna.¡± His expression darkened with understanding. ¡°This is about Felix, isn¡¯t it?¡± I nodded grimly. ¡°Natalia told Summer that her son didn¡¯t die from his illness. I need to know if that was just a cruel maniption or if there¡¯s something more sinister at y.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll put our best people on it,¡± Ethan promised. ¡°Discreetly.¡± ¡°And Ethan?¡± I added as he turned to go. ¡°Not a word of this to Summer until we know something concrete.¡± Three hourster, I was reviewing pack boundary reports when Ethan entered my office without knocking, his expression grim. ¡°You need to see this,¡± he said, cing a tablet on my desk. The screen showed surveince photos and an intelligence report from one of our operatives inside Silver Creek Pack territory. My jaw tightened as I scrolled through the images. ¡°This can¡¯t be right,¡± I muttered, though the evidence was right before my eyes. The first photo showed Natalia meeting with a known ck¨Cmarket dealer of specialized wolf medications. The second showed her back at Silver Creek territory, this time speaking with none other than Suzanna herself. ¡°There¡¯s more,¡± Ethan said quietly, swiping to a written statement. ¡°Our informant confirms Natalia visited Alpha Foster on the same day Summer took Felix to Disnend¨Cthe day before his death.¡± ¡°Son of a bitch,¡± I growled, my ws extending involuntarily as rage coursed through me. ¡°She was working with them,¡± Ethan concluded. ¡°But why?¡± I leaned back in my chair, connecting the dots in my mind. ¡°She¡¯s been obsessed with me for years. When I publicly imed Summer as my mate¡­¡± ¡°Natalia joined forces with your mate¡¯s enemies,¡± Ethan finished. ¡°Out of jealousy.¡± The realization made me sick. Felix had died because Natalia couldn¡¯t ept that I¡¯d chosen Summer. An innocent child, murdered over a woman¡¯s wounded pride. ¡°Alpha?¡± Ethan¡¯s voice pulled me from my dark thoughts. ¡°What do we tell Luna Summer?¡± The question hit me like a physical blow. How could I tell Summer that her son had died because of us? That our rtionship had triggered Natalia¡¯s jealousy and led to Felix¡¯s murder? The truth would destroy her. I thought of Summer upstairs, already devastated by just the suggestion that Felix¡¯s death wasn¡¯t natural. Learning the whole truth would shatter herpletely¨Cand possibly our bond along with it. She might never forgive herself¡­ or me. ¡°Nothing,¡± I said finally, my voice hard. ¡°She doesn¡¯t hear a word of this.¡± ¡°But sir-¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± I amended, running a hand through my hair. ¡°We need more evidence. And I need time to figure out how to handle this.¡± Ethan hesitated. ¡°What about Natalia?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t touch her yet. Not without revealing what we know to Summer. We don¡¯t have enough evidence. But who said I couldn¡¯t teach her a lesson privately? ¡°I I stared at the photos again, a n forming in my mind. ¡°We need to redirect this. Summer already suspects Foster and Suzanna were behind Felix¡¯s death. We¡¯ll strengthen that theory.¡± ¡°You want to frame them?¡± Ethan asked carefully, his face neutral. ¡°Is it really framing when they¡¯re already guilty?¡± I countered. ¡°Foster and Suzanna would have approved whatever Natalia did. They¡¯re just as responsible.¡± I stood up, decision made. ¡°Create a file. Use these surveince photos but remove Natalia. Emphasize Foster and Suzanna¡¯s involvement. Add information about medications that could have caused Felix¡¯s rapid organ failure.¡± Ethan looked ufortable but nodded. ¡°And what happens when Summer eventually learns the truth? That Natalia was involved? That we knew and didn¡¯t tell her?¡± The question hung heavy in the air between us. I had no good answer. ¡°By then, I hope she¡¯ll be strong enough to handle it,¡± I said, though my gut twisted with guilt. ¡°Right now, she¡¯s too fragile. Learning Natalia killed her son because of jealousy over me¡­ it would destroy her.¡± ¡°And if she finds out you kept this from her?¡± I closed my eyes briefly. ¡°Then I¡¯ll deal with those consequences when theye.¡± As Ethan left to carry out my orders, I returned to our quarters. Summer had fallen into an exhausted sleep. I watched her peaceful face, knowing I carried a terrible burden that could shatter that peace forever. ¡°I¡¯ll protect you,¡± I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. ¡°Even from the truth, if that¡¯s what it takes.¡± I hoped someday she would forgive me for this deception. But more than that, I hoped she would never need to. And then I picked up my phone and dialed a number I rarely used. ¡°It¡¯s Alexander,¡± I said when the line connected. ¡°I need a favor. It¡¯s about Natalia Thompson¡­¡± Secure 118 Summer¡¯s POV The file Alexander had shown me burned in my mind like acid. Photos. Medical reports. Timelines. All pointing to one horrific truth:Alpha Foster and Suzanna had deliberately caused Felix¡¯s death. My son hadn¡¯t died fromplications of his immune disorder. He¡¯d been murdered. I sat rigid in Alexander¡¯s SUV as we crossed into Silver Creek territory, my body vibrating with a rage so profound it felt like it might tear me apart from the inside. My hands clutched the man folder containing the evidence, my knuckles white from the pressure. ¡°Summer,¡± Alexander said quietly from the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this today. We can build a stronger case, take it directly to the Council-¡± ¡°No.¡± My voice was surprisingly steady despite the storm raging within me. ¡°I need to look him in the eyes when I tell him I know. I need to see his face.¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened, but he nodded. He¡¯d insisted oning with me, and though I¡¯d initially wanted to face Alpha Foster alone, I was now grateful for his presence. His strength anchored me when I felt I might shatter. Beta Sean met us at the pack house entrance, his eyes widening in surprise at our unannounced arrival. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± he said, the title slipping out automatically though I no longer held that position. ¡°Alpha Alexander. We weren¡¯t expecting-¡± ¡°Where is he?¡± I cut him off, walking past him without waiting for permission to enter. ¡°Alpha Foster is in his office, but he¡¯s in a meeting-¡± I was already halfway up the familiar staircase. Each step through this house that had once been my prison brought back shes of painful memories- Suzanna¡¯s smug smile as she took my ce, Felix¡¯s tiny body in the hospital bed, Alpha Foster¡¯s cold dismissal of my grief. I pushed open Alpha Foster¡¯s office door without knocking. He sat behind his desk, looking remarkably unchanged¨Cstill handsome in that cold, calcting way, still radiating the entitled confidence of an ¨C Alpha who¡¯d never been challenged. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of me, a pleased smile spreading across his face. ¡°Summer? You¡¯ve finallye back to me. Ready to return to my arms?¡± His gaze shifted to Alexander behind me, and his expression hardened. ¡°You have no right to enter my territory uninvited.¡± ¡°Yes,he has every right,¡± I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I threw the folder onto his desk.¡± When it concerns the murder of our son.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s face registered genuine shock, hisposure momentarily fracturing. ¡°I don¡¯t know what nonsense you¡¯ve been told, but Felix died fromplications of his condition. You know that.¡± ¡°No,¡± I said, stepping closer. ¡°Felix died because you and your precious Suzanna couldn¡¯t bear the thought of my son¨Cyour legitimate heir¨Cinheriting this pack instead of her child.¡± ¡°That¡¯s absurd. I would never kill my own-¡± Alpha Foster started to rise, but my words made him falter. ¡°Yes, you killed our son,¡± I whispered, my voice breaking. ¡°Your own flesh and blood.¡± I pped the evidence down in front of him, spreading photos and documents across his immacte desk. Alpha Foster flipped through the evidence, his expression darkening with each page. ¡°These are fabrications,¡± he said coldly. ¡°Someone has manipted these records.¡± ¡°Stop lying,¡± I said, my spine straightening with resolve. ¡°These documents will be delivered to the Council tomorrow morning. I¡¯m pressing charges against you and Suzanna for the murder of my child. They¡¯ll strip you of your Alpha status and everything you¡¯ve worked for.¡± For the first time, I saw a flicker of genuine fear in his eyes. Good. Let him know what terror feels like- the same terror I¡¯d lived with every night since losing Felix. ¡°Summer,¡± his tone changed, bing almost conciliatory, ¡°you¡¯re making a grave mistake. Think about what this will do to the pack¨Cto everyone who depends on us.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I nearlyughed at his audacity. ¡°Alpha Foster, I reject you as my mate and as my Alpha.¡± As I turned to leave, a tearing sensation rippled through my chest. I¡¯d expected agony, but what came instead was a dull, persistent ache, as if something fragile had finally broken inside me. Thest thread of our mate bond snapping atst. Alexander caught me around the waist, prepared to support me through the pain he thought would follow breaking a mate bond. His gentle strength in that moment made my heart flutter despite everything. I looked up and smiled at him, and saw relief wash over his face as he realized I was still standing. Behind me, Alpha Foster was not faring as well. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he clutched at his chest, waves of pain visibly rippling through his body. He bent forward, dropping to his knees before me. ¡°Summer¡­ can¡¯t¡­ breathe¡­¡± he gasped, his voice thin and broken. In that moment, something primal stirred deep within me. A force I thought long dormant suddenly surged through my veins like wildfire, awakening every nerve ending, filling every empty space inside me with renewed power. Aurora, my wolf, bounded joyfully within my consciousness, as if reuniting with a long¨Clost friend. She was back I was whole again! She gazed calmly at the kneeling Alpha Foster, and I knew this was the moment she¡¯d been waiting for. Alexander turned toward me, his eyes widening as he sensed the change in me. ¡°Summer? Are you okay?¡± Before I could answer, Aurora spoke through me: ¡°Mate.¡± I froze, staring at him in shock. ¡°Summer,¡± Alexander whispered, his voice husky with emotion, his eyes reflecting my own astonishment. ¡°Orion can feel your-¡± On instinct, I pressed my fingers to his lips, shaking my head. ¡°Not here.¡± I knew that if word of our true mate bond reached Silver Creek now, Alpha Foster would use his remaining power to destroy this precious gift the Moon Goddess had granted me. I wouldn¡¯t let that happen. My heart thundered in my chest as Alexander¡¯s gaze held mine. His breathing matched my own erratic rhythm. The scent of cedar and wild musk that clung to him overwhelmed my newly awakened senses, making my wolf howl within me: ¡°We¡¯ve found him¨Cour true mate!¡± C Secure 119 hapter 119 Summer¡¯s POV We drove away from Silver Creek territory in tense silence. My heart still raced from the confrontation with Foster, but even more from the shocking revtion that had urred. My wolf Aurora was back, and she had recognized Alexander as our true mate. I stole a nce at his profile as he drove, strong hands gripping the steering wheel, jaw set in concentration. How had I not realized it sooner? The pull I¡¯d felt toward him from our first meeting suddenly made perfect sense. ¡°Alexander, you-¡± Alexander¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°You¡¯re going to ask if I knew we were mates?¡± I nodded slowly. He exhaled, then turned the SUV onto a secluded turnout overlooking the valley. After cutting the engine, he turned to face me, his gaze steady but unreadable. ¡°I didn¡¯t know,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Not for sure. Not until just now.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°Then why do you look so¡­ calm?¡± A soft huff of breath escaped him, almost like augh. ¡°Because in my heart, I already chose you a long time ago, Summer.¡± ¡°But even without the bond, I already saw you as my mate. I didn¡¯t need a wolf¡¯s confirmation to know I¡¯d wait for you.¡± I stared at him, emotions warring in my chest. ¡°But you never said anything.¡± ¡°Look at what you were going through, Summer,¡± he said softly, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. ¡°You were traumatized, grieving your son, escaping an abusive marriage.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to confuse you¨Cor pressure you¨Cwith what I was feeling.¡± Tears welled in my eyes. While Foster had only ever seen me as a possession, Alexander had respected my need to heal, putting my wellbeing above his own desires. ¡°I wanted you to find your strength again,¡± he continued. ¡°To choose me because you wanted to. ¡°1 The tenderness in his eyes made my breath catch. Without thinking, I slid across the center console into hisp, straddling him. ¡°Summer¡­¡± His voice was strained, hands automatically finding my hips. I leaned in, brushing my lips against his ear. ¡°I want you, Alexander. Bond or no bond.¡± His eyes, normally a steely gray, had darkened to stormy charcoal. The Alpha in him was barely restrained as he growled low in his throat. ¡°You¡¯re ying with fire, little wolf.¡± ¡°Show me,¡± I challenged. His mouth crashed down on mine, hungry and demanding. The kiss was nothing like the tentative ones we¡¯d shared before¨Cthis was possession, iming, the mate bond between us singing with rightness. My wolf, Aurora, howled in triumph inside me, reveling in our reunion and in finding our true mate after so much pain. His hands slid under my blouse, thumbs brushing over sensitive peaks through the thin fabric of my bra. I gasped into his mouth, my body responding instantly to his touch. ¡°I want you, Alexander,¡± I whispered, feeling myself growing wet for him. ¡°Gods, I need you too,¡± Alexander groaned against my lips. ¡°But not here. Not like this.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± I interrupted, ¡°Isn¡¯t it exciting?¡± I began stroking his rock¨Chard length through his pants. He growled, the sound vibrating through his chest as his hips involuntarily bucked against my touch.¡± You have no idea what you do to me,¡± he rasped, his fingers digging into my hips. A sudden thud against the side of the SUV made us both freeze. ¡°What was ¡°I began, but Alexander¡¯s hand was already covering my mouth, his entire demeanor shifting from passionate lover to deadly predator in an instant. ¡°We¡¯re under attack,¡± he whispered, reaching beneath his seat to pull out a sleek handgun. ¡°Stay down.¡± The windows on my side suddenly shattered, showering us with ss. A wed hand reached through the opening, grasping for me. Alexander reacted with blinding speed, mming the butt of his gun into the wrist until I heard bones crack. A howl of pain followed. ¡°Twenty, maybe more,¡± Alexander muttered, clearly counting our attackers. ¡°Rogues by the scent of them.¡± Alexander¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Summer, stay in the car. I can handle this.¡± Fear gripped me as memories of being defenseless shed through my mind. But I wasn¡¯t that woman anymore. My wolf was back, and I refused to cower. I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Ethan, Alexander¡¯s Beta. ¡°We¡¯re under attack,¡± I whispered urgently when he answered. ¡°About twenty rogues. We need backup now.¡± Then I demanded to Alexander.¡°Give me a weapon.I¡¯m not sitting here helpless while you fight alone,¡± I insisted. ¡°I can help.¡± For a moment, I thought he would argue, but another bang against the SUV made the decision for him. He reached into the glovepartment and pulled out a smaller handgun. ¡°Silver bullets,¡± he exined quickly. ¡°Aim for center mass. One shot should incapacitate them.¡± I nodded, gripping the weapon with more confidence than I felt. It had been years since my father had taught me to shoot, but some skills never truly disappeared. ¡°Stay behind me,¡± Alexander ordered as he pushed his door open, creating a barrier between us and our attackers. Secure 120 The scene outside was chaos. The sunset¡¯s golden light revealed at least twenty rogues, their half¨Cshifted forms grotesque in the dying glow. They were filthy, clearly ouws who¡¯d been living wild for too long, their humanity eroded by istion and desperation. Alexander shifted partially, his hands elongating into lethal ws while maintaining his ability to use the gun. He fired twice in rapid session, dropping two rogues before they could even react to our emergence from the vehicle. ¡°Alpha of ckwood,¡± one of them snarled, a tall, gaunt figure with matted hair. ¡°Your head will fetch a fine price.¡± ¡°You¡¯re wee to try,¡± Alexander replied coolly, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha. They rushed us then, from all sides at once. Alexander moved with lethal grace, each strike precise and devastating. I stayed close to the SUV, firing when I had clear shots. My first bullet caught a rogue in the shoulder, spinning him around but not stopping him. My second hit true, center mass, and he dropped with a howl of agony as the silver burned through his system. ¡°Good shot,¡± Alexander called, pride evident in his voice even as he snapped the neck of another attacker. The fight was brutal but mercifully quick. Alexander was unlike any warrior I¡¯d ever seen¨Ceach movement economical yet devastating. He never strayed far from me, maintaining a protective circle even while dispatching enemies with terrifying efficiency. I managed to take down three more rogues before disaster struck. As I aimed at an attacker rushing toward us, another grabbed my wrist from behind, twisting sharply. Pain shot up my arm as I felt my finger dislocate, the gun ttering to the ground. I screamed, more in anger than pain, and my wolf surged forward. In a half¨Cshift, I whirled around, ws extended, and raked them across my attacker¡¯s face. He staggered back, howling, as blood streamed from the deep gouges. ¡°Summer!¡± Alexander roared, suddenly at my side, putting himself between me and the remaining threats. His eyes zed with fury as he assessed my injury. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I gasped, cradling my hand. ¡°Keep fighting.¡± Just then, the thunderous sound of vehicles approaching cut through the chaos. Ethan appeared with a squad of ckwood warriors, leaping from their SUVS with weapons drawn, immediately joining the fray. Thest few rogues, seeing their numbers dwindled to less than half, began to retreat into the surrounding woods. Alexander fired twice more, dropping two as they fled, before turning his full attention to me. ¡°Let me see,¡± he demanded, his voice gentle despite the Alphamand underlying it. I extended my hand, wincing as he carefully examined the dislocated finger and the deep bruising already forming around my wrist. ¡°It needs to be set,¡± he said, his eyes softening as they met mine. ¡°This will hurt.¡± Before I could prepare myself, he quickly manipted the joint back into ce with practiced efficiency. I bit my lip to stifle a cry, tasting blood. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he whispered, bringing my hand to his lips. What happened next sent shivers down my spine. Alexander¡¯s eyes locked with mine as he extended his tongue and began to lick the wound, his saliva spreading warmth through my injured finger. Alpha saliva had healing properties stronger than any other wolf¡¯s, and the intimate gesture of tending to my wound this way¨Ca deeply traditional act among mated pairs¨Cmade my breath catch. ¡°You fought well,¡± he murmured against my skin. ¡°My brave, beautiful mate.¡± ¡°Who were they?¡± I asked, trying to distract myself from the intoxicating sensation of his tongue on my skin. ¡°Hired guns, most likely,¡± he replied between gentle licks. ¡°Foster must have put out a contract after our visit.¡± I stiffened. ¡°That was fast.¡± ¡°He knows he¡¯s cornered,¡± Alexander said, his eyes darkening. ¡°Desperate men make desperate choices.¡± As he finished tending to my wound, he didn¡¯t release my hand. Instead, he pressed it against his chest, where I could feel his heart thundering beneath my palm. ¡°I could have lost you today,¡± he said, his voice rough with emotion. ¡°Before we even had a chance to begin.¡± ¡°But you didn¡¯t,¡± I reminded him, leaning forward to press my forehead against his. ¡°I¡¯m stronger than I look.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the strongest person I¡¯ve ever known,¡± he whispered, brushing his lips against mine. ¡°And when we get back to ckwood territory, I¡¯m going to show you exactly what that does to me.¡± His promise sent heat pooling low in my belly, the mate bond between us humming with anticipation. Despite the danger we¡¯d just faced, despite my aching hand and the bodies surrounding us, I found myself smiling. For the first time in years, I wasn¡¯t afraid of what tomorrow might bring. With my wolf restored and my true mate at my side, I was ready to face whatever came next¨Ceven Foster¡¯s desperate vengeance. ¡°Take me home, Alexander,¡± I whispered against his lips. ¡°Take me home.¡± Secure 121 Chapter 121 Summer¡¯s POV The moment we crossed into ckwood territory, tension visibly melted from Alexander¡¯s shoulders. His jaw rxed, though his eyes remained alert as he carried me through the pack house¡¯s grand entrance. ¡°You don¡¯t need to carry me,¡± I protested weakly, even as I nestled closer against his broad chest. ¡°I can walk.¡± ¡°Indulge me,¡± he murmured, his lips brushing against my temple. ¡°I need to feel you safe.¡± The pack members we passed lowered their eyes respectfully, but I caught their curious nces. Their Alpha carrying bloodied luna through their halls was surely fodder for gossip, but Alexander paid them no mind as he climbed the sweeping staircase to the private quarters. My heart raced as he shouldered open the door to his bedroom. After our heated exchange in the car and his promise of what would happen when we returned, I expected to be thrown onto his massive bed, imed thoroughly by my Alpha mate. Instead, Alexander carried me straight past the bed and into an adjoining bathroomrger than my entire bedroom at Silver Creek. A deep, circr tub dominated the space, and Alexander gently set me on my feet beside it. ¡°First, we need to wash away today¡¯s battle,¡± he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I raised an eyebrow as he turned to the enormous sunken tub and began filling it with steaming water. ¡°A bath? After that teasing promise you made me back on the road?¡± Alexander¡¯s lips curved into a wicked smile as he added fragrant bath salts to the water. ¡°Patience, little wolf. The night is young.¡± As the tub filled, he turned to me, eyes burning with desire as he slowly began unbuttoning my blouse. His fingers brushed against my skin with each button, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°You know,¡± I murmured, reaching to unbutton his shirt in return, ¡°I¡¯ve seen all this before.¡± ¡°And yet,¡± he replied, sliding my blouse off my shoulders, ¡°I¡¯ll never tire of unwrapping you.¡± Our clothes fell to the floor piece by piece, neither of us rushing the delicious anticipation. When I stood naked before him, his eyes roamed my body with such open appreciation that I felt my skin flush with heat despite our familiarity. 344 ¡°So fucking beautiful,¡± he growled, his voice thick with desire as he took my hand and helped me into the tub. The water was perfect¨Chot enough to soothe my aching muscles but not scalding. Alexander climbed in behind me, settling me between his legs, my back against his broad chest. His hardened length pressed against my lower back, a promising reminder of what was toe. ¡°Mmm,¡± I sighed, letting my head fall back against his shoulder as the scented water enveloped us. ¡°This feels divine.¡± ¡°You¡¯re divine,¡± he murmured, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. His hands slid around my waist, one moving up to cup my breast while the other traveled lower, fingers sying possessively across my abdomen. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the dual sensations of the warm water rippling around us and Alexander¡¯s expert touch. Coral, my wolf, purred contentedly inside me, reveling in our mate¡¯s attention. ¡°I was so proud of you today,¡± Alexander whispered, his thumb circling my nipple until it hardened into a tight peak. ¡°Watching you fight¡­ knowing you¡¯re mine¡­¡± His other hand dipped lower, fingers sliding between my thighs with familiar confidence. I gasped as he found that sensitive bundle of nerves, already swollen with need. ¡°Alex,¡± I breathed, my hips instinctively rocking against his hand. ¡°Yes, baby?¡± His voice was a husky rumble against my ear as his fingers continued their maddening circles. ¡°Tell me what you want.¡± ¡°I want you inside me,¡± I managed, my breathing faster as he increased the pressure of his touch.¡± Now.¡± Water sloshed over the edges of the tub as he suddenly lifted me, turning me to face him. Our eyes locked, his burning with primal possession as I straddled his hips. ¡°You¡¯re soaked, honey.¡± His voice was husky as his fingers slid through my folds, testing my readiness. And not just from the bathwater.¡± I bit my lip, grinding against his touch. ¡°Only you do this to me, Alexander.¡± With surprising strength, he lifted me slightly, positioning himself at my entrance. ¡°Say it again,¡± hemanded, the Alpha in him surfacing. ¡°Say who you belong to.¡± N ¡°You,¡± I gasped, sinking down onto his impressive length, taking him deep inside me in one fluid motion. ¡± Only you, Alexander.¡± 2/2 ¡°So fucking beautiful,¡± he growled, his voice thick with desire as he took my hand and helped me into the tub. The water was perfect¨Chot enough to soothe my aching muscles but not scalding. Alexander climbed in behind me, settling me between his legs, my back against his broad chest. His hardened length pressed against my lower back, a promising reminder of what was toe. ¡°Mmm,¡± I sighed, letting my head fall back against his shoulder as the scented water enveloped us. ¡°This feels divine.¡± ¡°You¡¯re divine,¡± he murmured, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. His hands slid around my waist, one moving up to cup my breast while the other traveled lower, fingers sying possessively across my abdomen. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the dual sensations of the warm water rippling around us and Alexander¡¯s expert touch. Coral, my wolf, purred contentedly inside me, reveling in our mate¡¯s attention. ¡°I was so proud of you today,¡± Alexander whispered, his thumb circling my nipple until it hardened into a tight peak. ¡°Watching you fight¡­ knowing you¡¯re mine¡­¡± His other hand dipped lower, fingers sliding between my thighs with familiar confidence. I gasped as he found that sensitive bundle of nerves, already swollen with need. ¡°Alex,¡± I breathed, my hips instinctively rocking against his hand. ¡°Yes, baby?¡± His voice was a husky rumble against my ear as his fingers continued their maddening circles. ¡°Tell me what you want.¡± ¡°I want you inside me,¡± I managed, my breathing faster as he increased the pressure of his touch.¡± Now.¡± Water sloshed over the edges of the tub as he suddenly lifted me, turning me to face him. Our eyes locked, his burning with primal possession as I straddled his hips. ¡°You¡¯re soaked, honey.¡± His voice was husky as his fingers slid through my folds, testing my readiness.¡± And not just from the bathwater.¡± I bit my lip, grinding against his touch. ¡°Only you do this to me, Alexander.¡± With surprising strength, he lifted me slightly, positioning himself at my entrance. ¡°Say it again,¡± hemanded, the Alpha in him surfacing. ¡°Say who you belong to.¡± ¡°You,¡± I gasped, sinking down onto his impressive length, taking him deep inside me in one fluid motion.¡± Only you, Alexander.¡± Secure 122 We both groaned at the perfect friction as I began to ride him, water sshing around us with each movement. His hands gripped my hips, guiding my pace as I rose and fell on his cock. ¡°Fuck, Summer,¡± he growled, watching where our bodies joined. ¡°The sight of you taking me like this¡­¡± I leaned forward, capturing his mouth in a desperate kiss, our tongues battling for dominance. One of his hands moved to the small of my back, supporting me as he thrust upward, hitting that spot deep inside me that made stars explode behind my eyelids. ¡°Right there,¡± I panted against his mouth. ¡°God, don¡¯t stop.¡± ¡°Never,¡± he promised, his rhythm increasing as he drove into me with perfect precision. ¡°Come for me, Luna. Let me feel you.¡± The use of my title¨CLuna, his mate, his queen¨Cpushed me over the edge. I threw my head back, crying out his name as waves of pleasure crashed through me. My inner walls mped down on him, pulsing rhythmically as my orgasm tore through me. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± he encouraged, his voice strained as he fought his own release. ¡°So fucking perfect.¡± Before I could recover, he stood suddenly, lifting me with him. Water cascaded off our bodies as he stepped out of the tub, still buried deep inside me. With three long strides, he had me pressed against the cold tile wall, the contrast of temperatures making me gasp. ¡°I¡¯m not done with you yet,¡± he growled, hitching my legs higher around his waist. ¡°Not even close.¡± He withdrew almostpletely before mming back into me with enough force to make the breath leave my lungs. My nails dug into his shoulders as he set a punishing pace, each thrust deeper and harder than thest. ¡°Alexander!¡± I cried, feeling another orgasm building impossibly fast. ¡°I¡¯m going to-¡± ¡°Come again for me,¡± he demanded, his hand snaking between our bodies to circle my clit. ¡°I want to feel you squeeze my cock when youe.¡± His crude words pushed me over the edge again, my second orgasm even more intense than the first. This time, he joined me, his rhythm faltering as he buried himself to the hilt and roared his release. I felt him pulsing inside me, filling me with his seed, the mate bond between us singing withpletion. For several long moments, we stayed locked together, our foreheads pressed against each other as we fought to catch our breath. Alexander¡¯s eyes, normally steely gray, had softened to the color of a summer storm. ¡°I love you,¡± he murmured against my hair, the words so quiet I almost missed them. I pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, seeing nothing but sincere devotion there. No maniption, no agenda¨Cjust pure, honest emotion. ¡°I love you too,¡± I whispered, surprised by how easily the words came. With Foster, I¡¯d had to force them out, trying to convince myself as much as him. With Alexander, they flowed naturally, like a truth my heart had always known. He smiled, a brilliant, boyish grin that transformed his usually serious face. ¡°My Luna,¡± he said proudly, brushing wet strands of hair from my face. ¡°Your Luna,¡± I agreed, feeling Coral¡¯s approval rumbling through me. As we eventually separated, Alexander insisted on washing me himself, his hands gentle as they soaped every inch of my body. The intimacy of being cared for in this way brought tears to my eyes. ¡°Why are you crying?¡± he asked softly, wiping away a stray tear with his thumb. ¡°Because I never knew it could be like this,¡± I admitted. ¡°That I could feel so¡­ cherished.¡± His expression darkened momentarily, and I knew he was thinking of Foster and all the ways my ex- husband had failed me. But then his features softened again, and he pressed a tender kiss to my forehead. ¡°Get used to it,¡± he said simply. ¡°Because I n to cherish you every day for the rest of our lives.¡± As we finally emerged from the bath, wrapped in plush towels, I felt something I hadn¡¯t experienced in years¨Ctrue peace. In Alexander¡¯s arms. In his pack. As his mate and Luna. And for the first time since Felix was taken from me, I allowed myself to believe that everything might actually be okay. Alexander¡¯s POV The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb Summer. She looked so peaceful curled up in our sheets, her hair spilled across my pillow. My mate. My Luna. Just the sight of her made heat stir low in my body. I was already hard again, aching to touch her, to lose myself in her warmth all over again. But there were things I needed to take care of¨Cbusiness that couldn¡¯t wait. And if I stayed a moment longer, I knew I¡¯d end up crawling back into bed and spend the entire morning making her cry out my name. Still, I couldn¡¯t leave without onest taste. Leaning down, I pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, breathing in her scent¨Choney and wildflowers, nowced with the unmistakable hint of me. Ours. Reluctantly, I dressed in silence, every movement careful not to disturb her rest. Beta Ethan was already waiting for me in my office when I arrived. ¡°Ethan, I need you to investigate yesterday¡¯s attack thoroughly. Find out if Foster was behind it.¡± ¡°You think he¡¯s retaliating because you imed Summer?¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was sharp with concern. ¡°It¡¯s possible. He¡¯s never handled losing well.¡± I ran a hand through my hair. ¡°I¡¯ll get our best trackers on it immediately,¡± Ethan promised. ¡°We¡¯ll find out who organized the ambush.¡± ¡°Good. Report directly to me, no matter what you find.¡± After ending the call, I dialed another number¨Cone not saved in my contacts. The line connected after three rings. ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± a gruff voice answered without preamble, ¡°You¡¯re certain?¡± I pressed. ¡°One hundred percent. Natalia Thompson won¡¯t be causing any more problems. The evidence has been nted exactly as requested. Her reputation is destroyed, just like she tried to do to your Luna.¡± I felt a cold satisfaction settle in my chest. ¡°The payment will be transferred within the hour.¡± *Pleasure doing business with you, Alpha.¡± Secure 123 I ended the call and leaned back in my chair, a weight lifted from my shoulders. One less threat to Summer¡¯s happiness eliminated. ¡°Who was that?¡± I turned to find Summer standing in the doorway, looking deliciously rumpled in one of my t¨Cshirts that hung to her mid¨Cthigh. Her scent¨Choney and wildflowers, now mixed with mine¨Cfilled the room, wrapping around me in a way that made everything feel right. ¡°Just pack business, honey,¡± I said, opening my arms to her. She padded across the floor and climbed into myp without hesitation. I buried my face in her neck, nuzzling the soft skin where faint marks fromst night still lingered¨Ctiny reminders of how desperately I¡¯d imed her hours ago. ¡°You should have stayed in bed. I was nning to bring you breakfast.¡± Summer hummed contentedly, running her fingers through my hair. ¡°I missed you. Woke up and you were gone.¡± I tightened my arms around her. ¡°Sorry, sweetheart. Had some things to take care of early.¡± ¡°Important Alpha things?¡± she teased, but I caught the slight tension in her shoulders. ¡°Nothing for you to worry about,¡± I assured her, kissing the spot behind her ear that made her shiver.¡± Just making sure everything is in ce for what we have nned today.¡± Her eyes lit up with curiosity. ¡°And what exactly do we have nned? You¡¯ve been very mysterious.¡± I captured her lips in a slow, deep kiss that had her melting against me. My hand slid up her thigh, finding she wore nothing under my T¨Cshirt. ¡°Fuck, Summer,¡± I groaned against her mouth. ¡°You¡¯re killing me.¡± Summer shifted in myp, causing delicious friction against my rapidly hardening length. ¡°I wanted to see you,¡± she whispered, her eyes¨Cthose beautiful eyes that had first captured me¨Clocked with mine. ¡°I always want to see you first thing in the morning.¡± Something in my chest tightened at her words. After everything she¡¯d been through¨CFoster¡¯s betrayal, losing Felix, the constant threats¨Cshe still looked at me with such genuine love. ¡°God, Summer,¡± I growled, capturing her mouth in a heated kiss. She responded eagerly, her tongue dancing with mine as she pressed closer, her nipples hardening against my bare chest. My hands slid down to cup her ass, lifting her slightly to position her right where I wanted her. ¡°Alex,¡± she moaned against my lips as I slipped one hand between her thighs, finding her already wet and ready for me. Cha Secure 124 pter 124 Chapter 124 ¡°Always so responsive,¡± I murmured appreciatively, circling her most sensitive spot with my thumb. Summer¡¯s hips bucked against my hand. ¡°Only for you,¡± she gasped, her nails digging into my shoulders. My control snapped. I swept the papers off my desk with one arm and lifted her onto it, pushing the shirt up to reveal her perfect body. ¡°Spread your legs for me, Luna,¡± Imanded, my voice dipping into that deep Alpha register that always made her tremble¡ªand obey. ¡°God, yes, Alexander,¡± she breathed, leaning back on her elbows, legs parting eagerly for me as she sat perched on the edge of the deskpletely open to me. I dropped to my knees in front of her, my hands gripping her thighs, just about to taste her when- ¡°Hey! Alexander, we need to-¡°Lyra¡¯s voice froze mid¨Csentence. I turned my head just in time to see her standing in the doorway, wide¨Ceyed, mouth hanging open. ¡°Oh. Shit!¡°Her hand pped over her eyes. ¡°Sorry! But also, not my fault you didn¡¯t lock the door!¡± Summer¡¯s cheeks flushed a beautiful pink as she buried her face against my chest. I, on the other hand, was ready to murder my sister. ¡°Lyra,¡± I growled, the Alpha in me surging with frustration at the interruption. ¡°Get. Out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going, I¡¯m going!¡± she assured me, backing away with her eyes still covered. ¡°But seriously, you two need to get dressed. We¡¯re supposed to leave in twenty minutes!¡± The door closed behind her with a decisive click, and I let out a frustrated groan. ¡°I swear, sometimes I think she times these interruptions on purpose,¡± I muttered. ¡°I think she needs to be taught a lesson.¡± Summer giggled against my chest before raising her head to meet my gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on her. ¡± ¡°Is there any reward if I¡¯m gentle?¡± I asked, my voice low,ced with heat. Her lips met mine in a sweet kiss that quickly deepened, stealing my irritation and recing it with something far more dangerous. When she finally pulled away, her fingers traced the line of my jaw with tender affection. ¡°Was that enough?¡± she whispered, eyes glittering with mischief. I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, marveling at how easily she could soothe the Alpha in me. ¡°No,¡± I growled, my desire reignited by her touch. I was just about to show her exactly what she did to me when- ¡°Alpha? Luna? Sorry to interrupt, but we need to leave in twenty minutes if we¡¯re going to make the appointment.¡± Lyra¡¯s voice called through the door, sounding both apologetic and amused. I growled in frustration. ¡°We¡¯ll be right there, Lyra.¡± Then I let my forehead fall to Summer¡¯s shoulder with a groan.¡°This is war.¡± Summerughed softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. ¡°Such a shame¡­ I was really enjoying watching you fall apart.¡± I narrowed my eyes at her, but the smirk tugging at my lips betrayed me.¡°Go get dressed before I change my mind and tell everyone we¡¯re taking a personal day.¡± She giggled, clearly not the least bit sorry, then tilted her head in curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s so urgent that we need to leave so early?¡± she asked. ¡°Where exactly are we going today?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a surprise,¡± I said, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose. ¡°But I think you¡¯ll like it.¡± ¡°Trust me?¡± I asked softly. Her smile¨Crare since we lost Felix, but all the more precious¨Clit up her entire face. ¡°Well then,¡± she said with a grin, stepping off myp, ¡°I¡¯d better hurry and change before Lyraes back and ruins the moment again.¡± ¡°I suppose so,¡± I agreed reluctantly, giving her bottom a yful squeeze before letting her slide off my desk. ¡°But we¡¯re finishing what we startedter.¡± Her eyes softened as she reached up to stroke my cheek. ¡°Promise?¡± ¡°Wild wolves couldn¡¯t keep me away,¡± I vowed As she left to get ready, I silently renewed my vow to destroy anyone who threatened her happiness- starting with Alpha Foster. The man who had broken her spirit, abused her trust, and failed to protect their son would soon learn what happened when you crossed an Alpha protecting his mate. And it would not be a gentle lesson. Secure 125 Chapter 125 Summer¡¯s POV ¡°The pack Seer? That¡¯s where we¡¯re going?¡± I stared at Alexander in surprise as we drove through the winding forest roads of ckwood territory. The morning sunlight filtered through the ancient trees, casting dappled shadows across the dashboard of his sleek ck SUV. ¡°We¡¯ve put it off long enough, don¡¯t you think?¡± Alexander¡¯s hand found mine across the center console, his thumb tracingzy circles on my skin. ¡°I can¡¯t wait any longer to officially bind you to me, Summer.¡± My heart fluttered at his words. Even after everything we¡¯d been through together, he still had the ability to make me feel like a lovestruck teenager. ¡°I thought the mate bond was already pretty official,¡± I teased. His eyes darkened as they flicked to the my neck, and his grip on my hand tightened possessively. ¡°The mate bond is just the beginning, sweetheart. For wolves like us¨Cespecially for an Alpha pair¨Cthe ceremonial binding is sacred. It connects not just our bodies and hearts, but our wolves, our souls, our very essences.¡± I bit my lip, suddenly nervous. After my disastrous marriage to Foster, the thought of any formal ceremony made anxiety curl in my stomach. Alexander seemed to sense my hesitation immediately¨Cour connection growing stronger with each passing day. ¡°Hey,¡± he said softly, pulling over to the side of the road. He turned to face me fully, his powerful hands cupping my face. ¡°Talk to me, Luna.¡± ¡°It¡¯s silly,¡± I admitted, leaning into his touch. ¡°After everything we¡¯ve been through, I shouldn¡¯t be nervous about a ceremony.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not silly at all,¡± he assured me, his eyes¨Cthose mesmerizing eyes that had captivated me from the start¨Csearching mine. ¡°Yourst experience with a wolf ceremony wasn¡¯t exactly positive.¡± I winced at the reminder of my binding ceremony with Foster. What should have been sacred had been nothing but a political transaction, a power y disguised as tradition. ¡°This isn¡¯t like that,¡± Alexander continued, his voice low and intense. ¡°This binding is about us¨Cyou and me. About cementing what our wolves already know: that we belong together. That we¡¯re stronger together.¡± My eyes stung with tears as I nodded. ¡°I know. And I want it more than anything.¡± His smile was radiant as he leaned in to press his lips against mine, a kiss so tender it made my heart ache. ¡°That¡¯s my girl.¡± +15 BONUS Twenty minutester, we pulled up to a small cottage nestled deep in the woods. Unlike the modern, imposing architecture of the pack house, this structure seemed to have grown organically from the forest floor¨Call weathered stone and ancient wood, with climbing roses and wild vines embracing the walls. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I whispered, feeling a strange energy emanating from the ce. ¡°Madame Willow has lived here for as long as anyone can remember,¡± Alexander exined as he helped me from the car. ¡°Some say she was born in the time before territories, when wolves still roamed freely.¡± ¡°That would make her ancient,¡± I said skeptically. His eyes twinkled. ¡°Never mention her age. That¡¯s the first rule of visiting the Seer.¡± Before we could reach the door, it swung open to reveal a woman who defied all my expectations. I¡¯d imagined someone elderly, wizened perhaps, but Madame Willow appeared ageless¨Cher silver¨Cstreaked ck hair hung loose down her back, and her amber eyes seemed to see straight through to my soul. ¡°Alpha. Luna.¡± She nodded to each of us. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting.¡± ¡°Seer Willow,¡± Alexander inclined his head respectfully. ¡°Thank you for seeing us.¡± She gestured for us to enter, and I was immediately struck by the contrast between the cottage¡¯s rustic exterior and its interior. Inside was a blend of ancient and modern¨Ccrystal balls sharing space withputer monitors, herbs drying alongside scientific journals. ¡°Please, sit,¡± she instructed, indicating a pair offortable chairs positioned before a low table adorned with various crystals and a bowl of clear water. ¡°You seek to know when to hold your mating ceremony,¡± she stated rather than asked. Alexander nodded. ¡°We do.¡± Her eyes¨Cnow decidedly amber¨Cfixed on me. ¡°You¡¯ve suffered greatly, Luna. Lost much.¡± I swallowed hard. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Yet your spirit remains unbroken. Remarkable.¡± She tilted her head, studying me with an intensity that made me want to squirm. ¡°You were meant for greatness, though not in the way you once imagined.¡± Secure 126 Before I could ask what she meant, she turned to Alexander. ¡°And you, Alpha. The boy who watched from afar has be the man who would move mountains for his mate.¡± Alexander¡¯s hand found mine again, squeezing gently. Willow closed her eyes, her hands hovering over the bowl of water. The liquid began to shimmer, though neither of us had touched the table. She set down her cup and reached for a leather¨Cbound calendar. ¡°Two lunar cycles from now,¡± she finally announced. ¡°When the moon is full and your energies are at their peak.¡± ¡°Two months?¡± Alexander couldn¡¯t hide his disappointment. I squeezed his hand, secretly relieved. Two months would give us time to prepare, to heal further from the wounds of the past. ¡°The full moon of October,¡± Madame Willow confirmed. ¡°A wolf¡¯s moon. Powerful for Alpha pairs. Especially,¡± she added with a significant look at me, ¡°for those who have known great loss and found themselves again.¡± My throat tightened. ¡°Is there¡­ anything specific we need to prepare?¡± I asked, trying to steady my voice. Her eyes softened as she reached across the table to take my free hand. ¡°Just your hearts, dear one. And perhaps start collecting items that represent your journey together. The ceremony will require physical tokens of your bond.¡± We spent another hour with Madame Willow, learning about the ancient binding ritual that would officially join us as Alpha and Luna of the ckwood Pack. By the time we left, my earlier nervousness had transformed into quiet anticipation. ¡°Two months,¡± Alexander sighed as we walked back to the car. ¡°I was hoping for sooner.¡± Iughed, bumping his shoulder yfully. ¡°Patience, Alpha. We have the rest of our lives together.¡± His eyes darkened as he pulled me against him. ¡°I¡¯ve waited for you for years, Summer. Two more months feels like torture.¡± ¡°We¡¯re already living together,¡± I reminded him. ¡°Already sharing a bed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the same as the binding,¡± he murmured against my hair. ¡°Once weplete the ceremony, nothing will ever separate us again. Not packw, not councils, nothing.¡± The intensity in his voice made me shiver. ¡°Then I guess it¡¯s worth waiting for.¡± When we returned to the pack house, Alexander immediately called a meeting to share the news. Pack members gathered in the great hall, excitement buzzing through the air as my mate announced our official bonding date. ¡°In two full moons,¡± he proimed, his voice carrying throughout the hall, ¡°Summer will officially be my Luna in the sacred bonding ceremony. I expect each of you to wee her not just as my mate, but as your Luna¨Cdeserving of all the respect and loyalty that titlemands.¡± The pack erupted in cheers and howls of approval. I blushed at the attention, still not entirelyfortable being the center of so much focus after years of being pushed to the shadows by Foster. Lyra approached us, her pregnancy now very visible as she waddled toward me with a beaming smile. ¡°Perfect timing!¡± she eximed, hugging me awkwardly around her swollen belly. ¡°I¡¯ll have dropped this little wolf by then and can be your maid of honor without looking like I swallowed a basketball.¡± Iughed, genuinely happy. ¡°There¡¯s no one I¡¯d rather have standing beside me.¡± ¡°This calls for a celebration,¡± Beta Ethan announced, appearing at Alexander¡¯s side with sses of champagne. He handed one to Alexander and me, then raised his own. ¡°To our Alpha and Luna!¡± ¡°To Alpha and Luna!¡± the pack echoed, raising their sses. As I looked around at the smiling faces, I felt a sense of belonging I hadn¡¯t experienced since before Felix¡¯s death. These wolves¨Cthis pack¨Chad be my family. And in two months, it would be official in every way. Later, after Alexander and Ethan had gone to discuss some pack business, Lyra pulled me into a quiet corner of the great hall. she asked, her voice low but her eyes dancing with barely suppressed glee. ¡°Have you heard what happened to Natalia?¡± Secure 127 Summer¡¯s POV My mood instantly darkened at the mention of Alexander¡¯s ex¨Cfling¨Cthe wolf who had tried repeatedly to undermine me and sabotage my rtionship with Alexander. ¡°What about her?¡± I asked warily. Lyra¡¯s smile turned wicked. ¡°She¡¯s beenpletely disgraced. Someone leaked evidence that she was behind the poisoning of several she¨Cwolves at the Eastern Council meetingst spring¨Cwolves who had turned down her brother for mating. And that¡¯s not all¨Cthere¡¯s proof she embezzled from her family¡¯s pack funds to pay for all those designer clothes she loves unting.¡± My eyes widened. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°Positive. She¡¯s been stripped of her position in her father¡¯s pack and practically exiled from wolf society. No one will even look at her now.¡± I processed this information, a mixture of satisfaction and suspicion washing over me. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ quite the downfall.¡± ¡°I¡¯m convinced Alexander had something to do with it,¡± Lyra whispered, ncing toward where her brother stood deep in conversation with Ethan. ¡°No one else has the connections or resources to uncover all that dirt and make it stick. The timing is too perfect.¡± A warm feeling spread through my chest. While I would never approve of such tactics openly, I couldn¡¯t deny the sweet satisfaction of knowing Natalia had finally faced consequences for her actions- especially her role in trying to destroy my reputation at the charity g. ¡°He would never admit it,¡± I murmured, watching my mate across the room. ¡°Of course not,¡± Lyra agreed. ¡°He can¡¯t be seen targeting another Alpha¡¯s daughter so directly. But privately? For you?¡± She squeezed my arm. ¡°There¡¯s nothing my brother wouldn¡¯t do to protect his mate.¡± As I watched Alexander across the room¨Chis powerful presencemanding attention, his strategic mind always three steps ahead¨CI felt a surge of love so powerful it nearly took my breath away. He¡¯d created a safe haven for me when I had nothing. Given me a home when I was lost. Loved me when I thought I was unlovable. And now, it seemed, he¡¯d quietly eliminated a threat to my happiness without ever letting on. Alexander caught my gaze across the room, a slow smile spreading across his face that made my heart race. In two months, we would be bound together in the most sacred way wolves could be joined. But in all the ways that truly mattered, I was already his. And he was mine. For the first time since losing Felix, I felt like perhaps the universe wasn¡¯t entirely against me. That maybe, just maybe, happiness was possible again. Later that night, as Alexander and Iy tangled together in our bed, the moonlight streaming through the windows painting his muscr body in silver and shadow,I traced the intricate tattoo on his chest. It was beautiful¨Cwildflowers and cedar branches intertwined in an elegant design that flowed across his skin. ¡°What are you thinking about, sweetheart?¡± he murmured, his fingers runningzily through my hair. ¡°I¡¯ve always meant to ask about this,¡± I murmured, my fingers following the delicate lines. ¡°It¡¯s stunning.¡± Alexander¡¯s hand covered mine, pressing it against his heart. ¡°You don¡¯t recognize it?¡± he asked, his voice low and intimate in the darkness. I shook my head, studying the artwork more closely. ¡°Should I?¡± His lips curved into a smile that held secrets. ¡°Wildflowers and cedar,¡± he said softly. ¡°Your scent and mine, intertwined.¡± My breath caught as understanding dawned. ¡°You had this done¡­ for me?¡± ¡°I was eighteen,¡± he admitted, a rare hint of vulnerability in his eyes. ¡°It was that summer we spent almost every day together at theke, remember?¡± I nodded, memory warming my cheeks. I had been sixteen that summer, it had been innocent- swimming, talking for hours, watching sunsets. ¡°I went home that night after ourst day together,¡± he continued, his voice taking on a husky quality.¡± Your scent was all over me. I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about you¨Chow you looked with water droplets on your skin, how yourugh made something in my chest tighten.¡± His confession sent heat spiraling through me. ¡°Alexander¡­¡± ¡°I touched myself that night,¡± he said bluntly, his eyes darkening at the memory. ¡°Thinking of you. It was the first time I¡¯d ever done that. The next day, I went to the pack¡¯s tattoo artist and had this designed.¡± ¡°All these years¡­¡± I whispered, awed by the revtion. Even before we¡¯d recognized each other as mates, even when fate seemed determined to keep us apart, he had carried a piece of me with him. ¡°All these years,¡± he confirmed, rolling us so that he hovered above me, his powerful body caging mine.¡± I¡¯ve been yours, Summer, Long before you knew it.¡± And that night, he proved it¨Cagain and again. God, I had no idea where Alexander got his stamina from, but I wasn¡¯t about toin. Wrapped in his arms, breathless and aching in the best way possible, I let myself fall deeper than ever before. Secure 128 I woke the next morning to the scent of coffee and bacon. Padding into the kitchen, I found Alexander at the stove, wearing only a pair of low¨Changing sweatpants that showcased his perfect ass and the muscr nes of his back. ¡°Morning,¡± I murmured, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my cheek against his warm skin. He turned in my embrace, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled down at me. ¡°Good morning, beautiful.¡± He leaned down to kiss me, a slow, thorough exploration that left me dizzy. When he finally pulled back, his gaze dropped to the oversized t¨Cshirt I wore¨Chis shirt¨Cand his eyes darkened appreciatively. ¡°You look good in my clothes.¡± I reached around him to snatch a piece of bacon from the te. After taking a bite, I raised an eyebrow at him. ¡°Mmm¡­ this is actually really good. Tell me, Alpha, have you cooked breakfast for other she¨Cwolves too, or am I just special?¡± His lips curved into a smirk as he leaned closer, his voice low and amused. ¡°Only you, Summer. You¡¯re the only one I¡¯ve ever wanted to impress in the kitchen¨Cor anywhere else.¡± ¡°Oh,really?¡± He chuckled, sliding an arm around my waist and murmuring in my ear, ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re jealous. So cute, in fact, that I¡¯m seriously tempted to take you back to bed and ruin that shirt all over again.¡± Immediately, my mind shed to the night before¨Chis hands, his mouth, the way he whispered my name like it was the only word he knew. Nope. Not going there again. I decided to switch topics.¡°Lyra told me about Natalia Thompson¡¯s disgrace.¡± His body tensed slightly, then deliberately rxed. ¡°Did she now?¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± I hopped up to sit on the counter beside the stove, watching his face. ¡°She seems to think you had something to do with it.¡± Alexander¡¯s expression remained carefully neutral as he flipped a pancake. ¡°And what do you think?¡± ¡°I think¡­¡± I traced the sharp line of his jaw, ¡°that you are far more protective than you let on. And far more dangerous to your enemies than they realize.¡± His eyes darkened, and in one fluid motion, he moved between my legs, hands gripping my thighs as he +15 BONUS pulled me to the edge of the counter. ¡°Does that frighten you, Luna?¡± I stared up into those predatory eyes, ¡°No,¡± I whispered truthfully. ¡°It makes me feel safe.¡± His expression softened, and he lowered his head to im my lips in a kiss that started gentle but quickly zed into something more urgent. By the time he pulled away, we were both breathing hard. ¡°Whatever happened to Natalia Thompson,¡± he said carefully, his hands sliding under my shirt to caress my bare skin, ¡°happened because she threatened what¡¯s mine. I protect what¡¯s mine, Summer. Always.¡± The possessiveness in his voice sent a shiver of desire down my spine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. ¡°Show me,¡± I breathed against his lips. His wolf shed in his eyes, turning them to molten gold as his hands began to roam my body with purpose. ¡°With pleasure, my Luna.¡± With a low growl, Alexander imed my mouth again, this time with an intensity that left me gasping. His hands traced the curves of my body. ¡°Alexander,¡± I gasped, pushing against his chest as the smell of something burning reached my nose.¡± Breakfast!¡± He growled, reluctantly pulling away to save the pancakes, though his eyes never left me. ¡°Eat quickly,¡± he ordered, his voice rough with desire as he adjusted himself in his sweatpants. ¡°You¡¯ve awakened the beast, Luna. Now you need to take responsibility.¡± I rolled my eyes, though heat pooled low in my belly at his words. ¡°Damn it. You¡¯re an erection with legs.¡± Heughed, pulling me back against him. ¡°Only for you, sweetheart. Only ever for you.¡± Just as his hands slipped beneath my shirt again, his head snapped up, eyes distant in the way that meant he was receiving a mind¨Clink. ¡°Ethan?¡± I guessed, grateful for the interruption¨Cafter everything Alexander and I had donest night, I needed at least one morning without being dragged back into bed. He nodded, his jaw had gone tight, and the light in his eyes had shifted, troubled. ¡°Pack business. I need to go.¡± My smile faltered. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Alexander shook his head slightly. ¡°Nothing you need to worry about.¡± He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my lips¨Cbut even that felt rushed, distracted. I watched him walk away, his back straight but his steps tense. Had something happened in the Pack? Secure 129 Summer¡¯s POV After Alexander left, I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Despite his reassurance that it was nothing I needed to worry about, experience had taught me that pack business could turn dangerous in an instant. I showered quickly and dressed infortable jeans and a soft sweater, my mind still preupied with what might have pulled Alexander away so abruptly. I was pulling my hair into a loose ponytail when a knock sounded at the bedroom door. ¡°Come in,¡± I called, expecting perhaps Ethan with more information. Instead, Lyra¡¯s head poked around the door, her smile bright. ¡°Hey there, sister¨Cto¨Cbe! Are you busy today? ¡°1 ¡°Not particrly,¡± I replied, studying her face. She looked cheerful enough, but I wondered if she knew what was going on. ¡°Do you know where Alexander rushed off to? He got a mind¨Clink from Ethan and suddenly had to leave.¡± Lyra waved a dismissive hand. ¡°Oh, that. Just some boring territorial dispute with the Northern Lakes Pack. Nothing serious.¡± I raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. ¡°Are you sure? He seemed tense.¡± ¡°My brother is always tense about something,¡± sheughed, then ced both hands on her slightly rounded belly. ¡°Speaking of tense, I have my prenatal appointment today, and I was hoping you mighte with me? Ethan had to go with Alexander, and I really don¡¯t want to go alone.¡± My concerns temporarily set aside, I smiled at her. ¡°Of course I¡¯lle with you. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Like a bloated wolf during full moon,¡± she groaned dramatically. ¡°My ankles are swelling, my back hurts, and I swear this little pup is practicing somersaults in there.¡± Despite herints, her eyes shone with unmistakable joy. ¡°The miracle of life,¡± I teased, grabbing my purse. ¡°Easy for you to say¨Cyou¡¯re not the one with morning sickness thatsts all day,¡± she retorted, linking her arm with mine as we headed out. We took Lyra¡¯s SUV to the pack¡¯s medical center. As we sat in the waiting room, I couldn¡¯t help asking again, ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s nothing serious going on with the pack today? Alexander seemed¡­ off.¡± 604 Lyra gave me a curious look. ¡°You really worry about him, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Of course I do. He¡¯s my mate.¡± She smiled softly. ¡°It¡¯s nice to see. For years, we all worried he¡¯d never find someone who truly cared for him rather than his position.¡± She patted my hand. ¡°But honestly, Summer, it¡¯s nothing major. Just Alpha posturing. You know how these men get about their territories.¡± Before I could press further, a nurse called Lyra¡¯s name. The appointment went smoothly. The doctor¨Ca kindly older she¨Cwolf with graying hair and gentle hands -performed an ultrasound, showing us the tiny form of Lyra¡¯s pup. The sound of the heartbeat filled the room, strong and steady. ¡°Everything looks perfect,¡± the doctor announced. ¡°Your pup is developing right on schedule, and your wolf is supporting the pregnancy beautifully.¡± Lyra squeezed my hand so hard I thought she might break it, her eyes wet with tears as she stared at the monitor. ¡°Look at my baby,¡± she whispered. ¡°Can you believe it?¡± I felt my own eyes growing misty. Watching this new life, seeing the joy on Lyra¡¯s face¨Cit was a bittersweet reminder of everything I¡¯d lost with Felix. A hollow ache formed in my chest, threatening to steal my breath. *summer,I feel your sorrow,talk to me, love. Don¡¯t carry it alone.*Aurora¡¯s voice brushed into my thoughts like a warm nket, soft and familiar. I swallowed hard, fighting the burn behind my eyes. Even after all this time, even after everything, the wound still hadn¡¯t healed. *He would have loved being a cousin,* I whispered. *Our Felix would have been so gentle with this little one.* *I know.But we still have each other,*Aurora said, her tone tender but steady. *And now we have Alexander. Perhaps someday¡­* Something warm stirred in me, slow but certain. *One day we will hear our own pup¡¯s heartbeat again. When we¡¯re ready.* I drew in a slow breath, letting Aurora¡¯s words settle in my chest, then turned to Lyra with a faint smile. Secure 130 ¡°He or she is beautiful,¡± I told Lyra sincerely, pushing past my grief to share in her joy. After the appointment, Lyra was practically glowing as we walked back to the car. I nced at her, a thought forming. ¡°Want to go to the mall?¡± I asked. ¡°I¡¯d love to pick out something for the baby¨Cmaybe a plush wolf or a mobile for the nursery.¡± Lyra¡¯s eyes lit up instantly. ¡°Yes! I was just thinking the same thing.¡± We drove to therge shopping mall on the outskirts of town¨Ca neutral territory frequented by wolves from several packs as well as humans. As we stepped through the entrance, I realized I was actually looking forward to this¨Cjust a little. *Danger,* Aurora suddenly snarled, her hackles rising inside me. *Someone¡¯s watching us.* I tensed, my senses immediately heightening as I scanned our surroundings. My wolf had never steered me wrong before when it came to threats. We had just passed the central fountain when a figure stepped directly into our path, causing us both to halt abruptly. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± the woman said breathlessly, her eyes darting nervously behind us as if checking for followers. I immediately recognized her¨CMelissa, one of the she¨Cwolves who had worked in the Silver Creek Pack house kitchen. She had always been kind to me, sometimes slipping extra treats to Felix when Foster wasn¡¯t looking. *Silver Creek,* Aurora growled, her mistrust evident. *Nothing good everes from there anymore.* ¡°Melissa?¡± I was genuinely shocked to see her here, so far from Silver Creek territory. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± She looked terrible¨Cthin, with dark circles under her eyes and an air of desperate anxiety about her. Her clothes were rumpled, her hair hastily pulled back. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to find you for days,¡± she whispered urgently. ¡°Please, I need your help.¡± Beside me, Lyra stiffened, her protective instincts clearly kicking in. ¡°Who is this?¡± she asked, her tone carrying a warning edge. ¡°She¡¯s from my former pack,¡± I exined quickly, then turned back to Melissa. ¡°What¡¯s happened? Is everything alright at Silver Creek?¡± Melissa¡¯s eyes filled with tears. ¡°Nothing is alright there. Not since¡­¡± She nced around again, clearly terrified. ¡°Can we speak somewhere private? Please, Luna. I wouldn¡¯t ask if it wasn¡¯t important.¡± The use of my former title¨CLuna¨Cstruck me as odd. I hadn¡¯t been the Luna of Silver Creek for months now. *Trap,* Aurora warned, circling restlessly in my mind. *This feels like a trap.* I silenced my wolf¡¯s warnings, though I remained cautious. Melissa had never been anything but kind to me and Felix. ¡°Whatever you need to tell me, you can say in front of Lyra,¡± I said firmly. ¡°She¡¯s Alexander¡¯s sister and .¡± Melissa hesitated, wringing her hands together. ¡°It¡¯s Alpha Foster,¡± she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°After you left¡­ after what happened with Felix¡­ he¡¯s changed. The pack is suffering terribly under his leadership.¡± A chill ran down my spine at the mention of my ex¨Cmate and my son in the same breath. ¡°Changed how?¡± I asked, though part of me didn¡¯t want to hear the answer. ¡°Silver Creek is falling apart,¡± she whispered, voice trembling. ¡°Foster has bepletely unhinged. He¡¯s paranoid, violent. Some days he locks himself away, other days he rages through the pack house, punishing anyone who dares mention your name or Felix¡¯s.¡± Aurora growled with dark satisfaction. *Good. Let him suffer for what he did to our pup.* ¡°Many wolves have fled,¡± Melissa continued. ¡°Those who can¡¯t leave are living in fear. I¡¯m begging you, Luna Summer¨Cplease help me escape. I have nowhere else to turn. Alpha ckwood¡¯s territory is my only hope for sanctuary.¡± I stared at her, conflicted. Part of me wanted nothing more than to turn my back on anything connected to Silver Creek and Foster. But another part¨Cthe part that remembered Melissa¡¯s small kindnesses to Felix¨Ccouldn¡¯t dismiss her plea. ¡°There are rumors,¡± she added, ncing around nervously again. ¡°Terrible rumors spreading through the pack.¡± My heart skipped a beat. ¡°What rumors?¡± Secure 131 Chapter 131 Foster¡¯s POV ¡°Alpha, we need to talk about the Richardson contract.¡± I barely restrained myself from growling as Beta Sean entered my office without knocking¨Ca liberty he¡¯d been taking more frequently as Silver Creek¡¯s situation deteriorated. Once upon a time, such disrespect would have earned him a swift and painful reminder of his ce in the hierarchy. Now, I couldn¡¯t afford to alienate one of the few pack members still loyal to me. ¡°What about it?¡± I asked, not bothering to look up from the spreadsheets littering my desk¨Call of them painted in rming shades of red. ¡°They¡¯ve pulled out.¡± Sean¡¯s voice was t, devoid of the panic such news deserved. ¡°Cited ¡®ethical concerns¡® about continuing business with our pack.¡± My hand clenched, crumpling the paper I held. ¡°Ethical concerns,¡± I repeated, the words tasting like ash. Let me guess¨Cthey just signed with ckwood Industries instead?¡± Sean¡¯s silence was confirmation enough. I shoved away from my desk, pacing the length of my office like the caged predator I¡¯d be. Six months ago, Silver Creek Pack had been at the pinnacle of its power¨Cwealthy, respected, feared. Now, we were bleeding money faster than I could patch the wounds, our reputation in tatters, our allies vanishing one by one. All because of her. Summer. My ungrateful former Luna who had fled to the arms of my greatest rival, taking with her not just my son¨Cmy heir¨Cbut apparently my luck as well. ¡°The pack is growing restless,¡± Sean said, watching me cautiously. ¡°There are rumors¡­¡± ¡°Speak inly,¡± I snapped. ¡°What rumors?¡± He hesitated before answering. ¡°Some are saying we were better off when Summer was Luna. That her charity projects brought positive attention and goodwill that tranted into business opportunities.¡± A red haze clouded my vision. ¡°And do you share this opinion?¡± I asked, my voice dangerously soft. ¡°Of course not, Alpha,¡± Sean replied quickly¨Ctoo quickly. ¡°But morale is low. The younger wolves especially are talking about seeking opportunities in other territories.¡± ¡°They¡¯re wee to try,¡± I snarled. ¡°Any wolf who abandons Silver Creek will be marked as a traitor. No reputable pack will take them.¡± +15.BONUS ¡°With respect, Alpha,¡± Sean persisted, ¡°if we can¡¯t feed our people through the winter, they¡¯ll have little choice.¡± I mmed my fist against the wall, leaving a spiderweb of cracks in the ster. ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know that?¡± I roared. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m not working day and night to solve this crisis?¡± Sean lowered his gaze submissively. ¡°No, Alpha. We all know how hard you¡¯re working.¡± My anger deted slightly at his show of deference. ¡°The Richardson merger would have saved us,¡± I muttered, more to myself than to him. ¡°If Alexander hadn¡¯t interfered¡­¡± ¡°There are other opportunities,¡± Sean suggested. ¡°Other alliances we could pursue.¡± Iughed bitterly. ¡°What pack would align with us now? Alexander has made sure we¡¯re seen as pariahs throughout the North American territories.¡± The memory of how thoroughly he¡¯d outmaneuvered me still burned. He hadn¡¯t just taken my Luna¨Che¡¯d systematically dismantled my supportwork, and turned my strongest business allies against me. All while appearingpletely uninvolved, the bastard. ¡°Perhaps we need to look beyond traditional pack alliances,¡± Sean said carefully. I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Meaning what, exactly?¡± Before Sean could answer, a knock at the door interrupted us. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± called one of the junior guards. ¡°There¡¯s a visitor at the gate requesting an audience. She says it¡¯s urgent.¡± ¡°Who is it?¡± I demanded, in no mood for unexpected guests. ¡°Natalia Thompson, sir.¡± I felt my lips curl into something between a grimace and a smile. Natalia. The she¨Cwolf hade crawling back, just as I¡¯d predicted she would after ourst disastrous coboration. ¡°Let her in,¡± I ordered, straightening my posture and adjusting my shirt. ¡°Escort her directly to my office.¡± Sean raised an eyebrow. ¡°Alpha Thompson publicly denounced his daughter recently. Some scandal involving poisoning and embezzlement.¡± I waved a dismissive hand. ¡°All the more reason to hear what she has to say. Desperate wolves make useful allies.¡± Ten minutester, Natalia Thompson was ushered into my office. She looked different from thest time I¡¯d seen her¨Cgone were the designer clothes and haughty demeanor. She wore simple dark jeans and a sweater, her once¨Cimmacte hair pulled back in a practical ponytail. But the look in her eyes¨Ccold, calcting, vengeful¨Cthat hadn¡¯t changed a bit. I felt a twisted kinship with her in that moment. We¡¯d both been brought low by the same people. Both lost everything that mattered. Both consumed by thoughts of revenge. ¡°Alpha Foster,¡± she greeted me with a formal bow that disyed both respect and the elegant curve of her neck. ¡°Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.¡± Secure 132 Chapter 132 +15 BONUS ¡°Miss Thompson,¡± I replied, gesturing to the chair across from my desk. ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m surprised to see you back in my territory. What brings you here?¡± Her green eyes shed with annoyance. ¡°As I¡¯m sure you¡¯re well aware.¡± ¡°Indeed.¡± I leaned back in my chair, studying her. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about your recent troubles. Quite the fall from grace.¡± ¡°False usations,¡± she snapped, then visiblyposed herself. I raised an eyebrow, recalling the rumors I¡¯d heard. ¡°So you didn¡¯t poison those she¨Cwolves who rejected your brother? Didn¡¯t embezzle from your family¡¯s ounts?¡± Her smile turned dangerous. ¡°I never said that. I simply said not everyone believes it matters. ¡°But I didn¡¯te here to discuss my personal problems. I came to offer you a solution to yours.¡± ¡°Ourst partnership wasn¡¯t exactly fruitful,¡± I reminded her. ¡°I underestimated her then,¡± Natalia admitted candidly. ¡°And Alexander¡¯s influence. I won¡¯t make that mistake again.¡± She leaned forward, her expression earnest. ¡°I¡¯m not here for games or half¨Cmeasures this time, Alpha Foster. I¡¯m here with a genuine proposal that could save your pack from financial ruin.¡± ¡°Your pack is bleeding money. Your allies have abandoned you.¡± She ticked off each point on her manicured fingers. ¡°All because Alexander ckwood has systematically destroyed your reputation and business connections.¡± ¡°Tell me something I don¡¯t know,¡± I said coldly. She leaned forward, her green eyes gleaming with malice. ¡°What if I told you I have ess to resources that could save Silver Creek? Capital to invest, connections to rebuild, information that could restore your standing among the council packs?¡± ¡°Why would I trust you?¡± I said tly.¡°You¡¯re a disgraced wolf, abandoned by your own pack¨Cand your father. What exactly do you have to offer?¡± Nataliaughed¨Ca musical sound at odds with the hatred burning in her eyes. ¡°You think I¡¯ve been sitting idle since my disgrace? I¡¯ve been making new connections. Powerful ones.¡± ¡°I have a very¡­ intimate rtionship with Lucien Cross, Alpha of the ckspire Pack in Eastern Europe. He¡¯s looking to expand his influence into North American territories, and he needs local allies.¡± I stiffened at the name. Lucien Cross was infamous in wolf circles¨Ca ruthless Alpha who had consolidated power across multiple territories in Eastern Europe through methods that were whispered +15 BONUS about but rarely openly discussed. His pack¡¯s legitimate business enterprises were vast, but rumors of their underground activities were even more extensive. ¡°ckspire Pack,¡± I said slowly, testing the words. ¡°They¡¯re not exactly known for their ethical business practices.¡± Natalia¡¯s smile was sharp. ¡°They¡¯re known for getting results. And right now, can you really afford to be picky about where helpes from?¡± She had a point. Silver Creek was weeks away from financial copse. My options were disappearing daily. ¡°What exactly are you proposing?¡± I asked, curiosity oveing caution. ¡°An alliance. Lucien provides the capital to keep Silver Creek afloat. His connections help rebuild your business empire. And in return, you provide him with legitimacy in North American wolf society¨Ca foothold in this territory.¡± For the first time in months, I felt a spark of hope. If what she was saying was true¨Cif she truly had ess to the resources she imed¨Cthis could be the lifeline Silver Creek needed. ¡°And what do you want in return for this¡­ generosity?¡± I asked, already suspecting the answer. ¡°Revenge,¡± she said simply. ¡°On Alexander ckwood and your former Luna. I want them destroyed. Not just financially or socially¨CI want them broken. ¡± ¡°Humiliated. I want to take everything from them, just as they took everything from us! ¡± The darkness in her voice matched the void that had been growing in my own soul since Summer fled with Felix¨Ca void that had only expanded when news reached me of my son¡¯s death. ¡°And do you have a n for achieving this vengeance?¡± I asked, leaning back in my chair. ¡°Alexander ckwood isn¡¯t easily outsmarted.¡± Natalia¡¯s smile widened, revealing perfect white teeth in a predatory grin. ¡°As a matter of fact, I do. I have information about their uing binding ceremony. A vulnerability we can exploit. But I¡¯ll need your help¨Cand the resources of your pack¨Cto make it work.¡± I should have been suspicious. Should have questioned why she¡¯de to me instead of some other Alpha with a grudge against ckwood. Should have wondered what this seemingly broken she¨Cwolf was really after. But the promise of salvation for my pack¨Cand vengeance against those who had wronged me¨Cwas too tempting to resist. ¡°Tell me more,¡± I said, gesturing for Sean to close the door, ensuring our privacy. ¡°I¡¯m all ears.¡± +15 BONUS Secure 133 Chapter 133 Summer¡¯s POV My heart raced as I studied Melissa¡¯s face. She looked terrified¨Cher eyes constantly scanning our surroundings as if expecting Alpha Foster¡¯s enforcers to appear at any moment. ¡°What is it, Melissa?¡± I asked, keeping my voice steady despite the anxiety twisting in my chest. ¡°That he¡¯s nning something against the ckwood Pack. Against you and Alpha Alexander.¡± Her voice broke. ¡°I couldn¡¯t stay silent. Not after how kind you always were to me.¡± Lyra¡¯s hand found mine, squeezing gently in support. ¡°How did you find me?¡± I asked, trying to process this disturbing information. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching the mall entrances for days,¡± she admitted. ¡°I knew you shopped here sometimes. It was the only ce I could think to look without entering ckwood territory directly.¡± My mind raced with questions and concerns. Was this why Alexander had been called away so urgently? Did this have something to do with the ¡°pack business¡± Ethan had mind¨Clinked him about? ¡°Melissa,¡± I said carefully, ¡°I appreciate youing to warn me, but I need to know exactly what you¡¯ve heard. What is Foster nning?¡± Her eyes darted around the busy mall again. ¡°I don¡¯t know specific details. But he¡¯s been meeting with wolves from outside our territory¨Cincluding that she¨Cwolf who used to pursue Alpha Alexander.¡± ¡°Natalia Thompson?¡± Lyra¡¯s voice was sharp with surprise. Melissa nodded. ¡°And others. Powerful wolves from packs I don¡¯t recognize. Some with ents from overseas.¡± My blood ran cold. If Foster was allying himself with Natalia¨Cwho had every reason to hate both Alexander and me after her recent disgrace¨Cand unknown foreign wolves, this could be far more serious than a simple territorial dispute. ¡°Please, Luna,¡± Melissa begged, her voice trembling. ¡°I risked everything to bring you this warning. Many in Silver Creek still respect you. If anything happened to the ckwood Pack because Foster¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t finish the sentence. I straightened my spine, my decision made. ¡°Thank you, Melissa. You did the right thing.¡± I turned to Lyra. ¡°We need to contact Alexander immediately.¡± Lyra was already pulling out her phone, her expression grave. ¡°I¡¯ll mind¨Clink Ethan too.¡± +15 BONUS As she stepped aside to make the call, I reached out to squeeze Melissa¡¯s arm reassuringly, ¡°You¡¯ll stay with us now. The ckwood Pack will protect you.¡± Relief flooded her features, quickly reced by fresh anxiety. ¡°But what about the others? There are more wolves who want to leave Silver Creek, but they¡¯re afraid.¡± The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders¨Cnot just for the woman before me, but for all those suffering under Foster¡¯s reign. These were wolves I had once been responsible for as their Luna. Even though that title was no longer mine, I couldn¡¯t ignore their plight. ¡°We¡¯ll help them too,¡± I promised, though I wasn¡¯t entirely sure how. ¡°But first, we need to understand exactly what Foster is nning.¡± Lyra returned, her expression confirming my fears. ¡°Alexander wants us back at the pack house immediately. He¡¯s sending a security detail to meet us here.¡± As we waited for our escort, watching the mall entrances for any sign of Silver Creek wolves who might have followed Melissa, I couldn¡¯t shake the ominous feeling that the past I¡¯d fought so hard to escape was rushing back to confront me. Foster had taken nearly everything from me once before. The thought that he might be plotting against my new life, my new pack¨Cagainst Alexander¨Cfilled me with a cold, focused rage. This time, I wouldn¡¯t be the victim. This time, I would be ready. Twenty minutester, four imposing ckwood enforcers arrived, immediately forming a protective formation around us as we made our way to the waiting SUVs. I noticed how Melissa¡¯s eyes widened at their respectful treatment of me¨Cso different from how Foster¡¯s guards had treated me in the final months of our mating. The drive back to ckwood pack house was tense, with Melissa sitting silently beside me, her hands fidgeting in herp. I could smell her fear¨Cnot just of Alpha Foster¡¯s potential retaliation, but of the unknown future she now faced as a defector from her pack. ¡°You made the brave choice,¡± I told her softly. ¡°Alexander will ensure you¡¯re protected.¡± She gave me a tremulous smile. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d see you like this again, Luna. Strong, confident¡­ happy, despite everything.¡± Thement touched me deeply. ¡°I am happy,¡± I admitted. ¡°I found where I belong.¡± When we arrived at the pack house, Alexander was waiting on the steps, his powerful frame tense with concern. The moment I stepped from the vehicle, his scent enveloped me¨Cpine, musk, and that unique alpha power that was his alone. 2/3 My wolf stirred inside me, seeking thefort of our mate. ¡°Summer,¡± he said, pulling me into a fierce embrace before his eyes locked on Melissa standing nervously behind me. ¡°This is our visitor from Silver Creek?¡± Secure 134 +15 BONUS Chapter 134 I nodded. ¡°She came to warn us. Foster is nning something, and he¡¯s working with Natalia Thompson.¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened, his green eyes shing with alpha authority. ¡°Let¡¯s continue this inside. The council room is more secure.¡± Once seated in the soundproofed council chamber with Ethan, Lyra, and several other high¨Cranking pack members, Melissa repeated everything she¡¯d told me¨Cthis time adding a few more details. ¡°Alpha Foster is desperate,¡± she exined. ¡°The pack is falling apart. Many believe it¡¯s because he broke the sacred mate bond with you, Luna Summer.¡± Alexander listened intently, his hand resting possessively on my thigh under the table. When Melissa finished, he exchanged a significant look with Ethan. ¡°This aligns with the intelligence we¡¯ve been gathering,¡± Ethan confirmed. ¡°Our sources indicate increased activity at Silver Creek¡¯s borders, and there have been sightings of unknown wolves in neutral territories nearby.¡± ¡°What concerns me most,¡± Alexander said, his voice carrying the weight of his alpha authority, ¡°is the mention of foreign wolves. The Council should be informed immediately if Foster is bringing outside forces into North American territories without authorization.¡± He turned to Melissa. ¡°You¡¯ve shown great courageing here. The ckwood Pack offers you sanctuary for as long as you need it.¡± Relief washed over her face, but Alexander continued, his expression serious. ¡°However, protocol requires that new refugees undergo a period of observation before being granted full pack membership. For your safety and ours.¡± I understood immediately. While I trusted Melissa, Alexander had to consider the possibility that she could be unwittingly¨Cor even willingly¨Cserving as Foster¡¯s spy. ¡°Of course,¡± Melissa whispered, lowering her gaze submissively. ¡°It¡¯s standard procedure,¡± I assured her, squeezing her hand. ¡°You¡¯ll be treated well, I promise.¡± After the meeting, Alexander assigned one of our trusted female enforcers to escort Melissa to guest quarters in the secure wing of the pack house. As the room cleared, he pulled me into his arms, his scent wrapping around me protectively. ¡°Are you okay?¡± he asked, his voice gentler now that we were alone. I nodded against his chest. ¡°Just worried about what Alpha Foster might be nning. If he¡¯s allied himself with Natalia¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be ready,¡± Alexander promised, his hand stroking soothingly down my back. ¡°I¡¯ve increased security throughout our territory, and Ethan has his best wolves gathering intelligence. Foster won¡¯t catch us unprepared.¡± Later that night, after a quiet dinner in our rooms, I stood by the window staring out at the moonlit forest, my thoughts still tangled with worries about what Foster might be plotting. Alexander¡¯s warm arms encircled me from behind, his chest pressed against my back as he nuzzled into my neck, inhaling deeply. ¡°Your scent changes when you¡¯re worried,¡± he murmured. ¡°Talk to me, sweetheart.¡± I leaned back against him, drawing strength from his solid presence. ¡°I can¡¯t help feeling responsible for the wolves still suffering in Silver Creek. Melissa risked everything to warn us¡­¡± ¡°You have the biggest heart of any wolf I¡¯ve ever known,¡± Alexander said, turning me in his arms. ¡°It¡¯s one of the countless reasons I love you. But you are not responsible for Foster¡¯s actions or his failing pack.¡± His hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer as his lips found mine in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened with hunger. I felt Aurora respond to his touch, her need rising to match my own as his scent overwhelmed my senses. ¡°Let me take care of you tonight,¡± he whispered against my lips. ¡°Let me make you forget everything but us.¡± As his mouth trailed down my neck, nipping at the sensitive spot where my shoulder met my throat, I surrendered to the sensations he was creating. His hands slid under my shirt, his touch leaving trails of fire across my skin. We moved toward the bed, shedding clothes as we went. When heid me down on the cool sheets, his powerful body covering mine, I felt the familiar rush of desire mingled with the deeper connection of our mate bond. His kisses grew more urgent, more demanding, as he worked his way down my body. I gasped when his mouth found my breast, arching up into his touch as pleasure spiraled through me. His hand slipped between my thighs, finding me already wet and ready for him. ¡°Always so responsive,¡± he growled approvingly, his fingers stroking in slow, deliberate circles until I was whimpering beneath him. When he finally positioned himself between my legs, the blunt head of his hardness pressing against my entrance, he paused, his green eyes locking with mine. ¡°Summer,¡± he said, his voice husky with desire but also tender with emotion. ¡°I want to knot you tonight. Will you let me?¡± +15 BONUS Chapter 135 Secure 135 Chapter 135 Alexander¡¯s POV I watched Summer¡¯s eyes widen at my question, her lips parting slightly in surprise. Knotting was sacred among our kind¨Cthe deepest connection an alpha could form with his mate, and often led to creating new life. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Summer whispered, her fingers tracing the contour of my jaw. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s a big step, Alexander.¡± My wolf, Orion, pawed restlessly inside me, desperate to im herpletely. Through our connection, I could sense her wolf Aurora¡¯s reciprocal desire, but also something else¨Ca shadow of old pain that never quite disappeared. ¡°I¡¯ve never been more certain of anything,¡± I told her, pressing my forehead against hers. ¡°I want to share everything with you, Summer. I want to create a family with you.¡± I hesitated, knowing I needed to address what Orionhad sensed from Aurora. ¡°I know Felix will always hold a special ce in your heart. Nothing could ever rece him.¡± I brushed a strand of hair from her face, feeling her tremble beneath me. ¡°But perhaps¡­ perhaps having another child to love might help heal some of that pain.¡± Tears glistened in her eyes as she processed my words. I knew she still carried the grief of losing her son -a wound that would never fully close. I wasn¡¯t trying to erase that memory, only to give her new joy alongside it. ¡°I think about him every day,¡± she admitted softly. ¡°But you¡¯re right. I¡¯ve been afraid to even consider having another child. Afraid of loving that deeply again.¡± I kissed away a tear that had escaped down her cheek. ¡°We¡¯d face whateveres together, my love. I¡¯d never let anything happen to you or our pups.¡± Summer¡¯s hand slid to the back of my neck, pulling me down for a kiss that conveyed everything words couldn¡¯t. When she pulled away, her eyes had darkened with determination and desire. ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered against my lips. ¡°I want your knot, Alexander. I want to try for a family with you.¡± A growl of approval rumbled from my chest as I imed her mouth again, our wolves surging forward with primal hunger. Summer¡¯s legs wrapped around my waist as I positioned myself at her entrance, already slick with arousal. I pushed into her slowly, savoring the exquisite sensation of her body yielding to mine. She gasped against my mouth, her nails digging into my shoulders as I filled herpletely. ¡°Mine,¡± I growled, my alpha instincts taking over as I began to move inside her. Summer matched my rhythm, her hips rising to meet each thrust as pleasure built between us. Our mating bond red brilliantly, amplifying every sensation until I could barely tell where my pleasure ended and hers began. ¡°Harder,¡± she demanded, her voice husky with need. ¡°I need all of you.¡± I growled in response, my wolf close to the surface as I increased my pace, driving into her with an intensity that had her moaning my name. The knowledge that we might be creating a new life together only heightened the pleasure, adding a deeper meaning to our joining. As I felt my release approaching, I leaned down to capture her mouth again, my kiss possessive and hungry. ¡°I want to knot you,¡± I growled against her lips. ¡°Fill you with my seed until there¡¯s no doubt you¡¯ll carry my pup.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she gasped, her inner muscles tightening around me as her first climax washed over her. ¡°Give me everything.¡± Her release triggered my own, and I felt my knot begin to swell, locking us together as I spilled deep inside her. The sensation triggered another powerful wave of pleasure for Summer, her back arching as she cried out my name. As wey there afterward, still joined by my knot, I held her close to me. ¡°Are you okay?¡± I whispered, concerned I might have hurt her despite her earlier agreement. Her answer was a smile of such radiant joy that it stole my breath. ¡°More than okay,¡± she whispered, pulling me down for a tender kiss. ¡°I feel¡­plete.¡± X Secure 136 ¡°I love you, Summer ckwood,¡± I murmured against her hair, using the name she¡¯d soon carry officially. ¡°More than I have words to express.¡± She snuggled closer, pressing a kiss to my chest right over my heart. ¡°And I love you, Alexander. Thank you for showing me I could find happiness again.¡± We drifted to sleep wrapped in each other¡¯s arms, the possibility of new life already a hopeful whisper between us. Two weeks passed with no significant movement from Silver Creek Pack. On the surface, everything seemed quiet¨Ctoo quiet for my liking. I sat in my office reviewing thetest security reports when Ethan knocked on my door. ¡°Come in,¡± I called, setting aside the financial documents I¡¯d been examining.. My Beta entered, his expression serious but not rmed. ¡°I¡¯ve got the weekly surveince update on Silver Creek.¡± ¡°What have you found?¡± I asked, gesturing for him to take a seat. Ethan ced a folder on my desk and sat down. ¡°There¡¯s been a notable exodus from the pack. At least thirty members have left in the past week alone¨Cmostly younger wolves and families with small children.¡± This confirmed what Melissa had told us about declining conditions within Foster¡¯s territory. ¡°Are they seeking asylum elsewhere?¡± ¡°Most are dispersing to smaller packs throughout the region. None have approached our borders directly, ¡°1 Ethan reported. ¡°But that¡¯s not all. Foster has been liquidating assets¨Cmostly smaller holdings and peripheral businesses.¡± I frowned, leaning forward to examine the financial records Ethan hadpiled. ¡°But the core enterprises remain untouched. The techpany, the energy holdings, the downtown real estate¨Call still firmly in Silver Creek hands.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Ethan agreed. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense. If he were truly preparing to abandon the territory or facing financial copse, those would be the first assets he¡¯d protect or transfer.¡± My instincts as both businessman and Alpha told me something was deeply wrong with this picture. Foster was methodical in his cruelty¨Che wouldn¡¯t simply allow his pack to disintegrate without purpose. ¡°And Natalia Thompson?¡± I asked, thinking of the vindictive she¨Cwolf who had once thought herself destined to be my Luna. +15 BONUS ¡°Still making regr visits to Silver Creek territory,¡± Ethan confirmed. ¡°But she¡¯s being extremely careful -using different vehicles, meeting at various locations. Our scouts have also identified two European wolves in her entourage.¡± ¡°European?¡± This was a new development. ¡°Any identification?¡± ¡°Nothing concrete yet, but based on their ents and behavior patterns, we believe they might be connected to one of the Eastern European packs.¡± Ethan hesitated. ¡°There are rumors that ckspire Pack has been looking to expand their influence across the Antic.¡± I felt my wolf bristle at the mention of ckspire Pack. Their Alpha, Lucien Cross, had a reputation for ruthless expansion and disregard for traditional pack boundaries. If he was forming an alliance with Foster and Natalia¡­ ¡°Double the surveince on Silver Creek¡¯s borders,¡± I ordered. ¡°And I wantplete profiles on these European wolves by the end of the week.¡± ¡°Already in progress,¡± Ethan assured me. ¡°And keep a closer eye on Natalia¡¯s movements. If she¡¯s serving as liaison between Alpha Foster and ckspire, we need to know exactly what they¡¯re nning.¡± Ethan nodded, making notes on his tablet. ¡°What about the Council? Should we alert them to potential foreign interference?¡± I considered this carefully. The North American Council of Alphas took territorial vitions seriously, but without concrete evidence of wrongdoing, bringing usations against Foster could backfire politically. ¡°Not yet,¡± I decided. ¡°We gather more evidence first. The Council won¡¯t act without proof, and Foster still has allies there who would dismiss our concerns as a territorial grab.¡± Ethan¡¯s jaw tightened slightly, but he gave a sharp nod. ¡°Keep me updated on any developments,¡± I said. ¡°If Alpha Foster is nning something with international allies, we need to be three steps ahead.¡± ¡°Of course, Alpha,¡± Ethan replied with a respectful incline of his head. He turned and was halfway to the door when I called out, ¡°Before you go¨Chas everything been arranged for tonight?¡± Chapter 137 Alexander¡¯s POV Secure 137 Alexander¡¯s POV +15 BONUS ¡°Everything has been arranged, Alpha,¡± Ethan turned back to tell me. ¡°The private pavilion at Moonlight Ridge has been booked under the alias you requested. Security will maintain discreet positions nearby, and the chef has prepared the menu exactly as you specified.¡± I nodded slightly, trying not to let my anticipation show too inly. Tonight wasn¡¯t just a romantic dinner -it was the night I nned to ask Summer to be my Luna officially, to bind our lives together before the entire pack. After Ethan left, I retrieved the small velvet box from my desk drawer, opening it to admire the ring once more. The tinum band gleamed in the light, featuring a stunning oval moonstone at its center, surrounded by a circle of diamonds that caught the light like stars. The inner band was etched with ancient wolf runes signifying eternal mating bonds. My mind drifted back to three weeks ago when I¡¯d visited Anton, the pack¡¯s master jeweler, tomission this piece¡­ ¡°Alpha ckwood,¡± Anton had greeted me with a respectful bow as I entered his workshop. The elderly werewolf had been crafting ceremonial jewelry for our pack for over fifty years. ¡°I need something special,¡± I¡¯d told him. ¡°A Luna¡¯s ring worthy of the strongest she¨Cwolf I¡¯ve ever known.¡± Anton¡¯s eyes had lit up. The entire pack knew how deeply I loved Summer, how she¡¯d ovee unimaginable pain at Foster¡¯s hands to be a beacon of strength for ourmunity. ¡°Not diamonds alone,¡± I¡¯d continued. ¡°Summer isn¡¯t just beautiful¨Cshe¡¯s resilient. She carries both storm and moonlight within her.¡± The old craftsman had nodded thoughtfully, pulling out a tray of precious stones. ¡°Moonstone,¡± he¡¯d suggested, selecting a particrly luminous oval specimen. ¡°It represents new beginnings and inner strength. The ancient packs believed it carried the power of the moon itself¨Cthe source of our transformation.¡± The final result exceeded my expectations. The ring was elegant yet powerful¨Cjust like Summer herself. I tucked the box safely into my jacket pocket and nced at my watch. Time to head to Moonlight Ridge and ensure everything was perfect before Summer arrived. The restaurant was perched on the cliffside overlooking the city lights and distant mountains. I¡¯d chosen it not just for the breathtaking view, but because the owner was a trusted ally from a neighboring pack who understood the importance of privacy. ¡°Wee, Alpha ckwood,¡± Marcus greeted me at the private entrance. ¡°We¡¯ve prepared everything ording to your specifications.¡± +15 BONUS I followed him through to the exclusive dining room. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the space, and floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows framed the spectacr twilight view. Rose petals were scattered across the white tablecloth, and candles created the perfect intimate atmosphere. ¡°The champagne is chilling,¡± Marcus said, gesturing to the vintage bottle. ¡°And the chef will begin preparing the first course when you give the signal.¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± I replied, inspecting every detail with an Alpha¡¯s precision. Nothing less than perfection would do for tonight. After confirming the room met my standards, I stepped onto the private balcony and pulled out my phone to call Lyra, who had been tasked with keeping Summer distracted all day. ¡°How¡¯s everything going?¡± I asked when my sister answered. Summer¡¯s POV The pack house buzzed with activity as preparations for our ceremony next month continued. I smiled, watching two young gamma wolves carefully carrying ceremonial candles across the main hall, their expressions serious with the weight of their responsibility. ¡°Those go in the east alcove,¡± I directed gently, feeling a rush of warmth at how enthusiastically the pack had embraced our uing union. Though Alexander and I were already mated in the eyes of our pack, the formal ceremony would cement my position as Luna before the entire pack and neighboring allies. It was tradition¨Cone I was growing increasingly excited about as the date approached. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± a young she¨Cwolf named Sarah approached with a tablet in hand. ¡°The florist sent over the final arrangements for approval.¡± I smiled at her use of the title. Though I wasn¡¯t officially Luna yet, most pack members had already begun addressing me as such¡ªa sign of their eptance that touched me deeply. ¡°Thank you, Sarah,¡± I replied, scrolling through the images of elegant white roses and moonflowers.¡± These look perfect.¡± After approving the flowers, I retreated to my office to review the quarterly reports for Felix¡¯s Foundation. The charity had grown exponentially since itsunch, now providing medical assistance and education to disadvantaged werewolf children across three states. Seeing my son¡¯s legacy flourish brought healing I never thought possible. I was deep in spreadsheets when a knock interrupted my concentration. ¡°Come in,¡± I called, looking up to see Lyra¡¯s head poking through the doorway. ¡°Hey there, workaholic,¡± she greeted cheerfully. ¡°Put those boring reports away. We¡¯re going shopping.¡± Iughed, gesturing at the documents spread across my desk. ¡°As tempting as that sounds, I have quarterly reviews to finish before-¡± ¡°Before nothing,¡± Lyra interrupted, sweeping into the room with her characteristic energy. ¡°The foundation won¡¯t copse if you take one afternoon off. When¡¯s thest time you did something just for you?¡± Secure 138 ter 138 I hesitated, realizing I couldn¡¯t actually remember. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± Lyra said triumphantly. ¡°Remember our shopping trip that got interrupted? I¡¯m cashing in that rain check. Right now.¡± ¡°But Alexander-¡± ¡°Is equally busy with Alpha duties and won¡¯t miss you for a few hours,¡± she insisted. ¡°Besides, he texted me earlier saying he¡¯d be tied up in meetings all afternoon.¡± I bit my lip, torn between responsibility and the tempting offer of a carefree afternoon. ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°Great! You¡¯re in!¡± Lyra pped her hands together. ¡°Go change into somethingfortable for shopping. We¡¯re hitting the boutiques downtown.¡± Thirty minutester, we were strolling through the exclusive shopping district, window shopping and catching up. It felt surprisingly good to step away from my responsibilities, if only for an afternoon. ¡°Let¡¯s go in here,¡± Lyra suggested, pointing to Bellissima, the high¨Cend boutique where we¡¯d found my emerald dress for the charity g. ¡°Absolutely perfect,¡± she finished, practically dragging me inside. The store attendant recognized Lyra immediately. ¡°Miss ckwood, we¡¯ve been expecting you. Everything is prepared as requested.¡± I shot Lyra a suspicious nce. ¡°As requested?¡± She waved dismissively. ¡°I called ahead. Being the Alpha¡¯s sister has its perks.¡± Before I could question her further, I was whisked away by the attendant and shown to a private fitting room where several evening gowns awaited. ¡°These are gorgeous,¡± I breathed, running my fingers over the fine fabrics. ¡°Try this one first,¡± Lyra suggested, holding up a stunning midnight blue gown with delicate silver embellishments that reminded me of stars against the night sky. The dress fit perfectly¨Calmost suspiciously so. ¡°Did you have this made for me?¡± I asked as I admired the reflection in the mirror. Lyra shrugged innocently. ¡°Maybe I got your measurements from your closet. It¡¯s for a special asion.¡± ¡°What special asion?¡± ¡°Life is the special asion,¡± she replied cryptically. ¡°Now, we need shoes to match.¡± +15 BONUS After purchasing the dress (Lyra insisted on paying, iming it was a ¡°future sister¨Cinw gift¡°), we headed to the Luna Spa, an exclusive retreat that catered specifically to werewolves. ¡°Wee to Luna Spa,¡± greeted a petite beta wolf at the reception. ¡°We have your private suite ready, Miss ckwood and Luna Summer.¡± We were led to avish room with two massage tables and walls painted in soothing colors. The air was infused withvender and chamomile¨Cscents specifically chosen to calm werewolf senses without overwhelming them. ¡°I¡¯ve arranged the full package,¡± Lyra announced. ¡°Massage, facial, hot stone therapy¨Cthe works.¡± ¡°Lyra, this is too much,¡± I protested weakly, even as two masseuses entered with warm smiles. ¡°Nonsense. Now strip and get on that table before I make you.¡± Iughed andplied, settling onto the heated massage table. The masseuse began working on my shoulders, her hands skilled at finding the exact pressure points that released tension I hadn¡¯t even realized I was carrying. ¡°Goddess, that feels amazing,¡± I murmured as she worked down my spine. ¡°These masseuses are trained specifically for werewolf physiology,¡± Lyra exined from nearby, where she rxed in afortable chair rather than on a massage table due to her pregnancy. ¡°They know exactly how to work with our enhanced muscles and elerated healing.¡± After the massage came the hot stone treatment. Smooth volcanic stones from ancient werewolf territories were heated and ced strategically along my spine and at key energy points. I closed my eyes, allowing the warmth to seep into ces inside me that had been cold for so long. I could feel Aurora, my wolf, rising contentedly to the surface of my consciousness, basking in the healing energy. Lyra asked as we moved to the next treatment room for facials.¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Like I¡¯m floating,¡± I admitted. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize how much tension I was carrying.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what happens when you¡¯re constantly taking care of everyone else,¡± she said pointedly. Sometimes you need to let someone take care of you.¡± As wey back with luxurious masks on our faces, I felt a surge of gratitude for this unexpected friendship. When I¡¯d first arrived at the ckwood pack, broken and guarded, I never imagined I would find not just love with Alexander, but also this sisterhood with Lyra. After the facials came a full body wrap with minerals drawn from natural hot springs sacred to werewolves for generations. By the time we emerged from the treatment rooms, my skin was glowing and I felt utterly rejuvenated. ¡°Now for the final touches,¡± Lyra announced, leading me toward another section of the spa. ¡°Final touches?¡± I asked, finally growing suspicious. ¡°Lyra, what exactly are you nning?¡± ¡°Just a little hair and makeup,¡± she said casually¨Ctoo casually. I stopped walking. ¡°Hair and makeup? For what? We¡¯re just having a girls¡® day, right?¡± Lyra¡¯s expression was almost too innocent. ¡°Yes,can¡¯t I just spoil my future sister¨Cinw?¡± I narrowed my eyes. ¡°Lyra¡­¡± She was saved by the buzzing of her phone. Alexander¡¯s name shed on the screen. Secure 139 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS I watched Lyra carefully as she answered the phone, her expression suspiciously casual. Though she tried to angle her body away, I could still catch snippets of her conversation. ¡°How¡¯s everything going?¡± Alexander¡¯s deep voice came through clearly enough for my enhanced werewolf hearing to pick up. ¡°Perfect timing,¡± Lyra responded with a knowing smile. ¡°We¡¯ve just finished at the spa. She looks absolutely stunning.¡± ¡°How much longer until you¡¯re done?¡± Alexander asked, his voice carrying a hint of anxious anticipation that made my wolf¡¯s ears perk up. ¡°We¡¯ll be on schedule,¡± Lyra continued, ncing at her watch. ¡°The hair and makeup team is ready for us now¡­ Don¡¯t worry.¡± My eyebrows shot up. They were definitely hiding something from me. ¡°What was that all about?¡± I asked when she hung up. Lyra¡¯s face was the picture of innocence as she slipped her phone into her purse. ¡°Just Alexander checking in. Did you forget? You two have ns tonight, and he¡¯s worried I¡¯m monopolizing all your time.¡± I crossed my arms over my chest and gave her my best ¡°I¡¯m not buying this¡± look.¡°Really?¡± She shed a grin and looped her arm through mine before I could say more. ¡°Come on. The styling team¡¯s waiting, and trust me, you¡¯re going to want a mirror the second they¡¯re done with you.¡± Despite my instincts telling me otherwise, I let her guide me forward. The moment we entered the styling room, I was greeted by not one but three professionals who seemed oddly prepared for our arrival. One immediately began examining my hair, another assessed my skin tone, while the thirdid out an impressive array of cosmetics. ¡°I see strong bone structure that we should highlight,¡± the lead stylist said, gently tilting my face toward the light. ¡°And these eyes are extraordinary¨Cwe¡¯ll create a look that makes them the focal point.¡± The makeup artist nodded in agreement. ¡°A subtle smoky effect would bring out the amber flecks in her irises. And her lips¨Cdefinitely a soft rose shade to enhance their natural fullness.¡± ¡°Lyra,¡± I started, my suspicion returning full force. ¡°This seems excessive for a simple girls¡® day out.¡± She avoided my gaze, suddenly very interested in the nail polish selection. ¡°Can¡¯t a girl just want her +15 BONUS friend to feel beautiful?¡± For the next hour, I surrendered to the pampering, still convinced something was happening behind my back but deciding to y along. The hairstylist worked magic, transforming my hair into soft, elegant waves that cascaded down my shoulders. The makeup artist created a look that somehow made me appear both sophisticated and effortlessly natural. When they finally turned me toward the mirror, I caught my breath. The woman looking back at me seemed to glow from within. Aurora preened beneath my skin, admiring our reflection with satisfaction. ¡°You look breathtaking,¡± Lyra said softly,ing to stand behind me. Her reflection showed genuine emotion in her eyes. Something in her tone made my heart skip a beat. ¡°Thank you for today,¡± I said. ¡°But I think it¡¯s time you told me what¡¯s really going on.¡± Lyra hesitated for a moment before her mischievous smile returned. ¡°Alright, you caught me. Alexander is waiting for you at Moonlight Ridge. He wanted to surprise you with a special evening.¡± My heart leaped in my chest, and I felt Aurora stir with excitement, pressing closer to my consciousness. That¡¯s what all this has been about?¡± ¡°The shopping, the spa, the styling¨Cit was all his idea,¡± she admitted, looking rather pleased with herself. ¡°He wanted you to have a perfect day before your perfect evening. My brother may be an intimidating Alpha to everyone else, but when ites to you, he¡¯s practically a lovesick pup.¡± A warm feeling spread through my chest at the thought of Alexander nning this borate surprise. After years with Alpha Foster, who had never once considered my happiness, Alexander¡¯s thoughtfulness still sometimes caught me off guard. ¡°The dress?¡± I asked, suddenly understanding. ¡°Specifically chosen for tonight,¡± Lyra confirmed with a wink. ¡°And I have strict instructions to get you to Moonlight Ridge by seven.¡± As we left the spa, Lyra directed me to a sleek ck car waiting at the curb. The driver¨Cone of our pack¡¯s trusted betas¨Copened the door with a respectful nod. ¡°Luna Summer.¡± ¡°I¡¯m noting with you,¡± Lyra said, giving me a quick hug. ¡°This part of the evening is just for you two.¡± As the car pulled away, I felt a flutter of nervous anticipation in my stomach. What exactly had Alexander nned? *He is our mate,* she reminded me. *Our true Alpha. Trust him.* When the car arrived at Moonlight Ridge, I gasped at the sight that greeted me. The entrance to the exclusive restaurant was lined with white rose petals and flickering candles. A young she¨Cwolf stepped +15 BONUS forward as I exited the car. ¡°Luna Summer,¡± she greeted me with a respectful bow, presenting me with a single white rose. ¡°Alpha ckwood awaits you. Please follow the path.¡± I epted the flower, its delicate scent teasing my enhanced senses. As I walked toward the entrance, another pack member appeared, offering another rose with a simr message. This continued as I made my way through the restaurant¡¯s elegant foyer¨Cat each turn, another member of our pack waited to present a rose and a message of respect and wee. By the time I reached the door to what I presumed was our private dining room, I held a full bouquet of twelve perfect white roses bound together with a silver ribbon. My heart pounded against my ribs as I paused before the final door. I could sense Alexander¡¯s powerful presence beyond it, his unique scent calling to both me and my wolf. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I pushed the door open. The sight before me stole my breath away. The private dining room had been transformed into something from a fairy tale. Thousands of tiny lights twinkled from the ceiling like stars, casting a soft glow over the space. White rose petals were scattered across the floor, forming a path toward the balcony where Alexander stood. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored ck suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful build. His dark hair was styled back from his face, highlighting his strong jawline and intense blue eyes that had captivated me from the first moment we¡¯d met. But it was his expression that truly undid me¨Cthe raw emotion, the vulnerability beneath his Alpha strength as he watched me enter. I¡¯d never seen anyone look at me with suchplete adoration. Behind him, through the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows, the sun was just setting over the mountains, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of gold and crimson that seemed to frame this perfect moment. And then I noticed the small velvet box in his hand, and my knees nearly gave way beneath me. Secure 140 Chapter 140 Summer¡¯s POV +15 BONUS Alexander moved toward me with the fluid grace of a predator, his blue eyes never leaving mine. The world seemed to fall away until there was nothing but the two of us, connected by an invisible thread that had drawn us together from the very beginning. When he reached me, he took my free hand in his, his thumb gently stroking my knuckles. The simple touch sent electricity shooting up my arm. ¡°Summer,¡± he said, his deep voice slightly rougher than usual. ¡°From the moment you walked back into my life, I knew that fate had given me a second chance I didn¡¯t deserve.¡± My heart hammered against my chest as Alexander slowly lowered himself to one knee before me. Aurora pressed eagerly against my consciousness, our shared excitement nearly overwhelming. ¡°Every day with you has shown me what it truly means to be an Alpha¨Cnot through power or control, but through protection, partnership, and love.¡± His voice remained steady, but I could see the emotion swirling in his eyes. ¡°After everything you¡¯ve survived, your strength humbles me. Yourpassion inspires me. Your love¡­¡± he paused, swallowing hard, ¡°your love has saved me in ways I never knew I needed saving.¡± Tears filled my eyes as he opened the velvet box, revealing a stunning ring. The tinum band held an oval diamond surrounded by smaller stones that caught the light like captured stars. ¡°This ring,¡± he said softly, ¡°was made just for you.¡± He looked up at me with such raw vulnerability that it nearly broke me. ¡°Summer Winster, will you honor me by bing my mate, my Luna, my wife¨Cin every human and wolf tradition? Will you build a future with me, lead our pack beside me, and let me love you for the rest of our days?¡± The tears I¡¯d been holding back spilled freely down my cheeks. After years of being broken and believing I¡¯d never be whole again, after losing Felix and thinking I¡¯d never deserve happiness, the universe had somehow led me here¨Cto this man who saw all of me and loved every part. ¡°Yes,¡± I whispered, then found my voice. ¡°Yes, Alexander. A thousand times yes.¡± His face transformed with a smile so brilliant it took my breath away. He slipped the ring onto my finger- a perfect fit¨Cbefore rising to his feet and cupping my face in hisrge hands. ¡°My Luna,¡± he murmured reverently before capturing my lips in a kiss that felt likeing home. Aurora howled her joy within me, and I could feel Alexander¡¯s wolf responding in kind, their bond as +15 BONUS powerful as our human one. ¡°You¡¯ve made me the happiest Alpha in existence,¡± he murmured against my lips. Before I could respond, a series of explosions outside drew our attention. We turned toward the balcony to see fireworks illuminating the night sky, bursting in brilliant arrays of silver and blue our pack colors against the darkness. ¨C Alexander led me to the balcony, standing behind me with his arms wrapped protectively around my waist. I leaned back against his solid chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my spine as we watched the spectacr disy. ¡°Did you n all this?¡± I asked, tilting my head to look up at him. His lips curved into a satisfied smile. ¡°A Luna deserves a proper proposal.¡± He nuzzled my neck, his breath warm against my skin. ¡°And I wanted everyone to know that you¡¯ve epted your ce by my side.¡± The fireworks continued, spelling out our names in glittering light before forming the silhouette of two wolves running side by side. ¡°This is so beautiful,¡± I whispered, awestruck. ¡°I¡¯m d you like it,¡± he murmured back. When the disy ended, Alexander guided me back inside where an intimate dinner awaited. A private chef had prepared a feast¨Crare prime rib that made Aurora rumble with appreciation¨Cpaired with delicate sides and a bottle of champagne so exclusive it was rarely seen outside royal werewolf ceremonies. ¡°To my Luna,¡± Alexander said, raising his ss to mine. ¡°May our reign bring strength to our pack and joy to our hearts.¡± I lifted my ss with both hands, momentarily stunned by the sincerity in his voice and the weight of those words. My throat tightened slightly, and I had to blink a few times before I could speak. ¡°To us,¡± I whispered back, clinking my ss against his. ¡°And to everything we¡¯re building together.¡± The champagne was crisp and luxurious, but it was the way Alexander looked at me¨Cas if I were the center of his entire universe¨Cthat made my chest tighten with emotion. After the meal, Alexander leaned close to me. ¡°Ready for part two of our evening?¡± he asked, his voice low and intimate, sending a shiver down my spine. ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± I asked, feeling pleasantly overwhelmed by everything already. +15 BONUS His eyes darkened with desire. ¡°I¡¯ve reserved the penthouse suite at The Crescent Hotel. Just for us.¡± The heat in his gaze made my body respond instantly, a flush spreading across my skin as Aurora purred with anticipation. Alexander noticed my reaction and smiled, the predatory edge returning to his expression. Without another word, he took my hand and led me out¨Chis grip firm, possessive, sending a thrill through me with every step. The moment the car door closed behind us, Alexander pulled me onto hisp, his mouth iming mine with an urgency that matched the burning need building inside me. His hands slid up my thighs, bunching the silken fabric of my dress as his fingers traced patterns on my heated skin. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to do this all evening,¡± he growled against my throat, his teeth grazing the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder ¨C where a mating mark would soon permanently dere me his. You have no idea what that dress has been doing to me.¡± 11 I shifted on hisp, deliberately pressing against the hard evidence of his desire, drawing a sharp intake of breath from him. ¡°I think I have some idea,¡± I teased, my fingers threading through his dark hair. His growl vibrated through me, triggering an answering rumble from Aurora who was pressing impatiently against my consciousness, eager to be closer to her mate. ¡°Careful, little wolf,¡± Alexander ying with fire.¡± warned, his voice rough with desire. ¡°You¡¯re ¡°Maybe I want to get burned,¡± I whispered against his ear, delighting in the shudder that ran through his powerful body. Secure 141 Chapter 141 Summer¡¯s POV The drive to the hotel felt agonizingly long as we traded heated kisses and wandering touches, building the tension between us to nearly unbearable levels. When we finally arrived, Alexander didn¡¯t bother with niceties. He swept me into his arms and carried me swiftly through the grand entrance, past startled staff members who quickly averted their eyes from their Alpha¡¯s obvious intentions. The suite was as breathtaking as everything else had been that evening¨Csprawling and luxurious with panoramic views of the city below. But I barely had time to appreciate it before Alexander¡¯s arms encircled me from behind, his lips finding the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder. ¡°Do you have any idea how beautiful you looked tonight?¡± he murmured against my skin, his hands sliding down my sides to grip my hips. ¡°Every Alpha in that room was envious that you¡¯re mine.¡± I turned in his arms, reaching up to loosen his tie. ¡°Show me,¡± I challenged, Aurora lending me her boldness. ¡°Show me I¡¯m yours.¡± His eyes shed with alpha gold, his control slipping just enough to let me glimpse the wolf beneath. In one fluid motion, he lifted me, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. Alexanderid me on the massive bed with surprising gentleness before prowling over me, hisrger frame caging mine. ¡°This dress has been driving me crazy all night,¡± he confessed, his fingers finding the zipper at my side. ¡°All I could think about was peeling it off you.¡± The midnight blue fabric slid away, revealing the delicate lingerie beneath. Alexander¡¯s sharp intake of breath sent a thrill through me. His eyes raked over my body with such intensity I could almost feel the physical touch. ¡°You¡¯re soaked, honey.¡± His voice was husky as his fingers traced the dampness between my thighs through the thin silk. ¡°If you need toe, you have a mate who is more than capable of satisfying you.¡± I couldn¡¯t help the moan that escaped me as he pushed the underwear aside, his fingers exploring my wetness with deliberate, teasing strokes. ¡°Feel what you do to us, sweetheart,¡± he said, taking my hand and guiding it to the hard length straining against his pants. His mouth imed mine in a possessive kiss as I fumbled with his belt, desperate to feel him. When we finally broke apart for air, his shirt and pants were discarded, leaving him in just his boxers. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to taste them,¡± he said with hungry eyes fixed on my breasts as he unsped my bra. His +15 BONUS warm mouth closed around one sensitive peak while his hand caressed the other, drawing a cry from my lips. The feeling of his hands sliding over my body, his mouth trailing hot kisses down my stomach had me writhing beneath him. When he settled between my thighs, looking up at me with that alpha intensity, I felt myself clench with need. ¡°I want you, daddy,¡± I opened my legs wider, the term of endearment slipping out in my desperate state.¡± All of you. Now.¡± His eyes darkened at my words, a growl rumbling from his chest as he rose back up my body, positioning himself at my entrance. The first push of his thick length into me had us both gasping. ¡°Mine,¡± he growled against my neck, setting a pace that had the headboard mming against the wall. ¡± Say it, Summer. Tell me you¡¯re mine.¡± ¡°Yours,¡± I gasped as he hit that perfect spot inside me. ¡°Always yours, Alpha.¡± Our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm, the bond between us magnifying every sensation. I could feel my climax building, coiling tighter with each powerful thrust. ¡°That¡¯s it, baby,¡± Alexander encouraged, his voice strained as he fought his own release. ¡°Come for me. Let me feel you.¡± When my orgasm finally crashed over me, I screamed his name, my body convulsing around him. Alexander followed momentster, his powerful body shuddering as he spilled inside me with a guttural groan of satisfaction. Wey tangled together afterward, our hearts racing and bodies slick with sweat. Alexander pressed gentle kisses to my forehead, my cheeks, my lips¨Csuch a contrast to the primal force he¡¯d been just moments before. ¡°That was just round one,¡± he murmured against my ear, nipping at the lobe. ¡°I¡¯m nowhere near done with you tonight.¡± Despite my body still trembling from the aftershocks of my orgasm, I felt desire stirring again at his words. Aurora pushed eagerly against my consciousness, wanting more of our mate. ¡°Is that a promise?¡± I asked, trailing my fingers down his muscled chest. His eyes darkened again, and I felt him hardening against my thigh. ¡°Absolutely.¡± Within minutes, his skilled hands and mouth had me writhing again, building me back to that precipice of pleasure. This time, he took his time, worshipping every inch of my body until I was begging. ¡°Please, Alexander,¡± I moaned as he teased me with shallow thrusts, never giving me what I truly needed. ¡°Don¡¯t make me wait.¡± +15 BONUS ¡°What do you need?¡± he demanded, his voice rough with desire as he held himself above me. ¡°Tell me exactly what you want.¡± ¡°I need you,¡± I gasped, wing at his back. ¡°Hard. Deep. Now.¡± A satisfied smile crossed his face as he finally gave me what I craved, driving into me with powerful thrusts that had me seeing stars. He flipped us over without breaking our connection, positioning me on top. ¡°Take what you want,¡± hemanded, his hands guiding my hips as I began to ride him. The new angle sent sparks of pleasure shooting through my core with each movement. I braced my hands on his chest, finding a rhythm that had us both panting. ¡°God, you¡¯re perfect,¡± Alexander groaned, his hands roaming my body as I moved above him. ¡°My perfect Luna.¡± Just as I felt myself approaching another climax, a sharp ringtone pierced our bubble of pleasure. Alexander cursed, his rhythm faltering as he nced toward his phone on the nightstand. ¡°Ignore it,¡± I pleaded, rolling my hips to recapture his attention. The phone fell silent for a moment before starting again, this time with the distinctive tone reserved only for pack emergencies. Alexander¡¯s hands stilled my movements, his expression torn between desire and duty. ¡°Summer,¡± he said, his voice strained. ¡°That¡¯s the emergency line.¡± I reluctantly climbed off him, my body protesting the loss of contact as he reached for his phone. ¡°This better be life or death,¡± he growled into the receiver, his free hand reaching for mine in silent apology. I watched as his expression transformed instantly from irritation to shock. His entire body tensed beside me, the muscles in his jaw tightening. ¡°When?¡± he demanded, all traces of our intimate moment vanishing as the Alpha took control. ¡°Are you certain? Lock down the borders. I¡¯m on my way.¡± He ended the call and turned to me, his eyes now hard and alert. The lover from moments ago had disappeared, reced by the powerful Alpha with the weight of his pack on his shoulders. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, already reaching for my clothes, recognizing the gravity in his expression. 313 Secure 142 Alexander¡¯s POV ¡°Border breach,¡± I said tersely, yanking on my pants with quick, efficient movements. ¡°Three rogues were found dead just inside our territory. But that¡¯s not the worst part.¡± ¡°What else happened?¡± Summer asked, correctly reading the new tension in my shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s Lyra. Her water broke.¡± I ran a hand through my disheveled hair. ¡°She¡¯s at the pack hospital. The baby¡¯sing early.¡± Summer¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°She¡¯s not due for another two weeks.¡± Even as she spoke, she was already slipping into her dress, her movements swift and precise. Watching her seamlessly shift from the aftermath of our passion to sharp, focused readiness made my wolf rumble with approval. She wasn¡¯t just my mate¨Cshe was everything a Luna should be. ¡°I know,¡± I muttered, jaw clenched as I helped zip up her dress, my fingers less steady than I would have liked. ¡°Between this and the border situation¡­¡± Summer ced her hand on my cheek, bringing my focus back to her. ¡°Your sister needs you right now. The border security can follow protocol until you¡¯re able to address it.¡± She was right, of course. I nodded, pressing a quick kiss to her palm before grabbing my jacket. We barely spoke as we rushed through the hotel lobby. The staff had wisely prepared our car, sensing the urgency. Summer¡¯s hand remained sped tightly in mine during the drive, her presence a steadying force beside me. ¡°She¡¯s going to be okay,¡± Summer murmured, her thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of my hand.¡± Lyra is strong.¡± ¡°She is,¡± I agreed, though my mind was racing with concerns. My sister had been through so much already. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s connected?¡± Summer asked quietly. ¡°The border breach and Lyra going intobor on the same night?¡± My wolf growled at the suggestion, though I¡¯d been thinking the same thing. ¡°I don¡¯t believe in coincidences,¡± I admitted. The pack hospital came into view, its modern ss facade gleaming under the security lights. As Alpha, I¡¯d ensured our medical facilities were second to none, equipped with the best technology avable to treat our kind. Now I was grateful for every penny spent as my sister fought to bring her child into the world. We rushed through the entrance, the staff immediately directing us to the maternity wing. Beta Ethan met us at the elevator, his normallyposed features tight with concern. +15 BONUS ¡°Alpha, Luna,¡± he nodded respectfully. ¡°Lyra is in delivery room three. The doctor says she¡¯s progressing rapidly.¡± ¡°How long has she been inbor?¡± I demanded, punching the elevator button with more force than necessary. ¡°We believe contractions started earlier this evening during dinner, but she didn¡¯t recognize them as such. By the time she called for help, she was already seven centimeters dted.¡± Stubborn, just like always. My sister had probably been suffering in silence for hours, not wanting to ¡± cause trouble.¡± The thought made me want to growl in frustration. ¡°What about the border situation?¡± I asked as we stepped into the elevator. Ethan¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°The security team has secured the area. Three dead rogues, all bearing Cross¡¯s mark on their left shoulder. I¡¯ve sent you the preliminary photos to review.¡± As if on cue, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out, quickly scanning through the images of the bodies and the distinctive symbol burned into their skin. Lucien Cross had grown bold¨Cor desperate¨Cto make such an obvious move. I handed the phone back to my pockets, my wolf snarling beneath the surface. ¡°Double the guards on every entrance. No one gets in or out without direct clearance from you or me.¡± ¡°Already done, Alpha.¡± The elevator doors opened onto the maternity floor, and the conversation was temporarily halted as we made our way to Lyra¡¯s room. I could hear her pained cries before we even reached the door, the sound making my protective instincts surge, ¡°You should go in,¡± Summer said, squeezing my hand. ¡°She needs her brother right now.¡± I hesitated. ¡°Will you¡­?¡± X Secure 143 Chapter 143 +15 BONUS ¡°I¡¯ll wait right here,¡± she promised, understanding what I couldn¡¯t quite articte. ¡°Go.¡± I pushed open the door to find my sister propped up on the hospital bed, her face flushed and hair stered to her forehead with sweat. The doctor and two nurses moved efficiently around her, monitoring both her vitals and the baby¡¯s. ¡°Alex,¡± she gasped when she saw me, reaching out a trembling hand. ¡°You¡¯re here.¡± I crossed the room in three strides, taking her hand in mine. ¡°Of course I¡¯m here. You think I¡¯d miss meeting my niece?¡± She tried to smile but it twisted into a grimace as another contraction hit. Her grip on my hand tightened to the point that even with my Alpha strength, I felt the pressure of her bones against mine. ¡°I¡¯m scared,¡± she admitted when the pain subsided, her voice so small it reminded me of when we were children and she¡¯de to my room during thunderstorms. I smoothed the damp hair from her forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t be. You¡¯re the strongest she¨Cwolf I know, Ly. You¡¯ve got this.¡± The doctor looked up from between Lyra¡¯s legs. ¡°She¡¯s fully dted. It¡¯s time to push, Lyra.¡± What followed was the most awe¨Cinspiring and terrifying forty¨Cthree minutes of my life. I held my sister¡¯s hand through each push, offering encouragement even as my wolf howled in distress at being unable to take away her pain. Lyra fought with everything she had, her determination never wavering despite her exhaustion. And then, suddenly, a new sound filled the room¨Cthe indignant cry of a newborn wolf pup taking her first breath. ¡°She¡¯s here,¡± the doctor announced, lifting the tiny, wriggling bundle. ¡°A beautiful, healthy girl.¡± Lyra copsed back against the pillows, tears of joy streaming down her face as the nurse ced the swaddled infant on her chest. I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the sight of my sister cradling her daughter. ¡°She¡¯s perfect,¡± Lyra whispered, running a finger over the baby¡¯s scrunched face. She looked up at me with tired eyes. ¡°Do you want to hold your niece, Uncle Alpha?¡± My throat tight with emotion, I carefully took the tiny bundle into my arms. The baby¨Cmy niece¨Cblinked up at me with unfocused eyes, her tiny fist escaping the nket to wave in the air. My wolf instantly recognized her as pack, as family, a fierce protectiveness surging through us both. ¡°Hello, little one,¡± I murmured, my voice rough. ¡°Wee to the pack.¡± After a moment, I handed the baby back to Lyra, pressing a kiss to my sister¡¯s forehead. ¡°You did amazing, Lyra. Mom and Dad would be so proud.¡± She beamed up at me, exhausted but radiant. ¡°I¡¯m going to name her Thea. Thea Rose ckwood.¡± ¡°It¡¯s perfect,¡± I assured her, my chest tight with love for these two females who were now the future of our bloodline. The nurse approached, gently suggesting that Lyra needed rest. I reluctantly stepped out to find Summer waiting anxiously in the hallway. ¡°A girl,¡± I told her, unable to keep the smile from my face. ¡°Thea Rose ckwood. Seven pounds, three ounces of pure perfection.¡± Summer threw her arms around me, her joy mirroring my own. ¡°Congrattions, Uncle Alpha,¡± she teased, pressing a kiss to my lips. I held her close for a moment, savoring the brief respite of happiness before reality came crashing back. Beta Ethan approached, his expression grave. ¡°Alpha, may I have a word?¡± Summer squeezed my arm in understanding. ¡°I¡¯ll go see if Lyra needs anything.¡± Once she had disappeared into the room, I turned to Ethan. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°We¡¯vepleted the initial investigation of the border breach,¡± he said, keeping his voice low. ¡°But there¡¯s something else. There¡¯s an unfamiliar scent in her pack house room¨Csomeone not from our pack was there earlier today.¡± My blood ran cold, my wolf surging forward with a rage so intense I had to clench my fists to maintain control. ¡°You¡¯re telling me someone in my pack has been poisoning my sister?¡± Secure 144 Chapter 144 Lucien¡¯s POV Two weeks ago. Her scent still haunted me. Even after all this time, I could recall with perfect rity the unique blend of wild honeysuckle and mountain rain that was distinctly her¨Cthe Omega who was meant to be mine. I stood at the floor¨Cto¨Cceiling windows of my penthouse suite overlooking the sprawling cityscape of Prague, swirling an expensive whiskey in a crystal tumbler. My reflection stared back at me¨Csilver¨Cgray hair cropped short, piercing green eyes that rarely revealed emotion, the tailored suit that spoke of power and wealth. As Alpha of the ckspire Pack, thergest underground werewolf organization in Eastern Europe, I had everything most wolves could ever want. Except her. Two years ago, I¡¯d been conducting business in a small town on the outskirts of my territory when I caught that intoxicating scent. Following it led me to a broken¨Cdown motel where I found her¨Cdirty, exhausted, clearly on the run. The moment our eyes met, I felt it. The mate bond snapping into ce with such force it nearly brought me to my knees. She¡¯d given a false name-¡°Emma¡°-but everything else about her had been genuine. Herughter, her intelligence, the way she¡¯d curl against me in sleep. For three weeks, I kept her hidden in my private cabin, telling myself it was for her protection while I figured out what to do about the unexpected mate the Moon Goddess had thrust upon me. I¡¯d never believed in mate bonds. Never wanted one. My entire existence was dedicated to expanding ckspire¡¯s influence, transforming our pack from underground operators to legitimate power yers on the global stage. A mate¨Cespecially an Omega with no connections or power¨Cwas aplication I couldn¡¯t afford. Yet I found myself drawn to her in ways I couldn¡¯t exin. She was different¨Cstubborn, educated, with a spark of defiance that suggested she came from more than the nothing she imed. I caught myself imagining, just briefly, what it might be like to have her by my side permanently. Then reality intruded. My engagement to the Alpha daughter of the Carpathian Pack had been arranged for years¨Ca strategic alliance that would double our territory and give us ess to crucial shipping routes. The meeting to finalize the contract couldn¡¯t be postponed. +15 BONUS I¡¯d brought her to my main residence, intending to keep her separate from my business dealings. A mistake. She must have overheard my conversation with my fianc¨¦e and advisors. ¡°The Omega is a temporary distraction,¡± I¡¯d said coldly when my fianc¨¦e questioned me about rumors of a woman staying in my home. ¡°Mate bond or not, she¡¯s nothing more than biology¡¯s cruel joke. Our alliance is what matters.¡± When I returned to my quarters that night, she was gone. Not a trace remained except a small silver wolf charm she¡¯d always worn around her neck, left pointedly on my pillow. I¡¯d searched, of course. Discreetly deployed my best trackers. But she had vanishedpletely, as if she¡¯d never existed at all. The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me¨CI, who prided myself on controlling everything in my domain, couldn¡¯t locate one runaway Omega. The Carpathian alliance fell apart weekster when my fianc¨¦e found her true mate. I told myself it was for the best. Yet in quiet moments like this, I wondered what had be of her. My thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of my phone. Natalia Thompson¡¯s name shed on the screen. I sighed. Natalia was useful¨Cbeautiful, ambitious, and conveniently unconcerned with emotional attachment¨Cbut her timing was impable in all the wrong ways. ¡°Natalia,¡± I answered smoothly. ¡°To what do I owe the pleasure?¡± ¡°I have a proposition that I think will interest you greatly,¡± she purred, her voice dripping with that particr brand of calcted seduction she always employed. ¡°It involves ckwood territory.¡± My interest piqued immediately. The ckwood Pack was legendary in North American werewolf circles -old money, massive territory, imprable security. Breaking into that market had been on my agenda for years. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°You know I had a¡­ history with Alpha Alexander,¡± she continued. ¡°What you don¡¯t know is that I¡¯ve been gathering intelligence. His pack has something we both want¨Ccontrol of the northeastern shipping corridor and influence with the North American Council.¡± ¡°And you believe you have a way in?¡± I asked, setting down my ss and giving her my full attention. ¡°Better than that. I have insider information and a n that will destabilize his leadership. All I need is 2/3 your resources and expertise.¡± As she outlined her scheme¨Csurprisingly thorough and vicious¨CI found myself smiling. This could be exactly the opportunity I¡¯d been waiting for. x Secure 145 Chapter 145 ¡°It seems we have mutual interests, Natalia. I believe we can work together.¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± she breathed. ¡°I¡¯ll send you the details. When can you be in North America?¡± ¡°Sooner than you might think.¡± +15 BONUS Back to the present. I moved silently through the shadows at the edge of ckwood territory, my wolf¡¯s senses heightened in the darkness. We¡¯d learned from Melissa that Alexander nned to propose tonight. That gave us the perfect opportunity to infiltrate while they were distracted with their little celebration. Now, as I slipped through the ckwood Pack¡¯s outer defenses¨Cimpressive, but not imprable to someone with my skills¨CI reflected on how strange these alliances were. Alpha Foster Thorn was a fallen Alpha, clinging to power by his fingernails. Natalia was a ed woman with an ax to grind. Neither were allies I would have chosen under normal circumstances, but they provided convenient ess to North American pack politics I wouldn¡¯t have had otherwise. The ckwood main house loomed ahead, lit warmly against the night. I circled toward the less guarded eastern wing, where the storage rooms and quarters for the lower¨Cranking pack members who attended the Alpha and Luna were located. I needed to enter the pack house and retrieve the defense maps for ckwood territory. I moved swiftly into the pack house, careful to mask my scent with an herbal mixture I¡¯d perfected over years of covert operations. Then a scent on the breeze stopped me cold. Honeysuckle and mountain rain. Impossible. My wolf surged forward so violently I nearly shifted right there in the darkness. I forced myself to remain calm, following the scent with careful precision until I reached a room near the end of a secluded hallway. And there she was. My mate. My Emma. Except she wasn¡¯t the destitute wolf she¡¯d pretended to be, and she certainly wasn¡¯t alone anymore. +15 BONUS She stood by the window, her silhouette illuminated by moonlight, one hand resting protectively over her heavily pregnant belly. ¡°Emma,¡± I whispered, the name falling from my lips before I could stop it. She whirled around, eyes widening in recognition and fear. ¡°Lucien? How did you-¡± I crossed the room in three strides, capturing her face between my hands and iming her lips with mine. The familiar electricity shot through my body, the mate bond ring to life after so long dormant. She tasted just as I remembered¨Csweet and wild, like freedom itself. A sharp pain jolted me back to reality. She¡¯d bitten my lip hard enough to draw blood, her eyes now fierce with anger rather than fear. I touched my lip, staring at the crimson stain on my fingertip with something close to admiration. ¡°Still fighting, I see.¡± ¡°Get out,¡± she hissed, backing away from me. My wolf rumbled with primal satisfaction at the sight of her swollen belly¨Cround, full, mine. ¡°You¡¯reing with me,¡± I growled, seizing her wrist. ¡°You and my pup.¡± She flinched but didn¡¯t back down. Her other hand cradled her belly protectively, like she could shield it from me. ¡°You need to leave,¡± she said, voice shaking with emotion. ¡°Now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving without you.¡± My voice dropped into a snarl. ¡°You¡¯re carrying my pup. You wille with me.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Her eyes shed. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere with you.¡± I inhaled sharply, struggling to hold back the rage boiling under my skin. ¡°That¡¯s my pup you¡¯re carrying. You don¡¯t get to shut me out.¡± ¡°This has nothing to do with you!¡± she hissed, her voice cracking. ¡°You lost the right to im anything the day you lied to me¨Cagain and again!¡± ¡°Everything about you has to do with me,¡± I snapped, stepping closer, the bond between us thrumming like a live wire. ¡°You¡¯re my mate. You¡¯re carrying my heir. And all this time¨Cyou¡¯ve been hiding in the ckwood Pack like a coward?¡± Her eyes widened, fury and pain shing like a storm. ¡°I wasn¡¯t hiding,¡± she shouted, tears glittering in her eyes. ¡°I was living my life¨Caway from you and your 2/3 +15 BONUS lies.¡± I let my Alpha dominance flow outward, a pressure that would make most wolves submit immediately.¡± And you¡¯reing home with me tonight.¡± To my shock, she didn¡¯t cower. Instead, she straightened her spine and pushed back with an Alpha aura that matched my own in intensity. ¡°I belong to no one,¡± she said coldly, her eyes shing gold. ¡°Especially not a man who saw our bond as nothing but a ¡®cruel joke.¡°¡± Only one bloodline could produce a female with that kind of power¡­ ¡°You¡¯re a ckwood,¡± I breathed, the pieces suddenly falling into ce. ¡°Alexander¡¯s sister¨CLyra! Secure 146 Chapter 146 Lucien¡¯s POV ¡°Yes, so leave. Now. Or I¡¯ll call the guards,¡± Lyra said coldly. I froze. My wolf growled low in my chest. Guards? She was threatening me¨Clike I was a stranger.Like I was the enemy. Like I hadn¡¯t held her body against mine a hundred nights. Like I hadn¡¯t whispered promises into her skin. ¡°You¡¯d really call your guards on me? ¡°My voice came out hoarse, disbelieving.¡°After everything? But she didn¡¯t flinch.Didn¡¯t blink.Didn¡¯t soften. Only turned slightly, protectively, as if shielding her belly from me. Then it happened. A pained gasp escaped her lips as she doubled over, clutching her stomach. My blood ran cold. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± rm cut through my anger. ¡°Is it the pup?¡± ¡°Get out,¡± she groaned, face contorted in pain. ¡°My brother will kill you if he finds you here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you like this,¡± I insisted, reaching for her again. She pped my hand away. ¡°You abandoned that right two years ago when you chose your precious alliance over our bond.¡± Another contraction hit her, stronger this time. She couldn¡¯t stifle her cry of pain. Footsteps sounded in the hallway outside¨Cthe patrol I¡¯d dodged earlier, now alerted to a disturbance, ¡°Go!¡± she hissed through clenched teeth. ¡°Unless you want to start a pack wat tonight.¡± I hesitated, torn between my wolf¡¯s desperate need to protect my mate and pup and the cold calction that had kept me alive and in power all these years. ¡°This isn¡¯t over,¡± I promised, backing toward the window. ¡°I¡¯lle for you¨Cfor both of you.¡± 1/3 +15 BON ¡°You¡¯ll have to go through my entire pack first,¡± she warned, eyes shing golden again as another contraction gripped her. I slipped out the window just as her pained scream brought guards bursting through her door. I retreated silently into the forest, pulling out my phone once I was safely away from ckwood sentrie ¡°The n has changed,¡± I told Natalia when she answered, my voice betraying none of the turmoil insid
  1. me.
¡°What do you mean, changed?¡± she snapped. ¡°Did you get the information or not?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve discovered something more valuable,¡± I replied carefully. ¡°I need time to reconsider our approach.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s voice came on the line, obviously on speaker. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for your reconsiderations! The mating ceremony-¡± ¡°Is no longer our primary concern,¡± I interrupted smoothly. ¡°Trust me when I say I¡¯ve found a much more direct route to what we all want. I¡¯ll be in touch.¡± I ended the call before they could protest further, my eyes drawn back to the lights of the ckwoodpound in the distance. My mate. My child. My unexpected key to the ckwood Pack. The Moon Goddess had a twisted sense of humor indeed. Summer¡¯s POV The antiseptic hospital smell mixed with the earthy scent of pack as I gently knocked on Lyra¡¯s door. The soft crying of the newborn pup had subsided, reced by the steady beep of monitoring equipment. ¡°Come in,¡± Lyra called, her voice sounding more strained than I expected for a new mother who should be basking in the afterglow of birth. I entered with a warm smile, my wolf immediately sensing the tension in the room. Lyra sat propped against pillows, little Thea nestled in her arms. Despite the miracle she cradled, Lyra¡¯s eyes held a distant, troubled look that tugged at my heart. ¡°How are my two favorite girls doing?¡± I asked softly, approaching the bed. Lyra attempted a smile, but it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re good. She¡¯s perfect.¡± I sat carefully on the edge of the bed, reaching out to stroke Thea¡¯s impossibly soft cheek with my finger. The infant turned slightly toward my touch, her tiny nose wrinkling in that instinctual way wolf pups have of scenting their pack members. ¡°She really is beautiful,¡± I murmured. ¡°She has your chin.¡± ¡°And her father¡¯s eyes,¡± Lyra whispered, pain shing across her face. +15 BONUS Ah. There it was. My wolf whined in sympathy, understanding theplex emotions swirling through the new mother. Bing a single parent was never part of Lyra¡¯s n, especially not as the sister of an Alpha. ¡°You¡¯re thinking about him,¡± I said gently, not a question but an acknowledgment. Lyra¡¯s eyes filled with tears she stubbornly refused to let fall. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be. After everything¡­ after how he abandoned us. It¡¯s pathetic, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not pathetic,¡± I said firmly, taking her free hand in mine. ¡°It¡¯s human¨Cor wolf, I suppose. The mate bond doesn¡¯t just disappear because someone hurt you.¡® 11 I knew that truth all too well from my time with Alpha Foster. Even after all his betrayals, there had been moments when the remnants of that bond had caused physical pain, like phantom limb syndrome of the soul. Secure 147 Chapter 147 +15 BONI ¡°I just keep thinking he should be here,¡± Lyra admitted, her voice breaking. ¡°Not because I want him, but because Thea deserves to have her father see how miraculous she is.¡± ¡°His loss,¡± I said, squeezing her hand. ¡°She has an uncle who would tear down mountains for her, and an aunt who¡¯s already nning how to spoil her rotten.¡± That earned me a genuine, if watery, smile. ¡°Thank you, Summer. For everything. I¡¯m sorry my dramatic timing interrupted your evening with my brother.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dare apologize,¡± I insisted. ¡°Nothing¡¯s more important than being here for this. Besides, your brother and I have plenty of evenings ahead of us.¡± My wolf hummed in contentment at the thought, still basking in the lingering sensation of our mate¡¯s touch. Lyra shifted Thea to her other arm, wincing slightly as she moved. ¡°Has¡­ has everything been okay with the packtely?¡± The question seemed oddly hesitant, her eyes not quite meeting mine. ¡°As far as I know,¡± I replied carefully. ¡°Why do you ask?¡± ¡°No reason,¡± she said too quickly, suddenly bing very interested in adjusting Thea¡¯s nket. ¡°Just wondering if there¡¯s been any¡­ unusual activity.¡± My wolf¡¯s ears perked up, sensing something off about her question. ¡°Lyra, is there something you¡¯re worried about?¡± She bit her lip, a habit I¡¯d noticed she shared with Alexander when conflicted. ¡°It¡¯s probably nothing Pregnancy hormones making me paranoid.¡± ¡°You know you can tell me anything,¡± I encouraged, studying her face. ¡°We¡¯re family.¡± For a moment, I thought she might confide in me. Her expression wavered, lips parting as if to speak, but then Thea stirred with a tiny mewling sound, and the moment passed. ¡°I¡¯m just tired,¡± Lyra said, her voice suddenly heavy with exhaustion that seemed only partially genuine. Do you mind if we talkter? I should probably try to rest while she¡¯s sleeping¡± Though my instincts told me there was mote to this, I nodded, respecting her boundaries. ¡°Of course. You need your rest.¡± I leaned in to kiss her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m just a call away if you need anything¨Canything at all. As I stood to leave, Lyra caught my wrist. ¡°Summer? Thank you for making my brother happy. I¡¯ve never seen him like this before.¡± +15 BONUS ¡°1 The sincerity in her eyes touched something deep within me. ¡°He does the same for me,¡± I admitted softly. With onest smile at the precious bundle in her arms, I slipped out of the room, gently closing the door behind me. Instead of immediately walking away, I paused, my wolf urging me to pay attention to the strange feeling nagging at the back of my mind. Something wasn¡¯t right with Lyra. Her questions about pack security had seemed forced, rehearsed even. And the way she¡¯d mmed up when I pressed her¡­ I found Alexander in deep conversation with Beta Ethan at the end of the hallway, their expressions grave. My mate¡¯s posture was rigid, his shoulders set in a hard line that spoke of barely contained anger. The moment he sensed me approaching, he turned, his eyes softening slightly. ¡°How¡¯s Lyra?¡± he asked, his voice tightly controlled. ¡°Physically, she seems to be recovering well,¡± I said carefully. ¡°But something¡¯s off. She was asking strange questions about pack security and unusual activity. When I tried to find out more, she shut downpletely.¡± Alexander and Ethan exchanged significant looks. ¡°What is it?¡± I demanded, my wolf growing increasingly agitated. ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡± My mate sighed, running a hand through his hair¨Ca gesture I¡¯de to recognize as a sign of his deepest concern. ¡°We found an unknown wolf¡¯s scent in Lyra¡¯s quarters at the pack house,¡± he admitted. Ice flooded my veins as the implications hit me. ¡°You think someone deliberately triggered herbor? But why? Who would do that to her?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what we need to find out,¡± Ethan said grimly. ¡°But the timing, with the border breach¡­¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a coincidence,¡± Alexander finished, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. ¡°It was a diversion My mind raced back to Lyra¡¯s odd behavior, her reluctance to meet my eyes, the hesitancy in her questions. ¡°She knows something,¡± I realized aloud. ¡°Or she suspects something. That¡¯s why she was asking about unusual pack activity.¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°But why wouldn¡¯t she tell us?¡± The answer hit me with chilling rity. ¡°Because she¡¯s protecting someone. Or being threatened by someone.¡± : Secure 148 Alexander¡¯s POV Hearing Summer say those words, my wolf roared inside me. ¡°Nobody threatens my family in my territory,¡± I growled, feeling my eyes sh Alpha red as my wolf surged closer to the surface. Summer ced a steadying hand on my arm, her touch the only thing anchoring me to my human side. Through our mate bond, I could feel her own fear, but also her determination and rity of thought. ¡°We need to be smart about this,¡± she said softly, her voice cutting through the red haze of my rage. ¡°If Lyra is being coerced, confronting her directly might put her or Thea in more danger.¡± I wanted to howl, to shift and tear apart whoever had dared touch what was mine, but the rational part of me¨Cthe Alpha responsible for an entire pack¨Cknew she was right. My fingers curled into fists as I fought to regain control. ¡°Luna Summer¡¯s right,¡± Ethan agreed, my Beta¡¯s calm presence a counterpoint to my fury. ¡°We should increase security around her room without making it obvious, and quietly investigate who might have had ess to her quarters.¡± I nodded, forcing the tension from my shoulders. Summer¡¯s fingers gently squeezed my arm, our mate bond pulsing with reassurance. The pressure of her touch helped clear my head, reminding me that brute force wasn¡¯t always the answer. ¡°I want the hospital wing locked down,¡± I ordered, my voice still rough with the effort of restraining my wolf. ¡°Family and essential medical staff only. And I want the security footage from Lyra¡¯s floor at the pack house for thest week.¡± As Ethan moved away to ry my orders, I pulled Summer closer, needing her presence to keep my wolf in check. I rested my forehead against hers, breathing in her scent¨Cwildflowers and honey¨Cand feeling some of my rage subside. ¡°My wolf is going crazy,¡± I admitted quietly, making sure only she could hear my moment of vulnerability. ¡°The idea that someone got close enough to hurt her, to potentially harm the pup¡­¡± Summer¡¯s eyes softened as she looked up at me. ¡°We¡¯ll figure this out,¡± she promised, het conviction flowing through our bond. ¡°No one is going to hurt our family.¡± Our family. Something warm and fierce moved through me at her words. It wasn¡¯t just about iming her as mine anymore; she had imed us¨Cmy pack, my bloodline¨Cas hers. The mating ceremony might still be ahead of us, but in all the ways that mattered, she was already my Luna. I nced back toward Lyra¡¯s closed door, my wolf still pacing anxiously beneath my skin. Whatever secret my sister was keeping might be the key to unraveling this threat. Thest thing I expected was for Lyra to be involved in any plot against the pack, but her behavior was raising all kinds of red gs. And through my bond with Summer, I could sense her unease¨Ca premonition that had both our wolves on edge Something wasing. Something big. Author¡¯s POV ¡°He¡¯s backing out,¡°Alpha Foster snarled, pacing the length of his hotel suite like a caged animal.¡°I told you we couldn¡¯t trust him. Damn Europeans.¡± The phone call from Lucien had ended abruptly, leaving both him and Natalia staring at the silent device in disbelief. Natalia¡¯s perfect features twisted into a scowl as she tossed her phone onto the plush sofa.¡°Don¡¯t look at me like it¡¯s my fault. I didn¡¯t see iting either.¡± Alpha Foster stopped pacing, his eyes narrowing dangerously. Though he was no longer an Alpha in anything but title, the predatory gleam in his gaze was a reminder of the power he¡¯d once wielded. ¡°What did he mean by ¡®a more direct route¡®?¡± he demanded. ¡°What could possibly be more valuable than the security ns for ckwood territory?¡± Natalia shrugged, the movement causing the silk of her blouse to ripple across her curves. ¡°Who knows? Maybe he found something we can use against Alexander personally. The man¡¯s always been obsessed with finding leverage.¡± ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s ying us,¡± Alpha Foster countered, his fist mming down on the marble¨Ctopped coffee table hard enough to crack it. ¡°Making his own deal with the ckwoods while using us as a distraction.¡± Natalia¡¯s eyes shed with calction. ¡°We don¡¯t need him,¡± she said after a moment, moving to pour herself a ss of bourbon from the minibar. ¡°The n was always about creating chaos at the mating ceremony. Lucien¡¯s intelligence would have made it cleaner, but we can still aplish what we need to.¡± Alpha Foster studied her for a long moment before a slow, cruel smile spread across his face. ¡°You¡¯re right. Then we proceed as nned. With or without Lucien.¡± ¡°What about Melissa?¡± Natalia asked, referring to their mole inside the ckwood Pack. ¡°She hasn¡¯t exactly been usefultely. No real intel, just vague updates and excuses. We need to make sure she still follows orders.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°She¡¯ll follow my instructions,¡°he said, voice cold and absolute. ¡°She knows what happens to those who disappoint me.¡± Natalia¡¯s smile mirrored his¨Csharp, calcted,ced with venom. ¡°Then let¡¯s send her new orders. The mating ceremony is in a month and a half. That¡¯s plenty of time to make sure it bes a day the ckwoods¨Cand all of North American werewolf society¨Cwill never forget.¡± Alpha Foster nodded, already reaching for his own phone. ¡°And while they¡¯re dealing with that chaos, I¡¯ll retrieve what¡¯s mine.¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll destroy what was never meant to be mine.¡± Natalia added softly, her fingers caressing the small vial hidden in her pocket¨Ca concoction of herbs and chemicals that, when administered correctly, could break even the strongest mate bond. Neither of them mentioned Lucien again. Whatever game the European Alpha was ying, they had their own cards to deal. And they intended to y everyst one of them. Today¡¯s Bonus Offer GET IT NOW Secure 149 Chapter 149 Six weeks had passed. I stood before the full¨Clength mirror, barely recognizing the woman who stared back at me. My wedding dress¨Ca stunning creation of ivory silk and delicatece¨Chugged my curves before flowing gracefully to the floor in a modest train. The bodice was adorned with tiny crystals that caught the light with every breath I took, twinkling like stars against the fabric. ¡°You look absolutely breathtaking, Luna,¡± whispered my attendant, Cara, as she adjusted the final details of my veil. Luna. The title still felt strange on my tongue, even after months of living among the ckwood Pack. Today would make it official¨CI would be Alexander¡¯s mate in the eyes of every wolf in North America. The thought sent a flutter of nervous excitement through my chest, and I felt my wolf stir contentedly within me. ¡°Do you think he¡¯ll like it?¡± I asked, smoothing my hands over the dress. Caraughed softly. ¡°Alpha Alexander would think you beautiful in sackcloth. When he sees you in this¡­ he might not even make it through the ceremony.¡± I blushed, remembering the intensity of Alexander¡¯s gaze when we¡¯d partedst night. Pack tradition dictated we spend the night before our mating ceremony apart¨Ca custom that had left both our wolves restless and yearning across our bond. Through that connection, I could feel him now: a mixture of anticipation, pride, and that ever¨Cpresent protective instinct that had only grown stronger since the incident with Lyra at the hospital. The past weeks had been a whirlwind of increased security, discreet investigations, and preparations for today¡¯s ceremony. Despite the lingering threats, Alexander had insisted we proceed as nned. ¡°I won¡¯t let fear dictate our lives,¡± he¡¯d said, his arms wrapped protectively around me. ¡°But I will ensure nothing disrupts our day. A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Lisa, another of my attendants, peeked her head in. ¡°Ten minutes, Luna Summer,¡± she said with a warm smile. ¡°The guests are seated, and the Alpha is already at the altar. He looks¡­ well, impatient would be an understatement.¡± I felt a flood of affection through our bond, as if Alexander had sensed he was the subject of our conversation. I closed my eyes briefly, sending back waves of love and reassurance. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± I said, taking one final look in the mirror. The woman who gazed back was no longer the broken Omega who had fled from Foster¡¯s abuse with her young son. My eyes held strength now¨Cthe confidence of a Luna, a survivor, a woman who had found her true mate against all odds. I only wished Felix could see me today. The familiar pang of grief squeezed my heart, but I pushed it away. Felix would always be with me, and I knew he would have adored Alexander. Sometimes I imagined my son¡¯s spirit watching over us, finally at peace. ¡°Your bouquet, Luna,¡± Cara said, handing me an arrangement of white roses and wildflowers gathered from ckwood territory. Alexander had insisted on this personal touch¨Cflowers from thend we would protect together. As I reached for the bouquet, my phone vibrated on the dressing table. I frowned, ncing at it. Most pack business was being handled by Lyra today, and anyone who needed me urgently woulde directly to my preparation room. ¡°Probably just well¨Cwishes,¡± Cara suggested, but something in my wolf¡¯s reaction made me reach for the device. The screen lit up with a message from an unknown number. My blood ran cold as I read the words: ¡°We have Thea. Tell no one or the pup dies. Come to the old boathouse alone within the hour. Your mate bond will break today one way or another.¡± My fingers trembled as I stared at the photo attached¨CLyra¡¯s baby daughter Thea, barely one month old, swaddled in her distinctive wolf¨Cpatterned nket. In the background was what looked like the boathouse at the edge of ckwood territory¨Ca structure rarely used since the pack had built the new marina closer to the main house. ¡°Luna? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Cara asked, noticing my sudden pallor. I quickly locked my phone, forcing my expression to remain calm while my mind raced. ¡°Nothing.¡± I lied, feeling sick at the deception. ¡°Just pre¨Cceremony nerves.¡± I could feel Alexander¡¯s concern pulse through our bond as he sensed my distress. I sent back reassurance, though it took every ounce of my concentration to keep my true emotions hidden from him. They had Lyra¡¯s baby. Alexander¡¯s niece. An innocent pup who couldn¡¯t possibly defend herself. And they wanted me¨Calone¨Con what should be the happiest day of my life. I knew immediately who ¡°they¡± were. Foster and Natalia had to be behind this. The timing was too perfect, the target too precise. This was their revenge¨Cto turn my mating day into another nightmare. ¡°I need a moment alone,¡± I said, my voice remarkably steady despite the panic wing at my chest. ¡°Just five minutes to center myself before the ceremony.¡± Cara hesitated. ¡°The Alpha was very clear about security today¡­¡± ¡°Five minutes,¡± I repeated firmly, letting just enough of my Luna authority slip into my voice. ¡°I¡¯ll stay right here in this room. I just need some space to breathe.¡± Reluctantly, Cara and Lisa stepped outside, closing the door behind them. The moment they were gone, I moved to the window, assessing my options. The ceremony was scheduled to begin in minutes. The entire North American werewolf elite waited in the great hall. My mate stood at the altar, eager for our union. And a helpless baby¡¯s life hung in the bnce. I knew what Alexander would say¨Cthat we could save Thea together, that walking into an obvious trap alone was foolish. But I also knew Foster. If I didn¡¯te alone, if I alerted anyone, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to harm an innocent child to punish me. My fingers moved swiftly over my phone as I texted Lyra: ¡°Is Thea with you?¡± I needed to confirm the abduction before I acted. Her response came secondster: ¡°No, she¡¯s with her nanny in the nursery. Why?¡± My heart sank. So it was true. I slipped off my heels and moved to the chest where my regr clothes were stored. With practiced movements, I changed into jeans and a sweater, keeping my movements silent. The dress would draw too much attention, make escape impossible. Through our bond, I could feel Alexander¡¯s growing concern. The ceremony should have started by now. Soon, he woulde looking for me. I closed my eyes, focusing on projecting calm through our connection. Just enough to buy me time. Then I took a deep breath and opened the window that faced away from the main ceremony area. The ground was only one story below¨Can easy jump for a wolf, even one in human form. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Alexander,¡± I whispered, knowing he couldn¡¯t hear me. ¡°I can¡¯t let another child die because of me.¡± I slipped through the window and dropped silently to the ground, my wolf instincts guiding my movements. Then I ran toward the old boathouse, praying I wasn¡¯t making the worst mistake of my life. But what choice did I have? I¡¯d already lost Felix. I couldn¡¯t bear responsibility for another child¡¯s suffering. Even if it meant walking straight into the jaws of the wolves who had destroyed my life once before. Secure 150 Alexander¡¯s POV The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of my chambers as I adjusted the cuffs of my formal attire. Today wasn¡¯t just any day¨Cit was the day Summer would officially be my Luna, my eternal mate before all packs of North America. My wolf paced restlessly inside me, eager toplete the bond that had begun forming between us from the moment I first scented her. I caught my reflection in the mirror¨Cck tuxedo perfectly tailored to my frame, silver cufflinks bearing the ckwood Pack emblem, and my eyes¡­ even I could see the barely contained excitement in them. After decades of leadership, warfare, and politics, I¡¯d found the one woman who made me feelplete. My mate. My Luna. ¡°You¡¯re practically radiating impatience,¡± Ethan remarked with amusement as he entered the room. My Beta had been by my side through countless battles and negotiations, but I¡¯d never seen him smile quite so genuinely as he had since Summer entered our lives. ¡°Can you me me?¡± I replied, rolling my shoulders to release some tension. ¡°After everything we¡¯ve been through to get here¡­¡± Ethan nodded, understanding the weight behind my words. The journey to this day had been marked with blood, tears, and unimaginable sacrifice. Summer¡¯s escape from Foster, the loss of her son Felix, the constant threats against our pack¨Cyet through it all, her strength had only grown. ¡°I¡¯m going to see her,¡± I decided suddenly, already moving toward the door. Ethan stepped directly into my path. ¡°You know that¡¯s against tradition, Alpha. Bad luck to see your bride before the ceremony.¡® I scoffed. ¡°Since when do you care about superstitions?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t,¡± he admitted with a shrug, ¡°but your sister might actually kill me if I let you break protocol. Lyra¡¯s been nning this mating ceremony for months.¡± As if summoned by her name, my sister burst through the door, looking stunning in her formal blue gown but wearing an expression that promised violence. ¡°Alexander ckwood, don¡¯t you dare!¡± Lyra warned, pointing a finger at me. ¡°Summer deserves a perfect ceremony, and if you think your impatient wolf is going to ruin it by breaking the oldest tradition in werewolf culture-¡± ¡°I just want to check on her,¡± I argued, though I couldn¡¯t help smiling at my sister¡¯s protective stance. Since Summer had helped save her during the pregnancyplications, Lyra had be fiercely loyal to my mate. ¡°She¡¯s fine,¡± Lyra insisted. ¡°Nervous, excited, beautiful beyond words. Now get your Alpha ass to the ceremony hall before I have to embarrass you in front of your Beta.¡± I could feel Summer through our developing bond¨Ca mixture of emotions flowing between us. Anticipation, joy, and something else I couldn¡¯t quite identify¡­ a flutter of anxiety perhaps? It was natural, I supposed. This day would cement her position as Luna of the most powerful pack in North America, a role that carried tremendous responsibility. I sent waves of reassurance through our connection, letting my love and pride flow freely toward her. ¡°Fine,¡± I conceded, straightening my jacket. ¡°But if the ceremony doesn¡¯t start precisely on time-¡± ¡°It will,¡± Lyra promised, her expression softening. ¡°Alexander, I know what this means to you both. Everything is perfect, I swear.¡± The walk to the great ceremonial hall felt longer than usual, my wolf growing more restless with each step that didn¡¯t lead directly to Summer. The hall had been transformed¨Cwhite flowers and greenery from our territory adorned every surface, candles flickered in antique silver holders, and the scent of pine and wildflowers filled the air. Hundreds of guests were already seated¨CAlphas and their Lunas from allied packs across the continent, Council members, business associates, and of course, every member of the ckwood Pack. Their eyes followed me as I took my position at the altar, some with respect, others with curiosity about the woman who had captured me. Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. I frowned, checking the time. Summer should have arrived by now. Through our bond, I sensed¡­ nothing. A sudden emptiness that made my wolf snarl in rm. ¡°Something¡¯s wrong,¡± I muttered to Ethan, who stood at my side. Before he could respond, a sharp pulse echoed in my mind¨CDerek, my Gamma captain, was mindlinking me, his voice urgent and clipped. *Alpha, we¡¯ve got a situation. Foster¡¯s pack has been spotted at our eastern border. They¡¯ve breached the security perimeter despite the Council¡¯s restraining orders.* I stiffened, my jaw tightening as fury surged through me. Alpha Foster. The bastard who had tormented Summer for years, who bore responsibility for her son¡¯s death, who still lurked in the shadows of her nightmares. Secure 151 Chapter 151 +15 BONUS *Today of all days,* I growled inwardly, my mental voice dropping into a lethal register. Around me, a few nearby wolves instinctively straightened, sensing my sudden shift in energy. *There¡¯s more, Derek continued, his tone darkening. They¡¯re armed. And Alpha Lucian Cross has been seen with them.* My breath hitched. Alpha Lucian¨CThe cold, calcting wolf who¡¯d been quietly expanding his territory and influence across continents. His presence made this not just a personal vendetta, but something far more dangerous. My gaze swept the hall¨Cthe guests gathered in celebration, the delicate decorations Summer had painstakingly arranged, the quiet hum of joy this day was meant to hold. And then, my thoughts turned to her¨Cunaware, somewhere behind the doors, moments from walking down the aisle, while danger crept ever closer. *How many?* I demanded through the link. *At least twenty wolves. Two of our border patrols are already down.* A direct challenge. Not a warning. An attack. On my mating day. Alpha Foster wasn¡¯t just trying to rattle me¨Che was sending a message. One meant to undermine my authority, to shatter Summer¡¯s sense of peace, and to desecrate the bond we were about to seal. *I¡¯ll handle this personally,* I decided, my voice cold with controlled fury. *Derek, evacuate the eastern quadrant residents to the safe houses.* ¡°Ethan, organize our defense team. No one breathes a word of this to any guests¨Cas far as they¡¯re concerned, there¡¯s simply a dy.¡± ¡°And Luna Summer?¡± Ethan asked quietly. ¡°Tell Lyra to stay with her, exin that there¡¯s been a minor security issue I need to address. Tell her..¡°I hesitated, feeling my wolf¡¯s protest at the separation, ¡°tell her I¡¯ll be back before she knows it, and nothing will stop this ceremony.¡± As we moved discreetly toward the side exit, I was stopped by an attendant rushing toward me, her expression panicked. As we moved discreetly toward the side exit, I was stopped by an attendant rushing toward me, her expression panicked. 1 ¡°Alpha Alexander! We can¡¯t find Lady Lyra!¡± +15 BONUS Th?s chapter is updated by F¦ÉndNovel Cold dread washed over me as I grabbed the woman¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What do you mean you can¡¯t find her? She was just here.¡± ¡°She went to check on her baby, sir, and neither she nor little Thea have been seen since. And-¡± the attendant¡¯s voice broke, ¡°Luna Summer is gone too¨Cdisappeared from her preparation room. The window was open.¡± The world seemed to stop around me as the implications hit with devastating rity. This wasn¡¯t just an attack at our borders. It was a coordinated assault meant to strike at my heart. They had taken my mate, my sister, and my infant niece. A roar of pure fury tore from my throat, sending the nearby wolves cowering and the human guests shrinking back in fear. My wolf wed for control, demanding blood, demanding vengeance. ¡°Find them!¡± Imanded, my Alpha voice echoing through the hallway 1 with such force that windows rattled. ¡°Every wolf, every resource¨Cfind my Luna, find Lyra, find Thea NOW!¡± I closed my eyes, desperately reaching for Summer through our bond, fighting through the wall of emptiness until I caught the faintest thread of her consciousness¨Cfear, determination, and love. She was alive. She was conscious. And she was heading straight into danger. ¡°Where would they take them?¡± I demanded, my mind racing through possibilities. ¡°The old boathouse,¡± Ethan suggested suddenly. ¡°It¡¯s isted, essible by bothnd and water for a quick escape, and far enough from the mainpound that we wouldn¡¯t immediately detect their presence.¡± I nodded grimly. ¡°Foster knows that territory from previous diplomatic visits. Assemble the elite guard. We move now.¡± As warriors rushed to follow mymands, I felt a cold certainty settle in my chest. I had promised Summer that no one would ever hurt her again. That her days of fear were over. That with me, she would always be safe. I had failed her. But I wouldn¡¯t fail her again. ¡°Alpha Foster and his allies have made theirst mistake,¡± I told Ethan, my voice deadly calm as we strode toward the vehicles. ¡°When this is over, there won¡¯t be enough of them left to bury.¡± Through our bond, I sent all my strength, all my love to Summer, willing her to hold on until I could reach her. My wolf howled within me, calling to its mate across the distance that separated us. *I¡¯ming for you, my Luna. Hold on.* Secure 152 Summer¡¯s POV I drove frantically toward the abandoned boathouse at the eastern edge of ckwood territory. My wedding dress was bunched awkwardly around me in the driver¡¯s seat, the delicatece catching on the gearshift as I navigated the rough forest road. 1 My wolf whimpered anxiously inside me. *We should have told Alexander. This is a trap.* ¡°I couldn¡¯t risk it,¡± I whispered aloud, my knuckles white against the steering wheel. ¡°The text said they¡¯d kill Thea immediately if I brought anyone.¡± And then the boathouse came into view, a dpidated wooden structure leaning precariously toward theke. I parked some distance away and stepped out, the hem of my wedding gown immediately soaking up the morning dew. *Be alert,* my wolf warned. *This feels wrong.* I moved cautiously, my senses heightened, scanning for any movement or sound. The woods were unnaturally quiet¨Cno birds, no rustling leaves. Just eerie silence. The boathouse door hung crooked on its hinges. I pushed it open slowly, wincing at the creak that seemed to echo across the water. ¡°Hello, Summer.¡± Natalia Thompson stepped out from the shadows, her tall figure silhouetted against the dim light filtering through the broken windows. ¡°What a lovely dress. Shame you won¡¯t bepleting your ceremony today.¡± Two burly male wolves nked her, their eyes glowing amber with barely contained aggression. I recognized them as European¨Cbloodline enforcers, the kind trained from birth for brutality. ¡°Where¡¯s Thea?¡± I demanded, keeping my voice steady despite the fear wing at my throat. Natalia smiled, a cold twist of lips that never reached her eyes. ¡°Not here. Not yet. First, we have some¡­ business to discuss.¡± ¡°You said-¡± ¡°I said a lot of things to get you here alone,¡± she interrupted, gesturing to one of her wolves who stepped forward holding a small vial filled with viscous green liquid. ¡°Do you know what this is?¡± The acrid smell hit my nostrils immediately, making my wolf recoil in terror. ¡°Wolf¡¯s bane,¡± I whispered, recognizing the poison that could temporarily¨Csometimes permanently- suppress our wolves. ¡°Mixed with a few other special ingredients,¡± Natalia confirmed with disturbing pride. ¡°A little concoction I had specially made. Drink it, and I¡¯ll tell you where the baby is.¡± ¡°You need to tell me where Thea is first,¡± I demanded, struggling to keep my voice steady. ¡°You¡¯re in no position to negotiate,¡± Natalia said with a dismissive flick of her wrist, signaling her guard to move forward. Therger guard stepped closer, the vial extended toward me. ¡°Drink,¡± he growled, his ent thick and Eastern European, ¡°or we start sending pieces of the baby back to Lyra.¡± My heart hammered against my ribs. I needed to stall, to think. ¡°How do I know you even have her? Show me proof she¡¯s alive right now.¡± Natalia snapped her fingers, and the second guard pulled out a phone, showing me a video feed of baby Thea wailing inconsbly in the background. My breath caught. ¡°Where¡¯s Thea? Show me Thea!¡± ¡°Drink first,¡± Natalia insisted, a cruel smile ying on her lips. ¡°Then we¡¯ll take a little drive to where they¡¯re being kept.¡± I took the vial with trembling fingers, my mind racing through scenarios. None ended well if I drank the poison. But if I didn¡¯t¡­ I raised the vial to my lips, pretending to prepare myself to drink it. As I did, my wolf suddenly stirred with a realization that hit me like lightning. *There¡¯s no baby scent here. None. Not even trace amounts.* I froze. My wolf was right. If Thea had been here even briefly, I would detect her unique scent¨Cthe ¡°You¡¯re bluffing,¡± I said softly, lowering the vial. ¡°You don¡¯t have Thea.¡± Something flickered in Natalia¡¯s eyes¨Csurprise, then fury. ¡°The video-¡°I continued, pieces falling into ce, ¡°it¡¯s from before.¡± Her face contorted with rage. ¡°Clever bitch. But not clever enough.¡± Her lips curled into a mocking smile. ¡°Melissa took that picture for me. One photo¨Cjust one¨Cand you came running like a good little fool. ¡± Then, her tone dropped, cold and triumphant. ¡°Alpha Lucien Cross has Lyra and Thea now. Together. And you¨Cyou¡¯re already toote.¡± Lucien Cross¨Cthe ruthless Eastern European Alpha whose reputation for brutality was legendary. If he was involved with Natalia and Alpha Foster, I could understand how they broke through ckwood¡¯s defenses, but why would he take Lyra and Thea? Unless¡­? My thoughts were violently interrupted as Natalia lunged at me with supernatural speed, knocking the vial from my hand. It shattered against the floor, the liquid sizzling on the wooden nks. I barely had time to dodge her next attack, her ws shing through the bodice of my wedding dress. One of her guards grabbed me from behind, his arms like steel bands around my waist. ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find[?]ovel ¡°Hold her,¡± Nataliamanded, retrieving another vial from her pocket. ¡°She¡¯ll drink it one way or another.¡± I summoned my wolf¡¯s strength, driving my elbow into the guard¡¯s sr plexus with enough force to make him loosen his grip. Twisting free, I mmed my palm into his throat, sending him staggering backward. The second guard shifted partially, his face elongating into a grotesque half¨Chuman, half¨Cwolf snarl as he charged toward me. I kicked off my wedding shoes and ran, bursting through the boathouse door into the forest. My wolf pushed to the surface, lending me speed despite the awkward dress hampering my movements. We need to get back to thepound, my wolf urged. Back to our mate. Behind me, I heard Natalia¡¯s enraged howl and the heavy footfalls of her guards. They were herding me¨CI realized toote¨Caway from the road where I¡¯d parked, deeper into the woods toward the territorial boundary. I ducked behind a massive oak, tearing at theyers of my gown to free my legs. The sound of fabric ripping seemed thunderous in the quiet forest. ¡± ¡°You can run, little Luna,¡± Natalia¡¯s voice echoed through the trees. ¡°But did you know the truth about your precious Felix¡¯s death? He died because of you!¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I shouted back, my voice betraying my position. ¡°He died because of Alpha Foster and Suzanna¡¯s plotting!¡± ¡°You poor thing,¡± Natalia sneered. ¡°Still clinging to the lie. No, Summer. He died because of you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± I said, my voice trembling as her wolves began to close in. ¡°It was me,¡± she said, viciously. ¡°I coated Alpha Foster¡¯s fur with wolf¡¯s bane that day. But Felix? He rushed in to protect you. If you hadn¡¯t been there, he would¡¯ve never gotten close enough to be poisoned.¡± I shook my head, her words slicing through my defenses. My vision blurred. ¡°Why would you do this, Natalia?!¡± Her face twisted with hatred. ¡°Because everything should have been mine! Alexander was supposed to be my mate. My destiny. I was born an Alpha¡¯s daughter¨Craised to be Luna. And then you-¡± she spat, ¡°a nobody, a broken Luna from a washed¨Cup pack¨Cstole him.¡± Her voice dropped into a venomous whisper. ¡°Want to know the best part?¡± Secure 153 Chapter 153 Summer¡¯s POV No. I knew¨Cknew in my bones¨Cthat whatever she was about to say would shatter something I¡¯d barely held together. My lips parted before I could stop myself. ¡°No,¡± I breathed, my voice barely audible. ¡°Don¡¯t.¡± But she leaned in anyway, her words slicing through me like a de.¡°Alexander knows. He¡¯s always known the truth.¡± My world stopped. My eyes widened in shock. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡± ¡°Am I?¡± Sheughed coldly. ¡°He falsified the reports, covered up traces of the poison, altered everything to make you believe it was Foster¡¯s doing. Because he was afraid, Summer. Afraid that if you knew, you would never forgive yourself.¡± The world tilted. My knees weakened, almost giving way beneath me. ¡°You¡¯re lying¡­ you¡¯re lying¡­¡± I whispered, the denial weak on my lips while my mind reeled. ¡°Then why are you only hearing the truth now? Do you think anyone else had the courage to tell you?¡± Suddenly, her guard tackled me to the ground, pinning me beneath his weight. The air rushed from my lungs as my back hit the forest floor. I tried to twist away, but their strength was overwhelming. Natalia approached leisurely, twirling the second vial between her fingers. ¡°Hold her mouth open,¡± she instructed coldly. I thrashed violently, but the guard¡¯s grip was iron. His fingers dug painfully into my jaw, forcing it open as Natalia knelt beside us. ¡°A toast,¡± she mocked, ¡°to the Luna who never was.¡± The liquid burned like fire as it hit my tongue, bitter and caustic. I gagged, tried to spit it out, but the guard mped my mouth shut, forcing me to swallow. The effect was almost instantaneous. My wolf howled in agony, retreating deep within me as the poison spread through my system. My limbs grew heavy, my connection to my wolf dimming like a light being slowly extinguished. Worse yet, I felt our mate bond¨Cmy lifeline to Alexander¨Cgrowing weaker, fading like a radio signal in a storm. ¡°Perfect,¡± Natalia smiled, nodding to her guard. ¡°Get her in the car.¡± I was barely conscious as they dragged me through the underbrush, my body feeling foreign and disconnected. The wolf¡¯s bane mixture was potent¨Cmore than just suppressing my wolf, it seemed to be weakening my entire body. They shoved me into the back of a ck SUV, the guard climbing in beside me while Natalia took the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Alpha Lucien will be pleased,¡± the guardmented, binding my wrists with zip ties. ¡°Of course. This territory will be under new management soon enough,¡± Natalia said, her voice brimming with satisfaction. The SUV lurched forward, tires spinning on the dirt road as Natalia elerated. I struggled to stay conscious, fighting the effects of the wolf¡¯s bane with everything I had. *Alexander,* I called through our bond, uncertain if he could even feel me through the poison¡¯s effects. * Trap. Lucien Cross. Help.* We¡¯d traveled perhaps a mile when I heard it¨Cthe distinctive howl that I would recognize anywhere. Alexander. He was close, and he wasn¡¯t alone. Natalia cursed, mming her foot on the elerator. ¡°They¡¯re earlier than expected!¡± Through the rear window, I glimpsed dark shapes moving through the trees¨Cwolves, dozens of them, with one massive ck wolf in the lead, his furious roar shaking the very air around us. Hope surged through me, giving me strength to fight against the poison¡¯s grip. I twisted my bound hands, working to loosen the zip ties. ¡°Faster!¡± the guard beside me shouted as Natalia swerved wildly around a curve, the SUV fishtailing on the loose gravel. The pursuit was relentless. Alexander¡¯s wolves emerged from the trees in coordinated formations, attempting to nk the vehicle. Tworge gray wolves lunged at the rear tires, their powerful jaws snapping at the rubber. Natalia jerked the wheel, sending the SUV into a skid that threw the wolves off. ¡°Call for backup!¡± she screamed at her guard, who was already frantically speaking into a radio. The massive ck wolf¨CAlexander¨Cwas gaining on us, his powerful strides eating up the distance between us. Even through my poisoned haze, I could feel his rage, his desperation. Natalia took another curve too fast, and the SUV briefly tilted onto two wheels before mming back down. The impact sent pain shooting through my body. ¡°They¡¯re closing in!¡± the guard shouted, his voice edged with panic. Alexander¡¯s wolf suddenly disappeared from view. Natalia¡¯s triumphant smile was short¨Clived as the road ahead curved sharply, winding precariously close to the cliff edge that overlooked the river gorge below. And then, miraculously, Alexander appeared on the road before us, shifted back to human form, his powerful body blocking our path, eyes zing with Alpha power. ¡°STOP THE CAR!¡± his voice boomed with Alphamand, the force of it so strong that even through the windshield, I felt it reverberate through my bones. Nataliaughed maniacally. ¡°I don¡¯t submit to you, Alexander!¡± she screamed, pressing the elerator harder. In that split second, I knew she meant to run him down. With a surge of desperate strength, I lunged forward between the front seats, grabbing the steering wheel with my bound hands. ¡°Summer!¡± Alexander¡¯s voice¨Cdesperate, terrified¨Creached me through the chaos as I wrenched the wheel hard to the right. The SUV swerved violently, tires losing traction on the loose gravel. Natalia fought me for control, her eyes wild with hatred. ¡°If I can¡¯t have him, neither can you!¡± she shrieked, suddenly stomping on the elerator instead of the brake. The guard shouted in panic as the SUV crashed through the guardrail, the front wheels momentarily suspended over the cliff edge. Time seemed to slow as the vehicle teetered on the precipice. Through the windshield, I met Alexander¡¯s horrified gaze¨Ca moment of perfect connection before gravity imed us. ¡°I love you,¡± I whispered through our bond as the SUV pitched forward into the abyss, plunging toward the rocky riverbed hundreds of feet below. The source of th?s content is findnovel Thest thing I heard was Alexander¡¯s agonized roar, the sound of a mate watching his other half fall into darkness. Secure 154 Alexander¡¯s POV The world seemed to move in slow motion as I watched the SUV carrying Summer plummet over the cliff edge. Herst words through our bond-¡°I love you¡°-echoed in my mind before the connection between us flickered like a dying me. ¡°SUMMER!¡± My roar shattered the morning air, the sound so primal it barely seemed human. I lunged toward the cliff edge, every muscle in my body driving me to follow her down. Strong arms locked around my chest, yanking me backward just as my feet hit the crumbling edge. ¡°Alpha, stop!¡± Ethan¡¯s voice cut through my rage. My Beta¡¯s grip was unyielding as I thrashed against him. ¡°You can¡¯t jump! We¡¯ll find another way down!¡± ¡°LET ME GO!¡± Imanded, my Alpha voice reverberating through the forest. Birds scattered from nearby trees, but Ethan held firm. ¡°If you go down like this, you¡¯ll die too!¡± he shouted. ¡°Summer needs you alive!¡± The mention of her name sent another wave of agony through me. The mate bond, which had been a steady presence in my mind ever since I first sensed she was mine, was growing fainter by the second. The emptiness spreading through my chest was unbearable¨Ca ck hole consuming everything I was. ¡°We need to get down there,¡± I gasped, my struggle weakening as the bond continued to fade. ¡°She might still be alive.¡± ¡°Teams are already moving,¡± Ethan assured me, his own voice rough with emotion. ¡°Derek is leading the search party down the ravine. The river rescue unit is deploying.¡± Another stab of pain shot through me as our bond flickered again. My wolf Orion thrashed violently within me, his anguished howl echoing in my mind. *I can¡¯t feel Aurora anymore,* Orion whimpered,* her presence¡­ it¡¯s disappearing.* What¡­ what does that mean? ¡°Alpha, you need to breathe,¡± Ethan¡¯s voice seemed toe from far away. ¡°Stay with me.¡± Before I could respond, a sudden, searing pain tore through my chest¨Csharp and absolute. It felt like something inside me had been violently ripped away. And then everything went ck. *** I woke to the antiseptic smell of the pack medical facility, the steady beep of monitors a grim reminder that I was still alive when my mate might not be. The emptiness in my chest told me everything I needed to know before I even opened my eyes. ¡°He¡¯s awake,¡± someone murmured. I blinked against the harsh fluorescent lights to find Ethan sitting vigntly by my bedside, dark circles under his eyes suggesting he hadn¡¯t slept in days. ¡°How long?¡± My voice was a rasp, barely recognizable. ¡°Thirty¨Csix hours,¡± Ethan replied, reaching for a cup of water. He helped me sit up enough to drink. ¡°The bond break put you in shock. Dr. Miller had to sedate you.¡± The memories flooded back with cruel rity¨CSummer¡¯s face through the windshield, the SUV tipping over the edge, that final whispered ¡°I love you¡± before our connection was severed. ¡°Have they found her?¡± The question physically hurt to ask. Ethan¡¯s expression told me everything. ¡°The search teams have been working non¨Cstop. The river current was strong from the recent rains. They¡¯ve covered five miles downstream so far.¡± ¡°And?¡± My hands gripped the sheets so tightly my knuckles turned white. ¡°We found Natalia¡¯s body yesterday morning, caught in a logjam two miles downstream.¡± Ethan hesitated. ¡°There was one guard found as well, but no sign of Summer or the second guard yet.¡± A dangerous hope flickered in my chest. ¡°If we haven¡¯t found her body-¡± ¡°Alexander.¡± Ethan¡¯s voice was gentle but firm. ¡°The drop was over three hundred feet onto rocks before hitting the water. The vehicle waspletely destroyed. The only reason we identified Natalia was through dental records.¡± I shoved the nkets aside, ignoring the weakness in my limbs. ¡°I need to be out there searching.¡± ¡°The entire pack is already searching,¡± Ethan assured me, cing a restraining hand on my shoulder. And there¡¯s something else you need to know.¡± I stilled, my wolf snarling with impatience. ¡°Alpha Foster has been apprehended. He was attempting to flee the country when our border patrols caught him.¡± The mention of Alpha Foster¡¯s name sent a fresh wave of rage through me. ¡°Bring him to me. Now.¡± ¡°He¡¯s in the containment cells. But there¡¯s more.¡± Ethan¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Lucien Cross was working with Natalia. He¡¯s taken Lyra and baby Thea out of North America already. Our intelligence suggests they¡¯re somewhere in Eastern Europe.¡± The revtion hit like a physical blow. Lucien Cross¨Cthe ruthless Alpha of the ckspire Pack, known for his brutality and ambition. If he had Lyra and her baby¡­. ¡°How long have they been gone?¡± I demanded, forcing myself to stand despite the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm me. ¡°At least three days. It appears they were taken while everyone was distracted with wedding preparations.¡± Three days. My sister and her infant daughter in the hands of one of the most dangerous Alphas in the world for three days. And Summer¡­ ¡°I need to see Alpha Foster,¡± I growled, my wolf wing to the surface. ¡°He¡¯s going to tell me everything he knows.¡± *** Deep beneath the Council¡¯s headquarters, in the high¨Csecurity detention wing reserved for traitors and high¨Crisk offenders, Alpha Foster Thorn looked pathetic behind the reinforced ss of his containment cell. The once¨Cproud Alpha was hunched in on himself, his designer suit wrinkled and stained. When he looked up at my approach, his eyes held a mixture of defiance and fear. ¡°Come to gloat, ckwood?¡± he sneered, though the tremor in his voice undercut the bravado. ¡°My mate is missing because of you,¡± I said, my voice dangerously calm. ¡°My sister and her child are in Lucien Cross¡¯s hands because of you. Gloating is the furthest thing from my mind.¡± He scoffed, eyes narrowing. Then, quietly¡ªalmost bitterly¨Che said, ¡°She was my mate. If you hadn¡¯t interfered, she¡¯d still be alive.¡± I stared at him. My wolf surged forward, teeth bared, rage boiling under my skin. My wolf surged forward, teeth bared, rage boiling beneath my skin. I mmed my fist against the ss between us, the impact echoing through the chamber like a gunshot. The guards on either side of the room were on me in a sh, grabbing my arms and pulling me back. ¡°Stand down, Alpha ckwood!¡± one of them snapped. I didn¡¯t resist. Not really. But my eyes never left Alpha Foster. ¡°Summer and Felix died because of YOU,¡± I snarled. ¡°Because YOU let Natalia poison him. Because YOUR mate, Suzanna, harvested his organs. Because YOU chose another woman¡¯s child over your own son.¡± Alpha Foster flinched. ¡°NO!¡± ¡°You forgot, didn¡¯t you?¡± I said coldly. ¡°The day Felix died¨Cshe came to you.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s face drained of color, the fight bleeding out of him as the truth struck home. ¡°Why did Lucien take Lyra?¡± I growled, the fury in my voice barely restrained. Alpha Foster looked shaken. He shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me.¡± He hesitated. Then, voice low, he said, ¡°The original n was for Lucien and me to cause chaos during the mate¨Cbonding ceremony. Natalia would use the distraction to take your mate. That¡¯s all.¡± ¡°But Lucien changed the n.¡± For original chapters go to F¦ÉndNovel Alpha Foster nodded. ¡°He stoppedmunicating. I don¡¯t know why.¡± I forced myself to breathe, to stay focused.¡°Where would he take her?¡± Secure 155 Alexander¡¯s POV A long pause. Then, finally- ¡°His ancestral territory,¡°Alpha Foster muttered. ¡°The old ckspire fortress. In the Carpathian Mountains.¡± I stepped back from the ss, my expression twisted into a cold smirk. ¡°Then enjoy your stay in this cell, Alpha Foster. Looks like you¡¯re not going anywhere.¡± He frowned, confusion darkening his face. ¡°What does that mean?¡± I studied him with icy contempt. ¡°You think the Council will show you leniency because of your family name?¡± Something uncertain flickered in Alpha Foster¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve spent thest year building a case against you, Alpha Foster. Tax evasion, moneyundering, illegal organ harvesting, conspiracy tomit murder, child endangerment¡­ shall I continue?¡± The color drained from his face. ¡°You¡¯re bluffing.¡± I slid a thumb drive through the small opening in the ss barrier. ¡°Every transaction, every illegal deal, everyw you¡¯ve broken for the past decade is on that drive. The Council has already received copies.¡± Alpha Foster¡¯s hands shook as he picked up the drive. ¡°You can¡¯t do this. My family has been leading Silver Creek for generations!¡± ¡°And you¡¯ve destroyed it in one,¡± I replied coldly. ¡°The Council has granted me temporary authority over Silver Creek territory. Your pack members will be given the choice to remain under new leadership or relocate.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll never ept you!¡± Alpha Foster snarled, hisposure cracking. ¡°They already have.¡± I turned to leave, then paused. ¡°One more thing. Summer¡¯s foundation¨Cthe one you tried to destroy? It¡¯s being fully funded with the assets you¡¯ve forfeited to the Council. Every penny you¡¯ve ever stolen will go toward helping the victims of Alphas like you.¡± His howl of rage followed me down the corridor, but I didn¡¯t look back. *** The evidence against Alpha Foster Thorn was damning. With Ethan¡¯s help, Ipiled aprehensive file detailing his crimes: tax evasion on an epic scale, illegal organ trafficking, conspiracy to kidnap pack members, attempted murder, and the rarest charge of all¨Cthe purposeful severing of a mate bond, a crime considered sacrilege under wolfw. I presented the evidence personally to the North American Council of Alphas three days after Summer¡¯s disappearance. The Council chambers fell silent as Iid out the case, my voice steady despite the hollow ache in my chest where our bond had been. ¡°These are serious usations, Alpha ckwood,¡± Elder Thornfield stated, his ancient eyes studying me carefully. ¡°You understand the penalty if proven true?¡± ¡°I do,¡± I answered. Death was the only punishment for crimes of this magnitude against packw. The Council deliberated for less than an hour before returning their verdict. Alpha Foster Thor was sentenced to execution by silver bullet¨Cthe traditional punishment for an Alpha who had betrayed his sacred duties. I was offered the right to carry out the sentence myself, but declined. My focus was elsewhere¨Con finding Summer, on rescuing Lyra and Thea. ¡°I want his assets seized and his territory annexed to mine,¡± I told the Council instead. ¡°Silver Creek Pack deserves better leadership.¡± ¡°The territory and assets are yours by right of conquest,¡± Elder Thornfield agreed. ¡°Though I¡¯m surprised you would want the reminder of such treachery.¡± ¡°The assets aren¡¯t for me,¡± I rified. ¡°They¡¯re to be held in trust for Summer Winster.¡± A murmur ran through the Council. Elder Thornfield leaned forward. ¡°Alpha ckwood, while we respect your dedication to your mate, all evidence suggests she perished in the ident.¡± ¡°No body has been recovered,¡± I stated firmly. ¡°Until I see proof that she¡¯s gone, I will proceed as if she¡¯s alive.¡± ¡°Alexander,¡± another Elder said gently, using my given name instead of my title¨Ca sign of personal rather than officialmunication. ¡°The bond breaking¡­ you know what that means.¡± I met her gaze steadily. ¡°It means she was gravely injured. It means the wolf¡¯s bane in her system was powerful enough to sever our connection. It does not necessarily mean she¡¯s dead.¡± The Elders exchanged nces, their expressions a mixture of pity and concern. ¡°Very well,¡± Elder Thornfield finally said. ¡°The assets of Silver Creek Pack will be held in trust for Luna Summer Winster for a period of one year. If she does not return within that time¡­¡± ¡°She will,¡± I interrupted, my tone leaving no room for argument. ¡°And when she does, she¡¯ll find that justice was served in her absence.¡± *** Alpha Foster was executed at dawn the following morning. I didn¡¯t attend. Instead, I stood at the cliff edge where the SUV had gone over, staring down at the river far below. The search teams had expanded to ten miles downstream, but had found no further trace of Summer or the remaining guard. Ethan approached quietly, respecting my solitude until I acknowledged his presence with a slight nod. For original chapters go to ¡°The European extraction team is assembled,¡± he reported. ¡°They¡¯re ready to move on ckspire to recover Lyra and Thea.¡± ¡°Good.¡± I continued staring at the rushing water below. ¡°We leave tonight.¡± ¡°Alexander,¡± Ethan¡¯s voice softened. ¡°The water search teams want to know if they should continue.¡± I closed my eyes briefly, feeling the emptiness where our bond had been. If Summer were truly gone, wouldn¡¯t I know it in my soul? Wouldn¡¯t there be some finality, some closure? ¡°Triple the teams,¡± I ordered. ¡°Expand the search area. She¡¯s out there somewhere, Ethan. I can feel it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s been five days,¡± he said gently. ¡°And I¡¯ll search for fifty years if that¡¯s what it takes.¡± I turned to face him, letting him see the determination in my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not giving up on her.¡± Ethan nodded, his loyalty unwavering. ¡°Then neither will we.¡± As we walked back toward the waiting vehicles, I felt Orion stirring restlessly within me. My wolf had been uncharacteristically quiet since the bond broke, grieving in his own way. *We will find her,* I promised him silently. *And Aurora too.* Orion¡¯s response was a low, mournful howl that echoed my own pain. But beneath the grief, there was something else¨Ca stubborn certainty that refused to be extinguished. Summer was out there. And I would tear the world apart to bring her home. Secure 156 Chapter 156 Author¡¯s POV The moment Summer felt the SUV tip over the edge of the cliff, time seemed to slow. Through the windshield, she caught a final glimpse of Alexander¡¯s agonized face before gravity imed the vehicle, sending it plummeting toward the churning river far below. ¡°Aurora!¡± Summer screamed internally as the car began its death spiral. *I¡¯m here,* her wolf answered, *We must shift NOW!* With thest of her energy, Summer yielded control to Aurora. The transformation rippled through her body even as the SUV tumbled through the air. 1 With supernatural agility, the silver¨Cwhite wolf leapt from the disintegrating vehicle, her powerful muscles propelling her toward an outcropping of rock and vegetation. Her ws scrambled desperately for purchase as the SUV continued its fatal journey, exploding into the river with a deafening crash. Aurora hung precariously from the rock face, her hind legs dangling over the abyss, ws digging deep into soil and root. With a strength born of pure survival instinct, she hauled herself up inch by agonizing inch until she reached a narrow ledge halfway down the cliff. *We¡¯re alive,* Aurora panted, her body trembling from exertion and the lingering effects of the wolf¡¯s bane. *But we¡¯re badly hurt.* Summer could feel it too¨Cthe internal damage, the broken ribs, the deepcerations. The transformation had helped, but it wasn¡¯t enough. The toxins from the wolf¡¯s bane continued to circte through their system, weakening their healing abilities. *We can¡¯t stay here,* Aurora decided, eyeing the narrow game trail that wound along the cliff face. *We need to find help.* Each step was agony as the wolf carefully navigated the treacherous path. They had descended perhaps a hundred feet when the ledge beneath Aurora¡¯s paws suddenly crumbled. With a startled yelp, the wolf tumbled down the remaining distance, her body bouncing against jutting rocks and breaking through branches before plunging into the icy river below. The current seized them instantly, dragging their battered body downstream. Aurora fought against the raging water, but her strength was fading fast. The river¡¯s fury subsided as it wound its way through the forested valley, depositing its unexpected passenger onto a secluded stretch of sandy shore. Summery motionless on the bank, her body battered and broken from the plunge over the cliff. Within her, Aurora¨Cher wolf¨Csensed death approaching. The wolf¡¯s bane that had been pumped into the SUV had severely weakened them both, but it was the impact against the rushing water that had done the most damage. Summer¡¯s internal injuries were catastrophic; without intervention, her human form wouldn¡¯t survive the next hour. Aurora made her choice. *Wake up, Summer,* the wolf urged, using thest of her strength to pull her human counterpart back to consciousness. *Just for a moment. I need you to understand.* Summer¡¯s eyelids fluttered open, a groan escaping her bloodied lips as pain registered throughout her broken body. ¡°Aurora?¡± she whispered, feeling the wolf¡¯s presence more strongly than she ever had before¨Calmost as if Aurora was preparing to take control of their shared body. *I can save you,* Aurora exined, her voice a soft whine in Summer¡¯s mind. *But there will be a price.* Summer tried to move but couldn¡¯t. She could taste blood in her mouth, feel it pooling beneath her. ¡± What¡­ price?¡± *Me,* came the simple answer. *I can heal your body enough to survive, but the power required will consume my essence. I won¡¯t exist separately anymore.* ¡°No,¡± Summer gasped, tears forming in her eyes. ¡°Aurora, no. We¡¯ve been through too much together.¡± *It is the way of the wolf to protect our young,* Aurora replied, a note of determination in her voice. *You carry life within you, Summer. Alexander¡¯s pup grows in your womb.* The revtion hit Summer like a physical blow. ¡°A baby?¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯m pregnant?¡± *Yes. The little one¡¯s wolf is strong already¨CI can sense it. But neither of you will survive these injuries.* Summer tried to focus her thoughts through the haze of pain. Aurora had been herpanion since birth, her strength during the darkest days with Foster, her courage when Summer had none left. The thought of losing her wolf was unbearable. ¡°There has to be another way,¡± Summer pleaded. *There isn¡¯t,* Aurora responded with gentle certainty. *This is my choice, my gift to you and our pack¡¯s future. Let me do this.* For original chapters go to Find¡ïNovel A sob caught in Summer¡¯s throat as she felt Aurora¡¯s resolve. Her wolf had already made her decision *When the timees,* Aurora continued, *find the Sacred Pools in the Northern Territory. My essence may be gone, but perhaps another wolf waits there for you.* ¡°I love you,¡± Summer whispered, feeling Aurora gather thest of her strength. *And I love you, my human,* came the wolf¡¯s reply. *Now sleep. When you wake, you will heal, but I will be gone.* A warm sensation spread through Summer¡¯s body as Aurora released her life force, directing it to repair the most critical injuries. The wolf¡¯s essence flowed like liquid gold through Summer¡¯s veins, mending ruptured organs, stabilizing her spine, and forming a protective barrier around the tiny life growing in her womb. As darkness imed Summer once more, she felt Aurora¡¯s presence fade until there was nothing but emptiness where her wolf had always been. *** I awoke to the sound of a crackling fire and the sharp, bitter scent of medicinal herbs. For a moment, Iy still, trying to remember where I was¨Cwho I was. The fog in my mind slowly lifted as I realized I was in a small cabin, lying on a narrow bedyered with soft animal furs. My body ached everywhere, but the unbearable pain from before had dulled to a steady, manageable throb. ¡°You¡¯re finally awake,¡± came a gravelly female voice. ¡°Wasn¡¯t sure you¡¯d make it¨Ceven with the wolf¡¯s sacrifice.¡± I turned my head with effort and saw an elderly woman sitting beside the fire, grinding herbs in a stone mortar. Her silver hair was pulled back into a long braid, and her weathered face bore the distinctive facial markings of the Northern wolf ns. ¡°Who are you?¡± I asked, my voice hoarse and thin. ¡°How long have I been here?¡± ¡°Name¡¯s Nora,¡± she said, still focused on her herbs. ¡°Found you washed up downstream from my cabin three days ago. You were more dead than alive.¡± Three days. I closed my eyes, my chest tightening. Three days missing. Three days with no one knowing if I was alive. ¡°Where¡­ where am I?¡± I forced the words past the dryness in my throat. Nora gave me a sideways nce, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly. ¡°Neutral territory. Portugal.¡± Portugal. That meant I was far from the packnds¨Cfar from Alexander. He must be going out of his mind right now. I needed to get back. He had to know I was still alive. I tried to sit up, bracing myself against the bed with trembling arms, but the room tilted sharply. A wave of dizziness crashed over me, forcing me back down. ¡°Devastated,¡± Nora said softly, as if finishing a thought I hadn¡¯t spoken aloud. ¡°But you¡¯re in no condition to travel. Your body needs time to heal.¡± She was right. As much as I hated to admit it¨Cshe was right. I have a cub. My hand drifted to my abdomen, fingers sying gently over the slight rise. There was no visible change yet, but I could feel it¨Csomething delicate, and fiercely alive. What about Alexander?How was he holding up? Secure 157 Alexander¡¯s POV I stood on the balcony of the ckwood Pack house, staring unseeingly at the sunset bleeding across the sky. It had been three weeks since Summer went over that cliff. Three weeks of searching, hoping, and slowly losing what little faith I had left. We¡¯d rescued Lyra and Thea from Lucien Cross¡¯s stronghold in the Carpathians. The mission was a sess on paper, but it meant nothing without Summer. My sister and niece were safe, recovering under the protection of the pack¨Cbut the so¨Ccalled ¡°victory¡± felt hollow. The fallout had been brutal. The European Council of Alphas refused to sanction Lucien. They imed there wasn¡¯t enough evidence. And without more than Alpha Foster¡¯s word¨Ca convicted criminal¡¯s testimony¨CI had nothing solid to bring Lucien to justice. 1 A soft knock broke through my thoughts. ¡°Alpha¡­¡± Ethan¡¯s voice came from the doorway, hesitant and heavy with dread. He only ever sounded like that when it was bad. When it was final. I didn¡¯t turn. I already knew. Whatever he found¨Cit wasn¡¯t her alive. ¡°What is it?¡± I asked, barely recognizing my own voice. It sounded hollow. Dead. Ethan stepped forward and held out a small stic evidence bag. Inside was a tarnished silver bracelet. I froze. I knew that bracelet. It had belonged to her father. Summer never took it off¨Cnot even in her sleep. It was the only thing she had left of him, and she protected it like it was sacred. She would never¡­ never let it go. ¡°The search team found it tangled in rocks about fifteen miles downstream,¡± Ethan said quietly. ¡°The dive teambed the entire area. They also found pieces of fabric¡­ consistent with what she was wearing that day.¡± My fingers trembled as I took the bag from him. The bracelet was bent, scratched from the current, but the engravings were still there. Her father¡¯s initials. The little crescent moon charm. She wouldn¡¯t have dropped this. Not unless¡­ ¡°This doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s dead,¡± I said, but even to my own ears, the words sounded thin. Desperate. ¡°Alexander¡­¡± Ethan¡¯s voice softened, dropping the formality. ¡°It¡¯s been three weeks. No wolf¨Cno matter how strong¨Ccould survive injuries like that without immediate care. The water was near freezing. The cliff-¡± ¡°Stop.¡± My voice came out sharp and low. Final. He fell silent. I kept staring at the bracelet, as if I could will it to mean something else. Anything else. ¡°She was afraid of heights,¡± I murmured, a hollowugh catching in my throat. ¡°Never told anyone but me. She used to take the stairs instead of elevators in tall buildings, said she didn¡¯t trust the feeling of the ground vanishing. And that cliff¡­ it was so high.¡°. The words hit me hard. I was still speaking about her in the present tense. My chest constricted painfully, and I closed my eyes. ¡°I keep thinking I¡¯ll feel her,¡± I whispered. ¡°Even though the bond broke¨CI keep waiting to sense her. Waiting for Orion to catch Aurora¡¯s scent on the wind.¡± Ethanid a steady hand on my shoulder. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°I failed her,¡± I breathed. ¡°I swore I¡¯d protect her. Always.¡± ¡°You did everything you could,¡± Ethan said firmly. ¡°Foster and Natalia did this. Not you.¡± I didn¡¯t answer. For more chapters visit F¦Énd£Îovel I couldn¡¯t. My hand curled tightly around the bracelet, the edges biting into my palm like penance. ¡°Tell the search teams to stand down,¡± I said atst. The words wed at my throat. ¡°Start nning the memorial.¡± It felt like betrayal. Like I was giving up. But I was Alpha. I couldn¡¯t keep the pack locked in limbo forever. They needed closure. Even if I didn¡¯t. ¡°You sure?¡± Ethan asked carefully. ¡°No.¡± My voice cracked. ¡°But they need it.¡± After he left, I remained on the balcony long after the sun had disappeared. The cold crept in, but I didn¡¯t feel it. Not really. Inside me, Orion howled¨Ca sound so raw and full of grief, it would have brought any wolf to their knees if it had been voiced aloud. She¡¯s gone, he whimpered. Our mate is gone. For the first time since the bond shattered, I allowed myself to believe it might be true. I sank to my knees, clutching her father¡¯s bracelet in my fist. And I wept. +15 BONUS The weeks that followed passed in a blur. I did my duty¨Csat through Council meetings, signed documents, made decisions¨Cbut I wasn¡¯t there. The light in me had gone out. Everyone could see it, though no one dared to name it. At night, I walked the perimeter of ournds alone, listening for a sound that never came. Hoping she might somehowe out of the dark. That I¡¯d see her wolf form cresting the ridge. That I¡¯d wake up from the nightmare. Secure 158 The memorial was held beneath the old sycamore tree, the one Summer loved. Every member of the pack showed up, along with allies and Council delegates. She¡¯d made an impact¨Cthrough her kindness, her strength, her work with orphaned wolves and the children¡¯s foundation. She¡¯d earned their love. She¡¯d Chapters first released on FindN()vel earned mine. I stood like stone throughout the ceremony, epting condolences like an Alpha should. But inside? I was burning. Afterward, Lyra came to me, little Thea sleeping in her arms. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t want this for you,¡± she said gently. ¡°Summer would want you to live, not just survive.¡± ¡°How?¡± I asked hoarsely. ¡°Tell me how I¡¯m supposed to live when half of me is gone.¡± She had no answer. No one did. Author¡¯s POV A month after the memorial service, Ethan found Alexander in his office, surrounded by empty bottles. It wasn¡¯t the first time. Since epting Summer¡¯s death, Alexander had taken to drinking heavily¨Cthe only way he found to quiet Orion¡¯s constant grief¨Cstricken howling in his mind. ¡°This can¡¯t continue, Alpha,¡± Ethan said firmly, gathering the bottles. ¡°The pack needs you at full strength. ¡± ¡°The pack has you,¡± Alexander replied, his words slightly slurred. ¡°You¡¯re a better Beta than I deserve.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not talking about administrative duties,¡± Ethan countered. ¡°I¡¯m talking about spiritual leadership. The pack bonds are weakening because their Alpha is¡­ disconnected.¡± Alexander knew Ethan was right. The bonds that connected Alpha to pack were mystical as well as practical. His ongoing grief was affecting everyone, creating a sense of mise that spread throughout the territory. ¡°I can¡¯t forget her,¡± he whispered. ¡°Every time I close my eyes, I see her face. Every room in this house holds memories.¡± Ethan hesitated before speaking again. ¡°There might be a way to help you function again. To help the pack heal.¡± Alexander looked up, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. ¡°What way?¡± ¡°The Seer,¡± Ethan said simply. ¡°Seer Willow.¡± Alexander¡¯sugh was bitter. ¡°You want me to have my memories erased?¡± ¡°Not erased,¡± Ethan rified. ¡°Just¡­ dulled. The Seer can create a temporary barrier around the most painful memories. It would give you space to breathe, to lead the pack properly again.¡± ¡°No.¡± Alexander¡¯s response was immediate and firm. ¡°My memories of Summer are all I have left of her. I won¡¯t let anyone take them from me.¡± Alexander¡¯s jaw tightened, and his fists curled at his sides. The bitterugh died on his lips, reced by a hard re. ¡°Do you think numbing it will make it better?¡± His voice rose, sharp and clipped. ¡°That I can just pretend she didn¡¯t die? That forgetting how she looked at me, how she said my name¨Cwill somehow make me a better Alpha?¡± Ethan took a cautious step back, the tension in the room thick and suffocating. ¡°Alex, I didn¡¯t mean- ¡°Get out,¡± Alexander snapped. ¡°Before I say something I¡¯ll regret.¡± There was a long silence. Then Ethan gave a small nod and turned to leave, the door clicking softly shut behind him. Alexander stood alone in the quiet that followed, breathing heavily, his chest aching with everything he refused to let go. Alexandery still on the hospital bed, his face pale against the crisp white of the pillow. The sedative had dulled the sharp edge of his grief, but not the pain. His eyes fluttered halfway open, unfocused. The doctor stepped back after administering the injection, ncing uncertainly at Ethan. ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Ethan hesitated, his jaw tight. ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice anymore.¡± He looked down at his Alpha¨Chis brother in all but blood¨Creduced to a shell of the fierce leader he once was. The weight of the decision crushed him, but he knew what was at stake. ¡°Then the pack will continue to suffer,¡± Ethan said, his voice t with resignation. ¡°And eventually, the Council will intervene. They¡¯ll say Alpha is unfit to lead.¡± The threat hovered in the sterile room like a storm cloud. It wasn¡¯t a guess¨Cit was a certainty. The North American Council had been circling like vultures since the memorial service, noting every missed meeting, every erratic decision. They wouldn¡¯t wait forever. Ethan swallowed the lump in his throat, then turned to the woman standing silently in the corner, robed in deep forest green. ¡°Begin,¡± he said quietly. Seer Willow nodded solemnly and stepped forward, her eyes glowing faintly with power. She ced her hands on either side of Alexander¡¯s temples, murmuring ancient words in anguage lost to most of the world. As the glow deepened and her power wrapped around Alexander¡¯s mind like a silken veil, Ethan remained at the foot of the bed, fists clenched, heart heavy. Forgive me, brother. But I can¡¯t lose you too. Secure 159 Summer¡¯s POV The cool st of air conditioning hit my face as we stepped off the ne at Crescent Valley Regional Airport, a stark contrast to the warm Portuguese climate we¡¯d left behind. I instinctively tightened my grip on Aria¡¯s small hand, feeling her excitement vibrate through our connected palms. ¡°Mama, are we really in America now?¡± Aria¡¯s bright eyes, so eerily like her father¡¯s, gazed up at me with wonder. I forced a smile, swallowing down the anxiety that had been building since we boarded the flight in Lisbon. ¡°Yes, sweetie. This is where Mama grew up.¡± Five years. It had been five long years since I¡¯d set foot on North American soil. Five years since the day I plunged over that cliff, since Aurora sacrificed herself to save me and the tiny life growing inside me. Five years of building a new identity as far from Alexander ckwood as possible. And now here I was, less than thirty miles from ckwood territory. ¡°Why are you squeezing my hand so tight?¡± Aria asked, trying to wiggle her fingers free. I immediately loosened my grip. ¡°Sorry, baby. Mama¡¯s just tired from the long flight.¡± That wasn¡¯t entirely untrue. Twenty hours of travel with a hyperactive four¨Cyear¨Cold was exhausting, especially when every mile brought me closer to the life¨Cand the mate¨CI¡¯d left behind. ¡°Is Aunt Elena waiting for us?¡± Aria asked as we made our way toward baggage im. ¡°You said she¡¯s super nice!¡± ¡°Yes, she should be here to pick us up,¡± I replied, scanning the crowded terminal for my friend. ¡°She¡¯s very excited to meet you.¡± Elena had been my saving grace in Portugal. After Nora found me washed up on that remote beach, barely alive and in prematurebor, it was Elena who had helped deliver Aria. As the pack healer for Nora¡¯s small coastal pack, she¡¯d be my mentor, my confidante, and eventually, my closest friend. And now she was getting married to an American wolf she¡¯d met while studying advanced healing techniques in California. The wedding was months away, but she had begged me toe back with her to help with the nning- dress fittings, venue scouting, and calming her inevitable pre¨Cmating panic. To Elena, I was simply Sarah Winters(That¡¯s the name the heroine will useter.)¨Ca human woman who¡¯d washed ashore pregnant and alone, taken in by Nora¡¯s pack out ofpassion. She had no idea who I really was, or that the man I¡¯d fled from was one of the most powerful Alphas in North America. No one in Portugal knew my true identity¨Cnot even Nora had known before she passed awayst year. ¡°Mama, look! Our bags!¡± Aria pointed excitedly as our suitcases appeared on the carousel. I grabbed them quickly, then led Aria toward the exit. As we emerged into the arrival area, I spotted Elena immediately¨Cher curly brown hair bouncing as she waved enthusiastically from across the terminal. ¡°Sarah!¡± she called out, rushing toward us. ¡°You made it!¡± ¡°Elena!¡± I smiled genuinely as she enveloped me in a warm hug. The familiar scent of herbs and sea salt clung to her clothes¨Creminders of her healing practice back in Portugal. ¡°And this must be the famous Aria,¡± Elena crouched down to Aria¡¯s level. ¡°I¡¯ve heard so much about you!¡± ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find_Novel(. Aria, suddenly shy, pressed herself against my leg but offered a small wave. ¡°She¡¯s tired from the journey,¡± I exined, resting my hand on Aria¡¯s head. ¡°Aren¡¯t you, sweetie?¡± Elena straightened up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve got the car right outside. You two can rest at the hotel while I finish up some wedding errands.¡± We had just reached Elena¡¯s rental car when she started loading our bags into the trunk. ¡°The Cedar Ridge Grand is beautiful,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°David wanted something closer to his pack¡¯s territory, but I insisted on neutral ground. I know how ufortable you are around wolves.¡± Another lie I¡¯d been living with. Elena believed I was entirely human, with an inexplicable fear of wolf- kind after a ¡°traumatic encounter¡± before washing up in Portugal. It exined my reluctance to interact with the wolves in Nora¡¯s pack and my insistence on living on the outskirts of their territory. ¡°I appreciate that,¡± I said softly as I helped Aria into the backseat. As we pulled away from the airport, I felt a weight settling in my chest. The familiarndscapes, the scents carried on the breeze¨Ceverything brought back memories I¡¯d spent years trying to suppress. ¡°So,¡± Elena said as she navigated onto the highway, ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind, but the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night will have quite a few wolves in attendance. David¡¯s family, you know. But I¡¯ve made sure they all understand you¡¯re ufortable around their kind.¡± I nodded, staring out the window. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can handle a few hours.¡± Secure 160 The irony wasn¡¯t lost on me. Five years ago, I had been poised to be one of the most influential Luna wolves in North America. Now, I was pretending to be a skittish human who could barely tolerate being in the same room with wolfkind. ¡°Aria will be okay too?¡± Elena asked, ncing at my daughter through the rearview mirror. ¡°Aria doesn¡¯t know about wolves,¡± I said quietly, though my daughter was already dozing in her car seat, the jetg finally catching up to her. ¡°And I¡¯d like to keep it that way.¡± Elena¡¯s expression softened with sympathy. ¡°Of course. No one will shift, I promise.¡± If only she knew the real reason I kept Aria in the dark about wolves. It wasn¡¯t fear¨Cit was protection. As long as Aria didn¡¯t know about her heritage, she wouldn¡¯t identally reveal it. And as long as no one knew she was Alexander ckwood¡¯s daughter, she was safe from his enemies¡­ and from the pain of knowing her father had moved on without us. As we drove toward the hotel in Cedar Ridge¨Ca human town safely outside pack territories¨CI couldn¡¯t help but reflect on the path that had led me here. After Nora rescued me, I had been desperate to return to Alexander. But the wolf¡¯s bane in my system made it impossible to travel. And Aurora¨Cmy wolf¨Cwas gone. Aria had arrived early, fragile but strong. Thebor nearly killed me. For months, I was confined to bed, healing the human way. When Aria turned six months, I finally made it to town to try contacting Alexander. That was when I saw the headlines. He had a new mate. A political match with a European she¨Cwolf. Pictures showed him beside her, expression unreadable. I never tried to call again. Instead, I stayed. Nora gave me a ce, a purpose. I buried my old identity, embraced healing, and raised my daughter among people who asked no questions. ¡°Sarah? We¡¯re here,¡± Elena¡¯s voice pulled me from my memories. The Grand Cedar Hotel rose before us, its elegant fa?ade a stark reminder of how far I was from the simple stone cottage I¡¯d shared with Aria in Portugal. ¡°It¡¯s so big!¡± Aria gasped, suddenly wide awake and pressing her face against the window. As we pulled into the hotel parking lot, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the side mirror. My hair was different now¨Cshorter, with golden highlights that helped disguise my natural color. I¡¯d lost weight during my recovery and never fully regained it, giving my face a more angr appearance. Five years of raising a child alone had added subtle lines around my eyes. Would Alexander even recognize me if he saw me? Would he sense anything, given our broken bond? ¡°Ready for an adventure, Aria?¡± I asked, forcing cheerfulness into my voice as Elena parked the car. ¡°Ready!¡± she chirped, already unbuckling her seat belt. Inside, we checked in, and Elena handed me the key card. ¡°Rest up,¡± she said. ¡°Tomorrow, the dress hunt begins.¡± I nodded, though my stomach clenched at the thought. ¡°That sounds perfect.¡± Checktest chapters at fin?novel As we moved through the lobby, I reminded myself why I was here. Elena¡¯s wedding was still months away. We were here to help her get ready, to share the journey¨Cnothing more. A simple trip. The chances of running into anyone from my past felt slim. Cedar Ridge was neutral territory, frequented by humans and the asional wolf on business. Alexander had no reason to visit here, and his pack members rarely strayed from their territory unless necessary. We would be safe. Anonymous. Just another mother and daughter on vacation. At least, that¡¯s what I kept telling myself as we rode the elevator to our room, Aria chattering excitedly about the swimming pool she¡¯d spotted through the lobby windows. But deep down, in the hollow space where Aurora once resided, I felt a strange pull¨Ca whisper of something I hadn¡¯t felt in five years. Like the ghost of a mate bond, calling me home. I shook my head, dismissing the sensation as travel fatigue. Alexander had moved on. He had a new mate, possibly even children by now. And I had made my choice long ago to keep Aria safe, to give her a normal life away from the power struggles and politics that had nearly killed me. After Elena left, I unpacked our things while Aria explored every inch of the hotel room with wide¨Ceyed wonder. When she finally tired herself out, I tucked her into the plush king¨Csized bed for a nap. Standing by the window, looking out over the town of Cedar Ridge, I allowed myself to wonder¨Cjust for a moment¨Cwhere Alexander was right now. What he was doing. If he ever thought about the woman he¡¯d once imed as his mate. Secure 161 Alexander¡¯s POV I woke up drenched in sweat, my cock hard as steel against my stomach, my heart hammering against my ribcage. The dream had been so fucking real this time¨Cher soft body writhing beneath mine, her wet heat gripping me like a vise as I thrust deep inside her. Her nails had raked down my back, leaving trails of exquisite fire while her thighs squeezed my hips, urging me deeper, harder. ¡°Fuck me, Alex,¡± she¡¯d begged, her voice a desperate whimper that drove my wolf wild. ¡°Make me yours again.¡± Her scent had filled my lungs¨Cwildflowers and honey mixed with the intoxicating musk of her arousal I¡¯d buried my face in the crook of her neck, teeth grazing the soft flesh there as she clenched around me, her climax triggering my own. The sensation ofpleteness, ofing home after a long journey, had overwhelmed me as I emptied myself inside her. But just as I was about to see her face clearly, to finally identify the woman who haunted my dreams night after night, I jolted awake. As always. ¡°Fuck,¡± I muttered, running a hand through my damp hair. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, just as frustrated as I was by the phantom lover who tormented us both. The digital clock on my nightstand read 4:37 AM. Too early to start the day, toote to hope for more meaningful sleep. I threw back the covers and padded to the bathroom, sshing cold water on my face. The man who stared back at me from the mirror looked tired. Alpha Alexander ckwood, leader of one of the most powerful packs in North America, reduced to a sleep¨Cdeprived mess because of dreams I couldn¡¯t control and memories I couldn¡¯t ess. Five years. It had been five years since the ident that had left parts of my memory fractured, five years of rebuilding my life and my pack around the hollow spaces in my mind. Most days, I functioned well enough that no one suspected the extent of the damage. I handled pack business, attended Council meetings, made strategic alliances. I was, by all appearances, the same strong Alpha I¡¯d always been. But then the dreams woulde, bringing with them echoes of something¨Csomeone¨CI¡¯d lost. With a sigh, I gave up on more sleep and headed to my home office. If I was going to be awake, I might as well get some work done before the day officially began. $15 BONUS By the time the morning sun streamed through the windows of my office at ckwood Industries, I¡¯d already reviewed three acquisition proposals, held a video conference with our European partners, and consumed enough coffee to fuel a small army. ¡°Alpha, the quarterly reports you requested,¡± my assistant said, cing a thick folder on my desk. ¡°Thanks, Jeremy. Any word from the Council about the boundary dispute with the Silvercrest Pack?¡± ¡°Beta Ethan is handling that personally. He said he¡¯d brief you this afternoon.¡± I nodded, grateful as always for Ethan¡¯s efficiency. As my Beta and best friend, he¡¯d been invaluable during my recovery, filling in the nks where he could without making me feel less than the Alpha I was supposed to be. ¡°Your fianc¨¦e called,¡± Jeremy added, his expression carefully neutral. ¡°She wanted to confirm your dinner ns for tonight.¡± Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n fin?novel ¡°Right. Thanks.¡± After he left, I leaned back in my chair, staring out at the forest that surrounded ckwood territory. The engagement to Isabelle Laurent had been arranged four years ago, shortly after my ident¨Ca strategic alliance with one of Europe¡¯s oldest and most powerful wolf bloodlines. On paper, it made perfect sense. The ckwood Pack gained international allies and solidified our standing with the Council. The Laurents gained a foothold in North American territory and the prestige of connecting their lineage with mine. There was just one problem: my wolf refused to ept her as our mate. The inte buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. ¡°Alpha, Ms. Laurent is here to see you.¡± I straightened my tie and squared my shoulders. ¡°Send her in.¡± Isabelle glided into my office with the grace that came from centuries of aristocratic breeding. Tall, blonde, and impably dressed in a designer suit that probably cost more than most people¡¯s monthly sry, she was objectively beautiful¨Candpletely wrong for me in ways I couldn¡¯t exin. ¡°Alexander,¡± she said, her ent making my name sound exotic. She crossed the room and ced a light kiss on my cheek. ¡°Working hard as always, I see.¡± ¡°Isabelle. I wasn¡¯t expecting you today.¡± She perched on the edge of my desk, crossing her legs in a way that was meant to draw my attention. ¡°I thought I¡¯d surprise you. Besides, I need to discuss something with you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s on your mind?¡± I asked, leaning back to put some distance between us. My wolf growled softly in disapproval at her proximity. ¡°David Mercer¡¯s wedding is next month in Cedar Ridge,¡± she said, brushing an imaginary piece of lint from her skirt. ¡°I¡¯ve been invited, and I¡¯d like you to apany me.¡± Secure 162 I frowned. ¡°Alpha David Mercer? The Alpha from the California coastal pack?¡± ¡°Yes, he¡¯s marrying some healer he met while studying abroad. European, I believe.¡± Her perfectly manicured nails tapped against my desk. ¡°It¡¯s an excellentworking opportunity. Several Council members will be attending.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t recall receiving an invitation,¡± I said carefully. Isabelle waved her hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s a plus¨Cone situation. Besides, with your position, they¡¯d hardly turn you away.¡± ¡°I have pack matters to attend to this weekend. The northern perimeter needs reinforcing after that stormst month.¡± Her blue eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Alexander, we¡¯ve discussed this. Part of maintaining your position as Alpha is making strategic appearances. The Mercers are gaining influence, and it would be wise to establish a friendly connection.¡± She wasn¡¯t wrong. The politics of pack hierarchy required constant attention. ¡°Send my regrets and a suitable gift,¡± I said firmly. ¡°Ethan can apany you if you¡¯re concerned about appearances.¡± Isabelle stood, her smile tight. ¡°You know very well I can¡¯t show up with your Beta instead of you. It sends the wrong message.¡± ¡°What message is that?¡± ¡°That the Alpha of the ckwood Pack can¡¯t be bothered with social obligations. That perhaps he doesn¡¯t value his fianc¨¦e enough to escort her to important functions.¡± Her voice remained pleasant, but I caught the underlying frustration. Four years of engagement with no mating ceremony in sight. No wonder she was losing patience. I sighed. ¡°Isabelle, we¡¯ve discussed this. The timing isn¡¯t right yet.¡± ¡°The timing has been ¡®not right¡® for four years, Alexander.¡± She moved closer, her expensive perfume filling my nostrils. ¡°The Council expects an announcement soon. My father is beginning to question yourmitment to our arrangement.¡± ¡°Your father understands theplexities of merging two powerful bloodlines. These things can¡¯t be rushed.¡± I stepped closer. ¡°You know I can¡¯t sleep with you¨CI get those splitting headaches every time. We have to fix this before we canplete the bond, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Perhaps what we need is to spend more time alone. Properly alone.¡°She ced her hand on my chest, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper. Before I could respond, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine, her hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck. The reaction was immediate and painful. A sharp, stabbing sensation exploded behind my eyes, sending me staggering backward. My wolf howled in protest, wing at my insides as if trying to physically escape our skin. ¡°Alexander!¡± Isabelle¡¯s voice sounded distant through the ringing in my ears. ¡°Is it happening again?¡± I gripped the edge of my desk, waiting for the pain to subside. With it came the now¨Cfamiliar phantom sensations¨Ca scent like wildflowers and honey, the echo ofughter I couldn¡¯t ce, the ghostly touch of fingers that weren¡¯t there. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I managed, though we both knew it was a lie. Isabelle¡¯s expression was a mixture of concern and annoyance. ¡°You should see the healer again. This isn¡¯t normal, Alexander.¡± I¡¯d seen every healer, doctor, and specialist the wolf and human worlds had to offer. None had answers beyond vague theories about traumatic brain injury from the ident. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it,¡± I said, straightening my posture and forcing my breathing to normalize. ¡°As for the wedding, my decision stands. Send my regrets.¡± Her lips pressed into a thin line. ¡°As you wish, Alpha.¡± The formal title was deliberate, a reminder of the political nature of our rtionship. ¡°But we can¡¯t keep postponing our future indefinitely. The alliance between our packs depends on a proper mating.¡± After she left, I sank into my chair, massaging my temples as thest of the pain receded. ¡°What is wrong with us?¡± I murmured. The doctors had exined that memory loss wasn¡¯t umon with severe trauma. The ident that had nearly killed me five years ago¡ªa rogue attack during a perimeter run, ording to Ethan¨Chad left me with fractured memories and these strange episodes. But it wasn¡¯t just memories of the attack that were missing. There were other gaps, entire chunks of time that felt significant but remained frustratingly out of reach. And always, always, there was the sense that I had forgotten something¨Csomeone¨Cvitally important. My phone buzzed with a text from Ethan: *Council session rescheduled for 2pm. Need you there. Everything ok with the Ice Queen?* I smiled despite myself at his nickname for Isabelle. *Fine. Just the usual. See you at 2.* 2/3 Content originallyes from Find?Novel Then I hesitated. My thumb hovered above the screen, wavering. And before I could stop myself, I opened a new message. To Isabelle. *I¡¯ll go with you to the wedding. Let¡¯s get it over with.* Maybe it¡¯s time I stopped clinging to the memories I¡¯ve lost. Secure 163 Summer¡¯s POV The next day. As the elevator doors opened to the ninth floor of the luxury mall, my heart skipped a beat. The entire level was dedicated to high¨Cend bridal boutiques, each window disy more breathtaking than thest. These weren¡¯t just wedding dresses¨Cthey were masterpieces, meticulously crafted works of art with price tags that would make most people faint. Elena led Aria and me confidently through the corridor, her familiar presence in this world of luxury a stark reminder of our different backgrounds. We entered an exclusive boutique where the manager immediately approached, her professional smile never wavering. ¡°Miss Elena, your gown arrived by special air freight this morning. We¡¯ve prepared everything for you¡­¡± She gestured elegantly with a bow. ¡°Right this way, please¡­¡± Elena turned to me with a yful wink. ¡°Why don¡¯t you two browse around while I try on my dress? I¡¯ll need your honest opinion when Ie out.¡± ¡°Our Elena will be the most beautiful bride in the world,¡± I said sincerely, meaning every word. As she disappeared with the manager into a private fitting room, Aria snuggled closer to me, her wide eyes taking in the magnificent dresses surrounding us. ¡°Aria,¡± I whispered softly, ¡°when you grow up, Mommy will bring you here to choose your own wedding dress. Would you like that?¡± She smiled sweetly, as if truly understanding the promise. I gazed around at the stunning gowns, each one more breathtaking than thest¨Cluxurious, intricate, perfect. The sight unexpectedly triggered memories of my bond ceremony with Alexander. I could almost visualize him standing at the altar, his eyes filled with tenderness as I walked toward him, our souls recognizing each other as destined mates, exchanging vows and marks¡­ But reality had shredded that dream to pieces. ¡°Mommy, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Aria looked up, her little face full of concern. ¡°You look sad.¡± I quicklyposed myself, forcing a smile. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, sweetheart. Mommy was just lost in thought for a moment.¡± ¡°Are you thinking about Daddy?¡± she asked innocently. ¡°No. Why would you ask that, sweetie?¡± Her small finger pointed to the wedding gowns in the disy window, her tone remarkably serious for someone so young. ¡°Because¡­ when I see wedding dresses, I think about weddings. And weddings are for mommies and daddies together, right? You had that look on your face¡­ you must be thinking about Daddy.¡± My throat tightened painfully, as if physically wounded. Even breathing became difficult. ¡°Do you miss Daddy?¡± ¡°No, mommy. Having you is more than enough for me.¡°she continued, her eyes searching mine. The raw honesty in her innocent words broke something inside me. I pulled her close, inhaling her sweet ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel scent, takingfort in our bond. As I held her, my gaze inadvertently caught a tall figure moving through the crowd at the far end of the corridor¨Cbroad shoulders, confident stride, dark hair. My heart lurched violently against my ribcage. ¡°Aria, stay right here for a minute. Mommy needs to check something. I¡¯ll be right back, I promise.¡± Before she could protest, I was already moving, driven by desperate hope. I raced toward the retreating figure, ignoring the pain as my heels chafed against my skin. ¡°Alexander!¡± I called out, my voice cracking with emotion. The man turned, and for that split second, my heart leaped into my throat. Then crashed back down with devastating force. It wasn¡¯t him. Not even close. This stranger¡¯s ordinary features couldn¡¯tpare to the breathtakingly handsome face that haunted my dreams. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I mumbled, a bitter smile twisting my lips. ¡°I mistook you for someone else.¡± I turned to leave, feeling hollow and foolish. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t go!¡± A strong hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me back forcefully. I stumbled,ing face to face with the stranger whose smile had transformed into something predatory, his eyes gleaming with interest that made my skin crawl. ¡°Even if you got the wrong person, we could still be friends,my name is Greg Strong.¡± he suggested, his thumb stroking my wrist. ¡°What do you say, beautiful?¡± I felt a surge of primal anger rise within me. How could I have possibly mistaken this man for Alexander? The resemnce was superficial at best¨Cjust a simr build and hair color from behind. Comparing them felt like an insult to my mate. ¡°Let go of me,¡± I demanded coldly. The man¨Cwho introduced himself as Greg Strong¨Cclearly wasn¡¯t used to rejection. His grip tightened as his eyes raked over me hungrily. ¡°Come have a drink with me. Get to know me a little,¡± he coaxed, licking his lips. ¡°I¡¯m very wealthy, you know. Having me as a friend could be¡­ beneficial for you. I could help with any¡­ problems you might have.¡± My patience evaporated. ¡°Someone like you? Not interested. I said, let. Go.¡± Greg¡¯s expression darkened with wounded pride. ¡°You ungrateful bitch! I¡¯m not giving you a choice anymore. By the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be begging-¡± I drove my heel down hard onto his instep, following with a precise knee to his groin. ¡°Argh!¡± He doubled over, howling in pain. I turned away, satisfied, only to hear him growl, ¡°You¡¯re not going anywhere!¡± Despite his injury, he lunged after me. I quickened my pace toward the boutique, but his next words made me freeze. ¡°Grab her!¡± he ordered, and I spotted two burly men in dark suits moving toward me from different directions. I tensed, preparing for confrontation. I wouldn¡¯t be easy prey, but fighting in a public ce with Aria nearby was thest thing I wanted. Then a small, defiant voice cut through the tension: ¡°Who dares to grab my mommy?¡± A small figure darted in front of me. My heart stopped when I realized it wasn¡¯t Aria¨Cit was another little girl with reddish¨Cbrown hair, positioning herself protectively between me and the approaching men. ¡°If you try to hurt my mommy,¡± she dered with surprising fierceness, ¡°you¡¯ll be very, very sorry!¡± By now, several shoppers had stopped to watch the confrontation unfolding. The bodyguards hesitated, exchanging uncertain nces. ¡°Sir? Should we still¡­?¡± Greg, humiliated at being challenged by a child, snarled, ¡°Where did this little brate from? You dare speak to me like that? The little girl fitted her head, hey voice deceptively owest Laffle iza, who we you sug ¡°The little beast scolded you ¡°Mean uncle, you just admitted your te a brad yourself. At least you te not omyvadly st Laughter erupted from the growing crowd of onlookers, Greg, realizing he¡¯d been outwitted by a child, flushed crimson ¡°Don¡¯t just stand there be backed at his men. ¡°Grab them both 1 quickly pulled the little girl behind me, ready to fight. ¡°Stop right thene 1mates, Chanding every ounce of authority 1 possessed I knew there were security cameras everywhere. Surely they wouldn¡¯t dare assault us in public 1 cold already see mall security approaching, and someone in the crowd was calling the police. But the little girl peeked around my legs, her expression surprisingly calm as she asked, ¡°Do you know who my uncle is? You really shouldn¡¯t try to grab me.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn who your uncle is, kid, Greg sneered ¡°My uncle is Alpha Alexander ckwood, Alpha of the ckwood Pack, she announced proudly. The most powerful Alpha in North America,¡± My entire world had frozen at the mention of Alexander¡¯s name. All sound faded away. My mate¡¯s niece? Could she possibly be Thea? The thought sent electricity through my veins and made my heart hammer against my ribs. Secure 164 Summer¡¯s POV ter changed to Sarah) I couldn¡¯t help it¨CI looked closer, searching for the features she might have inherited from Lyra. All I could see was this little girl with her rosy cheeks, long curled eyshes, and bright, blinking eyes. She was impossibly perfect, like a porcin dolle to life. Thea should be five by now, but this little girl looked¡­ what, maybe four at most? I shook the thought away. It couldn¡¯t be her. Then I heard her voice- ¡°Touch even a strand of my hair and see what happens,¡± the little girl threatened, her voice surprisingly ¡°My uncle Alexander won¡¯t let you get away with it. Your Strong family business in Cedar Ridge? Consider it finished.¡± I watched in amazement as Greg Strong¡¯s face transformed from predatory confidence to shock. ¡°Alexander ckwood is your uncle?¡± he sputtered, his voice rising an octave. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°ording to rumors, Alpha Alexander did have a six¨Cyear¨Cold niece, but you looked¡­ This little brat is obviously lying,¡± Greg finally dered, regaining hisposure. ¡°No one in Cedar Ridge has even seen Alexander ckwood¡¯s niece. She¡¯s just using his name to scare us. ¡± My wolf stirred inside me, bristling protectively. This brave little girl had put herself between me and danger without hesitation, and now this man was threatening her? ¡°Alpha ckwood wouldn¡¯t send his mate or niece out shopping without at least three bodyguards,¡± Greg continued with false confid¨¦nce. ¡°This little monster is clearly bluffing. Grab her!¡± Just as the words left his mouth, Greg suddenly froze. I watched the color drain from his face like someone had flipped a switch. ¡°Holy shit,¡± he whispered. ¡°RUN! GO, GO, GO!¡± Before anyone could react, he was already fleeing, practically tripping over his own feet in his haste to escape. His confused bodyguards exchanged bewildered nces before hurrying after their cowardly Original content can be found at f?ndnovel boss. I frowned, confusion stirring in my chest. What just happened? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, prettydy,¡± The little girl looked up at me suddenly, her eyes curving into delighted crescents,she said in her adorable voice. ¡°The bad men are gone now. They won¡¯t bother you anymore.¡± She paused, studying my face with surprising intensity for a child so young. ¡°Hey, prettydy, why are you crying?¡± Was I crying? I touched my fingertips to the corner of my eye and found moisture there, glistening under the crystal chandeliers overhead. ¡°Are you scared?¡± she asked, her little brows drawing together in concern. I shook my head quickly. ¡°I¡¯m not scared, sweetie. I just remembered something from a long time ago.¡± Something that still haunted me every night¨Ca family I once had, a mate I¡¯d lost, a little boy who¡¯d called me ¡°Mommy.¡± I knelt down to her level, gently pinching her soft, pudgy cheek. ¡°Little one, can I ask you some questions? She nodded enthusiastically, her head bobbing up and down. ¡°Of course! I like you, prettydy.¡± ¡°Your uncle, is he-¡± ¡°Uncle!¡± she suddenly called out, her sweet voice carrying clearly down the corridor. I spun around, my heart leaping into my throat as I followed her gaze. A man in an impable suit was striding toward us, but disappointment crashed through me immediately. It wasn¡¯t Alexander. Not even close. The bond mark on my shoulder remained cool and dormant, confirming what my eyes already knew. The little girl released my hand and ran toward him on her short legs, holding up her arms demandingly.¡± Uncle, up!¡± Uncle? The man seemedpletely confused, blinking rapidly as if trying to process what was happening. He hesitated briefly before crouching down to lift the little girl into his arms, adopting a fatherly expression that seemed slightly forced. ¡°What¡¯s all thismotion about? Have you been causing trouble again?¡± ¡°L-¡± he started to say before quickly changing course. ¡°Uncle has told you many times to behave yourself when we¡¯re out, hasn¡¯t he? No causing trouble.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t!¡± the little girl protested, her bottom lip jutting out adorably. ¡°Pudding has been super good! I promise!¡± The man clearly didn¡¯t believe her. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes, really! Cross my heart!¡± She made an X over her chest with her tiny finger. ¡°Uncle, you have to believe Pudding. Ask the prettydy if you don¡¯t believe me!¡± I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts when they both looked at me expectantly. I nced between the man in the suit and the child in his arms, still trying to make sense of the situation. ¡°But didn¡¯t you say your uncle was¡­¡± ¡°I was just pretending!¡± the little girl interrupted with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She blinked those big eyes at me innocently, looking like an adorable little fox. ¡°I only said that to scare the bad men away.¡± Secure 165 ¡°But you seemed to know so much about-¡°I began, confused by how a child her age could know enough about Alexander to use his name and reputation so effectively. ¡°I heard my uncle talking about him before,¡± she exined, as if reading my thoughts. ¡°That¡¯s how I knew I could use his name to scare people.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t I smart, prettydy?¡± she asked proudly. ¡°I tricked the bad men AND I even tricked you too!¡± My heart twisted painfully in my chest. For a moment¨Cjust one precious moment¨CI¡¯d allowed myself to hope. Hope that somehow, through this child, I might find my way back to Alexander. To the mate whose absence had left a gaping wound in my soul. My throat tightened as I reached out to stroke her soft cheek. ¡°Yes,¡± I managed, my voice hoarse with unshed tears. ¡°Pudding is very, very smart.¡± I looked up at the man, forcing a smile. ¡°Sir, your Pudding wasn¡¯t lying. She really did help me just now, not causing trouble at all. I need to thank both Pudding and you.¡± ¡°If it weren¡¯t for your clever little girl, I might have been in real trouble today.¡± The man looked slightly ufortable. ¡°No thanks necessary. Helping others is just the right thing to do. He adjusted the child in his arms. ¡°Come on, Pudding. Say goodbye to thedy. We need to go.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to!¡± Pudding protested, clutching at his jacket. ¡°My tummy is hungry. I want to eat sweets with the prettydy.¡± ¡°Pudding, you can¡¯t be unreasonable like this.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not being unreasonable! Feel it yourself if you don¡¯t believe me.¡± Her eyes sparkled like stars in her small face. ¡°My tummy is really hungry. It¡¯s going all grumbly.¡± As if on cue, her little stomach let out a perfectly timed growl. The man¡¯s expression was priceless, and despite everything, I almostughed. My heart melted for this little one. How could I let such a small child go hungry after she¡¯d been so brave? ¡°Sir, if you¡¯re not in a hurry, please allow me to treat you both to a meal as a thank you,¡± I offered. Pudding pped her hands excitedly. ¡°Uncle, the prettydy wants to treat us to food! You should say yes Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n F?ndNovel -don¡¯t turn down her kindness!¡± ¡°If you say no, Pudding will have a hungry tummy AND the prettydy will feel bad. Right, prettydy?¡± She turned those persuasive eyes on me. I couldn¡¯t help but smile and nod. ¡°That¡¯s right. Please give me the chance to express my gratitude.¡± The man looked between us, clearly realizing he was outnumbered. ¡°A meat isn¡¯t necessary. I have a meeting to prepare for shortly. But we could sit in the dessert caf¨¦ on the second floor for a little while ¡°Yay! Uncle said yes!¡± Pudding cheered, bouncing in his arms. She nted a wet kiss on his cheek, her voice sweet as honey. ¡°Thank you, Uncle!¡± The man looked momentarily panicked, a drop of sweat sliding down his temple. I watched Pudding¡¯s happiness with a heart that felt simultaneously heavy and light. There was something about her that reminded me so much of Felix¨Cthat same bright¨Ceyed enthusiasm, that same joyful approach to life. My son had been exactly like that before¡­before Foster destroyed him. Before I lost him forever. ¡°Well, shall we go?¡± I suggested, pushing away the painful memories. ¡°Uncle, I don¡¯t want you to carry me anymore. I want the prettydy to carry me!¡± Pudding reached out toward me with both arms, her eyes wide and hopeful. ¡°Pudding!¡± the man warned, looking increasingly ufortable. ¡°It¡¯s fine, really. Pudding is so cute, I¡¯d love to hold her,¡± I said, reaching for the child. Just as my hands were about to close around her small body, my phone began ringing furiously in my purse. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, let me get this call first.¡± I pulled out my phone and answered. ¡°Aria?¡± ¡°Mommy, where did you go?¡± My daughter¡¯s worried voice came through the speaker. ¡°You need toe back quickly! Someone¡¯s giving Aunt Elena trouble!!¡± What could have possibly happened in the short time I¡¯d been gone? Elena had just been trying on her wedding dress. How could she have gotten into trouble? And Elena was usually so careful to avoid confrontation of any kind. There was no time to ask for details. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there,¡± I promised quickly. Secure 166 Sarah¡¯s POV As I ended the call, I overheard Pudding and her ¡°uncle¡± discussing desserts. ¡°I haven¡¯t had dessert outside in forever! I¡¯m so excited, Uncle! Can I have strawberry ice cream?¡± V ¡°Absolutely not. You know your health isn¡¯t good¨Cyou can¡¯t have frozen treats. Or do you want me to face the consequences when your mother finds out?¡± ¡°Just a tiny bit! A teensy¨Cweensy taste won¡¯t hurt. Mommy won¡¯t even know¡­¡± Guilt washed over me as I realized I would have to disappoint this precious child. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, but my friend is in trouble. I need to go help her right away. I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t join you for dessert after all.¡± They both turned to look at me. The disappointment in Pudding¡¯s eyes was unmistakable, making my guilt intensify. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Pudding. This is all my fault. Can I make it up to you another time?¡± I reached into my purse and pulled out a business card, pressing it into her tiny hand. ¡°This has my phone number on it. You can call me anytime, and I promise I¡¯ll make it up to you.¡± Pudding sniffled slightly but nodded bravely. ¡°It¡¯s okay, prettydy. You go help your friend. Pudding will call you when you¡¯re not busy.¡± ¡°Such a good girl.¡± I stroked her soft cheek onest time, fighting the strange reluctance I felt to leave her. With a deep breath, I forced myself to turn away. As I hurried back toward the bridal boutique, my mind raced with questions. Who was that little girl, really? And why did being near her make me stir with such powerful emotions? N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on ?ovelFind I shook my head, forcing myself to focus. Elena needed me now. Whatever strange connection I¡¯d felt to little Pudding would have to wait. Author¡¯s POV In truth, Greg Strong hadn¡¯t gone far. After fleeing in a panic, he¡¯d doubled back and was now crouched awkwardly behind a decorative nter, just a few feet from where the little girl and Jeremy were talking. He peered over the edge withser focus, like a cat stalking prey. Behind him, his two bodyguards stood stiffly, barely concealing their exasperation. What was this spoiled pack Beta up to now? First he¡¯d run like a coward, and now he was crouching in public, eavesdropping like some second¨Crate spy? Finally, one of the guards couldn¡¯t help himself anymore. ¡°Sir¡­ what exactly are we watching?¡± he asked, lowering his voice. Greg spun around, eyes shing.¡°Who gave you permission to speak?¡± He¡¯d barely been able to hear the conversation he was eavesdropping on, and now with this interruption, he couldn¡¯t make out a word. When he turned back to resume his spying, the subjects of his interest had vanished. Rage shed across his face. ¡°You useless pieces of shit!¡± he snapped at his guards. ¡°You can¡¯t do anything right! Always getting in my way!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even know why I bother keeping you employed!¡± The bodyguards remained silent, knowing better than to defend themselves against an angry Beta wolf. Greg waved his hand dismissively, ¡°Let¡¯s go! NOW!¡± As they walked to the parking garage, Greg¡¯s mind was racing. He must have picked the wrong day to leave his den. He¡¯d nearly hit on Alexander ckwood¡¯s mate¨Ca mistake that would have ended not just him, but his entire pack. Thank the Moon Goddess that the child had intervened. If he¡¯d actually managed to seduce that woman, the consequences would have been unimaginable. He hadn¡¯t believed the little girl at first¨Cshe looked so tiny and harmless¨Cbut then he¡¯d spotted Jeremy. He¡¯d seen Jeremy once at a pack gathering, when someone had pointed him out as Alexander ckwood¡¯s personal assistant and Beta. That moment of recognition had saved him. He knew the child hadn¡¯t been lying about her connection to the Alpha. Greg felt immense relief that he¡¯d recognized Jeremy in time, otherwise his entire Strong family would have faced Alexander¡¯s wrath. Still, a nagging worry remained: what if the woman reported the incident anyway? For many weeks afterward, Greg Strong would live in constant anxiety, jumping at shadows and expecting Alexander ckwood¡¯s enforcers to appear at any moment. Meanwhile, Summer rushed toward Elena¡¯s bridal shop. Sarah¡¯s POV As I approached the bridal boutique, I could hear heated arguments from within. ¡°I ruined your wedding dress, so what?¡± a sharp female voice dered. ¡°What are you going to do about it? Go ahead and call my brother?¡± Elena¡¯s usually calm voice was tight with anger. ¡°You¡¯ve gone too far! You destroy someone else¡¯s wedding dress and then act like you¡¯re the victims?¡± ¡°Aunt Elena, they¡¯re asking for a phone call, aren¡¯t they?¡± Aria¡¯s young voice cut in. ¡°I¡¯ll call right now. Don¡¯t think we¡¯re afraid of you!¡± ¡°Do you want me to give you the phone number?¡± ¡°You-!¡± The confrontation sounded increasingly hostile. I frowned and hurried into the boutique, my protective instincts surging. They say a woman is most beautiful when wearing her wedding dress, and Elena proved that saying true. The pure white gown made her skin look like porcin, and the diamonds embedded in the skirt sparkled brilliantly under the lights. Secure 167 But the neckline had been torn, and the women causing the scene were deliberately ruining what should have been Elena¡¯s perfect moment. ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± I demanded, my voice cutting through the argument. Everyone turned toward me at once. ¡°Mom! You¡¯re finally here!¡± Aria¡¯s face was flushed with anger. ¡°You won¡¯t believe what they did! They came in and as soon as they saw Aunt Elena, they rushed over and tore her wedding dress!¡± The instigator looked at me with open hostility. ¡°Because Elena doesn¡¯t deserve to wear this dress or enter the Mercer family,¡± she dered. ¡°She¡¯s not worthy of my brother.¡± I immediately understood who this woman was¨CDavid Mercer¡¯s sister, Queenie Mercer. Elena had mentioned her before, exining how this woman despised her and constantly created trouble. Seeing Elena¡¯s pale face, I moved protectively in front of her, squaring off against Queenie. ¡°Who are you to decide who¡¯s worthy?¡± I challenged, my voice deceptively calm. ¡°Does your opinion represent your brother¡¯s? Should we call him right now so he can tell you himself whether Elena is worthy or not?¡± I stepped closer, my eyes narrowed. ¡°Deliberately damaging your future sister¨Cinw¡¯s wedding dress? With manners like that, I¡¯d say you¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t belong in a prestigious family like the Mercers! ¡± My barrage of words left no room for mercy. I saw Queenie¡¯s face turn from arrogant to mortified, and she pped with satisfaction. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re absolutely right!¡± Aria cheered. ¡°If I were her, I¡¯d be too embarrassed to even im I was part of the Mercer family. It would be an insult to the name!¡± Queenie looked like she might explode from rage. ¡°Who do you think you are? You have no business interfering here!¡± I gave a contemptuousugh. ¡°Is there a rule in this mall against speaking our minds? If there is, please have management put up a sign, I will dlyply.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough,¡± Elena interrupted softly, cing a gentle hand on my arm. ¡°I¡¯ve already tried on the dress. There¡¯s no reason to stay here any longer. Let¡¯s go.¡± I knew Elena was avoiding conflict with her future inws for David¡¯s sister. With her wedding approaching, she didn¡¯t want to force him to choose sides. Despite her gentle exterior, Elena had always been steel inside. If not for that consideration, she would never back down. Understanding her position, I nodded. ¡°Alright, go change your clothes first.¡± ¡°Stop right there!¡± Queenie blocked Elena¡¯s path, her high heels clicking sharply on the floor. ¡°Did I say you could leave?¡± Elena¡¯s elegant eyebrows drew together. ¡°Queenie, the dress is already torn. I¡¯m not going to argue with you anymore. Let¡¯s just go our separate ways.¡± ¡°What do you want from us?¡± I added. ¡°What do I want? I want your friends to apologize to me, of course!¡± Queenie dered. Elena looked incredulous. ¡°Excuse me?¡± Queenie smirked, her pretty face twisted with malice. ¡°I said, I want your friends to apologize to me.¡± ¡°Queenie, you¡¯re being ridiculous!¡± Elena protested. ¡°How is this ridiculous?¡± Queenie crossed her arms, looking down her nose at us. ¡°They insulted me, which is an insult to the Mercer family. Asking for an apology is me being lenient.¡± ¡°Why should we apologize?¡°Elena was practically vibrating with outrage. ¡°You¡¯re the one who destroyed my wedding dress! You¡¯re the one who should be apologizing! This ispletely absurd!¡± Queenie fixed her gaze on Elena. ¡°Elena, do you understand what will happen if she doesn¡¯t apologize? If I go home and tell my mother about this, she¡¯ll make sure you regret it.¡± Th?s chapter is updated by Find1Novel Her voice dropped to a threatening purr. ¡°You still want to marry my brother? If I have anything to say about it, that door will be forever closed to you. Believe me?¡± Elena stared at that smirking face, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to control her anger. ¡°Go ahead and tell whoever you want,¡± Elena finally said, her voice steady and strong. ¡°I¡¯ll face whateveres. But if you think I¡¯m going to let my friends apologize to you-¡± she borrowed Queenie¡¯s own words ¨C ¡°don¡¯t even dream about it!¡± Elena¡¯s words seemed toe from the depths of her soul, and I was moved by her strength. This seemingly gentle woman had always used her fiercest side to protect us. In her heart, Queenie could mistreat her all she wanted¨Cshe could endure it¨Cbut Elena would never allow anyone to bully her friends. We were her line in the sand, and no one was allowed to cross it. I felt a lump form in my throat. ¡°Elena, stop it,¡°I said, ¡°You¡¯re making me want to cry.¡± Meanwhile, Queenie looked like she might choke on her own rage. ¡°Elena, you worthless bitch! How dare you speak to me like that!¡± Secure 168 Author¡¯s POV Queenie couldn¡¯t believe that Elena¨Cwho normally wouldn¡¯t even raise her voice around her and always tolerated her bullying¨Chad suddenly done aplete 180 and stood up to her so firmly. How could she save face after this? Worse, this was happening in front of Suzanna, her best friend. They shared the same social circle, and if word got out, she¡¯d be humiliated. Her features unconsciously twisted in anger. ¡°Fine, if that¡¯s how you want it, then we¡¯ll-¡± ¡°Summer!!!¡± Her threat was abruptly cut off as Suzanna grabbed her wrist with surprising strength. Queenie winced in pain and snapped, ¡°Suzanna, what¡¯s gotten into you?¡± But Suzanna seemed not to hear her words. Her eyes were fixed directly on the woman standing near Elena, her brows furrowed in disbelief. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be dead! You drowned in that river!¡± From the moment she first saw the woman, Suzanna had recognized her¨Cbut she couldn¡¯t believe it. She thought she was hallucinating and fell into a daze¡­ Only after pinching herself hard and feeling the pain did she ept that she wasn¡¯t seeing things¨Cthis was all real. The woman she had once hated with every fiber of her being, the woman who should have been dead with no remains to find, was now standing before her, alive and well! Thest time Suzanna had seen Summer, she¡¯d been exiled from ckwood Pack after Alpha Alexander had removed her kidney without proper medical care. Rogues had hunted her down afterward, and though Moore had died in the attack, Summer had been rescued by another pack far to the south. They¡¯d nursed her back to health, never knowing her true identity or the crimes she hadmitted against the Alpha¡¯s mate and son. The woman stared back at her calmly. ¡°I think you have me confused with someone else,¡± she said evenly. ¡°My name is Sarah.¡± Even if she wasn¡¯t Summer, the sight of that face was enough to reignite Suzanna¡¯s hatred. Everything she¡¯d lost was because of Summer, and she couldn¡¯t say a single kind word. ¡°Queenie, you¡¯re right¨CElena really is worthless.¡± ¡°The kind of person you are is reflected in the friends you keep. Trash surrounds itself with more trash!¡± ¡°Especially this Sarah woman¡± 415 BONUS Sarah took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides until her knuckles cracked audibly. ¡°How dare you talk like that? Ania shouted, her face flushing with rage as she heard Elena and Sarah being insulted. She rushed forward, fury radiating from her small frame. ¡°You¡¯re the trash here! Your whole family is trash!¡± Suzanna¡¯s anger red, her voice rising several notches ¡°You filthy little brat, you dare talk to me that way? Do you have any idea who I am?¡± Ar¨ªa gave a scornfulugh. ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are. Anyone who bullies my mom gets the same treatment, even if you were the Moon Goddess herself. What are you going to do about it?¡± Suzanna raised her hand to p Ar¨ªa across the face. ¡°You¡¯re dead!¡± Sarah¡¯s POV In a sh, I caught her wrist in mid¨Cair, my grip like iron. The moment I touched her skin, memories flooded back¨Cmemories of what this woman had done to my son, how she had manipted Foster into harvesting Felix¡¯s organs for her precious Moore. Looking into those hateful eyes that I¡¯d hoped never to see again, I felt my control slipping. My fingers tightened around her wrist until I could feel the bones grinding together. ¡°Touch my daughter,¡± I growled, ¡°and it will be thest thing you ever do.¡± Suzanna yanked her hand away with effort, rubbing her wrist. A cold smile curved her lips. ¡°Sarah¡­ we have plenty of time ahead of us. We¡¯ll see how things y out, won¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Get away from us!¡± Ar¨ªa shoved Suzanna hard, her young face contorted with protective rage. ¡°You stinking piece of trash, stay away from us!¡± Despite her small stature, Aria was surprisingly strong. Suzanna, caught off guard, stumbled backward and nearly fell before Queenie caught her arm. Queenie red at Elena. ¡°Look at what your friends are doing! Is this eptable behavior?¡± Suzanna was furious, lunging toward Aria with murderous intent. Elena quickly stepped in front of my daughter, her voicemanding. ¡°Enough!¡± The force behind that single word was enough to momentarily stun both Suzanna and Queenie. When they recovered, Elena was scanning them with a cold gaze. ¡°This is a public mall with peopleing and going, Aren¡¯t you ashamed to be causing such a scene? What would your families think?¡± Chapter ise ¡ú +15 BONUS ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be well breddies from good families. Remember that your behavior reflects not just on yourselves but on your entire pack!¡± Queenieughed, as if she¡¯d heard a ridiculous joke. ¡°Elena, you haven¡¯t even married my brother yet, but you¡¯re already acting like you¡¯re the Luna of our pack?¡± ¡°Lecturing me? Take a look at yourself first you¡¯re not worthy.¡± ¡°Let me make this clear: if you and your friends don¡¯t apologize to me right now, you can forget about marrying my brother.¡± Elena¡¯s face paled, but she showed no fear. Her voice was ice¨Ccold when she replied, ¡°Whether your brother marries me or not is between him and me. It has nothing to do with you.¡± Queenie crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Elena, I will make you pay for your insolence.¡± I was still seething, ready to argue further, but Elena pulled me back. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Come help me change out of this dress,¡± Looking at Queenie and Suzanna¡¯s ugly expressions, I couldn¡¯t let this go so easily. I narrowed my eyes at them. ¡°you¡¯re right. When dogs bite, you don¡¯t bite back¨Cyou¡¯ll just get a mouthful of fur.¡± Suzanna, as furious as ever, suddenly lunged at me again, but Queenie grabbed her arm just in time. ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Queenie said sharply. ¡°I already have a n to deal with them.¡± The two of them turned slightly away, heads tilted toward each other. I couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying, but they were whispering¨Cplotting something. Suzanna nced back at me, and the look in her eyes made my stomach tighten. Cold. Poisonous. Calcted. ¡°Just wait, Sarah,¡± she hissed. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you die a painful death.¡± Without another word, she turned and walked out of the bridal shop with Queenie. I watched their backs as they headed toward the mall exit, and I knew deep in my gut¨Cthis wasn¡¯t over. Then Elena entered the changing room, exhausted, to remove the damaged wedding dress. Aria followed her, concern etched on her young face. ¡°Mom,¡± she said to me quietly, her voice troubled, ¡°Aunt Elena is such a good person. Why do they have to bully her like that?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I reassured her, stroking her hair gently. ¡°uncle David loves Elena deeply. He¡¯ll protect his mate no matter what. And besides, she has us too.¡± As the words left my mouth, my thoughts turned dark. Suzanna alive. +15 BONUS ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be well¨Cbreddies from good families. Remember that your behavior reflects not just on yourselves but on your entire pack!¡± Queenieughed, as if she¡¯d heard a ridiculous joke. ¡°Elena, you haven¡¯t even married my brother yet, but you¡¯re already acting like you¡¯re the Luna of our pack?¡± ¡°Lecturing me? Take a look at yourself first¨Cyou¡¯re not worthy.¡± ¡°Let me make this clear: if you and your friends don¡¯t apologize to me right now, you can forget about marrying my brother.¡± Elena¡¯s face paled, but she showed no fear. Her voice was ice¨Ccold when she replied, ¡°Whether your brother marries me or not is between him and me. It has nothing to do with you.¡± Queenie crossed her arms over her chest. ¡°Elena, I will make you pay for your insolence.¡± I was still seething, ready to argue further, but Elena pulled me back. ¡°That¡¯s enough. Come help me change out of this dress.¡± Looking at Queenie and Suzanna¡¯s ugly expressions, I couldn¡¯t let this go so easily. I narrowed my eyes at them. ¡°you¡¯re right. When dogs bite, you don¡¯t bite back¨Cyou¡¯ll just get a mouthful of fur.¡± Suzanna, as furious as ever, suddenly lunged at me again, but Queenie grabbed her arm just in time. ¡°What¡¯s the rush?¡± Queenie said sharply. ¡°I already have a n to deal with them.¡± The two of them turned slightly away, heads tilted toward each other. I couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying, but they were whispering¨Cplotting something. Suzanna nced back at me, and the look in her eyes made my stomach tighten. Cold. Poisonous. Calcted. ¡°Just wait, Sarah,¡± she hissed. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure you die a painful death.¡± Without another word, she turned and walked out of the bridal shop with Queenie. I watched their backs as they headed toward the mall exit, and I knew deep in my gut¨Cthis wasn¡¯t over. Then Elena entered the changing room, exhausted, to remove the damaged wedding dress. Aria followed her, concern etched on her young face. ¡°Mom,¡± she said to me quietly, her voice troubled, ¡°Aunt Elena is such a good person. Why do they have to bully her like that?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± I reassured her, stroking her hair gently. ¡°uncle David loves Elena deeply. He¡¯ll protect his mate no matter what. And besides, she has us too.¡± As the words left my mouth, my thoughts turned dark. Suzanna alive. The woman who had been instrumental in Felix¡¯s death¨Cthe woman whose selfish desire for her son had cost me mine¨Cwas back. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Read full story at f?ndnovel But one thing was certain¨CI would not let Suzanna take anything else from me. Never again. Secure 169 Sarah¡¯s POV Once Elena emerged from the changing room, the store manager finally approached with her staff, their faces painted with guilt as they took the damaged wedding dress. ¡°We¡¯re so sorry, Miss Elena,¡± the manager said, her eyes downcast. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Elena replied softly. I could tell exactly what had happened¨Cthey¡¯d been caught between two she¨Cwolves and wisely chose not to interfere. In the hierarchy of our world, retail staff ranked far below either powerful packmate, and they¡¯d made the survival choice to stay out of it. The manager wrung her hands anxiously. ¡°But what about the dress? This piece is exquisitely crafted- even if we air¨Cshipped it back to Mn for repairs today, it would take at least a month to restore. There simply isn¡¯t enough time before the ceremony.¡± Her face paled visibly as she continued, ¡°If Alpha Mercer learns about this¡­ he might tear our shop apart in his rage. These poor women were caught between the fury of two Alphas¨Cdamned if they did, damned if they didn¡¯t. Elena¡¯s voice was resigned when she spoke. ¡°Let¡¯s just choose another dress.¡± ¡°A¨Canother dress?¡± the manager stammered, eyes widening. ¡°The cheapest one you have that fits me will do. I¡¯ll pay for it myself,¡± Elena said, her shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°And I¡¯ll handle Alpha Mercer personally.¡± The staff exchanged relieved nces, gratitude shining in their eyes. ¡°Thank you, Miss Elena. You¡¯re too kind.¡± ¡°Rece it? Absolutely not.¡± I stepped forward and took the gown from the manager¡¯s hands, carefully examining the torn neckline. My wolf¡¯s enhanced vision allowed me to see every severed thread, every damaged crystal. ¡°This dress costs a small fortune, and your future mate personally selected it. We¡¯re not recing it.¡± The store manager¡¯s anxiety returned tenfold. I could smell the sharp tang of fear radiating from her. She opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off with a warm smile. ¡°I¡¯ll restore it myself,¡± I said confidently. The manager gaped at me. ¡°I¨Cwhat? Excuse me?¡± The disbelief in her voice was almostical. These exclusive wedding dresses were considered works of art¨Cnot something an ordinary person could repair. ¡°Ma¡¯am, please don¡¯t joke about this,¡± she said, her voice strained. I waved away her concern. ¡°I¡¯m not joking. I¡¯m a designer by trade¨Ctailoring is well within my skill set.¡± It wasn¡¯t aplete lie. During my years in hiding, I¡¯d developed many skills to support myself and Ar¨ªa, fashion design being one of them. ¡°But¡­¡± the manager began, clearly unconvinced. Elena ced a gentle hand on the woman¡¯s shoulder. ¡°There¡¯s no need to worry. I trust my friend Any issues that arise will be my responsibility, not yours.¡± She looked directly into the manager¡¯s eyes. ¡°I promise that Alpha Mercer won¡¯t hold you ountable.¡± This was so typical of Elena¨Calways protecting others, taking responsibility even when she was the victim. My heart warmed at her kindness. She reminded me of myself before my world had been shattered- before Foster¡¯s betrayal had forced me to rebuild myself from ashes. ¡°It¡¯s decided then,¡± I announced firmly, pulling a small notepad from my purse. I quickly scribbled down my address and phone number. ¡°Have the dress delivered to this address. Someone will be there to receive it.¡± Aria, who had been quietly watching the exchange, finally spoke up. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re incredible! Is there anything you can¡¯t do? You¡¯re literally my goddess!¡± I tossed my hair yfully, feeling a rare moment of lightness despite our earlier confrontation with Suzanna. ¡°What can I say? I had to be a jack of all trades to keep up with a daughter like you.¡± Elena gave a softugh, e on, let¡¯s get out of here. I know a ce with amazing food¨Cwe could all use something delicious to calm our nerves.¡± Aria¡¯s eyes lit up immediately. ¡°Do they have dessert?¡± ¡°The best chocteva cake in the city,¡± Elena promised with a wink. We left the boutique and headed straight to the cozy little restaurant. We slid into a booth by the window, and Elena gged down a server to ce our orders. The moment we set down our menus and leaned back in our seats, my phone buzzed against the table. +15 BONUS For more chapters visit Find?Novel I nced at the screen. An unknown number. Normally, I would¡¯ve ignored it and let it go to voicemail¨Cbut something about the moment, a strange tug in my gut, made me pick it up. ¡°Hello? This is Sarah Winters speaking.¡± The voice on the other end sent a chill racing down my spine¨Cdeep,manding, with a trace of impatience barely concealed beneath perfect control. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!