I should have known something was wrong when Marcus didn't answer my texts that morning. I should have turned around right there on his doorstep. But I didn't. I had chocolate croissants in my hand and a key he gave me six months ago.

The apartment was too quiet.

I heard her laugh first. Sophie's laugh. My best friend's laugh, coming from his bedroom.

The white bakery box slipped from my hands when I saw them. Marcus and Sophie, tangled in his sheets, her red hair spilling across his pillow.

"Della—" Marcus jumped up. His face went white. "This isn't what it looks like."

Really? Because it looked like my boyfriend of three years was sleeping with my best friend.

"How long?" My voice sounded dead. Empty.

He looked at the floor. "Two months."

Two months. While I was baking his favorite croissants at five in the morning. While we were planning our anniversary trip. While I was stupid enough to think we had a future.

I didn't wait to hear more. I just left.

I sat in my car and cried until my eyes swelled shut. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind. She'd been quiet for five years, ever since I left my pack. But heartbreak always woke her up.

I couldn't go home. My empty apartment would just remind me that I'd built my whole human life on lies.

I needed noise. I needed lights. I needed to be someone else for a while.

Club Moonlight wasn't expecting me. I only danced on Fridays. But Rico saw my puffy eyes and let me in without questions.

"North Pack's here tonight," he said quietly. "VIP section."

My stomach dropped. I'd spent five years hiding from pack wolves. But the club was neutral territory. No pack owned it. That's why I chose it.

The dressing room was too bright. Pop music blasted from someone's phone. Cheap perfume burned my sensitive nose. Good. I wanted to feel anything except the image of Sophie's hair on Marcus's pillow.

I pulled out my red costume and my mask. Red leather that covered half my face. Behind it, I wasn't Della Hart who owned a bakery. I was just the dancer in the red mask. And she didn't care about cheating boyfriends.

"Three shots of vodka," I told Jake at the bar.

He raised his eyebrows. "You never drink before you dance."

"First time for everything."

The vodka burned going down. My wolf would burn it off in minutes anyway. One of the few good things about being a werewolf.

The stage lights blinded me. The music was too loud. I danced like I was angry. Like I could push all the hurt out through my body. Usually I loved dancing. Tonight I just felt stupid and used.

When I came backstage, Thomas was waiting. He looked nervous. Thomas was never nervous.

"I need to talk to you."

I pulled off my mask and wiped the sweat from my face. "What's wrong?"

"Someone wants to meet you." He was sweating now. "The owner. The club owner."

Everything inside me went cold. "What do you mean, owner? I thought no pack owned this club."

"No pack does. But he owns it. Shadow Moon Pack. He's an alpha, Della. And he asked for you specifically."

Shadow Moon. The biggest, most powerful pack in the west. The one I'd been running from for five years.

I should have grabbed my bag and run. But alphas don't really ask. They tell you what to do and make it sound polite. And I'd worked too hard on my human life to destroy it now.

"Where?" I asked.

"Private room in the back." Thomas touched my arm. "You don't have to go."

But I did. We both knew it.

The room was dark except for the city lights coming through the window. He stood with his back to me, perfectly still. Like a wolf watching prey.

When he turned around, I forgot how to breathe.

He wore a black mask. Expensive. Custom-made. But even with half his face covered, I could see he was beautiful. The dangerous kind of beautiful. Sharp jaw. Broad shoulders. A suit that probably cost more than my rent.

And his eyes. Silver. Bright. Looking right through me.

The power coming off him hit me like a wave. My knees went weak. My wolf surged forward for the first time in months, awake and responding to him before I could stop her.

No. I couldn't afford this. I'd left pack life behind.

"Dance with me," he said. His voice was deep. Smooth. It did something strange to my stomach.

"I don't dance with customers." I was proud my voice stayed steady.

"I'm not a customer." He stepped closer. That's when his scent hit me. Pine and smoke and thunderstorms. So strong it made my head spin. So good it made my wolf whimper with want. "I own this club. I've owned it for six months. And I've been watching you dance every Friday night."

My heart stopped. He'd been watching me. For six months.

"Tonight you looked angry," he said, moving even closer. "Like you wanted to burn the whole world down." His eyes flashed gold for just a second. Wolf eyes. "I thought you might want company."

I should run. I'd done it before. I could do it again.

But then he reached up and slowly took off his mask.

The face underneath stopped my breath. Sharp cheekbones. A scar through his left eyebrow. Lips that looked cruel and perfect. But it was his eyes that held me frozen. Silver turning to gold and back again.

"My name is Kade Thorne," he said. "Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack."

The room tilted. Shadow Moon. The pack I'd been hiding from. The pack my father—

"And you, little wolf," Kade continued, his voice dropping lower, "have been running from me for five years."

He knew. He'd always known what I was. Where I came from.

"What do you want?" I whispered.

He smiled. Slow and dangerous and full of promises I shouldn't want.

"I want to know why the daughter of the Northern Ridge Alpha is dancing in my club wearing a mask." He moved closer until I could feel the heat from his body. Until his scent wrapped around me like smoke. "I want to know why you left your pack. Why you're hiding. Why you looked so broken tonight."

His hand came up to my face. His fingers traced the edge of my mask. The touch sent electricity down my spine.

"But mostly," he said, his eyes burning into mine, "I want to know why my wolf has been going crazy for six months every time you step on that stage."

Oh no. Oh no, no, no.

I knew what that meant. Every wolf knew what that meant.

"Take off your mask, Della," Kade said softly. "Let me see you."

His wolf recognized mine. After five years of running, I'd walked right into the one thing I couldn't hide from.

My mate.

My hands shook as I reached for my mask. Every instinct screamed at me to run. But Kade's silver eyes held me frozen in place.

"Don't," I whispered. "Please don't make me."

His hand dropped away from my face. He took a step back, giving me space. The loss of his heat made me want to move closer again. My wolf whined at the distance.

"You feel it too," he said. Not a question. A statement. "The pull. The bond."

I couldn't lie. Not about this. Wolves could smell lies.

"I feel it." My voice cracked. "But it doesn't matter."

"Doesn't matter?" His eyes flashed gold. "You're my mate, Della. How does that not matter?"

"Because I left that world behind!" The words burst out of me. "I left my pack. I left my father. I built a human life. I own a bakery. I have an apartment. I have—" I stopped. I was going to say I had Marcus. But I didn't. Not anymore. "I have a life that doesn't include pack politics or alpha commands or any of it."

Kade was quiet for a long moment. He walked to the window and looked out at the city lights. His shoulders were tight with tension.

"Your father is looking for you," he finally said. "He's been looking for five years."

My stomach dropped. "I know. That's why I've been hiding."

"From him?" Kade turned back to face me. "Or from yourself?"

"Both." I wrapped my arms around myself. The red costume suddenly felt too thin. Too exposed. "You don't understand. You don't know what he—"

"I know exactly what he is." Kade's voice was hard. "Alpha Lucian Hart of Northern Ridge Pack. Ruthless. Controlling. Old-fashioned. He runs his pack like it's still the 1800s."

I blinked. "How do you know so much about him?"

"Because he's been asking every alpha in the west if they've seen his daughter." Kade moved closer again. Slower this time. Like he was approaching a spooked animal. "He shows your picture at every pack meeting. Offers rewards for information."

My chest tightened. "And? Did you tell him you found me?"

"No."

"Why not?"

His eyes met mine. The intensity in them made my breath catch.

"Because the moment I saw you dance six months ago, I knew you were mine. And I don't give up what's mine. Not even to another alpha."

The possessiveness in his voice should have made me angry. Should have made me want to run. Instead, it made my wolf purr with satisfaction.

"I'm not yours," I said. But even I could hear how weak it sounded.

"Yes, you are." Kade was right in front of me now. Close enough to touch. "You became mine the second the bond snapped into place. You felt it too. Don't lie to me, Della."

I had felt it. Six months ago. The first time I saw him in the VIP section, watching me dance. Something inside me had recognized him. My wolf had woken up just enough to whisper mine before going quiet again.

I'd ignored it. Pushed it down. Told myself it was nothing.

But you can't ignore a mate bond. Not forever.

"This can't happen," I said desperately. "You're an alpha. I'm—"

"The daughter of an alpha. My equal."

"No." I shook my head. "I'm a baker who dances at a club on Friday nights. I'm human now. Or at least, I'm trying to be."

"Why?" The question was soft. Genuine. "Why are you trying so hard to be something you're not?"

Because being a wolf only brought pain. Because pack life meant rules and expectations and never being free. Because my father wanted to marry me off to some alpha's son to strengthen alliances.

Because I watched my mother die following alpha commands and I swore I'd never end up like her.

But I couldn't say any of that out loud. Not yet. Not to him.

"It's complicated," I whispered.

"Then uncomplicate it." Kade's hand came up again. This time he didn't reach for my mask. He touched my cheek. Gentle. Careful. "Take off the mask, Della. Stop hiding. At least from me."

His touch sent sparks across my skin. The mate bond hummed between us, growing stronger with every second.

"If I take it off," I said slowly, "everything changes."

"Everything already changed." His thumb traced my jaw. "The moment you walked into my club. The moment our eyes met. You can't run from this. From us."

"I've been running for five years. I'm good at it."

His smile was sad. "I know. But aren't you tired?"

Yes. God, yes. I was so tired of running. Of hiding. Of pretending to be someone I wasn't.

Tonight had already been hell. Marcus and Sophie destroyed the life I'd built. What did I have to lose anymore?

My hands reached up. Slowly, I untied the red leather mask.

It fell away.

Kade's breath caught. His eyes widened slightly. Then his hand moved to cup my face, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone.

"There you are," he murmured. "Beautiful."

No one had looked at me like that in five years. Like I was precious. Like I mattered.

"Now what?" I asked.

"Now," Kade said, his voice dropping lower, "we figure this out. Together."

"I don't know how to do this. The mate bond. The pack thing. Any of it."

"Neither do I." His confession surprised me. "I've been alpha for eight years. I've never found my mate. Never thought I would. And then you walked onto that stage and my whole world shifted."

"Kade—"

"I'm not asking you to accept the bond right now," he interrupted. "I'm not asking you to join my pack or move into the pack house or any of that. I'm just asking you not to run. Stay. Talk to me. Let me know you."

It was the most reasonable thing any alpha had ever said to me.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll stay. For now."

Relief flooded his face. Then his expression changed. His nose flared. His eyes narrowed.

"You smell like sadness," he said. "And tears. And another man."

Marcus. He could smell Marcus on me.

"That's why you were angry tonight," Kade continued. His voice went hard. Dangerous. "Someone hurt you."

"It doesn't matter—"

"Who. Was. It."

The alpha command in his voice made my knees weak. Made my wolf want to bare her throat and submit. I locked my knees and glared at him.

"Don't," I snapped. "Don't use your alpha voice on me. I'm not one of your pack members."

He blinked. Then slowly, the gold faded from his eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry. That was—" He ran a hand through his hair. "When I smell your pain, my wolf goes crazy. He wants to destroy whatever hurt you."

"My boyfriend cheated on me." The words came out flat. "With my best friend. I found them this morning. That's why I came here tonight. That's why I was angry."

Kade's jaw clenched. "His name."

"Kade—"

"His. Name."

"Why? What are you going to do?"

His smile was cold. Predatory. Full of violence barely contained.

"Make sure he understands what happens when someone hurts what's mine."

Before I could respond, the door burst open.

Thomas stood there, his face pale with fear.

"Alpha," he gasped. "We have a problem. Northern Ridge Pack just arrived. They're asking for Della by name."

My father was here.

The world stopped.

My father was here. In this club. Looking for me.

Five years of hiding. Five years of building a new life. Gone in one night.

"How many?" Kade's voice was sharp. Controlled. Alpha mode activated.

"Six wolves," Thomas said. "Including the alpha. They're in the main club area. They showed Della's picture to Rico."

My legs felt weak. I grabbed the back of a chair to steady myself.

"Did Rico tell them anything?" Kade asked.

"No. He said he'd never seen her. But Alpha Hart doesn't believe him. He's threatening to search the building."

Kade's eyes flashed gold. "This is my territory. He can't—"

"He's doing it anyway," Thomas interrupted. "He says his daughter is in danger. That he has the right to search any building if he believes she's there."

"Della." Kade turned to me. His face was calm but his eyes were fierce. "Do you want to see him?"

Yes. No. I don't know.

"I—" My voice wouldn't work properly. "I can't. If he finds me, he'll make me go back. He'll—"

The memories hit me hard. My father's cold voice. The arranged marriage he planned. The alpha's son from the Eastern Pack who looked at me like I was property. My mother's funeral where my father didn't even cry.

"Breathe," Kade said. He was in front of me suddenly, his hands on my shoulders. "Breathe, Della. No one is taking you anywhere. Not without your permission."

"You don't understand. He's an alpha. He'll use his command voice. He'll make me—"

"I'm an alpha too." Kade's voice was steel. "And you're under my protection now. Mate bond or not, you're in my territory. That means you're mine to protect."

Thomas shifted nervously. "Alpha, with respect, if you claim her publicly, it could start a war between packs. Northern Ridge won't take that lightly."

"I don't care." Kade didn't take his eyes off me. "Della, look at me."

I looked up. His silver eyes were steady. Certain.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

"I don't even know you."

"Yes, you do. Your wolf knows mine. The bond doesn't lie." His hands tightened on my shoulders. "Do you trust me to keep you safe?"

I should say no. I barely met him twenty minutes ago. But something deep inside me, something ancient and instinctive, whispered yes.

"Yes," I breathed.

"Good." He turned to Thomas. "Tell Rico to bring Alpha Hart to the VIP lounge. Make it comfortable. Offer him a drink. I'll be there in five minutes."

"And Della?" Thomas asked.

"She stays here. Lock the door from the outside. No one comes in except me."

Thomas nodded and left quickly.

The moment the door closed, I grabbed Kade's arm. "What are you going to do?"

"Talk to him. Find out what he wants."

"He wants me. That's what he wants."

"Then he's going to be disappointed." Kade's jaw was tight. "But I need to know why he's so desperate to find you. What happened five years ago, Della? Why did you run?"

I looked away. "I told you. It's complicated."

"Your father shows up at my club with six wolves, threatening my staff, demanding to search my building. It just became my business." His voice softened. "Talk to me."

I wrapped my arms around myself. The red costume felt ridiculous now. I felt exposed. Vulnerable.

"He wanted to marry me off," I said quietly. "To Alpha David's son from the Eastern Pack. They had it all arranged. I was supposed to meet him at my twentieth birthday celebration. We'd mate, join the packs, strengthen alliances. Standard alpha politics."

"But you didn't want that."

"I didn't even know the guy! And my father didn't care. He said it was my duty. That I was born for this. That my mother would have wanted—" My voice cracked. "My mother died following his orders. She went on a hunt she didn't want to go on because he commanded it. She got killed by rogues. I was sixteen."

Kade's expression darkened. "And he used her memory to manipulate you."

"He uses everything to get what he wants. That's what alphas do." I looked at him. "No offense."

"None taken. Some alphas are tyrants." His hand came up to my face again. That gentle touch that made my wolf purr. "I'm not your father, Della. I won't force you into anything."

"You're already using the mate bond to make me feel safe."

"That's not manipulation. That's biology. The bond makes us want to protect each other. But the choice to accept it? That's still yours."

I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him so badly.

"What if he doesn't leave?" I asked. "What if he demands to see me?"

"Then I'll tell him you're not here."

"He'll smell me. Wolves can track scents."

Kade smiled slightly. "Not when the entire club smells like alcohol, perfume, and a hundred different humans. Your scent is buried. And even if he catches it, he'd have to go through me first."

"He'll fight you."

"Let him try." There was no boast in his voice. Just fact. "I'm younger, stronger, and this is my territory. He won't win."

"But if you fight, other packs will get involved. Thomas was right. It could start a war."

"Then your father better be smart enough not to push me." Kade checked his watch. "I need to go. Stay here. Don't open the door for anyone but me."

He started to leave, then stopped. Turned back.

"One more thing," he said. "The human boyfriend. Marcus. Does he know what you are?"

"No. I never told him."

"Good. Keep it that way." His eyes flashed gold again. "And when this is over, you and I are going to have a conversation about him. Because my wolf still wants to rip his throat out for making you cry."

Before I could respond, he was gone. The door clicked shut. I heard the lock turn from the outside.

I was alone in the dark room.

I sank into the chair, my legs finally giving out. My hands were shaking. My heart was racing.

My father was here. After five years, he'd found me.

And the only thing standing between us was a mate I just met and a bond I wasn't ready to accept.

I closed my eyes and tried to breathe. Tried to think.

But all I could focus on was the faint sound of voices coming from down the hall. Deep. Male. Angry.

One of them was my father's voice. I'd recognize it anywhere.

And the other was Kade's. Calm. Controlled. Deadly.

I pressed my ear to the door, straining to hear.

"—my daughter," my father was saying. "I have every right—"

"You have no rights in my territory," Kade interrupted. "And if the girl wanted to be found, she wouldn't have been hiding for five years."

"You know where she is."

"I know a lot of things, Lucian. That doesn't mean I'm sharing them with you."

There was a long, dangerous silence.

Then my father's voice, cold as ice: "If you're harboring my daughter, it's an act of war against Northern Ridge."

"Then consider this war." Kade's voice was just as cold. "Because I'm not handing over any wolf who doesn't want to go with you. Especially not her."

"Her? You know her name. You've seen her."

Shit. Kade had slipped up.

"I've seen a lot of wolves," Kade said smoothly. "Doesn't mean they belong to you."

"She's my blood. My pack. Mine."

"She's not property, old man. And if she left your pack, that means you failed her as an alpha."

I heard a growl. Low. Threatening. My father's wolf rising.

"Careful," Kade said softly. "You're outnumbered here. My pack. My club. My rules."

"I will find her," my father said. "With or without your help. And when I do—"

"When you do, she'll still be under my protection. So unless you want this to get ugly, I suggest you leave my club. Now."

Another long silence.

Then footsteps. Heavy. Retreating.

But my father's voice echoed back one last time, loud enough for me to hear clearly through the door:

"Tell Della her time is up. The Eastern Pack alliance can't wait any longer. If she doesn't come home willingly, I'll drag her back myself. She has one week."

The main door slammed shut.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might explode.

One week.

My father was giving me one week before he came back for me.

And this time, he wouldn't ask nicely.