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.

The lock clicked. The door opened.

Kade stepped inside and closed it behind him. His face was calm but I could see the tension in his shoulders. The gold still flickering in his eyes.

"He's gone," he said.

"I heard." My voice shook. "One week. He gave me one week."

Kade crossed the room in three strides. "He's not taking you anywhere."

"You don't understand. When my father makes a threat, he follows through. He'll come back with more wolves. He'll—"

"Della." Kade's hands framed my face. "Look at me. Breathe."

I tried. But panic was crawling up my throat. Five years of freedom, about to disappear. Five years of building a life, about to crumble.

"I can't go back," I whispered. "I can't marry some stranger. I can't live under his control again. I can't—"

"You won't." Kade's thumb brushed my cheek. "I won't let that happen."

"How? You heard him. The Eastern Pack alliance—"

"Is not my problem. You are." His silver eyes locked onto mine. "You're my mate, Della. That changes everything. No other alpha can claim you now."

My heart stuttered. "But we haven't accepted the bond. It's not official. We haven't—"

"Marked each other?" Kade's voice dropped lower. Rougher. "No. Not yet. But the bond exists whether we've completed it or not. My wolf recognizes yours. That's enough."

"Not for my father. He'll say it doesn't count unless—"

"Unless we complete the mating bond." Kade's jaw tightened. "I know."

The air between us suddenly felt heavy. Charged.

Completing the mate bond meant marking. Claiming. Making it permanent in a way that no alpha could dispute.

It also meant giving up the last piece of freedom I had left.

"I can't," I said. "I'm not ready. We just met. I don't—"

"I know." Kade stepped back, giving me space. "I'm not asking you to. Not like this. Not when you're scared and cornered."

Relief and something else—disappointment?—flooded through me.

"Then what do we do?" I asked. "He's coming back in a week. If I'm not marked by another alpha, he can still claim rights over me as my father."

Kade was quiet for a moment. Thinking.

"You need to stay close to me," he finally said. "At my territory. Where I can protect you."

"You want me to move into the pack house?" My stomach twisted. "That's exactly what I've been running from. Pack life. Pack rules. Being controlled—"

"I'm not asking you to join my pack," he interrupted. "I'm asking you to stay under my protection. There's a difference."

"Is there?"

"Yes." He moved to the window, looking out at the city. "My pack knows I don't force anyone to do anything. I lead through respect, not fear. If you stay with me, you're a guest. Not a member. Not unless you choose to be."

I wanted to believe him. But I'd heard promises before.

"And if I refuse?"

He turned back to face me. "Then you're on your own. And when your father comes back with twenty wolves to drag you home, I won't be able to stop him. Because you're not under my protection. You're not my mate. You're just a rogue wolf who happens to be in my territory."

The words stung. But he was right.

"So basically I have two choices," I said bitterly. "Go back to my father's pack, or hide under your protection like some weak omega."

"Or," Kade said quietly, "you accept that sometimes strength means knowing when to ask for help."

That hit harder than I expected.

"I've been on my own for five years," I whispered. "I don't know how to let someone else—"

"I know. That's why I'm not asking you to trust me completely. Not yet." He crossed his arms. "Just give me one week. Stay close. Let me figure out how to handle your father. If you still want to leave after that, I won't stop you."

"Promise?"

"Promise." His eyes met mine. "But I'm warning you now—my wolf won't like it. And neither will I."

The honesty in his voice made my chest tight.

"Where would I stay?" I asked carefully.

"I have a guest house on my property. Separate from the main pack house. Private. Your own space." He paused. "But close enough that I can keep you safe."

"And my bakery? My apartment? My life?"

"Keep them. I'm not asking you to give anything up. Just add one thing—my protection."

It was more reasonable than I expected. More freedom than my father would ever offer.

But it was still terrifying.

"I need to think," I said.

"You have until morning." Kade checked his watch. "It's almost two AM. Come on. I'll drive you home."

"I have my car—"

"Which your father might be watching. He knows you work here. He'll track your movements." Kade grabbed his jacket from the chair. "Let me take you. We'll pick up your car tomorrow."

He was right. I hated that he was right.

"Fine," I muttered.

We left through the back entrance. Kade's car was a black SUV with tinted windows. Expensive. Sleek. Very alpha.

I gave him my address and we drove in silence. The city lights blurred past. My mind was racing.

One week with Kade. Under his protection. Close to a pack again.

Everything I'd been running from.

But also the only thing standing between me and forced marriage.

"What are you thinking?" Kade asked quietly.

"That my life was a lot simpler six hours ago."

"Before you found your boyfriend in bed with your best friend?"

I flinched. "Yeah. That."

"For what it's worth," Kade said, "he's an idiot. Anyone who would cheat on their mate doesn't deserve them."

"He's not my mate. You are." The words came out before I could stop them.

Kade's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Yes. I am."

We pulled up outside my apartment building. Old brick. Nothing fancy. But it was mine.

"This is it," I said.

Kade studied the building. "Third floor?"

"How did you—"

"I can smell you from here. Your scent is all over that window." He pointed to my apartment. "East facing. Good morning light. Probably has a small kitchen."

"Stop showing off," I muttered.

He smiled. Actually smiled. It transformed his face from dangerous to devastating.

"Go inside," he said. "Lock your doors. Windows too. If you smell any wolf that isn't me, call this number." He handed me a card with his phone number. "I'll be here in five minutes."

"You really think my father would—"

"I think your father is desperate. And desperate alphas do stupid things." His eyes met mine. "Promise me you'll call if anything feels wrong."

"I promise."

I got out of the car. Started to walk away.

"Della."

I turned back.

Kade had rolled down his window. His silver eyes glowed slightly in the darkness.

"Think about my offer," he said. "But know this—mate bond or not, I'm not letting him take you. You're under my protection now. Whether you accept it or not."

Before I could respond, he drove away.

I stood on the sidewalk for a long moment. Processing. Trying to breathe.

Then I went inside. Locked the door. All three locks.

My apartment felt different. Smaller. Like the walls were closing in.

I pulled out my phone. Fifteen missed calls. All from Marcus.

I deleted them without listening.

Then I saw the text from Sophie.

**Sophie:** *Please let me explain. It's not what you think.*

I laughed. Actually laughed. A bitter, broken sound.

What else could it possibly be?

I blocked her number. Blocked Marcus's too.

Then I sat on my couch and stared at Kade's card.

Shadow Moon Pack. Alpha Kade Thorne.

My mate.

My wolf stirred inside me. Restless. Wanting.

*Call him,* she whispered. *Go to him. Accept him.*

But I couldn't. Not yet.

I needed time. Space. One night to process everything.

I took a shower. Changed into pajamas. Tried to sleep.

But every time I closed my eyes, I saw three things:

Marcus and Sophie tangled in his sheets.

My father's cold eyes and colder voice.

And Kade. Silver eyes burning into mine. Promising protection. Promising safety.

Promising everything I was afraid to want.

I finally fell asleep around four AM.

And woke up two hours later to someone pounding on my door.

"Della!" Marcus's voice. Desperate. Angry. "I know you're in there! Open the door! We need to talk!"

I froze in bed. Heart racing.

He'd never come to my apartment before. Never shown up without calling first.

"Della, please!" More pounding. "Just let me explain! Sophie didn't mean anything! It was a mistake!"

My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

**Unknown:** *Is everything okay? I can smell your fear from here.*

Kade. Somehow he was nearby. Watching.

I texted back quickly.

**Me:** *My ex is at my door. Won't leave.*

Three dots appeared. Then:

**Kade:** *I'm coming up. Don't open the door.*

Thirty seconds later, the pounding stopped.

I heard Marcus's voice, confused. "Who the hell are you?"

Then Kade's voice. Calm. Cold. Deadly.

"I'm the alpha who's about to break your hand if you knock on that door again."