I pressed my ear against the door, straining to hear what was happening in the hallway.

Marcus's voice came through muffled but panicked. "Look, man, I don't know who you are, but this is between me and my girlfriend—"

"Ex-girlfriend." Kade's voice was cold enough to freeze blood. "And you're going to leave. Now."

"I'm not going anywhere until Della talks to me!"

A low growl rumbled through the hallway. Not human. Definitely not human.

My wolf surged forward, recognizing her mate's aggression. She wanted out. Wanted to stand beside him.

I pushed her down. Not yet. Not here.

"Last warning," Kade said softly. "Walk away. Or I'll make you."

"Are you threatening me?" Marcus laughed. "I'll call the cops—"

The sound of a body hitting the wall cut him off.

"Call whoever you want," Kade said. "But you'll do it from the ground floor. Not outside her door. Are we clear?"

Silence. Then footsteps. Fast. Running down the stairs.

I sagged against the door, my heart pounding. Part of me felt guilty for letting Kade handle my mess. The other part—the wolf part—felt satisfied. Protected.

A soft knock made me jump.

"Della. It's me."

I unlocked the door and opened it slowly.

Kade stood in the hallway, perfectly calm. Like he hadn't just threatened my ex-boyfriend. His silver eyes scanned me from head to toe.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine. You didn't have to—"

"Yes, I did." He stepped inside and I backed up automatically. He closed the door behind him and locked it. All three locks. "He was at your door at six in the morning, pounding and yelling. That's not someone who respects boundaries."

He was right. Marcus had never shown up like this before.

"He probably just wants to explain," I said weakly.

Kade's eyes flashed gold. "I don't care what he wants. He hurt you. That's all I need to know."

The possessiveness in his voice made my wolf purr.

"You've built a good life here," Kade said, looking around my small apartment. "I can see why you don't want to leave it."

I wrapped my arms around myself. "But you still want me to stay at your territory."

"I want you safe." He turned to face me. "Your father knows where you work. It's only a matter of time before he finds where you live."

"He probably already knows."

"Then why hasn't he come here yet?"

I thought about that. "He's waiting. Building leverage. Making me sweat."

"Or he's trying to figure out if you're under another alpha's protection." Kade moved closer. "You could be. You just have to say yes."

I looked up at him. At those silver eyes that saw too much.

"And if I say yes," I asked carefully, "what exactly am I agreeing to?"

"One week at my territory. In the guest house. Your own space, your own rules." He paused. "But you stay close. You let me know where you are."

"That sounds like a prison."

"That sounds like staying alive." His voice was gentle but firm. "Your father gave you one week. I'm not wasting it."

I wanted to argue. But the truth was, I'd been running for five years. And running was exhausting.

"What about my bakery?" I asked.

"Bring your work with you. I have a full kitchen. Or I can arrange security for your bakery. Whatever you need."

"This is crazy," I muttered.

"You were never normal, Della. You're the daughter of an alpha. And now you're my mate." His hand came up to my face. "Normal was never an option for you."

I hated that he was right.

"I need to pack," I said.

Relief flooded his face. "You're saying yes?"

"I'm saying yes to one week. That's all."

He pulled out his phone. "I'll call my beta. He'll arrange security for your bakery."

While he talked, I went to my bedroom and started packing. Clothes. Toiletries. My laptop. The photo of my mother I kept hidden in my nightstand.

I stared at her face. Young. Smiling. Alive.

She'd been so beautiful. And my father's commands had killed her anyway.

*I won't end up like you,* I promised silently.

"Della?" Kade's voice came from the doorway. "Derek's on his way to the bakery now."

I tucked my mother's photo into my bag. "How many wolves do you have?"

"In Shadow Moon Pack? Seventy-three. Not the biggest pack, but we're strong."

"And they'll all know about me."

"They'll know you're under my protection. The mate bond—that's between us for now."

I thought about that. If other packs knew Kade had found his mate, it would change everything. Make me a target.

"Let's keep it quiet," I said.

"Agreed."

We were almost to the door when my phone rang. The screen showed "Sunrise Bakery."

"I have to take this," I said, answering. "Hello?"

"Della?" Marina, my assistant manager, sounded stressed. "We have a problem. There are men here. Big guys. Asking questions about you. They don't look like customers."

My father's wolves. Already making moves.

Kade held out his hand for the phone. I gave it to him.

"Marina? This is Kade Thorne, a friend of Della's. Those men are not customers. Do not give them any information. Tell them she's not available and ask them to leave."

"O-okay. Should I close the bakery?"

"No. Stay open. But there will be new security personnel arriving within ten minutes. They're there to protect you."

He hung up and handed my phone back.

"Your father's not wasting time," he said grimly.

"I need to go there—"

"No." Kade's hand caught my arm. "That's exactly what he wants. Derek's already there. Three hostile wolves removed. Bakery secure."

I sagged with relief. Then anger hit me.

"I can't live like this!"

"You're not running." Kade's voice was steel. "You're making a strategic retreat. There's a difference."

His hands came up to frame my face. "I know you're scared. But right now, we need to get you somewhere safe. Then we figure out how to handle your father. Together."

The word *together* did something to my chest.

"Okay," I whispered. "Let's go."

The drive out of the city took twenty minutes. We headed north, into the hills where the houses got bigger and the trees got thicker.

"How much land do you have?" I asked.

"Two hundred acres. The pack house is in the center. The guest house where you'll stay is on the eastern edge. Private but not isolated."

We turned onto a private drive. Trees pressed in on both sides. The scent of pine filled the air.

My wolf stirred. She liked it here.

The trees opened up to reveal a massive log and stone house. Warm lights glowed in the windows. Smoke drifted from the chimney.

Other houses dotted the landscape. I saw wolves moving between them—some in human form, some as actual wolves.

A real pack. Everything I'd run from.

Kade drove past the main house to a smaller cabin. Two stories. Large windows. A wraparound porch.

"This is yours," he said.

I got out slowly. The cabin. The forest. The scent of pack territory.

It smelled like home. And that terrified me.

Kade unlocked the door and gestured for me to go in first.

The inside was beautiful. Open floor plan. Kitchen. Living room with a fireplace. Stairs leading up.

"It's too much," I said.

"It's enough." Kade set my bag down. "Kitchen's stocked. WiFi password is on the counter. Call if you need anything."

"Where will you be?"

"Main house. Five-minute walk." He pointed through the window. "Close enough if you need me. Far enough to give you space."

"What if I want to leave?"

His jaw tightened. "Then you leave. I'm not keeping you prisoner."

"But you'd try to stop me."

"I'd try to convince you to stay. There's a difference."

He moved toward the door, then stopped.

"I know this isn't what you wanted. But I'm not your father. I won't control you."

"Then what do you want from me?"

He smiled. Sad and full of longing.

"I want you to stop running long enough to see that not all alphas are monsters." He opened the door. "And I want you to realize that accepting help isn't the same as giving up freedom."

Then he was gone.

I stood alone in the guest house, surrounded by safety and everything I'd told myself I didn't want.

My phone buzzed.

**Kade:** *Pack meeting at 7 PM if you want to meet everyone. No pressure.*

I looked at the time. 2 PM. Five hours to decide.

I walked upstairs. Large bed. Soft blankets. Windows overlooking the forest.

I unpacked slowly. Put my clothes in the dresser. Set up my laptop.

And placed my mother's photo on the nightstand.

*What would you do?* I asked her silently.

I already knew the answer. She would have followed my father's commands. Would have died for his orders.

She would have done everything I refused to do.

I texted Kade back.

**Me:** *I'll be at the meeting. But I'm not promising anything.*

**Kade:** *That's all I'm asking for.*

I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

One week. Seven days to figure out if I could trust Kade Thorne.

Seven days before my father came back.

My wolf stirred. She was done running. Done hiding.

She wanted her mate. Wanted her pack.

*Soon,* I promised her. *But not yet.*

She settled down, patient for now.

But I could feel her waiting. Ready to take over the moment I let my guard down.

The pack meeting started in thirty minutes and I still hadn't decided what to wear.

Stupid. It was stupid to care. But showing up to meet seventy-three wolves who might see me as their future Luna? That required strategy.

I settled on jeans and a simple black sweater. Not trying too hard. Not hiding either.

My wolf paced restlessly. She wanted to meet the pack. Wanted to see if they were worthy of us.

We're not staying, I reminded her.

She didn't believe me.

I walked the path Kade had shown me earlier. Five minutes through the trees to the main pack house. The sun was setting, painting everything gold and red.

Voices drifted through the open windows. Laughter. The sound of people who belonged together.

My chest tightened.

I stopped at the door, my hand hovering over the handle. I could still turn around. Text Kade some excuse. Hide in the guest house until—

The door swung open.

A woman stood there. Tall. Beautiful. Long black hair and sharp green eyes that assessed me in two seconds flat.

"You must be Della," she said. Not friendly. Not unfriendly. Just... measuring.

"Yes."

"I'm Sienna. Kade's second." She stepped aside. "He's waiting for you."

I walked in.

The main room was massive. Stone fireplace. Exposed beams. And at least forty wolves scattered around, all of them turning to look at me.

My instinct screamed to run. To hide. To get out before they saw too much.

But I locked my knees and met their stares.

Kade appeared at my side. I hadn't even heard him move.

"Everyone," he said, his voice carrying easily, "this is Della Hart. She's under my protection and staying on pack territory. Treat her accordingly."

Simple. Clear. No explanation.

A few wolves nodded. Most just kept staring.

"Why?" someone asked. Male. Mid-twenties. Built like he spent all day lifting trees. "Who is she to you?"

Kade's eyes flashed gold. "She's under my protection, Ryan. That's all you need to know."

"Northern Ridge Alpha's daughter." The voice came from the back. Older wolf. Grey at the temples. "She's Lucian Hart's runaway daughter. And you brought her here."

The room went silent.

Shit. They knew.

"Marcus is right," an older wolf said, a woman who looked around forty. "If we're harboring her, Northern Ridge could see it as an act of aggression."

"She's not being harbored," Kade said coldly. "She's a guest."

"A guest who's running from an alpha," Ryan pressed. "That makes us a target."

My wolf snarled inside me. I pushed her down and stepped forward.

"I'm not asking your pack to fight my battles," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I'm here temporarily. One week. Then I'm gone."

"One week until what?" Sienna asked. She was watching me with those sharp eyes. "Until your father comes to collect you? What happens then?"

"That's my problem. Not yours."

"It becomes our problem when Northern Ridge shows up at our border," Marcus said. "We have alliances to maintain. Politics to consider."

"Then maybe I shouldn't stay." I looked at Kade. "I don't want to cause problems for your pack."

His hand caught mine. The touch sent electricity up my arm. "You're staying."

"Kade—" Sienna's voice held warning. "We need to discuss this. Privately."

"There's nothing to discuss." His grip tightened on my hand. "She's under my protection. End of discussion."

"Not end of discussion," another voice said. A younger woman stepped forward. Blonde. Pretty. Possessive look in her eyes when she glanced at Kade. "We have a right to know why you're risking pack safety for some rogue wolf."

"Watch your tone, Amy," Kade said quietly.

"I'm just saying what everyone's thinking." Amy crossed her arms. "She shows up out of nowhere, and suddenly you're ready to start a war? What's really going on here?"

The question hung in the air. Every wolf in the room was watching. Waiting.

I pulled my hand from his.

"I'll leave," I said. "Tonight. I'll find somewhere else to—"

"No." Kade's voice was steel. He turned to face his pack. "Della stays. If anyone has a problem with that, you can take it up with me. After the meeting."

The challenge was clear. Disagree and face your alpha.

Most wolves looked away. But not all of them.

Sienna held his gaze. "We need to talk. Now."

Kade's jaw tightened. "Fine. Meeting's over. Everyone out except Sienna and Derek."

The room cleared quickly. Wolves filing out with backward glances at me. Amy brushed past, close enough that I caught her scent.

Honeysuckle and anger. And something else. Something that made my wolf bare her teeth.

When the room cleared, only four of us remained. Kade. Sienna. A man I assumed was Derek—tall, dark-skinned, built like a fighter. And me.

"Are you insane?" Sienna didn't waste time. "You can't risk pack safety for—"

"For someone under my protection," Kade interrupted. "Which she is."

"Why?" Derek asked. Not hostile. Just curious. "We don't know her. Her father's one of the most powerful alphas in the region. This could go bad fast."

"It won't."

"You can't promise that." Sienna's voice was sharp. "Not unless you're willing to tell us why she matters so much."

Kade's jaw worked. "That's between me and Della."

"No." Sienna stepped closer. "It's between you and the pack you're supposed to lead. We deserve to know what we're getting into."

The silence stretched. Kade looked at me. I could see the question in his eyes.

Should I tell them?

If he did, it would explain everything. Give them a reason they couldn't argue with.

But it would also trap me. Make the decision for me.

"Don't," I said quietly.

His eyes held mine for a long moment. Then he turned back to Sienna.

"She's under my protection. That's all you need to know."

Derek let out a low whistle. "This is going to get messy."

"It already is messy," Sienna said. She was still watching Kade with those calculating eyes. "Her father gave her one week. What's your plan when he shows up with an army?"

"He won't get past our borders."

"And if he petitions the council? Claims you're harboring a pack member?"

"She left his pack. She's not his responsibility anymore."

"That's not how it works and you know it." Sienna's voice was brutal. Practical. "Not unless she's claimed by another alpha. Otherwise, blood ties still hold."

My stomach twisted. I knew pack politics. Knew the rules I'd been running from.

"Then we have one week to figure it out," Kade said.

"Or," Sienna said carefully, "she leaves now. Before this escalates."

"No."

The word was final. Absolute.

Sienna studied him. "You're not thinking like an alpha right now."

"I'm thinking exactly like an alpha. She's under my protection. That means something."

"It means you're willing to risk pack safety for—what? A stranger?"

"She's not a stranger." Kade's voice dropped. Dangerous. "And this conversation is over."

Sienna's jaw tightened. But she nodded. "Fine. But when this blows up, don't say I didn't warn you."

She left. Derek followed with an apologetic glance at me.

The door closed. Silence pressed in.

"I should go," I said.

"No."

"Kade—"

"No more running, Della." He turned to face me. His silver eyes blazed. "You stay. We figure this out."

"Your pack doesn't trust me."

"They will. They just need time."

"We don't have time. One week, remember?"

"Then we make it work in one week."

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

"I need air," I said. "I need to think."

He nodded. "I'll walk you back."

We walked in silence. The forest was dark now, lit only by the moon filtering through the trees.

At the guest house door, I stopped.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "For not telling them."

"It's your choice to make. Not mine." His hand touched my face. Gentle. "But Della—we can't avoid this forever. Eventually, your father will force our hand."

"I know."

"One week. That's all we have."

"I know," I whispered again.

His thumb traced my jaw. The bond hummed between us, warm and insistent.

"Get some rest," he said. "We'll talk tomorrow."

He left before I could respond.

I went inside. Locked the door. Tried to breathe.

My phone buzzed.

The number was blocked.

Unknown: If you really want to know why you should run, ask Kade about the last Luna who lived in that guest house. Ask him what happened to her. —A Friend

I stared at the message until my eyes burned.

Another woman had lived here. Another potential Luna.

What happened to her?

And why was someone warning me about it now?