The knock came again, a bit former this time, Kaliyah's head snapped toward the door, then she looked at Levi and then the door, then back at the man.

Her eyes widened with panic and her mouth moved silently before a whisper barely escaped: “Hide!”

He just looked at her, calm and still.

“Hide, please!” she whispered again, her hands flailing slightly now as she motioned toward the narrow corners of the room. But her room wasn’t that big. There was barely anywhere he could actually disappear into.

Her hands shook with urgency, pointing toward the wardrobe, under the bed but nothing would work.

Another knock.

Then came the voice: “Kaliyah!”

Her whole body tensed. It was Don!

The name made her blood run cold.

“C..Coming” she said, but her voice cracked halfway through. She turned back to Levi in desperation.

He nodded and moved swiftly toward the window.

She pushed it open just enough for him to slip out, and he stepped onto the narrow pavement outside her window.

She pulled the window almost closed, and then quickly turned to the door.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice as firm as she could manage.

“Open the door,” Don replied.

“Why?” she questioned, already standing right in front of it.

“Mom gave me the grocery list,” he said, the sound of paper rustling faintly through the wood.

Kaliyah took a deep breath, stilling herself.

She hated dealing with him, hated the way he always lingered around her, the way he looked at her and spoke to her like he wasn’t her brother, but something else. And Kate never said a word, she always acted like she didn’t notice.

Kaliyah unlocked the door and cracked it open just enough.

“Give it to me,” she said quickly, holding out her hand.

Don leaned forward, smirking slightly. “That’s not how you greet your big brother…”

“Just give me the list,” she snapped, her patience gone.

He handed it to her, but let his fingers brush against hers, causing her to flinch.

Just as Kaliyah was about to shut the door, Don suddenly shoved it wide open, forcing his way inside.

She gasped, stumbling back. “What are you…”

But she couldn’t finish.

With a quiet thud, he slammed the door and shut it behind him and leaned against it, a sickly smirk curling on his face.

He began taking slow, deliberate steps toward her.

Kaliyah’s back instantly straightened. “You gave me the list, you should go.”

But he didn’t stop. “I just wanted to have a little chat,” he said casually, his eyes dark and unreadable. “You’ve been so… tense lately.”

He stepped closer, making her feel sick.

His hand reached out, his fingers grazing her cheek.

“So beautiful,” he murmured, his voice low and revoltingly soft. “You know that, right? My beautiful sister.”

Kaliyah yanked his hand away with all the force she could muster. “Don’t touch me, just leave me alone.” Her voice trembled with fury.

Don's smile didn’t fade. “Why do you act like this, huh? You think you’re too good for me?”

She backed up until her legs hit the side of the bed.

Don's fingers slipped into a lock of her hair.

He brought the strand to his nose and sniffed it slowly, like some kind of deranged beast trying to memorize her scent.

Then he chuckled.

“You have such pretty, thick, luscious hair,” he whispered, his voice raspy “It’s like silk…”

His fingers trailed lower, brushing against her shoulder.

“And your skin…” His voice dropped, heavy with something dark and vile. “I can only imagine how it’ll feel on mine.”

Kaliyah moved backward, her legs brushing against the dresser now. Her eyes darted around. There was no more room, no more space.

“Stay away from me,” she hissed, trying to steady her voice, but it shook anyway.

And Don just kept moving closer.

“Kaliyah…” He smiled widely. “We’re not blood, you know that.”

“I don’t care,” she snapped. “You’re disgusting and I want nothing to do with you.”

He chuckled again, then he reached for her arm.

Kaliyah’s eyes widened as Don froze mid-step.

The sound came from the window.

She turned her head and there, standing on the pavement outside the slightly open window, was the man.

Don's eyes narrowed, he looked back at Kaliyah, then at the men. And then he scoffed.

“Oh… really?” He chuckled. “This is why you like being in your room so much? Him?”

He shook his head slowly.

“So you have a boyfriend now? How sweet.”

Then, with a smug grin, he turned to Levi.

“Don’t worry. You could just come back later, we’re a little busy right now. Or...” He gave a wicked grin. “You could stay and watch, if you’d like.”

He reached for Kaliyah’s hand.

But a voice sliced through the room like a blade.

“You wouldn’t dare lay a finger on her,” Levi said from the window.

His tone was dangerously calm yet icy. The kind of calm that could silence a room… or kill.

Don let out a dry and arrogant laugh.

“And if I do?”

Levi’s gaze never wavered. “I could feed you to some dogs or gouge your eyes out and let you play golf with it.”

Don opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out.

“Kaliyah…come” Levi said softly.

She didn’t hesitate, she took a shaky step toward him.

But Don moved too.

And just as his fingers were about to close around her wrist, BAM!

Levi’s fist flew through the air like lightning, crashing straight into Don's jaw.

Don crumpled to the floor with a thud, groaning in pain.

Kaliyah froze, her chest heaving.

A knock came at the door.

“Kaliyah?” Kate’s voice called out from the hallway. “What was that noise?”

Kaliyah’s eyes darted from the door to Don writhing on the floor and then to Levi.

She couldn’t even speak. Levi’s hand reached for hers.

And without another word, he pulled her against him, carrying her securely .

And then leapt out the window like a ninja.

Levi held Kaliyah firmly as he leapt out the window in one smooth motion, his body moving like she weighed nothing at all.

The wind rushed past them as they soared down, and then he landed gracefully, like a shadow falling from the sky.

His feet touched the pavement with barely a sound, and he was still carrying her… princess style.

Kaliyah clung to his neck tightly, her arms locked around him in instinctual fear. Her heart was thudding in her chest from the sudden movement.

"What…what are you doing?" she gasped, looking up at him, still in his arms.

"I'm taking you with me," he said in a low, steady voice. “Somewhere safe.”

Kaliyahh’s eyes widened. “But… Don…And Kate is knocking at the door. She's going to realize I’m not there. I’ll get into trouble!” She was already panicking, her voice breaking slightly as she squirmed in his hold.

Levi tightened his grip and pressed her closer to his chest, as if shielding her from the chaos they’d left behind. “I’m not leaving you in there with those people my love.”

She opened her mouth to speak again, but the sound of Kate’s voice still shouting from the house sent a chill down her spine. The banging on the door hadn't stopped.

Then Levi looked down at her again, his eyes glowing slightly under the moonlight. “I’ll protect you.”

Her breath hitched. “But… where are we going?”

Levi didn’t answer right away. He just turned and started walking down the dark path between the trees, carrying her like she was the most fragile thing he’d ever touched.

“I found my precious mate after so long,” Levi murmured, voice low but full of fire, “and you think I’ll leave you here for one more minute? Especially after seeing how they treat you?”

Kaliyahh’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth, unsure if she should argue or ask a thousand questions but before she could get a single word out, Levi leaned in close and whispered, “Hang on tight.”

And then, he moved, with so much speed. The speed was unreal.

Air whipped past her face like a storm that she couldn’t keep her eyes open. Everything around them blurred, the trees, shadows, moonlight streaking through the woods. Her grip tightened around his neck,

It felt like they were flying.

It felt like being stolen away by something dangerous and safe all at once.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Don finally groaned and pulled himself up from the cold floor, his face swollen and sore. He stumbled to the door, twisting the lock with trembling fingers.

Kate burst in almost immediately.

Her eyes fell on his face, it was bruised, swollen and red, her brows furrowed in shock and growing anger. “What the hell happened to you?”

“It was… Kaliyah.” Don winced, holding the side of his face.

Kate blinked. “Kaliyah did this to you?”

“No,” he snapped, clearly offended by the suggestion. “Her boyfriend or something. Some guy. He… he came in, and…” Don held his head again, still in a daze. “He took her and jumped out the damn window with her like it was nothing.”

Kate froze.

“What?” She asked slowly, like her brain needed a moment to believe the words. “You mean… you were in here, and some random man came into this house, took Kaliyah, and jumped out the window?”

Don nodded, his face twisting with humiliation. “He was… he was immensely strong, he gave me one blow and I swear, it almost knocked me out. And I don’t even think he used his full strength.”

Kate stepped back, her face pale now, her thoughts racing. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.

***

The wind stung Kaliyah’s cheeks as Levi moved with inhuman speed, the world around her was a blur of shadows and trees. Her arms tightened around his neck, holding on for dear life.

“Am I too fast for you?” he asked, his voice low and oddly calm despite the rush of motion.

Kaliyah could barely nod, her eyes squeezed shut from the wind. He slowed instantly, and she felt the sharp shift from a wild sprint to a graceful jog, and then finally, to a full stop.

“We’re already here,” he said softly.

She blinked her eyes open to see that they were at the edge of the forest, the same one that led into the Werewolf Territory. The same forest where they had met just hours ago.

Levi didn’t stop. He walked forward, still carrying her in his arms.

Her heart pounded faster, now out of confusion, not fear. She looked up at him, eyes wide. “Where… where are you taking me?”

He glanced down at her. “Home,” he said simply.

She stilled. “Home?” Then her voice sharpened. “Your home? You mean… werewolves? You’re taking me to where the werewolves live?”

Panic bloomed in her chest.

She wriggled against him, slipping from his arms. Levi didn’t resist, he gently let her down. But the moment her feet touched the forest floor, a cold wave rolled over her. Her body already missed the heat of his touch. How was that even possible?

She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly. Levi stepped toward her, before his hands gently encircled her waist and pulled her against him again.

“You don’t have to be scared,” he murmured, his voice softer now, coaxing her. “I’m taking you somewhere safe. I’ll protect you. I’ll never hurt you, Kaliyah.”

She looked up into his eyes, those deep, intense eyes that somehow felt more like home than anything she’d ever known.

“You’re my mate,” he said. “I’ve waited so many years to find you. I’m not leaving you here, not for another minute.”

Something in his voice cracked through her walls. Kaliyah’s chest tightened. Her life with Kate hadn’t been a life. It had been survival, misery and isolation. She didn’t even live like a person, let alone a daughter. And yet this stranger, this wolf man, was looking at her like she was everything.

Her lips parted to speak but before she could say anything, the sharp rustle of leaves behind them stole the words from her mouth.

She spun around, only to find a figure standing at the edge of the trees, half-shrouded in shadow.

And then, the figure stepped forward.

Kaliyah instinctively clutched Levi’s shirt tighter, her eyes locked on the approaching figure.

“You really had to come here,” Levi said, his tone calm, not hostile, more like someone mildly inconvenienced by a familiar face.

The figure came into a clear view. He had tousled dark hair that curled slightly over his forehead and deep brown eyes that flickered with quiet amusement.

Tall and effortlessly handsome, he wore a black hoodie and matching sweatpants, hands tucked casually into his pockets like he hadn’t just emerged from the shadows of a forest.

“Of course I did,” the man replied. “It’s been, what… two hours since you disappeared and cut the mindlink? Oliver told me the elders were waiting.”

Then his gaze moved past Levi and landed directly on Kaliyah.

His eyes flickered from her face, to Levi’s arm around her waist, to the way she was holding onto his shirt like a lifeline. The corner of his lips twitched.

“Well, well,” he said, his voice dipping with teasing interest. “You found her.”

A slow, knowing smile spread across his face.

Kaliyah tensed even more, unsure whether to be flattered or frightened. The stranger’s presence wasn’t aggressive, but still.

“She’s beautiful,” he added, still watching her with an unreadable glint in his eye.

“I know,” Levi said, almost proudly.

The man smirked at Levi’s response, then took a slow step closer, still keeping his hands in his pockets.

“I’m Raymond,” he said, his voice smooth “But you can call me Ray. I’m Levi’s Beta.”

Kaliyah’s brows pinched slightly in confusion, but she nodded slowly. She glanced up at Levi.

Levi..

So that was his name.

She repeated it silently in her head..Levi, as if tasting the sound of it on her tongue.

Then her thoughts caught on the other word.

Beta?

What did that mean?

Her eyes shifted back to Raymond, then to Levi again, who was still watching her carefully.

“Beta,” she finally said aloud, her voice quiet but clear. “What… does that mean?”

Ray’s smirk turned into a grin, like he was delighted to be the one to explain.

“It means I’m second-in-command,” he said simply. “Right after Levi, who if you haven’t figured it out yet is the Alpha of our pack.”

Kaliyah blinked, her mouth parting just slightly.

Levi noticed the confusion flickering in Kaliyah’s eyes the way her brows knit slightly, the way she stared down at the dirt-covered ground as if trying to piece something together.

He could feel her hesitation. The whirlwind of questions in her head.

So he spoke, his voice low and reassuring. “Let’s go”

He reached for her hand but paused when he remembered her wrist. His eyes softened as they dropped to the swollen skin.

Gently, he took her uninjured hand instead, curling his fingers around hers protectively.

Kaliyah looked at their joined hands, it felt so right.

They began walking slowly through the forest. The leaves rustled gently around them.

Ray walked ahead, hands still tucked in his pockets, casting a glance back every now and then.

Kaliyah didn’t say anything, she didn’t know what to say. Her mind was spinning with too many thoughts.Alpha...Beta…Pack..Werewolves

The only word she knew there was a pack, which was a group of werewolves. Kate hated werewolf talk and never let her even read the stories and so she never bothered to know about them.

They had walked deeper into the forest and Kaliyah's eyes widened when she saw men standing guard, some armed with weapons that gleamed faintly under the light, others simply standing in an alert and composed position.

Among them were a few men, patrolling the perimeter with sharp eyes and quiet grace.

Kaliyah instinctively stiffened, her grip on Levi’s hand tightened, and she subtly moved closer to him, her body tensing.

Levi glanced at her, then smiled softly. He leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t be afraid.”

His words were quiet but for some reason they calmed her down.

Without realizing it, she nodded, and they stepped through.

The people instantly started bowing.

Some murmured, “Alpha. Beta” Others simply moved aside, their eyes never quite meeting Levi’s or Ray's.

Kaliyah could feel the shift in him, the same Levi who had cradled her in his arms and spoke to her with such tenderness now moved with the calm command of a man in charge.

An Alpha…

When they reached an open area, the sound of a smooth engine pulled her attention forward.

A sleek black SUV rolled up in front of them. It looked luxurious and polished. The kind of car that made a statement even in silence.

The driver’s window slid down with a soft whir, revealing a young man with tousled brown hair and warm brown eyes. He had a charming, almost boyish smile as he greeted, “Alpha.”

Ray, without a word, moved to the passenger seat and slid in.

As Levi opened the back door for her and guided her gently inside, the driver's gaze flicked to Kaliyah. His eyes widened slightly as realization danced across his face.

“Oh my,” he said with a bright grin, “Luna?”

His voice rang with excitement and curiosity.

Kaliyah blinked. Luna?

Before she could ask, Ray, without turning around, said flatly, “Drive, Tyler.”

And just like that, the SUV pulled away, the forest fading behind them.

Kaliyah sat quietly in the back seat, pressed gently beside Levi. Her eyes moved slowly, taking everything in as they drove deeper into the territory.

It looked… normal.

Not like some wild forest where beasts prowled.

There were streets, houses, stores. Even little shops with signs she couldn’t quite read as they passed.

People…no, werewolves walked around, laughing, talking, some carrying groceries, others seated at outdoor cafés.

The street lights perfectly illuminated the place, it was almost as bright as day.

It looked just like a regular place. Just that… instead of humans, these were werewolves.

The realization made her chest tighten again, but she tried to stay calm.

Levi glanced at her from time to time. He hadn’t let go of her. Now, he gently held her with one arm, letting her rest against him.

His body was warm and sooo comfy.

She didn’t even realize when her eyes began to flutter, the air was calm.

And before she could resist it, sleep crept up and pulled her under.

Levi looked down, and a soft smile tugged at the corner of his lips when he noticed her breathing had evened out.

She had fallen asleep.