Talia's POV

I couldn't sleep.

No matter how hard I tried, my eyes refused to stay shut. Every time I closed them, my mind replayed everything that had happened; Elder Jared's warning, the talk of rogues, the danger, the way Ramon looked at me like I was something precious and fragile at the same time.

I had never been this scared in my life.

Everything about my life was happening too fast. One moment I was just trying to survive, the next I was trapped in a strange pack, surrounded by wolves, danger, secrets, and a man who had the nerve, the absolute audacity, to tell me I was his fated mate.

Fated mate. Fuck him.

The words made me want to laugh and scream at the same time.

Is this how my life is supposed to be now?

Hiding because of his problems? Living in fear because of enemies I didn't even know existed?

And the worst part?

I didn't even know who to believe.

Ramon said one thing. Selene said another. But what reason did Selene have to lie to me? What did she gain from turning me against him?

Nothing.

That thought settled heavily in my chest.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood up quietly.

I'm leaving.

I didn't care about any stupid bonds. I didn't believe in it anyway. Love didn't trap people like this. Fate didn't feel like fear and cages.

I pulled on a loose shirt and a pair of trousers, something easy to move in. I didn't bother with putting on my shoes. I held them in my hands instead.

The moon was high in the sky, bright enough to light my way.

Slowly, carefully, I opened the door to my room.

No guards.

Good.

I stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind me without a sound. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure someone would hear it. I moved on my toes, every step careful, every breath controlled.

I didn't want to wake anyone.

Especially not him.

The hallway felt longer than usual, like it was stretching just to test my courage.

When I finally reached the large door that led outside, relief flooded me.

Freedom was right there.

I reached for the handle.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?"

Fuck.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

I turned slowly.

Ramon stood a few steps away from me, leaning against the wall like he had all the time in the world. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his face calm, but his eyes were sharp, dark, and angry.

Why was my heart beating like this?

It always betrayed me whenever he was close.

He pushed himself off the wall and started walking toward me, slow and deliberate.

"Talia," he said, his voice low. "Where the fuck are you going?"

Don't panic, I told myself.

Stand your ground.

Demand your freedom.

"I demand that you release me right now," I said, forcing the words out even though my throat felt tight.

For a second, he just stared at me.

Then he laughed.

He actually laughed.

Not a soft laugh. Not an amused one. A full, mocking laugh, like I had just told the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

My hands clenched around my shoes.

"What's funny?" I asked sharply.

His laughter died instantly.

His face went cold.

"Oh," he said flatly. "I thought this was some kind of joke."

"I'm damn serious," I snapped. "I'm not staying here."

He stepped closer. "Is it that you don't listen," he asked slowly, "or are you just outright stubborn?"

I lifted my chin. "I listen just fine. I just don't agree with you."

"What part of nowhere is safe don't you understand?" he shot back.

"I didn't ask for this!" I shouted, my voice echoing softly in the hall. "I didn't ask for your enemies or your bond or whatever madness this is!"

His jaw tightened. "And you think walking out alone into the night is smart?"

"I'd rather take my chances than live like a prisoner!"

That did it.

His eyes darkened, something dangerous flickering in them.

"From now on," he said, his voice firm and final, "you stay in my room."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Excuse me?"

"So I can always see you," he continued. "And know where you are."

"No," I said immediately. "Absolutely not."

I turned toward the door again.

I didn't even see him move.

One second I was reaching for the handle, the next I was lifted clean off the ground.

"Ramon!" I yelled.

He threw me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I shouted, pounding my fists against his back. "Put me down!"

"You're not leaving," he said calmly, already walking away from the door.

"I am not a child!"

"Then stop acting like one."

That made me furious.

"I hate you!" I yelled. "You don't own me!"

"You're right," he said. "I don't."

"Then let me go!"

"I can't," he replied.

The simple honesty in his voice stunned me.

He walked up the stairs, ignoring my protests, my struggles, my anger. No matter how much I kicked or hit him, he didn't even flinch.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice breaking despite myself.

He stopped walking.

For a moment, everything was quiet.

Then he said softly, "Because if anything happens to you, I won't survive it."

"That's a fucking lie," I said.

He carried me into his room and set me on my feet, but his hands stayed on my arms, steady and firm.

"This isn't about control," he said. "It's about survival."

"I don't trust you," I whispered.

"Just let me go. Forget that I exist ."

His expression softened, just a little.

"Whether you believe it or not," he said, "you're tied to me. And the world out there will use you to hurt me."

"You're not staying in this room with me," I said.

He turned slightly, his voice flat. "You don't tell me what to do."

He turned away, giving me space, but I could still feel his presence, solid, watchful.

I climbed onto the bed, my emotions tangled and heavy.

I still wanted to run.

But for the first time since I arrived here, I wondered if running was really the safest choice.

And that thought scared me more than anything else.

Talia's POV

"You didn't treat that wound?" I asked.

The words slipped out before I could stop myself.

Ramon didn't answer. He didn't even look at me. He just turned his back and began removing his shirt like the question didn't matter.

That was when I saw it.

That same wound.

The one at his side.

The one that started all of this. The blood. The chase. The rogues. Me.

My chest tightened.

"This wound doesn't look treated," I said again, quieter this time.

He shrugged off the shirt and tossed it aside. "Don't worry about me. Just go to sleep."

Sleep?

I laughed softly, without humor. "Do I look like I can sleep?"

He didn't respond.

He sat on the edge of the bed, his back to me, shoulders tense. I stared at the wound, my heart beating faster. It was healing, but not the way it should have.

Not the way a wound should heal if it had been properly treated.

I moved before he could stop me.

"Let me see," I said.

"It's fine," he replied immediately. "I'm fine."

"I didn't say you weren't," I said, stepping closer. "Just... let me."

He turned his head slightly, just enough to look at me. Our eyes met.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Something passed between us. I didn't know what it was. A challenge. A question. Maybe trust.

Slowly, he sighed.

Then he let the shirt fall completely from his hand.

I swallowed.

The wound was ugly. Not terrifying, but deep enough that it should have closed more by now. Angry red lines crossed his skin, faint but stubborn.

"Where's your first aid kit?" I asked.

"Over there," he said, nodding toward the wardrobe.

I walked to it, my legs feeling strangely heavy. I found the kit easily and brought it back, kneeling in front of him without thinking.

As I cleaned the wound, my heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I focused on my hands, on the careful movements, on not letting my fingers shake.

I prayed silently that he wouldn't comment on how nervous I was.

"You should have treated this," I murmured.

"I didn't have time," he replied.

"That's not an excuse."

A corner of his mouth twitched. "So you're really worried about me,eh?"

"I'm not," I said. "I just... care."

The word slipped out before I could stop it.

My hands paused.

I waited for him to say something. Anything.

Instead, I felt it.

His fingers.

Warm. Gentle.

They touched my face, brushing my cheek with the back of his knuckles. My breath caught. I froze, afraid that if I moved, the moment would break.

I didn't look up.

I couldn't.

I finished cleaning the wound, wrapped it carefully, and sat back on my heels. But I didn't move away. His hands were still on my face, thumbs resting just below my cheekbones.

"Thank you," he said softly.

The sound of his voice like that, low, sincere, sent a strange ache through my chest.

"Look at me, Talia," he said.

I hesitated.

Then, slowly, he lifted my chin with his fingers.

Our eyes met.

And I felt it.

Not just attraction. Not just desire.

Something deeper.

Like a pull. Like a spark. Like being seen and pulled closer at the same time.

I didn't even have a name for it.

He leaned in, giving me time to pull away.

I didn't.

His lips touched mine slowly. No rush. No hunger. Just warmth. Just presence.

He kissed me like the world outside didn't exist. Like there were no rogues, no threats, no fear. Just this moment.

My hands moved on their own, gripping his shoulders, feeling the strength there. His hand slid to my waist, steadying me.

Then he lifted me effortlessly and sat me on his lap.

I gasped softly, breaking the kiss, my forehead resting against his.

"We shouldn't," I whispered.

"I know," he replied.

Neither of us moved.

The room felt quiet in a way that wasn't empty. His arms around me were firm but gentle, like he was holding something precious instead of dangerous.

My heart was still racing.

But for the first time since I came here...

I wasn't afraid.

His lips found mine again, this time,no rush, just taking it in.

Then his hands began to unbutton my shirt, and unhook my brassiere.

I couldn't resist, didn't want to resist.

His mouth wrapped around my nipples, circling it, teasing, tantalizing.

I arched myself closer to him,willing our bodies to join.

Then his hands began going down, sliding into my pants, touching me.

I gasped.

His name on my lips.

"Ramon, don't stop," I said.

"Didn't plan on that," he replied.

Very slowly, without breaking the kiss, he laid me on the bed and began kissing me again, my neck, my shoulders, down to my breast,his hands circling one while his lips closing in on the other nipple.

Gently, he peeled off my shirt and removed my trousers, leaving me vulnerable.

I wrapped my hands over my chest.

He didn't say anything but began to take off his shirt.

His shoulders were broad, very sculpted.

Very unconsciously, I licked my lips.

"Like what you see, eh?" He asked.

He began to unbuckle his trousers and then he stopped and asked me; "Want to help me?"

And just then, a knock came in.

Talia's POV

Fuck.

Why did this have to happen now?

The knock on the door felt like a gunshot in the middle of my chest. Everything froze. The air, the moment, my breath.

Ramon's body went stiff above me, his jaw tightening as if he were barely holding back a growl.

"Who the hell is that?" he shouted.

Anger and frustration flashed openly across his face, and something twisted painfully in my chest.

That meant he wanted this too.

As badly as I did.

"Alpha," a voice called from outside. One of the guards. "There's something you should see."

Ramon didn't even look away from me. His hands were still warm and steady, still on my breast, while his weight grounding me to the bed like the world outside didn't exist.

"Let it wait," he snapped. "I'm busy."

My heart jumped.

Without thinking, I reached up and placed my hands over his, silently begging whoever was at the door to leave. Just go away. Just five more minutes. Five more seconds.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," the guard said again, his voice strained. "But this is urgent."

Ramon swore under his breath.

"Fuck."

The word came out low and angry, like it was torn from him. He pulled back slowly, his expression hardening as the moment shattered between us.

"Go," I said quietly. "I'll be here. Waiting."

He huffed a short laugh, arrogance slipping back over him like armor as he stood and reached for his clothes.

"Like you have a choice," he said. "You're not leaving this room. I already told you that."

There it was. That shift.

Just seconds ago, he'd looked at me like I mattered. Like I was something fragile and wanted. Now he sounded like the arrogant Alpha again. Cold. Commanding.

I hated how fast he could switch.

I watched him dress in silence, my chest tight with emotions I didn't want to name.

Desire. Anger. Confusion. All tangled together.

He didn't say anything else.

He just turned and walked out, leaving me alone on the bed, staring at the ceiling, my heart still racing for reasons that had nothing to do with fear.

And everything to do with him.

Ramon's POV

Mache had better have a damn good reason for interrupting me.

I stalked down the hallway, irritation simmering under my skin, my thoughts still tangled in the warmth of Talia's body and the way her eyes had looked at me just moments ago.

Fuck.

That woman was dangerous in ways she didn't even understand.

Talia could be very sweet when she wasn't vomiting venom from her mouth.

Turns out her mouth could be very distracting when it wasn't trying to tear me apart.

Sweet one second. Sharp-tongued the next. And somehow... still capable of getting under my skin.

I shook my head, forcing my focus back where it belonged.

"Yes," I demanded the moment I stepped outside my room. "What is going on?"

Mache stood there with two other guards. My head of security looked tense, his shoulders stiff, his eyes darting like he was bracing for impact.

"Alpha," he said carefully, "there's something you need to see."

The tone in his voice made my irritation spike into unease.

"What is it?" I asked sharply.

He hesitated.

"It's... Talia."

My blood went cold.

"What about her?" I snapped.

Mache stepped aside. "Please, Alpha. Follow us."

Every instinct in my body screamed as we moved down the corridor toward her room.

The closer we got, the stronger the metallic scent in the air became.

The door was open.

The room was chaotic.

Furniture overturned. Glass shattered across the floor. Curtains torn. The window wide open, night air pouring in like a wound that refused to close.

My chest tightened painfully.

"Who the fuck did this?" I muttered.

One of the guards swallowed hard.

"Alpha... someone broke in through the window."

Rage surged through me, hot and violent.

"Alpha," Mache said again, pointing toward the bathroom. "Someone left this."

I moved toward it slowly, dread crawling up my spine.

The smell hit me first.

Blood. Fresh. Thick.

On the bathroom floor lay a dead deer, its throat slit open, blood pooling beneath it and streaking the tiles like some twisted message.

And beside it...

A note.

Written in blood.

My hands curled into fists as I read the words.

NEXT IS YOUR FUCKING LUNA.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end.

Those rogue bastards.

Zara's people.

My jaw clenched so hard it ached. Every kill. Every warning. Every attempt to end this; only made them bolder.

"What the fuck did I get myself into?" I whispered.

It was never ending. Cut one head off and two more appeared.

I dragged a hand down my face, forcing myself to breathe, to think.

Then Mache spoke again.

"Alpha..." His voice shook. "I'm sorry. Please forgive us, but...."

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

"But what?" I demanded.

"We... we can't find Talia."

My blood went cold.

"We... we couldn't find Talia," Mache said, his voice shaking. "She was not in here when we came."

That was when the weight of this hit me.

They actually came for her.

So if I hadn't carried her to my room, those bastards would have taken her.

"She's not missing," I said slowly.

Mache frowned. "Alpha?"

"She's with me," I growled. "She's in my room."

Relief flooded their faces instantly.

But mine stayed hard.

I turned back toward the bathroom, staring at the bloodied deer, the shattered glass, the message written in blood.

NEXT IS YOUR FUCKING LUNA.

They were close.

Close enough to enter my home.

Close enough to leave a message.

Close enough to test my defenses.

"They didn't come for her tonight," I said quietly.

Mache stiffened. "Then why...."

"This was a warning," I snapped. "A reminder."

I clenched my fists.

They're watching us," I said quietly.

"And this time... the mistake would be letting them get close to her."