Her head throbbed as she stumbled from the bedroom into the kitchen, hunting for painkillers. She grabbed a glass of water, took a sip, and then nearly choked when she spotted Hunter and Tod lounging in the living room. Water sprayed everywhere.

"Morning, Dahlia," Hunter said, grinning like he'd just won something.

"Morning," she muttered, suddenly hyper-aware of her bedhead and ratty pajamas.

She bolted back to the bedroom, then reappeared seconds later, peeking around the corner like a kid caught sneaking cookies. "Why are you here so early?"

"If you checked your email, you'd know it said 8 AM. You know, if we want to actually make the flight?"

"Right. Give me ten minutes." She showered in record time, threw on clothes, and found Tod had already packed her bag.

She hugged him. "Thanks for packing my bag. You're a lifesaver."

"Love you. Be safe and call every night."

"Okay. Kiss Jason for me." She turned and followed Hunter outside, where the car was idling. The driver held the door open, and she flashed him a quick smile. "Thanks."

She glanced at Hunter. "I need coffee. Like, desperately. Please

"Got it," telling the driver to swing by a coffee shop.

"Happy now?" Hunter asked, watching her sip the coffee like it was the elixir of life.

"Why are you staring at the clock?"

"Because I'm pretty sure we're not making that flight,"

"Relax. It's a gorgeous cold sunny day. Let's enjoy it."

He laughed as the car pulled up to the terminal. They grabbed their bags, checked the gate number, and without thinking, he put his hand out and she took it as they broke into a sprint, laughing all the way.

The attendant was about to close the gate when Hunter shouted, "Wait! Hold up!"

"Cutting it pretty close, huh?" the guy said, taking their tickets with a raised eyebrow.

They finally settled into their seats, and Hunter helped her with the seatbelt.

"Hunter," she said, grabbing his hand, "I hate flying. Like, really hate it."

"Want me to put on some music?" he offered.

She shook her head. "Just...don't let go of my hand."

"I'm not going anywhere," he said, squeezing her fingers. "Want me to distract you with a story?"

"Sure," she muttered, staring out the window. Her grip tightened, fingers laced with his. She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. Breathe in, breathe out. His scent calmed her. Safe. She felt safe.

She stood there, staring at the cabin, isolated, quiet, almost too quiet. Unease crept in as she took it all in.

Inside, the fireplace crackled, casting a warm glow. A man greeted them, and Hunter stepped outside with him briefly before returning.

"Which bedroom do you want?" he asked, gesturing toward the stairs.

"Doesn't matter," she replied, glancing around. "This place is incredible." Her smile faltered as Lupin crossed her mind-anger, longing, all tangled up.

"So, what's first?" Hunter asked, breaking her train of thought.

"A snowman," she said without hesitation.

"Alright, suit up then," he said, tossing her a coat.

They headed out back, the snow sparkling under the fading sunlight. They rolled snow, laughed, and pelted each other with snowballs until she slipped and fell backward. Hunter rushed over, kneeling beside her, leaning in-until a low growl cut through the air.

His head snapped toward the sound. Dahlia scanned the area. My wolf, she thought. Shadow. Then the scent hit her-familiar, comforting, like home.

"Did you hear that?" she asked, voice low.

"Yeah," Hunter said, glancing around. "Let's get inside. You're soaked."

They started back, but Dahlia paused, her gaze fixed on the tree line. She could feel him there, her wolf. The pull was almost magnetic, but she turned and followed Hunter inside.

After changing, they sat by the fire. Hunter eyed her, his brow furrowed. "You're holding something back. What is it?"

"Just tired," she lied, avoiding his gaze. "I need some air. Let's take the cocoa to the patio."

"The patio? It's freezing out there."

"Since when are you scared of a little cold?" she teased.

They stepped outside, and she sipped her cocoa before setting it down. As she turned to say something, Hunter leaned in and kissed her. A low growl cut through the silence. She pulled back and saw him, her wolf, standing there, eyes locked on Hunter.

"Dahlia, go inside," Hunter said carefully, his voice steady as the wolf approached.

But Dahlia darted forward, wrapping her arms around the wolf's neck. He nuzzled her, his fur warm against her skin.

"I missed you too," she murmured, scratching behind his ears. "You came all this way to see me? There's a town nearby, you know."

He huffed, almost like a laugh, and she grinned, resting her forehead against his.

Hunter froze, staring at Dahlia like she'd lost her mind. "You just hugged a wolf. A wolf, Dahlia!"

"He's mine," she shot back, defiant. "His name's Shadow." Hunter grabbed her arm, yanking her back. Shadow growled, baring his teeth, low and threatening.

"Get inside," Hunter snapped, shoving her toward the cabin.

"No!" she spat, glaring at him. "You're being mean..."

Shadow lunged, pinning Hunter to the ground. "Shadow, no! Don't kill him!" Dahlia stared. Shadow nudged her, then jerked his snout toward the trees. She took off running, her boots crunching through the snow. Shadow kept pace behind her.

She ran until her lungs burned, collapsing onto the icy ground. Shadow nuzzled her, his warm breath puffing against her cheek. "I can't...keep going," she gasped, shaking her head. "I don't get it, Shadow. He seemed alright. Why'd he hit me?" Shadow whined softly, pressing closer. Then he pointed to something. A cave.

The cave was utterly dark. "Shadow, I..." she started, but then he shifted, and suddenly Lupin was standing there.

"Did I hit my head?" she laughed weakly, her legs buckling beneath her.

When she opened her eyes again, he was dressed, poking at the fire. "Lupin," she whispered.

He turned to her, stepping closer. "Dahlia, I didn't know how to explain it to you," he said, his voice low. She instinctively backed up.

"I'd never hurt you. You're..."

"What just happened? Where's Shadow? My wolf..."

Lupin stared at her intently. "You're Shadow? How? What kind of mushroom did you give me?"

He laughed softly, and she reached out, her hand brushing his face. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch before kissing her palm. A shiver ran through her as she wrapped her arms around him, and he held her tightly.

"You're freezing," he said, helping her out of her coat and then her wet top.

"What are you doing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He pulled off his sweater and handed it to her. "Put this on. Now take off your pants, they're soaked."

"Trying to get into my pants, huh?" she joked, her voice shaky.

He smirked. "Might be."

Her smile faded. "You ...the hospital..., and now you're a wolf... This is insane. I can't even process..."

He kissed her, cutting off her words, and she melted against him. His bare chest was warm under her touch as they laid down on a blanket. He draped another fur over them.

"Closer," he murmured, pulling her in, her legs touching his, his body was burning hot. Her mind raced.

He pulled her top off, his hands warm against her skin as she closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the moment.

"Dahlia," he murmured, pausing. She looked up, meeting his gaze. He kissed her softly. His hands moved gently over her, exploring, teasing. A quiet moan escaped her lips as he rolled her onto her back, hovering above her.

His lips brushed her neck when a growl shattered the silence.

Another massive black wolf stood at the entrance of the cave.

Lupin leapt to his feet and shifted forms. Dahlia blinked, unable to process what she was seeing.

The two wolves lunged at each other, snarling and snapping. She scrambled to intervene and was thrown backward, her head cracking against stone

Both men stood in human form, locked in tense confrontation.

"Who the hell are you?" Lupin demanded.

"She's mine, my mate. "Hunter laughed coldly. "Stay out of my way. I'm taking her back. She doesn't even know what she is yet."

"And if I don't?" Lupin challenged. Hunter exhaled sharply.

"This is my territory. My pack lives here." He knelt beside Dahlia, noting the blood in her hair. "She's hurt," he muttered, lifting her carefully. He carried her back to the cabin and cradled her in his lap, examining the wound.

"Dahlia, open your eyes. Please."

Her vision swam into focus.

Finding herself in Hunter's bare-chested embrace, she scrambled away, stumbling. He steadied her.

"I can explain," he started.

She stared at him, his muscled torso distracting her thoughts. "I was in the cave with Shadow, then another wolf appeared when we were..."

"Trying to mate," Hunter finished.

"Having sex," she corrected, flustered. "His body was so warm... he was trying to keep me from freezing."

Hunter cursed under his breath. "Nothing happened. I saved you."

"Maybe I didn't want saving," she countered. "And please put on a shirt... wait, you're a..."

"Wolf? Yes."

"How is that possible?" She sank onto the nearest chair. "I need to sit down."

Hunter crouched in front of her. "Go take a shower. Then I'll explain."

"Yeah, I smell blood," she said flatly.

He chuckled. "Fair point." Then his expression turned serious.

"My sense of smell's been... weird."

"You hit your head. It's just a small cut. Now go." He paused. "Oh, and don't close the door."

She stared at him, eyebrows raised. "Why not?"

"In case you need help," he said with a smirk.

"I won't. And put on a shirt," she shot back, heading toward the bathroom.

"You like what you see, Dahlia?" he teased, pulling on a sweater.

"No, of course not," she said, rolling her eyes. But as she stepped into the bathroom, she couldn't help smiling to herself. I do, she thought. I really do.

When she came out in her robe, she passed through the oversized living room to find Jane, Flora, and their companions sipping drinks.

"Hey, farm girl," Jane called out, raising her glass. "Already got dumped, huh?"

Dahlia opened her mouth to speak, but Hunter appeared behind her, shirtless, his lounge pants slung low, planting a kiss on her neck.

"I was waiting for my..." he started, then caught sight of the others. "Oh, hey guys. Sorry, we got an early start, Hunter's arm slid around her waist.

Flora choked on her drink, while Jane just stared, unblinking.

"Alright, let's head back. See you in the morning," Hunter said casually, pulling Dahlia toward the bedroom.

Once inside, she spun around. "What the hell was that?"

"What? Just helping you save face," he said with a grin.

"Can you put some clothes on? I can't focus when you're..."

"I sleep naked, but since we're sharing my bed..."

"I'm not sleeping here! You told them we, ugh," she sat down on the bed, grabbing two pillows and shoving them between them. "I can't get my pajamas."

"I like your pajamas. Did you pack the matching slippers too?" he teased.

"Go to bed, Hunter. I'm exhausted," she said, closing her eyes.

The first thing she noticed was his scent-warm, familiar. She blinked awake, realizing she was sprawling halfway on top of him. Dahlia tried to ease away slowly, but his arm tightened around her waist, pulling her closer. Her robe had slipped open, and she grimaced.

Hunter's eyes fluttered open, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Morning. Sleep well?"

She glared at him. "This isn't what it looks like."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Because it looks like you really like me."

"Ugh," she groaned, twisting out of his grip and scrambling off the bed.

He was on his feet in an instant, blocking her path to the door. "You might want to fix that robe," he said, eyes flicking down. Before she could snap back, he leaned in and kissed her, quick, teasing. "Just saying."