It’s been five long years since I escaped from the Moonshine pack. Now, I live a quiet life among humans, far away from the Alpha’s reach and everything that once chained me to that painful past.

I settled into a modest flat on the edge of the city, raising my twins in peace. The chaos of pack politics was a distant memory now, replaced with the gentle routine of human living. Humans were different—yes, fragile in many ways, but they possessed a warmth and compassion that wolves rarely showed. There were no dominance struggles, no manipulation for leadership, and no lingering fear of sudden rogue attacks.

I spent my days as a baker in a bustling bakery downtown. It was not the life I had envisioned once upon a time, but that was the very reason I chose it. If anyone from the Moonshine pack ever searched for me, they’d never think to find me in a flour-dusted apron, quietly baking bread and icing cupcakes.

Life was simple. And for once, I felt truly alive.

One quiet afternoon, after wiping down the kitchen counters, I noticed a magazine lying on the table—left behind by my babysitter. Its cover proudly displayed a headline about the city's wealthiest man. Curiosity tugged at me, and I flipped it open to the article.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

Mate! my wolf howled inside me.

There, staring out from the glossy page, was Lloyd’s face. He looked older, more refined, but there was no mistaking it—it was him. He went by a new name now: Lloyd Maynard. According to the article, he had become a powerful and successful businessman in the human realm.

Of course he would change his name. Just like me, he had cut off his connection to the pack—no more mind links, no more ties. He had vanished just as I had, slipping into obscurity.

I scanned the article for more information, absorbing every word. The man in the photographs was no longer just Lloyd. He had transformed into someone unreachable, influential, almost mythic.

“Mom, why are you smiling like that?” a small voice broke through my thoughts, and two little arms wrapped around my waist. I glanced down at one of my twins, their eyes wide with curiosity.

“It’s nothing, sweetie,” I said softly, planting a kiss on their forehead. “Just something funny, that’s all.”

“Who is that man you’re looking at?” asked the other twin, peeking at the photo.

“Oh, no one important,” I said casually. “Just someone in a magazine Jasmine brought.”

But my thoughts were racing. They didn’t know. The man in the article wasn’t just a face on a page. He was their father.

I wanted to tell them. My wolf stirred again, urging me to reveal the truth. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it—not yet. What Lloyd and I once shared had been beautiful, but that chapter ended the moment I agreed to marry Darren for political reasons. That, too, had crumbled into ruin.

I had tried hard to bury the memories. To start anew.

The next morning, I arrived at the bakery before dawn. The sky was still dark, and the silence of the early hours wrapped around me like a blanket. I always appreciated these quiet moments—kneading dough, letting the ovens heat, the scent of bread slowly rising.

But that day, something felt... different.

A faint noise caught my attention—swift, skittering footsteps, almost like the scamper of animals. I paused, turning my gaze toward the bakery’s glass front. It wasn’t unusual to see dogs in the city, but something about that sound unnerved me.

And then the window exploded.

Glass rained everywhere as a massive creature barreled inside. Its yellow eyes gleamed, its teeth bared and dripping with saliva.

“A rogue,” I muttered, my wolf instantly alert.

It let out a low growl, moving toward me like a predator stalking prey. My wolf was fighting to break free, desperate to defend, but I couldn’t transform—not in public, not under human surveillance.

I had no choice.

I ran.

The rogue chased me, its claws pounding the ground as I fled through the narrow alleys behind the bakery. I had to find a hidden space—somewhere out of sight, where I could safely shift.

Finally, I found a corner cloaked in shadows. I let go. My body morphed as my wolf surged forward, muscles shifting, fur spreading across my skin. I faced the rogue, ready to fight.

It lunged at me again—this time with even more speed. I dodged once, but its next attack was too fast. I braced myself for pain, expecting sharp teeth to tear into me.

But it didn’t happen.

Instead, the rogue dropped to the ground, twitching. A long, silver dart protruded from its side. It let out one final growl before collapsing.

I froze, stunned.

Then I caught a scent on the wind.

That smell.

Familiar. Irresistible. Undeniable.

I turned my head—and saw him.

Lloyd—no, Lloyd—stood just yards away. His expression was fierce, protective, the weapon still gripped in his hand. Our eyes locked, and just for a heartbeat, it felt as though time had never passed.

As though we had never been apart.

Even in his human form, he held the same undeniable dominance as his wolf. His eyes locked onto mine, burning with a mixture of exasperation and relief.

“We can’t stay here,” he said, his touch brushing my arm, sending a spark through me.

We bolted from the fallen rogue, his hand securely holding mine—not harsh, but protective. As our feet pounded the pavement, the memories surged in, vivid and aching.

I remembered us sprinting through the dense Redwolf woods, our wolves laughing through the chase, collapsing together in soft grass, sneaking kisses under thick foliage.

We had woven dreams of a shared future. But when my father orchestrated my union with another, Lloyd had pleaded with me to flee—to abandon everything and run away with him to another pack’s land. I nearly did. But fear of my father’s power paralyzed me. I said no. Later, he came to my wedding, asking me to choose a life among humans with him instead. And again, I said no.

This is his third try, my wolf whispered, eager.

When we were finally distant enough that the rogue's presence no longer lingered in the air, Lloyd slowed down, catching his breath.

I leaned against a brick wall, my chest rising and falling rapidly. Then realization dawned.

“The bakery!” I gasped. “No. No, no, no!”

“You nearly got killed and you’re worried about a damn job?” Lloyd’s voice was thick with disbelief.

I gaped at him. “Of course I am! This is my life now, Lloyd. Humans won’t understand a rogue wolf crashing into a bakery. They’ll see broken glass and think I’m the problem. And who do you think they’ll want to pay for the damage?”

His jaw tensed. “You’re something else.” He stepped closer, frustration sharpening his words. “You’ve buried yourself here, pretending you’re human—and now a paycheck matters more to you than the fact a rogue almost ended your life.”

My fists clenched. “Don’t act like you know me. I’ve worked hard to survive here, Lloyd. This is how I keep going.”

“Why here? Why the human world, Princess?” he asked, spitting the title like venom.

The way he said it—with sarcasm, with that old bitterness—hit a nerve.

I snapped. My hand flew up, ready to strike him, but he didn’t even flinch. I froze with my fist in the air, breathing heavily. His eyes were like storms—dark and unreadable.

I turned to run, needing space, clarity, anything. But I should’ve known better.

He was faster than me, stronger. In seconds, he had my wrist, spun me around, and pushed me gently yet firmly against the alley wall.

His chest was nearly touching mine, the heat of his presence unbearable. He pinned my wrist above my head with one hand, holding me without hurting.

“Let me go,” I growled through clenched teeth.

His voice dropped, rich and low, “You’re testing my patience. And your scent... it’s driving my wolf insane.”

I pushed him back with both hands, needing distance, needing to think. But my wolf was betraying me, her tail wagging, clearly thrilled by his nearness.

I exGrahamd slowly and met his eyes with steadiness. “I came here to escape that life, Lloyd. I wanted peace. I needed it.” I didn’t mention the twins. Not yet. Not until I knew what he wanted.

He studied me silently before speaking again. “You’ve been through a lot. Come with me. I have things to handle, and I want you safe.”

I shook my head. “No. I need to report the incident to my employer. If I don’t, they’ll think I staged the whole thing.”

His expression darkened, shadows tightening around his features. “You’re not staying here.”

And just like that, Lloyd scooped me up like I weighed nothing and slung me over his shoulder.

“Lloyd! Put me down!” I shouted, pounding on his back with clenched fists.

He didn’t stop. Silent and determined, he strode down the empty road, carrying me like a sack of flour toward a sleek, black vehicle waiting by the curb. Without a word, he dropped me into the front seat and shut the door with a final, heavy thud. I folded my arms, stewing, and glared as he slid into the driver’s seat beside me.

The car ride was heavy with unspoken words. Neither of us dared break the silence. Then we arrived.

We turned into a driveway leading to an ornate, wrought-iron gate entwined with intricate vine patterns. Beyond it stood a grand, vintage mansion that stretched out before my eyes.

“Wait—this is where you live?” I blurted, unable to mask my shock. “I knew you had money, but this? It’s as massive as the old pack house.”

He glanced at me, brows slightly raised. “And how exactly do you know I’m wealthy?”