Solenn

I feel like death.

The doorbell rings. The sound slices through my skull. I jolt and bury my face into the pillow, cringing as the noise echoes in my ears.

I grunt, hauling my heavy limbs out of bed. My head spins. I plant a hand against the wall to steady the room. As soon as I lift my foot, my stomach lurches. I slap a hand over my mouth and stumble toward the basin in the corner.

I vomit until my throat burns. I stare at the mess, panting. I haven't eaten in a day, yet my body still finds things to purge.

The bell rings again. I let out a sharp, jagged scream of frustration. I snatch my white fuzzy blanket, wrapping it tight around my shoulders like a shield. I shove my feet into slippers and limp toward the door.

It rings a third time just as I hit the hallway. A scowl carves itself into my face. I storm down the stairs. Most people would have taken the hint and left.

I stop at the mirror by the door and freeze. My jaw drops. I look like a corpse from a low-budget horror flick. I frantically rake my fingers through my matted hair, but it’s a lost cause.

The bell rings again.

"Screw it," I mutter.

I force a fake, plastic smile onto my face and throw the door open. A boy stands there. He blinks, his expression shifting from impatient to slightly terrified.

'You could have put a bra on,' Eva grumbles in my head.

'You could have stopped me from puking,' I snap back.

"Uh, is this the Thorne residence?" he asks. He stays a safe distance back.

"Yes. Who are you looking for?"

I don't know him. I know every wolf my age in this pack, but his face is new.

"I'm looking for Beta Thorne," he stammers.

"My dad. He’s in meetings all morning." I wiggle my toes in my slippers, trying to bleed off the nervous energy humming in my gut.

"You're the future Beta?" He looks me up and down. "You don't really look like one."

I stare at him, dead-eyed. My nose is too stuffed to catch his scent. "And what is a Beta supposed to look like?"

I’m too exhausted for a witty comeback. I just want him gone.

"Just saying," he shrugs. "Anyway, tell your dad the sixty wolves from the Baxter pack are here for the convention."

"I'll tell him. But you'll probably see him before I do." I take a step back into the cool shadows of the house. "What’s your name?"

He grins and holds out a hand. I stay still.

"I’m sick. You don't want this," I say, punctuating the warning with a wet sniffle.

"Finn. Beta of the Baxter pack." He chuckles and nods. "I'll let your father know we met."

I watch him walk away before I bolt the door shut. The house is silent. I must be home alone, or someone would have dragged me out of bed by now.

I catch my reflection again.

"Jesus Christ," I whisper. My skin looks gray.

'All that money you spend on skincare and you still look like that,' Eva sneers.

'For a literal soul-bond, you’re a real bitch today,' I retort.

I head back up the stairs. My blanket slips, dragging on the carpet. I growl, snatching it up and clutching it to my chest. I carry the basin to the bathroom to wash it out. I can't handle the smell of sick lingering in my room.

My ponytail has given up. I pull the elastic out and let my hair hang limp around my face. I slide under the duvet and let out a long, shaky sigh. I hug my favorite pillow and drift off.

An hour later, a roar shatters my sleep.

"Solenn!"

Heavy work boots thud against the wooden stairs. My dad. Mom is going to kill him for scuffing the wood.

"Yes?" I shout back. I roll onto my side, watching the door.

He knocks hard enough to rattle the frame. "Can I come in?"

"Yes."

He tramples inside, nearly tripping over his own feet in his rush. He looks frantic.

"Yes, dad?" I ask. I keep my voice flat, praying he doesn't stay long.

Dad looks like hell. He’s tired and overworked, but he’s here. That’s just how he is. If he isn’t taking me for a walk, he’s dragging me to the shooting range to spend time together.

"The Luna wants you," he says. His massive frame makes my bedroom furniture look like dollhouse pieces.

"Why?" I groan. I shove my face back into the pillow. "I'm dying, Dad."

"She wants help with a cake. Or something like that." He looks down at me, his hands clasped. He actually looks a little sorry for me.

"I’m still sick." I sit up just enough to offer him my forehead. "Check."

He presses a palm to my skin and recoils after a second. "Goddess, Solenn. You’re burning up. Maybe hit the clinic first."

"Exactly. And Luna Stella is pregnant. I shouldn’t be anywhere near her." I collapse back into my mountain of pillows, hoping that settles it.

"You’re twenty-three," he says, his brow furrowing. "Quit making excuses. If you don't want to go, just say so."

I sit bolt upright. "I don’t want to bake a cake with Luna Stella."

He shrugs, unbothered. "Too bad. I already told her you’d be there. Shower and move. She’s waiting at the Alpha house."

He smirks and turns to leave. I hear his heavy work boots thumping against the floorboards as he heads for the stairs. I smirk back, reaching out with my mind.

'Mom, Dad is wearing his work boots on your new carpets.'

I feel her instant spike of fury through the bond. She just spent a fortune on those rugs.

"Asher!" my mother screams from somewhere downstairs.

I hear my father curse. His footsteps stop dead halfway down the flight. I giggle, pushing the blankets off. The room spins. I wait for the world to stop tilting before I stand.

I wobble into the bathroom and catch my reflection. I look hideous. I reach over and flick the shower on. While the water warms up, I strip and shove my hair into a shower cap. I don’t have the energy to wash it again.

I lean against the cold tiles while I brush my teeth. I stare at the walls, wondering if some new art would make this place feel less bleak. I spit, rinse, and step into the steam.

The water is scalding. My body can't decide if it’s freezing or boiling, but the heat feels right. I stay in there too long, letting the steam clear my head.

'Better,' Eva whispers. She’s finally quiet.

I can breathe a little easier, even if my nose is still a mess. I dry off, slather on moisturizer, and put way too much effort into my skincare. I need to look alive.

I pull on a pair of ripped jeans and a black sleeveless shirt with shoulder pads. It’s an old one of my mom’s. It makes me feel sharper. I tie my curls back, snap on a belt, and shove my feet into flat boots.

Twelve earrings. One bracelet. My phone. I grab my bag, but it’s heavy. I find a research book inside and toss it onto my bed. I’ll air the room out later while I work for the Alpha.

I head down the stairs, white-knuckling the railing.

"I'm out, Dad!" I yell.

The kitchen door swings open. Dad pokes his head out. He has a smear of red lipstick on the corner of his mouth. I raise an eye-brow. I’m not touching that.

"I told the doctor you’re coming," he warns. "Actually go, Solenn."

"Tell Mom goodbye. I assume she’s... busy." I shudder.

They’ve been obsessed with each other since they were fifteen. It’s sweet, sure, but I’ve almost walked in on them defiling half the rooms in this house. Including my office.

I crack my neck, grab my keys, and step outside. The breeze hits my bare arms, making me shiver. I start walking left, then curse and spin around. The clinic is the other way.

It’s a short walk. The white colonial building looms ahead. I walk inside and hit the bell on the desk.

"Hey, Solenn," the secretary says, flashing a smile.

I try to smile back while she looks down at her list.

"You're with Elias today. Go on up, he’s free," the girl says with a grin.

"Thanks, Cross." I give her a tired wave and start the climb.

The clinic is small and quiet. People usually head to the pack hospital for the big stuff, leaving this place for check-ups and sick kids. I reach the top of the stairs and sink into a chair. My body feels like lead.

The door clicks open. Elias pokes his head out and smiles. "Solenn. Come on in."

I haul myself up. Every bone in my body protests the movement.

"I have a cold. Or the flu. My dad is losing his mind as usual," I say, dropping into the patient chair.

Elias chuckles. He pulls a thermometer from a drawer. "The Beta just cares. Can't fault him for that. What are the symptoms?"

"Fever. Migraine. I can't keep anything down," I mutter, rubbing my aching temples.

"Any chance you're pregnant?"

I snort. "My celibacy streak says absolutely not."

He grins and moves in with the penlight. He checks my throat and then wraps the blood pressure cuff around my arm. I hate the way it squeezes, but Elias is thorough. He used to tutor me in math. He’s the reason I went from a failing grade to an A in a month. He doesn't miss details.

"I’ll give you something for the head," he says, scribbling on a pad. "But the fever just needs to break. The Alpha’s kids had this last week. You were training them, right?"

"I was." I give him a rueful look. "I thought I’d dodge the bullet. Guess I’m not that lucky."

I stand up carefully. He holds the door for me. "I’ll have the meds dropped at your place by tonight."

"Thanks, Doc."

I head back down. I have to see the Luna now. Everyone else is tied up with the Alpha Convention. My dad, the Gamma, the Alpha—they’re all buried in meetings.

I nod to Cross on the way out and step into the light. The sun is out, but the wind bites at my skin. I shiver, pulling my coat tighter. The Alpha’s house is only a few minutes away.

I actually like the walk. I’ve spent too many days hunched over a desk doing paperwork. My pack is a bit strange; the Alpha family lives in their own house instead of the packhouse. I’m pretty sure Luna Stella made that happen. She’s quiet and stays out of the spotlight. That works for my mom, though. She loves being the one to greet the pack and handle the social side of things.

Stella is on her fourth pregnancy in five years. I suppose she’s too busy being a mother to be a public figure. Visitors always ask why the Alpha doesn't live in the main house. I usually just tell them the Luna wants a quiet place for the kids.

I reach the front door and knock hard. I take a step back, waiting.

The door swings open. Alpha stands there, a genuine smile breaking across his face.

"Hello, Solenn. What brings you here?" Martel asks. He sounds confused.

"Apparently your Luna is looking for me," I say, giving him a quick, respectful bow.

"Oh, she’s actually at the packhouse. I'm heading that way now. I'll walk you." He steps back inside to grab his coat.

When he joins me outside, he shivers and glares at the gray sky. "Winter is really here, isn't it?"

'He never talks to us this much,' Eva groans. 'What are we supposed to do for the next sixty seconds?'

"Yeah," I say, forced and awkward. "It was icy this morning. I already miss summer."

"Me too. Ryker won't stop talking about Santa. He has a list of demands longer than my arm." Martel grumbles, shaking his head as we start walking.

"That’s rough. But Halloween is first." I can’t help the small laugh at his expense.

"Don't remind me. They just want the sugar. I’m convinced their life goal is to bankrupt me with dental bills." He runs a hand through his hair, picking up the pace.

"They’re good kids, Martel. You’re doing fine."

He sighs. "I’m an old dad. I hear them talking about how fun their friends' dads are. Stella and I didn't find each other until I was thirty-eight. Sometimes I feel like I'm failing."

'Why is he getting so deep?' Eva whimpers. 'Do we say something?'

I block her out. "Ryker stopped a boy from bullying a girl at practice the other day. He gave him a lecture that would make a Beta proud. You're doing a great job. Trust me."

I reach the packhouse and hold the door open for him.

"She’s in the kitchen. I think the kids are in there too," he says.

"Good luck with the convention," I call out, turning toward the back of the house.

"Thanks, Solenn. Good luck with the cake."

I push the kitchen door open and stop dead. My eyes go wide. "Wow."

Flour is everywhere. It’s on the floor, the walls, and the kids. Luna Stella is standing in the middle of the wreckage, crying.

"We had an accident," she whispers.

"I can see that." I grab a broom.

I sweep in silence. Stella wipes down the counters, her face flushed with embarrassment. The kids are huddled in chairs, mesmerized by an iPad to keep them out of the crossfire.

"Did your father mention the conference?" Stella asks.

"Hard to miss. I can't believe how many Alphas showed up." I start measuring out fresh flour.

"Martel did a great job organizing it," she says, pulling eggs from the fridge.

We work fast. The tension in the room settles as the batter comes together. I lean down to slide the pans into the oven, the heat hitting my face.

A low, guttural growl rips through the kitchen. It vibrates in my chest.

"Mine," a voice snarls.

I stand up slowly. Stella looks terrified, her face drained of all color. I don't think. I just move, stepping firmly between my Luna and the man standing in the doorway.

Stella lets out an ear-piercing shriek. Footsteps thunder toward us from every hallway in the house.

'I don't understand,' Eva says, her voice sharp and predatory. 'But I'm ready.'

We protect the Luna. No matter what.

Solenn

The room is silent. The air feels heavy, thick enough to make the hair on my arms stand up. It makes my skin crawl. I glance around and lock eyes with Stella.

'It's going to be okay,' I link her.

I let my claws slide out from my nail beds. The partial shift hums under my skin, grounding me. Stella nods, her face pinched with worry as she rests her hands over her massive pregnancy bump.

Footsteps thud in the hallway. My Alpha and my father appear in the doorway. The man leading them is massive. He makes my father look small, and Asher Thorne is a brick wall of a man.

A bubble of nervous laughter hits my chest. It’s ridiculous. I try to choke it back, but a small giggle slips out. I slap my clawed hand over my mouth, careful not to gouge my own cheek. My father cuts a sharp glare at me. It’s too late. I get the bad timing from my mother; she never could stay serious.

Martel, my Alpha, looks at me in pure horror. His eyes widen, then flash.

'Solenn, that is Alpha Fenrys. Fire Wolf pack,' Martel links me. His voice is tight, urgent.

My mind goes blank. I don't know the name, which is rare. I never forget a face.

'And?' I link back.

I see Martel wince. 'The rampage last year? He killed eighteen soldiers for looking at his sister.'

Right. I remember the stories now. He was tried and fined enough to ruin any other pack. I should be shaking, but I’m not. I don’t scare easily. Maybe it’s because he isn’t throwing his dominance around yet, or maybe I’m just stubborn.

Fenrys looks livid. He scans the kitchen like he wants to burn it down.

"Is this a joke?" he spits.

He bunches his fists. The veins in his forearms bridge and strain against his skin. I can’t look away. I’ve always had a thing for hands and arms, much to my best friend's confusion.

"Alpha Fenrys, forgive us," Martel says. His voice has a nervous edge. "Is what a joke?"

My joints ache. The flu is starting to settle into my bones. I ignore the pain and reach out to set the timer for my cake.

"Where is my mate?" Fenrys demands. He slams a fist onto the marble counter. The crack echoes like a gunshot.

Stella gasps and whimpers. Martel is at her side in a second, shielding her.

"Kids, office. Now," Martel orders.

The pups scramble out, the oldest hauling the youngest toward the door.

"Alpha Fenrys, there are no female Alphas here," Martel explains quickly. "The only woman of rank is my mate." He gestures to the mark on his neck.

"I can smell her," Fenrys snarls.

My father’s face goes white. "Fuck," he whispers.

He looks at me. I shake my head, my heart starting to hammer against my ribs.

"I'm a Beta," I say, backing away. "It isn't me."

"The scent is in this room," Fenrys hisses at Martel. "Give her to me, or I'll take her."

"Search the house," Martel says, stepping back toward the hallway with Stella. "There are no female Alphas here. I only have sons."

I try to follow them. I have to pass Fenrys to get to the door. As I move by, his hand shoots out. His fingers wrap around my bicep like a vice.

I let out a sharp cry and rake my claws across his skin. He doesn't let go.

"You smell like her," he growls.

"I’ve seen a male doctor and my family. That’s it," I snap. I wrench my arm out of his grip. I don't do well with being handled. "I don't have your mate's scent on me."

He stares down at me, his eyes dark and predatory. "I see no reason to complain."

I raise an eyebrow, my lip curling. "I do."

"My only complaint," he smirks, "is that you're not in my bed yet."

I scoff, a wave of disgust rolling through me. I back up until I hit my father’s side. "You're vile."

"I've been called worse."

Martel clears his throat, trying to regain control. "Now that we’ve settled that she isn't your mate, can we get back to the meeting?"

Fenrys chuckles. It’s a low, dark sound. "I didn't say she wasn't the one. She’s right here."

Nausea hits me. This isn't the flu. I'm the only unmated girl in the room. I must have been so focused on getting away from him that I missed the sparks when he touched me.

"I'm leaving after the meeting tomorrow," Fenrys announces, his gaze locked on mine. "You're coming with me. By choice or by force."

I don't give him the satisfaction of an answer. I turn on my heel and slide past him.

He clears his throat, a command for me to stop, but I keep walking. I don't look back.

I can’t tell if he’s the one. My nose is stuffed from the flu, and Eva was too busy snarling to check for a soul bond when he grabbed me. All we felt was a need to bite back.

I make it to the front door before a heavy arm hooks around my waist. I’m pulled back against a wall of a chest. I don't think. I drive my fist upward. My knuckles crunch against his jaw.

"Let go," I growl. My eyes heat up, ready to shift.

Martel and my father spill out of the living room. They stop and watch. My father stays back. He knows I can handle myself, and he never interferes unless I’m losing.

"My name is Axel. What’s yours?" he asks. His voice is a low rumble near my ear.

Static shocks me everywhere our skin touches. His sleeves are rolled up, and my arms are bare. It feels like being plugged into a live wire.

"This isn't possible," I say, shaking my head. I squirm until I slip from his grip.

He scoffs. "Tell me something I don't know."

I step back, putting distance between us. He scowls.

"What's your name?" he asks again.

I don't answer fast enough. He roars, slamming his fist into the drywall next to my head. The house seems to shake.

"What is your name?"

He didn't even give me a second to breathe. I straighten my spine, pulling myself up to my full height. I refuse to look small.

"Solenn," I say. My voice catches, but I hold his stare.

He’s a ticking time bomb. I don’t want to be around when the fuse hits the end. I turn and walk out the door. I don't run. I won't give him the satisfaction of a chase, and I won't trigger his wolf's drive to hunt.

'Eva, stay down,' I warn. My wolf is already whimpering, wanting to submit to an Alpha that isn't hers. I can’t risk it.

I just want to be home. I want soft clothes and a bed. The flu is winning, and my head feels like it’s full of lead. I look up at the bruised, purple clouds. If it rains on me, I might actually cry.

Once the packhouse is out of sight, I break into a jog.

'This shouldn't have happened,' Eva whispers. She feels small. Isolated.

'I know. We should have a Beta mate,' I reply.

We’re pack animals. If I’m mated to an Alpha, I’m an outcast. I won't fit with the Lunas, and the Betas won't see me as one of them anymore. Then there’s the Sovereign Circle. They don’t like anomalies. They'll judge us, and they aren't known for being kind.

'Asher has no heir now,' Eva realizes.

I nearly trip over my own feet. I stop dead in front of my house. "Shit," I breathe.

I push through the front door.

"Solenn? Is that you?" my mother calls from the kitchen.

She pops her head out, her face lighting up. She rushes over and throws her arms around me in a suffocating hug.

"You found him! And you didn't link me?" She pulls back, faking a pout. "Is he cute? Please tell me he’s nice. You have to spend forever with him. Unless there's a rejection, but god, I hope not. I don't want a sad, rejected daughter."

"He's an Alpha," I say.

I push past her into the kitchen. I haven't eaten all day. I need fuel for the hibernation I'm planning. I'm not going to that meeting tomorrow. He didn't ask me to go; he commanded it.

"Honey, that’s impossible," my mother says, her smile fading. She nudges me away from the stove and starts ladling soup into a bowl. "The laws. A Beta and an Alpha? It doesn't happen."

"I know. We'll have to reject each other," I mutter. I blow on the steam rising from the bowl.

She sits beside me, sighing. "Your dad linked me to say you found him, but then he went silent. He must be panicking. This has only happened once before, back when your father and I were young."

She starts flipping through a newspaper, her voice dropping to a murmur. "That girl didn't make it. Her mate killed her. He said she wasn't strong enough to handle him."

I freeze, my spoon halfway to my mouth. My hands fly out to my sides as I stare at her in pure horror.

"What the fuck?" I gasp.

I push my bowl of soup away and stand up. My heart hammers against my ribs. "Are you saying I'm going to die?"

My mother’s eyes go wide. She bites her lip and looks at the floor. "No, honey. I’m just saying the last person who stood where you are didn't have a happy ending."

I don't want to hear another word. I turn and storm out, my boots heavy on the floor as I head for the stairs. I just want to sleep. I want this day to disappear.

I throw my bedroom door open and freeze. He's there. He's sitting on my bed like he owns it, a dark smirk tugging at his lips.

A shriek rips from my throat. I scramble backward, my heels skidding on the hardwood as I try to put distance between us.

"Don't run from me, baby," he says. His voice is a low, mocking crawl. He stands up and reaches out a hand to catch me.

I ignore it. I grab the banister and haul myself up, my knuckles white.

"Mom!" I scream.

The house shakes as she runs up the stairs. She stops dead behind me, her breath hitching. "Oh shit," she whispers.

'So you didn't set this up?' I project the thought at her, my mind sharp with panic.

'No. I'm a romantic, Solenn, not a psychopath,' she snaps back. We both stare at the man. He’s tall, solid, and dangerous.

'Just talk to him,' Vivienne pleads in my head. 'Maybe he wants to fix this before our wolves get any more obsessed.'

I look at her, horrified. She’s giving up.

"Would you like to talk in my office, Alpha Fenrys?" I manage to keep my voice steady. I point down the hall.

My mother vanishes. She’s probably going to find Asher and his men. She knows she can't fight him, and neither can I.

"Why the title? You know my name," he says. He sighs, but he follows me.

'Be nice,' Eva whispers in the back of my mind. 'Maybe if we’re friendly, he won't kill us like the girl in the story. Offer him coffee. Just be polite.'

I hate that my wolf is right. We both just want to stay alive.

"Because it’s your title, Alpha," I say. I lead him into the small room and sit behind my desk. I feel safer with a heavy slab of wood between us.

I don't have a guest chair. There’s just an old armchair in the corner where my mother sits to gossip. He perches on the edge of it, his presence making the room feel tiny.

"It’s not my name," he repeats. He’s scowling now.

"I’m not comfortable using your name. You got aggressive when I didn't speak fast enough earlier. To be honest, I don't feel safe with you."

He looks surprised. His stony expression cracks for a split second before it hardens again. "I'm not that bad," he grumbles.

"Alpha, you can't even control your temper around other leaders. I'm a Beta. I don't have your strength. I can't protect myself if you snap."

I keep my face like ice. I can't let him see the terror. I’m fighting to keep my scent neutral, praying I don't smell like the prey I feel like.

"Just call me by my name and we won't have a problem," he snarls. He folds his arms, looking irritated. Then, a slow, predatory smirk spreads across his face. "I'll give you a hint. It's the name you'll be screaming when I have you in bed."

Eva gasps in my head. The crudeness of it makes my skin crawl.

"That's a high bar to set for yourself," I spit back. I lean forward, my eyes locking onto his. "Most men who brag like that are overcompensating for something they lack. I doubt I’d scream for you, and I know I won’t be getting into your bed."

I watch him, waiting for the explosion. He’s out of his mind if he thinks he can talk to me like that.

Solenn

"You have to come with me," he says. His voice is hard, like a command.

I stare at him. I don't blink. I stand up slowly from my desk, my blood starting to simmer. "Did the Moon Goddess send a new memo? Some rule I missed?"

I'm a Beta. I was born to this rank, and I earned it. I don't take orders well, especially not from an Alpha who isn't mine. Technically, he has no power over me.

Axel shrugs, looking bored. "I'll get you to my pack one way or another. I don't care how."

I breathe in through my nose, sharp and cold. I sit back down and lace my fingers together. I keep my eyes locked on his. "Try to force me, and I will reject you."

'We can't! He's our mate,' Eva whimpers in my head.

'Shut up,' I snap back. 'I’m playing a hand here. I’m not dropping my life just to go cook his dinner.'

'I like cooking,' she grumbles.

I ignore her and wait for Axel to speak.

"You won't reject me," he says. He actually scoffs. "Your wolf needs me too much."

A laugh bursts out of me. It isn't a nice sound. I stand up again and start walking toward the door. "You’d be surprised how little she needs you."

As I try to pass him, his hand shoots out. His fingers wrap around my wrist like a vice. He squeezes hard. My inner wolf rumbles, a low growl vibrating in my chest. I don't think; I just react. I unsheathe my claws and twist my arm, digging into his skin to draw blood.

He doesn't flinch. He just tightens his grip until my bones ache.

Fine. I lean in and sink my teeth into his hand. I bite down until I taste copper.

Axel yelps and lets go. I stumble back, my heart hammering against my ribs. I glare at him.

"What the fuck?" he snarls, clutching his bleeding hand. His eyes flash a dangerous, predatory gold. "Why did you bite me?"

"You didn't let go," I hiss. I reach for the office door. "Don't put your hands on me."

"Since when are you so delicate?" he growls.

I don't answer. I bolt out of the room and head for the stairs. I need to get to the ground floor. There are weapons down there, and more space to run if he decides to shift and hunt me.

"I think you just marked me!" he yells from the hallway.

I don't care. I scramble down the steps, my feet skidding as I hit the kitchen floor. My mother is there. She spins around, barely moving out of my way as I charge past.

"Solenn? What's happening?"

I grab her hand and yank her toward the back door. I can hear his heavy boots hitting the stairs. "Move," I mutter. I fumble with the lock, push her out onto the porch, and slam the door behind us.

Inside, Eva is a mess. She’s paralyzed with fear. Axel let out a wave of Alpha dominance back in the office, and it’s still crushing her.

"Where are we going?" my mother whispers. Her eyes are glowing. She’s trying to link my father, but she’s shaking too hard to focus.

"The barracks," I say.

We sprint. My mother finds her stride, her Beta strength kicking in. I’m a tracker, built for speed and stealth, not just raw power. My senses are sharp. As we hit the tree line, the air clears, and I finally catch his scent. It’s heavy, like cedar and rain. And it’s getting closer.

"Mom, faster," I bark.

I want to shift, but Eva is still frozen. I have to stay on two legs and pray. We know these woods better than anyone; we spent years patrolling these trails.

"He's right behind us," my mother calls out.

"Shift and run!" I yell.

She doesn't hesitate. In one fluid motion, she shifts. A large grey wolf hits the dirt and surges forward, weaving through the brush. I stay human, jumping over fallen logs and dodging branches.

A roar tears through the forest behind us. It’s loud enough to make the leaves tremble.

'Dad,' I mind-link, my thoughts frantic. 'We’re heading to the barracks. Axel is coming. I think he’s going to kill me.'

My father’s voice explodes in my head, full of rage and curses. 'Get there. I'm locking the place down.'

I don't look back. I push my lungs until they burn. My ears twitch, and Eva finally helps, sharpening my hearing. I can hear his breathing now. I can hear the dirt churning under his feet.

He’s gaining on me.

The heavy thud of paws hits the dirt behind me. He’s shifted. I can hear him struggling with the thick brush of my home turf. He doesn't know these woods.

I take a sharp left toward the barracks and kill my scent. I sniff the air. My mother’s scent is gone too. She made it. I can hear the muffled voices of the guards taking her inside. They’re asking about me.

I’m standing in the open like a target. I grab a nearby trunk and climb. The bark bites into my palms and scrapes my forearms, but I don’t make a sound. I reach the higher branches and tuck myself into the leaves. As long as he doesn’t look straight up, I’m invisible.

I used to do this for fun. Now I’m hiding from a mate who wants to break me.

'Maybe we should have just talked,' Eva whispers.

I feel for her. She grew up seeing mates as equals. That’s how it’s supposed to be. Rank matches rank to keep things fair. But the Fates messed up with us. I’m a Beta. He’s an Alpha.

'We're going to be a Luna,' Eva says, sounding stunned.

I never wanted that. Other girls dreamed of Alphas and pups, but I went to university. I prepared for my career. I wasn't built to be some man's trophy or a pup-machine. Tomorrow the whole world finds out. The mating ballot will be public. Everyone will know the great Alpha Axel is mated to a tracker who won't obey him.

Movement below stops my thoughts. He’s pacing. He smells my mom, but he’s lost my trail.

I start moving, hopping from branch to branch like a ghost. The barracks gate is right there. If I jump down and sprint, I can make it before he shifts back.

I reach for a limb, but my foot slips on damp moss. My stomach drops. I’m falling. I tuck my chin and brace for the impact of the hard earth.

It never comes.

Warm, thick arms catch me. I open my eyes and stare into Axel’s face. He looks murderous. He drops me onto the ground like a sack of grain.

'I guess we fell for him,' Eva giggles.

I ignore her and scramble to my feet, dusting off my jeans. I wince as my fingers brush the raw scrapes on my arms.

"What is wrong with you?" he snarls.

"Me?" I hiss back. "You’re the one using muscles to get your way."

I start backing toward the barracks. I can see our patrol officers on the perimeter. They’re watching us, waiting for a signal.

"You won't even talk to me," he says, his voice rising. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Maybe think about why I’m running. You tried to scare me. You called my wolf weak. What did you think would happen?"

His face turns a deep, dark red. He’s fuming.

"Listen to me," he rumbles. The sound vibrates in the air, sending birds screaming from the trees.

I’m shaking inside, but I keep my face like stone. "I’ve done nothing but listen. It’s my turn."

He laughs, a dry, nasty sound, and steps toward me. I move back. My heart is a drum in my ears. I’m only a few meters from the gate now.

"You’re a Beta," he says, his voice dropping to a low, vibrating growl. His whole body is shaking. He looks like he’s about to explode.

'Get ready,' I tell Eva. She’s finally with me, focused and tense.

"You are worthless," he snarls.

His fist swings. Wood splinters right next to my head as he punches the tree I was standing in front of. I don't breathe.

'I hope he gets splinters,' Eva growls.

I don't stop to look. I keep moving backward, my hands feeling behind me to make sure I don't trip. I stay light on my feet.

"You're weak," Axel says. His voice is a low hiss. "Much weaker than me. You're a coward for running. I don't want you. That's a fact."

I swallow hard, but I don't let my eyes drop. I keep them cold.

"Our pups would be pathetic," he snarls. He's shaking with rage now. "My pack would be a joke. I won't let that happen."

He lunges. His claws are out, swinging for my face.

The second he moves, I shift. My bones snap and reform in a heartbeat. I hit the ground as a wolf and bolt. He's still human, stunned by my speed. That’s all the lead I need. I fly through the barracks gates just as they slam shut. The guards are already there, rifles raised and aimed at the tree line.

"Solenn? Are you okay?" My mother is there instantly, holding out a thick blanket.

I shift back and wrap the wool around me like a robe. I’m breathing hard, my skin stinging. I walk right up to the heavy iron gate and look through the bars at him.

"It’s not all about you," I yell. "If you don't want me, reject me. You have one week to decide. If you don't, I’m going to the witches to sever the bond myself."

His eyes glow a furious gold. "You wouldn't dare."

I let out a short, sharp laugh. "You have no idea what I’m capable of, Axel. And you never will."

I turn my back on him and walk away.

My mother is waiting in the stone hallway, her face tight with worry. "Your father is coming. He’s livid."

I shrug. "He started it. I swear to the Goddess."

Right on cue, thunder cracks overhead. The sound echoes through the barracks.

"See?" I say. "Even she agrees."

I head for my father's office. I need real clothes. I keep a spare dress in his desk—one of the soft cotton ones my friend Esme calls my 'teacher outfits.' Anything is better than this itchy blanket.

'Esme,' I send through our link.

'Oh, look who finally called,' she shots back. I can feel her rolling her eyes from miles away.

'I have news,' I say.

'If you're pregnant, don't tell me. I can’t handle more baby news this week.'

I laugh as I pull the dress over my head. 'No. I found my mate.'

'Finally! Which Beta is it? Is he local? Can we still do brunch?'

'He isn't a Beta,' I say slowly.

'What? A second-born? Is he moving here for you?'

I take a breath. 'No. He’s an Alpha.'

The link goes dead. Silence. I finish fixing my hair and sit in my dad's chair just as the desk phone rings. I pick it up.

"Beta Thorne’s office."

"Bitch, excuse me?" Esme screams.

I pull the phone away from my ear. "I said what I said."

I turn on the computer and pull up the security feed. Axel is pacing the perimeter like a caged animal. He looks like he’s looking for a hole in the fence. He won't find one. He punches a concrete wall in frustration.

'He's going to break his hand,' Eva mutters.

'Good,' I tell her. 'Let him hurt.'

"The pack won't want a Beta Luna," Esme groans on the other end. "Who is it, anyway?"

"Alpha Fenrys."

There’s another silence. I hear typing. "Oh, he is hot," she gasps. "Wait. Holy shit, Solenn. He’s been investigated for some really dark, illegal stuff."

"Yeah. He also just tried to kill me. Or something close to it." I rub the marks on my neck.

"That prick," she spits.

'Solenn, your dad is here,' my mother’s voice cuts into my head.

"I have to go, Esme. My dad just walked in. I’ll text you later." I hang up before she can argue.

I stand up and walk into the strategy room. The air is thick with tension. Alpha Martel is already there, looking grim.

"He wants to declare war," Martel says.

My father looks like he’s aged ten years. He throws his hands up. "What happened out there?"

"He grabbed me," I say, my voice steady. "He wouldn't let go, so I bit him. Then he tried to crush me with his Alpha aura. I grabbed Mom and ran."

My father sinks into a chair and groans. "Goddess help us."

"He wants you handed over by midnight," Alpha Martel says. He runs his hands through his hair, looking defeated. "If not, he declares war."

A cold weight settles in my gut. I keep my face blank. "Fine. I’ll go pack my bags."

"No," my father snaps. He shakes his head. "We’re fighting this, Solenn. He doesn't get to bully smaller packs just because he has deeper pockets. He isn't taking you just so he can kill you in some dark corner of his own house."

I shift in my seat. I look around the room. My mother nods in agreement with him. Our Gamma looks exhausted. He usually looks tired because of his kids, but today he looks like he’s aged a decade.

"I don't want anyone getting hurt," I say. I raise my eyebrows at the men. "He’ll bury us in lawsuits and legal paperwork first. Then he'll strike while we’re distracted by the lawyers. That’s his move. I won't let this pack fall for it."

"You aren't property," the Gamma says. "He can't just demand you. If we ignore the mating bond, this is a trade. He has to give us something in return."

Alpha Martel leans forward. "We can win this, Solenn. I’ve already called our allies. They’re standing with us."

"Honey, stay," my father pleads. "He tried to kill you here on our land. Think about what he’ll do when he has you alone on his."

My mother stands up. She walks over and puts her hands on my shoulders.

'I can make them all leave if you need to think,' she whispers into my mind.

I feel a pang of love for her. She’s always been my shield.

'Maybe we should think,' Eva suggests. 'Thinking is safe.'

'Did you sleep through history class?' I snap back. 'Thinking is how most people get caught.'

I give my mother a weak smile and look back at the table. "It isn't worth the blood. His pack is a machine. They win because they always win. They’ve crushed packs twice our size. We won't stand a chance."

I stand up, my chair scraping against the stone floor.

"Tell him I’ll go. But demand a year of elite training for our warriors in exchange. If I'm going, I’m getting something useful for this pack."

The room goes silent.

'She would have been a hell of a Beta,' the Gamma links my father.

I don't need to hear the words to see the grief on my father’s face. He just stares at me like I’m already gone.