Five

MORGAN'S POV

Once our meeting had concluded, I went back upstairs to get myself sorted for the day. Walking around the pack house in fluffy socks was fine but god forbid my pack witnessed that. A girl has a reputation to uphold.

"decisions decisions" I joke to myself looking at my wardrobe that practically had nothing but black. I hadnt needed the fancy gowns, the "day trip" outfits into the local town for 6 years now. Occasionally the business attire was useful but for the most part, something tactical did the job. And there was a LOT of it. Had to be when you ripped everything you owned shifting.

I pull on some black leggings & a tank top. I reach for my belt, a knife strapped in like an extra limb, & my boots.

In the bathroom I tie back my wavy mess & ready myself for the day ahead.

"love?" Seb calls a few moments later. I pop my head out of the bathroom door. He's standing there shirtless.

My brain short circuits for a moment, like it does every time this 6 foot tall walking muscle was even half naked.

He smirks, my face clearly showing my thoughts.

"focus love"

"Pfft. I'm focused... on... um..." I say as he drops his pants.

He laughs & starts dressing himself. Absolute pest of a wolf.

“You know,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm as I exit the bathroom, “I thought surviving humans and rogues would be the hardest part of my week. Turns out its you"

He doesn’t laugh. Not yet. Instead, he pulls his shirt over his body, steps closer, slow and deliberate.

“Is that so honey” he murmurs.

“Honey?” I raise an eyebrow. “You’re getting soft in your old age, Sebastian.”

“Old age? I’m twenty-nine, love. Hardly old.”

“Relative to me, yes,” I tease, stepping closer, letting my hands brush over his chest. At twenty-six I still feel like I have the fire of someone who survived a world gone sideways, while he… he’s steady. Calm.

He leans down, nose brushing my hair, magnetic and deliberate. “You’re thinking about last night,” he murmurs.

“I'm always thinking about last night,” I point out. “And the shipment incident before that. And probably the rogue patrol.”

“True,” he admits, leaning closer. “But that’s part of what I love about you.”

I roll my eyes, but can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. “I’m sure the part where I single-handedly navigate this chaos counts too.”

He chuckles, low and amused. Then — quietly, deliberately — he nuzzles the back of my neck. I inhale sharply, and my pulse flares. His lips brush my shoulder, my hair, just enough to make me shiver.

“I love everything about you,” he murmurs, voice thick.

“Smooth,” I mutter, though I lean into him just a little. My hand flicks up to his jawline. “Don’t tell the pack. I have a reputation to maintain.”

“Your reputation is safe Alpha” he says softly.

I tilt my head, giving him a small, challenging smile.

Before I can reply, he closes the gap and presses a quick, firm kiss to my lips. Just one, teasing, magnetic, like a statement: I’m here. You can’t hide from me.

I pull back slightly, keeping my smirk. “One kiss, Sebastian. That’s enough to ruin my focus for the hour"

He chuckles against my lips before pressing another, slower this time and I let my eyes roll closed for just a second. Dangerously close to indulging. But I tease back, pulling slightly away. I rest my head on his chest and he softly strokes my back.

*

Six years ago, the edges of civilisation were already crumbling, humans and rogues tearing through what little order remained. Morgan was in the thick of it, mid-battle, blood streaked across her skin and hands, Alpha eyes blazing, every muscle coiled like a spring ready to strike.

Then he appeared.

Tall. Solid. Calm. Unflinching. Sebastian stepped into the chaos as rogues lunged, his presence slicing through the roar like steel. His eyes found hers instantly, sharp and calculating, taking in the blood, the stance, the way she moved — and something inside them tightened.

'Mate'

Every instinct screamed it, every pulse in his chest confirmed it. He didn’t hesitate. He moved with precision, blocking a rogue lunging at her side, gripping her elbow and hauling her just out of reach. His hand was firm, steady — grounding.

Morgan froze for a heartbeat, noticing how calm he was, how unshakable, how in control even as chaos erupted around them. She’d never met anyone like him, and yet… she trusted him instantly.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened as another rogue lunged, and he growled low, protective. His movements were smooth, efficient, commanding, Alpha-born. And through it all, his eyes never left hers, silently daring her to argue.

She wanted to argue. She wanted to fight. But somehow, amidst the blood, the pain, and the chaos, she didn’t. She followed him.

Because he was firm. Because he was calm. Because in that moment, he was the only thing that made sense in a world gone to hell.

And somehow… she wanted that.

*