LOGINTrent shifted back to his human form while still trying to catch his breath as a result of the fight just now. The mud on his skin was starting to dry and crack, but he barely noticed. His mind was focused on Zora.He rushed to her side, and even as she opened her mouth to speak, he immediately tugged her to his side and wrapped his arms around her."I was so afraid. I thought that I had lost you," he whispered into her ear, sniffing her scent."Me too. I was so scared when Brandon told me that you dashed into the woods. Why would you do something like that?" she fumbled, but he only tugged her tighter to his side with a small smile on his lips."Alpha!" Brandon suddenly called as soon as he was done bundling the man on the ground with a rope. Trent finally pulled away from Zora to give Brandon his attention."It's Claire. We can't find her." Brandon felt his heart break as he spoke. She had left everything just to be with him.The thought that she might be in danger all because of hi
Brandon leaned against the car, one hand pressed to his chest as he tried to calm his breathing. The wolfsbane was doing a number on him, making his limbs feel heavy and his senses dull. He had dealt with poison before during his years of training, but this particular strain was potent.Next to him, Zora stood alert, her eyes scanning through the woods. She looked tired but not nearly as affected as he was. That surprised him more than he wanted to admit.She was pregnant, and the wolfsbane should affect her more than it was affecting him, yet she was so active."You should sit down," Zora said without looking at him. "You look like you are about to collapse.""I am fine," Brandon scoffed, pushing himself upright. The world around him spun slightly, but he forced himself to focus. "Just need a minute.""You need more than a minute." She finally turned to face him, her expression stern. "That wolfsbane hit you harder than it hit me. Stop pretending otherwise."Brandon coughed before he
As soon as Trent realized that they had lost contact with the other car carrying Zora, he felt his chest tighten. This time it wasn't a gut feeling, but it was obvious that something was going on.The two guards in the front seat had gone rigid, their training kicking in. The driver kept both hands on the wheel.Then Trent saw it. A figure standing in the road ahead, barely visible in the darkness. Just standing there, watching them."There." He pointed.Brandon leaned forward, squinting. "Who is that?""I do not know." Trent reached for the door handle. "But I am going to find out.""Wait, maybe we should—"Trent never heard the rest of Brandon's sentence. Thick smoke suddenly erupted around their car, billowing up from nowhere and everywhere at once. It poured through the vents, seeped under the doors, filled the interior in seconds."Duck!" Trent shouted. "It is wolfsbane!"The guards immediately dropped down, trying to avoid breathing in the toxic smoke. Brandon covered his nose a
As soon as Trent realized that they had lost contact with the other car carrying Zora, he felt his chest tighten. This time it wasn't a gut feeling, but it was obvious that something was going on.The two guards in the front seat had gone rigid, their training kicking in. The driver kept both hands on the wheel.Then Trent saw it. A figure standing in the road ahead, barely visible in the darkness. Just standing there, watching them."There." He pointed.Brandon leaned forward, squinting. "Who is that?""I do not know." Trent reached for the door handle. "But I am going to find out.""Wait, maybe we should—"Trent never heard the rest of Brandon's sentence. Thick smoke suddenly erupted around their car, billowing up from nowhere and everywhere at once. It poured through the vents, seeped under the doors, and filled the interior in seconds."Duck!" Trent shouted. "It is wolfsbane!"The guards immediately dropped down, trying to avoid breathing in the toxic smoke. Brandon covered his no
Claire's mind drifted to what her new life would be like. Living in Trent's territory, being with Brandon every day, the man she just met."Do you think the pack members..." She paused as she swallowed hard before speaking again. "Will they accept me?""They will follow Brandon's lead. If he vouches for you, they will welcome you."Claire nodded, finding comfort in that. Through the front windshield, she could still see the taillights of Trent and Brandon's car ahead of them. Brandon was so close yet felt impossibly far away. She wanted to be in that car with him, wanted to see his face, hear his voice.The road curved sharply, and their driver slowed down to navigate the turn."How much longer until we reach the territory?" Claire asked one of the guards."About forty minutes, miss," the guard in the passenger seat replied without turning around.The car ahead of them suddenly slowed down. Claire leaned forward, trying to see what was happening."What is going on?" Zora asked, her vo
It was dark and Trent decided it was time for him to return to his pack, so he walked over to the Alpha King."Alpha King." Trent approached with Zora at his side. "Thank you for the invitation. It was an honor to be here.""The honor was mine, Alpha Trent." Alexander extended his hand and Trent shook it firmly. "I hope you will consider what we discussed.""I will," Trent assured him. "We should be heading back to our territory. I still have a wedding to plan."Alexander smiled at that. "Of course. Congratulations again on the upcoming ceremony." He turned to Zora. "Luna Zora, it was a pleasure.""Thank you, Alpha King." Zora bowed her head respectfully."Be careful on your journey home." Alexander's tone became more serious. "And remember what we discussed, Trent. Trust your instincts but do not act rashly.""I will keep that in mind."They said their final goodbyes and Trent felt relief wash over him as they headed toward the exit.Brandon fell into step behind them, silent as alwa







