53

Caden’s POV

I can’t believe how she spoke to me. I’m honestly a little heartbroken. I hate what I’m doing to her—but I also can’t give in.

“Are you actually shocked? After everything? She’s right!” Cain snaps, glaring at me.

“How the hell is she right? She kicked us out!” I snap back, killing the bike engine and jumping off. I need to hit something, or I’m going on a killing spree—and there’s only one place I can do that without Dad killing me: the fight club.

“She’s right because it’s true. You’re expecting her to hold hands, snuggle on the couch, and act like a couple—without actually being one. You’re hurting our mate because you’re scared, and I’m sick of it. Just get over yourself and be with her!”

I roll my eyes and stretch, trying to push Cain’s words out of my head.

The crowd parts as I approach. My aura’s out and there’s no dragging it back in—not until I calm down. But that’s not happening tonight. I feel like my world’s falling apart. I’m losing her, and I can’t do a damn thing about it. It’s killing me.

I need pain. Something—anything—to mask the heartache blowing through the bond. Even with the wolves taking the brunt of it, the pain’s getting worse every day. It’s unbearable.

“It’s not just her heartbreak,” Cain growls, snapping me from my thoughts.

I pause. “I don’t understand.”

“You’ve spent so long blocking your own emotions, you can’t even tell them apart! You didn’t just block her out—you blocked all of us. And now you can’t handle it. You’re a ticking time bomb.”

As he says it, I stop fighting it—I let it in.

The force of it knocks me to my knees.

The bond screams at me—the pain of ignoring her, the pain of being apart—it breaks me. I scream, punching the ground as the weight of it buries me. I feel like I’m drowning in my own grief.

“Alpha, what’s wrong?” Simon barks, dropping beside me. Ryan lands next to him, worry flickering across his face even though he’s still pissed at me.

“You finally opened up?” Ryan asks.

I bite my lip and nod, afraid if I speak, I’ll scream again.

“You need to work through it. Get in the ring.” Ryan nods at Simon. They grab an arm each and drag me to the center where the last fight just ended.

A warrior I’ve seen before steps up. She’s not much bigger than Baylee, but she’s a master of everything—kickboxing, MMA, wrestling, you name it.

“I’ve been waiting patiently to fight you, Alpha. Mind if I?” she asks.

I nod and close my eyes, breathing deeply. I let the emotions flow through me, ready to escape through my fists. As I nod, the countdown begins—and she attacks.

Her foot slams into my face.

And then something I haven’t felt in years slides down my cheek.

Blood.

She made me bleed?

The shock freezes me, giving her a second hit. My eye closes, blood streaming from my brow. But somehow, it’s a release. The pain opens the floodgates. I let her hit me again. And again. And again.

“What are you doing, Caden? Fight back!” Ryan roars.

I lift my arms to shield my face as she charges again. She sweeps my legs and sends me crashing down, landing another hit as I fall.

“If you don’t win, they’ll challenge you! MAN THE FUCK UP!” Ryan screams through the link.

Cain surges forward, dragging me back into my body. The pain rips through me—but it fuels me. As Cain takes over, we grab the girl by the leg mid-kick. She got cocky when I didn’t fight back. That was her mistake.

As I glance around, I see it—how many of them want to challenge me, take my future position, become Alpha of the largest pack in the world. That thought pisses me off.

I roar and launch forward, merging with Cain. I punch her in the face and drop her leg. This time, I’m ready. When she tries again, I fight back—hard. Every punch bleeds pain, rage, heartbreak. Blood and sweat run down my skin as I let it all out.

⸻

Baylee’s POV

As my eyes close and my body finally relaxes, something in my chest releases. I bolt upright, gasping.

Caden.

The heartbreak—some of it just flowed from my chest into him.

My heart races as I realize: it was his pain all along.

“He’s been blocking his emotions this whole time,” Ailm whispers.

I sit forward, stunned. I can feel it now—his pain, separated from mine because the bond finally let it in again. The pain I felt earlier tonight during our fight… it wasn’t even mine. It was his. All his.

He’s in agony—and neither of us even knew it.

I’m up in seconds, throwing on sweats, a hoodie, and my Converse before sprinting out the door.

As I reach my bike, a sharp pain stabs my chest. This isn’t just emotion—this is physical.

“He must be at the fight club?” I ask Ailm.

She frowns. “He doesn’t normally feel pain.”

“Maybe now that he’s letting the emotions in, his body’s too distracted to shield him.”

Another wave hits. I feel a strange release from him—like the physical pain is dulling the emotional torment.

My stomach drops. He’s taking hits on purpose. Just to feel relief. It’s what I used to do. It’s how I almost died in that lake.

I can’t let him go through this alone. I’m still mad at him—but one thing never changes: I love him. And he loves me.

We fight constantly, but maybe fighting together is better than fighting apart.

“Are you with him?” I ask Ryan, kickstarting the bike.

“Yep. He’s starting to fight back now. Did you feel it?”

I exhale in relief. At least he’s not alone. But before I can reply, Dad links in.

“Did you tell a rogue to come to our border and say ‘Scooby Doo’ to link you?”

He actually sounds amused.

“Yes, I did. He’s my spy. I knew you wouldn’t tell me otherwise. And I didn’t want you and Caden bullying him.”

I can hear his eye roll. He and Caden both hate how I’ve taken an interest in the rogues. But not all of them are bad. Some of them want redemption. And when they prove themselves, I’ll let them join—when I’m Luna.

“Well, he’s in the cellar. Says it’s urgent and he’ll only talk to you,” Dad mutters.

I smirk. I added that clause for a reason.

“On my way!” I say, peeling off toward the packhouse. Caden will have to wait.

“Are you with Caden? He’s blocking me out,” Dad asks.

“We had a fight. He’s at fight club.”

“Another one? Damn. I don’t think your mum and I fought this much in our entire marriage.”

“Well, you’re not an asshole who refuses the bond,” I snap.

“Just hang on, baby girl. He’ll realize what he’s missing soon enough,” he says before ending the link.

“I’ve gotta meet a rogue in the cellar. Is he okay for now?” I ask Ryan.

“He’s fine. Do you need backup?”

My heart warms a little. Ryan’s the best big brother. Always has my back—even though May’s his mate.

“No, I’m good. Just watch over him. If he needs me, link me.”

“He’s fine. About time he let it in. Maybe now he’ll stop being a dickhead.”

I smirk, but worry still lingers. Caden’s not fighting back like he used to. It’s like he’s letting the hits come—doing just enough to win.

“Maybe… I’ll call over soon,” I say, closing the link.

When I reach the cellar, Dad’s already there—tired, annoyed.

“Seriously? It’s the middle of the night. Why is a rogue here to talk to you now?” he snaps.

“Let’s find out,” I say, heading down.

Inside, Lenny’s waiting. He’s in his 50s, used to have a wife and child. Lost them both. Became a rogue. Then tried to join a pack—the one just over from us. Small, too much land, not enough fighters. I caught him once, heard his story, let him go. Now he’s my double agent.

“Little Luna! Good to see you,” he grins.

“You too, Lenny. What’s up?”

“I had a meeting with the spies tonight.”

I sit opposite him, grinning. “So they trust you again?”

“They had to. The other rogue was killed last night—your men got him.”

“Serves him right for crossing the border,” Dad growls.

“Agreed. He was a dick,” Lenny replies, smirking. “Anyway, the spy—you know him. That’s why I came straight here.”

“Know him how?” Dad asks.

“He was your date tonight. You embarrassed him. Badly.”

My eyes widen. “Tim?! Didn’t Mum read him?”

“His parents were read. Not the kids,” Dad mutters. “Probably had a witch hide their thoughts anyway. The plan was to get close to you, lure you off territory, then capture you and sell you to the humans. The young Alpha would follow—and they’d take him too.”

I roll my eyes. We’ve had random attacks over the years, but no one’s hunted us seriously since we were kids. Those tribes failed—no leadership, no money.

“Do you know who the humans are?”

“No. Just that Tim said it’d take longer. You embarrassed him, and when he did get you off territory, you brought your sister, a friend, and a guard. No way to run with you.”

“Who asked for security?” Dad asks.

“Me. May was coming. I wouldn’t risk her safety.”

Dad smiles, pulling me into a side hug. “So smart.”

Lenny watches us, a little sad. Probably thinking of his own kids.

“So what now?” Dad asks.

I look at Lenny. “Still up for being a double agent?”

He grins. “Always.”

“Then go back. Relay the message. Keep doing what you’re doing. When this is over—if you still want to join a pack—you’re welcome here.”

Dad’s grip tightens, but I don’t care. This will be my pack one day.

“It would be my honor, Luna.”

I hold out my hand. “Wallet.”

Dad groans but hands it over. I take the cash, write down the pack number, and pass it to Lenny.

“When you text, use the code ‘Scrappy Doo.’ If you need anything—food, cash—just ask.”

“I’m so grateful, Miss Baylee. Alpha, it’s been a pleasure.”

“Brian will walk you back to the border,” Dad says. “I’m sure we’ll talk again soon.”

As they leave, Dad sighs. “Caden’s going to kill you when he finds out you offered him a home.”

I shrug. “Leave him to me. I need to get to him before he lets someone beat him half to death just to feel something.”

“What do you mean?” Dad asks, catching up, looking worried.

“He let his emotions in. They’re crushing him. His body can’t defend itself. He’s bleeding because he wants the pain more than he wants to feel.”

Dad growls. “Why are you two so damn frustrating?! Just talk and fix it!”

“If he were normal, I would. But his fear has him hostage. Until he gives in to the bond, I can’t help.”

I hop on the bike. “Bring him home. Have Mum waiting to heal him.”

Dad nods, and I take off toward the fight club—before he bleeds himself dry.