54

It might not be the best pastime, but fighting for money had noticeably improved the warriors’ performance. As I arrive at the bar, I immediately notice the crowd is much larger than usual. They’re screaming, cheering someone on—and it’s not Caden. The energy is electric, chaotic.

I jump off my bike and push through the bodies to get a better look. When I spot Ryan, I know instantly something’s wrong. He looks worried. I step up beside him, and then I see it—my heart nearly drops out of my chest.

Caden is drenched in blood. His eyes are swollen shut, his lip is split, and he can barely stand. He stumbles around the ring, barely managing a straight line. Suddenly, the girl he’s fighting launches at him, kicks him in the chest, and sends him crashing to the concrete. His head slams against the ground with a sickening thud.

Rage boils through me. I march forward, intent on stepping in, but Ryan catches my waist and yanks me back.

“Don’t do it!” he hisses. “If you step in, they’ll challenge him for the Alpha position. He needs to finish this himself!”

I groan, torn. He’s right. But watching her sit on Caden’s chest and pummel his face sends a feral growl spilling from my throat. It’s loud enough to quiet the crowd—but not loud enough to stop her fists.

“FIGHT BACK!” I scream through the bond.

He moves. In a flash, he kicks her off. Staggering to his feet, his gaze scans the crowd until it lands on me. I smile through my panic and nod at him.

“I thought you hated me,” he mutters, jumping back as she lunges at him again.

Seeing me seems to breathe life back into him. He straightens.

“I never hated you. I’m in love with you. Please, finish this… so we can talk?” I plead through the link.

She swings for his side, but he steps aside, grabs her leg, and yanks. She hits the ground hard with a scream, and he tosses her limb away before turning back to me.

“I’m sorry I caused you so much pain. I’m sorry I’ve asked so much of you,” he says. “Please… just be patient with me.”

“I will. Just finish this, Caden. Please. Don’t let her hurt you anymore.”

He nods, then turns just as she rises. She shifts to the side, but he moves faster, slamming a fist into her face. She collapses—out cold.

Silence swallows the arena. Only the bookie moves, stepping into the ring and starting the countdown. “Ten… nine…”

By the time he reaches zero, the crowd erupts in cheers.

But Caden doesn’t care. He turns to me, grabs my waist, and yanks me into a tight hug. I let him carry me through the crowd, but just outside the chaos, he groans, loses balance, and nearly falls.

I catch him, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. Ryan pulls up in his car and helps me get him into the backseat. The moment the door shuts, Caden pulls me onto my knees beside him and sobs into my shoulder.

“It hurts so much,” he chokes. “I just want to be with you. I want the pain to be gone.”

I hold him tightly, kissing his head and cheek. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

By the time we reach the house, he’s barely conscious. I’m seriously worried he has a concussion.

Dad’s face is stone as Ryan and I drag him inside. Mum gasps when she sees him, her hands clutching the air as tears spill down her cheeks.

“What has he done?” she whispers, eyes flicking to me.

“It’s my fault. Can you heal him?” I ask.

She shrugs and gestures to the TV room. Dad takes Caden’s weight from me, helping Ryan lay him down. I sit beside his head on the floor.

Mum checks him, frowning, then closes her eyes. Caden looks at me, unfocused, like he’s drunk. When nothing happens, Mum growls, grabbing his face.

“Caden, you need to let me heal you!” she snaps.

“No, it hurts too much!” he sobs, turning his head.

Tears blur my vision. I know that feeling—being so lost in grief that only physical pain can numb it.

“Let me heal you and it won’t hurt anymore,” Mum says softly, genuine worry etched into her face.

“No… I like this pain. The other pain is worse,” he cries.

Mum looks to me and shakes her head. “I didn’t know hellhounds could even get hurt like this. He has a fractured skull. If I don’t relieve the swelling, he might end up in a coma… and I don’t know if he’ll wake up.”

My stomach drops. I lean close so he can see me.

“Please, Caden… let Mum heal you. Don’t leave me.”

He shakes his head weakly. “Not until the bond. Only when you’re eighteen. I can’t take the pain otherwise.”

Tears stream down my face. I look to Mum helplessly.

“What do we do?”

She shrugs. “He’s still holding his mental walls. I can’t get in unless he drops them.”

An idea hits me. I glance at Dad, biting my lip.

“Don’t be mad, okay?”

He frowns, then smirks slightly, guessing what I’m about to do. “Do what you need to.”

I turn to Mum. “Get ready.”

She frowns, confused, but nods and grabs his legs.

I lean forward and press my lips to his.

His body stiffens, but as the sparks spread across his skin, he moans. One hand flies up, grabbing my head and pulling me closer. He deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue across my bottom lip. I let him in, and the taste of him floods my mouth.

We melt into each other.

His other hand curls up my back, rolling me onto the sofa beneath him. His mouth never leaves mine. The emotions surge through us—grief, longing, love—and I lose myself completely in the kiss.

It’s everything I imagined. Everything I’ve craved. The flame inside me roars to life, and I move with him like we were meant to.

When he finally pulls away, the swelling is gone. The bleeding has stopped. Only bruises remain.

“You got her to heal me?” he asks with a smirk.

I shrug, looking past him. Ryan and my parents are gone. That makes me smile—they were okay with me kissing him.

“Someone had to kick you back into reality,” I tease.

He growls, but it’s soft. Sexy. He kisses me again. “Reality can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I’m not fighting this.”

I frown. “You’re going back to ignoring me tomorrow?”

He shakes his head, suddenly serious. “No. I’ll never ignore you again. But we can’t go too far. I might be able to stop myself from mating you tonight… but not forever. Is that okay?”

My heart sinks… but strangely, I understand. Kissing is one thing. But soon, I’ll want more. And we’re not ready for that yet.

“Okay. But let’s enjoy tonight,” I whisper.

He lifts me off the sofa and into his arms.

“Let’s go to bed.”

I narrow my eyes. “I don’t want to sleep!”

He smirks, kissing me again. “I didn’t say anything about sleep.”

I roll my eyes, sniffing him—and growl. “You need to shower. That girl’s scent is still on you.”

He chuckles and carries me to his room, dumping me on the bed before heading into the bathroom.

“Fair enough. But you’re not watching,” he says, shutting the door.

“Didn’t want to anyway,” I mutter, tossing off my shoes. I pull off my hoodie and sweats, throw on one of his shirts, and curl up on the bed.

⸻

I wake up annoyed I’d fallen asleep. We’d spent most of the night just kissing, and I’d hoped staying awake would convince him to do it again today.

The bed is empty.

I groan when I check the clock—5:30 AM. I’d barely gotten an hour and a half of sleep. But Tim will be at training, and I want to be the one to take that bastard down.

I throw my hair in a messy bun and head to my room. May’s snoring like the dead—still passed out from her big night. It already feels like that was days ago. I pull on fresh workout gear and sneakers and make my way to the kitchen.

Dad is half-asleep, resting against Mum, who’s perched on his knee.

“Morning,” I yawn.

He groans. “How are you even awake? You guys were up late.”

I frown. “We didn’t make any noise…”

“Caden told me,” Mum cuts in. “He looked like a zombie. I asked if he gave in and marked you—finally ended the suffering.”

“You want him to mark me?” I ask, stunned.

She nods. “The pain you’re both feeling is too much. Your dad and I agree—you need to sort your shit out before one of you dies from it. I’m not letting my kids kill themselves over one damn year.”

I look to Dad, surprised. He yawns and nods. “Agreed. Your lives are worth more than a timeline.”

“Noted,” I mutter, glancing outside—and spot him.

I growl. “Dad, we’ve got a Tim to kill.”

Mum frowns. “Wait—what?”

“So much happened last night,” Dad explains. “Lenny came to see her. Said Tim is the spy. He’s been trying to lure her off territory so the humans could take her.”

“Which humans?” Mum demands.

Dad shrugs. “Lenny thinks they used a witch to block the parents’ thoughts.”

“I didn’t like them, but they had clear minds!” she snaps. “Damn it!”

“Don’t worry, babe,” Dad soothes. “The humans weren’t even a threat a year ago. We never suspected the neighbors.”

“I’m still sorry.”

“Mum, stop. If it wasn’t them, it would’ve been someone else. At least Lenny told me right away.”

“Told you I was right about him,” I add, winking.

She laughs. “Still—be cautious.”

Dad snorts, then lifts Mum onto the table like a bratty tattletale. “She offered Lenny a place in the pack after his mission!”

“Well… if he keeps helping, I don’t see why not.”

I grin triumphantly. Dad rolls his eyes and grabs my shoulder.

“I’ve got men heading to Tim’s place to grab his parents. Let’s go—before they warn him.”

I kiss Mum’s cheek as we head out. The morning air is cold, but my blood’s already hot.

As we cross the yard and approach the training field, I whistle for my wolves. They fall in around me. Aspen licks my fingertips, and I smile down at him—my beta, my companion.

My war pack was ready.