Damian – POV
I was just about to answer Kael when the tug hit me—sharp, direct, threading through the pack link like a blade under my skin.
Alpha, it's Liam. We've got a breach in the south border.
I stiffened at his words. Every instinct in me went on high alert. Around the table, the others felt it—something shifted in my expression because the room went dead quiet as I tried to listen to Liam.
Where? I shot back through the link.
South border, near the ravine trail. Patrol caught the scent less than five minutes ago. Only one crossed. Female. Alone. The trail's fresh and alpha she's moving fast I can smell blood as I track the scent.
I stood up so fast my chair screeched across the stone.
Riven's eyes narrowed. "What is it?"
I didn't answer right away. My pulse was already pounding, every part of me sliding into that razor-focused headspace where orders came fast and without question.
Human? Omega? What are we looking at?
Unknown. Doesn't smell like rogue. Doesn't smell like pack either. Just... different. But the trail cuts deep into our land.
You have eyes on her?
Not yet. But we're tracking now. She's fast.
keep following her I ordered
I broke the link with a sharp snap and looked back at the Alphas still seated, all of them watching me like wolves waiting for the first crack in the ground.
"There's been a breach," I said flatly. "South border. A female crossed in alone. Patrol's tracking her now."
Lucas sat forward, that smirk long gone. "Think it's connected?"
I didn't answer him.
Because I knew it was connected it had to be.
That gut feeling I hadn't been able to shake since the disappearances started? It just turned into a roar.
"I'm going," I said, already moving. "You can stay here and finish your theories or follow and see for yourself what we're dealing with."
Riven stood without a word.
Kael didn't hesitate either.
Lucas gave a half-shrug like this was just another day in paradise—but I saw the steel in his eyes as he got up to follow.
he was ready just as much as all of us was
If this girl was tied to the Omegas going missing—if she was bait, or worse—then we were already one step behind.
And I don't like playing catch-up.
Not on my land.
time to go hunting.
As I stormed out of the meeting and headed outside.
I could hear the other alphas following close behind as i made my way out of the pack house.
the rest of my pack was walking about unaware of the turmoil at the border I made my way a good distance away as the other alphas followed closely behind me ready as much as I was.
who ever this intruder was Better have a good fucking explanation on why they trespass on my territory if not am itching to get my hands dirty or bloody for that matter
Riven – POVI hated hospitals.The smell. The sterility. The fucking silence filled with things no one wanted to say.And now this.That omega.Ours.I still felt the phantom echo of her fear crawling under my skin like fire. It hadn't left me since the moment she bolted out of that hospital bed. And watching her flinch like we were the ones who hurt her—yeah, that shit did something to me I couldn't name.Now we were heading into Damian's office, the four of us walking like a damn funeral procession, and I could feel it simmering in the air. The tension. The guilt. The rage.Kael looked like he was barely holding himself together. Lucas was dead silent, which was never a good sign. And Damian... Damian's jaw had been locked so tight I swore he'd snap his own damn teeth.I followed them in, arms crossed, back tense as we all stepped inside.No one spoke right away.Damian shut the door behind us with a sharp click.And that was it.The room felt too small for how big this problem was.
Damian – POVI stood there, leaning against the far wall, arms crossed so tight it was a wonder my bones didn’t snap. Every muscle in my body was strung tight, my wolf pacing just under the surface, pressing against my skin like it wanted to tear its way out the second her fear spiked again.Kael was still crouched beside her, every movement slow, careful. Handling her like she was glass—like if he shifted too fast, she’d shatter and we’d never be able to put her back together. His voice was low, steady, like he was talking down a skittish animal.Then I heard him ask it.“Can I get your name, sweetheart?”I went still. Even my breathing stopped.She stared at him like he’d just spoken in fucking riddles, confusion flickering across her face before something else took over—hesitation, wariness. That look alone told me too much.And then she said it.Soft. Barely above a whisper.“Three-seven.”What.The.Fuck.My hands fisted at my sides before I even realized it, claws threatening to
Kael – POVI didn't breathe when she reached for me.Didn't fucking blink.Her fingers brushed mine, light as air, like even that was a battle. Like the weight of the world was in her goddamn palm. My wolf went quiet, stunned. And something in my chest cracked open.She touched me.After all the flinching.The crying.The way she looked at us like we were monsters.She chose me.I didn't say a word. Didn't jolt. Just let her hand rest there— so light, and trembling like she was waiting for me to break her the moment I moved.I didn't.Not a damn muscle twitched.I let her lead, even though every instinct inside of me was screaming to pull her in. To wrap her in my arms and keep her from ever hurting again.Instead, I slowly turned my hand and let our palms press together.Her breath hitched."Gonna help you stand," I said low. My voice was rougher than I meant it to be. Too much emotion sitting too close to the surface. "Only if you want to."She nodded.Barely.But it was enough.I m
Kael – POVShe was trembling so hard I thought her bones might break from it.Tears tracked down her face in silent streaks, and her whole body was folded in on itself like she was trying to disappear. Her scent hit me like a punch to the gut—panic,so thick and raw it wrapped around my throat.She was terrified of us.And I couldn't fucking take it.I stepped forward slowly, ignoring the way every other Alpha went still behind me. Damian didn't move. Riven's eyes followed me.Lucas tensed, but didn't speak.One step.Two.I kept my hands down at my sides. Open. Non-threatening. Every part of me screamed to reach for her—to pull her into my arms, wrap her up, fix this. But I didn't.Because touching her without permission?That would be the fastest way to destroy what little thread was holding her together.I crouched a few feet away. Not close enough to crowd her. Just... enough.Her head snapped up like she felt me.And gods, those eyes.Wide. Haunted. Brimming with too much pain fo
Lira povThey're Alphas.Every instinct in me says so the second I lay eyes on them. Four of them. All towering. All watching me like I'm something fragile they don't know how to handle.And I hate that I'm frozen.I should be running. Screaming. Fighting.But I can't even breathe right.My legs won't work. My body's trembling too hard. I'm not sure if I'm going to collapse or pass out. Maybe both.The one in front—dark hair, eyes sharp like a knife—he speaks first.Soft. Careful.Like I'm a scared animal.Which is funny, really.Because that's exactly what I feel like.Cornered. Exposed. Trapped.I take a step back, and his whole body shifts like he's ready to bolt after me. He doesn't—but I see it in his eyes. He wants to move. They all do.And that makes it worse.I don't want them near me.I don't want anyone near me.Not after what I've been through.Not after what they did to me.Alphas aren't safe. I learned that early. Learned it fast. They're power. Control. Pain dressed in s
Damian – POVThe bond hit me before the message did.Fear. Raw. Feral.It tore through me like a blade across open skin. My chest locked up. My wolf lunged to the surface so fast I nearly shifted right there in the hallway.Then the mindlink snapped into place."Alpha—she's awake. But—she's panicking. She's trying to escape."I was already moving.The others felt it too.Kael stiffened beside me, his jaw tight. Lucas cursed under his breath, spinning toward the hallway. Riven's eyes snapped to mine, and even he looked shaken.Not scared.Not for himself.For her.The unfinished bond pulsed, erratic and sharp. Her fear slammed into us in waves—too much, too fast. It was suffocating. She was unraveling and dragging us with her.I pushed the link open to the hospital staff. "Do not touch her. No one lays a hand on her. Back off until I get there.""She's bleeding—she ripped the IV out. She's not thinking clearly—""I said back off."I took off down the corridor, the others right behind m