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FinleyI stare out the car window as we pass the "Welcome to Glass Lake" sign, my stomach doing that weird flippy thing it always does when I know I'll be seeing Liam soon. You'd think after eighteen years of friendship, I'd be over this schoolgirl crush. But apparently my wolf, Nova, hasn't gotten the memo.Just friends, I remind myself for the thousandth time. That's all we'll ever be."Cheer up, birthday girl," my brother Rhett says, nudging my shoulder from the backseat. "You look like you're heading to a funeral instead of your own party."I force a smile, though it probably looks more like a grimace. "I just don't see why we had to celebrate here. All my friends are back home.""The Stones, Crosses, and Kanes have been coming to our place for your birthday every year since you were born," Mom chimes in from the front seat, her tone gentle but leaving no room for argument. "It's our turn to visit them, sweetheart. These summer gatherings are tradition."She's right, of course. Ou
FinleyThe party swirls around me in a blur of silver and white, but I barely register any of it. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, yearning for our mate who keeps finding reasons to stay on the opposite side of the room. But I refuse to let anyone see how much it hurts."He probably just needs time to process," I whisper to Nova, forcing myself to smile as another pack member wishes me happy birthday. "Anyone would be shocked."I'm lying to myself and I know it. But it's better than facing the truth I saw in Liam's eyes when he ran from me.Kaden, Liam's older brother and the Alpha of Glass Lake, approaches with his mate Olivia. They both hesitate, nostrils flaring slightly, and I know they can sense it – the newly formed mate bond humming in the air. Olivia's eyes fill with concern, but before she can say anything, I shake my head slightly. Please don't make me talk about it."Happy birthday, Fin," Kaden says smoothly, respecting my silent plea. His eyes flick to where Liam
FinleyThe morning sun mocks me with its cheerfulness as I stare at the ceiling of the guest cabin. I've barely slept, my eyes raw from crying, my throat sore from where Nova howled most of the night. The mate bond still pulses inside me, an open wound that refuses to heal.Why? I've asked the Moon Goddess this question a thousand times since last night. Why give me a mate who doesn't want me? What kind of cruel test is this?But as dawn breaks, a strange clarity settles over me. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes. She doesn't create mate bonds for nothing. There must be a reason Liam is my mate, even if he's fighting it with everything he has.I push myself up, a new determination taking root. I can't leave Glass Lake without trying one more time. I need to make him understand what he's throwing away – what we could be together. If he still rejects me after that, I can walk away knowing I did everything I could. At least that’s what I tell myself. Nova stirs anxiously as I dress
FinleyTwo years. That's how long it's been since I felt a mate bond tear my world apart. Seven hundred and thirty days of carefully crafted excuses for why I couldn't attend pack gatherings at Glass Lake. Twenty-four months of throwing myself into training until my muscles screamed louder than my heart.Now, watching the female warriors I've trained spar in the morning sun, I almost believe I'm past it all. Almost."Your stance is too wide, Tara!" I call out, circling the training ring. "Remember, speed over power. Let the bigger wolves underestimate you – that's your advantage."The young she-wolf adjusts, then lands a perfect combination that sends her opponent stumbling backward. Pride swells in my chest. Two years ago, female warriors were rare in Forest Trails. Now we have an entire unit, thanks to Dad finally listening to my suggestions."Looking good out there, Bennett." Bradley calls from the sidelines, earning an internal eye roll from me. But I pointedly ignore him. Tara a
FinleyPain and pleasure blur together as Dane's teeth break the skin at the junction of my neck and shoulder. The mate bond roars to life between us, bright and new and overwhelming. Nova howls in triumph, surging forward with such force that I lose control of my limbs, my knees buckling.Strong arms catch me – not Dane's, but my father's. His furious growl vibrates through the air as he yanks me away from my newly proclaimed mate."What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Dad's Alpha voice booms over the crowd, silencing the shocked gasps and whispers that had erupted. His eyes burn gold with rage as he positions himself between me and Dane. "You dare mark my daughter without permission? In my territory?"Dane doesn't look intimidated. If anything, his posture becomes more dominant, more Alpha. "She's my mate." His voice is rough with primal possession. "I didn't plan it, but I won't apologize for recognizing what's mine."Nova writhes desperately, trying to get back to him. I'm st
DaneI've spent my entire life in control. Control of my emotions, my actions, my future. Summit, my wolf, has always respected my authority, understanding that in the world of wolf packs, discipline is everything.Until today. Until her. All it took was one look at the little fireball of a she-wolf with silky brown hair and piercing green eyes to rip it all to shreds. "You've jeopardized years of careful negotiation!" My father's voice booms through the guest quarters Forest Trails has provided us when he arrived this afternoon, thankfully too late to witness my spectacular public humiliation. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"I maintain my posture, back straight, face impassive. A lifetime of training under my father's critical eye has taught me to never show weakness. But inside, Summit is snarling, furious at being separated from our mate.Our mate. Finley Bennett. The name alone sends a rush of possessiveness through me that I can barely contain. Every voluptuous inch of
DaneWe walk in silence through the pack grounds. Forest Trails is different from Mountain Ridge in nearly every way. Where our compound is structured, orderly, built for efficiency and defense, theirs sprawls naturally among the trees, cabins and training areas blending with the landscape.The lake clearing is empty when we arrive, but I don't have to wait long. Alpha Bennett emerges from the trees, his expression thunderous. He's alone, which confirms this isn't an official meeting."I should kill you where you stand," he says without preamble. “I would if my daughter wouldn’t suffer because of it. I still might.”"You could try." I keep my voice respectful but firm. This isn't my territory, but I won't be intimidated. “Does Finley know you’re here threatening me?”He snorts, ignoring my question. "Don't tempt me, pup." He circles me slowly, assessing. "You marked my daughter without permission. In my territory. In front of five other packs.""My wolf recognized his mate." I meet hi
FinleyI barely sleep. How could I when Nova paces restlessly all night, whining for her new mate while simultaneously reaching for the old bond that has haunted us for two years? My body feels like a battleground between competing instincts, and by dawn, I'm exhausted.Mom brings tea to my room early, perching on the edge of my bed with concern etched into her face."How are you feeling?" she asks, handing me the steaming mug."Like I've been hit by a truck." I take a grateful sip, the herbal concoction calming Nova slightly. "Is there some kind of record for fastest mate rejection? Because I think I'm about to break it.""Finley." Mom's voice is gentle but firm. "You don't know that he's going to reject you.""You heard him. He's promised to someone else." The words taste bitter. "Territorial alliances come before mate bonds, apparently."She sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear like she used to do when I was little. But she doesn’t argue. "It doesn't matter now." I pull aw
Dane "What do you know of triads?" My father demands, momentarily dropping the formal script he clearly came prepared to deliver."Enough to recognize when someone is trying to deliberately disrupt one," I reply, watching the Silver Creek representative's reaction carefully. The flash of calculation in his eyes confirms my suspicions—this is no coincidence, no standard honor reparation.My father studies me with new assessment, as if seeing something unexpected in his disappointment of a son. "You believe Silver Creek's challenge is connected to supernatural matters beyond pack politics," he says, not quite a question."I know it is," I state with absolute certainty. "Just as I know their Alpha has been influenced by external forces since returning from the northeastern territories with certain... artifacts."The Silver Creek representative's composure cracks visibly at this, confirming Aria's information was accurate. My father catches the reaction, his tactical awareness never dull
DaneTwenty minutes until my exile becomes official.The countdown that's been ticking in my head all day is nearly at zero, and I still don't have a clear answer. Stay at Forest Trails, officially cutting ties with Mountain Ridge forever? Or accept Silver Creek's suspicious blood oath proposal and potentially compromise the triad right before the Night of Seven Stars?Talk about your lose-lose situations.I pace the length of my quarters, Summit restless beneath my skin. He doesn't understand the human complications, the pack politics. To him, the solution is simple: stay near our mate, protect the triad, to hell with everything else.If only it were that easy.A knock at my door interrupts my thoughts. I open it to find Malia, her expression more serious than usual."Your father is here," she says without preamble. "Just arrived with an official Mountain Ridge delegation. Alpha Bennett is meeting them now in the reception hall."My father. Here? Honestly, I thought, or maybe hoped,
Finley"I don't know," I admit, finally answering Liam’s lingering question. "I haven't thought that far ahead.""I have," he says quietly. "I've thought about nothing else since realizing what a colossal mistake I made two years ago."This is dangerous territory, emotional landmines I'm not sure I'm ready to navigate. "Liam—""Just hear me out," he interrupts, taking another step closer. "I know I screwed up. I know I hurt you in the worst possible way. I know trust doesn't magically reappear just because I finally realized what an idiot I was.""But?" I prompt, hearing the unspoken continuation in his tone."But I'm not giving up without a fight," he says with sudden intensity. "Not this time. Not again. I was a coward before, choosing the safe option instead of what my heart and my wolf knew was right. I won't make that mistake twice."The declaration hangs between us, genuine and raw in a way that catches me off guard. Nova responds instantly, pushing forward with hopeful recogni
FinleyI find Aunt Kat in the western training grounds instead of Dane, watching Liam attempt to channel his newly emerging gift in a controlled environment. The enclosed space has been cleared of flammable materials, protective wards established around the perimeter, and water stations positioned strategically for worst-case scenarios.Liam stands in the center, eyes closed in concentration, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cool evening air. His mother circles him slowly, her voice calm and measured as she guides him through what appears to be a basic focusing exercise."Feel the heat within you," she instructs. "Not as something separate, not as something to fight against, but as an extension of your own nature. Your birthright finally awakening."I hang back, not wanting to disrupt what looks like delicate training. There's something mesmerizing about watching Liam like this—his usual cocky confidence replaced by intense concentration, vulnerability in his effort to contro
Finley"So your proposal is a blood oath instead of traditional combat?" I clarify, keeping my expression neutral despite the alarms blaring in my head. "That's... unusual."Alpha Blackwood smiles with practiced diplomacy, though something about it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "These are unusual times, Alpha Candidate Bennett. The traditional approach seems unnecessarily limiting given the current circumstances."We're back in the reception hall after the Skinwalker attack, the Silver Creek delegation having been kept in secure containment during the entire incident. Dad sits beside me, his presence both reassuring and tactically necessary—as acting Alpha, his authority supersedes mine in formal negotiations."And what specific terms would this oath entail?" Dad asks, his tone giving nothing away."Still to be determined through appropriate negotiation," Alpha Blackwood replies smoothly. "But focused on proper acknowledgment of the dishonor Dane caused my daughter, suitable reparatio
Liam "So much for maintaining human pretense. They no longer need it," Dane observes. "Which means they're done gathering intelligence and ready for direct engagement.""Engaging now," Finley confirms, and without further hesitation we move into a coordinated attack.I've been in plenty of fights before, but nothing like this. We move together like we've been training for years—Finley setting the foundation with direct central engagement, me somehow knowing exactly how to connect our movements, and Dane completing whatever strategy forms between us.The Skinwalkers are freaky-strong, bending in ways nothing should be able to bend, coordinating their attacks like they share a hive mind. But despite this, we're holding our own, maybe even winning.Then I notice their pattern—two targeting Finley at the front of our triangle, two focusing on Dane, and one specifically coming after me. They're trying to break our formation, targeting each position in the triad separately.They know what
Liam"Keep those positions tight," I call to the warriors lining the corridor outside the archives. "Silver verification at five-minute intervals. These things can look like anyone."The warriors nod, adjusting their formation with practiced efficiency. I've always been good at this part—the tactical coordination, the battlefield management—ever since Kaden made me his Beta. It's the personal stuff I keep screwing up.The alarm continues blaring, but there's something different about this attack. The Skinwalkers' movements are more coordinated, more deliberate than previous encounters. Less random aggression and more... purpose.I press the comm link. "Western defense, status report.""Multiple entities confirmed," Jackson reports, his voice tight with tension. "Seven, possibly more, approaching in formation from the northwestern perimeter. Using mimicry forms—three wearing Forest Trails colors.""Maintain distance," I instruct. "Silver verification protocols for anyone approaching th
Dane "It wasn't what it looked like," I say, knowing how weak the explanation sounds."Really?" Her eyebrow arches with perfect skepticism. "Because it looked like a private meeting with the woman you were engaged to until very recently. The woman whose 'history' with you apparently involved more than a platonic arrangement.""I was gathering intelligence about potential Skinwalker influence on Alpha Blackwood," I explain, keeping my voice calm despite Summit's growing agitation at Finley's obvious distress. "Aria approached me with concerns about her father's behavior.""And reminiscing about your intimate past? Was that intelligence gathering too?"The direct confrontation catches me off guard. Finley doesn't usually engage this directly with personal matters, typically maintaining a careful distancedefelcting with sarcasm."I was simply acknowledging our complicated history," I reply honestly. "Context for our current situation.""Context," she repeats, the word dripping with disb
DaneSix hours until my exile becomes official.The thought circles my mind as I review security arrangements for the pack’s perimeter. Six hours until I'm either back at Mountain Ridge facing Silver Creek's blood challenge or permanently cut off from my pack, my territory, my inheritance."Your wolves are looking tired," I tell Malia as we complete our inspection of the eastern guard post. "Make sure they get adequate rest before tonight's patrol rotation.""They're fine," she replies with the blunt honesty I've always appreciated from her. "It's you who looks like shit."My phone vibrates with an incoming message. Alpha Bennett, summoning me to the main entrance immediately. No explanation, just a terse instruction to come.When I reach the main entrance, I understand why.Three black SUVs with Silver Creek insignia sit in the arrival plaza, surrounded by Forest Trails security in careful formation. Alpha Bennett stands conversing with a tall, silver-haired man I recognize immediate