Tomorrow is another day

Emily’s POV

By the time I got close to the pack’s borders, darkness pressed in from all sides, and the only light came from flickering porch lanterns and the faint moon overhead. I crept low behind damp shrubs, my heart pounding in my ears, every crunch of dead leaves underfoot making me freeze.

The cold air carried the distant voices of the patrols, sharp bristles of their laughter on the wind. I watched them from the shadows, their flashlights slicing through the night as they passed just yards away.

My palms were clammy against the rough bark when I pressed myself flat behind a tree. I waited, breath held, then moved like a shadow against the houses, hugging each wall, swallowed by the inky blackness between them.

I could smell wood smoke and the faint tang of wet earth as I slipped unnoticed to my room. The window was icy beneath my fingers as I pushed it open and slid inside, and then a hand suddenly went over my mouth.

Where have you been, Emily? Nolan whispered in my ear.

I turned around. You scared the crap out of me. I paused, now I’m here. Nolan, I couldn’t leave him. Where is he?

In chains. Fucking Kaden is the alpha of the pack now. Ever since he stole the title from Hunter, he’s done everything to turn us against one another. You’re lucky he’s busy with Isabella; she’s his new plaything, and she loves getting people in trouble.

Both would love an excuse to punish you, especially now that they know you’re important to Hunter. I don’t even think Kaden noticed you were gone; he’s too caught up with her. But if either of them finds out you snuck back to see Hunter, it’ll be hell for both of you.

Take me to Hunter, please, I’m begging you. I need to see him.

He cursed. Wait here, let me see who’s on duty.

I paced the room, and after what seemed like a very long time, the door opened, and Nolan gestured to go.

We walked, pausing between the houses until we got to the dungeon. The guard took us through the cold hallway, holding a lantern.

You have five minutes. I love my alpha, but if you get caught, I deny that I saw you getting in.

I nodded. Thank you, I won’t forget this. He opened the door and handed me the lantern. Hunter’s face was bloodied, and he wore chains on his wrists. Tears just came to my eyes fast.

Hunter, I whispered as I dropped to the floor and wrapped my arms around his neck. I’m sorry, forgive me.

Emily, his hand touching my face as I pulled away. Why did you come back? Go, run.

No, I shook my head, I love you. I can’t leave you,” I told him, kissing his lips.

You are my mate; I have no doubt now that the Goddess gave you to me. His arms moved, hugging me as the chains dragged onto the floor. I’m in love with you, and they saw my weakness. You.

But you said Isabella was your fated mate?

He laughed sadly. I tried to get them off my back. That woman is trouble, and Kaden will get what’s coming to him. He planned this for a long time. It's not your fault; you just got caught in a game of thrones. Isabella gave me a cup of coffee; something she put in it paralyzed me, and I was at her mercy.

I hugged him tighter, inhaling his scent and kissing his neck. Hunter, I won’t leave you. We will find a way out, I promise.

My brave mate, he said as he touched my face, and the chains rattled. His wrists are red. I started to cry.

No, look at me, he whispered softly. No tears, I promised to keep you safe, and I failed. Please leave. I can’t bear to hear that someone will touch you.

Hunter, no one will touch me. I will die before that happens. I wiped my tears. Hold me, I told him, feeling his body warmth.

The guard came in. Go, soon they will change the guards, and I don’t want them to find you here.

Hunter looked at him. Thank you for this. I won’t forget you helped me.

You’re my alpha, not that prick that calls himself alpha.

I kissed his lips again and walked outside, where Nolan waited for me. When I walked back in the room, I let it rip. The sobs were coming, and I couldn’t stop them.

Emily, sleep, you need it. Tomorrow is another day; we will figure a way out. This is not over yet.

I nodded and dropped onto the bed; sleep came fast.

Hunter’s POV

Pax was stirring, and I was mentally destroyed, and I had no energy to ask him why. Then the scent hit me. Emily.

She walked, and her arms went around my neck. Like a beam of light, she lit my dark thoughts.

Why did you come back? Go.

I didn’t even believe the words I was saying. Pax was thrashing inside me. Mate, mate.

I accepted the fact that the Goddess gave me a human mate, better than any she-wolf. Among wolves, finding your fated mate is the rarest and strongest bond. The connection is felt instantly, like two souls recognizing they were made for each other by the Goddess herself. For most, their fated mate is another wolf, but for me, it was Emily—a human. That makes our bond even more unusual, and some say it’s even deeper, because the Goddess would only join a wolf and a human for a reason. My whole being loved her, and my wolf adored her. I knew there was no way I would want her to go. But I couldn’t be selfish, Kaden will use her after he gets bored with Isabella. Humans are only for breeding, so I will just keep her for that. And because I love her.

Emily was inhaling my scent, as a mate would do, and kissing my neck, desperate for the few moments we had together. I hugged her tighter, and my heart broke as I failed to be the alpha I

promised to be. I hurt her and tossed her aside, and she was the one who came back to me. She could have anyone in the pack, and they would cherish her. Not Kaden.

He is dark; he will break her first, then use her. His violence has no limit. The memories hit me hard: that dead-eyed stare, the way his hands closed around a neck, and the cold silence after. I remembered how I felt as Kaden punished those who crossed him, relishing every cry.

Just thinking of Emily, anywhere near him, tied my guts in a knot. My wolf paced and whimpered inside, terror sharpening my senses. I was terrified of what he could do, and I failed to keep her safe. It felt like my heart was in a vice, squeezed by fear and the urge to protect her at any cost. Kaden would destroy her just to get to me, and I would never forgive myself if he did.

Emily left, and I was glad I got to hold her for a few minutes, her scent still on me, and I closed my eyes, thinking of our happy encounters.

I closed my eyes, and Emily’s face appeared behind closed lids.