Chapter 15 – The First Real Fight

The attack came at dusk. Not with a noise. Not with a scream. Just… silence that got too loud.

I was in the yard with Damon. We were trying to hold the shift longer than five minutes. My wolf was getting stronger every time. I could feel it inside me.. The pain still hurt a lot when I pushed too hard. We were both sweating. Both breathing heavy. Both watching the sun go down.

Then I felt it. The bond snapped tight. Not the warm feeling I was used to. This was sharp. Cold. Wrong.

Damon felt it too. He looked up. His eyes turned gold.

“Move " he said. His voice was low.

We didn’t run. We walked quietly. Out the side gate. Into the trees. My wolf was already ready inside me. Claws out.

We heard them before we saw them. Three sets of footsteps. Careful. Slow. Not scouts this time. Hunters.

They came into a clearing. Three men. Their faces were hidden.. I knew the smell. It was the smell from the dead scouts. The same smell that had been in my nightmares.

One of them—the tallest—spoke first. His voice was calm.

“The White Wolf. Awake at last.”

Damon stepped in front of me. He was ready to fight.

“You’re on Silver Crest land " he said. "Leave.. Die.”

The tall one laughed. A short laugh.

“We’re not here for your pack Alpha. We’re here for her.”

My wolf growled inside me. A low growl came out of my throat.

The tall one tilted his head. "You feel it don’t you? The pull. The destiny. You were born to end this.. To save it.. Either way—you end with us.”

Damon’s claws came out. "Over my body.”

The tall one smiled. "That can be arranged.”

They moved fast. The first one lunged at Damon. Damon met him in mid-air. They crashed together. Growls. Snarls. Blood.

The second came for me. I didn’t think. I just shifted. Bones snapped. Light exploded. White fur. Four legs. Claws. Teeth.

I met him halfway. He was strong. Trained. Fast.. I was angry.

I slammed into him. Claws raking across his chest. He howled. Swung back. Caught my shoulder—pain flared hot—. I didn’t stop. I twisted. Bit down on his arm. Felt bone crunch. Tasted blood.

He screamed.

The third one tried to flank me. Damon finished the one—ripped his throat out—then spun. Tackled the third before he could reach me.

It was over in seconds. Three bodies. Blood soaking the grass. The clearing stank of copper and death.

I shifted back. Naked again. Shaking. Blood on my hands. My mouth. My shoulder burned where he’d clawed me.. The wound was already closing.

Damon was there in an instant. Hands on my face. Checking me. Eyes wild.

“You’re okay?" His voice cracked.

I nodded. Couldn’t speak yet.

He pulled me against him. Hard. Arms crushing me to his chest.

“You fought " he muttered into my hair. "You fucking fought.”

“Yeah " I whispered. Voice hoarse. "Turns out I’m pretty good at it.”

He laughed—short. Shaky.

We stood there for a second. Just breathing.. Sweat and pine and each other.

Then he pulled back. Looked at the bodies.

“They’re not done " he said. "This was a test.”

“I know.”

He looked at me. Really looked.

“You’re not the White Wolf " he said quietly. "You’re my mate. And I’m not losing you.”

I swallowed. Felt the bond pulse between us—. Steady.

“You won’t " I said.

He kissed me then. Hard. Desperate.

When he pulled away. Both of us were breathing ragged.

“We tell the pack " he said. "Everything.”

I nodded.

“No more hiding.”

“No more hiding.”

We burned the bodies. Walked back to the pack house hand in hand. Covered in blood. Alive.. Ready, for whatever came next.

Because the White Wolf wasn’t just awake anymore. She was pissed.. She had a mate who’d burn the world down to keep her safe.