ained window of her room in Lucian's den. The space, while simple and quiet, felt suffocating. She had s

gging the glass as she peered out into the woods beyond. The towering trees were

. His words, spoken with such raw conviction-"You don't have to let m

stirred r

belong here,

luxury," she whispered under h

tartled her. Selene turned

alled, her voice s

e," came the

ci

een them as possible. But she knew Lucian wouldn't leave until she opened the door. W

irt and jeans, yet his presence filled the small hallway. His

id, his voice smooth

?" Selene asked,

e, though there was nothing casual about th

he replied curtly. "And I

ghtened, his tone softening.

n almost vulnerable note she hadn't heard bef

-

in the breeze, and the faint hum of life beginning anew. Selene followed Lucian

d a small clearing where the sunlight broke through

and, "is more than just a territory. It's a sanctuary

t your recruitment speech? Becaus

t his eyes remained serious. "Maybe not. Bu

couldn't deny that the pack's safety had given her a reprieve from t

" she said, her voice

ke me un

shing with anger. "You keep asking me to trust

oser. "Tell me what's so terrible that you'd r

she had buried for so long threatening to spill out. But she shoved

er voice breaking. "Yo

ned, but his determinatio

hat just because you're an alpha, you can fix everything. But some things are beyond sa

lk away, but his

to carry this

sincerity in his tone cutting th

it is you're hiding, it doesn't scare me. And i

etween them pulsing with an intensity she couldn'

do you? This bond isn't a gift-it's a curse. It ties us together

he didn't look away. "Then

itter laugh. "You

came from the edge of the clearing. Both w

cian ordered, s

ed. "I don't

oking back. "But if you're sm

wolf emerging from his human form. His golden eyes s

at her to run. But she couldn't leave-not yet. Something about the

f stumbled into the clearing, his body covered in dirt an

uman form, kneeling beside

e hoarse. "Rogues... They're coming. A grou

ened, his hand clenching

e wolf gasped. "They'

. Rogues. She knew thei

rity. "Go back to the den and alert the ot

and staggered to his feet,

is expression grim. "You n

he said

len

ack fights," she interrupted

ching hers. "Then stay close to m

gged at her lips

Selene couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning-that the storm brewing on t

er past and his future