6

Everywhere was quiet for a while before Tristan gently took my hand. He had shifted back into his human form a while ago, his warmth grounding me.

"I know it's a lot to take in. I know it's new and... maybe crazy," he admitted, his voice low and soothing.

"Yep, definitely crazy," I muttered.

He let out a soft snort, his lips twitching with amusement. But the humor faded as he squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I just want you to know that I'm here for you. No matter how overwhelming this gets, I'll keep you safe." His voice dropped to a whisper, filled with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "You're not alone in this, Jessica. We'll face it together, okay?"

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But everything was moving too fast. My entire world had changed in a matter of days, and now I was expected to trust instincts I didn't even understand.

"I don't know, Tristan," I whispered, my voice trembling. "This world—your world—it's all new to me. And I feel like there's another world I—"

A sharp thwip split through the air.

Before I could react, something whizzed past my ear, so fast I barely registered it. A dull thud followed.

I turned in time to see a dart embedded in the tree ahead of me, still vibrating from the impact.

I froze. My breath hitched.

That... would have hit me.

Everything happened in a blur. Tristan shifted instantly, his massive wolf standing in front of me, his body tense and ready for battle. His low, menacing growl sent a chill down my spine. His golden eyes scanned the darkened woods, seeking out whoever had attacked.

Then, from the shadows, a massive grey wolf emerged.

Its eyes were glowing red—not the golden hue of Tristan's, not the deep brown of any werewolf I'd seen. These were unnatural, burning with something wrong.

Tristan let out a deafening snarl, his muscles coiling, ready to spring. The grey wolf responded with a vicious growl, baring razor-sharp teeth.

My pulse pounded in my ears as they circled each other. The air hummed with tension, a battle waiting to explode.

Then, the grey wolf lunged.

Tristan met him mid-air.

They clashed in a tangle of snarls and snapping jaws, their bodies tumbling through the underbrush. The sounds of teeth sinking into flesh, of claws ripping, filled the air.

I could only watch in horror as they fought, as Tristan fought for me.

The grey wolf was powerful, its movements too precise, too calculated. It wasn't just attacking. It was toying with Tristan, like it knew his weaknesses.

And then, as if answering a silent call, more wolves emerged from the darkness.

At least five of them. Maybe more. Their eyes glowed like embers, their movements synchronized as they formed a semi-circle around us.

A chill ran down my spine. We were surrounded.

Tristan released a ground-shaking howl. His call was desperate, raw—summoning his pack.

Distant howls answered, echoing through the forest. The wolves surrounding us hesitated, their ears twitching, their movements faltering. They knew what was coming.

The grey wolf snarled but took a step back, glancing toward the trees.

And then—

A massive brown wolf burst from the underbrush, followed by a pack of sleek, battle-ready wolves.

Tristan's warriors.

The battlefield exploded into chaos.

Wolves clashed, teeth sinking into fur, growls and yelps filling the night. The ground shook with the force of their fight, the scent of blood thick in the air.

Tristan turned to me, his huge snout pressing urgently against my arm.

"Run, Jessica." His growl was barely controlled. "My Gamma will protect you."

I shook my head. He can't expect me to leave him.

But before I could protest, a wolf stepped forward—the same one from the night before. The one who had stopped Tristan.

Its eyes locked onto mine, fierce and unyielding. I barely had time to process before it grabbed my arm and pulled me into a sprint.

I screamed.

Not out of fear for myself—but for Tristan.

Tears streamed down my face as I was dragged away, my vision blurring. I could still hear the fighting, hear Tristan's furious growl, hear the sound of flesh tearing.

I struggled, trying to break free, but the wolf's grip was ironclad. More wolves flanked us, forming a protective barrier as we ran through the forest. The trees blurred past, the wind cutting against my skin.

I didn't realize I was sobbing until I tasted salt on my lips.

Please be okay, Tristan.

We ran until we reached a massive house nestled deep in the forest. It was nothing like Tristan's pack house—it was more... refined. Dark wood. Expensive. Powerful.

The wolf wasted no time, leading me inside, down a grand hallway, and into a large office. A massive wooden desk stood in the center, the room dimly lit by a chandelier overhead.

The wolf nudged me toward a chair.

I collapsed into the leather seat, my chest heaving, my body trembling.

Tristan wasn't here.

He should have been here by now.

"Is he going to be okay?" I whimpered, my voice barely above a whisper.

The wolf's eyes softened, and it nodded. Then, before my eyes, it began to shift.

Bones cracked, limbs contorted—and within seconds, a woman stood before me. Her long, wild hair was a tangle of brown and gold.

She knelt in front of me, her expression surprisingly gentle. "The Alpha will address everything once he's back."

"Back?" I croaked. "You mean he's still—"

She placed a hand over mine. "He'll be fine. You need to rest."

But I couldn't rest. Not when Tristan was still out there, fighting, bleeding, maybe dying.

I paced. And paced. And paced. My mind ran in circles, my thoughts an endless loop of what ifs.

The woman tried to reassure me, but I barely heard her.

Finally, exhaustion slammed into me, my body giving up before my mind could.

I collapsed into the chair again, my head falling onto my arms. My last thought before darkness claimed me was Tristan's face, bloody and snarling.

Then—

Just as sleep started to pull me under—

A voice.

Deep. Rough. Unfamiliar.

"She's finally here."