Chapter 11- The White Wolf

The white wolf stood tall and terrifying, and yet somehow, I didn't feel fear.

I felt… drawn. Like gravity had tilted.

He didn't move right away. Just studied me like I was made of stardust and danger, and he liked both.

Then he stepped forward, slow and commanding, eyes burning into mine.

"I'm Kaleb," he said, voice deep and rough, the kind that settles in your bones and makes you listen. "Alpha in training of the Ashenfang Pack."

His eyes shifted to Arwen briefly, then back to me.

"I'm not your enemy."

Arwen narrowed his eye but said nothing, staying close at my side, his arm brushing mine.

Kaleb turned and gave a low rumble, not a growl, but a command, and every single wolf in the circle lowered their heads and backed away into the shadows like they'd been hit with a silent order. Within seconds, the clearing was ours again.

Kaleb looked back at me. "You're not safe out here. Not anymore."

"No shit," I muttered, wiping blood from my cheek.

His mouth twitched like he almost smiled.

"There's a place," he said. "Hidden. Protected by old wards, deeper magic than most remember. My lands. My people. We don't answer to the royals, and they don't dare cross into our territory."

Arwen crossed his arms. "Why would you help us?"

Kaleb's eyes never left mine. "Because the second I caught your scent, I knew. I felt it in every cell of my body. She's mine. At least in part."

I flinched. "You mean… mate?"

He nodded once, firm. "I won't push it. You've clearly been through hell. But the connection is real."

My heart thudded in my chest. One bond already with Arwen, and now… this?

Kaleb took another step forward. "Let me get you both somewhere safe. We'll talk after you've rested. After your wounds have been tended. You have my word, you'll be protected in my territory. No royals. No tricks. Just safety."

Arwen looked at me, clearly on edge.

I exhaled slowly.

Kaleb stood there like some damn war god, bathed in moonlight and power, his chest heaving, covered in sweat, and he wore an annoyingly confident smirk. He watched as I clung to Arwen's side, trembling with adrenaline.

I was about to thank him, like a semi civilized human, when Arwen suddenly growled, stepping in front of me like a territorial beast.

"You're not touching her," he snapped.

I blinked. Oh great. Here we fucking go.

Kaleb tilted his head, calm as a damn glacier. "I just saved your asses. Maybe chill out with the pissing contest."

"We don't know you," Arwen snarled. "You could be rogue for all we know."

Before I could scream into the night sky, Kaleb's Beta growled low, stepping forward with a scowl that could kill crops. "His parents are our Alphas. Kaleb is our future King. We'd die for him."

Every single wolf thumped their fists against their chests in unison. The sound vibrated through the trees like war drums. Dramatic much?

Kaleb crossed those infuriatingly perfect arms across his naked chest and grinned, full smug Alpha mode. "What was that again… kitty?"

I physically felt Arwen's rage spike. His claws shot out with a snikt and his voice dropped into that sexy deadly register. "Call me kitty. One more time."

Kaleb smirked and started to whisper, "Kitt—"

Slap.

My hand hit his mouth with a loud crack. "I am already fucking done with this alpha hole dick swinging contest! You two either shut the hell up or I swear I'll gouge eyeballs out with a rusty spoon!"

Kaleb whimpered, like actually whimpered, I swear on the moon, and nodded like an obedient pup. He backed into the trees, throwing a smirk over his shoulder.

"Come on, goddess," he called. "Let me show you my world."

I grabbed Arwen's hand and muttered under my breath, "Fucking alpha hole bullshit."

The trek was long. Too long. But the wolves reappeared before sunrise, white and silent, like snowy ghosts. A dozen of them surrounded us, protective but not aggressive. Their eyes locked on me with something that felt an awful lot like… reverence.

I don't do reverence.

A woman stepped forward, her skin a deep, rich brown, long braids woven with silver threads. Her power rippled like a stormcloud ready to burst.

Kaleb's tone softened. "Mother."

She touched his face, eyes glistening. "You brought her."

Then she turned to me and smiled like she knew something I didn't.

"I'm Amira. Welcome home, child."

"I'm not your child," I said quickly, bracing.

She just smiled wider. "You will be. You already are."

Fuck. What in hell is happening!?

The compound was carved into trees, wooden walkways, glowing lanterns, glass rooms in the canopy. It was... beautiful. Alive. Intimate.

Too much.

Memories I'd buried shoved their way forward like teeth through skin. My foster homes. The cold ones. The cruel ones. No bedtime stories. No love. Just fear and punishment.

I didn't know how to exist inside something warm.

My eyes burned with tears I didn't want to cry, and Arwen squeezed my hand.

"I'm here, little moon," he whispered. "No one's hurting you."

Fuck. That almost broke me.

Kaleb's father, a broad giant of a man named Jorik, met us with a crushing hug that nearly dislocated my ribs. Then he pulled me into a hug like I was made of treasure.

"By the stars, you're real," he whispered. "The silver star has returned."

"Great," I muttered. "Now I'm a fuckin' constellation."

The pack was touchy. Hugging, nuzzling, sniffing, like I was a damn chew toy. I was so overstimulated I thought I might spontaneously combust.

Then came the siblings. Sol and Sera. Glowing little maniacs with matching mischievous grins.

Sol: "We're gonna braid your hair."

Sera: "And paint your toenails."

Me: "I will bite you."

They giggled and manhandled me anyway, and somehow, I let them.

Next was Dax, the Beta. Massive. Silent. Murder vibes. Hair like ash. Eyes like a war criminal.

"Kaleb," he grunted.

"Dax."

They nodded. Men.

The Gamma, Raelin, was hot as hell with a sword that could probably split a mountain.

"I serve the goddess," she said, bowing.

"No pressure," I muttered. My skin was crawling with the need to hide and scream at the same time.

Then came the grizzled Commander, Grath. He looked me up and down like I was a feral cat in his pantry. "She'll need training."

Kaleb growled. "She trains herself. Back the fuck off."

I bared my teeth. "I trained soldiers on Earth, motherfucker. Try me."

Grath snorted. "I like her."

And just when I thought we were done, Barbie's evil twin strutted into the courtyard.

Lettie Silver. Glittering in pink. Seething with rage and delusion.

"Oh, how precious," she purred. "Another stray. You're just a slut."

Sol snapped, "Back off."

Lettie ignored her. "This is my pack. My future. My Kaleb. Touch him and I'll kill you."

I smiled slowly, stepping forward, power humming in my blood.

"Touch me and I'll end you with a smile, Barbie."

She hissed, "He'll use you. Breed you. Then toss you away!"

I barked a laugh. "What is it with people wanting to breed me? I'm not a fuckin' mare!"

Kaleb suddenly roared, stepping between us. "Lettie. We were never together. You drugged me. Faked photos. I wouldn't touch you with someone else's dick!"

Even I winced. Harsh, but necessary. Bitches like her never listened. The last thing I needed was damn drama.

Lettie blinked. Then her face twisted. "Kaleb, please, she's trash! I can be better!"

He laughed coldly. "No, Lettie. You can't. Guards, get her out of my sight."

She stormed off, but her eyes burned like hellfire. I knew we hadn't seen the last of her.

I turned to Kaleb. "Any more psycho exes I need to shank?"

He dropped to his knees. Literally hit the damn dirt.

"I've had lovers," he said. "But never like this. Never like you. You're my only one now. My loyalty is yours."

My mouth dropped open. "Get up, Alpha. You don't bow to me."

He stayed kneeling. "I do now."

I reached down, brushing his jaw. "I believe you."

And then, oh gods, the scent hit him. My arousal.

His nostrils flared, his pupils blown wide. "Don't be embarrassed, goddess. I'll have you screaming my name before the night is over."

I nearly exploded on the spot.

But then I saw Arwen, watching. Understanding.

Guilt churned in my gut. How the fuck was I going to manage multiple men. The goddess hates me obviously.

He nodded once, gently, and left without a word.

That night, Kaleb brought me to a moonlit balcony. We stood in silence beneath two glowing moons.

"You're safe here," he whispered. "You can let yourself breathe."

"I don't know how," I whispered back, voice breaking.

He stepped closer, brushing a hand down my arm.

"Then I'll show you." He whispered into my ear. I shivered, the scent of my arousal strong in the air. My cheeks reddened and he smirked. "The blush looks good on you."