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"And you think that's happening between us?" Her scientific curiosity seemed to momentarily overtake her lingering fear.

"I know it is," Kieran said, his voice deepening to a rumble. "Which is why I'm protecting you right now."

His wolf howled approval at the declaration. The man in him recognized the danger. But looking at Maya, her copper hair falling around her shoulders, her small hands clutching that ridiculous backpack like it could shield her from monsters, Kieran knew he'd tear apart anyone who tried to harm her—even his own kind.

Mine to protect. Mine to claim.

The certainty of it terrified and exhilarated him in equal measure. The electric tension between him and Maya crackled like lightning before a storm. His declaration hung in the air, raw and undeniable. Maya's lips parted to respond when the cabin door suddenly swung open with such force that Kieran's chair tipped forward.

"Shit!" Kieran tumbled forward but caught himself with the reflexes of a predator, springing to his feet in one fluid motion. His body instinctively positioned itself between Maya and the intruder before recognition dawned.

His younger brother Malcolm stood in the doorway, his arms loaded with grocery bags, and his eyebrows climbing toward his hairline as he took in the scene. His blue eyes, so similar yet so different from Kieran's intense silver-blue gaze, darted from his brother to the red-haired woman sitting tensely on the bed.

"Bad time?" Malcolm asked, his mouth quirking into that infuriating half-smile that had charmed his way out of trouble since childhood.

Kieran's jaw clenched. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Malcolm shouldered past him, dumping the bags on the small kitchen counter. "Nice to see you too, brother." He began unpacking supplies with practiced ease. "I've been crashing here. That a problem?"

"This is my territory," Kieran growled, his wolf rising close to the surface. With Maya's scent filling his senses and Malcolm's unexpected intrusion, his control felt thinner than usual.

Malcolm shot another curious glance toward Maya, who was watching them both with the wide-eyed intensity of a scientist discovering a new species. Which, Kieran realized with grim amusement, wasn't far from the truth.

"Relax. I brought food. Liquor. Even those pretentious artisanal coffee beans you like." Malcolm's casual tone belied the tension in his shoulders. "Figured you might come here after that Council meeting today. Father was in rare form—even for him."

Kieran crossed his arms, his muscles bunching beneath his black henley. "You still haven't answered my question."

Malcolm's expression sobered. "This area's getting hot, Kieran. Moonfire sympathizers are scattered throughout Granite Ridge territory now. They've tagged three buildings with that crescent moon symbol just this week." He gestured vaguely around the cabin. "I've been keeping an eye on your place. A Silvercrest-owned cabin is a tempting target these days."

"I can handle a few rebellious pups," Kieran said dismissively, though his mind was already calculating risks and advantages. If rebel activity was increasing this close to his private sanctuary, it complicated his plans for keeping Maya safe.

Malcolm's laugh held no humor. "It's not just 'a few pups' anymore. It's grown into something bigger." He lowered his voice. "Something I might be part of soon."

The declaration landed like a physical blow. Kieran's eyes flashed dangerously, his wolf surging forward. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me." Malcolm met his gaze unflinchingly. "I'm done watching Father crush anyone who dares question tradition. Arranged matings? Territorial disputes that cost lives? The hierarchies that keep wolves trapped in roles they never chose?" He shook his head. "The world is changing. We need to change with it."

Kieran's nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, fighting for control. "You know what Father would do if?—"

"If what? If his second son joined the rebellion while his heir plays jailer to human women?" Malcolm's eyes flicked meaningfully toward Maya.

The growl that rumbled from Kieran's chest was pure animal. "Watch yourself, little brother."

Malcolm tilted his head, his nostrils flaring slightly as he scented the air. His eyebrows shot up, and he looked between Kieran and Maya with newfound interest. "What exactly is happening here? The tension in this room is..." He waved his hand through the air. "Thick enough to cut with a claw."

Kieran shifted his weight, placing himself more firmly between his brother and Maya. His wolf bristled at another male's presence near her, no matter that it was his brother. The primal possessiveness surprised even him.

"I didn't know you had a girlfriend," Malcolm continued, his voice dripping with amusement as he unpacked more groceries. "Though she doesn't look particularly thrilled to be here." He nodded toward Maya, who remained huddled against the wall on Kieran's small bed, her knuckles white around her backpack.

"She's not my girlfriend," Kieran said, the words emerging more roughly than he intended.

"Clearly," Malcolm smirked. "Most women don't look like they're plotting to run away when they're dating you."

Kieran ran his large hand through his black hair. "She's a wildlife biologist. Researching regular wolves." He emphasized the word 'regular' with pointed significance. "At least, she was until about three nights ago."

Understanding dawned on Malcolm's face. "The camera Father mentioned. That was hers?"

"Yes," Kieran replied. "She caught me shifting on a motion-activated camera she'd set up in the woods. Father and the Council ordered me to find the human witness and..." He glanced at Maya, whose eyes were transfixed on them, absorbing every word. "Eliminate them."