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The fight ended as suddenly as it began, leaving three dead guards on the tiled floor. Blood pooled beneath them, steam rising from their cooling bodies in the cold tunnel air.

Maya's half-shifted form trembled with adrenaline and exertion. She turned to Kieran, feeling her features soften and shift back toward human. His magnificent black wolf padded toward her, nuzzling against her neck with a gentleness that belied his ferocity moments before.

She buried her hands in his thick fur, feeling the solid warmth of him against her. His wolf made a sound somewhere between a growl and a purr, vibrating through his chest into hers.

Each breath synchronized between them, their heartbeats finding the same rhythm. The other wolves retreated, giving them space in a show of respect that even Maya's novice shifter instincts recognized.

Then, in a fluid motion, Kieran's wolf form melted away, replaced by his human shape. Maya's body responded in kind, completing her transition back to human form.

Kieran pulled her into his powerful arms. Against her ear, his voice was rough with emotion. "I felt you calling me," he whispered, his lips brushing her temple. "I felt your fear, your pain."

Maya's fingers dug into the muscles of his bare back, anchoring herself to him. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again." Her voice cracked with relief and lingering terror. "I didn't know if I could hold on long enough."

Kieran pulled back enough to frame her face with his hands, his eyes almost glowing with possessive intensity. "I would have torn this building apart stone by stone to find you."

His hands tightened on her, as if assuring himself she was real. Maya felt the tremor in his fingers—not fear, but rage barely contained.

"We just killed together," she whispered, the reality of what they'd done settling over her.

"Yes." His eyes searched hers, looking for signs of regret or disgust. "My wolf and yours. Our first hunt." The possessive pride in his voice sent a thrill through her blood.

"It felt... right," Maya admitted, surprising herself with the absolute truth of it.

TWENTY

KIERAN

Kieran's chest swelled with primal satisfaction. His mate had embraced her true nature—had fought alongside him. The bond between them pulsed with renewed strength.

He pressed his forehead against hers, breathing in her scent now laced with the metallic tang of battle. "Much as I'd like to savor this moment, we need to move." His voice dropped to a commanding whisper as he addressed the pack around them. "Three minutes to dress and form up."

His brother nodded sharply, already pulling on tactical gear from a backpack one of the team had carried. Kieran kept his body between Maya and the others as they dressed, his protective instincts flaring. She might have proven herself in battle, but she was still new to this world—his to shield.

"Put this on," he said, handing Maya the white lab coat. "Blend in until we're out."

Maya slipped the coat over her hospital gown. Her movements were a bit sluggish from her recent transformation but efficient and focused. Kieran noted with approval howquickly she was adapting, especially in his presence—a survivor's instinct that called to his own.

"Southeast exit?" she asked, tying her copper hair back.

"Good instincts," Kieran replied, zipping up his tactical vest. "Gamma team secured it ten minutes ago."

Malcolm approached, now fully dressed in black combat gear. "Ready when you are, brother."

Kieran nodded, surveying his team with a critical eye. Five of his most loyal Silvercrest pack members plus Malcolm and Eli. A small force, but each wolf was battle-tested and committed to the cause. To Maya's cause. His cause.

"Formation delta," Kieran ordered. "Maya stays between Malcolm and me. No one engages unless necessary."

They moved through the sterile corridors of the Granite Ridge medical facility with practiced stealth. Kieran felt Maya's presence behind him like a heat signature, his senses hyper-attuned to her every movement and every breath. The need to protect her burned in his blood with an intensity that surprised even him.

Two corridors from the southeast exit, Kieran held up a fist, halting the group. His nostrils flared at the scent of unfamiliar wolves ahead—at least six of them.

"Shift," he ordered, his voice a low rumble. "They're waiting for us."

The transformation rippled through the team in near silence, clothes discarded as fur erupted over skin. Kieran glanced at Maya, watching as she fully shifted with surprising grace for someone so new to her nature. He knew it must be because his wolf was stabilizing hers now.

Her wolf form was smaller than his, russet-gold with hints of copper, her bright green eyes maintaining that fierce intelligence that had first drawn him to her.

Stay close to me,he projected to her through their mate bond, uncertain if she could hear him yet.