Page 36

LUNA

We lay cocooned in Ash’s bed, his arms wrapped tightly around me.

I kissed the warm skin of his chest, neck, and cheek, then sat up.

He looked delighted, and I felt like I was floating on air.

The bond’s hum had shifted—no longer a roaring wildfire but a steady, reassuring ember connecting us quietly, profoundly.

“Connor…” I started, but the man himself burst in before I could say more. Naked, breathless, and frantic, it looked like he’d shifted and dashed straight up here. His eyes widened as he took in our positions, our nakedness, and he sniffed the air delicately like a wolf catching a new scent.

Ash sat up, calm but alert, and nodded at him.

“Good,” Connor said, voice sharp. “You’re needed. Rival shifters on the territory. There’s a fight.”

Ash was on his feet before Connor finished speaking. Naked and urgent. This was definitely not how I imagined being caught between the two of them, especially like this. Then again, I hadn’t imagined much about this moment.

“How many? How bad?”

Connor’s gaze flicked to me, eyes flashing fiercely, before returning to Ash. “Bad. Every male and trained female.”

Ash cursed under his breath. Then we heard it: the sharp, urgent ringing of the bell.

I pulled on my top as Ash handed me my pants.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“Calling for trained females means they’re desperate,” Ash said tightly. A look passed between them—an unspoken understanding.

“What should I do?” I asked, already knowing the answer. I was neither trained nor capable of defending myself in a fight.

Ash’s eyes flashed wolf—wild, protective. He was here for me, but now the world was pulling him away.

“You need to go,” I said softly, my hand still in his. His grip tightened on my arm.

Connor’s eyes flicked to Ash’s hand. “Ash, you need to change and go.”

Ash dropped my arm like it was on fire. “Stay here. It’s safest.” He moved swiftly, shifting into wolf form, powerful and sleek.

“Connor.” I caught his hands as he shifted, eyes blazing.

“Stay safe. Close the front door behind us.” His voice was low, urgent.

“You too,” I whispered, heart pounding.

They were gone before I made it down the stairs. I closed and locked the front door, though I knew it wouldn’t hold against any determined pack attack. Bear and Lynx shifters—both strong and cunning—were no joke.

My chest tightened with a raw ache. I could lose them before I even properly had them.

I glanced out the far window toward Elena’s house. She’d be alone with Luca. They’d be scared. I had to go. I had to help.

Outside was eerily still. No birdsong, no rustling leaves. It felt like the forest was holding its breath, waiting for the fight’s outcome.

I ran toward Elena’s house on slow human feet, careful to stay unthreatening.

The street was deserted except for the distant echo of the bell’s ringing.

I knocked firmly on Elena’s door.

“Elena, it’s me, Luna.”

She cracked the door open, eyes wide as she recognized my face, then shut it quickly.

“Did the guys send you here?”

She locked the door again. We both stared at it—it wouldn’t keep out determined attackers.

“No. I was worried you and Luca might be scared alone.”

Luca, in human form, ran up to me and clung to my legs for a moment before darting back to his mother.

The tension in the room was thick. I positioned myself by the window, eyes scanning for any movement outside.

Elena murmured soft, comforting words to Luca. Slowly, he settled and fell asleep on her lap.

“If something happens…” I started.

“You can’t think like that. They’ll take care of it,” Elena said firmly.

I nodded. That was what I needed to hear, but I felt her effort to stay calm for her son.

The bell cut off abruptly.

Elena stood and released a long breath. “It’s over. They’re back.”

She opened the door just as Aaron knocked, his eyes flicking between me and Elena.

“Did they send you here for Elena to look after you?”

I knew who he meant. I nodded silently. Better not tell our pack leader I disobeyed my alpha directly. The order was significant, especially now.

“She came here to help us,” Elena said, folding Luca into her side.

“Good. The more protection for the young, the better. Everything’s okay now.”

“No one’s hurt?” I asked.

“Ash and Connor are fine, but they’re probably looking for you.” His eyes questioned me, and I looked away.

As two familiar wolves trotted past, sleek and alert, I stepped into the street.

Oh, there would be words.

I ran back and found Ash and Connor hurtling down the stairs, both in wolf form. They circled me, huffing and tense.

Connor shifted back first. “Where were you?” he demanded. I put my hands on him, checking for injuries.

He grabbed my hands gently. “I’m fine. We’re both fine.”

Ash formed next, eyes flashing, towering over me. Bigger than I’d ever seen him. But I couldn’t care about that. I checked him too—just a nasty scratch on his back, already healing fast. I traced it lightly, careful not to hurt him.

I slumped against the counter, relief washing over me. My heart was pounding as adrenaline ebbed away.

“Where were you?” Ash repeated Connor’s question, voice low and rough.

“At Elena’s.”

“I told you to stay here. I ordered you,” Ash growled.

I felt my wolf chafe—wild and restless—wanting freedom, though I knew I couldn’t win against him.

“Were you scared?” Connor asked, softer now.

“I was worried about them,” I whispered, eyes fixed on Ash.

“Calm down, little wolf,” Connor soothed, voice gentle. He subtly told me my eyes were flashing with wolf fire.

“I was worried about her, alone with Luca. So I went to help.”

“That was brave. Probably smart. But you can’t disobey…” Ash started.

“Disobey you?” I cut in sharply.

“I’m your…”

“You’re my what? My owner? My boss?” Heat flared beneath my skin, anger rising.

“No. But we need to know you’re safe when we’re out there.” His honesty doused the fire.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, guilt tightening my chest. “I can’t be trusted.”

“I’m sorry too,” he admitted. “It takes time for the edge to wear off. But there are times when I have to be the alpha.”

“I get it,” I said softly, holding his gaze.

We sat in silence for a moment, and then I realized they were both still naked.

“You might want to get dressed.”

Ash grinned. “Don’t like what you see?”

“You know I like it—a lot. But you can’t walk around with your stuff hanging out. This room is mostly windows.”

They laughed, easing the tension.

“You were worried for us,” Ash said softly.

“Out of my mind,” I admitted. Words, feelings—I needed to say it all.

“I was scared you’d be hurt. Or worse.”

“We’re okay, and the council is meeting to plan steps to keep us safer,” Ash said. Planning felt good.

He kissed my forehead and went upstairs. Connor followed.

I sank onto the couch, adrenaline finally draining away.

Ash returned, dressed in a singlet and shorts.

“Do you feel okay?” I asked, sitting straighter.

“Are you mother-henning me?”

“Yes.”

He softened. “I’m fine. I love you.” He kissed me.

“You what?” It hit me like a spark.

“We’re mate-bonded. Is that such a surprise?”

“No. Yes. Repeat it.” I whispered, leaning into him.

He held me close. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He blinked, swallowing big feelings. Then kissed me again.

“Does it frustrate you that I don’t understand the wolf rule book?” I asked suddenly.

“The wolf rule book?” he laughed.

“I don’t know the rules...like how you’re meant to be the boss and stuff. I’ve always looked after myself.”

Connor came down, grabbed two beers from the fridge, and asked, “Wine?”

“Yes. Large,” I said.

They laughed again, the tension melting away.

I took a grateful gulp of wine as Connor handed me the glass and settled beside me.

“How does it feel? The bond?” He asked.

“Solid. Locked in, rooted, but living,” Ash answered.

I looked at him. “That’s how mine feels, too.”

He scooted closer. I leaned against him, and he wrapped his arm around me.

“It’s done. We’re a family,” Connor said, voice full of awe and disbelief.

“Now, just the rest of our lives,” I said, excitement blooming inside me.

I had a home. Two people who loved and would protect me. The rest? We’d figure it out in time.