Page 20

SIXTEEN

ZEV

Z ev stood outside Chrissy's villa door, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. The crowd of his pack members had dispersed, slinking away under his furious glare, but their betrayal still burned in his gut like acid.

"Chrissy," he called again, softening his tone despite the rage still coursing through his veins. "Please, let me in."

Twenty minutes ago, he'd been pacing his office like a caged animal.

Chrissy's decision to leave the island and sacrifice herself for his pack's protection had sent him into a panicked frenzy, strategizing his next move of how to deal with the rogue shifter who dared threaten what was his and to ensure his mate's rightful place here on Isle Luna.

Then it had hit him—a crushing weight on his chest that had doubled him over mid-stride. For a moment, he'd thought he was having a heart attack—his lungs had refused to fill, and his vision had blurred at the edges.

Then understanding had crashed through him. That wasn't his pain. It was Chrissy's. The mate bond, still fresh between them, had opened a channel to her emotions—and what poured through nearly had brought him to his knees. Fear. Heartbreak. Utter desolation.

Zev had straightened, his wolf clawing at his insides. His mate was suffering, and he wasn't by her side. He'd been respecting her request for space, giving her time to process—and in doing so, he'd left her vulnerable.

He'd sprinted across the resort grounds, following the invisible thread that connected them.

The closer he'd got to her villa, the stronger the emotional bombardment became, until he had nearly been blinded with her pain.

When he'd rounded the final corner and saw what had awaited him, his temper had snapped.

His pack—his family—had formed a hostile barricade around his mate's sanctuary. Some had sat on her steps, others had leaned against the railings or had stood sentinel-like in small clusters. The message couldn't have been clearer if they'd posted signs. You're not welcome.

The primal, territorial part of him—the part that was Alpha—had taken over.

The crowd had froze at his command and dozens of heads had swiveled toward him. He'd stalked forward and the grass had scorched beneath his furious strides.

When he'd told them to move out of his way, most had obeyed instantly, their instincts responding to the Alpha's command. A few—the older, more stubborn ones—had hesitated.

Now, as he waited for Chrissy to open her door, Zev felt the dual forces of rage and tenderness battling within him. How dare they treat his mate this way? He'd chosen her—claimed her—and still they'd formed this mob against her.

"Chrissy," he tried once more, pressing his palm against the wood that separated them. Through the bond, he could feel her hesitation, the frayed edges of her trust. "I can feel what you're feeling now. Let me help you."

The door cracked open, revealing her tear-stained face. Then, she opened it a bit wider. Her blue tank top hugged her curves, and her cut-off denim shorts showed miles of her smooth legs, but it was the devastation in her eyes that caught and held his attention.

"They hate me," she whispered, her voice raw from crying.

The Alpha in him wanted to hunt down every pack member who'd made her feel this way. The man in him just wanted to hold her.

"They don't know you," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "And they don't get to decide who stays on my island."

Zev stepped forward, crossing her threshold with the absolute certainty of a predator claiming his territory. The door closed behind him with a soft click that felt like the period at the end of a declaration.

"You are not getting on Marty's plane," he stated, his eyes locking onto hers.

Chrissy rushed into his arms with such force she nearly knocked him backward.

His body instinctively adjusted, bracing against her momentum as his arms enveloped her small frame.

She fit perfectly against him, her curves molding to his hardness as if they'd been designed as complementary pieces of the same whole.

The scent of her—jasmine and something uniquely her—filled his lungs, calming the rage that had been building since he'd seen his pack gathered outside her door.

"I'm not letting you go back to that life of abuse and feeling alone," he growled, his voice vibrating against the top of her head.

His hands splayed possessively across her back, one traveling up to tangle in her dark waves.

"You are my mate, and I vowed to protect you and keep you safe. That's what I intend to do."

He felt her exhale against his chest, her fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt like she might float away if she let go. The sensation strengthened his resolve—no one would ever make her feel this small again. No one.

"And as for my pack," he continued, his jaw tightening as he remembered their hostile formation, "I am calling a pack meeting right now. I will tell them and set the record straight that you are my fated mate and their Luna."

Chrissy pulled back just enough to look up at him, her eyes wide with curiosity despite their redness from crying. "What's a Luna?"

Zev cupped her face with one large hand, his thumb brushing away the remnants of a tear track on her cheek. His wolf preened at the opportunity to educate his mate about her rightful place.

"The Alpha's mate," he explained, his voice lowering to a deeper register that made her pupils dilate. "To be respected just as much as the Alpha himself. No questions asked and no hesitation."

Her eyebrows pulled together in concern. "Some of them will resist because I'm human, won't they?"

Zev's lips quirked into a predatory smile that showed just the edge of his teeth. "I've already chosen you, already claimed you. There isn't anything they can say or do to change the Alpha's mind."

Her face softened, and she pressed a hand against his chest, directly over his heart. "How did you know I needed you? That I was in complete distress?"

Pride swelled in his chest at her questions—she was beginning to understand what it meant to have a wolf for a mate.

"Our mate bond is growing stronger by the day," he explained, covering her hand with his own. "Because I claimed you yesterday, I can feel your emotions through it. When you were upset, it hit me like a physical blow. I couldn't breathe until I got to you."

She tilted her head, curiosity and skepticism battling in her expression. "You can actually feel what I'm feeling?"

"It's special," he said, drawing her closer. "It's proof that we're true mates, a perfect match. You should embrace it as evidence of our connection."

Her lips parted as if to ask another question, but instead, she rose up and pressed her mouth to his. The kiss tasted of salt and promise, and Zev had to restrain himself from deepening it into something more primal. There would be time for that after he'd dealt with his pack.

Breaking away reluctantly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, quickly finding Ewan's contact. His second-in-command answered on the first ring.

"Send word to all one hundred pack members," Zev commanded without preamble. "Emergency meeting outside the main lodge in twenty minutes. Attendance is mandatory."

"Already on it," Ewan replied, his voice calm despite the tension in Zev's tone. "Olivia's helping spread the word. Anything else?"

Zev looked down at Chrissy, her bright eyes locked on his face with a mix of trust and trepidation that made him want to conquer worlds for her.

"Have security stationed at all access points," he added. "No one leaves or comes onto the island until after the meeting. And Ewan—" he paused, making sure his message was clear, "—tell them their Luna will be at my side. It's time they understood exactly who she is."

Zev walked with Chrissy toward the main lodge, hyperaware of her presence beside him.

She had changed into a white sundress that flowed around her curves like water, making her look both innocent and utterly desirable at the same time.

The golden late afternoon light caught in her dark hair, highlighting the subtle undertones of mahogany that he'd only noticed when they were tangled together in his bed last night.

His wolf prowled under his skin, restless and eager to publicly claim what was his.

"You look beautiful," he said softly. "Like you belong here."

Chrissy's fingers tightened around his. "I'm nervous."

"Don't be." He stopped, turning to face her fully. "They'll accept you or deal with me."

His tone brooked no argument. The Alpha in him couldn't conceive of any other outcome. His pack might have concerns, might have reservations about a human mate—especially one with Chrissy's high profile—but they would fall in line. The alternative wasn't an option.

As they approached the gathering place outside the main lodge, Zev felt his posture shift automatically. His shoulders squared, his stride lengthened, and his chin lifted. The Alpha wasn't just a title; it was woven into every fiber of his being.

One hundred pack members stood waiting, arranged in a loose semicircle with the oldest and most respected families toward the center.

Ewan stood slightly apart, his position as second-in-command clear in his stance.

When Zev and Chrissy stepped into view, a ripple of whispers moved through the crowd.

Zev met the eyes of those who had gathered outside Chrissy's villa earlier. Several had the grace to look ashamed. Good. They should feel ashamed. His mate had been reduced to tears by their actions, and the memory of her pain still burned in his chest.

"Thank you all for coming." His voice carried across the crowd without effort. "I've called this meeting to address recent events and to make an announcement long overdue."

He placed his hand on Chrissy's lower back, feeling the subtle tremble that ran through her body. His wolf wanted to nuzzle and comfort her, but the Alpha knew that strength was required here.

"Chrissy Rivera is my fated mate." The declaration rang out, clear and undeniable. "Though I have not yet marked her, and she has not yet committed to becoming one of the pack, she is your Luna. This is not up for debate or discussion."

The crowd's reaction was mixed—some nodded in understanding, others exchanged surprised glances, and a few of the elders frowned. Zev's eyes narrowed at their hesitation, his deep voice dropping to a dangerous rumble.

"Those of you who surrounded her villa and made her feel unwelcome will step forward now and apologize directly to your Luna."

For a moment, no one moved. Then, slowly, dozens of pack members stepped forward. One by one, they approached Chrissy and offered sincere apologies. The last, a gray-haired woman named Eliza who had been particularly vocal, bowed her head low.

"Forgive us, Luna. We feared for our safety, but that's no excuse for how we treated you."

Chrissy, to Zev's immense pride, accepted each apology with grace. His chest swelled with possessive approval—she was already acting like the Luna she was born to be.

"Now, let me be absolutely clear," Zev continued after the apologies were complete. "Anyone who treats our Luna with anything less than complete respect will answer directly to me."

The threat hung in the air, and Zev allowed it to settle before moving on.

"As for Marty Shriner's threats—we will not be intimidated. This island has been run by my family for centuries. We've faced threats before and survived."

He outlined their action plan, his voice steady and commanding. The resort would be temporarily closed to outside guests. Security would be doubled at all access points. The pack would run patrol shifts around the clock.

"But what about drones or helicopters?" someone called out. "They could breach our airspace."

Zev's lips curved into a confident smile. "The jungle canopy is our shield. It's how we've remained hidden for generations. Any aerial surveillance would only see trees and more trees—our buildings are designed to blend with the natural landscape."

As he spoke, watching understanding dawn on his pack's faces, Zev felt the tide turning. Their initial fear was transforming into something else—resolve, protectiveness, and pride. They were beginning to see what he saw in Chrissy: not a liability, but their Luna. Someone worth protecting.

"This island is our sanctuary," he reminded them. "But it's also our fortress. We have protocols in place for exactly this type of situation."

When he was satisfied that his message had been received—the nods were firmer now and the postures straighter—he turned to face Chrissy fully. He took both her hands in his, forgetting for a moment the hundred pairs of eyes watching them.

"If you truly want to return to California because it's what you want—not what Marty demands—I'll respect that choice," he said, his voice softening just for her. "But if you want to stay here with me, I will move mountains to break his hold on you."

His thumbs drew small circles on the backs of her hands, a contrast to the fierce determination in his eyes.

"Money isn't an issue. Connections aren't an issue. I will hire an army of lawyers if that's what it takes. I will do whatever is necessary to free you from that contract."

He pulled her closer, one hand sliding up to cup her cheek. The possessive gesture was as much for his pack as it was for her—marking his territory in the most unmistakable way.

"Just tell me you'll stay," he whispered, the Alpha's command slipping into a lover's plea. "Tell me you'll be my Luna in more than just name."