Page 24

NINETEEN

CHRISSY

T he music around Chrissy seemed to fade as a knot of dread twisted in her stomach. The white flower circlet in her hair suddenly felt too heavy and the red gown too constrictive as she fought to breathe. Only one thing would make Ewan look this panicked on her special day.

Marty. Marty was coming for her himself.

"Someone at the airfield and boat access point must have special connections with Marty Shriner," Ewan explained, his words clipped. "He's breached our security perimeter. He's en route to the island on a boat and—" he hesitated, his expression grim, "—he has a hostage."

"Who?" Chrissy demanded, stepping out from behind Zev's protective stance, her heart pounding wildly.

"Your father, Luna." Ewan swallowed hard. "He's threatening to harm your father if you don't return immediately to California with him."

The world tilted dangerously. "My dad?" Her voice cracked. "No! He wouldn't—" But even as the denial left her lips, she knew better. Her fingers clutched at the silky material of her gown, bunching it between her white knuckles.

"I need to get to him," she said, panic rising like a tidal wave within her. "I'll go back with Marty. I have to. He can't hurt my dad—that's all I have left."

Zev caught her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. His blue eyes burned with a ferocity that would have terrified her if it had been directed at her. "I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself again, Chrissy."

"You don't understand." Her voice broke. "My dad gave up everything for me. He put his whole life on hold to raise me after my mom left. I won't let him die because I ran away."

Ewan cleared his throat. "There's more. In the manila envelope Gerri gave us... there were articles about several missing persons. All connected to Marty. All vanished under mysterious circumstances."

Chrissy's knees nearly buckled. "He'll kill him," she whispered. The room spun around her, faces blurring and the lights too bright. "Zev, please—get me to a boat. Now. Take me to my dad."

She saw the struggle in Zev's eyes—his alpha instinct to protect her warring with his understanding of what her dad meant to her. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck straining against the collar of his white shirt.

"I would do anything for my dad," she said, her eyes locked with Zev's. "Even sacrifice this—us. Please understand."

Something shifted in Zev's expression. His hands tightened on her shoulders before he nodded once, sharply. "Ewan, prepare the fleet. We intercept Marty's boat before it reaches our shores."

"Already on it," Ewan replied, pulling out his phone. "I'll have our fastest boat ready for you in ten minutes at the north dock."

Zev took Chrissy's hand, pulling her through the crowd of pack members who had fallen silent, sensing the urgency. "We'll get your father back, Chrissy," he vowed, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through her bones. "And Marty will regret the day he challenged my mate and her family."

The slit in her gown allowed her to keep pace with Zev's long strides as they rushed from the celebration hall and into the warm night air. Her circlet of flowers tumbled from her hair, but she didn't look back.

"I can't lose my dad," she whispered, more to herself than to Zev. "He's the only one who has always loved me just for me, not for what I could do or who I could be."

Zev's grip on her hand tightened. "Not anymore, Luna." The alpha tone in his voice made her meet his eyes. "You have me now. You have the pack. And we protect what's ours to the death. And both you and your father are ours now."

Chrissy's throat tightened, the fabric of her red gown catching the silver moonlight as her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.

She'd never seen Zev like this—his eyes glinting with a primal ferocity and his jaw set in a hard line of fierce determination.

This wasn't just the resort owner or even the Alpha leader—this was the wolf, ready to hunt and protect what was his.

They hurried to his black BMW, the tires squealing as he raced through the jungle roads. The mate mark on Chrissy's neck throbbed in rhythm with her pulse as she gripped the door handle, her knuckles white against her fair skin.

"Here's the plan," Zev said, his voice a controlled rumble as he navigated a sharp turn. "You'll play along. Act like you're giving in and going back to California with him. Position yourself close to your father on Marty's boat."

"And then?" Her voice sounded small against the roar of the engine.

"And then me and the pack will do the rest." He flashed a predatory smile that sent a shiver—not entirely of fear—down her spine. "We're connected now, Chrissy. The mate bond is fully formed. We should be able to communicate telepathically and guide each other through this."

Chrissy swallowed hard. "I've never... how do I even?—"

"Focus on me. On us." His hand left the steering wheel long enough to brush against her cheek. "Trust it. Trust me."

They arrived at the north dock where a sleek boat waited, its engines already humming. Ewan stood ready, his expression serious.

"The pack is in position," Ewan reported. "Awaiting your signal."

Zev nodded, helping Chrissy aboard. "I need a few minutes first. Get Chrissy to Marty, let him think he's won."

Heart hammering, Chrissy pulled out Zev's phone from his pocket. She dialed Marty's number and put it on speakerphone. Marty answered on the first ring.

"We're coming to you," she said, forcing a tremor into her voice. "I'm so stupid for leaving. I'm sorry. I'll do whatever you want from now on. Just don't hurt my dad."

"Good girl," Marty's voice oozed satisfaction. "I knew you'd be smart about this. You and I are going to have a fresh start, Chrissy. I'm going to parade you around exactly as I see fit."

His voice lowered to a predatory purr. "I've always wanted to know what you tasted like. And soon, you'll be all mine."

Chrissy felt Zev stiffen beside her, a barely audible growl rumbling in his chest.

"The Alpha wolf thinks he's claimed you," Marty continued. "But that means nothing to me. When we get back to California, I'm making you mine forever."

"Sounds perfect, Marty. See you soon," Chrissy said with feigned sweetness. She ended the call, trying not to throw up. She glanced at Zev, seeing him fighting for control, the muscles in his neck straining.

"It's okay," she murmured, then pressed her forehead against his, focusing on their bond. I have this handled. Trust me.

Zev's blue eyes locked with her green ones. "I trust you completely, Luna." The power in those simple words fortified her like nothing else could.

As Marty's boat came into view, a knot formed in Chrissy's stomach. It was larger than she'd expected, gleaming black against the blue sea. She could make out figures on deck—one of them had to be her dad.

"Ready?" Zev asked, his voice calm but his eyes blazing.

She nodded, straightening her shoulders. The red gown suddenly felt like armor as she stepped onto the transfer platform.

"I'll be right behind you," Zev promised, his voice for her ears alone as he helped her across to Marty's vessel. "Always."

Then he was gone, his boat disappearing into the darkness, leaving Chrissy alone on Marty's deck, her heart pounding with equal parts fear and determination.

Chrissy immediately connected eyes with her dad who was tied up at the wrists and his mouth gagged.

Jim Rivera's salt-and-pepper hair was disheveled, and his kind face was etched with worry lines she'd never seen before.

But when their eyes locked, she saw that familiar spark – the unwavering belief he'd always had in her.

Her heart thundered in her chest, the mate mark on her neck pulsing with each beat.

Seeing the man who had taught her to play guitar at eight years old, who had kissed every scraped knee and attended every school recital, reduced to a helpless victim ignited something primal inside her.

The wrath that flooded her veins was foreign and fierce – she literally wanted to tear Marty's throat out with her bare hands.

Calm. Focus. Play along. She channeled the performance skills that had made her famous, forcing her lips into a coy smile as she turned to face Marty.

"Marty," she purred, smoothing the silky fabric of her red gown. "I never realized how... commanding you look when you're in your element." She let her gaze travel appreciatively over his tailored navy suit. "Being away from you these past days has given me... perspective."

Marty's ice-blue eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "Smart girl," he said, circling her like prey. "You finally understand who's in charge."

"More than that." Chrissy stepped closer, fighting the revulsion crawling up her spine. "I discovered what you really are. A wolf shifter. A rogue." She lowered her voice to a breathy whisper. "That's so much sexier than some pack-bound Alpha who needs a hundred others to feel powerful."

His chest puffed up visibly. "I answer to no one. That's real power."

"And now I'm going to be your mate." She forced excitement into her voice while inching closer to her dad. "Just think of the headlines – 'Pop Princess and Music Mogul: The Ultimate Power Couple.'"

Marty's smile widened, revealing teeth too sharp for a human mouth. "Our celebrity wedding will break the internet. Every magazine, every social media platform..." He gestured grandly. "And after we're properly mated, you'll understand what real control feels like."

Chrissy suppressed a shudder, moving another step toward her dad while keeping her eyes locked on Marty. "Tell me everything you've planned for us."

"I've already talked to Vogue about an exclusive spread," Marty preened, loosening his tie slightly.

"And after the wedding, we'll launch your rebranding.

Something edgier and sexier. You'll be the first openly human mate to a shifter celebrity.

All the shifters in the supernatural world will bow to me for that. "

Your ego is going to be your downfall , she thought, now standing just a foot from her dad. She felt his presence like a physical anchor keeping her grounded.

"And you'll wear what I tell you and sing what I tell you. You'll do exactly everything I want you to do, when I want you to do it, including pleasuring me," Marty continued, lost in his power fantasy. "I'll finally taste what that Alpha thinks he claimed, and you'll love it."

Bile rose in Chrissy's throat, but she forced a seductive laugh. "I can't wait."

She dropped her hand to her side, brushing her fingers against her dad's. Their childhood signal – three quick taps followed by a squeeze. I've got this.

Her dad's fingers moved against hers – a single tap back. I trust you.

"The best part," Marty said, stalking toward her, "is watching Zev's face when he realizes I've won. That I've taken his precious Luna and made her mine forever."

Chrissy positioned herself between Marty and her dad, creating a shield with her body. She closed her eyes briefly, focusing on the mate bond that thrummed through her veins like electricity.

Now, Zev. We're ready.