Page 6

"I want everything on him. Every weakness, every ally, and every dirty secret." Zev's voice dropped to a dangerous growl. "Nobody threatens what's mine and gets away with it."

"Understood." Ewan paused, shifting his weight. "But we've got another problem."

Zev turned, sensing the tension in his friend's voice. "What now?"

"Word's gotten around the pack already." Ewan rubbed the back of his neck. "Someone leaked that we're harboring a human with powerful enemies.

"How?" Zev's voice cut through the air like a blade.

"Unknown, but the damage is done. The pack's restless—asking why we're putting ourselves at risk for a human. And not just any human—a high-profile celebrity who could bring unwanted attention to our home."

Zev's nostrils flared, his alpha instincts surging. "They question my judgment?"

"They question the risk-to-benefit ratio." Ewan held his ground, one of the few who could face Zev's alpha intensity without backing down. "And without knowing your connection to her, they have a point."

Zev stalked across the room, his movements fluid and predatory. "Then make sure they understand she's not running from just any enemy. She's running from a rogue shifter."

"That might not be enough." Ewan's serious tone cut through Zev's growing anger. "You're downplaying what we're up against. Marty isn't just any rogue—he's rich, well-connected, and probably has powerful allies. This isn't like other disputes we've handled in the past."

The weight of Ewan's words hit Zev like a physical blow. This wasn't just about protecting his mate—it was about protecting his entire pack from potential fallout.

"We need to be smarter about this," Ewan continued. "We don't know who he's connected to in the supernatural world or how far his influence reaches. If we underestimate him?—"

"We won't." Zev's voice was steel wrapped in velvet.

Ewan pushed off from Zev's desk and moved toward the door.

The afternoon sunlight that filtered through the office windows caught in Ewan's short black hair.

When he turned to face Zev fully, Ewan's eyes sparked with that familiar glint that told Zev that Ewan had an idea he probably wouldn't agree to.

"There's an easier solution here, you know." Ewan crossed his arms over his navy polo. "Tell the pack she's your fated mate. Tell them she's their Luna right now. Problem solved."

Zev's jaw tightened as he paced across the polished bamboo floor, his movements those of a predator confined to too small a space. The word 'Luna' reverberated through him with ancient power. His mate. His Luna.

"She is my Luna," Zev growled, the possessive rumble in his voice unmistakable. His bright blue eyes flashed with intensity as he locked eyes with Ewan. "But my pack won't hear it from me before she does."

"She might not understand what that means, Zev."

"Exactly my point." Zev raked a hand through his thick hair, his muscles bunching beneath his shirt. "She's human. She doesn't have our instincts or our understanding of mate bonds."

He stalked to the window again, looking out over the pristine beach where the turquoise waves crashed against white sand. Not too far from here, in the Orchid villa, Chrissy was settling in—his mate, on his island, within his reach yet impossibly distant.

"She's running from someone who tried to own her completely," Zev continued, his voice lowering to a dangerous edge. "You think she'll welcome being claimed by an Alpha wolf she just met?"

Ewan sighed, the sound heavy with understanding. "Being Luna isn't the same as being a celebrity puppet. Being your mate isn't the same as being controlled by that bastard manager of hers."

"I know that." Zev's fist clenched at his side. "But does she?"

"Then help her understand," Ewan pressed. "Time might be working against us. Marty won't sit idle while his star asset is missing. He's coming for her—we both know it."

Zev turned, his eyes darkening as his wolf surged closer to the surface. "Let him try."

The low, dangerous quality in Zev's voice made even Ewan straighten slightly. The bond between them ran deep, but at this moment, Ewan was facing his Alpha in full protective mode.

"A mate is protective and possessive because it's about love and connection," Ewan said more softly. "That manager of hers is possessive because she's a commodity to him. There's a world of difference there, Zev."

Zev stalked closer, radiating authority with every step. The scent of Chrissy still lingered on his skin from their brief touch, inflaming his territorial instincts.

"My pack will protect her," Zev stated, each word precise and final. "Because I, their Alpha, command it. My order is law on this island."

The air between them crackled with tension as Zev's dominance filled the room. His voice dropped an octave lower. "Isle Luna is not a democracy. I don't need to explain myself to anyone."

Ewan held his ground for a long moment, then inclined his head in submission, acknowledging the command of his Alpha.

"As you wish," he conceded. "But don't wait too long to tell her, Zev. She deserves to know why she feels drawn to you—why her body responds to you even if her human senses can't identify the mate bond."

The truth of Ewan's words hit Zev hard. Already he could sense it—the invisible thread connecting him to Chrissy, pulling tighter with every passing minute they were on the same island.

"I'll tell her when she's ready," Zev said finally. "When she feels safe. When she trusts me enough to hear it."

Ewan nodded once, then left Zev alone with the tumult of his thoughts.

Zev braced his large hand against his desk, his powerful body humming with restless energy. His wolf paced, impatient to claim what was his by ancient right. The primal urge to mark her and to show the world she belonged to him was nearly overwhelming.

"Soon," he promised his wolf, his voice a rough whisper in the empty room. "She'll be ours."