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TWENTY

ORION

I n a mere two days, Seraphina—his mate, his Luna, his everything—had shattered every defense he had built over these long years. The idea of her in danger in this moment sent a primal rage coursing through him that threatened to overwhelm his legendary control.

"I've got your back," Chance whispered, his usually jovial face hardened into something dangerous. "Always have."

"Just like Budapest," Orion murmured, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

Chance snorted. "We remember Budapest very differently."

They moved silently, Orion tracking Seraphina's scent. The trail led to a reinforced door at the end of the corridor.

Orion didn't hesitate. He kicked it open with enough force to tear it from its hinges.

The sight before him stopped his heart. Senator Iverson had Seraphina pinned against the wall, one hand wrapping around her throat. Her green eyes bulged as she clawed at his fingers, desperately fighting for air.

Something primeval broke free in Orion.

"You know, Senator," Orion said, his deep voice dropping to a deadly rumble, "there's actually nothing more dangerous than an alpha king protecting his Luna."

Iverson's head whipped around, his cold blue eyes widening at the intrusion. His fingers tightened around Seraphina's throat.

Orion's supreme control finally snapped.

His bones cracked and reformed in an instant, his clothes tearing as his body transformed from man to beast. His magnificent gray coat rippled over powerful muscles as he dropped to all fours, his lips curling back to reveal gleaming fangs.

He lunged, a silver blur of fury and purpose.

Just before his claws could sink into Iverson's flesh, the senator released Seraphina and shifted with practiced speed. Where the polished politician had stood seconds before now crouched a massive black wolf with eyes like arctic ice.

Seraphina collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath, her eyes wide with shock and awe as she witnessed his transformation for the first time.

Iverson's wolf snarled, saliva dripping from yellowed fangs. The scent of ambition and madness rolled off him in waves, tainting the air.

From behind, Orion heard the commotion as two more wolves sprinted down the hallway, aiming straight for Chance and the elite guards who flanked him. His packmates shifted in response, their bodies twisting and changing in fluid, practiced motions.

The room and hallway erupted into chaos—snarls and snapping jaws, bodies colliding with bone-crushing force. Fur, teeth, claws everywhere.

Orion circled Iverson, his massive gray form positioning itself between the senator's wolf form and Seraphina. Every muscle in his body was coiled tightly, ready to strike.

Mine . She is MINE.

Iverson feinted left before attacking right, his jaws snapping at Orion's flank. The king was faster, twisting away and countering with a slash that opened a red line across the senator's shoulder.

For a moment, their gazes locked over bared teeth—ancient power against blind ambition, tradition facing corruption.

Between rapid breaths, Seraphina's voice cut through the growls. "Orion..."

The sound of her voice, raspy from Iverson's assault but still strong, fueled something deeply primal in him. His Luna needed him. Nothing else mattered. Not his kingdom, not his pride, and not his centuries of careful diplomacy.

Iverson lunged again, but this time Orion was ready. His massive jaws clamped down on the senator's foreleg with a sickening crunch. The black wolf howled in pain, trying to twist free.

Behind them, Chance, in his dark brown wolf form, was making short work of one opponent while the elite guards cornered the other.

Orion released Iverson's leg only to circle again, his gray fur raised along his spine, and his eyes glowing with centuries of power and the promise of retribution.

No one touches what is mine.

As Orion stalked around his opponent, the black wolf's features suddenly struck a chord deep within his memory. The way Iverson's ears twitched backward, the unusual pattern of his stance, and the calculating glint in those ice-blue eyes—Orion had seen them before. Four centuries ago.

Ambrose Renehan.

The realization crashed through Orion's consciousness like a thunderbolt. This was no mere power-hungry senator. This was the wolf who had nearly torn the packs apart with his machinations all those centuries ago.

All this time... hiding among the humans, consolidating power.

The pieces fell into place with sickening clarity. Ambrose had always been patient, playing the long game, waiting for his opportunity to seize what he believed was rightfully his.

The assembly of packs had chosen Orion over him four centuries ago for exactly this reason—Ambrose's hunger for domination rather than protection, his willingness to sacrifice others for personal gain.

While Orion had dedicated himself to preserving their ways, building alliances, and protecting their kind, Ambrose had apparently been nursing his grudge, waiting for revenge.

He would twist Seraphina's gift to corrupt everything I've built.

The thought of his Luna being forced to serve this creature's ambition made Orion's blood boil. A deep, rumbling growl emanated from his chest, the sound of ancient fury finally unleashed. The room seemed to vibrate with it.

"Finish this," Chance's voice broke through in the wolf's telepathic channel that all shifters shared. "I've got these jokers handled."

Chance slammed his opponent against the wall, teeth bared inches from the struggling wolf's throat. Behind them, the elite guards had their adversary pinned, outmatched and outmaneuvered.

Iverson—no, Ambrose—sensed his disadvantage. His wolves falling. His schemes unraveling. The black wolf made a desperate lunge toward Seraphina, clearly intending to use her as leverage.

It was exactly the opening Orion needed.

Orion had learned many things over his years of being king. Patience. Strategy. Diplomacy. But it had never dimmed the primal instinct that came with being alpha—the drive to protect what was his at all costs.

With a burst of speed that belied his massive size, Orion intercepted, his body a wall of muscle and gray fur between Ambrose and Seraphina. The impact sent both wolves skidding across the polished floor, claws scraping for purchase as they tumbled in a tangle of teeth and fur.

Ambrose fought with the desperation of a cornered animal, slashing and biting with wild abandon. One lucky strike caught Orion across his muzzle, sending hot blood spattering across the floor. The pain focused him further.

Four centuries I've carried the weight of our people. Four centuries I've built peace and prosperity while you plotted in darkness.

Orion feinted right, drawing Ambrose into overcommitting. The black wolf stumbled, off-balance for just a fraction of a second—all the time Orion needed.

He struck with the collective force of four hundred years of responsibility, his massive jaws closing around Ambrose's throat. His teeth sank through fur and flesh, meeting no resistance until they closed on the vital pulse beneath.

Ambrose's struggles grew weaker, his eyes wide with the realization of final defeat.

For my Luna. For my pack. For the peace you would have destroyed.

With one powerful twist, Orion ended the threat that had haunted their kind for centuries. The body beneath him went limp, the light fading from those cold blue eyes. Justice, four hundred years delayed.

Across the room, Chance and the guards had finished their own battles. The silence that followed seemed deafening after the chaos of combat.

Orion stood over his fallen enemy, blood matting his gray fur, his chest heaving with exertion. The wolf inside him howled in victory, but he kept the sound contained. This was no moment for celebration—merely necessity.

From the corner where she'd pressed herself for safety, Seraphina watched with wide eyes, her hand at her bruised throat, her breath coming in shallow gasps.

Mine to protect. Mine to cherish. Mine to love.

Orion approached Seraphina cautiously, his wolf form padding silently across the blood-spattered floor.

The scent of her fear stung his nostrils, but beneath it was something else—wonder and a spark of recognition.

He kept his movements slow and deliberate.

The last thing he wanted was to frighten her more than the carnage around them already had.

She's seen too much violence in one day. My Luna shouldn't have to witness such brutality.

Seraphina's breathing was rapid, her heart hammering like a frightened bird's. Yet as he drew closer, she didn't shrink away. Instead, she lifted a trembling hand toward him.

"Is it... is it really you in there, Orion?" she whispered.

He rumbled low in his chest, a gentle sound meant to reassure, and moved closer until her outstretched fingers connected with his fur.

The first touch was hesitant, her fingertips barely grazing the silver-gray coat along his muzzle.

Then her hand flattened, stroking along his head with growing confidence.

Orion closed his eyes, savoring her touch. No female had ever touched his wolf form with such gentle curiosity. Her fingers traced the path where Iverson's claws had marked him, careful around the drying blood, and something possessive and primal stirred within him.

He felt her heartbeat slowing, her breathing evening out. The sharp tang of fear in her scent gradually mellowed into something sweeter. When he looked up, her face had transformed—reverence replacing terror.

Only then did he step back, focusing on the shift. His bones realigned, fur receded, and within seconds he stood before her in his human form, naked and unashamed. Blood from his injuries streaked across his muscular torso, but he paid it no mind as he reached for her.

"Come here," he commanded, his voice rough with emotion.

Seraphina launched herself into his arms with surprising force. He caught her effortlessly, crushing her against his chest, one hand tangling in her black hair while the other spanned her lower back.

"You came for me," she whispered against his skin.

Orion pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. "I would tear apart the entire world to find you. There was never any question."

She nodded, tears welling in those bright green eyes. "I want to go with you—back to the island. Your island. Our island."

Something fierce and territorial expanded in his chest at her words. "Say that again."

" Our island," she repeated, stronger this time.

Orion captured her mouth in a searing kiss, pouring immense longing into it. She responded with equal passion, her body molding against his as if she'd been made for him alone.

"As touching as this reunion is," Chance interrupted, clearing his throat dramatically, "maybe we should get moving before the senator's other goons figure out what happened here."

Orion reluctantly broke the kiss, though he kept one arm firmly around Seraphina's waist. "Always the mood killer, Chance."

His beta grinned despite the blood spattered across his face. "One of my many talents. That, and impeccable timing."

Orion retrieved the tattered guard's uniform he'd been wearing, grimacing as he pulled it on. The fabric was ripped in several places, but it would have to do until they reached the boat.

"Stay close to me," he instructed Seraphina, his tone brooking no argument.

She nodded, pressing against his side as they made their way through the corridors. Chance and the two elite guards formed a protective formation around them. Every sense remained on high alert as they navigated through the estate and into the jungle beyond.

The dense vegetation provided welcome cover as they moved swiftly toward the hidden cove. When they reached his stashed clothes, Orion changed quickly into his dark jeans and crisp black dress shirt, making sure to keep Seraphina in his sight.

Chance radioed the second team. "Package secured. Heading to extraction point. Meet you at Tristan's."

Static crackled before a voice responded. "Copy that. Western perimeter clear."

The speedboat sliced through the water, carrying them away from Iverson's island. Orion kept Seraphina tucked against his side, his arm a steel band around her shoulders. The salt spray misted her face, giving her skin a dewy glow that made his wolf rumble with appreciation.

"You were magnificent," she said softly, her fingers tracing patterns on his thigh. "Terrifying, but magnificent."

"Did I frighten you?" The question revealed more vulnerability than he'd normally allowed himself to show.

"No," she answered immediately. "You made me feel safe. Even as a wolf—especially as a wolf—I knew you wouldn't hurt me."

Pride swelled in him. His Luna was not only powerful but brave. The perfect match for a king who'd waited several lifetimes.

Within the hour, they had boarded the helicopter for the final leg home. As the aircraft lifted, giving them a panoramic view of the turquoise waters below, Orion reached into his pocket and withdrew the sapphire necklace.

"I believe this belongs to you," he said, the deep blue stone shimmering in the sunlight.

Seraphina's eyes widened. "You brought it with you?"

"I knew I would find you and bring you back home where you belong."

She turned, lifting her hair to expose the delicate nape of her neck. Orion fastened the clasp, then bent to press his lips against her skin, inhaling her intoxicating scent.

"Everything I have is yours," he murmured against her ear, "When we get home, I intend to show you exactly what that means."