The moon was high, silver and unblinking, casting long shadows across the cold stone floors of the Alpha's den.
Kael Draven stood in front of the window, fists clenched, jaw locked, eyes bloodshot.
It was the third night in a row without sleep.
Again.
His wolf was pacing restless, growling inside him, pulling at his chest like chains being torn loose. It had started the moment he'd driven through that quiet town. Ever since that moment near the car, his instincts had been on fire.
Her scent.
Her presence.
And the maddening absence of her now.
He couldn't breathe right.
Couldn't eat.
Couldn't rest.
And it was driving him insane.
He slammed his hand against the stone wall, cracking it.
Moments later, Lucien appeared in the doorway, eyes flicking to the damage without comment.
"You look like you haven't slept in a week," he said.
"I haven't."
Lucien sighed. "The girl again?"
Kael didn't answer. He didn't need to
Lucien stepped forward. "You're not yourself."
Kael's eyes darkened. "I am exactly myself. And that's the problem."
Lucien studied him. "You found her, didn't you?"
Kael didn't look away this time.
"I had my men trace the traffic footage. Her name is Evelyn Hart. Nineteen. Human. Lives with her father, stepmother, and half-brother. Mother disappeared when she was five. Nanny raised her. No friends. Keeps to herself."
Lucien blinked. "You investigated her' your mate is human"
"I had to. My wolf wouldn't stop until I did."
Lucien crossed his arms. "And now that you know who she is?"
Kael's voice was sharp. "It changes nothing."
"She's your mate, Kael.""She's a weak, fragile human, Lucien," he growled. "I am the Alpha of Bloodfang. I will not be tamed because of a woman. I won't be softened. I won't be persuaded."
Lucien was quiet for a long moment.
Then he said, "You don't sound unmoved. You sound terrified."
Kael's lip curled. "You think I'm afraid of a girl' a human?"
Lucien shook his head. "I think you're afraid of needing her."
The words lingered.
Then Kael turned away, pacing like a caged animal. "She doesn't even know what she is to me."
"And you're going to keep it that way?"
Elder brannor' assistant to the Head of the council. appeared in the room and they were both surprised.
What are you doing here' they asked at the same time. "I see the Alpha still refuses to choose," Brannor said.
Kael didn't turn. "I'm busy."
"So is the Crescent Moon Pack. They've offered Lacy again. A treaty bride."
Lucien stiffened.
Brannor's face remained impassive. "Lacy is eager. And obedient."
"You'll force him?" Lucien asked.
"It is duty, not force," Brannor replied. "The pack must be secured."
Lucien muttered under his breath, "This is insane."
"Elder brannor, dissolved into the mist, as if the forest had swallowed him whole."
Lucien looked at kael "Now do you see? They're tightening the leash."
You need to get to your mate Kael, your wolf won't even let you sleep and brannor will come back after seeing the ancestors.
She's human!