Ariana had never seen the city look so empty.
Maybe it was the late hour.
Maybe it was the rain.
Or maybe the world itself was holding its breath as the Shadowfang warriors guided her through the streets with their unconscious Alpha.
They moved fast—silent, wolf-like despite their human forms.
No hesitating.
No fear.
Only urgency.
Kian's breathing grew shallower with each block they crossed.
Ariana tightened her grip on his hand.
"Stay with me," she whispered. "Don't you dare let go."
His skin was burning.
His heartbeat fluttered like something trapped and struggling.
Roran walked beside her, occasionally checking Kian's pulse, jaw clenched in worry.
"We're close," he murmured.
Ariana glanced up.
They'd reached the edge of the city—where broken warehouses and abandoned lots met a stretch of forest so dark it looked like a wall of ink.
"This is your territory?" she asked softly.
Roran nodded.
"Beyond the tree line."
The other warriors slowed, forming a wide circle again.
Ariana frowned.
"Why are we stopping?"
Roran stepped forward and lifted his hand.
The air trembled—like a heatwave passing over her skin.
One by one, strange symbols glowed faintly between the trees.
Runes.
Dozens of them, forming an invisible boundary.
"The wards," Roran explained. "Only wolves of our blood can enter. And those the Alpha accepts."
The weight of that sentence hit her stomach.
Was she allowed?
Was she one of them now?
She swallowed hard as Roran turned to her.
"For you to cross," he said, "you need to hold onto him."
Ariana looked down at Kian—lifeless, pale, sweat beading on his forehead.
She tightened her grasp around his hand, intertwining their fingers.
"I'm not letting go," she whispered.
Roran nodded once.
"Then step forward."
Ariana inhaled and took a single, trembling step into the dark.
The moment her foot crossed the invisible line, the air pulsed—
BOOM—
like a shockwave rolling through her veins.
Light flared around her and Kian's body.
Roran's eyes widened.
"The bond recognizes you."
Another warrior whispered, "Moon help us… she's powerful."
Ariana didn't hear them.
She felt something else—
A tug inside her chest, deep and magnetic, pulling her toward the forest.
Toward Kian.
Toward… home?
No.
Not home.
But something in her blood knew this place.
Branches moved aside as if opening a path.
The darkness didn't feel empty—it felt alive, watching, weighing her.
A sense of acceptance rippled through the air.
"She's allowed," Roran breathed. "The forest accepts her."
They moved again—faster now.
Ariana kept close to the stretcher as they pushed deeper into the forest. The scent of pine, moss, and damp earth was overwhelming but strangely comforting. The night vibrated with distant howls—their pack calling to Kian, sensing their Alpha's weakness.
Roran glanced back at her.
"You'll see the den soon. Hold on."
But before they could take another step—
Kian jerked violently on the stretcher.
Ariana screamed, grabbing his shoulders.
His back arched sharply, mouth opening in a silent cry as golden light flickered beneath his skin.
"What's happening?!" Ariana shouted.
Roran cursed.
"He's fighting the venom. It's triggering his wolf form—he's shifting too fast!"
Ariana's heart thudded with fear.
"Kian—Kian, look at me! Stay with me!"
His eyes snapped open.
Glowing.
Fully golden.
No pupils.
No human warmth.
His hand shot out, grabbing Ariana's wrist with crushing force.
Roran lunged. "Careful! He's not conscious—he could—"
Then something impossible happened.
Kian's wolf—the raging, poisoned, half-shifted beast inside him—stilled.
His grip loosened.
His breathing steadied for a moment.
Because he'd heard her voice.
Ariana stared, trembling, as the golden blaze in his eyes dimmed to a soft glow.
"He can hear me," she whispered.
Roran exhaled shakily. "The mate-bond is anchoring him."
Ariana leaned close, forehead brushing Kian's.
"I'm here," she whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."
For the first time since he collapsed, Kian's lips parted.
Barely.
Softly.
"Mine…" he breathed.
Heat flooded Ariana's body—deep, fierce, terrifying and beautiful.
Roran placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
"We need to move. Now."
They ran.
Branches whipped past.
Wolves howled in the distance.
The forest grew brighter ahead—lit by fire torches and glowing symbols carved into ancient stone.
A cavern mouth appeared between two massive rock formations.
Roran gestured urgently.
"The den. He'll live if we get him inside."
Ariana nodded, tears streaking her cheeks.
As they crossed the final stretch, Kian's hand tightened around hers again—not violently this time.
Like a plea.
Like a promise.
Ariana held on with both hands.
"I've got you," she whispered.
They stepped into the den's glowing entrance—
And Ariana's entire life changed in the space of a single heartbeat.