Gray's POV
Gray woke to the soft hum of morning light filtering through her bedroom curtains. The previous day replayed in her mind—the tentative peace, Zodiac's careful words, the closeness that had not yet crossed into intimacy but had touched something deep within her.
She stretched, feeling the faint pull of the wolf beneath her skin. It had been quiet since the careful day they spent together, and she sensed it now, restless, like a coiled spring. Her wolf recognized Zodiac, recognized the safety and dominance that were at once terrifying and comforting. But Gray herself wasn't ready to surrender completely. Not yet.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a faint tapping at her window. Frowning, she moved toward it cautiously. Outside, the street was empty except for a sleek black car parked across the curb. A sense of unease prickled her senses.
Before she could react, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. It was a text from Zoey:
"Gray, get ready. Urgent. Something's happening. Trust me."
The message sent a shiver down Gray's spine. Zoey never called something urgent without reason. Her wolf stirred in warning, muscles tensing, senses sharpening.
By the time she reached the lobby of her apartment building, a sleek black car awaited. The door opened, and Zoey's familiar smile greeted her—but there was tension in her posture, a rigidity that immediately signaled danger.
"Get in," Zoey said, grabbing Gray's arm and pulling her into the backseat. "No questions yet. Just trust me."
Gray's heart hammered. She felt a presence behind them, powerful and dangerous. Her instincts screamed that something outside the normal pack hierarchy was at play.
The car moved quickly through the city streets. Gray's gaze darted to the rearview mirror, half-expecting someone to follow, but there was nothing. Yet the unease remained.
Finally, Zoey spoke. "There's a pack, not far from here, that has been making trouble. They know about Zodiac, and they know about his mate—your scent. They're… aggressive. I don't want you to be alone."
Gray's breath hitched. Her wolf snarled beneath the surface, alert and protective. "How… how bad is it?" she asked, voice tight.
Zoey exhaled sharply. "Bad enough. Zodiac is already aware, but he can't be everywhere at once. That's why I'm here. You're staying close to me until he handles it. And…" her voice dropped, almost a whisper, "they might come for you first if they know you're alone."
Gray's mind reeled. Threats, rivals, dangerous alphas… her instincts and her heart collided. She realized fully now just how deep her bond to Zodiac ran—not just desire or comfort, but survival.
The car slowed as they approached a more secluded area, the outskirts of the city. Trees lined the sides of the road, thick and shadowy. Zoey parked and turned toward her. "We're safe for now. But stay alert. I need you sharp."
Gray nodded, though fear knotted in her chest. She could feel the pull in her chest—the call of her mate, the wolf responding to danger even before the human mind could process it fully.
Her phone buzzed again. It was a message from Zodiac:
"Gray, are you safe? Stay calm. Don't approach anyone without me there. I'm on my way."
Her chest tightened at the thought of him, at the need for his protection, yet the sense of pride in her gut screamed she couldn't remain passive. She could fight if necessary, and her wolf agreed. But for now… she would trust.
Minutes later, a black SUV pulled up. Zodiac stepped out, his presence magnetic, commanding, and terrifying all at once. Griffin followed, eyes sharp and vigilant.
"Gray," Zodiac said softly, moving close enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him. His wolf brushed against hers, a protective layer that eased her tension slightly. "I'll handle this. You stay behind me."
Gray swallowed, sensing the danger radiating from the forest's edge. Figures emerged, a small pack of unknown wolves, eyes glinting with hostility. Zodiac's posture shifted—alpha dominance radiated off him, a palpable force that made the intruders pause.
"Zodiac," Gray whispered, clutching his arm instinctively. "Be careful."
"I always am," he replied, voice low, gravelly, protective. "But you… you are mine. Do not let them touch you."
As the intruders advanced, Zodiac's wolf snarled, Griffin's posture mirrored him, and Gray felt the surge of adrenaline, the electric thrill of her bond asserting itself. She was terrified, yes, but also aware of the connection that had grown between her and Zodiac. A tether stronger than fear, stronger than the unknown.
The first clash was swift. Zodiac moved with precision, power, and control. Gray's heart pounded as she watched him, awe and fear mingling, her wolf aching to join the fray. She realized fully then that she could not deny her feelings, her connection, her trust in him.
By the time the intruders were driven back, the sun had dipped low, shadows lengthening. Zodiac approached Gray, kneeling slightly to meet her gaze.
"You're safe," he said softly. "Always."
Her heart leapt. She realized, fully, that she belonged to him—not as possession, but as mate, as partner, as equal. The fear remained, but it was tempered now by trust, desire, and a bond that no rival or threat could break.