Mira woke up before sunrise, heart still pounding from the night before. Arden's kiss lingered on her lips like a secret—warm, dangerous, impossible to forget.
But so did the rival Alpha's threat.
She wrapped her arms around herself as she walked across the quiet campus. Everything looked the same… yet nothing felt normal anymore. Every rustle in the trees made her jump. Every shadow seemed alive.
Her phone buzzed.
Arden:Don't walk alone.
Arden:I'm coming.
Before she could reply, she spotted him.
Leaning against a lamppost.
Dark hoodie, stormy eyes, jaw set like he hadn't slept either.
Arden's gaze raked over her, checking for any bruise, any sign of harm.
"You should've waited for me," he murmured.
"I didn't want to bother you."
"Mira…" He stepped closer, voice low. "You are never a bother."
Heat curled in her stomach. She looked away, but he tilted her chin back gently with two fingers.
"You're safe now," he whispered.
She wasn't sure if he meant from the wolves—or from his own desire.
The Pack's Eyes
Arden led her off campus, toward the thick forest that bordered the school.
"Where are we going?" Mira asked, nerves fluttering.
"To meet my pack," he said quietly.
"They won't hurt you. But they need to see you. Smell you. Understand who you are to me."
"Arden… what if they don't like me?"
"They will." His voice left no room for doubt. "I won't let them decide your worth."
They arrived at a large cabin hidden deep in the woods. Rough voices and low growls came from inside.
Arden paused with his hand on the door.
"Mira… Stay close to me. Don't let go."
Her heart flipped. She nodded.
He opened the door.
Every conversation stopped.
Eight wolves—well, shifters—turned to stare at her. Some with curiosity. Some with confusion. Some with frustration.
And one with jealousy.
A tall, muscular guy with sharp cheekbones scowled at Mira.
"Seriously, Arden? A human?"
Arden growled, low and warning.
"She's my mate. Watch your mouth."
The room erupted.
"You can't claim a human!"
"She won't survive a rival pack!"
"You're risking all of us—"
Arden slammed his hand on the table, eyes flashing gold.
"One more word," he snarled, "and you'll be dealing with me."
Silence fell like a hammer.
Mira's breath trembled. She had never seen him so commanding—so wild.
And yet, he squeezed her hand, grounding her, reminding her she wasn't alone.
The jealous one—Calen—stepped forward.
"So she doesn't even know what she is to you?"
His eyes flicked to Mira with sharp challenge.
"Does she know an Alpha's mate can be targeted? Tortured? Used against you?"
Arden moved instantly, shoving Calen back by the collar.
"Walk away, Calen. Now."
Mira swallowed hard. Before she could overthink, she tugged Arden's sleeve.
"It's okay," she whispered. "I want to learn. I'm not scared."
"You should be," Calen muttered darkly.
Arden's eyes snapped to him. "I said leave."
Calen stormed out, shifting the moment he hit the trees—a huge dark wolf disappearing into the woods.
A Moment Too Close
Arden pulled Mira into a side room, shutting the door with a soft thud.
"I'm sorry," he said, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't want you to see that side of my world yet."
She stepped closer. "Arden… this is your world. And I asked you to show it to me."
He stared at her like she was something fragile and fierce at the same time.
"Mira… when you're near me, it's hard to think clearly."
He gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, fingers lingering.
"My wolf reacts to you. Wants to… protect you. Hold you. Claim you."
Her breath hitched.
He was so close she could feel the heat of his body, the rise and fall of his chest, the raw longing he was trying so hard to control.
"Arden…" she whispered.
His hand cupped her jaw, thumb tracing her lower lip with agonizing softness.
"If I touch you more," he murmured, "I won't stop."
"Maybe I don't want you to," she admitted.
He inhaled sharply—like her confession physically hit him.
Then he pressed his forehead to hers, voice trembling.
"Not yet," he breathed. "Not until you know the danger… and still choose me."
His thumb lingered on her cheek.
Her hands rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat racing.
"And Mira…" He lifted her chin.
"…you're the first thing that's ever made my wolf kneel."
Rival Eyes
As they stepped out of the room, Arden froze.
On the porch outside, glowing eyes watched them from the shadows.
Not one pair.
Three.
Rival wolves.
Mira gasped and instinctively grabbed his arm.
Arden's body shifted instantly into full Alpha mode—protective, lethal, ready.
"They're watching her," one of his pack whispered.
"No," Arden corrected, voice cold and furious.
"They're hunting her.