Lydia's POV
Every step closer to Silvermoon Pack territory makes my heart beat faster.
I know these woods. Used to play in them as a child. Used to think they were safe.
Now they feel like a trap closing around me.
You're shaking, Kade says quietly. Are you cold?
I'm not cold. I'm terrified.
But I can't tell him that.
Just tired, I lie.
We break through the tree line. Pack territory spreads out before us.
The same territory I grew up in. The same lands I thought would be my home forever.
Until they threw me out.
I see the gates ahead. Tall. Strong. Meant to keep intruders out.
Or keep prisoners in.
Two guards patrol the entrance. They see Kade and immediately bow their heads in submission.
Alpha, they say together.
Then they see me and Ember. Their faces twist with disgust.
Rogues.
Open the gates, Kade commands. His voice carries pure authority.
Yes, Alpha. But sir... you brought rogues into pack territory?
Kade's eyes flash gold. Dangerous.
This is my mate. Show respect.
Both guards' faces go white. Yes, Alpha. Sorry, Alpha.
They scramble to open the gates.
Mate. He called me his mate in front of his pack. Making it official.
The mate bond pulses. Warm. Claiming.
We walk through the gates. Into Silvermoon territory.
I keep my head down. Let my dirty, tangled hair fall forward to hide my face.
Please don't let anyone recognize me. Please.
More pack members see us passing. They stop and stare. Whisper to each other.
The Alpha found his mate?
She's a rogue! Look at her!
And she has a child. Disgusting.
Their words cut like knives. Same words they said five years ago when my father dragged me in chains to the pack house.
Traitor. Thief. Whore.
Ignore them, Kade says quietly. Like he can feel my pain through the bond. They'll learn to accept you.
No, they won't. Because they already rejected me once.
We walk deeper into pack territory. Past the training grounds where I used to watch Marcus practice. Past the market where I used to shop with my mother before she died.
Everything looks the same. But everything is different.
Because I'm different now.
Then I see it. The main pack house. Massive. Beautiful. Cold.
My old home.
Where my father still lives. Where my stepsister probably still visits. Where they all celebrated my banishment.
My stomach twists.
We're not going there, Kade says, like he can sense my panic.
What?
The pack house. We're not going there. He turns down a different path. I have a private house. Away from everyone else.
Relief crashes through me.
We walk for another five minutes. Then a large house appears through the trees. Modern. Clean. Secluded.
This is home, Kade says.
Home.
I haven't had a home in five years.
He carries us to the front door. Kicks it open gently.
Inside is... beautiful.
Soft furniture. Clean floors. Real lights. A kitchen with actual food on the counters.
Everything a home should be.
Everything I lost five years ago.
Kade carries Ember to a large couch. Lays her down gently. So carefully. Like she might break.
MAYA! he shouts.
A woman rushes in from a side room. Older. Kind eyes. Healer by the smell of her.
Alpha, what— She sees Ember and her expression goes serious. Oh no.
Silver poisoning and fever, Kade explains. Three days sick. Can you help her?
Maya is already moving. Touching Ember's forehead. Checking her pulse. Pulling out herbs and medicines from her bag.
She's very weak. But yes. I can help her. Maya looks at me. Is this your daughter?
I nod. Can't speak.
She'll be fine, mama. I promise.
Tears pour down my face. After three days of terror, someone is finally helping my baby.
I try to go to Ember. But my injured leg gives out.
Kade catches me. Again.
You need healing too, he says.
Ember first.
Maya has her. Let me take care of you.
He carries me to another room. A bedroom. Large bed with clean sheets. A bathroom attached.
Luxury I haven't seen in years.
Kade sets me carefully on the bed. Then kneels in front of me.
His hands are gentle as he examines my leg. The wolf trap wound is deep. Infected. Should have killed me already.
But I'm a mother. Mothers don't get to die until their children are safe.
This is bad, Kade says quietly. Rage fills his voice. Who did this to you?
Hunters. In the Rogue Lands.
They're dead now. His voice is cold. Lethal. I made sure of that.
He pulls out medical supplies. Starts cleaning my wound. It burns like fire but I don't make a sound.
You're strong, Kade says. Survived days running on this injury. With a sick child. Most wolves would have collapsed.
Mothers don't get to collapse.
Kade pauses. Looks up at me with something like wonder.
You're incredible.
The mate bond flares. Hot. Demanding.
I look away. Don't.
Don't what?
Don't look at me like I'm special. Like I matter.
You do matter. You're my mate.
You don't even know me.
Then let me know you. He finishes wrapping my leg. Stands up. Stay here. Rest. Heal. Let me protect you both.
For how long?
As long as you'll let me. His eyes are intense. Burning. Preferably forever.
Forever. In the pack that destroyed me. With the alpha who doesn't know I'm lying to him.
Impossible.
Just a few days, I say. Until Ember is strong enough to travel. Then we leave.
Pain flashes across Kade's face. The mate bond doesn't like separation.
Where will you go?
Anywhere that's not here.
Why? He moves closer. Cups my face with one large hand. Why do you hate this place so much?
Because this place is hell. Because my father is here. Because everything I lost happened here.
I just... don't like packs, I lie.
Kade's thumb brushes my cheek. Gentle. The mate bond sings.
One week. Give me one week to change your mind.
Kade
Please. His eyes are desperate now. One week to show you that you can be safe here. That you can trust me.
The mate bond begs me to say yes. To accept his care. To let him in.
But I can't. I can't trust him.
Can I?
I look into his golden eyes. See genuine care there. Genuine hope.
Maybe... maybe one week won't hurt. One week to let Ember heal. To gather strength before we run again.
One week pretending I belong here.
What's the worst that could happen?
Okay, I whisper. One week.
Kade's entire face lights up. Thank you.
He leans down. For a second I think he's going to kiss me.
But he just presses his forehead to mine. Gentle. Reverent.
You won't regret this. I swear it.
I already regret it. But I don't say that out loud.
You should rest, Kade says. I'll check on Ember and Maya.
He leaves.
I sit on the soft bed in the beautiful house in the pack that destroyed me.
One week. I can survive one week.
Just stay hidden. Stay quiet. Don't let anyone recognize me.
Then Ember and I disappear before anyone discovers the truth.
Simple.
Except nothing is ever simple.
I lie back on the bed. Close my eyes.
And pray to the Moon Goddess that I'm not making the biggest mistake of my life.