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Bridget's POV “Shhh… my sweet loves.” My mother murmurs, and even in the dark I can hear how tight her fear sits in her throat. Rain threads through the trees while we press close together. The woods smell freshly washed, that damp, clean scent that only comes after a hard shower. Leaves above us catch the drops and let them go in soft, steady taps. It’s strange what your mind keeps. A bird shifting somewhere far off. A rabbit rustling a few yards away. Every tiny sound lands sharp. Even though it’s nighttime, I can see—too clearly. My fingers in front of my face. The slick bark. The shadows between trunks. Then it hits me. Other heartbeats. Not ours. Moving closer. Voices snap through the rain, angry and sharp. “Over there!” a man shouts. “Get them—now!” “Run.” My father’s voice isn’t loud; it’s like it appears inside my skull. He scoops me up, his arms locking around me, and I catch a glimpse of my momma darting ahead. We burst out onto the riverbank. The men are gaining. Their footsteps and breath and pulsing rage fill the night. The sky breaks wider—more rain slams down like it’s trying to drown the world. We push into the river as the water churns higher, colder, faster. My father slips for a second, then steadies. My mother doesn’t. Her foot skids. Her body tilts. And she’s gone—taken by the current. “Momma!” I scream, reaching out as if my hand could snag her from the dark water. My dad yells her name and sets me on a rock, quick and rough, then throws himself after her. I don’t think. I jump. The river is ice. It yanks me under and drags us downstream like we’re nothing. I fight for air, for sight, for anything. I can’t find them—only black water, only rushing noise. Somewhere, muffled through the current, I hear my dad calling my name. And then everything shuts off. That’s the moment I always wake up—right when the dark wins. I jerk out of sleep as the bus slows and sighs into a stop in some unfamiliar town. I was seven when I lost my parents. It never feels like twelve years have passed; it feels like yesterday wearing a different coat. Back in Thornmere, the rain had been my favorite thing. After high school, I had been living there, working shifts in a diner, trying to keep life simple. But simple never sticks. Another altercation, another reason to disappear. I wasn’t the type to start it, but I had a problem stopping once it began. A broken jaw on somebody else meant I needed to get out—fast. I may be small, but I hit hard. I had a little cash saved. I ran until my lungs burned, until distance felt like safety. Somehow I ended up on a bus headed toward northern California. “Stop here for Ravenshollow,” the driver calls as the doors hiss open. I sling my backpack up and step down into air that smells like wet wood and food. In front of me sits a log-built hotel with a green roof, picture-perfect like it belongs on a postcard. A restaurant is attached, and the warm, savory scent makes my stomach answer immediately. I trail a family heading inside. Right at the entrance there’s a small gift shop, cluttered with souvenirs—and a HELP WANTED sign that might as well be a beacon. Behind the counter stands an older woman. Dark curls pulled back, eyes quick. She smiles at the family, welcoming them in, and then her gaze lands on me like she had been expecting I’d show up. I pretend to browse, buying myself a minute. Trinkets. Postcards. Then my attention catches on a small snow globe—forests and mountains sealed under glass. Pretty. Familiar in a way that tugs at another dream I get sometimes. That one’s not a nightmare. “Can I help you, dear?” a voice says from behind me. I start, heart jumping. How had she gotten that close without a sound? I was usually hyperaware—always listening. “Hi,” I say, turning. “I saw the help wanted sign.” I gesture toward the door. Her eyes travel over me, slow and measuring. Then—no, she couldn’t have—she lifts her nose like she’s taking in my scent. Did she just sniff me? Confusion flickers across her face. She motions toward the register, and her hand lands briefly on my shoulder—warm pressure, then gone so quickly it feels like I imagined it. “How old are you?” she asks, rubbing the hand she’d touched me with, as if her skin is reacting. “Twenty-one, ma’am,” I answer too fast. “Bullshit.” My throat tightens. “…In two years,” I admit. “I need work. I work hard. I won’t cause problems.” “If you want a job, you tell the truth when I ask you something.” Her voice is firm, the kind that doesn’t bend. “I’m Miriam. And you are?” “Bridget, ma’am.” “Well, Ms. Bridget—call me Ms. Miriam. That’s what everyone does.” She tips her chin, owning the space without trying. “This is my lodge. I’ll give you a chance and see what you can do. You cook? You clean rooms?” “Yes, Ms. Miriam. I have been doing that most of my life.” “Mm.” She studies me again. “You got somewhere to sleep?” “No, but I can make arrangements.” I keep my voice steady. I had noticed a park when we rolled in; I could disappear there, stay quiet, stay unseen. I doubted a town this small had much in the way of shelters. “Well, here’s how I run things. The folks who clean rooms, I keep on the grounds.” She says it like it’s the most normal thing in the world. “I’ve got space. And it comes with three meals a day at the diner. What do you think?” For a second my chest aches, like my body doesn’t know how to hold that kind of luck. “Yes, ma’am—Ms. Miriam,” I correct, swallowing hard. “That sounds… amazing. I won’t make you regret it.” “Alright, child.” Her tone softens just a touch. “Let’s get you fed, and then we’ll get you settled.” I follow her, determination tightening into place. I was going to make this work. Whatever had dragged me here, I wasn’t leaving again unless I had to. People stare as we pass. I catch the sideways looks, the curious pauses, the way conversations dip into whispers and then resume when I move on. I’ve been the new girl before. Too many times. It still stings, but I don’t let it change my posture. Ms. Miriam glances back. “You okay, girlie?” “Yeah,” I say, exhaling. “Just… I’m really grateful you’re giving me a shot.” “I think you’ll like this town.” She slides into a booth near the kitchen and motions for me to sit. “And I think you might fit here.” Fit. The word lands strange. I take the menu she hands me and force a small smile back at her. I wasn’t looking for miracles. I just wanted to keep my head down, work until I earned my own space in the world. But sitting there, listening to the clatter from the kitchen and the low hum of the lodge around us, I realize two things. I already like Ms. Miriam. And maybe—just maybe—I’ve finally stepped into a place I can stay. Chapter 2 The Blackwood River Pack Part 1 Alpha Ryder's POV “Alpha Ryder, your father has been trying to reach you. He needs to speak with you, sir.” One of my warriors finally caught up to me. I’d cut every line of communication and bolted out for a run. I keep my men sharp. Always. Tracking drills, stealth work, the kind of tests that make them sweat. Most days they don’t find me at all. Being born into this kind of strength—the strongest Alpha anyone alive has seen—gets old in a way no one understands. Fights end fast. Opponents break. I don’t. Ruthless is the word they use. Killing machine is the one they whisper. Maybe that’s why our territory is packed and protected—over two thousand wolves under my name, and not a single idiot with a functioning brain comes looking for trouble. Dad’s obsession has been the same for months: another damn ball. Invite the nearby packs. Smile. Shake hands. Let fate finally shove my mate into my path. I’d already searched. Across continents and back again. Still nothing. At this point, it feels like the Moon Goddess has left my thread empty. Maybe my mate is dead. Maybe she never existed. Second-chance mates are rare enough to be fairy tales. So I take what I want when I want it—any she-wolf who catches my eye. It takes the edge off, keeps the pressure from boiling over. Or, more accurately, it keeps Talon from tearing the world apart. Talon is my wolf: enormous, midnight black, with eyes like moonlight on steel. And somehow he manages to be an even bigger asshole than I am. His reputation is worse than mine, which should tell you everything. “Thanks, Mason,” I said, cutting between the trees. “Your tracking’s improving. Keep pushing. I’m going to need someone like you at the top.” “Yes, Alpha!” Mason answered immediately. He’s still finishing high school, but the kid has instincts. Not the most brutal fighter, but I can shape him into the kind of tracker who doesn’t miss. The fact he found me this quickly told me the real story, though. My father had picked the right messenger. I took off again at full speed, and Talon pressed against my mind, impatient, shoving like he wanted to burst out of my skin. “Not now,” I warned him. “Father’s calling. Tonight you get your run. A real one.” ‘Yeah. You’ve been saying that for days, asshole,’ he snapped. “Someone’s in a mood.” I laughed. He cut me off, slamming a wall between us. Fine. The forest does what nothing else can. The moment the canopy closes in, my pulse settles. This is where we belong—wolves threaded into the land like we were made from it. Blackwood River Pack sits in northern California, spread across the biggest stretch of territory around. Our borders are guarded by the best fighters in the region, and we don’t stand alone. To the north, inside our land line, a vampire pack holds territory. To the east, a witch colony anchors itself like roots in stone. Humans don’t get it. They think the world is what they see on screens. The truth is bigger. We keep alliances with rules that matter—no killing across species. Break that, and the royal court gets involved. Those trials don’t end with mercy. They end with bodies. At the heart of our land is the village: cottages for families, shared spaces, and a school built for our kids. It’s not just reading and numbers. It’s history—every supernatural group, every ugly chapter and hard lesson. Respect doesn’t happen by accident. You learn it, or you repeat the same wars. A few humans attend too. Most of them know exactly what we are, and they keep their mouths shut. In return, we keep their town safe. “Let me guess,” Connor said as he fell into step beside me the moment I walked into the pack house, “you were hiding again and calling it ‘training.’” Connor—my best friend, my future Beta. “Yeah,” I admitted. “I needed it. Talon’s wound tight. That event is creeping up, and my father won’t stop pushing. I’m thinking I might head down to Crescent Valley.” Connor’s eyes slid sideways, suspicious and amused. “Oh, is that right?” he said. “Or is it just Aurelia you can’t stay away from?” I let out a slow breath. Aurelia was set to be an Alpha herself. We’d met as kids in Alpha training, and we’d clicked fast—friends first, always. The sex came later, on-and-off, no promises attached. We both still hoped for mates. We were just strong enough to keep living without them. Crescent Valley sat just south of us, beaches stretching along their land. Talon always loved running near the water. “Well,” I said, letting a smirk pull at my mouth, “if memory serves, you manage to ‘find’ a new she-wolf every single time we take that trip.” Connor grinned. “I’m not going to pretend I haven’t enjoyed your vacations.” But something about him felt off—too tense behind the jokes. “You okay?” I stopped in the hallway, forcing him to face me. “You’ve been somewhere else lately. Talk to me.” We were close in height. He met my stare, then nodded like the question hit home. “Yeah,” he said, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s… my wolf. Something’s going on, and he won’t tell me a damn thing. It’s driving me insane.” He looked like he might rip his own hair out. “Maybe our wolves will eventually learn how to communicate like adults,” I said, loud enough for Talon to hear. Indifference brushed my mind—Talon turning away—then the wall went up again. We moved toward the main staircase and climbed to the second floor. My father’s office sat at the far end of the hall. Mine was opposite, overlooking the garden and the labyrinth. The ball was happening whether I liked it or not. Dad had demanded full attendance, all because he wanted me to finally find my mate. I was twenty-five—young for a man, but not for an Alpha. Most take over at eighteen. By pack standards, I was already late. I’d done Alpha training school. I’d done extra work with the royal guard. If fate refused to give me peace, I’d at least keep my hands busy. Training bled off the rage. It kept Talon contained. And when that wasn’t enough, I took the rest out on women willing to share my bed. I didn’t hate my life. I just hated the hollow space where a bond was supposed to be. Somewhere out there, I kept praying, there was still a mate meant for me—a woman strong enough to steady my wolf and make our pack even harder to break. If that was even possible. At the top of the stairs, the guards on duty mind-linked my father that we’d arrived. Before we could knock, his voice came through the door. “Come in.” We stepped inside. “Son. Connor.” My father looked up from his desk. “Nice of you to finally show yourselves. Your disappearing act gives our trackers nightmares.” “Alpha Marcus,” Connor said, bowing respectfully. Dad’s aura hit like pressure in the air—intense, commanding—but it never did much to me. “Yes, Dad,” I said, letting humor mask irritation. “Can’t let them get lazy.” At seven foot one, with shoulders built like a wall, I’m not exactly subtle. But scent control and movement are skills, and I mastered them early. Part of training is learning how to be invisible even when you shouldn’t be. Blackwood training is brutal for a reason. We keep our numbers high and our casualties low. It means something to wear this pack’s name. My father shut the folder on his desk. “Your mother has the ball set for next week. Local packs are confirmed, and we’ve even got a few coming in from abroad. It’s going to be big.” His gaze sharpened. “I need your word you’ll behave. You’ll be welcoming. And you won’t pick fights with every future Alpha who breathes wrong. This matters to your mother—and to me. The sooner you find your mate, the sooner we can finally step back.” “Dad,” I said carefully, “I already run the pack. You handed the work over. Finances, security, border updates—everything. I’ve got the strongest team we’ve ever had. My Beta is here. My Gamma and Delta are in place. We’re ready.” “You’re close,” he said, not giving an inch. “But a Luna brings balance. Your mate will quiet the beast in you and strengthen you in ways you haven’t touched yet. I’m not stepping away while you’re still a loose cannon.” Air left my lungs in a controlled exhale. He wasn’t wrong. I just didn’t know how to prove myself if he refused to let go. “I’ll be on my best behavior,” I said. He turned to Connor. “Future Beta Connor, I expect you to keep your future Alpha steady. Like you always have.” Connor dipped his head again. “Yes, Alpha Marcus. Consider it done. You can count on me.” We left the office. Connor has been beside me since we were pups. If there’s one person I trust with my back, my throat, and my life, it’s him. Loyal to the pack. Loyal to me. And somehow he’s the only one who can talk me down when rage blinds me. “We’ve got time before lunch,” I said as we walked. “Let’s shift and run.” Talon perked up instantly, excitement pressing at the edges of my mind. Connor’s grin returned. “Sounds good. Drake’s been needing it too.” We headed out toward the treeline behind the pack house. On the way we ran into Lucas and Pierce—two more of our circle. When I finally take full control officially, they’re the ones I want at my sides as Gamma and Delta. Lucas had already found his mate, and it showed. She was from a neighboring pack, and they’d only just met recently, but they were glued together like the bond had welded them. I wanted that. Not the sex. The certainty. The rest of us—Connor, Pierce, and me—had traveled together plenty. Nights usually ended with a warm bed and whatever she-wolf we chose. At the edge of the woods, we stripped quickly, careful to keep out of sight. Unmated she-wolves in our pack linger like shadows, always hunting for attention. I avoid it when I can. I’ve heard enough stories about what a Luna endures inside her own pack—the jealousy, the scheming, the constant pressure. When my mate arrives, I want her to feel safe here. Like this place belongs to her. Yes, I’d slept with a few women from Blackwood. But recently I’d made it a rule: no more. Only outsiders. It’s cleaner. Easier. And with Talon acting… different, it feels necessary. Something is coming. I can feel it sitting just ahead of my life, waiting to hit hard enough to change everything. Chapter 3 The Blackwood River Pack Part 2 Alpha Ryder's POV We stripped off and stashed our clothes at the base of a few trees, letting our wolves slide forward and take the wheel. Talon came out the biggest—no contest. I was already tall in human form, but my wolf stood well over seven feet, built like a battering ram with shoulders that could bowl through anything. Drake, my Beta’s wolf, was nearly my match in size. Connor’s bloodline had always struck me as old and potent; his wolf showed it—dark brown fur with clean white paws. Nero, Lucas’s wolf, carried a solid gray coat, while Pierce’s wolf, Lance, was gray too, marked with white around the eyes and across the chest. Fast. Strong. Dangerous. The best combination. We cut through the forest at full tilt, the world blurring into trunks and wind—until Talon suddenly snapped to attention. He veered hard, launching into a sprint so abrupt it yanked at my balance. I tried to reach him, to press my voice into his mind, but he slammed the connection shut. “Talon—what is it?” I pushed anyway, getting nothing back as he drove straight for the cliff. He didn’t slow until he hit the edge overlooking town—human town—spread out below like a quiet, ordinary painting. I wrestled for enough control to see what had grabbed him. The old lodge. “Talon,” I demanded, “what’s going on?” “I don’t know…” he answered, and that alone put a knot in my chest. Talon always had a remark. Always. The others finally thundered up behind us. “You okay?” Drake linked, breath rough from the run. “Something’s wrong with Talon,” I sent back. “We’re heading in. Lunch.” Whatever had gotten under his skin, I was going to figure it out. Back at the pack house, we showered and filed into the huge dining hall. The kitchen was open to everyone here—no locked doors, no separation. My parents entered together, my father’s hand wrapped around my mother’s like it belonged there. They fit. She steadied him when his temper rose; he anchored her when the world tried to push. I wanted that someday. Behind them came my father’s Beta, Warren—Connor’s dad. The guys and I stepped in after, bowing to both my Alpha and my Luna. Then someone bumped my shoulder—small, familiar impact. “You’re going to have to learn punctuality eventually,” I said, already amused as a grunt answered me. Evelyn. My sister was turning eighteen soon, and I couldn’t wait to meet her wolf. That pairing was going to be trouble. Evelyn was bright and loud and chronically late. She looked like Mom: tight jet-black curls, almond-shaped brown eyes, warm light-brown skin. I favored Dad more—hazel eyes—but I’d inherited the curls too. I kept mine around shoulder length, though it rarely behaved. In a fight it turned into a wild mane; I’d seen myself after battle and looked like I’d tried to headbutt a storm. “That day’s never coming,” Evelyn said. “My labs come first.” Genius didn’t even begin to cover her. She was taking college-level courses already, aiming for science, and she worked alongside the witches in our pack as they traded knowledge back and forth. She was stunning, and because of that—because she was mine and Dad’s and we knew what the world did to beautiful, brilliant women—we kept security on her every hour. No one touched her. No one got close. If they did, I would have handled it with my bare hands—assuming Dad didn’t get there first. “Hey, Evelyn,” Connor said, and immediately looked away. I’d warned my friends: lay a hand on her and I’d remove things they were fond of. “Hi, Connor!” Evelyn beamed. “Thanks for the book. It was exactly what I needed for my research.” “What book?” The words came out sharper than I intended, and my Alpha aura started to roll off me. Connor felt it and dropped into submission, bowing his head and baring his neck. Evelyn moved fast, planting herself between us. “Ryder, stop. It’s for school. Breathe.” She looked up at me—pleading, stubborn, fearless. My mother stepped in at my side, guiding me toward my chair. “Sweetheart, calm down. I asked Connor to pick it up on his last trip.” And just like that, the heat drained out of me. Those two women—my mother and my sister—could pull me back from the edge like nobody else besides my future mate. Dad tried to hide a laugh and failed. He knew exactly how whipped I was for them. He was, too. ‘Sorry, man,’ Connor linked once we sat. ‘Luna Kendra asked me to grab it. I didn’t know it was for Evelyn. No disrespect.’ I nodded and let it go. Evelyn took the seat across from me. A few of her friends waved as they headed for their own table, flashing smiles at Connor and me. We both smirked and looked away. For one, they were barely legal. For another, Connor and I had both lived by the rule: don’t mess with the women in your own pack. I was still keeping that promise. Connor… lately he’d felt off. Like something had shifted under his skin. Wolves weren’t shy about sex. High drives, open attitudes—it wasn’t taboo here. That changed when it came to family. And it changed even more when it came to a mate. The thought of someone else touching her made my stomach turn. Ever. Any way. It was hypocritical—considering how many women I’d been with. I knew it. Still, the truth was ugly: I was a selfish asshole. Lunch hit the table for the main family line—roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a salad dressed up with strawberries and blue cheese. We even ran a culinary school for pack members. Yes, it was heavy for midday. But training burned through fuel fast, and wolves—along with the other paranormal on our land—ran hot. My father set his fork down. “Son, I’ve just been alerted to something I need to deal with after lunch. I want you and your men in my office when we’re done.” “Yes, Dad,” I said. “Is everything alright?” “We’ll talk privately. It’s nothing we can’t handle.” His gaze held mine, then he shifted to mind-link. ‘We’ve got teams checking the borders. We think there has been a rogue sighting. They’ll report back shortly. Eat. We’ve got decisions to make.’ ‘Yes sir,’ I sent back. I ate like a starving animal. Talon was restless, ready to tear out and patrol the perimeter himself. After lunch we moved to my father’s office—Connor, Lucas, Pierce, and me. Warriors stood along the back wall at attention. Elder Gideon of the Vampire Coven was there, and High Priestess Winifred from the Witch’s Coven as well—both covens living on our land. Dad and Beta Warren came in. We took seats around the long oak table, my father at the head. He motioned to our top trackers. “One breach,” the lead tracker reported, bowing. “Near the river. We picked up what might be a rogue… but something felt different. Maybe magic.” “With guards posted at every point,” I snapped, slamming my palms onto the table. Wood cracked under the pressure. “How did anything get through—and is it still on our property?” Elder Gideon’s voice cut in, calm and ancient. “With respect, Alpha Ryder, I don’t believe it is a simple rogue. Yes, we caught the scent of wolf. But we also sensed something… beyond. Otherworldly. Powers outside anything we’ve encountered in thousands of years.” My father nodded slowly. “Then we consult the Grand Assembly. If they’ve read abnormal energy coming from here, other species may have noticed it too.” “I agree,” Gideon said. “Something has been moving in the shadows for about a week. I have been feeling strong vibrations from town. The humans I speak with claim nothing has changed, but I’ll send vampires down again to look.” Other packs thought it was strange—wolves sharing land with witches and vampires. I thought it was smart. Numbers kept you alive. We helped defend their spaces; they reinforced ours with spells. And yet, despite all that, our border had been breached in the last few days. My father turned back to me. “Ryder, I need you and your best trackers on the borders. Crescent Valley nearly touches our southwest line. I’ll contact Alpha Zachary and ask if they’ve sensed anything. His Luna has abilities that may help—and her coven is close.” “It’s not far,” I said. “I can go in person, talk to them directly, and be back the next day.” Out of the corner of my eye, Connor’s mouth twitched like he was amused. Talon perked at the idea—ocean. Any excuse to hit the water and he was all in. And I could visit Aurelia while I was there. Blow off some steam. My father leaned back, thoughtful. “That could be valuable. But we call first. We don’t just appear.” Then he looked to Connor. “Future Beta Connor—this is a good opportunity for you. Leadership training. You’ll experience managing the pack in your Alpha’s absence. Your father will guide you. Everyone understands their roles to keep our land safe for all species here?” Connor nodded. Warren nodded. The whole table followed suit. “Yes, Alpha,” everyone answered together. We broke with purpose. As the future Alpha, I wanted whatever had slipped onto our land found—and removed—fast. I had a phone call to make and a bag to pack so I could get out and get back as soon as possible. Something was coming through our borders. And whatever it was, it carried power that had every one of us on edge. Chapter 4 All work and no play... Bridget's POV I had been waking up before sunrise every day, almost springing out of bed just to get a run in through the trees. The cold, clean air hit my lungs and made me feel alive. Getting off that bus here had been the right call. When I wasn’t working, I was usually with Ms. Miriam, and she kept telling me—over and over—that I needed people my own age. Ruthless, Ms. Miriam. Also hilarious. I had started out scrubbing rooms, but now I was finally helping in the restaurant. Miriam was practically spoiling me—front-of-the-lodge room, three meals a day, plus a paycheck. My savings would be rebuilt in no time. My room sat near the front: a bed, a tiny living space, a kitchenette with a small table, and my own bathroom. It wasn’t fancy, but it was mine. “Pick up, table four,” Roland barked from the kitchen window, snapping me out of my head. “On it, Roland. Thanks,” I called back. He gave me a rare smile. Roland was older and usually sour as vinegar—just not with me. Miriam liked to say I calmed him down. Mom used to say I could brighten a room. Maybe she wasn’t totally wrong. “Here you go, ladies.” I set the plates down with a practiced smile. Three girls around my age looked up. “Thank you!” one said. I turned toward the next table to check refills and almost tripped over my own focus. Two men sat there—ridiculously good-looking. One was blond with curls. The other was bald with a close beard and smooth brown skin that looked unreal in the firelight from the windows. Honestly, every man I’d seen in this town looked like he’d been built to wrestle bears: tall, broad, all muscle. Audrey slid their meals onto the table—double country-fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans. The plates looked like they belonged in a competition. I topped off their drinks. One of them gave me a brief nod—thanks without a word—and I headed back for napkins. “Bridget!” Miriam called. I pivoted and found her struggling with a stack of pie boxes—five of them—teetering in her arms. I hurried over. “I’ve got you, Ms. Miriam—” “Let me.” A low voice cut in, and a tall figure stepped forward. “Mason, bless you, dear,” Miriam said, relieved. Before I could blink, I was holding two boxes, and the curly blond—Mason—had taken the other three like they weighed nothing. “Bridget, this is Mason,” Miriam said. Mason looked down at me and went faintly pink. “Nice to meet you,” I said quickly, forcing my attention back to the job. “Where are these headed, Ms. Miriam?” “Table four.” She fell in beside me as we walked back toward the girls I’d been serving. “Sweetheart, these are for your mother. Please tell her I’m thinking of her.” “I will, Ms. Miriam. I’ll bring them right over,” the girl promised. Miriam’s eyes twinkled as she turned back to me. “Bridget, have you met my sweet kids from town? Evelyn, Sienna, Archer—” Her hand swept toward the table. “And these gentlemen are Mason and Barrett.” They all nodded, smiling like they’d known me longer than five seconds. “Hi,” I said, a little stiff. Mason leaned forward. “We heard you just moved here. What brought you to—” “Oh my God, Mason,” Evelyn cut in, shooting him a look. “She just got here. Don’t grill her.” His shoulders dipped. “Sorry.” Sienna’s face lit up like she’d remembered something important. “Wait—bonfire tonight. You’re coming with us.” She bumped Evelyn with her elbow. “Yes,” Evelyn said immediately, eyes bright. “Moonlight, music, dancing. Come on. What do you say?” “I can’t,” I said, automatically. “I’m working tonight.” From behind the counter, Miriam’s voice carried across the room. “Not anymore! I already cleared you. You’re going out, young lady. You need friends. I insist!” I exhaled, helpless. “I guess… I’m going to a bonfire.” I pasted on a smile and tried to make it believable. “Perfect.” Evelyn held her hand out. “Phone.” I gave it to her, and she tapped like she owned the place. “Nine o’clock. We’ll come get you.” A laugh slipped out of me at how confidently she operated. When she handed my phone back, I saw she’d texted herself too—so she had my number. I arched a brow. She winked. Okay. Maybe my first bonfire could actually be fun. And maybe it would force me to stop being a lonely ghost. Later, we headed down toward the lake together. The night was thick and dark, but I could see well enough. I’d shoved my curls into a messy bun, thrown on jeans and a sweater—because how dressed up are you supposed to get for a fire in the woods? Mason and Barrett came too, and we all piled into the same jet-black SUV. As we got closer, the bonfire appeared ahead—huge, blazing, throwing sparks into the sky. People surrounded it, music thumping, bodies moving in loose circles. The flames were so high they looked like they wanted to climb the stars. Across the crowd, I noticed a girl with auburn hair and sun-browned skin in a tight dress and gladiator sandals. Something about her screamed trouble. I looked away before she could catch me staring. “Beer run,” Sienna announced, pressing bottles into the hands of the girls. A shadow fell over us. “No.” Mason’s arm came in from behind, and he lifted the beers away like we were middle-schoolers. “Pretty sure none of you are twenty-one.” Evelyn groaned. “Thanks, Dad. Make sure you update my brother.” She grabbed my wrist and tugged me away, deliberately leaving the guys behind. While they weren’t looking, I pulled out two beers I’d managed to snag anyway. “I knew I liked her,” Archer said, laughing as he wrapped me in a quick hug. Then a sound drifted in—faint, distant. Something that didn’t belong. I scanned the dark beyond the firelight, trying to figure out if anyone else had heard it. No one reacted. The music was too loud for them. We poured the beers into plastic cups and started drinking. A beat shifted, and “Need To Know” by Doja Cat blasted out of the speakers. The girls and I started dancing, singing along, laughing like we’d been friends for years. Five guys drifted over, drawn by the energy. And like someone had signaled them, Mason and Archer appeared at our backs. Up close, it was ridiculous—Mason and Archer looked like they could each pick up two of the approaching guys and still have a free hand. The five slowed, squared up, stared. More men stepped in behind Mason and Archer. The newcomers did the math and backed off, walking away without a word. Evelyn made a face as a very attractive guy caught her attention and pulled her a few steps aside. He leaned in, speaking tight and low. She tried to keep dancing through it, but he wasn’t playing. His gaze flicked past her—straight to me. I snapped my eyes away before we could lock. “Don’t worry,” Sienna murmured near my ear. “That’s Connor. We know him.” So Connor was part of their circle. Maybe Evelyn had a boyfriend. Or something complicated. They looked good together—until I saw the tension in his posture. He was angry, either at her or at the guys who’d been hovering. We kept drinking and moving. Evelyn returned, slipping back into the group like nothing happened. That was when the trouble-looking auburn-haired girl wandered over with her little pack. “Well, hello,” she said, voice dripping sweetness. Her eyes slid to Evelyn. “How’s that brother of yours doing?” “He’s doing fine, Whitney,” Evelyn said evenly. “Thanks for asking.” Whitney’s smile sharpened. “Maybe I’ll call him and see if he needs company again tonight.” She winked—then her attention landed on me. Evelyn stepped in smoothly. “This is our friend Bridget.” “Hi,” I said, keeping it neutral. Whitney looked me over like I was a new item on a shelf. “Hi. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you.” Then she turned back to the others. “Bye, ladies.” When she finally walked off, I leaned toward Sienna and whispered, “Who was that?” Sienna’s mouth twisted. “A girl who’s obsessed with Evelyn’s brother and doesn’t understand the word ‘no.’” Then I heard it again. A sharp crack—like a twig snapping under weight. My head whipped toward the tree line. Beyond the reach of the fire, the forest was pure black. I stared until my eyes watered. And then I saw them. Two red points, fixed on me. My breath snagged. I stumbled backward, nearly catching my heel on the fallen log people were sitting on. Evelyn was beside me instantly, worry flashing across her face. “What is it?” She followed my gaze. I couldn’t blink. It was like something had hooked my attention and wouldn’t let go. When I finally forced my eyes closed and opened them again, the darkness looked the same—except my skin still crawled. “I—I swear I saw something,” I babbled. “Eyes. Red eyes. I’m losing it, right? It has to be the beer.” “Fuck,” Connor said. He moved fast, stepping in front of us. And I could have sworn I heard a growl under his voice. I swallowed hard. I am never drinking again. Everything snapped into chaos. More growls cut through the night. Connor’s stare went distant, almost glassy, like he’d slipped somewhere else. Mason and Archer shifted in front of us too, forming a wall. The woods rustled with heavy movement. A strong gust tore through the clearing. The hair on my arms lifted straight up. Then Connor shouted, “Rogues!” “What is happening?” I demanded, not even sure who I was asking. “What are rogues?” “We’re leaving,” Evelyn whispered, and suddenly I was being hauled toward the path back to the lodge. I tried to look over my shoulder, and a cold line of fear slid down my spine. “Move, Bridget!” Sienna yelled. Behind us, Connor’s voice turned sharp with command. “Mason, Archer—stay back with the others. Keep everyone safe until I’m back. Backup is coming. I’m getting the girls out.” None of it made sense. I felt terrified and dizzy at the same time. We ran down the open path, the sound of growling chasing us. Connor’s head kept turning, scanning every side like he expected something to lunge out of the dark. The SUV came into view. Doors unlocked. People piled in—everyone except me. “Bridget, get in!” Sienna shouted. “I can’t,” I said, breath tearing. “I have to check on Ms. Miriam.” “I already called her—she’s coming,” Connor snapped as he shoved Evelyn inside and swung toward me. He yanked the other door open. “Now.” “How?” I protested, rooted to the ground. “When did you call her? While we were running? None of this—” The chill hit again, harder, like the air had turned to ice. I looked back at the woods. Something shifted in the dark. Not just movement—awareness. Like it knew I was looking. Like the dark was looking back. What the hell did I drink? “I’m here, child. Let’s go.” Miriam’s voice was suddenly right behind me. I spun. She was there—too close, too fast, like she’d stepped out of thin air. “How did you get here so quickly?” I demanded. “What is going on?” “Get in,” she said, firm but gentle, guiding me toward the seat. “We’ll explain when we’re clear of this place.” I let her push me into the SUV. The vehicle launched forward immediately. I twisted to look out the back window. In the parking area, cars were being shoved aside like toys. “What the fuck is happening?” I screamed. A sharp spike of pain stabbed through my skull. I cried out and folded over, clutching my head as my vision swam. One of my bad headaches had been coming on—the kind that always hit when stress got too high. “Hey,” Archer said, his hand rubbing steady circles on my back. “Are you okay?” The pain climbed. Then rain hit—sudden and violent, a roaring downpour that swallowed sound. “I…” My head went light. The rain seemed to slam harder, filling my ears, drowning everything. And then the world turned into blackness. Total blackness. Chapter 5 The Bon Fire... Alpha Ryder's POV “Alpha Ryder—truly, it’s always a delight when you come to Crescent Valley.” Luna Adriana’s voice carries across the castle’s grand hall the moment I step inside. Their pack matches ours in strength and size, and like us, they aren’t made up of one kind alone. We’ve always been the nearest allies. Our fathers were boys together, trained side by side, and never let that bond fade. Adriana looks every bit the legend people whisper about. Middle Eastern features, midnight hair swept clean from her face, a jeweled tiara throwing light back at the chandeliers. She hasn’t aged the way normal people do—she still could pass for someone in her twenties. Regal. Sharp. Certain. Power sits on her like a crown. “I appreciate you making time for me with no warning,” I tell her, dipping into a respectful bow. “I know your schedules aren’t exactly light.” We may call each other family, but there are lines you don’t cross. I don’t embrace her; I don’t let my scent cling to another Alpha’s mate. That’s how wars start. And with a bond like Zachary and Adriana’s, a war would not be a small thing. People talk about mates like them sharing strength—old stories even claim they can fuse power. No one has witnessed anything like that in centuries. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she says warmly. “Family always matters.” The lobby doors open behind her. Alpha Zachary strides in, built like a fortress, nearly my height and mass. Ink covers most of his skin—marks, symbols, trophies for every kill he’s taken. A brutal fighter. One I enjoy trading blows with. He grins, and we clasp forearms. Aurelia follows on his heels—their future Alpha. Beautiful as ever, her father’s caramel-brown eyes set in her mother’s striking face. When she catches my gaze, she smiles like she’s already planning trouble. “Look who showed up,” she says. “Miss me, chump?” We grew up more like brother and sister than anything else, despite both our parents quietly hoping fate would tie us together. Then we turned eighteen, waited for our wolves to react… and got nothing. No pull. No spark. So we stayed friends, trained together, and never lost touch. “Hard not to,” I shoot back. “Hey, chumpette.” They lead me into Zachary’s office, the three of them settling in with the ease of people who’ve done this a thousand times. Aurelia drops into a chair and tilts her head at me. “So are we squeezing in a spar so I can beat you like usual?” Zachary’s laugh rumbles. Adriana’s gaze snaps to her daughter. “Your mouth, Aurelia. Somewhere under all that attitude, you are still a lady. You test my patience daily.” Adriana moves to her mate, and he draws her onto his lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Aurelia’s grin turns innocent. “Sorry, Mom.” Zachary’s expression sobers as he gestures to the screen. “I have Alpha Marcus on video.” “Father,” I say, taking a seat. My father gives a crisp nod. “Alpha Zachary. Luna Adriana. Thank you for meeting with Ryder.” “Always,” Zachary answers, voice firm with friendship. “Now tell us what you’ve learned.” My father inhales, then speaks with the careful tone he uses when the subject is dangerous. “My coven has passed along an old warning. There’s said to be a rare being—male or female—right around the age of first receiving their wolf. Their power would exceed anything we’ve documented. The description matches what some texts call the Omni-Wolf: a direct descendant of the Moon Goddess, sent to keep balance when darkness rises.” He pauses, eyes hard. “The problem is the bloodline was believed to have been wiped out. Hunted, exploited, murdered for what they could do. Every record we possess ends with no survivors. But the energy we have detected recently… it suggests otherwise. If someone lived, your breach could be tied to them.” Zachary’s stare pins me. “And you’re sure whoever crossed into your territory didn’t harm your people?” “Correct,” I answer. “Then they likely don’t understand what they are,” my father says. “If you find them, you protect them—no matter the cost. If we sensed that power from a distance, anyone seeking to twist it for evil sensed it too.” I lean forward. “How does someone carrying that kind of power not know?” Aurelia lifts a finger. “Protection magic. A spell could’ve been layered on them.” Adriana nods, already flipping through a book on Zachary’s desk. “Or the abilities only awaken on certain land—yours, perhaps, Alpha.” My father’s brow furrows on the screen. “So anything could be triggering this.” Zachary’s voice turns decisive. “Then you should know this: I’m readying my warriors. Your pack is ours in all but name. We will back you however you need.” “Thank you,” my father says. “We’ll be grateful.” Adriana closes the book with quiet authority. “I’ll begin the spellwork. Teleportation for our fighters—and a way to reach you quickly.” I nod once, gratitude tight in my chest. Zachary’s eyes narrow. “If that person is on your land, they could drag the war of all wars right to your doorstep without realizing it.” Aurelia leans back, suddenly all swagger again. “This is insane. And for the record, they should’ve shown up here—I’m clearly the better fighter.” She points at me. “Relax, Ryder. My warriors and I will come save you like I’ve been doing for years.” I break into laughter despite everything. She has always been able to cut through the worst tension. “Aurelia Margot Sterling!” Adriana barks. Aurelia straightens. “Sorry, Mom. Sorry!” Adriana exhales, done. “Take Ryder to his room. Let him settle. Dinner at seven.” I follow Aurelia toward the familiar guest corridor—my usual room on visits. And then it hits. A violent pulse of pain splits my skull. My hands fly to my head. My teeth clamp down as I fight a shout. Aurelia whirls. “Ryder? What’s happening?” She raises her voice. “Mom!” Something is wrong at home. I can feel it—sharp and distant, like a hook buried in my nerves. Just as fast as it comes, the agony vanishes. When I blink my vision clear, Zachary and Adriana are beside me, and Dr. Katherine is crouched close, studying me like I’m a puzzle she’s never seen. “I’ve never witnessed this,” Katherine says. “It looked like mirrored pain—like you’re linked to whatever is occurring back in your territory.” “I have to leave,” I say immediately. “Something is happening. Luna—can you send me home?” I reach for the mind link to Connor—out of habit more than expectation. And it connects. It has never worked from this far. “Yes,” Adriana says, already taking my hand. “Come.” She begins to chant, her voice low and precise. Air twists. Light folds. A portal opens—its other side showing our forest, near the lake. Talon surfaces from the water with a growl, shaking rain from his fur, and dips his head in acknowledgement to Adriana. We jump. The landing drops us into the heart of the trees, soaked and cold. Chaos is everywhere. My wolves are in the fight, backed by allies—witches and vampires moving through the storm like shadows with teeth. Rogues litter the area—around fifty by quick count—yet no Alpha, no clear leader. Rain slams down, turning the forest floor into sludge. Mud, water, blood, and pieces of wolf scatter the ground. I throw my head back and unleash my strongest howl, the sound ripping through the downpour. Then I charge. A cluster of rogues has humans pinned, closing in. I hit the first rogue hard—one swipe, and his head tears free from his body. Another launches at me, airborne. I extend my claws, slide under his weight, and rake upward. His belly opens. He collapses in a spill of heat and ruin. Two more stalk closer, slow and confident, as if numbers will save them. They rush together. I catch one by the neck, teeth sinking deep. I rip and tear until his throat comes away, and I watch the light leave his eyes. The second gets his jaws on my thigh. Pain flares. I drive both claws straight into his chest, wrench out his heart, and bite down as his gaze dulls into nothing. I rise drenched in blood and rain, breath steaming—knowing, with a cold certainty, that this is only the start. Evelyn's POV It was supposed to be nothing more than a bonfire. Something easy. Then it went to hell the second a supernatural presence hit the area. I don’t know what Bridget is capable of, but it’s a lot. She sensed the rogues in the trees before any of us. Mason is the best tracker we have, and even he didn’t pick them up. Connor is furious—though lately, he seems furious by default. I have been obsessed with him since I was a pup. To him, I’m still the little sister of his best friend, the tagalong kid he has to watch out for. He doesn’t see what I’ve been carrying for years. I have loved that man since the first fairytale I ever heard. In a week, I get my wolf. I keep wishing—praying—that he’ll be my mate. I don’t know how I’d survive watching him bond with another she-wolf. ‘You’re seeing this too, right?’ I send through the mind link as Connor drives. ‘Yeah,’ he answers instantly. ‘She’s got abilities she doesn’t even understand. Your brother is already at the scene. I’m taking you girls somewhere safe, then I’m heading back. We need your friend in the hospital.’ ‘Got it. I’ll tell my mom we’re coming, and she needs to contact the elders.’ I push that message out to everyone crammed into the SUV. From the first second I saw Bridget, I knew she was a wolf. More than that—I knew there was something about her that mattered. She felt like someone who needed us. I can’t explain it without sounding ridiculous, but she carries something clean in her, something good, even with a life that’s clearly been brutal. And her eyes—when she stared into the woods, they flashed gold for a heartbeat. I won’t forget it. The doctors need to know. We swing into the pack hospital, and my mom is already outside waiting. I twist around in my seat to check Bridget again—she’s completely out cold. The rain, which had been pounding the windshield, has stopped like someone turned it off. Doctors and nurses rush us the moment we step out. “We’re fine,” I say quickly, voice sharp with panic. “It’s our friend—she needs help!” They lift Bridget onto a gurney and fly through the doors. We chase them down the corridor until we hit the line where we’re not allowed past. Connor steps close, that hard, pissed look still on his face. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine, Connor,” I snap. “It was a bonfire. Rogues attacked.” I’m done with him acting like I’m five—like I’m fragile—just because I’m younger than him and my brother. His jaw tightens. “A bonfire outside the territory. Anything could’ve happened to you. And you brought a newbie who doesn’t even know she’s a wolf,” he whisper-yells, trying not to draw attention. “I am not your responsibility,” I shoot back. I step in close, as close as our height difference allows. “And I’m not doing anything you and my brother didn’t do at my age.” Connor freezes. For a second, I swear I hear a growl in his chest. “Beta Connor.” My mom’s voice cuts through it, calm radiating from her like a wave. “Please go assist your Alpha.” “Yes, Luna.” He bows and turns away fast. The moment he hits the main doors, he shifts—gone in a blur of muscle and fur. Chapter 6 A once-in-a-lifetime meeting Bridget's POV I wake up in a hospital room with Evelyn on one side of the bed and Ms. Miriam on the other. They’ve already run scans and taken blood. When the doctor returns, she says everything looks normal—nothing to explain why I went down. She tells me to take it easy and come back once the bloodwork results are in. Somehow, not long after that, I’m being brought to a mansion. The moment I step inside, a strange prickling races over my skin. At the same time, a calm voice murmurs in my head—familiar, like I’ve heard it a hundred times. I’m almost certai...

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