Chapter 3

"Warren's been acting wild lately, especially with young women," Gabriel said.

"He's got a thing for you," Lucas added bluntly.

Gabriel nodded grimly. "Several pack members have gone missing recently. Young females. We're pretty damn sure Warren's behind it, but as Alpha, no one can call him out directly."

"So we're bailing?" I asked, pieces finally falling into place.

"Your grandmother reached out to Jace Carter, Moon Shadow's Alpha. He's giving us sanctuary, no questions asked."

"Are we ever coming back?" The question felt heavy on my tongue.

Gabriel met my eyes. "Probably not. But Moon Shadow's a good place, and Jace is the real deal. You'll be safe there."

We finished our meal in silence, each lost in thought about the dangerous journey ahead and the life we were leaving behind.

Later that night, Lucas knocked softly on my bedroom door. When I opened it, his usual teasing grin was replaced with a serious expression.

"Ready for the big move, squirt?" he asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.

I shrugged, trying to seem braver than I felt. "Ready as I'll ever be to ditch the only home I remember."

"Hey," he said, bumping my shoulder with his. "Home is wherever your family is. And Gabriel and I are stuck with you for good."

"Tell me about Moon Shadow," I said. "What's it like?"

Lucas's expression lightened. "It's massive compared to Black Forest. Way more territory, covers most of the mountain range." He leaned in conspiratorially. "And get this—you know what they say about their Alpha?"

I shook my head.

"They say Jace Carter has Primal Wolf blood running through his veins. His wolf form, Phantom, is twice the size of a normal werewolf. Never seen him shift myself, but Gabriel has. Says it's insane."

"Do you know anyone there?" I asked.

"Gabriel and I visited a few times when you were little. I know some of the warriors there." He stood to leave. "Get some sleep, Aria. Tomorrow's a fresh start."

He hugged me tightly before leaving, and I tried to draw strength from his confidence.

A noise woke me sometime after midnight. Slipping quietly from my bed, I crept down the stairs and froze at what I saw. Gabriel and Lucas were in the living room, checking weapons—knives, a crossbow, even a gun with what I recognized as silver bullets.

"He won't just let us walk away," Gabriel was saying in a low voice. "Not with how obsessed he is with Aria."

"We'll be gone before his guys show up," Lucas replied. "Hit the border before they realize we've split."

Gabriel noticed me then, but didn't scold me for eavesdropping. Instead, he beckoned me closer and pressed a small knife into my hand.

"Hope to God you never need this," he said, his eyes serious, "but just in case."

The weight of the blade felt strange in my palm. Until that moment, I don't think I'd truly understood how serious our situation was.

"We're out of here at six," Gabriel said. "Earlier than we told Warren. Pack everything tonight and be ready to go."

The three of us embraced, a family circle that had weathered many storms and was about to face its biggest challenge yet. As I returned to my room, the knife secure in my pocket, I wondered what awaited us at Moon Shadow Pack—and whether Alpha Warren would let us go without a fight.

JACE

I sat at my desk looking over reports, feeling the pressure of leadership. The eastern border disputes were getting worse. Two hundred werewolves depended on me to keep them safe, and leading Moon Shadow Pack wasn't getting any easier.

In the quietness of my office, my thoughts drifted to the Whitmans and their concerns for their family. Their worry was justified. As parents who had lost a daughter, they still maintained their connection to family through Gabriel and Lucas. Their acceptance of Aria, a human girl, into their circle showed the true meaning of family bonds.

Such family ties are admirable, I thought. They not only accepted their son-in-law's decision to adopt a human girl but stepped forward in a time of danger to seek help. Instead of distancing themselves from Gabriel after Isabella's death, they grew closer.

A firm knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, my voice automatically carrying the authority expected of an Alpha.

Hunter stepped inside, closing the door behind him. We'd grown up together, and there was no one I trusted more as my Beta. His practical, level-headed approach to problems made him indispensable to me and to our pack.

"I spoke with the Whitman family," he reported, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back. "They've contacted their son-in-law. He'll try to bring them all here tomorrow."

Several days earlier, I had received the Whitman couple in this same office. The respected Pack members arrived with faces creased by worry. Mrs. Whitman could barely hold back tears as they spoke.

"Alpha Jace," Mr. Whitman began, his voice strained despite his efforts to stay calm. "Our son-in-law Gabriel from Black Forest Pack reached out. He, our grandson Lucas, and his adopted human daughter Aria need urgent help."

I nodded for them to continue, keeping my expression neutral while Phantom went instantly alert.

"Warren's been stalking Aria," Mrs. Whitman blurted, her voice breaking. "She's just seventeen - human, yes, but our family!"

"That bastard called Gabriel to his office," Mr. Whitman spat. "Said he'd make him Head Warrior if he handed Aria over as his mate. Gabriel refused, and now they're all targets."

I felt my blood boiling with rage. Phantom was out for blood. An Alpha forcing himself on a warrior's daughter? That's not just breaking our code - it spits in the face of everything pack stands for.

"Our Isabella died in that hunter attack ten years ago," Mr. Whitman said, raw pain in his voice. "Gabriel lost his wife but saved this human child. The pack fought him on it, but he raised her with Lucas anyway."

"She became their heart," Mrs. Whitman whispered, tears finally spilling. "Gabriel and Lucas rebuilt their lives around her. Warren knows this. He's using her to control Gabriel."

"He's been without a mate for years," Mrs. Whitman added. "But going after a human teenager? It's vile."

"He's forty-three," Mr. Whitman growled. "Using his position to force a girl... we're desperate, Alpha."

I didn't hesitate. "They'll come here. All of them. Moon Shadow Pack will protect them."

The Whitmans' shoulders sagged with relief. I felt a surge of pride in what we stood for - strong enough to shield the vulnerable, decent enough to stand against twisted power.

"Gabriel saved my life once," I added quietly. "And Isabella was a warrior to her core. I've always respected them both."

Mrs. Whitman nodded, tears streaming. "Thank you, Alpha. After Isabella died, Aria became our bridge to Gabriel and Lucas. She may be human, but she's got a wolf's heart."

"I promise you," I said, "they'll be completely safe here. I'll personally ensure it. Warren won't set foot on my territory."

-FLASHBACK END-

I nodded, leaning back in my chair. "Good. Prepare a dwelling for them. See if there's anything available near the Whitmans' place."

"I'll handle it," Hunter assured me. "I've also notified the warriors on patrol for the next few days, just in case."

I smiled slightly, appreciating his foresight. "Thank you. That's good thinking."

This was why Hunter made such an excellent Beta—he anticipated problems before they arose and required minimal direction. Our friendship only strengthened our working relationship. I was lucky to have him by my side, especially with the challenges we constantly faced.

The door to my office suddenly burst open without a knock, interrupting my conversation with Hunter.