“You don’t have to convince me,” Caine says calmly.“But they’ll push.They claim it’s for information.”
“She’s barely able to eat,” I growl.“She’s terrified of wolves, Caine.Terrified of shifting.Terrified of everything.”
“I know,” he says gently.
“They’re not touching her,” I snarl.
“They won’t.”Caine meets my eyes steadily.“Not while she’s in this state.And not without her, and your, permission.”
My chest eases slightly at that.
“Focus on her,” Caine says.“We’ll handle the rest.I just wanted to be transparent about what is happening.”
I exhale shakily.“Okay.”
“Go,” he says softly.“She’ll wake soon.”
I don’t need to be told twice.I haul ass back across the compound.When I reach the room, the moment I open the door, I know something is wrong.
Aria sits on the bed.Her back is rigid, the blanket wrapped around her like armor.Her breathing is fast.Too fast and her pupils blown wide.
Fear.Terror.
“Aria?”I shut the door fast, my heartbeat crashing in my ears.“What happened?”
She doesn’t look at me.She’s staring at the window.
“The howl,” she whispers.“Something howled.”
My stomach drops.A border call.It’s routine and harmless.But to her?It would seem like a threat.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly as I approach.“It was a patrol change.Not danger.”
She’s trembling.“I thought ...I thought it was them.”
I kneel beside the bed.“Aria.Look at me.”
She does.Slowly.Hesitantly.Her eyes glassy with panic.
“It wasn’t Hunters,” I say gently.“It was pack.The Katu pack.Our pack.They’re just checking the borders.”
“The Hunters howl,” she whispers, her gaze lost in a far-off memory.
I freeze.“What?”
Her voice shakes.“When they bring someone new.They howl before the doors open.It’s like ...like they’re announcing it.Or warning the others to get ready.”
My blood runs cold.This is new information.Valuable information but fucked up beyond belief.I push the rage down and take her hand slowly, hovering first, waiting for a flinch.
There isn’t one.I cover her trembling fingers with mine.
“They’re not here,” I whisper.“They can’t find you.I won’t let them.”
Her voice breaks.“Do you promise?”
“I swear it.”
The bond flickers, warmth, fear, connection, and pain all tangled together.
