Drake's s POV:
I was following up on some information one of my border warriors had just reported. He'd told me they'd seen a wolf enter our territory—illegally—moving fast, as if it were being pursued by something, or someone. Usually, my warriors would have intercepted any intruders immediately, but this one didn't carry the scent of a rogue. Instead of attacking, they'd focused on tracking whatever was chasing her, trying to stop it before it crossed into our land.
Curiosity piqued, I decided to investigate the situation myself. As Alpha of the Dark Moon Pack, it was my responsibility to ensure the safety of my territory. I was prepared for anything—or so I thought.
But as I neared the edge of the forest, a wave of something hit me. Not just anything—an intoxicating scent, soft and sweet, like vanilla, filled the air. It was impossible to ignore. My wolf, Gile, stirred restlessly within me, his growl low and urgent.
'Mate.'
The word echoed through my mind with such force that I nearly lost focus. Gile's excitement rippled through me, and I immediately started moving toward the source of that scent, a sudden urgency gripping me.
Following the trail, I found her, sprawled across the forest floor, unconscious and completely vulnerable. She was human now, her shift having undone itself in exhaustion or perhaps injury. Her clothes were torn and dirt-streaked, her hair wild and tangled around her face. But even in that state, she was stunning, with an ethereal beauty that made my breath catch.
My wolf's protective instincts surged, and I was at her side in an instant, kneeling down beside her. I leaned in, my senses sharpening. She wasn't a rogue, but her scent was unfamiliar—something I couldn't quite place. She looked fragile, worn out from whatever had driven her to cross into our territory.
"Mate," Gile whispered in my head again, this time softer, almost reverent.
I reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. The bond crackled between us, that undeniable pull that only existed between mates. It sent a shock through me, sharp and sweet, a promise of something powerful.
I shouldn't have felt this drawn to her. I didn't even know who she was—where she'd come from or why she'd entered my land. But the mate bond didn't care about those things. It was like gravity, pulling me in, making it impossible to resist.
What have I stumbled into? I wondered, as I gently lifted her into my arms, feeling her warmth seep into my skin. She was mine—whether she knew it or not. And whatever had been chasing her… would regret it.
As I began walking back toward the pack house, Gile's voice growled once more in the back of my mind, more determined than ever.
'Protect her. Keep her safe.'
I nodded to myself, feeling the weight of my responsibility settle over me. I didn't know who this mysterious girl was, but one thing was certain. I would protect her with my life.
No one, and nothing, would touch her while she was under my care.
I carefully carried her to my room, where the air was still and calm, a stark contrast to the wild chaos I'd found her in. Gently, I laid her down on the bed, taking a moment to study her face—so peaceful now that she was out cold, but there was something fierce about her even in sleep. She looked like a fighter, someone who wouldn't be easily broken.
Her clothes were in tatters, dirty and torn, and I knew she wouldn't appreciate waking up in them. As her mate, I felt a sense of duty, even if she didn't yet know who I was. Gile, my wolf, was insistent on keeping her comfortable and safe. So, with as much respect as I could muster, I removed the shredded clothes, leaving her in her bra and panties. I knew she wouldn't be happy if she woke up and found herself completely unclothed—mate bond or not.
Once I had her covered up, I stood by the bed, watching her for a while, checking for any signs of injury. But aside from a few scrapes and bruises, she seemed physically fine. Whatever had chased her hadn't managed to catch her—at least not yet. The question of what, or who, had been after her still gnawed at me. And I wasn't going to rest until I had answers.
Leaving her to sleep, I went to gather whatever information I could. My warriors had reported seeing a group of wolves chasing her. But after she crossed into Dark Moon territory, they had abandoned the pursuit, retreating without a word. No one knew which pack they belonged to, and there was no identifiable scent lingering on the border. It was frustratingly vague. All I could do now was wait for her to wake up and tell me herself.
Returning to my room, I barely had time to register what was happening when she launched at me the moment I stepped through the door. I was caught completely off guard, her speed surprising me as she aimed for my throat—feral, desperate. Instinctively, I grabbed for her wrists to fend off her attack, but the momentum carried us both to the floor. She landed on top of me, sprawled across my chest as I let out a low chuckle, amused by her fiery response.
The moment she launched at me, claws bared and eyes wild, I didn't know whether to be angry or impressed. Hell, I hadn't expected that kind of fire from someone who had just been running for her life, but here she was—ready to rip my throat out without hesitation. It was kind of... exhilarating.
"Woah... chill out, mate!" I blurted, raising my hands in surrender, trying to defuse the situation. Her grip was strong—damn strong—and for a moment, I felt the pressure on my windpipe. She had me pinned, and I wasn't even mad about it. There was a wildness in her that matched my own, and Gile, my wolf, was buzzing with excitement. "No need to be so aggressive," I added, trying to keep the situation light.
But I couldn't resist a jab. "I didn't know you were that desperate," I teased, a smirk curving my lips. "At least not at the doorway." Her confusion was evident in the slight flicker in her eyes, but it was Layla, her wolf, who clued her into the truth. The realization hit her hard; I could see it in the way she suddenly went slack, releasing her death grip on my neck and scrambling backward like she'd been burned.
'Shit,' he must have been thinking because she darted to the bed faster than I'd expected, her cheeks red with embarrassment as she wrapped herself up in the sheets like they were armor. I couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh, so now you're shy?" I taunted, enjoying the playful banter. "After nearly molesting me at the door? Hush, don't cover yourself. I was just starting to enjoy the view."
She glared at me, her embarrassment only making her more appealing in a strange, twisted way. This wasn't just some wolf, some random she-wolf who had wandered into my territory. No, this was my mate, the one the Moon Goddess had destined for me. And she was strong, fierce—everything I could have hoped for. Gile was practically purring in my mind, urging me to close the distance between us, but I held back. There was something more in her eyes—something that told me this wasn't going to be an easy road.
"If I may ask," she stammered, clearly trying to regain control of the situation, "where am I and what's your name?"
Her voice, soft but edged with steel, made me pause. I tilted my head, letting the question hang in the air for a moment longer than necessary. "Mmmh," I mused, pretending to think it over. There was a depth to her that intrigued me, a darkness that mirrored my own. "Well, mate has a pretty voice," I murmured to myself, mostly for Gile's benefit. He growled in approval.
Her expression twisted into something between frustration and disbelief. I could see it in her eyes—she was already labeling me as some kind of lunatic. But that was fine by me. I didn't need her approval just yet. What I needed was time.
"Okay," I said, breaking the silence. "So, apparently you're in my room." I swept my hand casually, gesturing to the familiar space we were in. "And as for my name, I'm Drake," I said, though there was no doubt in my mind that she already knew who I was. "But my wolf's name is Gile," I added. "Though, to be honest, we'd both prefer if you called us something more... endearing, like honey, babe, or whatever that pretty mind of yours can conjure up."
She rolled her eyes at that, clearly not impressed with my attempt at humor. But I wasn't bothered. I wasn't trying to charm her—well, not entirely. What I was really doing was trying to figure her out. I could sense that she had walls up, thick and strong. And I wasn't about to try and break them down just yet. No, I'd wait. I'd bide my time, let her get comfortable, let her think she had control.
But even as I played it cool, I couldn't help the primal urge that was simmering beneath the surface. The mate bond was already working its magic, pulling me toward her with a force that was hard to resist. And I could tell, deep down, she was feeling it too. But there was something else there—something darker. She wasn't just running from something or someone. She had plans of her own. Dangerous ones.
She narrowed her eyes at me, her jaw set with determination. I could tell she wasn't going to be easily swayed. Whatever she had been through, it had hardened her. But that only made me want her more. This wasn't going to be some fairy tale romance. No, this was going to be a battle of wills, a game of push and pull until one of us gave in. And I wasn't planning on losing.
As I watched her, standing there wrapped in nothing but a sheet, trying to act tough while fighting off her own feelings, I couldn't help but admire her resolve. But I also knew that no matter how hard she fought it, the mate bond was unbreakable. Sooner or later, she'd have to give in.
But for now, I'd let her think she had the upper hand. Let her believe she was in control. Because when the time came, when I finally had her right where I wanted her, she'd realize there was no escaping this—no escaping me.
Until then, I'd play along, teasing her, testing her limits, and pushing her buttons. Because I had no intention of letting her go—not now, not ever.