The trail opens into an open clearing, showing a rock ledge overlooking the valley. Cars weave through the dense forest below, no larger than toys. As the group settles in to eat, Elena pulls out a map-the paper crinkling as she smooths it across her lap. "Where exactly are we headed?
Timothy leans over her shoulder, pointing. "We're aiming for this meadow, just before the trail to Walkers Peak."
"The one by the path leading to Walkers Peak?" Elena's brows knit together as she glances at Sommy, concern flickering in her gaze.
"Yes," Timothy confirms casually.
Sommy stiffens. Walkers Peak. The clerk at the RV park had warned her to avoid that area—it led straight to the jamboree.
Jessica shifts beside her. "Wait. I thought we weren't supposed to go that way."
Realization slams into Sommy like a freight train. Her stomach churns as the pieces click into place. They're leading them straight to the jamboree, where her friends—without knowing it—will be paraded as potential mates. Her pulse spikes, a fiery rage bubbling to the surface. Her wolf pushes forward, claws scratching beneath her skin.
"We're not," she snaps, standing abruptly. "Pack up. This hike is over."
Zain rises, confusion written all over her face. "I don't understand, Sommy."
Sommy barely hears her. She rounds on Buchi, fury burning through her veins. "This is wrong on so many levels. I can't believe you—
Buchi moves faster than she expects, grabbing her wrist and tugging her forward. She stumbles, caught off guard by his speed. "Not here," he murmurs, voice low. "Let's talk somewhere private."
Sommy clenches her jaw but follows-his grip leaves her no choice. And he's right. This isn't a conversation to have in front of her human friends. She turns back, voice sharp. "Don't move until I get back.
They walk just far enough that the others can't hear before Buchi finally releases her. Sommy whirls on him, hands on her hips. "You think it's cool to offer up my friends as human mates at your jamboree?"
"No," Buchi says evenly, shaking his head like she's some naive pup. "That's not what's happening."
His calm infuriates her. "Then why are we going to that meadow?
Timothy wishes to ask Zain to be his mate. But prior to doing so, our pack necessitates that he establish their connection in wolf form."
Sommy's jaw drops. "You are joking. He wants to mate her already? She doesn't even know what he is! Don't you think she deserves to know what she's getting into?"
"He'll tell her-when he's certain she's prepared to accept it.
Sommy throws her hands up. "You don't think a wolf sniffing around her might be a little strange?"
"We'll explain it in a way that makes sense to them."
Her laugh is bitter. "Oh, so you'll just convince my friends that stumbling upon a bunch of wolves is no big deal?"
Buchi exhales through his nose, clearly frustrated. "Nobody's bonding with anyone today, Sommy."
"You don't know that," she argues, voice rising. "Not every wolf has self-control in the heat of mating. What if one decides he wants Jessica or Elena and can't hold back? What then?"
His jaw tightens. "So they get sniffed. Big deal."
Her wolf snarls inside her, furious at his indifference. "It is a big deal," she growls. "I won't allow you to do this. It's not right."
Buchi's eyes flash with something dark-anger, maybe even desperation. "What's not right is keeping true mates apart."
Sommy's breathing comes fast, her whole body humming with anger. "True mates?" she spits. "What the hell do you know about true mates?"
"Sommy-"
She raises a hand. "Save it."
Pivoting on her heel, she stalks back toward the clearing. "We're leaving."
Zain rises, her eyes shining. "I don't understand. What's going on?
Sommy softens. "I'm sorry. I know this doesn't make sense, but something very dangerous is happening in that meadow."
Timothy steps forward. "Zain, I'd never hurt you. You know that."
Sommy sighs. "Timothy, I believe that. But I can't allow this." She turns back to Zain. "This doesn't mean you can't see him again. You have to trust me.
Zain hesitates, then nods quickly. She stands, voice small. "I'll text you, Timothy. But I need time. Please understand."
"I do." Timothy's expression tightens as he presses a soft kiss to her forehead. His gaze flicks to Sommy, sharp with silent promise. "This won't keep us apart."
Stephen takes a step forward, muscles coiling beneath his shirt. "Wait. We have a-
Buchi's voice cuts through the tension like a blade. "No. Let them go."
Sommy turns, surprised. His nostrils flare, his entire body taut, as if barely holding back a shift. For a brief moment, she considers challenging him—she wants to fight, to lash out—but shifting in front of her friends would be reckless. Instead, she grits out, "Thank you."
Elena and Jessica are on the trail already when Sommy grabs Zain's hand, pulling her away from Timothy. She's shaking, her fingers fragile in Sommy's grasp. "Let's go."
The minute they're well out of earshot, Zain's breath shudders. Tears spill over, and Elena wraps an arm around her shoulders. "You better explain what the hell that was all about.
Sommy hurries her pace. "I will. But we need to get far away from them first. Once we're back at camp, I promise you'll know everything."
Jessica, bless her, doesn't need convincing. "You guys need to trust Sommy. She's always had our backs. I don't know what just happened, but I'm sure we'll be glad she stopped it."
Zain snifflers, voice trembling. "I do believe you, Sommy. I'm sorry."
Sommy stops and turns, facing her. "Oh, baby, no. I am the one who's sorry." She gives Zain's hand a squeeze. "It'll all be just fine. Promise."
But remembering how Buchi's command rippled through her, undeniable, absolute, brings her to another more profound fear. Buchi wasn't just part of this pack but an alpha to the pack, and if it requires human mates just like his own.
Desperation makes wolves do reckless things.
Timothy might not be the villain here, but Buchi?
She sighs, her heart racing.
Buchi is the real danger.