SERA'S POV
"Liar."
The single word makes my blood run cold.
The Alpha—Kade Blackthorn—takes another step closer. I'm already pressed against the wall with nowhere to go.
My power rises beneath my skin, begging to be released. I could command him to leave. One word. Just one word and he'd have no choice but to obey.
But then he'd know.
He'd know exactly what I am, and I'd be signing my own death warrant.
"I'm not lying," I say, keeping my voice steady even though my heart is racing. "I'm just a barista. You have the wrong person."
His eyes narrow. "Your heartbeat just spiked. You ARE lying."
Damn werewolf hearing.
"Maybe I'm just scared," I snap. "Three giant men broke into my apartment, and now you're here interrogating me. Anyone would be scared."
"True." He tilts his head, studying me like I'm a puzzle he's trying to solve. "But fear doesn't explain why you smell like moonlight and old magic. Or why every instinct I have is screaming that you're MINE."
The possessiveness in that last word makes my stomach flip.
"I don't belong to anyone," I say firmly.
"Not yet." His smile is dangerous. "But you will."
Before I can respond, he turns to his three wolves who are still standing awkwardly by the destroyed door.
"Out," Kade orders. "All of you. Now."
"Boss, are you sure—" the largest one starts.
"OUT." The Alpha command in his voice makes all three of them flinch.
They leave immediately, practically tripping over each other to escape.
The door closes behind them—or tries to. It's barely hanging on its hinges.
Now I'm alone with the most dangerous predator in Seattle.
Perfect.
Kade turns back to me, and for a moment, we just stare at each other. The air between us feels electric, charged with something I don't want to name.
"Sit," he says, gesturing to my mattress on the floor.
"I'd rather stand."
"That wasn't a request."
Alpha command again. My body actually wants to obey, which pisses me off.
"I'm not one of your pack members," I say through gritted teeth. "You can't order me around."
Something flickers in his eyes—surprise, maybe, or respect. "Most people can't resist an Alpha command. Especially not humans."
He's testing me. Trying to figure out what I am.
I force myself to stay standing, even though my legs are shaking. "Maybe I'm just stubborn."
"Or maybe you're not human at all." He moves closer, and I have nowhere to go. "Let's try this again. Who are you, Sera Winters? And don't give me another lie."
"I already told you—"
"You're a barista who works at Moonbean Coffee. You live alone in this apartment. You have no social media, no family, no friends." He's close enough now that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. "You pay rent in cash, use a fake ID, and you've only been in Seattle for four months. Before that, you were in Portland for five months. Before that, Sacramento. Should I keep going?"
My heart stops. "You... you investigated me?"
"The moment you walked into my city, I knew you were here. Your scent is..." He pauses, searching for the right word. "Unique. I just couldn't find you until you made yourself visible with that video."
"You were looking for me? Why?"
"Because I'm the Alpha. It's my job to know about every supernatural creature in my territory." His silver eyes bore into mine. "And you, little mate, are definitely supernatural."
The word 'mate' makes my chest tighten.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I whisper, but even I can hear how weak it sounds.
"Yes, you do." He raises his hand slowly, giving me time to move away. When I don't, he cups my face gently. His palm is warm against my cheek. "You felt it too, didn't you? The moment our eyes met. Something snapped into place."
The mate bond. He's talking about the mate bond.
"That's impossible," I breathe. "Mate bonds only work between wolves. I'm not—"
I cut myself off, but it's too late.
Kade's eyes flash with triumph. "You're not what? Not human? I already knew that." He leans closer, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. "But you're not a wolf either. So what are you?"
Tears burn in my eyes. I've kept this secret for seven years. Seven years of running, hiding, lying to everyone I meet.
And this man—this Alpha I just met—is unraveling everything in minutes.
"I can't tell you," I whisper. "If I tell you, you'll either use me or kill me. That's what always happens."
Something shifts in his expression. The predatory intensity softens into something almost... gentle.
"Who hurt you?" His voice is quiet but edged with violence. "Who made you think that way?"
"Everyone." The word comes out broken. "My mother spent her whole life running from wolves. She died because they found us. Because of what I am."
"I'm not them." Kade's other hand comes up to frame my face. "I don't know what you are, Sera. But I know what you are to ME. You're my mate. And I protect what's mine."
"You keep saying that word. Mate." I try to pull away, but his hands are gentle but firm. "We just met. You don't even know me."
"My wolf knows you. That's enough."
"That's insane."
"Welcome to the supernatural world, little mate. Nothing here makes sense." His lips quirk into a half-smile. "But the mate bond doesn't lie. The Moon Goddess chooses our perfect match. Our other half."
"I don't believe in fate," I say desperately. "Or destiny. Or any of that."
"Then believe in this." He leans down until his forehead rests against mine. "I've lived for thirty-one years without feeling anything close to what I felt the moment I saw you. My wolf went feral. I nearly shifted in front of my entire pack just from catching your scent."
His breath is warm against my lips. We're so close I can see silver flecks in his eyes.
"I scare you," he murmurs. "I can smell it. But you're not running. Why?"
Because I can't. Because the mate bond is already wrapping around my heart like chains. Because for the first time in seven years, I don't feel alone.
But I can't say any of that.
"Because you'll just hunt me down," I say instead.
"Smart girl." His smile is pure predator. "I'm very good at hunting."
"This is crazy. We don't even know each other."
"Then let's fix that." He finally—finally—steps back, giving me space to breathe. "Ask me anything. I'll answer honestly."
I blink at him, surprised. "Anything?"
"Anything."
A thousand questions flood my mind, but one rises to the surface.
"Why were you looking for me? Before the video. You said you knew I was in Seattle."
Kade's jaw tightens. "Because someone else was looking for you too. And they're not as friendly as I am."
My blood turns to ice. "Who?"
"I don't know yet. But over the past three months, seven different rogue packs have shown up in Seattle. All of them asking questions about a girl with silver hair and violet eyes who smells like moonlight." His eyes are deadly serious now. "A girl who can command wolves. A girl from the Lunaris bloodline."
The room spins.
He knows. He KNOWS.
"I..." I can't breathe. Can't think. "I have to go. I have to—"
"You're not going anywhere." Kade catches my wrist as I try to bolt for the door. "Those rogues will kill you the moment you step outside."
"Better them than—"
The window explodes inward.
Glass shatters everywhere. Dark shapes pour through—wolves with red eyes and foam-flecked jaws.
Rogues.
At least ten of them.
"THE LUNARIS!" one screams, his voice barely human. "WE FOUND HER! CAPTURE HER ALIVE!"
Kade moves faster than I can track, shoving me behind him.
"Touch her and die," he snarls.
Then he shifts.
His body explodes into his massive black wolf form—easily twice the size of the rogues. Power radiates from him like a physical force.
The lead rogue laughs—high and manic. "The Alpha protects the Lunaris! The prophecy is true!"
Then chaos erupts.
More rogues pour through the window. Through the broken door. They're everywhere, and all of them are focused on one thing:
Me.
Kade tears into them with devastating violence. Blood sprays. Bones crack. But there are too many.
A rogue breaks through, lunging straight for me.
I stumble back, power rising in my throat—
The rogue's jaws snap inches from my face.
And somewhere in the chaos, I hear Kade's anguished roar.
Time slows down.
The rogue's teeth are aimed at my throat.
I have one second to decide.
Use my power and reveal everything.
Or die.
My mouth opens.
The command is already forming on my tongue.
And that's when the rogue's eyes go wide with shock.
He stumbles backward, a massive black paw buried in his chest.
Kade ripped him away from me.
But three more rogues tackle Kade from behind. He goes down under their combined weight.
"NO!" I scream.
Another rogue lunges for me.
This time, I don't hesitate.
My power DETONATES.