Michelle
I should have felt safe.
The battle was over. City Moon’s Alpha and Luna lay broken in the dirt, their pack scattered, their reign ended. Night Moon’s warriors were already cleaning up the wreckage, their voices lifting in celebration of peace.
But my pulse refused to settle.
Maybe it was the smell—blood thick on the wind, clogging every inhale. Maybe it was the sight of wolves limping past with wounds that would scar for life. Or maybe it was the man standing beside me, broad shoulders and storm-dark eyes locked on me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
My mate.
The word thrummed through me with every heartbeat, both promise and threat. I hadn’t expected it, hadn’t even let myself hope. And yet when Michael’s hand closed around mine, when sparks lit up my
