Bound by Alpha’s Vows

The Return

The familiar scent of pine and damp earth hit Selene like a physical blow as she stood at Ravenstone’s border. Five years. Five years since she’d sworn never to return, yet here she was, her heart hammering against her ribs like a caged bird.

She pulled her hood lower, shielding her face from the patrol guards stationed along the perimeter. But she knew the moment she crossed that invisible line, they’d catch her scent. And worse, they’d catch his.

Lucian.

She glanced down at the small boy beside her, his tiny fingers clutching the edge of her cloak. Those silver eyes, Kade’s eyes, gleamed softly in the twilight, and the bond between them hummed with an intensity that terrified her. She’d spent years hiding him from this world, but she knew the time had come.

A low growl rumbled from the treeline ahead, followed by the rustle of leaves as a massive wolf emerged, its amber eyes narrowing in suspicion. The warrior shifted seamlessly into human form, a towering figure with scars crisscrossing his arms. His nostrils flared.

“State your business,” his voice was sharp, commanding. Then his eyes widened, recognition dawning. “Selene?”

Her breath caught, but she forced her voice to remain steady. “I need to see Alpha Kade.”

The warrior’s shock melted into wariness. “The Alpha doesn’t”

“I don’t care what he allows or forbids,” she cut him off, her grip on Lucian’s hand tightening. “Tell him Selene Nightshade has returned. And I have information he can’t ignore.”

The guard hesitated for a long moment before giving a curt nod. He turned on his heel and disappeared into the woods, no doubt racing toward the packhouse.

Selene exhaled slowly. This was it. The moment she’d dreaded for years.

Lucian tugged at her sleeve, his small voice barely above a whisper. “Mama… will he be angry?”

Her chest clenched. “Yes,” she admitted softly, brushing a strand of dark hair from his forehead. “But no matter what happens, I won’t let him take you from me.”

Lucian’s small fist clenched, his silver eyes flashing with an intensity too fierce for a child to possess. “He won’t. I promise.”

A gust of wind carried the unmistakable scent of power and fury.

And then, he emerged.

Alpha Kade Raventhorn stepped from the shadows like a predator, his imposing frame taut with barely leashed rage. Midnight-black hair tousled by the wind, sharp jawline set in a scowl, and those piercing silver eyes locked on her like a wolf who’d just spotted its prey.

He said nothing for a long moment. Just stared, his gaze shifting from her face to the child beside her.

Then, his voice, deep, rough, and laden with unspoken emotion, shattered the silence.

“You dare return to my territory?”

Selene lifted her chin, forcing steel into her posture. “I had no choice.”

Kade stepped forward, his fists clenched at his sides. “Whose child is that?”

She could hear the barely restrained growl in his throat, feel the fury radiating from him in waves.

Selene squared her shoulders, her next words about to send shockwaves through the clearing.

“He’s yours, Kade.”

Absolute silence fell over the forest.

Kade’s entire body went rigid. His breathing became quick and shallow, his wolf lurking just beneath the surface, barely contained.

But instead of the explosion she’d expected, something she’d never seen before happened.

Kade’s knees buckled, and he collapsed.