Fates Entwined

9

Ayla's directions were good and it didn't take me too long to find the ancient tree. It stood tall and proud, its branches reaching up to the sky like gnarled hands. I couldn't help but be awestruck by its beauty and the sense of timelessness it exuded. As I approached, my fur brushed against the rough bark, and I admired the grooves and ridges that had formed over countless years. I found Ayla's camera in its bag right at the base of the tree, and I returned to human form to pick it up and put it around my neck. Leaning against the ancient tree, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The quiet serenity of the forest wrapped around me like a comforting embrace, providing a much-needed reprieve from the chaos of the Convergence and the turmoil inside me.

I knew I couldn't stay here forever, but for a few precious moments, I tried to forget about everything else and simply exist in this beautiful, peaceful place. It worked at first, but then my thoughts strayed back to Jordan, wondering what the future held for both of us, and whether I'd ever be able to escape the pull of our bond. Was there any point in fighting it?

The sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs caught my attention, and I pressed my naked back to the tree and glanced around. The disturbance started in one spot in the forest and then spread while getting closer at the same time. I raised my nose and caught the scent of wolves, though none that I immediately recognized.

Reddish fur and gleaming eyes emerged from the brush, surrounding me on all sides. Some of the wolves growled low in their throats, while others bared their teeth, their hackles raised. Every single one looked ready to attack me at any moment. I didn't even need to see their pack marks to know they were Leos.

Panic shot through me as I lived through one of my worst nightmares. Memories flashed of when the Leos attacked my village, their red wolves running through our streets while the Sun Witches burned everything they could. I'd taken the children to safety, while Kaden had killed their alpha—Jordan's father—that day. Were these Leos here for revenge? If they were, they had no idea who they were up against. I was the daughter of alphas, with ancient Moon Witch blood in my veins, and I would go down fighting these Leos with everything I had.

I put Ayla's camera down and let my wolf free again, immediately dropping into a defensive position. There were at least a dozen wolves, and I had no idea which one would make the first move. I had to be ready for anything.

As I bared my teeth at them, the Leos drew closer, circling around me, making sure there was nowhere for me to run. Some of them snapped at me, though none got close enough to actually touch me. Terror flooded my veins, though I refused to cower. Was this how my parents felt before the Leos killed them in cold blood?

Then a familiar scent came to me, the one I'd been unable to stop thinking about since last night. The wolves in front of me parted as a huge red-gold wolf approached from the forest. Sunlight danced off his fur like it was drawn to him, and his blue eyes shone with the fire inside of him. He came for me with the determination of a wolf who had found its prey and was never letting it escape.

A new kind of panic rose up inside me. I started to back away, but there was nowhere for me to go. A soft whine escaped me as I tried to look anywhere but at the alpha approaching me, but it was impossible.

Our eyes met—and the mate bond activated.

CHAPTER FIVE

The world slowed down. Something within me snapped into place as I stared into Jordan's eyes, something I'd always known was there but had never been able to touch before. He was the missing piece of me, the thing I'd been searching for without even realizing it. Through the bond, I knew he felt the same way because we were one being now, not two.

The rest of the forest faded away, and all I knew in that moment was my mate. We both moved toward each other in a rush, colliding in a tangle of fur and claws. We tousled, twisting and rolling through the underbrush, leaves, and dirt scattering around us. Our bodies became entwined in a dance of dominance and submission, but he was too strong and easily pinned me beneath him, our noses almost touching.

Jordan rubbed his face on mine and I couldn't resist the urge to nuzzle against him, reveling in the connection that now bound us together. The scent of him was intoxicating, filling my senses and sending my heart racing. We both shifted back to human form at the same instant, our bodies completely attuned to each other. He kissed along the side of my neck as our naked limbs clung to each other. His hard c**k pressed against me and I wanted nothing more than for him to be inside me, making the bond truly complete.

Jordan lifted his head and barked out a command. "Leave us."

Reality crashed back into me as I remembered we were surrounded by a dozen members of his pack, all watching this moment and what we were about to do. A few seconds ago they’d circled me, making me think they were about to attack, and now they were disappearing into the woods at their alpha’s command.

Heat flared across my face, and with it came an intense, burning rage. I snarled and pushed Jordan off of me. Hurt and confusion flashed in his eyes as I scrambled up and put as much distance as possible between us.