Hacked By The Wolf

chapter 5

Roman’s arms tightened around her as the distant howls grew louder, closer, weaving into a chilling chorus that echoed off the skyscrapers. The city lights flickered below like a sea of restless stars, but up here in the shattered penthouse the air crackled with new danger.

They felt the mark take hold across the city. Every wolf now knew the Vale alpha had claimed his Luna.

And war had just been declared.

Zara’s heart still thundered from the bond, from the claiming, from the impossible love that now lived inside her chest. Her skin tingled where his mark throbbed hot, alive, permanent. She could feel Roman’s emotions as clearly as her own: fierce protectiveness, awe, and a razor edge of fear not for himself, but for her.

We have to move, he said against her temple, voice rough with lingering need and fresh urgency. They’re coming in numbers.

Who? she asked, pulling back just enough to search his face. The rival pack?

All of them. Word travels faster than wind on the moon paths. Cassian’s alpha will want vengeance. Others will want the cure. And some… he brushed his thumb over her mark, eyes darkening …will want you simply because you are mine.

Zara shivered, but not from cold. Power surged beneath her skin again wild, untamed, growing. She flexed her fingers. Claws flickered in and out, silver-black and razor sharp.

My wolf, she whispered in wonder.

Roman’s smile was soft and proud and heartbreaking all at once.

She’s beautiful. Strong. Rare silver blood legend come to life.

He reached for a hidden panel in the wall. It slid open to reveal folded clothes black tactical pants, shirt, boots. He dressed quickly, every movement efficient despite the healing gashes. Then he pulled out a second set, smaller, and handed it to her.

For emergencies, he explained. Never thought my mate would need it on the night I claimed her.

Zara stripped out of her ruined hoodie and jeans without modesty. The bond stripped away shyness. She felt his gaze like a caress, hungry and reverent. The new clothes fit perfectly soft, flexible, designed for shifting.

How did you know my size?

I didn’t. The moon did.

She laughed softly, the sound shaky but real. Then the laughter faded as another wave of howls rolled closer dozens now, maybe hundreds.

Roman took her hand, threading their fingers.

There’s a safe floor below. Reinforced. My pack is gathering. But we have minutes, not hours.

They stepped over broken glass and blood toward the private elevator. Zara’s bare feet crunched on shards; she barely felt it. Her senses were too sharp, too alive. She could smell the dead wolf’s fear lingering in the air, taste copper on the wind, hear elevator cables humming far below.

As the doors closed, Roman pulled her against his side.

Your first shift will come soon. The full moon isn’t for days, but the claiming and the danger… it will force her out. It will hurt. I’ll be with you every second.

Zara nodded, leaning into his strength.

I’m not afraid. Not with you.

The elevator dropped smoothly, but halfway down it lurched to a violent stop. Red emergency lights flared.

Roman’s head snapped up.

They’ve cut power to the shaft.

A metallic screech echoed above them. Claws on steel.

Zara looked up. Shadows moved across the maintenance hatch in the ceiling.

They’re in the shaft, she said, voice calm despite the adrenaline spike.

Roman’s smile was all teeth.

Then we go through them.

He reached up, ripped the hatch open with one hand. Three wolves dropped in smaller than Roman, but fast and feral. The confined space exploded into violence.

Roman shifted mid-motion, black wolf filling the elevator. Zara felt her own wolf surge in answer fur rippling under her skin, bones aching to reshape.

One attacker lunged for her throat. Instinct took over.

Zara didn’t think. She simply let go.

Pain lanced through her like lightning, beautiful and brutal. Her body folded inward, then burst outward. Clothes shredded. Vision sharpened to crystalline clarity. In heartbeats she landed on four paws silver fur gleaming under red lights, larger than she expected, powerful and graceful.

Her first growl rumbled out, deep and commanding.

The attacking wolf faltered.

Roman dispatched his opponent with ruthless efficiency, then turned to her. His golden eyes widened in awe.

Luna, he breathed through the new mind-link that sparked between them. You are magnificent.

The third wolf hesitated, caught between two alphas. Zara didn’t give it time to choose. She sprang, jaws closing on its shoulder, slamming it against the wall. It yelped, submitted instantly.

Roman shifted back to human form, naked again, and hit the emergency override. The elevator groaned and resumed its descent.

Zara stayed wolf silver fur rippling, tail high. She felt invincible.

The doors opened onto a fortified sublevel steel walls, dim blue lighting, dozens of wolves already waiting in various states of shift. They parted like a sea as Roman stepped out, Zara at his side.

Silence fell.

Then every wolf dropped to their knees or bellies, heads bowed.

The mind-link flooded with voices joy, loyalty, fierce determination.

Luna, they whispered as one. Our silver Luna has risen.

An older wolf gray muzzle, wise eyes approached slowly and bowed deeper.

The legends were true, he said aloud. Silver blood returns in our darkest hour. We are saved.

Roman placed a hand on Zara’s furred neck, pride radiating through the bond.

She is not a cure, he said firmly. She is my mate. Our Luna. We protect her with our lives, as she will protect us.

Zara shifted back to human form for the first time consciously painless now, fluid. She stood tall and naked among them, unashamed. Power hummed in her veins.

I don’t know how to be a Luna, she said, voice carrying effortlessly. But I know how to fight for what’s mine. And this pack this family is mine now.

A roar of approval rose, shaking the walls.

Roman pulled her close, lips brushing her temple.

You were born for this, he whispered privately through the bond. Born for me.

Alarms blared suddenly. Screens along one wall flickered to life security feeds showing rival wolves breaching the tower lobby, human authorities cordoning streets below, news helicopters circling.

They come openly now, the elder wolf said grimly. No more hiding in shadows.

Roman’s jaw set.

Then neither will we.

He turned to Zara, eyes blazing.

The war begins tonight. But with you at my side, we cannot lose.

Zara took his hand, feeling the entire pack’s strength flow through the bond hundreds of hearts beating as one.

Let them come, she said, silver claws extending once more. I’m just getting started.

Above them, the city trembled under gathering storm clouds.

And somewhere in the distance, a new howl rose hers silver and clear and unafraid, calling every wolf in the night to witness the rise of their awakened Luna.