CHAPTER 5
1275 Words
The Bond
Lucas's POV
My wolf is growling and its claws are aching to pursue after the red-eyed shadow as it disappears into the night. Mia is still inside the bakery, whistling softly through the broken glass as she locks the door. Her words from last night, *Get out*, prevented me from running to her and telling her everything—about the danger, the mate link, and the rogues. Despite my tightening chest, I remain hidden and observe her silhouette. That object on the roof wasn't your typical rogue; it smelt strongly of blood and ash. I must find out what it desires from her.
I give Ethan a signal as he patrols the area, his brown eyes meeting mine in the shadows. I gesture to the ceiling and murmur, "Something is hunting her." "Something worse—not a rogue." With his typical smile gone, he nods and disappears into the darkness to follow it. I keep my wolf vigilant near the bakery, raising my hackles at every sound. Even if Mia is safe for the time being, I can't help but feel like time is running short.
I assemble the pack's most formidable combatants back at the den. "There's something fresh out there," I responded, maintaining my composure in spite of my stomach ache. "Not one of us, red eyes, fast." The elders exchange glances and murmur about ancient myths involving hybrid hunters and animals connected to dark magic. Our kid, Mia's baby, comes to mind, and I know it's not a coincidence. My wolf cries and demands that I get to Mia, so I send more patrols without mentioning her name.
I can't resist going back to town at daybreak. Mia is cleaning up the glass from the attack last night as she opens the bakery. Her emerald eyes search the street as if she suspects danger, and her face is pallid. Despite my need to hold her, I hide behind a tree and maintain my distance. Although Ethan says he hasn't seen the red-eyed creature, the air feels thick and as though it is watching. Even if she despises me, I must keep her safe.
Mia's POV
With unsteady hands and a broom that scratches the bakery floor, I sweep the glass. I can't stop thinking about the wolf from last night and Lucas becoming one. I'm angry, but I'm also afraid. He referred to me as his *mate*, as if that clarified the reason for his separation. I place my hand on my stomach and whisper, "We're okay," as my baby kicks. I'm not sure, though. My senses are more acute; I can smell coffee from the store across the street and hear birds too far away. It scares me, because it's not natural.
With her crooked glasses and wild red hair, Lila comes in. "You look terrible, Mia! She grabs my arm and asks, "What happened?" I tell her about Lucas, the wolf, and his wild chatter about partners. She pushes a muffin at me as her eyes enlarge and she drags me to a table. She says, "Eat." "We're heading to the library after that. Some of Silverwood's antique texts contain information regarding werewolves.
Lila finds a dusty book at the library, its pages yellow and tattered. She reads aloud about partners, werewolves, and human-wolf offspring. "They're known as hybrids," she replies softly. "They are strong, yet carrying them might be risky. The mother may not make it through without a mating relationship. My heart stops. Is Lucas's link meant to keep me from becoming pregnant with a hybrid? My hands are cold as I push the book aside. My voice trembles as I say, "I don't want him."
Back in the bakery, I knead dough till my arms hurt while baking to soothe my nerves. I hardly pay attention as Lila continues to talk about legends. The intensity of my baby's movements feels like they're communicating with me. With my mind whirling, I close early and make my way home while the streets are silent. I feel as though someone is watching me. I grab my keys and run, but a large shadow with flashing red eyes moves in the alley. My breath catches, and I bolt for my flat.
Lucas's POV
Mia is running, her face white with terror, and I'm following her from a distance. That red-eyed thing's ash-and-blood aroma is what my wolf detects. With my heart racing, I run after her as it stalks her. I hear a low snarl from the roof as she slams the door of her flat. My black wolf leaps onto the building, its claws raking the shingles as I transform. There it is, larger than a rogue, its eyes blazing crimson, its fur matted. I snap my teeth at its throat as it lunges and we crash, tumbling across the roof.
It is powerful, ripping my side with its claws while my fur is heated with blood. Thinking of our baby, Mia, makes me fight harder. "The child is ours," the creature growls in an odd voice that sounds like it's speaking within my skull. I yell and pin it, but it escapes and disappears into the night. I recoil, my side bleeding, gasping. This creature is aware of our kid, and Mia is in danger. She won't listen to me, even after I left her, even though I need to tell her everything.
I stagger over to her flat and knock on the door. "It's me, Mia!" My voice is harsh as I yell. With a kitchen knife in her fingers and wide eyes, she opens it. She screams, "Stay back!" but I ignore the ache in my side and seize her shoulders.
"You're not safe," I say quickly. "That creature desires our child." You're my mate, Mia, and I'm a werewolf. I left to keep you safe, but I was mistaken. Her expression contorts in fear, perplexity, and wrath. The knife trembles in her grasp as she pulls away.
She yells, "You have no right to dictate how I live my life." "Your bond is not what I want!" She hesitates, though, as her eyes go to my bleeding side. Before I can say anything, the building trembles as if a massive object had struck the roof. With my wolf ready to shift, I pull Mia behind me as she gasps and drops the knife.
Mia's POV
Dust falls from the ceiling, and the crash makes my heart leap. Lucas is stiff and has blood trickling from his side as he stands in front of me. The red-eyed creature I saw in the alley has returned, and I'm both angry and afraid. My infant gives me a strong kick as a warning. I take Lucas's arm while trembling. "What's going on?" Hating how little I sound, I ask.
His blue eyes are sweet but powerful as he turns. He claims, "It's after our baby." "Mia, a hybrid, is strong. I promise to keep you safe. I want to shove him away, but the structure trembles once again, and I hear loud, terrified screams coming from outside, as if the entire town is a target. My senses become more acute; I hear claws on stone and smell smoke. There are several of these creatures.
Lucas takes hold of my hand and draws me to the door. He replies, "We have to move," but I freeze, placing my hand on my stomach. I'm not secure here, yet I don't trust him. Before I can make up my mind, a huge red-eyed wolf descends in my flat, its snarl rattling the walls, and
the window bursts, sending glass flying.
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