The night patrol stretched longer than it should have.
Gideon moved along the eastern perimeter with measured steps. The forest was quiet, but he trusted that silence more than false peace. Every shadow, every distant rustle, every faint scent on the air carried meaning. His senses stayed sharp, his wolf prowling just beneath his skin, alert and restless.
Not becauseof threats.
But because of her.
The mate bond stirred again. It was a low, persistent pull that had refused to settle since the full moon. It wasn't demanding. It wasn't violent. It was... aware. Testing the edges of his restraint.
He exhaled slowly, grounding himself as he'd done countless times before. He was Alpha. Control was not optional.
Still, the bond pressed faintly, like a distant heartbeat that wasn't his
