Chapter 19
1070 Words
One of the pack guards approaches quietly, respectfully averting his eyes as he holds out a pair of black athletic shorts.
“Alpha.”
It’s only then that Casey fully registers it.
Miles is completely naked.
Heat rushes up her neck in a wave so suddenly it almost makes her dizzy. Her eyes drop instantly, staring at the concrete floor as if it might swallow her whole.
Behind her, she hears it.
A low, amused chuckle.
“Baby,” Miles murmurs, his voice deep and still rough from the shift, “you do know I’m all yours.”
Her blush deepens violently.
She swats weakly at his chest without looking up. “Miles!”
That only makes him grin wider.
He steps back long enough to slide the shorts on, muscles flexing as he pulls them up his hips. Even after a brutal fight, he stands strong and unshaken — chest broad, shoulders squared, streaks of blood marking his skin like war paint.
Power radiates from him.
And every wolf standing nearby feels it.
The moment the shorts are secure, he turns back to her, all teasing gone. His expression shifts — protective. Intense.
He bends and scoops her into his arms without asking.
Casey gasps softly but instinctively wraps her arms around his neck. Her body still trembles from adrenaline, from fear, from everything that almost happened.
Miles doesn’t comment.
He just holds her closer.
As he walks out of the cellar and into the open air, she inhales sharply.
Fresh air floods her lungs — cool night breeze brushing her skin, carrying away the suffocating scent of rogues and rust. The sky above is deep indigo, scattered with stars. The world feels vast again.
Alive again.
Safe.
Pack warriors stand scattered around the perimeter, some in wolf form, others shifted back, blood and dirt marking the aftermath of battle.
And then she sees him.
The Alpha.
He strides forward, authority in every step, eyes scanning her quickly for injury.
“Casey,” he says, voice steady but laced with relief. “I am happy to see you are unhurt.”
She nods slightly from where she rests against Miles’ chest.
“I’m okay, Alpha.”
Before another word can be spoken, a familiar scent hits her.
Her father.
The Beta moves fast — faster than she’s ever seen him move outside of combat. His eyes are wild with worry as he reaches them.
Miles gently sets her on her feet.
The moment her shoes touch the ground, her father pulls her into a crushing hug.
“Oh honey,” he breathes, his voice breaking. “I was so worried.”
Casey squeezes him back, though she can barely breathe.
“I’m okay, Dad. Really,” she manages between breaths. “I’m okay.”
He pulls back just enough to cup her face, checking her head, her arms, her wrists where rope marks remain.
His jaw tightens at the sight of them.
The Alpha steps closer, his tone shifting into leadership.
“This was deliberate. They were targeting her.”
The statement hangs heavy in the night air.
Her father’s eyes flash dangerously.
“Then we increase security immediately.”
“We already have,” the Alpha replies. “But I agree. We need further precautions.”
Her father looks down at her again, expression softening but still firm.
“You won’t be returning to campus.”
Casey blinks.
“What?”
“For the remainder of the term,” he clarifies. “You’ll finish from home. Or the pack house.”
Miles answers before she can.
“I agree.”
Her head snaps toward him.
“You what?”
His hand slides to the small of her back instinctively, grounding, possessive.
“You were taken in broad daylight,” he says quietly, eyes dark. “They walked into your campus and dragged you out. That doesn’t happen again.”
She looks between her father. The Alpha. Miles.
“Do I not get a say in this?”
Silence.
Then, in near unison—
“No.”
Her mouth falls open.
“Miles!”
But even her outrage lacks force. The fear is still too fresh. The memory of hands grabbing her, of being dragged toward that car, flashes through her mind.
Her father exhales slowly, softening his tone.
“Casey… you are not just my daughter anymore.”
The words land heavier than she expects.
“You are the future Luna,” the Alpha adds gently. “That makes you a symbol. A target.”
Miles’ thumb brushes lightly over her lower back — reassuring, but firm.
“I won’t risk you again.”
The certainty in his voice steals the rest of her protest.
She looks up at him.
Really looks at him.
His jaw is tight. His eyes still carry the remnants of the fury she felt through the bond. He nearly lost her.
And he knows it.
She swallows.
“Just for the last few weeks?” she asks quietly.
Her father nods.
“Just until your birthday.”
Two weeks.
Two weeks until she turns twenty-one.
Two weeks until the bond fully awakens.
The Alpha studies the horizon briefly before turning back to Miles.
“We will increase patrols. Double the perimeter watch. This was not a random strike.”
Miles nods once.
“They wanted me unbalanced.”
“And did they succeed?” the Alpha asks carefully.
Miles’ gaze shifts to Casey.
His hand slides from her back to her waist, pulling her slightly closer to his side.
“No,” he says evenly. “They reminded me exactly what I’m fighting for.”
The statement sends warmth flooding through her chest — powerful, steady.
Claiming.
Her father clears his throat gently.
“I’ll have her things moved to the pack house tomorrow.”
Casey’s eyes widen again.
“Dad—”
But he kisses the top of her head.
“It’s temporary.”
Miles leans down slightly so only she can hear him.
“You’re safer with me.”
The words aren’t possessive this time.
They’re a promise.
She exhales slowly.
Tonight proved something.
The rogues are bold.
The war is coming.
And she is no longer just a college student counting down to her birthday.
She is the future Luna.
And standing between her and every threat—
Is an Alpha who will burn the world to keep her breathing.
- Writer
