Chapter 10
1069 Words
The drive to Casey’s house is quiet.
Not tense.
Not awkward.
Just heavy with everything that almost happened.
Two patrol vehicles follow behind them this time.
No subtlety.
No chances.
When they pull into her driveway, the porch light is already on.
Her father is standing outside.
Waiting.
His posture is rigid. Controlled. But his eyes immediately scan her from head to toe.
Assessing.
Relieved.
She barely has time to close the car door before he pulls her into a firm hug.
“You’re alright?” he asks, voice low.
“I’m okay, Dad.”
His gaze shifts to Miles.
A long, silent exchange passes between them.
Alpha’s son.
Beta.
Future Alpha.
Future Luna.
“I’ve been informed,” her father says evenly.
Miles nods respectfully. “Sir.”
There’s no hostility.
Just understanding.
“Guards will remain outside,” her father adds. “Until you’re packed.”
Casey’s stomach flips again.
Packed.
This is real.
Inside, the house feels smaller somehow.
Her mother rushes forward the moment they step through the door, pulling Casey into another hug.
“Oh, sweetheart…”
“I’m okay,” Casey reassures her, though she’s not entirely sure she believes it herself.
Her father clears his throat. “We’ll give them space.”
Her mother hesitates — eyes flicking to Miles — then nods.
“Pack what you need,” her father says. “We can move the rest later.”
Later.
As if this is permanent.
As if this isn’t just a sleepover.
Miles follows Casey upstairs.
The familiar creak of the third stair echoes beneath their feet. The hallway looks the same. Her bedroom door still has the tiny scratch near the handle from when she was ten.
Nothing has changed.
And yet everything has.
She steps inside.
Miles closes the door quietly behind them.
For a moment, they just stand there.
Her room suddenly feels like a childhood she’s being asked to fold into a suitcase.
“This feels insane,” she whispers.
He doesn’t argue.
He moves toward her dresser instead, pulling open drawers calmly.
“Start with essentials,” he says gently. “Clothes. School things.”
His steadiness anchors the chaos in her chest.
She grabs a duffel bag from her closet.
Her hands tremble as she begins folding shirts.
The memory of headlights boxing them in flashes in her mind.
The wolves stepping toward her door.
What if they had broken the glass?
What if Miles had stepped out?
What if—
Her breathing quickens.
She imagines it.
Miles bleeding.
Miles not getting up.
Miles—
Her hands shake harder.
A shirt slips from her grip.
She doesn’t realize she’s trembling until his hands gently close around her wrists.
“Hey.”
His voice is soft.
She looks up at him, and her vision blurs slightly.
“I—” Her voice wavers. “What if they took me? What if they hurt you? What if—”
“Casey.”
Her breath stutters.
“What if they killed you?” she whispers.
The words crack something open in the room.
His expression shifts.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Something deeper.
He pulls her into him without hesitation.
“Hey. Hey, it’s okay. Come here.”
His arms wrap around her fully.
Secure.
Warm.
Solid.
“I’m here,” he murmurs against her hair. “And nothing is going to happen to you.”
His scent surrounds her.
Earth and pine and something uniquely him.
Her wolf quiets almost instantly.
Her breathing slows against his chest.
His hand slides up and down her back in slow, grounding strokes.
“You’re safe,” he repeats.
Her fingers curl into his shirt.
She melts into him before she can stop herself.
The bond hums gently now — not wild and hungry like before — but steady.
Protective.
A soft knock startles them.
Her bedroom door opens.
“Oh!” her mother says quickly, freezing in the doorway.
Casey jumps back from Miles like she’s been burned.
“Mom! It’s not what it looks like!”
Her mother blinks.
Then smiles softly.
“Oh honey,” she says gently. “It’s okay. He’s your mate.”
The word still makes Casey’s heart stutter.
Her mother’s gaze shifts to Miles.
There’s no fear in her expression.
Only trust.
“Take care of my sweet girl,” she says quietly.
Miles doesn’t hesitate.
“Of course,” he replies.
His voice is calm.
Certain.
“With my life.”
The words hang in the room.
Casey freezes.
Her mother nods once, satisfied.
“I know you will.”
Then she closes the door softly behind her.
Silence settles over the room again.
Casey slowly turns to look at him.
“With your life?” she repeats quietly.
He doesn’t look embarrassed.
Doesn’t laugh it off.
“Yes.”
Her heart pounds.
“You’d really—”
“Yes.”
No hesitation.
No dramatics.
Just truth.
She studies him carefully.
Is the bond really that strong?
Strong enough that he would die for her?
Strong enough that he already believes it?
“You barely know me,” she whispers.
His expression softens.
“I know enough.”
Her pulse flutters.
“What if I’m not worth that?”
His jaw tightens immediately.
“Don’t.”
“I’m serious, Miles. What if I’m not strong enough? What if I fail as Luna? What if—”
He steps closer.
“Stop.”
His hand lifts to her face again, thumb brushing lightly over her cheek.
“You don’t get to decide your worth based on fear.”
Her breath catches.
“I don’t protect you because you’re weak,” he continues quietly. “I protect you because you’re mine.”
The word sends warmth through her chest this time instead of panic.
“And because you matter,” he adds.
Something inside her shifts.
Not fear.
Not pressure.
Choice.
She steps forward this time.
Presses her forehead lightly against his chest.
He exhales slowly.
His arms come around her again — not urgent.
Just steady.
This isn’t wildfire.
This is foundation.
Outside, guards move along the perimeter of the house.
Inside, she finishes packing her life into one duffel bag.
But as she zips it closed, she realizes something quietly terrifying—
She isn’t moving because she was forced.
She’s moving because she wants to be where he is.
And that thought changes everything.
- Writer
