Lunas Wildfire

The Alpha Watches

Carter strode through the packhouse, his mind a warzone of frustration and desire. His wolf was restless, pacing beneath his skin, urging him to seek her out. He knew exactly where Emmaline had gone—to the new club just off the main square where Lily and Jackson had been dragging her to blow off steam.

The idea of her there, surrounded by people, laughing, dancing… dressed in that dress, was enough to make his blood boil.

He followed her scent through the bustling territory, past pack members who stepped aside as he passed, sensing his mood. By the time he reached the club, the steady bass of the music reverberated through his chest, mingling with the low growls of his wolf.

Pushing through the entrance, Carter let his sharp gaze sweep across the room. The place was packed with bodies, the air thick with heat and sweat and a mix of scents. But one stood out above all the others—wildflowers and spice, uniquely Emmaline.

And then he saw her.

She was in the center of the dance floor, moving like she was born to the rhythm. Her body swayed, her hips rolling sensually to the beat, her hands lifting to let her long ringlets cascade as she tossed her head back in laughter. She was magnetic, drawing every eye in the room, including his.

Lily was beside her, equally carefree, but Carter barely noticed. His entire focus was on Emmaline, the way her dress clung to her curves, the way the dim lights shimmered against her skin, and the way men—too many men—were staring at her as if they had a chance.

They didn’t know she was his.

His wolf surged forward, a growl building in his chest as possessiveness coursed through him. Every instinct screamed at him to march onto that dance floor, pull her into his arms, and make it clear to everyone that she belonged to him.

But he held back. Barely.

Instead, he stayed in the shadows, his fists clenched at his sides as he watched her. She was oblivious to the effect she was having, or maybe she wasn’t—he wouldn’t put it past her to be doing this deliberately, testing his control.

His jaw tightened as one particularly bold man moved closer, leaning in to say something to her. Emmaline laughed, shaking her head as she danced away, but Carter’s wolf wasn’t satisfied. He took a step forward, his vision narrowing, his muscles coiled to strike.

Not yet, he told himself, forcing the beast back. He couldn’t do this here, not in front of the entire pack and their visitors. Not like this.

But his resolve was slipping, especially when her eyes lifted, scanning the crowd as if she could feel his gaze. And then she saw him.

Her movements faltered for half a second, surprise flickering across her face before her lips curved into a knowing smile. She didn’t stop dancing—if anything, she moved more deliberately, her body swaying with a confidence that was both infuriating and irresistible.

Carter’s breath hitched, his restraint hanging by a thread. She was testing him again, pushing the boundaries, seeing how far she could go before he snapped.

And she was dangerously close to finding out.

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before she turned back to Lily, laughing as they continued to dance. But Carter didn’t move. He stayed rooted in place, watching, his wolf restless but contained.

For now.

She was his mate, and she would know it soon enough. But tonight, he would let her have her fun.

Because when the time came, there would be no doubt.

She was his.