Kael raised his hand to knock.

But just before his knuckles reached the wooden door, footsteps echoed behind him, slow, careless. Like someone was taking their sweet time.

“Yo!”

Kael turned. A young man strolled toward him. Broad-shouldered, hair messy, shirt barely buttoned. He looked like he’d just rolled out of bed and didn’t give a damn who saw.

He came to a stop in front of Kael and tapped his shoulder like they’d been friends for years.

“Hey, man. You must be the new rough guy around here or should I say, the new hot boy causing all the girls to fight, aye?”

Kael blinked at his cow rancher accent before taking in what he said. Girls fighting?

The guy already had his hand out, waiting for a shake. Kael took it, brief and firm.

“Just Kael,” he said.

The guy nodded like he expected that. “Nice. Heard a lot about you. Big muscles, quiet type, scary stare, blah blah blah. Zeil’s new bodyguard, right?”

Still acting like they were close, he kept going.

“Name’s Lopi. Most folks around here call me Lopi the Great.” He flexed one arm with mock pride. “Take a good look. Not many wolves around here with these.” He kissed his bicep with a grin.

Kael’s eyes skimmed him. Despite all the noise and drama, Kael could tell Lopi wasn’t strong. Not really. He was probably a warrior by blood, but his energy was no more than a peak omega. All mouth. Little bite.

But Lopi kept rambling.

“The ladies? They beg to join my family. I’ve got, like, six chasing me. I tell them, one wolf at a time, girls. Don’t want to break hearts too fast.”

Kael still stayed quiet, then something Lopi said caught his ear.

“Oh, also me and Zeil? We’re tight. Best friends since forever,” Lopi added, scratching the back of his head. Nobody asked him, the thoughts ran through Kael's mind. But still his curiosity has also been piqued.

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “You and Zeil?”

“Yep. And since you’re new, here’s a tip, Zeil didn’t sleep last night. Trained nonstop. He’s probably knocked out by now. Best not to disturb him, or he’ll tear your head off.”

Kael looked at the door again. “I’m aware.”

Lopi smiled wider. “Then let him rest. The poor guy pushes himself too hard.”

Kael didn’t argue.

“Come on,” Lopi said. “Let’s walk. He’ll wake up eventually.”

They walked together for a bit. The training grounds were clearing out. Wolves left in groups, some laughing, others dragging their tired feet while some with She-Wolves who were their potential mates.

“Lopi! Come help me with this!” A voice called from a distance. A woman’s voice, bossy with sharpness around the edge.

Lopi turned. “That’s my sister Vera,” he said with a chuckle. “She gets scary when ignored. Anyway, nice chatting with you. Let's hangout soon so I'll show you around the pack kingdom. You’ll like it here.”

Kael gave a reluctant nod as Lopi jogged away. Something about Zeil’s silence still pulled at him. He turned back toward the pack house, walking slowly. The sun was high now, warm light spilled over the path.

Kael didn’t knock when he came back to the door of Zeil's room, he just stood there quietly.

Waiting.

A few minutes passed before he leaned beside the door. Then he heard it.

A thump, a cry, a low curse. Something rustled inside. Karl froze, trying to know what was going on the other side of the room. Then a louder sound, like something falling. A choked whimper followed.

Zeil?

Kael listened closer. The noises came again, this thing like it was being suppressed. Inside, Zeil was falling apart.

“Where is it?”

Zeil yanked the cupboard open, nearly ripping the door off. Pills. Where were the pills?

It was not there.

Not under the bed. Not in the drawer. Not anywhere.

Gone.

He dropped to his knees, chest heaving. His fingers shook as they dug through scattered clothes and empty bottles.

Nothing yet.

The ones he took earlier had done nothing. It should’ve worked. It always worked.

But not this time, the heat was back. Stronger. Wilder. His heart beat rapidly like a drum. Too fast. Too loud.

He tried to stand but his legs were wobbling and gave out. Sweat rolled down his back like the rivers in WindClaw pack. The scent in the room was becoming unbearable.

His heat was rising.

His core throbbed, his stomach burned. His legs refused to stay closed.

“Not now,” he whispered, pressing a trembling hand to his stomach. “Not like this.”

But it was too late, his wolf clawed at his insides.

Zeil dropped to the floor, skin slick and shimmering in the sunlight. It looked wrong. Like he was glowing. Glowing and trembling and undone.

He was too hot.

Too wet.

Too bare.

His hands fumbled through another drawer. Nothing.

“Damn it!” he shouted, he curled in on himself, hands covering his body like they could hide it.

Tears stung his eyes.

“I can’t… I can’t take this.”

And then…He felt it, someone was outside.

Kael.

He didn’t even need to look, Zeil knew his scent. He could smell it from behind the door, that intoxicating scent.

No. No, no, no.

Not now, he didn't need it at this point. His knees fell open, body moving without permission. His back arched slightly. Chest rising and falling in quick, shallow gasps.

He pressed his hands between his thighs, trying to block the heat crawling deeper.

His fingers trembled, the room reeked of him. Of pine and wolf and desperation.

He was slipping and Kael was right there.

His wolf wanted him. Badly and Zeil’s body was begging, the sounds weren’t normal anymore.

At first, Kael thought maybe Zeil was just having one of his angry moments. But now?

Now there were gasps. Whimpers and breathing, the shuffle of furniture. Kael’s brows pulled together in confusion.

Something wasn’t right.

He didn’t knock, he just listened. At first, he wanted to shrug it off like before, but remembered what the alpha had told him.

“Guard my son with your life,” the Alpha had said. “He’s strong, but he’s still young. Protect him. No matter what.”

That vow echoed in Kael’s head, another loud crash inside brought him back to reality. A muffled cry before everything went quiet again.

No more movement, just the sound of breath. Fast paced like someone who had run a marathon race.

Kael didn’t hesitate, he hit the door hard and pushed it open. The light from the hallway spilled into the room, and he saw a flushed wide-eyed Zeil on the floor staring at him, clothes barely covering his skin and his legs were wide open, his lips trying to bite in a sound.