Noah’s POV

The howl lingers in my ears, a low, guttural challenge that sets my wolf on edge. I’m in the backseat of Caden’s truck, Lottie pressed close, her warmth seeping into me, her scent jasmine and fear driving me wild. The town’s dark streets blur past, lit only by the moon’s pale glow. My hand rests on her thigh, a possessive instinct I can’t shake. She’s trembling, her hazel eyes wide with questions I’m not ready to answer. She’s ours, my wolf growls, but she doesn’t know it yet. Doesn’t know she’s the Luna we’ve been waiting for. And that howl? It’s trouble, the kind that wants her.“Caden, faster,” I snapped, my voice rough.

My twin’s eyes flick to the rearview, his jaw tight.“On it,” he says, flooring the gas. The truck lurches, tires screeching.Lottie’s breath hitches. “What’s going on, Noah? That howl wasn't normal.”I meet her gaze, her vulnerability hitting me like a punch. She’s so damn fragile, like she could break under the weight of this world she’s stumbled into. But there’s fire in her eyes, too, a spark that makes my blood heat. “It’s not safe here,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “We’re taking you to the packhouse.”“Packhouse?” Her brow furrows, confusion deepening. “What are you talking about?”River turns from the passenger seat, his amber eyes soft but tense. “It’s our place, Lottie. Safe. You’ll see.”“Safe from what?” she presses, her voice sharp despite the tremor. “You keep dodging my questions.

”I want to tell her everything about her heritage, her power, the danger circling her like vultures. But she’s not ready. Not after her cottage was trashed, not with Georgia’s venom still fresh. My wolf snarls at the thought of that she-wolf, her betrayal and a knife in our pack’s back. I squeeze Lottie’s thigh, needing to anchor her, needing to anchor myself. Her skin’s warm through her jeans, and my mind flashes to how it’d feel to have her closer, her body pressed against mine, no barriers.“Noah,” she says, softer now, her hand brushing mine. The touch sends a jolt through me, my wolf clawing to claim her. “Please. Tell me something.”I lean in, my lips grazing her ear, voice low. “You’re special, Lottie. More than you know. And someone wants to hurt you for it.” Her breath catches, and I fight the urge to kiss her, to lose myself in her right here.Caden pulls into the packhouse driveway, gravel crunching under the tires.

The sprawling log house looms ahead, its windows glowing faintly against the night. “We’re here,” he says, cutting the engine. “Let’s move.”We pile out, and I keep Lottie close, my arm around her waist. She’s tense, her small frame trembling under my touch. The air’s thick with the scent of pine and danger, that howl still echoing in my head. My wolf’s pacing, ready to tear apart whatever’s coming.Inside, the packhouse is warm, all wood and leather, a fire crackling in the main room. River heads to the kitchen, grabbing beers, while Caden scans the windows, his senses sharp. Lottie stands frozen, clutching her bag, looking so damn lost it twists something in my chest.“You live here?” she asks, her voice small, eyes darting around.“Yeah,” I say, guiding her to the couch. “It’s home. For all of us.”She sits, her hands twisting in her lap. “This is insane. I just wanted a job, Noah. Not… whatever this is.”I kneel in front of her, my hands on her knees, my wolf urging me closer.

Her eyes lock on mine, and the air crackles, heat pooling low in my gut. “I know it’s a lot,” I say. “But you’re not alone. I’m here. We’re here.”“Why do I feel like I know you?” she whispers, her voice breaking. “Like I’ve always known you?”My heart pounds. She feels it—the mate bond. My wolf howls, desperate to claim her, to mark her as mine. I lean closer, my lips inches from hers, her breath warm and sweet. “Because you do,” I murmur, my voice rough with want. “You’re mine, Lottie.”Her eyes widen, but before she can respond, the door slams open. Everett storms in, his silver-streaked hair wild, his alpha presence filling the room. “Noah, we’ve got a problem,” he growls. “Mason’s scouts were spotted. They’re circling the town.”Lottie gasps, shrinking back. “Who’s Mason?” Her voice is a plea, her fear slicing through me.I stand, my body shielding her instinctively. “A rival alpha,” I say, keeping my tone calm for her sake. “He’s dangerous. And he’s after you.”“Me?”

Her voice cracks, and she looks so damn pitiful, it takes everything not to pull her into my arms.Everett steps closer, his eyes softening as they land on Lottie. “Charlotte, there’s something you need to know. About who you are.”“Who am I?” she echoes, her face pale. “I’m just me. Just Lottie.”“No,” Everett says, his voice heavy. “You’re a werewolf. A hybrid. And you’re our daughter.”Her mouth drops open, shock stealing her breath. I grab her hand, squeezing tight, but she pulls away, standing, her eyes wild. “Your daughter? That’s impossible. My parents are Mark and Claire. They”“They raised you,” Everett cuts in, his tone gentle but firm. “But Grace and I… we gave you up to keep you safe. From Mason. From this world.”Lottie shakes her head, tears spilling. “No. No, this isn’t real.” She backs toward the door, her movements frantic.“Lottie, wait,” I say, stepping toward her, my heart racing. I can’t lose her, not now.

River moves to her side, his voice soft. “It’s a lot, I know. But we’re not lying. You’re one of us.”She freezes, her chest heaving. “One of you? A werewolf?” Her laugh is bitter, broken. “This is crazy.”Caden steps forward, his usual sarcasm gone. “Crazy or not, it’s true. And Mason knows it. That’s why he’s coming.”Another howl splits the night, closer this time, raising the hairs on my neck. Lottie flinches, her eyes darting to the window. My wolf snarls, ready for a fight, but I force it down, focusing on her.“Noah,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “What’s happening to me? I feel… something inside.”I cup her face, my thumbs brushing her tears. Her skin’s soft, her eyes searching mine, and I want nothing more than to kiss her, to promise her everything. “Your wolf,” I say. “It’s waking up. And I’ll help you through it.”

The door bursts open again, and Katie rushes in, her red curls bouncing, blue eyes wide with panic. “Lottie! I got your text. What the hell’s going on?”Lottie runs to her, collapsing into her arms. “Katie, I don’t understand any of this.”Katie glares at me, protective as hell. “Someone better start explaining. Now.”Before I can, the lights flicker, and a shadow moves outside the window too fast, too deliberate. My wolf roars, sensing Mason’s presence. He’s here. And he’s not alone.