Noah’s POV

Mason’s voice cuts through the packhouse like a blade, his scarred face twisted in a predatory grin. My wolf roars, clawing to rip him apart, but I force it down, my eyes locked on Lottie. She’s crumpled on the floor, her hazel eyes wide with terror, her body trembling as her wolf fights to surface. The air’s thick with the stench of blood and pine from the fight outside, the firelight casting jagged shadows on the wood walls. Mason’s here, in our territory, calling my mate his Luna. My blood boils, every instinct screaming to protect her, to claim her. I’m back inside in a heartbeat, my body between her and that bastard, my growl vibrating in my chest.“Noah!” Lottie gasps, her voice raw, panicked. She’s clutching River’s arm, Katie kneeling beside her, both trying to keep her steady.

She looks so damn fragile, and it kills me.“You’re not touching her, Mason,” I snarl, my fists clenched, ready to tear him apart. My wolf’s begging for blood, but I hold it back. For her.Mason laughs, a low, guttural sound, his glowing eyes fixed on Lottie. “She’s not yours yet, Noah. I can smell her power. She’s mine.”“Like hell,” I snap, stepping forward. My muscles tense, ready to shift, but I can’t not with Lottie so close, so vulnerable.River stands, his amber eyes blazing, positioning himself beside me. “Get out, Mason. You’re outnumbered.”Mason’s smirk widens, unfazed. “Am I? My pack’s outside, tearing through yours. You think you can stop me?”Caden bursts through the door, blood streaking his face, his knife glinting. “We’re holding them, Noah. But they’re too many. We need you out there.”My heart pounds, torn between the fight and Lottie. She’s shaking, her breath ragged, that inner tug of her wolf making her wince.

I want to pull her close, to shield her, to kiss away her fear, but there’s no time. My wolf howls for her, my body aching to claim her in every way, her scent, her touch, driving me wild even now.“Lottie, stay with River,” I say, my voice rough but firm. “You’re safe here.”“No!” she cries, grabbing my arm, her nails digging in. “Don’t leave me with him!” Her eyes darted to Mason, fear making her look so pitiful it twisted my gut.“I’m not leaving you,” I promise, cupping her face, my thumb brushing her trembling lips. Her warmth sears me, and I fight the urge to kiss her, to lose myself in her right here. “River’s got you. I’ll handle this.”Katie glares at Mason, her red curls wild, her voice sharp. “You heard him, asshole. Get out before I make you.”Mason chuckles, stepping closer, his eyes never leaving Lottie. “Feisty friend you’ve got, Luna. But you can’t hide what you are. I’ll have you, one way or another.”“Over my dead body,” I growl, shoving him back. He stumbles, but his grin doesn’t falter, and my wolf snarls, barely contained.

Everett storms in, his alpha presence heavy, his silver-streaked hair matted with sweat. “Mason, you’re done here. Leave, or you won’t walk out.”Mason’s eyes narrow, assessing Everett. “The old alpha and his lost pup. Touching. But she’s too powerful for you to keep caged.”“Enough!” Lottie snaps, her voice cracking as she stands, swaying. Her eyes flash, a hint of her wolf shining through, and my chest tightens with pride and desire. “I’m not yours! I’m not anyone’s!”Mason’s grin fades, his gaze sharpening. “You’ll learn, Luna. Soon.”I lunge, but Everett grabs my shoulder, holding me back. “Not here, Noah. Not with her like this.”Lottie’s knees buckle, and River catches her, his arms steady. “Lottie, breathe,” he says, his voice calm but urgent. “You’re fighting your shift. Let it happen.”“I can’t!” she cries, her hands clutching her chest. “It hurts!”My heart twists, and I kneel beside her, ignoring Mason. “Look at me, Lottie,” I say, my voice soft, commanding. “You’re strong. You can do this.” Her eyes meet mine, and the air crackles, our bond pulsing.

I want to pull her against me, to feel her body under mine, to show her she’s mine in every way. But not now.Katie’s voice cuts through. “She needs space, Noah. Back off.”“No,” Lottie whispers, grabbing my hand. Her touch sends heat racing through me, my wolf howling for her. “Stay.”Mason laughs, cold and mocking. “Pathetic. She’s weak, Noah. She’ll break under that power.”“Shut up!” I roar, standing, my fists itching to smash his face. But a scream from outside stops me cold, high, desperate, one of ours.Caden’s at the door, his face grim.

“They’re breaching the perimeter. We need to move, now!”Everett nods, his voice hard. “Noah, take Lottie upstairs. River, Katie, with them. I’ll handle Mason.”“No way,” I snapped. “I’m not leaving you to fight alone.”“You’re not,” Everett says, his eyes locking on mine. “Your job is her. Protect your Luna.”Lottie’s eyes widened, her breath hitching. “Luna? Stop calling me that!”“It’s what you are,” Everett says, his tone softening. “And we’ll die to keep you safe.”Mason steps back, his grin returning.

“This isn’t over, Noah. I’ll be back for her.” He slips out, vanishing into the night, and my wolf roars, desperate to chase him.I turn to Lottie, lifting her into my arms. She’s light, trembling, her scent overwhelming me. “We’re going upstairs,” I say, my voice low, carrying her toward the stairs. Her body presses against mine, and my blood heats, desire battling duty.“Noah, I’m scared,” she whispers, her face buried in my chest.“I know,” I murmur, my lips brushing her hair. “But I’ve got you.”River and Katie follow, their footsteps quick.

Upstairs, the hallway’s dim, lined with wooden doors, the sounds of fighting outside muffled but growing louder. I set Lottie on a bed, her eyes searching for mine, fear and something else trust shining through.“What’s happening to me?” she asks, her voice small. “I feel her… my wolf.”I kneel, taking her hands. “She’s part of you, Lottie. Let her out. I’ll be here.”Katie sits beside her, her voice firm. “You’re not alone, Lottie. We’re all here.”River nods, standing by the door. “We’ll keep you safe, no matter what.”A crash shakes the house, glass shattering downstairs. Lottie flinches, and I pull her close, my arms wrapping around her. Her heartbeat races against mine, and I want to kiss her, to claim her, to make her mine right now. But another sound stops me, a low, menacing growl, not from outside, but from the hallway.

River’s eyes widened. “What the hell was that?”I stand, my senses sharp, my wolf ready. “Stay here,” I ordered, moving to the door. But before I can open it, the wood splinters, and a massive wolf lunges through, its eyes glowing with Mason’s malice.