Noah’s POV

The wolf’s snarl fills the hallway, its massive form blocking the dim light, yellow eyes glowing with Mason’s intent. My wolf surges, claws itching to rip through flesh, but I hold it back, my body shielding Lottie on the bed behind me. The packhouse vibrates with chaos shouts and crashes echoing from downstairs, the air thick with blood and pine. Lottie’s trembling, her breath ragged, her scent jasmine and fear driving me wild. She’s mine to protect, my Luna, and this bastard wolf isn’t taking her. My muscles coil, ready to shift, as River steps beside me, his own growl low.“Stay back, Lottie!” I bark, my voice sharp, eyes locked on the wolf.

Its fur’s matted, scars crisscrossing its flank, a clear sign it’s one of Mason’s enforcers.“Noah, what’s happening?” Lottie’s voice shakes, her hands clutching the bed. She’s fighting her wolf, her eyes flashing with something wild, and it’s killing me to see her so scared, so pitiful.“Keep her safe, Katie,” I ordered, glancing at her friend. Katie’s red curls are wild, her blue eyes fierce as she pulls Lottie closer.“I’ve got her,” Katie snaps, her voice steady despite the fear in her face. “Kick that thing’s ass.”River cracks his knuckles, his amber eyes blazing. “You heard her, Noah. Let’s end this.”The wolf lunges, jaws snapping, and I dodge, slamming my fist into its side. It yelps, stumbling, but it’s fast, swiping claws at my chest. I duck, my wolf roaring, and tackle it, pinning it to the floor.

The wood creaks under us, the hallway narrow, walls scratched from the fight.“Stay down!” I growl, my arm locking around its neck. It thrashes, but I’m stronger, my alpha blood pumping.“Noah!” Lottie screams, and I glance back. She’s standing, her body shaking, her eyes glowing gold, her wolf breaking through. My heart lurches, pride and desire mixing with fear. She’s fighting it, but she’s close to shifting.“Lottie, breathe!” I shout, tightening my hold on the wolf. “You can control it!”“I can’t!” she cries, her voice breaking.

. “It hurts, Noah!”River dives in, grabbing the wolf’s hind legs, pulling it back. “Focus, Lottie! You’re stronger than this!”Katie grips Lottie’s shoulders, her voice urgent. “Listen to them, Lottie! You’ve got this!”The wolf snaps at me, teeth grazing my arm, and I snarl, slamming its head against the floor. Blood trickles from my arm, but I don’t care. My eyes are on Lottie, her body trembling, her hands clawing at her chest. She’s so damn vulnerable, and it’s tearing me apart.The door downstairs crashes open, and Everett’s voice booms.

“Noah! We’ve got more coming!”I curse, my grip slipping as the wolf bucks free, lunging for Lottie. She screams, and something in me snaps. I shift, my bones cracking, fur sprouting, my wolf taking over. I slam into the enemy, my jaws closing on its shoulder, tearing through muscle. It howls, collapsing, and I pin it, my growl shaking the walls.“Noah!” Lottie’s voice is a sob, and I turn, my wolf eyes meeting hers. She’s on her knees, Katie holding her, her body glowing faintly, her wolf so close to breaking free.“Stay with me, Lottie,” I say, my voice rough through my wolf form.

It’s hard to speak like this, but she needs me. “You’re not alone.”She nods, tears streaming, but her eyes are fierce now, her wolf shining through. “I’m trying,” she whispers, her voice raw.River kicks the downed wolf, ensuring it stays down. “We need to move her, Noah. This place isn’t safe.”“No shit,” Katie snaps, helping Lottie stand. “Where do we go?”“Basement,” I say, shifting back to human form, my chest heaving. My clothes are shredded, but I don’t care. I grab Lottie’s hand, her touch sparking heat through me, my wolf still howling for her. “There’s a safe room. Come on.”Lottie’s eyes lock on mine, her fear mixing with trust. “Noah, I don’t know what’s happening to me.”“I know,” I say, pulling her close, my arm around her waist. Her body presses against mine, and I fight the urge to kiss her, to claim her right here.

“I’ll help you through it. I promise.”We rush down the stairs, the packhouse shaking with the fight outside. Shouts, snarls, and breaking glass fill the air. Everett’s in the main room, blood on his face, facing off with two of Mason’s wolves. He glances at us, his eyes hard.“Get her to safety,” he orders, dodging a swipe. “I’ll hold them off.”“Dad!” Lottie cries, her voice breaking on the word. It’s the first time she’s called him that, and it hits me hard, my chest tightening.“Go, Charlotte!” Everett barks, his alpha power flaring.

“Now!”I pull Lottie toward the basement door, River and Katie behind us. The stairs are dark, the air cool and damp, the concrete walls closing in. My wolf’s on edge, sensing danger everywhere. Lottie’s hand trembles in mine, and I squeeze it, needing her to feel me, to know I’m here.“Noah, I’m scared,” she whispers, her voice small as we reach the safe room, a steel door in the basement’s corner.“I’ve got you,” I say, opening the door. Inside, it’s bare, just a cot and supplies, lit by a single bulb. I pull her in, my body shielding her as River and Katie follow.River locks the door, his face tense. “That won’t hold forever. Mason’s pack is relentless.

“Then we fight,” I say, my voice hard. “No one’s touching her.”Lottie’s eyes flash gold again, and she gasps, clutching my arm. “Noah, it’s happening again. She’s… she’s coming.”I cup her face, my thumbs brushing her cheeks. Her skin’s hot, her breath fast, and my wolf aches to claim her, to make her mine in every way. “Let her out, Lottie,” I say, my voice low, urgent. “You’re strong enough.”“I’m not!” she cries, tears spilling. “I’m not strong. I’m just… me.”“You’re everything,” I say, my voice rough with emotion. I lean in, my lips inches from hers, the air between us electric. I want to kiss her, to lose myself in her, but a thud against the door stops me.“What was that?” Katie asks, her voice sharp, her eyes darting to the door.River moves to it, his ear pressed against the steel.

“They’re here,” he says, his voice low. “They found us.”Lottie’s breath hitches, and her body jerks, a low growl escaping her lips. Her eyes glow brighter, her hands clawing at her arms. “Noah!” she screams, her voice morphing, primal.I hold her tight, my heart pounding. “You can do this, Lottie. I’m right here.”The door shakes, a deafening bang echoing through the room. Cracks spiderweb across the steel, and a familiar voice cuts through Mason’s, cold and mocking.“Time’s up, Noah,” he says. “Give me Luna, or I will tear this place apart.”