Noah’s POV

Mason’s voice slithers through the cracked steel door, a taunt that sets my wolf snarling. The safe room’s dim bulb flickers, casting jagged shadows on the concrete walls, the air thick with Lottie’s fear and the metallic tang of blood from my arm. She’s in my arms, her body shaking, her eyes glowing gold as her wolf claws to break free. My heart pounds, torn between ripping Mason apart and anchoring Lottie through her first shift. Her scent jasmine and wildness floods my senses, igniting a primal need to claim her, to protect her. The door groans under another hit, cracks widening, and my wolf howls, ready for blood.“Noah!” Lottie gasps, her voice raw, her nails digging into my chest. “I can’t stop her!”“You can,” I say, my voice low, urgent, my hands cupping her face.

Her skin’s burning, her breath fast, and I want to kiss her, to drown in her, but Mason’s threat looms. “Focus on me, Lottie. I’m here.”River presses against the door, his amber eyes sharp. “It won’t hold much longer, Noah. We need a plan.”“Plan?” Katie snaps, her red curls bouncing as she glares at the door. “How about we don’t die down here?”“Katie, not helping,” Lottie mutters, her voice trembling but with a spark of fire that makes my chest tighten. She’s fighting, my Luna, even if she doesn’t know it yet.I turn to the river. “Barricade it. Anything you can find.”

He nods, grabbing the cot and shoving it against the door. “This’ll buy us a minute, maybe.”Mason’s laugh echoes, cold and sharp. “You think a door stops me, Noah? Hand her over, and I’ll spare your pack.”“Never,” I growl, my wolf’s rage leaking into my voice. I pull Lottie closer, her body pressed against mine, her warmth fueling my need to keep her safe. My lips brush her forehead, a fleeting touch that sends heat racing through me.“Noah, I’m scared,” she whispers, her glowing eyes searching mine. “What if I hurt someone?”“You won’t,” I say, my thumb brushing her cheek.

“You’re strong, Lottie. Stronger than you know.”Another bang shakes the door, the steel bending inward. Katie curses, grabbing a metal pipe from the corner. “If that bastard gets in, he’s getting this to the face.”River snorts, his voice tight. “You’re my kind of crazy, Katie.”“Focus!” I snap my eyes on Lottie. Her body jerks, a low growl escaping her lips, and my wolf responds, urging me to claim her, to mark her as mine. But there’s no time. The door buckles, and I know we’re out of options.“Lottie, listen,” I say, my voice firm, my hands gripping her shoulders.

“You need to shift. Now. It’s the only way.”“Shift?” she cries, tears spilling. “I don’t know how! It’s too much!”“You can,” I say, leaning in, my forehead against hers. Her breath mixes with mine, and the air crackles, our bond pulsing. “Feel her. Let her out. I’ve got you.”Her eyes widen, gold overtaking hazel, and she screams, her body convulsing. I hold her tight, my heart racing as her bones crack, her form shifting. Fur sprouts, black and sleek, and in seconds, a small, trembling wolf stands before me, her eyes still Lottie’s, still terrified.“Holy shit,” Katie breathes, dropping the pipe. “Lottie, you’re… a wolf.”Lottie’s wolf whines, stumbling, and I kneel, my hand on her flank. “You did it,” I say, my voice thick with pride. “You’re beautiful.”The door explodes inward, steel flying, and Mason steps through, his scarred face twisted in a grin.

Two wolves flank him, their eyes glowing, teeth bared. My wolf surges, but I stay human, shielding Lottie’s trembling form.“Well, look at that,” Mason says, his voice dripping with malice. “Luna's awake. Makes this easier.”“Stay back,” I snarl, standing, my body a wall between him and Lottie. My wolf’s ready to tear him apart, but I need to keep her safe.River lunges, tackling one of Mason’s wolves, his fists flying.

“Katie, help Lottie!” he shouts, grappling with the beast.Katie grabs Lottie’s scruff, pulling her back. “Come on, Lottie, stay with me!”Lottie’s wolf growls, her eyes darting to Mason, instinct kicking in. I feel her through our bond, her fear mixing with newfound strength, and it fuels me.“You’re done, Mason,” I say, stepping forward, my fists clenched. “She’s not yours.”He laughs, his eyes gleaming.

“She’s not yours either, Noah. Not fully. Not yet.”His words hit hard, stoking my rage. He’s right our bond isn’t sealed, not until I mark her. My wolf roars, desperate to claim her, to make her mine in every way. But now’s not the time.Lottie’s wolf lunges, surprising us all, her teeth snapping at Mason’s leg. He curses, kicking her back, and she yelps, skidding across the floor. My vision goes red, and I charge, slamming into him, my fist connecting with his jaw. He stumbles, but he’s strong, his own wolf surging as he swings back, catching my shoulder.“Noah!” Lottie’s voice, human again, cuts through the chaos.

She’s shifted back, naked, trembling, Katie throwing a blanket over her. Her eyes are wide, her breath fast, but she’s standing, fighting her fear.“Stay back!” I shout, dodging Mason’s next hit. River’s still grappling with the other wolf, blood on his face, while Katie drags Lottie toward the corner.“I can help!” Lottie cries, her voice stronger now, her wolf’s courage shining through.“You’re not ready,” I say, my heart twisting as I block Mason’s claw. “Not yet.”Mason laughs, dodging my punch. “She’s ready enough. I’ll take her now.”

“Over my dead body,” I growled, tackling him. We crash into the wall, concrete cracking, my wolf clawing to break free.Footsteps pound down the stairs, and Everett bursts in, his face bloody but fierce. “Noah, we’ve pushed them back outside! Finish this!”Mason snarls, breaking free, his eyes on Lottie. “This isn’t over, Luna. You’ll be mine.”I roar, lunging, but he’s fast, slipping past me toward the stairs. His wolves follow, and I hesitate, torn between chasing him and staying with Lottie.“Noah, go!” Lottie shouts, her voice fierce despite her trembling. “Stop him!”I meet her eyes, her strength hitting me like a wave.

She’s not pitiful anymore she’s my Luna, even if she doesn’t fully know it. I nod, my heart pounding, and sprint after Mason, Everett at my side.We burst into the main room, where the fight’s spilled inside, wolves clashing, furniture splintered. Mason’s already at the door, his grin mocking as he slips into the night. My wolf howls, desperate for his blood, but a new sound stops me from screaming, high and desperate, from the basement.“Lottie!” I turn, my blood freezing, and race back down, my boots pounding the stairs. The safe room’s empty, the blanket on the floor, and a new scent hits Georgia's.“She’s gone,” Katie says, her voice shaking, her eyes wide with panic. “Georgia was here. She took Lottie.”