Chapter 13

The night air chilled Kade’s skin as he patrolled the town’s boundaries, his senses heightened in his wolf form. The weight of his role as protector pressed heavily on his shoulders, a burden he’d carried for years but never felt more acutely than now. He paused at each weakened ward, focusing his energy to reinforce the magical barriers that kept Whispering Pines safe.

As he completed his circuit, Kade shifted back to his human form, the transformation as natural as breathing. He pulled on his clothes and headed toward the town center, his mind already racing with the day’s tasks. The sun had barely crested the horizon when he spotted Thorne waiting for him outside the Lone Wolf Café.

“Kade,” Thorne greeted, his gruff voice tinged with concern. “We need to talk.”

Kade nodded, gesturing for Thorne to follow him inside. The café was empty at this early hour, giving them privacy. “What’s the situation?”

Thorne leaned against the counter, his brows furrowed. “There’s been an increase in sightings of suspicious figures near the town borders. Scouts reported at least three separate incidents in the past week.”

Kade’s jaw clenched. “Any identifiable threats?”

“Not yet, but they’re getting bolder. We need to escalate our alertness.”

“Agreed. Call an emergency council meeting for this afternoon. We need to discuss strategies to safeguard the town without causing panic.”

Thorne nodded, his eyes reflecting the same determination Kade felt. “I’ll spread the word.”

As Thorne left, Kade busied himself with preparing the café for the day. The familiar routine usually calmed him, but today, his thoughts drifted to Celeste. He couldn’t deny the deepening connection between them, the way his heart raced when she was near. But the responsibility of his role as protector weighed heavily on him. How could he balance his duties with his growing feelings?

The jingle of the café door pulled Kade from his thoughts. He looked up, expecting to see a customer, but instead found himself face-to-face with Cedric Fernwood, the town mayor.

“Cedric,” Kade greeted, surprise coloring his tone. “What brings you here so early?”

Cedric’s usually stoic face was lined with worry. “I come bearing a warning, Kade. There are whispers of an alliance forming, plotting against Whispering Pines.”

Kade’s blood ran cold. “What kind of alliance?”

“Rogue shifters and dark witches. They see our town as a threat to their power.”

Kade’s mind raced with the implications. “We need to shore up our defenses. Reinforce alliances with neighboring supernatural communities.”

Cedric nodded. “I’ve already reached out to a few, but we need to move quickly. I fear they may strike sooner than we anticipate.”

The weight on Kade’s shoulders seemed to double. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect our people.”

As Cedric’s footsteps faded, Kade found himself consumed by a restless energy that buzzed beneath his skin like an electrical current. His mind raced with the implications of Cedric’s warning, and the weight of his responsibilities pressed down on him like a physical force. He needed to act, to prepare himself for the confrontation to come.

With a heavy sigh, Kade flipped the “Open” sign on the café door to “Closed.” He scribbled a hasty note to his mother, his usually neat handwriting reduced to a hurried scrawl. Mom, had to step out. Be back later. Love, Kade. He left the note on the counter and slipped out the back door.

The forest called to him, its ancient trees and hidden paths offering solace and space to clear his mind. Kade walked deeper into the woods, his steps quickening as the urge to run, to be free, grew stronger. Finally, in a secluded clearing where the sunlight dappled the forest floor, he stripped off his clothes and closed his eyes.

The shift began, his human form melting away as his wolf burst forth. Fur the color of midnight rippled over his muscular frame, and his senses sharpened, the scents and sounds of the forest amplifying. With a powerful leap, Kade launched into a run, his paws pounding against the earth.

He ran as if possessed, pushing himself harder and faster than ever before. The wind whipped through his fur as he dodged trees and leaped over fallen logs, his powerful hind legs propelling him forward. The burn in his muscles and the rush of adrenaline fueled him, driving him to test the limits of his strength and endurance.

Time lost meaning as Kade freed himself in the primal sensation of the run. The wolf in him reveled in the openness, even as the man grappled with the looming threats. He needed this, needed to be at his peak physically and mentally for the fight to come.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kade finally slowed. He circled back toward town, his breath coming in deep, steady pants. Shifting into his human form, he dressed quickly and sought out Luna, the town’s most powerful witch, to discuss erecting additional magical barriers.

“Luna,” Kade greeted as he stepped into her shop, the scent of herbs and incense enveloping him.

Luna looked up from the potion she was brewing, her violet eyes seeming to pierce through him. “Kade, I sensed you would come.”

Kade nodded, unsurprised by her intuition. “We need to reinforce the town’s magical defenses. An attack is coming very soon. I’m betting in just a few days.”

Luna’s expression turned grave. “The new moon will occur then. Yes, I believe you’re correct. The new moon’s power involves new beginnings or increasing whatever it is you desire the most. The dark forces want what we have more than anything. Tell me what you need, and I will do all in my power to help.”

As they discussed strategies and spells, Kade’s thoughts drifted to Celeste. He pictured her vibrant smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she mastered a new spell. A part of him longed to shield her from the danger, to keep her safe and untouched by the shadow that loomed over Whispering Pines.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, Kade knew it was futile. Celeste was strong, brave, and fiercely independent. She would never sit on the sidelines while her town, her people, were threatened. And if he was honest with himself, Kade needed her strength and unwavering spirit by his side.

With a heavy sigh, Kade thanked Luna and stepped out into the night. The moon had risen, a thin sliver of silver against the inky sky.

As dawn approached, Kade found himself pacing the living room of his home, his decision weighing heavily on his mind. The threat to Whispering Pines loomed larger with each passing moment, and he couldn’t face it alone. More importantly, he couldn’t keep Celeste in the dark any longer. She deserved the whole truth, deserved to stand by his side as they faced the coming storm together. No more trying to keep her in the dark about the extent of what was going on.

With a deep breath, Kade walked into his bedroom and sat by the bed next to his mate. “Celeste?”

Celeste turned and sat up, her auburn hair tousled from sleep and her emerald eyes heavy with drowsiness. “Kade? Is everything okay?”

The sight of her, soft and vulnerable in the golden light of dawn, made Kade’s heart fill with love for her. “I’m sorry to wake you, but there’s something I need to tell you. Something important.”

Celeste’s brows furrowed, concern etching itself onto her delicate features. She pulled him closer to her, straddling his thighs and wrapping her arms around his neck. Then she kissed his lips and pressed her warm body into his. “What is it, Kade?”

Kade hugged her for a long moment before pulling back to meet her gaze, fingers tracing circles on her back. “Celeste, there’s a big attack coming. A group of shifters led by a powerful warlock are planning to strike Whispering Pines under the next new moon.”

Celeste nodded, a frown marring her brow. “Yeah. Damien’s man said something along those lines. I still don’t understand what they want with our town.”

Kade shook his head, frustration evident in the set of his jaw. “Power, control, a desire to eliminate any potential threats to their reign. But that’s not all...” He tightened his grip on her hand, his gaze intense and unwavering. “Celeste, I need you by my side in this fight. Your strength, your magic... We can’t do this without you.”

Celeste’s expression softened, and determination flickered to life in her eyes. She raised a hand to cup Kade’s cheek, her touch gentle and reassuring. “Kade, you don’t even have to ask. I’m with you, always. We’ll face this together, as partners. As mates.”

It was the first time she acknowledged being his mate. The word filled him with hope. His wolf knew her word for what it was, a promise and a declaration all at once. Kade leaned into her touch, his eyes sliding shut as he savored the warmth of her skin against his. “Partners. Mates,” he echoed, his voice rough with emotion. “In every sense of the word.”