Chapter 13

13

Gideon felt the sharp pang of fear in his gut, a sensation that sent his wolf into a frenzy. The connection he had with Maize, even if she didn't fully accept it yet, was enough for him to sense her distress. His mind raced, trying to pinpoint the source of her fear, but the gnawing anxiety left him with only one option: he had to get to her, and fast.

Without a second thought, Gideon turned from his Alpha. Liza was inside and safe. He wasn't sure about her free will at the moment. He'd sort that out later. He had to focus on her sister.

Gideon hopped off the porch. He left the wooded steps on two feet and landed on four. He shifted into his wolf form, his bones cracking and reshaping, fur sprouting from his skin in a familiar rush of power. The sounds and smells of the forest sharpened instantly, every leaf rustling in the breeze, every distant call of creatures large and small was amplified. His senses were on high alert as he tore through the woods, the underbrush crunching under his paws, the scent of pine and earth filling his nostrils.

The forest blurred past him, a mix of shadows and light as he sprinted toward his cabin. The wind whipped through his fur, but the cold did little to dampen the heat of his panic. He needed to reach Maize to ensure she was safe. The bond between them pulled him forward, a guiding force that quickened his pace.

As he approached the clearing where his cabin stood, the sight that greeted him made his blood run cold. The door was ajar, swinging slightly in the breeze. The scent of distress hung heavy in the air. He cautiously padded forward, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

Inside the cabin, the scene was chaotic. Furniture was overturned. A pan was scattered across the floor, drops of blood dotting the underside. The once cozy and inviting space now felt violated, letting Gideon know that a struggle had taken place. Fear chased by a shot of rage through him. His wolf growled low in his throat, the sound reverberating through the silent cabin.

His keen eyes caught sight of a broken lamp and a trail of blood leading to the back of the cabin. He followed it, his mind racing with horrible possibilities. The scent of Maize's fear was strong here, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. His gut twisted painfully at the thought of her being hurt.

Gideon's ears twitched at the slightest sound, his senses on overdrive. The faint rustle of leaves outside made him spin around, ready to pounce on any threat that dared approach. But the forest was eerily quiet, as if holding its breath, waiting for the next move.

A scent caught his nose. It was a wolf, but not one from his pack. It had to be Rob, the dangerous shifter who had been stalking Maize's sister.

Shifting back to his human form, Gideon stood in the wreckage of his cabin, his fists clenched at his sides. If Rob had her, she could not be safe. His mind flashed back to their moments together, the way she had started to trust him, the way her presence had begun to fill the empty spaces within him. He couldn't lose her, not now.

The sound of footsteps pounded up the porch, and moments later, Elijah and Caleb burst through the door, their eyes wide with concern.

"What the hell happened here?" Elijah demanded, his voice a growl.

"Rob. He found her."

Caleb's eyes darkened, and he bared his teeth in a silent snarl. "Can you track Maize through the bond?"

Gideon shook his head, guilt and fear gnawing at him. "We haven't formally bonded. We were about to when I got the call about Liza missing."

Caleb's hand landed on Gideon's shoulder, his grip firm. "We can track the other wolf's scent. We'll find them, Gideon. We're not letting that bastard get away."

Gideon nodded, his resolve hardening. He focused on the scent, letting it guide him. It was faint, almost lost amidst the other smells, but it was there, a trail leading into the depths of the forest.

He took a step, preparing to shift into his wolf form. Before he did, the sound of a faint whimper reached his ears, snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned toward the noise, his heart hammering.

"Maize?" he called out, his voice rough with desperation.

There was no response, only the eerie silence of the forest. Gideon moved through the cabin, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow. He knew she was close; he could feel it in his bones.

The sound hadn't come to his ears. It had come to his mind. It had come through the bond. At some point—maybe during his run here, maybe as he was scenting Maize's blood—it had snapped into place. Meaning he could track her now, not by scent but by the connection between them.

The fear that had gripped him moments before melted away, replaced by a burning need to reclaim what was his. Maize was out there somewhere, and she needed him. Rob had taken her, but Gideon would find them. He would tear apart anyone who stood in his way, and he would bring her back to where she belonged—by his side.

He allowed the shift to take over, his bones cracking and reshaping him into his inner beast. The power of the wolf flowed through him, heightening his senses, sharpening his focus. His claws dug into the earth, his eyes glowing with a predatory fire.

Gideon threw back his head and let out a howl, a raw, powerful sound that echoed through the trees, a promise and a warning to any who dared challenge him. He could feel Maize's presence tugging at the edges of his consciousness, guiding him, pulling him toward her.

He lunged into the forest, his paws pounding against the ground. He moved with the speed and grace of a predator on the hunt, his mind locked on his single goal: to find Maize, to take down the wolf who had dared to touch her, and to formalize their bond in a way that left no doubt—she was his, and nothing would ever come between them.

He would find her. He would save her. And when he did, he would never let her go.