Chapter 15

15

The sound of the door slamming echoed like a gunshot in the tense silence that followed. Every instinct screamed at Rylan to follow Liza, to make things right, to reassure her that she was the most important thing in his world. But he hesitated, his feet rooted to the spot by the weight of his responsibilities as Alpha.

The council of elders sat behind him, their gazes heavy with expectation. He knew his place—knew what was expected of him as Alpha. His responsibilities to the pack had always come first, a burden he had carried with pride and unwavering dedication. But now, with Liza's absence a gaping wound in his chest, all of those responsibilities felt like chains binding him to a duty that suddenly seemed less important than the woman who had just walked out.

"Go."

Rylan's gaze snapped to the speaker, the female elder whose sharp eyes softened as they met his. She was the oldest among them, her hair silvered with age, but her presence was still formidable, her authority unquestioned.

"Mates before everything," her husband added, his deep voice resonating with quiet conviction. He leaned forward, his hand resting gently on his wife's, his gaze steady on Rylan. "Your mate is your priority now, Rylan. She comes before all else."

Gratitude flooded him in a rush. The tension that had gripped him loosened, the chains of duty falling away as he nodded. He didn't need to be told twice.

The moment he stepped outside, the cool night air hit him like a shock, the scent of pine and earth filling his lungs as he took in his surroundings. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a pale, silvery light over the forest, the trees standing like silent sentinels in the dark. But there was no time to appreciate the beauty of the night; his focus was singular, driven by the primal need to find his mate.

Without hesitation, he shifted. His bones cracked and realigned, his muscles rippling and stretching as dark fur sprouted across his skin. The transformation was swift, practiced, and in moments, the man was gone, replaced by a massive, powerful wolf.

Rylan shook out his thick coat, his senses sharpening as the world exploded into a tapestry of scents and sounds. The earthy musk of the forest floor, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, the distant call of a hawk—all of it was background noise, secondary to the scent that called to him like a beacon. Liza's scent, sweet and wild, laced with the tang of her distress, filled his nostrils, spurring him into action.

He took off, his paws barely making a sound on the soft ground as he raced through the trees, the moonlight filtering through the canopy above, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The bond between them thrummed with urgency, a connection that pulsed like a heartbeat, guiding him with an unerring sense of direction.

He had tried to ignore it at first, letting her storm off into the woods, hoping she just needed time to cool down. But the bond wouldn't let him rest. It tugged at him, relentless and demanding, a knot of anxiety tightening in his gut. Liza's emotions were a whirlwind—fear, pain, a deep-seated longing that mirrored his own. He could sense her getting farther away, and with every step she took, the unease inside him grew.

And then a shot of pain flashed down the bond. The sharp pain was laced with fear. But he knew she couldn't be in too much danger—Rob was dead, taken care of once and for all—but these woods were filled with other predators. Some were four-legged, some two, and not everyone knew she was his.

The bond between them pulsed with urgency, urging him to move faster. He picked up the pace, his muscles burning with the effort, his breath coming in steady, controlled bursts. The forest blurred around him, the shadows deepening as he plunged deeper into the wilderness, following the thread of her scent like a lifeline.

Then, finally, he saw her.

Liza lay crumpled on the ground, her body half-hidden by the tall grass and undergrowth. Her ankle was twisted at an unnatural angle, swollen and bruised, the pain evident even in her unconscious state. The sight of her, so vulnerable and hurt, sent a wave of protectiveness crashing through him, mingled with a surge of guilt that he hadn't followed her sooner.

Rylan skidded to a stop, the forest silent around him save for the sound of his own heavy breathing. He shifted back to his human form in a smooth, practiced motion, the change leaving him momentarily disoriented as his senses adjusted. The night air was cool against his bare skin, the ground beneath his feet solid and grounding.

He knelt beside her, his heart hammering in his chest as he reached out to touch her, his fingers brushing gently against her cheek. Her skin was cool to the touch, her breathing shallow but steady. Relief washed over him, but it was tinged with an edge of fear that made his hands tremble slightly as he gathered her into his arms.

"Liza?"

She didn't stir. Her head lolled against his chest as he picked her up. Her breathing was steady but too slow for his liking.

Rylan cradled her close, his hand slipping under her knees as he lifted her with ease. The scent of her fear and pain still clung to her. Beneath it, he could sense the faint, lingering traces of her trust, the bond that had drawn them together in the first place. It was that bond that had brought him to her, that had guided him through the darkness of the woods, and now it would guide him home.

He moved quickly, his steps sure and swift as he carried her through the forest, the familiar path back to their home etched into his memory. The trees seemed to close in around them, the shadows deepening as the night wore on, but Rylan's focus was solely on the woman in his arms, the steady beat of her heart a reassuring rhythm against his chest.

When they finally reached the cabin, Rylan kicked the door open with his foot, his eyes never leaving Liza's face as he carried her inside. He gently laid her down on the couch, careful not to jostle her injured ankle.

She slowly stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. Rylan felt the last of his fear melt away, replaced by a fierce, unyielding love that burned brightly.

"Rylan," she whispered, her voice hoarse and weak. "You came after me."

"Of course I did. I will always come for you."

"I'm so sorry… for storming into the meeting like that, and for running off. I didn't mean to?—"

"Shh," Rylan interrupted. "It's okay, Liza. I'm just glad you're safe."

"No, it's not okay. I shouldn't have put you in that position, and I shouldn't have doubted you. You've been trying so hard to do what's best for everyone, and I… I just made things worse."

Rylan pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Liza, you're my mate. Your feelings are important to me, and I will always have your best interest at heart. I'll fight for you, no matter what."

She reached up, cupping his face with her hand, her thumb brushing over the stubble on his jaw. "I'll work it out with Celine. I don't want you to worry about it. I just need you to know that I trust you, Rylan. I love you, and I'll have your back—once I can get back on my feet, that is."

A soft chuckle escaped Rylan's lips, and he shook his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"We're in this together, okay?"

Rylan's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close to his chest, and she sank into his embrace, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her own. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel alone.

"Together," he echoed, the word a promise that he felt deep in his soul where his love for Liza continued to grow.