Chapter 3

3

Rylan stood at the edge of the crowd, his keen eyes scanning the bustling festival grounds. The sounds of laughter and music filled the air, mingling with the smoky tang of roasting meat. His senses were sharp, honed by years of leadership and the instinctual vigilance that came with being an Alpha.

His gaze landed on Micah's daughter standing at the drink stand. Her curvy figure was silhouetted against the warm glow of lanterns. She was pretty, with a pleasant smile and an easy grace that would make their union bearable, if not fulfilling. However, her smile didn't reach her eyes. She looked as resigned as he did.

Until she didn't.

Her eyes lit up at something. That spark changed her face from pretty to stunning. Part of him wondered what had made her light up like that. But even seeing her delight, Rylan still didn't feel a pull to her.

It wouldn't be a hardship to mate her. It was a logical match, beneficial for both packs. And yet his heart remained unmoved, beating with the steady rhythm of duty rather than excitement.

He was about to look away, to continue surveying the gathering with the detached focus he'd perfected over the years, when something—or rather, someone—caught his attention. His heart skipped a beat, the air leaving his lungs in a sharp exhale as his eyes locked on to her.

She stood a few feet away from Micah's daughter. She had a quiet intensity that drew him in like nothing else ever had. Her long, raven hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light in a way that made the shadows in her strands dance. Her skin glowed with a soft radiance, and when she looked up, her eyes—dark and deep as the forest at night—pierced straight through him.

Rylan's heart stuttered, then raced. His breath came in short, sharp bursts as if he'd just run miles through the mountains up the highest peak. His body reacted instinctively, with a recognition settling deep in his bones. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, the most beautiful creature on this earth. Every inch of him screamed with certainty: it was her.

His fated mate.

The one he had waited for, longed for, and despaired of ever finding.

And now, she was here, within reach, her presence igniting something inside him that had long lain dormant.

Everything else around him—the festival, the people, even his pack—faded into the background. It was as if the world had narrowed to just the two of them, and for the first time in years, he felt alive. Truly alive, in a way he had almost forgotten was possible.

His senses drank her in: the delicate curve of her neck, the soft rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the way her lips parted slightly. Her eyes, wide and expressive, held a depth that drew him in, drowning him in their warmth.

For a decade, his only priority had been the well-being of his pack, their safety and prosperity. But now, all of that fell away, insignificant compared to the magnetic pull of the woman before him. He lifted his left foot to take the first step toward a future that looked brighter than it had days ago. That's when movement to his left caught his attention.

Rylan was loath to turn away from his mate, but he felt the hairs at the back of his neck stand up. Someone was watching her. By the time he turned to the left, the threat was gone. Not entirely, but the presence had moved away.

Turning back to his fated mate, Rylan saw the hairs on the back of her neck stand up as well. She turned slightly, her eyes scanning the crowd with a look of unease. She felt it too—someone watching her. He could sense her fear, the underlying tension that rippled through her.

Rylan's instincts kicked in, his protective nature surging to the forefront. In an instant, he was by her side, his presence a barrier between her and whatever threat they both sensed. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, recognition sparking in their depths, but the fear remained.

"You're in danger," he said, his voice low and urgent. "You need to come with me."

She hesitated, confusion and suspicion flickering across her face. "Who are you?"

He wanted to tell her that he was hers. But that's when he smelled it; she was human. Humans couldn't immediately sense the mating bond. Not until the moon was at its highest, at least. That wouldn't be for a few hours more. He sensed they didn't have that time with a threat looming near.

"I'm your Alpha."

It was the truth. She was on his land. And she was his. Though he was more than her Alpha. He was determined to be her everything.

"Is it Rob?" she asked.

Rylan didn't know who Rob was, but he was sure he didn't like him.

"Gideon said he looked me and Maize up, and he found out about Rob."

The name Maize Rylan knew. That was the name of the architect he'd hired for the new development. There was a second name that was coming along with Maize Mercer for the job. Rylan wracked his brain for the—Liza. That was it. This had to be her.

"I don't know if it's Rob. I just know someone is watching you. You're on my land, so you're mine to protect."

The world around them held its breath as Liza considered Rylan's words. And then, slowly, she nodded. He held out his hand to her, and thank the gods she took it.

"All right. I'll come with you."

That's all he needed. For now.

She allowed him to lead her away from the crowded festival and into the shadows where they could talk in safety. As they moved, Rylan's mind raced. He had found her, his fated mate, but now he had to protect her.

Whoever had been watching her meant harm, and he would do whatever it took to keep her safe. For the first time in years, he felt the promise of something more, something that went beyond duty and responsibility.

And it was all because of her.