Rosa’s eyelids fluttered shut, and in minutes she was snoring on my shoulder, a thin line of drool extending from her mouth onto my chest. That was totally adorable.

This woman is amazing. I can’t believe she’s mine.

My own eyelids grew heavy, but I couldn’t allow myself to sleep. That’s exactly what Angus and Robbie were waiting for. I wondered if Robbie was still outside, peering in the window at us. If so, we’d given him one hell of a show.

I stared at the ceiling, counting the nails in the timber frame, and thought about how bloody lucky I was.

I’d never expected to find my mate. Many werewolves went their whole life without meeting theirs. It was pretty hard to date women when I had to constantly hide in the wilderness in case I accidentally bit them. I’d fucked a lot of girls, had a lot of fun, meaningless sex, but I never stuck around afterward. I’d never actually wanted to talk to those girls. This … this was something else.

Now that I had Rosa, I wanted nothing else but to be with her constantly. At least, thanks to my stepbrothers, I was able to do just that. I just wished it wasn’t at the expense of a price on her head, or my mother’s head.

I hope you’re okay out there, Mum. I knew she couldn’t hear my thoughts over this distance, but I hoped all the same. I know you’re tough, but whatever the Bairds are planning, it’s not gonna be good. I’ll find a way to get out of this, I promise you.

Moonlight streamed across the bed through the curtain-less window. Now that all the sexual tension had been released from my body, the wolf within me itched against my skin. The full moon was only three nights away. Would I be able to remain by her side in my full wolf form, or would I be a danger to her without my human emotions? When I lived with the Macleans, we always stayed away from humans during the full moon shift, even mates, with good reason. Once, Robbie was late back from a drop in Aberdeen, and he got caught on the road during his shift, crashed his bike into a tree, and nearly devoured the kind old couple who stopped to help him. Douglas had to go threaten the couple so they wouldn’t talk to the press.

Harsh, yes, but that was the reality in a werewolf gang. It was a pretty lonely existence, especially if your pack didn’t accept you.

My mother wasn’t even safe around us. She kept a small flat near the university in Aberdeen where she and the other mates would stay during the moon. But then, she wasn’t Douglas’ fated mate. She was a widow with a werewolf cub, and he was a powerful alpha whose previous mate had been killed in a gang fight. He needed a woman by his side to maintain his power. Their marriage was a bond for survival, for both of them.

So I had no way of knowing what would happen to Rosa when the full moon took me, and I had to find out soon, because I couldn’t exactly leave Rosa alone while I answered the call of nature.

This was the kind of question I wished I could ask my father. But of course, I didn’t have a father. Never really did. I wasn’t even born when he died, and Douglas treated me more like a thorn in his paw than a son.

Luke will be here today, and Anna is his fated mate. I can ask him then, when Rosa isn’t listening, of course.

I glanced down at Rosa, wondering again if I should tell her that she was my fated mate. It would be better for her to have all the information, especially if my stepbrothers got their hands on her.

They won’t get her. I won’t allow it.

I remembered the hurt in her eyes when I’d asked her about her cat; whenever she talked about her previous life. I knew someone had cut her so deep, she didn’t know how to heal. Telling her we were destined to be together was not the way to heal her. It would send her running faster than a wolf in heat.

I clutched Rosa tighter. That was the last thing I wanted.

The sun rose, and the pull of the moon faded a little. It was always easier to ignore it during the day. I slid my body out from beneath Rosa, leaving her to sleep while I grilled bacon and made eggs in the tiny kitchen. As I was cracking the eggs into a bowl, one slipped through my fingers and splattered on the floor, half of the sticky insides going all over my bare foot.

Screwing my face up as egg ran through my toes, I stepped back, right onto Rosa’s shirt that I’d thrown across the floor last night in what now turned out to be a very misguided gesture of passion.

My other foot flew out from beneath me, and I went down. I landed hard on my ass on the floor. As I was still holding the egg carton at the time, it popped open. I watched three eggs sail in the air above my head before all three crashed down around me, splattering their wobbly contents across the floor.

I hope Rosa didn’t see that.

Behind me, someone clapped slowly. I whirled around. Rosa was sitting up in bed, grinning that wild grin of hers. Her hair stuck out in all angles from her head, like some kind of voodoo goddess. She’d seen every glorious moment. Of course she had.

“Breakfast and a show.” She smiled sleepily as I picked myself up.

“Eat quickly.” I handed her the one intact plate of food, and started to mop up the mess. “We need to go pick up Luke from the airport.”

“Did he bring Anna?” Rosa asked, her eyes widening. She forked a huge piece of bacon into her mouth and chewed. “I would love to get another woman’s take on dating a werewolf.”

“Are we dating, are we?”

Rosa’s face reddened. She put down her plate, and stared at her hands. “That wasn’t what I meant to say,” she mumbled.

“No taking it back now. We can be dating, if you like.”

She shook her head. “No, we can’t. Don’t get me wrong, Caleb. Last night was … well, you know what it was. But I can’t be with anyone right now, least of all a shapeshifting werewolf.”

Disappointment surged through me. I thought that after last night – which she had initiated, much to my surprise and delight – we’d be able to move onto something more serious, and she’d be able to open up to me about her problems, and then maybe I could tell her about us. But it appeared I’d misjudged the situation.

You let me into your bed, Rosa, and it was fucking amazing. Why won’t you let me into your heart?

“Okay, fine.” I shrugged, making my face impassive, trying not to let her see that I was hurt. “Whatever you want. Fuck buddies, then. Isn’t that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“I prefer, ‘It’s complicated.’” Rosa picked up her plate again and took another huge bite.

Complicated was right. I’d finally met the woman of my dreams, but she didn’t want to be with me.

* * *

After breakfast, we walked down the forest path to Rosa’s car. I kept my nose in the air the entire way, parsing the nocturnal activities from the scent paths in the air.

“Are they still here?” Rosa whispered, her hand seeking out mine.

“Robbie is,” I whispered back, squeezing her hand. “He’s about fifty metres behind us, in the trees. Don’t turn around and look at him, though. I don’t think he’ll attack us, not by himself. But I don’t want him to know we know he’s there. Let him think I’m an idiot; it makes things much easier for us.”

The conversation I’d had with Robbie replayed over in my head as Rosa drove us out of Crookshollow toward London. The more I thought on it, the more certain I was that he was making that offer of his own accord. What had made him do that? It was so completely out of character for my little stepbrother. Was he trying to stand up to Angus?

London was a nightmare, as usual. We hit the M25 during a huge traffic jam. My wolf blood bubbled beneath my veins. It hated being trapped in a car like this, hemmed in on all sides by people honking and shouting. Someone tried to cut in front of us, and I growled out the window so ferociously he pulled right back in again.

Rosa patted my knee. “Down, boy. We’re not far away.”

“I fucking hate London,” I growled.

“Newsflash – everyone on this motorway hates London. Now, come on. We’re going to see your brother. That’s exciting, isn’t it?” She turned down the off-ramp toward Heathrow and immediately slammed on her brakes as she joined a long line of traffic.

“We should’ve made him rent a car and come up to us.”

“Now, now. Wolves who behave get a treat at the end of the day,” Rosa cooed, her hand snaking up my knee, between my legs, stroking me through the thick fabric.

Oh, fuck. Just the feel of her hand made me hard. “Shouldn’t you concentrate on driving?”

“We’re not going anywhere.” With one hand, Rosa undid the zipper and took out my cock. She wrapped her hand around it, swirling her finger around the tip, collecting the pre-cum that had already leaked out. She used that to lubricate her hand as she stroked me slowly, taking her time as she inched the car forward a few feet.

This is so fucking hot. All those fools sitting in their cars around us, no idea that the hottest fucking lass in the world was giving me a handjob right beside them.

“The light’s green,” I moaned, as the car behind us honked loudly.

“Fuck!” Rosa let go of me and drove through the lights, rounding another corner and then we were back to idling behind another long line of traffic turning into the Heathrow carpark. “Where was I?”

“Your hand was on my cock and you were—” Words failed me as she wrapped those long fingers around my shaft and continued her slow, steady rhythm, watching the road carefully as we crept up to the lot. Her grip never faltered, and the steady rhythm sent heat rushing all through my body.

Rosa pulled into a park and turned the car off. “Now you can have my full attention.” She grinned, bending down. Her lips wrapped around my head, sliding down my shaft as she took all of me into her mouth. She felt hot and wet and so, so good.

I gripped the car seat as she worked me like an expert, applying just the right amount of pressure, her hand working my shaft while her tongue circled my head. She changed her grip, drawing me right back into her throat. Her hair bounced up and down as she sucked me right back, and I could feel the warmth of her mouth all around me.

Her wild hair bobbed up and down in my lap, obscuring my view of her. I kept my eyes straight ahead, trying to keep up the pretence I was just one of them, not the luckiest guy in the world, getting a blowjob in the middle of the Heathrow carpark. People wheeled their luggage and chased after their children in front of our car, completely oblivious.

This was the hottest thing I’d ever experienced.

The heat in my body rushed towards my cock. My muscles tensed, my stomach sank.

“Rosa … Rosa, I’m about to—” She increased the pressure in her hand, and let out a little mewling sound in the back of her throat. It was too much. I groaned as I came in her mouth, shuddering as a wave of pleasure coursed through my veins.

“Rosa,” I moaned, my hand falling against her hair. That was the best head I’d ever had. Hands down, no contest.

She sat up, wiping the edge of her mouth with a tissue from the dispenser on the dashboard. She’d swallowed everything.

“Hopefully now you’ll have at least one good memory of London traffic,” she said, grinning.

“Get in the back,” I growled.

“But why—”

“I want you. Right now.”

“What about your cousin?”

“He can wait. Get in the back.” My cock was already getting hard again, just thinking about her naked and writhing beneath me on the backseat.

“Don’t be silly.” She opened her door and swung her luscious legs out of the car. “We don’t want to keep Luke waiting.”

“Rosa—” The word came out more whiny than I’d intended.

“Chop chop!” She was already trotting across the parking lot, smoothing down her maxi dress over her gorgeous ass.

“You—” I frantically zipped up my pants and scrambled out of the car after her. Rosa laughed as she darted away from me. “You devil woman!”

“Keep up, wolf-boy!” Rosa yelled from over by the pay machines. I heard her deep, thundering laugh, and it made me break out into an enormous smile. I raced after her, not wanting to let her out of my sight for a second.

Now that I’ve found a girl more awesome than I ever dreamed of, I’m not about to let her get away, even if she doesn’t realise it herself yet.

Even though the airport was insanely crowded, and foreign elbows kept finding their way into my ribcage, and a family was walking at a snail’s pace in front of us with not one but three bawling children, I didn’t even care. It was as though I was walking through a fluffy cloud. That’s what being with Rosa did to me.

We only had to wait twenty minutes at the arrivals gate before I saw Luke running toward us, a small rucksack slung over his shoulder. He was wearing a Yale University sweatshirt, and his dark hair was pulled up beneath a Yale baseball cap.

“You getting a cut of the Yale merchandise, bro?” I asked as we did that macho-half-hug-back-pat thing.

He grinned. “Anna, of course. She’s pretty excited about being at an Ivy League university. Try to tell her there is anything outside of Yale, and you’ll wish you’d never opened your mouth. I think our baby is going to come out singing the Bulldogs’ fight song.”

“How far along is she?”

“Five months, thirteen days, seventeen cases of extra spicy chorizo, which she eats with peanut butter.” Luke wrinkled his nose.

“I’ve heard that if a pregnant woman craves spicy food, you’re more likely to have a boy,” Rosa piped up. That was just the right thing to say to Luke. He beamed, and stretched out his hand to greet her.

“This is Rosa Parker,” I said. “We’re …” I wanted to tell my brother what she was, but I couldn’t, not in front of Rosa, not when she wasn’t even comfortable with the title of “girlfriend.” “ … my friend. She’s the one I need your help to guard.”

“Nice to meet you.” Luke shook her hand. “Let’s get back to Crookshollow. I’m dying to see the old haunt again. You can tell me more about your wolf problem in the car. How are the caves?”

“They’re still there, but unfortunately, so are the archaeologists.” Luke had left me responsible for keeping watch over our ancestral home. So far, I’d marked several of our territorial boundaries around the forest, but I hadn’t been able to get near the caves again. The archaeologists who’d found the cave paintings that caused me to come to Crookshollow in the first place were convinced that more important Neolithic treasures lay buried inside. I patrolled the area as best I could. So far, no other wolves had come to challenge our rights to the area.

“They’ll leave at the end of the summer, when the season finishes,” Luke said. “Then we’ll have the place to ourselves. Anna and I are going to come back when the baby’s born, and have a naming ceremony on the site. I’m hoping Clara will perform it for us.”

“I’m sure she’d love to.” Clara was an old witch who ran a crystal and witchcraft shop on the Crookshollow high street. She made all sorts of potions and pills to help werewolves manage their shifts, and she’d helped Luke identify the mysterious black wolf that was terrorising his Anna. I’d been visiting her regularly since I came to Crookshollow, and was even friendly with her two fox-shifter sons, Ryan and Marcus.

During the ride back to Crookshollow, Luke sat in front. I wanted to tell him what Rosa and I had done on that seat, but it seemed a rude thing to do to a jet-lagged man who’d just travelled halfway around the world to help us out. In between arguing about which radio station to listen to (Luke liked drum ’n bass, I wanted heavy metal), I filled him in on the situation with the Maclean pack and Angus and Robbie’s attack. Rosa kept her eyes on the road. Her hands gripped the wheel a little tighter when I mentioned my stepbrothers’ plan.

“Why do these Bairds want you, cousin?” Luke’s brow creased.

I shrugged. “Beats me. Part of me wants to go and find out, but most of me suspects it’s a trap.”

“Will your mother be safe with them?”

“I think so. Dead hostages make for very poor bargaining power.” As I said it, a shiver ran through my body. I hoped like hell I was right.

Maybe I should go, just to check she’s okay …

No. That’s exactly what they all expect you to do. They did this exactly because they know she’s your weak spot. Not anymore. Mum will be fine. I’m not part of the pack any longer, so it’s not my problem.

I’m sure I’m right. I just have to live with myself if I’m not.

We pulled in at Margaret’s place and parked up. Luke hopped out of the car and breathed deeply. “It’s so good to be back in the forest again,” he said. “I could hug a tree, I’ve missed them so much.”

“Isn’t the Yale campus famous for its trees?”

“Oh, sure. The famous Yale trees. Every tree has several volumes of history written about it, where some famous poet has written a sonnet about the leaves, or a famous person sneezed on it.” Luke patted the trunk of an oak. “I’ve been desperate for some good old fashioned humble British trees. No celebrity spittle here.”

I sniffed the air as we walked back along the path. Angus’ scent was thick. He was somewhere close, which made me nervous. Robbie I could handle – he talked tough, but I was confident I could easily overpower him if it came down to a fight. Angus was a whole different breed of wolf. He was born and bred to take over as pack alpha upon Douglas’ death, and he had no problem using cruelty to get what he wanted. I didn’t want him anywhere near Rosa.

“Walk quickly,” I said, pushing Rosa between Luke and I. She stared up at me with a terrified expression, but I didn’t elaborate. We took off at a trot, flying down the path as fast as we could while staying close together. Angus’ scent wafted through the air, sending my nerves on edge. From Luke’s grim expression, I could tell he smelt it, too.

Thankfully, Angus didn’t show himself, and we made it to the cabin without any kind of incident.

Rosa unlocked the cabin, and practically dived inside. She slumped down in her desk chair, rubbing her arms, where goosebumps had raised on her skin. Luke and I piled in after her, and I shut and bolted the door.

“I can feel his eyes on me.” Rosa’s lip quivered. When her eyes met mine, I could see the fear there. I went to embrace her, but she held up a hand, telling me to stay away.

Okay, fine. Hugs are a boyfriend thing, I get it. Instead, I folded my arms across my chest, and made my face impassive.

“He didn’t attack, at least. I suspect Luke’s presence made him think twice.”

“We’ll get the bastards,” Luke said. “No one touches my cousin’s ma—”

I shot him a desperate look, and his eyes glinted with recognition. He broke down into a hideous coughing fit, covering up the rest of his sentence.

What a goon, but it seemed to work. Rosa didn’t seem to notice what he’d almost said. Luke stopped coughing, and gave me a look that clearly said, We’ll talk later.

“I can see Caleb’s been cooking.” Luke pointed to the coating of mashed potatoes and egg bits caked to the wall.

“I resent that,” I said. “I’ve been feeding Rosa extremely well. Haven’t I, Rosa?”

“I never said you wouldn’t. You cook some of the fluffiest pancakes I’ve ever eaten. It would just be great if you didn’t coat every surface in crap while you’re playing Master Chef.”

“It’s great to see you again, little cousin,” I growled, pushing him towards the door. “Don’t be a stranger now.”

Rosa laughed her beautiful deep laugh, breaking the tension in the room. I relaxed, letting go of Luke’s arm, and gave him a pat on the shoulder. It really was great to see him again.

When Luke and I first met, we were both used to being alone. Luke and his dad had lived as recluses in different forests all over Europe. He spent most of his life avoiding contact with the outside world, and I’d spent most of mine trying to hide from my stepfather and brothers. When we first met, we didn’t exactly trust each other. In fact, I was ready to fight him for Anna, his mate. I’m glad I didn’t, because Anna was lovely and all, but Rosa was something else.

I’d only just got used to calling Luke family, and talking to him about the future of our pack, and then he went off to the US and left me alone again. I didn’t realise it until I’d seen him again today, but ever since he’d left, I’d been feeling lonely.

“I can see I’m going to have my hands full with both of you,” Rosa said.

“First things first.” Luke pointed at the bed. “Caleb, go to sleep.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not taking the next watch. You must be jet-lagged to hell—”

“No buts.” Luke turned to Rosa, who had picked up her notebook from the table, and was scribbling down something. “When was the last time he slept?”

“He’s been awake for the last two days, at least,” Rosa said, not looking up from her writing.

“I’m not tired—”

“Bed, now. No arguments.” Luke crossed his arms. “You’re no good for any of this if you’re sleep-deprived. Rosa and I are going to head into town and get some supplies, and we’re gonna barricade this place up like a German bunker … hey, what are you writing?”

Rosa’s face flushed. She dropped her pen and covered her notebook with her hands.

“Just fleshing out my plot,” she said. “All this talk of kidnapping and gang wars gave me an idea.”

“Rosa’s here in Crookshollow writing a book,” I told Luke. “A tale of bitterness and revenge.”

“Sounds dark.” Luke grinned. “Are there any space cowboys?”

“No.”

“What about an android with a heart of gold?”

“None of them.”

“Diabolical villains hell bent on ruling the universe?”

Rosa grinned. “I might add a couple of those, but I haven’t decided.”

“Are you sure you know how to write a book? I think you’re missing some key elements.”

I could feel my eyelids drooping already. Luke loved to read, but his tastes ran to old school science fiction writers, not the kind of highbrow literary fiction that cluttered Rosa’s cabin. They were going to argue for hours about the literary merits of The Martian. Which was great, because I was about thirty seconds away from the land of Nod.

I sank down onto the mattress, Luke and Rosa’s voices fading away. I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow.

* * *

When I opened my eyes again, moonlight streamed through the window above the desk. My wolf form pressed against my skin, begging to be released. It was less than three days now until the full moon, and both Luke and I would need to go deep into the forest. We needed to ensure Rosa’s safety before then, or we could have a serious situation.

I jerked upright, my eyes scanning the cabin. Luke … Rosa … where are they?

The cabin was empty. There weren’t even any dishes in the sink. Panic seized my stomach. Had Angus managed to get in here? Had they both been taken, while I slept?

I saw something shift at the window. I bolted out of bed, my senses alert. I pressed myself against the door, and peeked outside.

Rosa and Luke sat side by side on the porch, a stack of books and a line of empty beer bottles covering the table between them. Luke was saying something and Rosa was laughing her wonderful laugh. They looked like two old friends.

I beamed. At least my cousin approved of my mate. If only she would actually agree to be my mate, and my maniacal stepbrothers stopped pursuing her, then everything would be perfect.

First things first, we had to get her safe. And that meant, somehow, neutralising my stepbrothers.

I pushed open the door and stepped outside. “What time do you call this?”

“Hello, sleepyhead.” Rosa beamed, her smile making my body flush with heat.

Luke checked his phone. “It’s a little after 3 a.m.”

I leaned against the porch balustrade, and sniffed the air. My stepbrothers’ scents lingered in the night, but the trails were a few hours old.

“They’re not here,” I said.

Luke shook his head. “The scent has been fading for a while. I think they saw me and figured it was pointless making a move tonight with two of us on duty, so they’ve gone somewhere to get some shut eye.”

“Maybe they’ve given up?” Rosa said, her voice a little louder than usual. I wondered how many of those beers she’d had.

“I wish that were true.” I rested my hand on her shoulder, my fingers trailing along her neck. “There’s so much else I’d rather be doing than watching over my shoulder all the time.”

Rosa grinned, flipping her hair over her shoulder. Her eyes were glazed from the alcohol. “So, what’s the plan?”

“We need to find where they’re hiding,” I said. “Attack them before they make a move on us. For all we know, they could be expecting reinforcements from Scotland at any time. Luke and I need to attack them first, before they have enough wolves to overpower us.”

“Why do you have to attack them at all?” Rosa asked.

“Because that’s the only language Angus understands.” I flexed my muscles. “This is not a problem that’s going to be solved with a polite discussion over tea. I’ll go after them. You guys stay here and continue your night.”

Luke shook his head. “We’ll go together. There are two of them, and two of us.”

“But what about Rosa?”

Luke turned to Rosa. “Do you have any friends in the village you can stay with for the night? They won’t attack you if you’re around other people, and risk exposing the existence of werewolves to the world.”

Rosa’s face grew stormy. The subject of friends seemed to make her upset. I put in quickly, “Rosa’s only just arrived in Crookshollow. She doesn’t know anyone apart from me.”

“That’s no problem,” Luke sad. “I know just the person.” He glanced at me, and I nodded, knowing exactly who he was thinking of. Luke frowned at my bare chest. “You might want to put on a shirt.”

“And spoil this view?” I gestured to my stomach. “Unlikely.”

“Fine.” Luke grabbed Rosa’s jacket and tossed it to her. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

* * *

Twenty minutes later, after assuring me several times she’d only had a couple of beers several hours ago, Rosa was driving around the streets of Crookshollow, following Luke’s barked directions. He told her to drive right to the end of a dark cul-de-sac, the quaint workers’ cottages on either side of the street all dark. “Pull in there!” He jabbed his finger at a bright blue cottage, the window boxes bursting with herbs and a front garden filled with all kinds of hilarious ornaments.

“Why are we at this house?” Rosa’s brow wrinkled in concern. “Whoever’s inside is probably asleep.”

“Unlikely.” Luke leapt out of the car before Rosa had even parked, and rapped on the door.

A few moments later, it swung open, revealing a short old lady wearing layers of black shawls and several crystals dangled from a chain around her neck. Her waist-length-hair was dyed a jet black. Intelligent brown eyes sparkled with recognition as they darted from Luke’s face to my own. I smiled. Luke may be the younger and less handsome of the Lowe pack, but he did occasionally have some bright ideas.

“Clara.” Luke threw her arms around her. She beamed as she hugged him back, her tiny arms barely able to reach around his shoulders.

“It’s nice to see you again, Luke.” She turned to me as I came up the path, shirtless and all. “Caleb, you’re as wild as ever, I see.”

I ran my hand through my hair. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, coming from you.”

“It is a compliment, of the highest order. And you must be Rosa.” Clara took Rosa’s hands and held them between her own. “You’re every bit as beautiful as Luke told me.”

Rosa’s face pinched. “Who are you?” she demanded.

I elbowed her. “Hey, don’t be rude.”

“I’m not being rude. I’m trying to find out what the hell is going on.”

“Clara is our friend,” Luke explained. “She owns the local witchcraft shop, and she helped us out when a rogue wolf threatened my mate. She also supplies Caleb and I with special pills to help us control our inner wolf during the full moon.”

“I’m going to ignore the bit where you said she’s a witch,” Rosa spluttered. “How is she going to help us?”

“Why would you ignore that?” Clara asked kindly. “That’s the most interesting thing about me. I make a delicious love potion, tastes like cherries.”

“I don’t need a love potion, thank you,” Rosa said through gritted teeth.

“Don’t worry, Clara.” I patted her shoulder. “Rosa isn’t usually this rude.”

“I’m not being rude, I’m sorry. I’m just … trying to put this together.” Rosa gestured toward Clara. “She’s a tiny old lady. What’s she going to do if a vicious wolf shows up on the doorstep? Beat him off with her walking stick? No offence or anything,” Rosa added hastily.

Clara just grinned. “I see you boys have done a wonderful job of explaining everything. Come inside, all of you. I’ve got the kettle on. Ryan and Marcus are here as well.”

Ryan and Marcus were Clara’s twin sons, and they were fox shifters, although Marcus was a mutt (a shifter with genetic defects which meant he didn’t have as much control over his shifting as he’d like). Between them and Clara, I knew Rosa would be safe.

“A cup of tea sounds great,” Rosa said. “And an explanation.” She glared at me.

I shrugged. “I like to keep my women on their toes.”

“No time for tea, unfortunately,” Luke said. “Caleb and I need to find these wolves. Are you sure you’re going to be safe, Clara? I hate bringing all this to your doorstep.”

“I’ve cast a protective spell around the whole property,” Clara said. “Between the magical barrier and my two boys, they’re not getting in here.”

“Right. We have to go.” I made to turn away, but Rosa squeezed my hand.

“Be careful, Caleb.”

“I’m always careful.”

“You’re not. I’ve seen you cook. Be super extra careful. I want you back in one piece.”

I pulled her body against mine and kissed her, breathing in the scent of her. There was no way in hell I was going to let Angus ruin this thing we had.

“Caleb,” Luke warned. “We can’t stay here.”

“Right.” I brushed Rosa’s hair out of her eyes, and pressed my finger to her lips. She let go of my hand, her eyes begging me to stay. But I couldn’t – Luke and I had to take this chance to find Angus and Robbie. I gave Rosa a final wave, and turned to head back down the path.

Luke and I didn’t get back into the car. Instead, we turned down the side of Clara’s cottage, heading for the forest that bordered her property. Already, the scent of the trees and fresh air tugged at my inner wolf. I stripped off my shirt as I followed Luke, who was discarding his clothes in the same way. We dumped our clothes in a pile at the end of the path, and raced for the trees. The moonlight drenched my skin, more intoxicating than any wine.

As Luke and I ran toward the forest, I caught a glimpse of a fox sitting beneath one of Clara’s box hedges. It nodded as we passed, and the thought landed in my head, We’ll protect her.

Thanks, Ryan. I owe you one.

Once we reached the forest, Luke and I shifted. My wolf was so close to the surface, snarling and snapping to be loose in the moonlight, it took very little energy to draw him up, and less than a minute later, I had all four paws on the ground. My vision had dulled, colours fading away into blurred shades of grey. Now, the world mapped itself before me in trails of scent. The movements of a hundred tiny animals crisscrossed the trees like telephone wires, connecting the whole forest in a network of snacks and predators. And I was at the top of the food chain.

Luke met my eyes, his grey pelt shimmering under the moon. Silently, we passed back and forth the details of our plan, and then we set off.

We doubled back toward Margaret’s place, running alongside each other, sniffing the air as we sought out Angus’ trail. We caught it again in the parking lot behind Margaret’s house, and followed it back to the now-empty cabin. The trail led us around the back, past the outdoor toilet, and along the ridge before diving deeper into the forest.

After a half hour of running northeast, we emerged into a small clearing. A cabin stood in the centre, similar to the ones Margaret rented out to her guests, but smaller and more dilapidated. A path had originally led to this cabin as well, but it was now completely overgrown. It was clear from the rotting wood and partially collapsed roof that this cabin was no longer in use.

There was no sign of any recent human visitation, but every square inch of the clearing reeked of wolf. In particular, of two specific wolves.

My stepbrothers are here, I called to Luke. Get back!

Luke and I darted back into the bushes, moving several feet downwind before our scent alerted them to our presence. We quickly formulated a plan of attack, then circled around to the back of the cabin, careful to remain low to keep our scent masked as much as possible.

The rear of the cabin was lower, the roof sloping toward it. There were no windows on this side, so anything we did would be invisible from the inside, which was exactly what I was hoping for.

I clambered up an overhanging tree, and checked out the situation from above. The hole in the roof was near the front of the cabin, just behind the door. It was an enormous hole, large enough for me to fit through in my wolf form. So far, everything was going our way.

Rain and wind would enter the cabin through the hole, but it was far enough forward that the whole back end of the cabin would be reasonably dry. I guessed my brothers were sleeping in that section. I signalled to Luke to move around the front of the cabin, keeping out of view of the side windows.

Wait for my signal.

As soon as Luke’s tail disappeared around the edge of the house, I leapt from the tree branch. My feet thudded as they landed on the wooden shingles, and I scrambled for a moment before gaining a foothold on the steep slope. I hoped like hell the sound hadn’t alerted my stepbrothers that I was there. Luckily, the wind was blowing away from the cabin, so they’d be unlikely to have caught my scent.

As silently and carefully as I could, I shuffled forward, over the ridge of the roof, and right to the edge of the hole. I crouched down just back from the edge, so the moon wouldn’t throw my shadow on the floor below. Luke poked his head out from the end of the porch, and nodded at me. I nodded back. Go for it.

Luke started to howl.

Instantly, something squabbled awake beneath me. I could hear paws scraping against a wooden floor. I strained my mind to catch their thoughts, and my stepbrothers’ messages fell into my own mind.

—Caleb, I can smell him. Can you see through the window? How many does he have out there?

There’s only one wolf. It’s Caleb’s cousin, the other Lowe wolf. He must’ve followed us.

You told me they were at the cabin all night.

They were. I swear, Angus. They must’ve woken up after I left. I’m sorry, I figured they’d sleep for hours after all the—

Alright, I don’t have to hear about it again. If the other wolf is here, it means Caleb probably isn’t far away, which means my new mate isn’t far, either. Caleb wouldn’t leave her alone. You definitely can’t smell any other wolves?

What do we do? Robbie sounded concerned.

There are two of them and two of us. It’s hardly a successful ambush technique. You go out there and see what he wants. I’ll hang back here, and I’ll come out if you get into trouble.

But, Angus—

Stop arguing with me and get out that fucking door.

I watched as a white-grey wolf slunk across the floor beneath the hole. He was in the perfect position for me to get him, but I didn't want Robbie.

I was after Angus.

Robbie stood on his hind legs and opened the door with his paw. His whole body was trembling. He was terrified.

Sorry, Robbie, but this is what you get when you hang with Angus.

I raised my paw, and Luke rushed forward. Robbie had barely pushed the door open a crack when Luke pounced. Robbie didn’t stand a chance. Luke pinned him against the rotting porch, and hissed in his ear, Stay silent, or I tear out your throat right now.

Robbie whimpered, but he didn’t say a word.

Well, where are they? Angus demanded from the depths of the cabin. I can smell Caleb’s rank stench from here. They must be right on top of us.

I grinned despite myself.

Answer me, you git. We don’t have time to fuck around. Robbie? Angus’ nails made a clicking noise as he padded across the wooden floor. Click click. Click, click. Any moment now and—

Angus’ enormous, black head popped into view over the edge of the hole.

I pounced.

I flew through the air and landed hard on his back. Angus turned his head in surprise, but I’d already sunk my teeth into his neck, right on top of the wound I’d given him just two days earlier. Metallic blood filled my mouth as I sank my teeth deeper. The wound wouldn’t kill him, but it would prevent him from tearing himself away from me without taking a huge chunk out of his neck.

Angus roared, rearing up onto his hind legs, and slamming back down again. I pitched forward, nearly losing my grip. But I dug my claws into his sides and held on tight. Angus tried to throw me again, but I managed to stay on, my teeth gnawing deeper into his flesh. Sweat poured down his back, mingling with the blood trickling from the wound, making his fur slick and hard to grip.

I’ll kill you, bastard. His anger roared inside my head.

You wouldn’t dare, I growled back, my own words thick with rage. I’m the whole reason you’re here, remember? I’m the one you have to bring back in one piece. It's gonna be pretty hard to do that if I tear your throat out.

We’re family. You wouldn’t dare.

Oh yeah? I bit down harder, spraying Angus’ blood all over the rotting wooden floor. Try me. You threatened my fated mate. You tried to take her from me. That’s no way to treat family, Angus. No way at all.

She’s too good for you, he growled.

And you’re a better option? You think she was just going to submit to being the mate of her kidnapper? You really are delusional.

She’s not even your mate yet. You haven’t claimed her.

That’s no excuse, and you know it. You’re going back to Aberdeen with your tail between your legs, and when you get there you can tell Douglas exactly what it was you tried to do in order to get me to come with you.

Fine, Angus growled. We go back, and when the Bairds find out you’re not with us, they’ll kill our mother.

That stopped me short. I hated the fact that she was caught up in this.

So stop them. MacLeans don’t solve their problems by giving into the demands of their enemies. Douglas is weak if he—

Father is not weak. Angus’ eyes were practically on fire.

Whatever. I don’t care. I’m not going back with you. You won’t change my mind. My jaw was starting to hurt from gripping a mouthful of his fur.

Then hurry up and kill me, bastard. Listening to you talk is tiring.

I’m not going to kill you, Angus. I loosened my grip on his neck, only slightly, but enough for a river of blood to flow again. You’re in my territory now, and I do things differently. You and Robbie will go back to Aberdeen, tell Douglas what I’ve just told you, and then you’ll all put your ten brain cells together and find another way.

Outside, I could hear crashing and cursing as Luke and Robbie fought. I dropped Angus’ neck, planted my foot on his shoulder blades to keep him down, and shoved his head against the rotting floor.

Angus yelped. But Mother—

She’s not my concern anymore. I have my own pack now. You worry about your family, and if you so much as look at Rosa again, I won’t be so lenient.

Angus howled as I stepped across his head. I kicked him in the mouth as I trotted outside. Luke held Robbie against the porch, his claws buried in Robbie’s fur and his teeth bared right in his face.

Luke! I called out. His head snapped up, and I saw that blood caked his teeth and chin. Robbie’s face looked pale, and his tongue was panting furiously against his teeth. You can drop him now. They’re leaving.

Luke growled one last time, snapping his jaws in front of Robbie’s face. Robbie whimpered, and collapsed in a heap on the sagging porch. Luke jumped off him, and came to stand beside me.

Angus limped out of the cabin, his eyes blazing, his neck and the side of his face caked in his own blood. He looked stricken as he rushed to Robbie, and started to lick the slash marks Luke had made across his cheek.

Why are you still here? Angus glowered at me. You’ve done enough.

Right, like I’d trust you to just leave. We’re going to escort you to the border of Crookshollow Forest, make sure you’re safely out of Lowe territory. If you cross back over into my domain, I’m well within my rights as the alpha in this area to kill you on sight.

Angus glared at me, but he didn’t say anything.

Good. We have an understanding. Let’s go.

Angus nudged Robbie in the side. Robbie hunched over and whimpered. Angus licked at another wound, cleaning away the blood from his fur.

You hurt him, he growled.

Stop wasting time, I growled. Angus nudged Robbie again, and he clambered to his feet, his legs shaking. The two of them limped toward the trees. I fell in step behind them, the metallic taste of Angus’ blood still coating my mouth. I marched them into the trees, heading north, toward the forest edge and the nearest boundary of our territory. Luke circled around to walk out to the side, preventing them escaping into the trees. None of us said a word.

The sun was rising over the horizon when we finally reached the northern edge of the forest. In the new morning light, Angus and Robbie looked even worse for wear than I’d realised. A flap of Angus’ skin hang down from his neck where I’d torn it away, and one of Robbie’s legs had swollen up to nearly twice its size. Deep gashes ran across his cheek. When those healed into scars, they’d make him look like a pretty mean critter.

I felt a flicker of sympathy for them, but it quickly faded when I remembered what they’d done to Rosa.

I raised my leg to a nearby tree, adding a fresh mark to the edge of my territory. I splashed a bit on Angus’ foot. He backed away, growling, but Luke was right there behind him, pushing him back toward me.

I marched along the tree-line, ensuring the boundary was clearly indicated. If you cross this line again, you will be directly violating my specific order. As far as I’m concerned, our familial relationship won’t guarantee your safety. And you can tell the same to any other member of the Maclean or Baird packs that want to come down here and harass any members of my pack.

You don’t have a pack, Angus growled. I’ve never seen another wolf in these parts. If we came back with reinforcements, you wouldn’t be able to do a thing.

Despite myself, fear flickered in my stomach. I’d made up the bit about being the alpha and having a pack. News of the return of the Lowe wolves had started to spread, and for all Angus knew, there could be more of us. But there wasn’t, and if they did came back with more wolves, we wouldn’t have a hope in hell.

Is that so? Luke growled.

I knew Luke was just playing along to help dissuade Angus. If we had an alpha, by rights it should be him. When I met his eyes, I was surprised to see a fire burning there. He looked as though he really believed in the Lowe pack.

Maybe … I thought of Clara and her sons back in Crookshollow, helping me to protect Rosa. I thought of Luke and his wife Anna, and their coming cub. I thought of Rosa, and how badly I wanted her to be my mate.

I turned to my stepbrother, and all their faces swirled around me. They’d all done so much for me, and for Rosa … For the first time in my life, I had people around me who were willing to stand up to this bully. I had friends who would stand beside me to protect my family. Pride beat against my chest. If that wasn’t a pack, I don’t know what is.

Angus and Robbie were already limping away through the trees. I yelled at their backs. You think you can stand against the Lowe pack and all our might? I wouldn’t be so sure if I was you.