Ryder’s POV

I followed him into the pack’s den. The space was bigger than I expected. Rock walls, low ceilings, tunnels stretching in every direction. The smell of fur and wet earth was strong. Shadows moved. Eyes glinted in the dim light.

He walked ahead of me. Calm. Controlled. I stayed close. Heart pounding. Pulse too fast. Bond made every movement of his own. Every instinct heightened.

The wolves noticed me immediately. Murmurs ran through the group. Not spoken words, but sounds I could hear. Growls. Snarls. Low whistles. Tension thickens in the air.

One stepped forward. Young. Muscular. Eyes sharp. Body tense. “Who is this human?” he demanded. Not...