Aiden’s POV

I paced the length of the study like a caged wolf, boots thudding against the hardwood floor. The fire in the hearth crackled low, but it did nothing to warm the cold knot twisting in my gut.

"You know pacing around won’t solve anything," Knox said from where he leaned against the desk, arms folded.

I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Alina was still out there somewhere, and every second she remained gone felt like another crack splitting through the foundation of everything I’d built.

"Maybe the Moon Goddess was wrong," he added carefully. "Maybe you don’t need Alina back to keep the pack stable."

I stopped mid-stride and whipped around, pinning him with a glare that could have stripped bark from a tree.

"When has the Moon Goddess ever been wrong about anything?" My voice came out rough, edged with three days of no sleep and mounting fury. "She told me to marry Alina and restore the pack’s glory. For three years we flourished. We became the strongest pack in the region. Now everything is crumbling. The alliances are fraying, the warriors are restless, and the stability we bled for is slipping through my fingers like sand."

I dragged a hand through my hair, chest tight.

"I need her back, Knox. I need her." The words left me on a low growl, aggression bleeding into every syllable.

Knox studied me for a beat, then offered, "Why don’t you bait her out? You know how much she loves her son."

A bitter laugh scraped up my throat. "You think she wouldn’t have come back already if she could? It’s that filthy rogue, Lucian. He’s the one keeping her away. I’m certain of it." My hands flexed at my sides. "Alina can’t go a single day without Leo. Yet she’s been gone for days."

"Lucian," Knox repeated, the name heavier on his tongue. "The scarred rogue. What does he want with her?"

I spat the answer like it burned my mouth. "Apparently she’s his mate."

Knox’s expression shifted. He straightened slowly, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "That changes everything."

"What do you mean?" I demanded, annoyance sharpening my tone.

He met my eyes, unflinching. "Lucian and I were friends once. I know him. If he’s decided Alina belongs to him, he won’t let her go. Not without a war."

My fists clenched so hard my knuckles cracked.

"I’m not trying to piss you off," Knox continued, "but you know how Lucian is. When he wants something, he becomes relentless. When he finally gets it... he never releases it. And now the Moon Goddess has handed him a mate—Alina, of all people. Cruel twist of fate. It won’t be easy to take her back."

I stepped closer, voice dropping into something dark and dangerous. "You’re my friend, so you should also remember how I act when I don’t get what I want. I will hunt him to the ends of the earth if I have to. Alina will be found. No matter what it costs."

Knox exhaled, watching me carefully. "How is Emily taking this? Your... obsession with getting Alina back?"

The word hit like a slap. I froze, then forced a scoff.

"Obsession?" I turned away, staring into the dying fire. The flames flickered across my face, but they couldn’t touch the unease crawling under my skin. "It’s not obsession. I just want her back for the pack’s stability. That’s all."

I swallowed hard, the lie tasting like ash on my tongue.

"I don’t want her for me."

The words hung in the air between us, hollow even to my own ears.

"Come on, Aiden," Knox said, his voice low and knowing. "You can’t lie to me. I’m your best friend. You’ve either fallen in love with Alina or you’ve fallen in love with the idea of her standing beside you. Now she’s the mate of your worst enemy, and you’re losing it."

His words landed like a blade between my ribs. The worst part was how right he was. I felt the truth of them twist inside my chest, but I clamped my jaw shut. I couldn’t admit it. Not to him. Not even to myself.

A sharp knock cut through the heavy silence.

"Come in," I called.

Michael stepped inside, breathing hard, eyes bright with purpose. "Alpha Aiden, we have a lead. We traced one of the rogues. We know exactly where they’re staying."

A slow, dangerous smirk tugged at my lips. Finally.

"Good," I said, my voice hardening with command. "We move tonight."

Knox pushed off the desk, a familiar grin spreading across his face. "I’d love to come, Aiden. It’s been too long since I’ve had a proper fight. Might help me loosen up a little."

I gave him a single nod. "Good. Then we move."

I left the office without another word, stride purposeful as I headed back to the house. My blood was already singing with the promise of violence. No matter what it took, I would get Alina back. And if I had to rip Lucian’s throat out with my teeth... that wouldn’t be such a bad outcome either.

I was buckling the last of my weapons when Emily appeared in the doorway, arms crossed tight over her chest.

"Where are you going?" she asked, voice already sharp.

"I’m going to get Alina back." My tone stayed calm, controlled.

Emily’s eyes flashed with fury. "For the love of God, Aiden, why can’t you just let her be? You have me now. I am the pack’s Luna. Whatever the Moon Goddess said was a lie. I’m sure she planned this with Alina. This is her way of trying to crawl back into the pack, her way of stealing my spot. I won’t let her. I will never allow it."

Her voice rose with every sentence, thick with anger.

"Alina is not coming back to take your spot," I said evenly. "You are the pack’s Luna. That’s it. There’s nothing for you to worry about."

"Really? I shouldn’t be worried?" She let out a harsh, bitter laugh. "Aiden, since we got married we haven’t had a proper husband and wife relationship. You haven’t even mentioned our honeymoon."

The irritation in her tone grated against my already frayed nerves.

"Emily," I said, turning to face her fully, "the pack is in danger. Our stability is worsening by the day, and you’re worried about a honeymoon? I am the Alpha. My people come first. If you’re not going to help this situation, then don’t try to stop me."

"You won’t treat me this way!" she snapped, stepping forward and grabbing my arm with surprising strength. "You are my husband. I should come first, not the pack!"

I yanked my arm free, eyes narrowing.

"Don’t make me regret making you my wife," I growled. "Now let go of me."

I brushed past her without waiting for a reply, shoulders rigid, jaw locked.

I was going to get Alina back.

I stormed out of the bedroom, Emily’s angry shouts chasing me down the hallway like snapping teeth. I didn’t look back. My mind was already miles ahead—on the rogue camp, on Lucian, and on Alina.

Outside, the night air was crisp and sharp, carrying the scent of pine and distant rain. Knox and Michael waited near the tree line with a small group of our best warriors, all of them geared up and restless. Their eyes gleamed with the promise of a fight.

"Ready?" Knox asked, falling into step beside me as we moved silently through the forest.

"More than ready," I muttered. My wolf paced just beneath my skin, claws itching to break free.

We ran hard, paws eating up the ground once we shifted. The lead Michael had given us pointed to an old abandoned mill deep in neutral territory—rotting wood, rushing river nearby, perfect cover for rogues who didn’t want to be found.

By the time we reached the ridge overlooking the mill, my blood was pounding in my ears. Moonlight spilled over the crumbling structure, casting long shadows. I caught faint traces of unfamiliar scents on the wind... and one that made my chest tighten.

Alina.

She was here.

I dropped into a crouch, signaling the others to spread out. Knox moved to my left, eyes scanning the perimeter. "Looks like six, maybe seven rogues. Lucian’s scent is strong."

"Good," I growled low. "I want him." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

We struck fast and quiet.

Two guards went down before they even realized we were there—knocked out cold with precise blows. Michael took out another near the side entrance. But the moment we breached the main floor, chaos erupted.

A roar split the air. Lucian exploded out of the shadows, scarred face twisted in fury, eyes locked on me like I was the only thing in the world.

"Aiden," he snarled, voice rough as gravel.

I didn’t waste words. I shifted mid-leap and slammed into him, teeth snapping for his throat. We crashed through a stack of old crates, wood splintering around us. His claws raked down my side, but I barely felt the burn. All I could think about was Alina—getting her back, ending this.

Knox and the others engaged the rest of the rogues in a storm of growls and snapping jaws. The mill shook with the violence of it.

I pinned Lucian for a second, but he bucked me off with brutal strength, rolling to his feet. Blood matted his dark fur. "She’s not yours anymore," he spat.

I lunged again, fury fueling every strike. "She was never yours to take."

A scream cut through the fight.

My head snapped toward the sound. There—on the upper platform—Alina stood frozen, eyes wide with shock as she stared down at the battle.