Kate’s POV
The early morning sunlight filtering through the curtains, cast a pale glow across our bedroom floor and unto my mate’s face. I watched Dimitri as he slept , his face peaceful and his breathing slow and steady.
It was a rare moment of calm for him one I was grateful for because, these moments had become fleeting.
Even in his sleep, the tension remained etched into his features, he hadn’t been sleeping well, every night the nightmares got worse and so far he refused to talk them.
I knew he was struggling, and it hurt to see him like this-but no matter how much I wanted to help him, to take away his pain, if he kept me at arm’s length there was only so much I could do.
I reached out, gently tracing the line of his jaw with my fingertips, running them over his lips, the tip of his nose, tracing his brows.
He stirred at my touch, his eyes fluttering open, and for a moment, I saw a flash of something fear in them-that was quickly, replaced by the familiar warmth I had come to love.
“Morning,” he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
“Morning,” I replied, smiling softly.
“How did you sleep?”
He hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering,
“Better. Thanks to you.” I smiled, that wasn’t very true but I would take it.
Pressing him about, the nightmares that haunted him, wouldn’t do any good besides Dimitri was stubborn, and he would only open up when he was ready.
I sighed inwardly, deciding to let it go for now.
“I’m glad,” I said instead, leaning in to kiss him gently.
” Are you hungry” I asked and he smiled grabbing me by my waist and pulling me closer
” I just want you” I laughed
” Eating me is not an option, ” I kissed him softly and pulled back
“I’ll go make us some breakfast.” I mumbled
As I started to slide out of bed, Dimitri caught my wrist, pulling me back toward him.
“Kate,” he said, his voice low, almost hesitant which was a surprise
“I… I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
His words sent a warmth through me, and made me smile.
“You’ll never have to find out,” I promised, squeezing his hand.
He held onto me for a moment longer before letting me go, I wanted to tell him that he didn’t have to face it alone, that I was here for him no matter what. But I knew he wasn’t ready to hear that again, at least not yet.
I made my way to the kitchen, my thoughts were heavy with worry.
We still had some problems with pack poachers and the rogue wolves who liked to steal territories.
It was a practice that had stopped a century ago but the last few years it had become more prominent within the last few years.
And with the sorcerer problem resolved, it seems to be the latest problem we had on our list.
” Kate I’m going for a run” He called out just as I pulled out the bacon, I stilled
” Is something wrong” I asked and he shook his head.
” No I just feel like running” he replied and I nodded
” I’ll be waiting for you” he pecked my hair and went out the balcony while I begun a slow tedious job for breakfast.
I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned to find Beta Ryan, standing in the doorway, his expression serious.
“Luna we have a situation. Is the Alpha in,” he said without preamble. I dropped the knife, turning off the cooker.
“What’s wrong?” I asked
“A group of rogue wolves has been spotted near the northern border,” Ryan explained.
“They’ve been encroaching on our territory for weeks now, but this time they’re too close. They need to be dealt with before they become a bigger threat.”
I sighed, he was right we did need to solve this now before it got out of hand.
Rogue wolves were unpredictable, dangerous, and if they were pushing into our territory, it could meant they were preparing for an attack.
“Dimitri is not here?” I said just as another warrior rushed into the room
” The alpha joined some of the other warriors for patrols to the west border,” he replied.
“I was on my way to find him, but I thought you should know.”
I nodded, my mind racing. Dimitri would want to handle this himself, but he wasn’t here, and we couldn’t afford to wait. The safety of the pack was my responsibility too, and I wasn’t about to let those rogues threaten our home.
“I’ll go,” I said firmly.
“Gather a few of our best warriors. We’ll deal with them before they can cause any more trouble.”
Ryan hesitated, concern flashing in his eyes as he watched me .
“Kate are you sure? Dimitri would want to be the one to handle this.” I smiled, Ryan was my mate’s beta and his worry was appreciated but not necessary, I could take care of myself now.
“I’m sure,” I said, my voice steady.
“Dimitri will understand. We can’t wait for him to get back; we need to act now.”
With a nod, Ryan left to gather the warriors, and I quickly prepared myself for the fight ahead, my wolf stirring within me.
As I stepped outside, the warriors were already assembled, their expressions grim but resolute.
” Let’s get this done so we can get back for lunch” I mumbled and they laughed
” We’ll be done in time for breakfast still Luna” someone hissed, I smiled as we moved quickly, heading toward the northern border where the rogues had been spotted.
We reached the border in no time, and it didn’t take long to spot the rogues. They were a small group, some shifted with their fur matted and eyes wild with desperation. A few others were in human form, the leader a tall man drew closer.
There were more of them than I had expected, and I could tell they were hungry, desperate. Desperation made them more dangerous.
“Remember, no mercy,” I said, my voice carrying over the trees.
“These rogues have crossed into our territory, we protect our pack, no matter the cost.”
The alpha laughed looking at me
” Bold words from a bitch” he hissed and I smiled
” Say that again when I serve you your head on a platter”
With a signal, we charged the rogues barely had time to react before we were on them. Teeth clashed against teeth, claws raked through fur and flesh, and the air filled with the snarls and growls
The rogues were stronger than they looked and their desperation made them reckless, They needed food and so they would have to fight for it, but we fought as a unit, so the battle raged on. Soon I found myself facing the rogue leader- he shifted into a wolf almost immediately, I did as well, growling harshly at him, he swiped at me and I jumped away.
He was stronger, faster than the others, and I knew I was in for a fight. We circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
When he lunged, I met him head-on, our bodies colliding with force . We grappled, teeth snapping, claws slashing, his strength overwhelming. It was a surprise, to me that I couldn’t keep up , then I felt the trickle of blood down my fur matting it together.
I felt a sharp pain in my side as his teeth sank into my flesh, and I let out a yelp, struggling to break free. But he was too strong, and my vision blurred, as blood leaked on the grass.
I heard a deep, guttural growl that sent a shiver down my spine.
Dimitri.
Dimitri didn’t hesitate-he launched himself at the rogue, his claws sinking into the other wolf’s flesh with a savage ferocity that I had never seen before.
The battle was over in seconds really, maybe because Dimitri was extra furious or maybe it was the strength of his Lycan curse. The rogue leader didn’t stand a chance, he rushed over to us, his claws extended and slashed through flesh and muscle and he was dead before he hit the ground.
He turned around teeth glinting, blood splashed over his fur matting it over
The rogues whimpered softly, and he shifted, bone breaking and reforming, tendons realigning.
He rose to his feet, stalking towards them his chest heaving
” You have three choices, join my pack, live on your own borders or die like your alpha” he roared and they whimpered scattering back into the forest.
All except for a female wolf who was hidden in the tree with a cub
” Ryan bring them with you” he ordered.
Then his gaze shifted to me, and the fury faded, replaced by a look of pure, unadulterated fear. He rushed to my side, his hands trembling as he reached for me.
“Kate, are you okay? Did he hurt you?” His voice was frantic, his eyes scanning my body for any sign of injury.
I winced as I moved, feeling the sting of the bite on my side and my legs
“I’m fine,” I managed to say, though the pain was making it hard to breathe.
“Just a scratch.”
“That’s not just a scratch,” Dimitri growled, his hands hovering over the wound as if he didn’t know what to do.
“We need to get you back”
” And we will just in time for breakfast I guess” I said loudly and the pack members hotted in laughter, Dimitri growled and they fell silent, I hit his shoulder lightly
” Don’t be such a bother”
” You shouldn’t have come here ” he whispered and I smiled
” Like I said , we are mates , I will always help you because we do this together” I mumbled
” Now, home. I’m hungry” I muttered.