Dahlia’s POV
I was beyond exhausted. And ravenous. Blue and I hadn’t run like that-wild and unrestrained-in what felt like forever. Training was one thing, but nothing compared to hours of pure, instinct-driven freedom in our wolf form. All I could think about was getting back to the pack house, devouring dinner, and crashing into bed. I’d sleep like the dead tonight, no question.
Blue, my wolf, was already purring in her sleep, her happiness still thrumming through our bond. She’d been over the moon all afternoon-Team Fang and Ghost, through and through. Spending time with them had been a dream for her, and honestly, I couldn’t fault her. As mates, they were the kind most she-wolves would kill for. That is… if they were even looking for a mate.
When I stepped out from behind the tree and saw them-two enormous, chocolate-colored wolves with striking seafoam green eyes-I stopped short, breath caught in my throat. They were stunning. Towering. Their sleek, rich coats glistened, but the thick muscle beneath was unmistakable. Just looking at them made me feel safe, like nothing could ever touch me in their presence. Yet I didn’t doubt for a second that they could be terrifying if needed.
Leaning against the tree, I slowly started dressing, limbs heavy with fatigue after shifting back. When I finally managed to pull on the last piece of clothing, I staggered toward them. They each moved to my side without a word, slipping under my arms to keep me upright, their quiet laughter echoing my visible exhaustion.
Neither of them said a thing-like they instinctively knew my brain had clocked out, leaving my mouth incapable of forming words. A peaceful silence settled around us. Being near them made me feel grounded, content in a way that twisted something inside me.
It was becoming harder to keep them at arm’s length. And not just because of the bond. I could still fight that-I had been fighting it. But the truth? I genuinely enjoyed being around them. I liked who I was when I was with them, how they made me feel seen, known. Letting them in, though, giving them the power to hurt me… That was a risk I wasn’t sure I could take.
As we walked, quiet and steady, my thoughts drifted back to earlier. The run had been exhilarating-liberating, even. Blue and I had had the time of our lives chasing the twins through the woods, tangled in their energy. Everything about it had felt easy. Effortless.
When Liam suggested we let our wolves take over completely, I didn’t even hesitate. That surprised me. Giving Blue full control-especially around Fang and Ghost-was a leap of trust I hadn’t expected to make. But I did it without pause. That said a lot. Too much. It meant I was closer to accepting the bond than I thought.
But at the time, it hadn’t felt like a decision. It felt natural. Obvious. And once it was done, there was no going back. Watching through Blue’s eyes as she played and connected with them gave me clarity. She didn’t doubt them. She trusted them fully. To her, they were safe. Solid. Home. It wasn’t even a question. And somewhere inside, I believed it too.
Still… I knew better than most how quickly that sense of safety could disappear.
I needed time. Time to figure out if what they felt for me went deeper than fate. If they loved me, not just some ideal the mate bond told them to accept. Because if it weren’t for the bond, would they have even noticed me? Would they have looked at me the way they do now? Or would they have passed me by, the way Finnian had ignored Jovie-until the bond changed everything, and tore my heart out in the process?
Sometimes I wondered… who would they have loved, if not me? Did I steal that chance from someone, just because I was the one the Moon Goddess chose?
Mom and Dad always said the mate bond just nudged people together-it didn’t make them love each other. That part took work. Choice. Effort. And they’d proved it, time and time again. They were fated mates, but the depth of their love had come from the life they built, not just the spark that brought them together.
It was all too much. Too complicated. I just needed more time.
Letting out a slow breath, I pushed the thoughts away and focused on the moment. There was something else I had to bring up-something I’d been putting off. And I knew they wouldn’t like it.
“What’s wrong, Angel?” Liam asked, catching my sigh.
“Nothing’s wrong,” I said casually. “I just need to tell you both something.”
Logan turned to me, one brow arched-his trademark silent demand for more.
“Go on,” Liam encouraged. “You can tell us anything.”
“It’s really not a big deal,” I said lightly. “I just need to go home tomorrow. Back to Crystal Moon.”
“No,” Logan said flatly, his tone brooking no argument.
So much for no objections. I rolled my eyes.
“I wasn’t asking for permission, Logan. I was just telling you my plans.” My voice was firm. “I still have a job, patients I need to check on.”
He responded with a grunt, clearly not thrilled.
“Actually, that works out perfectly!” Liam said, clearly trying to keep the peace. Logan shot him a murderous look until he added, “We need to talk to your father anyway. We can take you to Crystal Moon, handle business while you work, then bring you back.”
Honestly, it was a good plan. But Logan’s attitude had irked me, and I wasn’t about to let it slide.
“What makes you think I was planning to come back? Maybe I decided to cut this visit short,” I teased, just to watch him squirm.
Liam paled immediately, guilt nipping at me for playing with his emotions.
“Over my dead body, baby girl,” Logan growled low, making me swallow hard. That voice-dangerous and possessive-always caught me off guard.
But I pushed past it with a laugh. “Just kidding! Let’s eat!” I called over my shoulder, bolting up the steps and into the house. I didn’t dare look back. Something told me I’d pay for that joke later.
The dining hall buzzed with energy-laughter, conversations, clinking dishes. Our usual crew was already at the table, locked in their familiar rhythm of teasing and playful banter. I slipped in beside Amara and Thalassa, joining their conversation while the guys bounced between talking business and needling each other.
It amazed me how quickly they’d become friends-real friends. Even though I’d only known them for a week, it felt like longer. They’d welcomed me in without hesitation, never once treating me like an outsider. I didn’t just tolerate them because they were close to Fang and Ghost-I genuinely liked them.
And the food? Divine. I ate like a starving animal, piling my plate again and again. No one missed it either-the sideways glances and smirks were constant.
“What?” I finally snapped at Liam, who was clearly enjoying the show as I reached for more chicken marsala.
“Nothing,” he said innocently, though the grin remained. “Just trying to figure out how that tiny body holds so much food.”
I smirked. “Well, I need fuel if I’m going to wipe the floor with you in training tomorrow.”
The girls giggled. Bastian whistled, and Nikolai grinned wickedly.
“Damn, Alpha! That sounded like a challenge,” he taunted.
“Oh, it’s on, Angel,” Liam shot back. “We’ll see who ends up on top.”
The guys whooped at the double meaning while I risked a glance at Logan. He was staring, unreadable. I looked away, suddenly regretting how much I’d run my mouth tonight.
“Anyway,” I said, rising, “I’m heading to bed. Nothing like a full night’s sleep before a battle.”
After hugging the girls, I headed for my room. I heard the twins call out their goodnights, but Nikolai and Bastian seemed to be intentionally distracting them-mischief, no doubt. I laughed to myself as I slipped away.
We hadn’t agreed on sleeping arrangements for the night, but I had a feeling they’d show up eventually. I could use the time alone, though-a quick shower and a strategy session were in order if I had any chance of taking down an Alpha.
Blue stirred.
“What’d I miss?” she asked groggily.
“Oh, nothing major. I just challenged one of our mates to a sparring match tomorrow. And we absolutely cannot lose,” I told her.
“You did what?” she howled.
“He was teasing me. You know how I feel about being called tiny.”
She growled. “He’ll be calling us ‘tiny’ all right-after we knock him flat on his ass.”
“That’s my girl!”
Stripping as I walked, I left a trail of clothes behind me, stepping into the hot shower the moment the water was ready. As I washed, Blue and I mapped out our battle strategy. And by the time I was toweling off and slipping into my red silk romper, we were locked and loaded.
Tomorrow, Liam wouldn’t know what hit him.