Cole

Over the past few days, I've been protecting our borders from not only Leonis shifters invading our territory but also a pack of wild rogue shifters who seem hellbent on crossing over into Reece Point.

Through it all, I can't seem to take my mind off Naia; Beautiful, wonderful Naia.

We were so close, we were almost there. Her body was pressed against mine, and I tasted the sweet glisten of her lips.

But it's always something. Especially when it comes to shifters.

But because of these rogue s , I can't even focus on what’s in front of me.

Rogues have been kicked out of their packs for particular reasons. Usually, it's not good—there’s not exactly a shifter prison system, so those criminals who escape execution are often exiled.

It takes something pretty bad for them to defy shifter nature and go packless. It's not unheard of for outcasts to band together for survival and seek to find their place in the world.

However, it usually leads to very destructive behavior.

I scowl as my eyes rake across our borderlines; this shouldn't be happening.

They shouldn't be here.

This has to be River's doing, but without proof, I can't do anything about it yet.

He is an alpha, after all.

I can't officially accuse River in front of the Elder Council until it's been proven that he's running around with his head cut off.

As he always does.

He's always been a hothead. . . just like his father.

Disappointment boils in my stomach.

My troops follow me through the woods as we scout our borders. Returning with no solid leads is infinitely frustrating, but it’s not looking like we’ll have much of a choice.

"Fuck," I snap, shifting back into human form.

"I know, I'm sorry." Elise, one of my most trustworthy omegas, says to me, her eyes downcast.

"Let's just go home." I jerk my head in the direction of our territory, lips curled with frustration.

My pack and I gather our things and head back to the homestead.

***

Once we arrive at the pack house, Henry approaches me.

Usually, he’s by my side, but lately I've had him assigned to a more pressing matter.

Protecting Naia.

"I have a message for you." Henry's green eyes glisten as he scrapes a hand through his short red hair.

"Oh?" I arch a brow in question.

"Yeah, your human says to contact her as soon as possible, or it's over," Henry's voice is cold but calm.

"It's over?" I shake my head, not sure that I'm understanding him.

"Yeah, whatever this is." Henry gestures toward me with a dismissive hand, "Whatever you two have going on. That's her words."

"I see." I stroke my chin and look at the pack house.

"I'm sorry, Alpha, but that's what she said." Henry shrugs and walks away, professional, but clearly not broken up over the fact that I may have chased Naia off.

I thought I was protecting her, but by stepping away to deal with the pack business, I've only isolated her from our growing . . . What do I even call it?

Relationship?

Is that what this is?

There is undoubtedly a pull between us—she makes me feel alive again, but nothing has even started; I don't want to lose it before it begins.

If I don't see Naia soon, she'll think I'm no longer interested.

God fucking damn it, I dropped the ball.

The reality of that sets in, and my palms begin to sweat.

It’s ridiculous how, after only a few days apart, she's already convinced herself that I am no longer obsessed with her.

Obsessed?

Is that the right word?

It sounds so horrible when it’s put like that, but an obsession is surely growing inside me at fever pitch.

Every minute of the day, my thoughts are filled with her.

Yes, obsession is clearly the right word, and yet I somehow managed to make her feel unwanted anyway.

Shaking my head, I make my way toward the house. There’s got to be something I can do to make this right.

I can't have Naia ending things before they even begin; it would crush me.

She has to feel what I'm feeling.

Locked in my room, I dig through my closet. There’s a wide selection of clothes here—necessary when shifting could cause damage to my clothes when I’m not careful—but it doesn’t really matter what I wear.

I just need something clean to put on after I get out of the much needed shower.

The water is warm on my skin, and I let it wash away all my pent-up tension.

Naia.

Sweet, beautiful, Naia.

I’ll visit her soon, and I’ll set this right.

The thought of her warms my soul, and I realize I've only felt like this once in my entire life.

Ainsley.

Could it be true?

Could Naia really have Ainsley’s soul, or is she simply a reminder?

I shake my head as I lather my body with soap.

The thought of Ainsley coming back to me seems almost impossible.

It’s only possible in fairytales.

Or is it?

I always believed Ainsley was my soulmate, and in shifter culture, the idea of reincarnation is not heard of.

Closing my eyes, memories of the past envelope me.

Memories of how happy we were together—how happy she made me. . . only to be replaced by memories of her blood.

Blood on my hands as I desperately begged her to come back to me.

We were robbed of the chance to bond ourselves together and make our sacred pact.

The one that says we'll always be together, the one that binds us forever.

It cut me so deeply, and since then, I've never found a woman who could hold a candle to my sweet Ainsley.

But Naia. . . she feels so much like Ainsley that I can’t imagine it’s just their looks they have in common.

I throw my clothes on as quickly as I can without making myself look sloppy, and head in the direction of Naia’s work.

By the look of things, she’s just getting off from her shift. She walks out of Cafe Matcha, sighing as she unties her apron.

“Hello, beautiful,” I call out to her, strolling into her view.

“Beautiful?” She scoffs, trying to fix her hair. “I smell like coffee and I look like death.”

I smile at her, taking her hand and bringing it to my lips. “If this is what death looks like, then I’d happily lay down my life.”

She blushes, swiftly looking away to disguise her smile. “Oh, stop.”

"Will you walk with me?" I grin as I walk beside her.

"Where do you want to go?" Naia tucks her blonde hair behind her ear, and I swoon.

"Honestly, I'd take you anywhere, but tonight, I have some place in mind." I gently take her hand in mine.

"Alright, let's walk." Naia squeezes my hand.

"Listen," I say after a moment, "I'm sorry for my absence, but life has been busy. It has nothing to do with you, just some things at home."

Naia is quiet momentarily and then nods. "I understand home life can be complicated."

I don't know how she is so understanding, but I trace my fingers across her knuckles and bring her hand to my chest. "Yes, it can. Thank you for understanding. I want to know you. I want to spend time with you; it's just that sometimes duty calls."

Naia's silence is thoughtful as we walk through town, and I sense her musing over my words.

"Really, it's amazing. I'm just glad you're here now." Naia looks away, and I see her cheeks flush.

She's so cute, the way she blushes.

Her pale skin often reddens when she is around me, and it does something to my soul.

I let out a breath of relief I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in. It’s good to see her soften. I had been so worried that she would hate me after she gave her message to Henry.

I was worried she might change her mind about us.

Us?

All I know is that I want to be in her presence, and I am so thankful she is allowing me this time with her.

We walk in silence for a moment, feeling the magnetic pull between our bodies.

There are faint, lingering touches and a magical warmth that seems to spread between us, and I feel swept off my feet.

The look in her eyes suggests that she feels the same.

There’s a slight nervousness to her as we walk through the woods, but one of my favorite places in all of Reece Point is there, one that looks over the city.

I can’t say I blame her—it’s not unusual for dates to the woods to go. . . poorly for women, especially with men they don’t know well.

But Naia and I. . . it feels like I’ve known her a lifetime.

Despite any reservations she might have, we make it to my spot, and she looks transfixed.

Lights flicker beneath us, and Naia takes a deep breath. "It's so beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." I feel stupid even as I say it.

I don't want to sound cheesy or cliche d , but she genuinely makes me feel this way.

She makes me feel as if the pillars of the earth would crumble if she ever turned her gaze away from me.

"Oh, my god. This is beautiful." Naia's eyes light up as she looks over the town. “I can see everything.”

She is so delighted by the sight that I'm again reminded of Ainsley.

Ainsley was always captivated by natural beauty, such as the way the tides wash along the shore or the way a tree blossoms in spring.

Naia has that same look in her eyes.

As if she's seeing the world for the first time.

It's a look of bewilderment and appreciation, something I cannot fully explain. All I know is that when I look into her eyes, I wish I could see what she sees.

"You seem so comfortable here." I watch her , captivated .

"I am. This is . . . It’s perfect." Naia is almost breathless as she looks at the scenery.

"I'm glad to give you a better experience here." I smile.

"Oh, you mean the park. Yes, getting mugged wasn't so great, but this kind of makes up for it." Naia's laugh is sweet.

"Yes, I'm just glad it was mere muggers and not the mythical wolves you dreamed up." I test the waters, seeing if she could genuinely comprehend such a thing.

"Oh, the wolves?" Naia shakes her head, "I nearly thought it was real. I really hit my head hard; that was one hell of a dream."

"It must have been," I say softly.

"Though looking at the beauty of this place, I often wonder if things so magical could truly exist here." Naia's eyes are far away as she looks down at the sights.

My heart thunders in my chest; could she really be so understanding? Could she be someone I could tell the truth to?

What would she think of me if she knew I was a wolf?

I squeeze her hand in mine, and a chill runs down my back.

I turn to face Naia; she looks as if she's leaning in for a kiss when her gaze shoots over my shoulders, and her eyes widen.

A fierce growl echoes behind me, and I turn to face two glowing eyes in the shadows.

Naia sucks in a deep breath, and I squeeze her hand.

My heart thunders in my chest as I brace myself for a fight.

We are not alone.