My fingers tug at his shirt, the fabric tearing under my grip, and I feel Eric’s hands on my shoulders, his lips moving lower, trailing fire across my skin. It’s raw, consuming, the kind of heat that could burn this whole pack house down. 

I want more—more of Rick, more of Eric, more of this bond that makes us whole, even without her.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” a voice snaps, sharp and raw, cutting through the haze.

I freeze, my lips still on Rick’s, my hands gripping his hair. I turn my head, slow and deliberate, and there she is—Lia, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, her face a storm of fury and something else, something that makes my wolf howl. 

My smirk widens, slow and deliberate, as I meet her gaze, letting her see every bit of the monster she hates.

Chapter 53: Claiming My Place 🐺🔥🌙


I stand in the Ironfang pack hall, my blood boiling as Ethan smirks at me, acting like he owns this place. His words sting, like he's trying to shove me out of my own home.


 I hate this guy—part of me wants to slam him to the ground and wipe that grin right off his face. I take a step closer, my voice sharp as a blade.


"You can say whatever you want, Ethan, but you'll never have this throne. It's mine."


He laughs, slow and mocking, lifting his hand like he's about to touch my face. But Dean is faster. His hand shoots out, grabbing Ethan's wrist hard and shoving it away. Dean's growl rumbles low, dark, and dangerous.


"Don't you dare touch her again," he says, his eyes narrowed, his voice like a warning shot through the hall.


Ethan jerks his hand back, laughing like the whole thing's just a game to him. "I've been saving this pack's ass for years while you were off running, Lia. And they waited for you? Who the hell do you think you are?"


Chapter 54 - chapter 53