Ryan's eyes burned with a mix of fury and relief as he stood between Mia and Daniel. Every muscle in his body was tense, ready to strike, but his focus was entirely on Mia. She was pale, still weak from the blow to her head, but her eyes shone with recognition, with hope.
"Step away from her," Ryan said again, his voice low and dangerous. Daniel's smirk faltered, just enough for Ryan to see the doubt in his eyes.
"You don't understand," Daniel started, his voice pleading, "I love her—"
Ryan's wolf growled low, a sound that vibrated through the room, making Daniel step back involuntarily. "Love?" Ryan's voice was sharp, deadly. "This is obsession, not love. And I will not let anyone hurt my mate."
Daniel's confidence crumbled as Ryan's presence filled the room. Ryan moved with precision, blocking every possible escape route Daniel could have considered. His wolf instincts heightened his senses, detecting every micro-movement, every shift in Daniel's weight.
"Ryan…" Mia whispered, her voice fragile but steady. "Please… just… make him go away."
Ryan didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he moved between them, grabbing Daniel by the shoulders and pushing him toward the door. Daniel tried to resist, but Ryan's strength, enhanced by his Alpha powers, was overwhelming. "You have one chance," Ryan growled. "Stay away from her. For your own good."
Daniel's eyes flashed with defiance. "I… I won't let you take her from me!"
Ryan's eyes narrowed. "You already did. Now you're leaving. Or I will make sure you regret ever touching her."
With that, Ryan forced Daniel out of the room and shut the door behind him. Mia sank into his arms, exhausted but relieved. Her hands clutched his shirt, as if holding onto life itself. "Ryan… I… thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"You don't have to thank me," Ryan said softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I will always protect you. Always."
---
The two of them didn't speak for long, allowing the silence to heal the tension. Ryan inspected Mia's head wound gently, cleaning the dried blood and applying a bandage. Mia winced at the touch, but Ryan's careful hands reassured her.
"You should never have been alone today," Ryan said, his voice soft but firm. "You have no idea how worried I was."
"I… I thought I was safe," Mia admitted, tears forming in her eyes. "I didn't know he would… he…" Her voice broke.
Ryan tightened his arms around her, shielding her not just physically but emotionally. "I know, love. I know. But you're safe now. I promise."
Her hand found his, fingers intertwining. "I don't ever want to be apart from you again," she murmured.
Ryan smiled, a rare softness in his usually fierce gaze. "You won't be. I'll make sure of it."
---
Meanwhile, outside the building, Ryan's pack had already mobilized. They had tracked Daniel's men to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Ryan shifted into wolf form partially, his senses stretching beyond the physical walls, searching for any trace of Mia or her captors.
He located them almost instantly—Daniel had fled, but his men remained, likely planning to regroup and retaliate. Ryan's pack surrounded the warehouse silently, their presence undetected.
"This is it," Ryan said, his voice low but commanding. "We take them down, and no one touches Mia ever again."
The pack nodded, a silent acknowledgment of loyalty and readiness. They moved like shadows, coordinated and precise. Ryan's heart, though still pounding with worry for Mia, burned with the thrill of impending action.
---
Inside the apartment, Mia tried to rest, leaning against Ryan as he kept a vigilant watch. Despite her fear, a spark of courage ignited in her. She had seen Daniel for what he truly was: dangerous, unstable, and unworthy of her trust or affection. With Ryan by her side, she felt stronger.
"Ryan," she said softly, "I… I don't want to be scared anymore. I want to fight with you, even if it's just by being brave."
Ryan lifted her chin gently, meeting her gaze. "You've been brave already, Mia. Surviving him, staying strong… that's more than anyone could ask for. But promise me you won't put yourself in danger again. Promise me you'll let me protect you."
"I promise," she said, her voice resolute. "But I want to be by your side. Always."
Ryan's lips curved into a smile, the first in hours. "And you will be. You're my mate. Nothing will ever take you from me."
---
As night fell, Ryan prepared to confront Daniel once and for all. He couldn't risk leaving Mia in potential danger, and he couldn't allow Daniel to threaten her again. With his pack ready, they moved toward the warehouse where Daniel's men were holed up.
Ryan's wolf senses led him directly to their location. He could smell the tension in the air, the nervousness of the men who didn't realize an Alpha and his pack were about to descend upon them.
With a silent signal, the pack attacked. Shadows moved with deadly precision, incapacitating the men one by one. Ryan's anger was palpable, each movement precise and deliberate, ensuring none of the men could recover or pose a threat.
Finally, Ryan faced Daniel. The man looked cornered, but his defiance didn't waver. "You think you can stop me?" Daniel spat, his hands trembling slightly.
Ryan stepped forward, his presence commanding and terrifying. "I already have. You will never touch Mia again. You will leave this city and never return, or I swear you will regret it for the rest of your life."
Daniel faltered, fear finally breaking through his facade. "I… I can't…"
Ryan's gaze hardened. "You can. You will. Or I will make sure you cannot walk freely again."
With that, Daniel fled, and Ryan ensured his pack secured the area completely. The threat was neutralized, for now.
---
Back at Ryan's apartment, Mia and Ryan finally allowed themselves a moment of peace. She rested in his arms, her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.
"You saved me," she whispered.
"No," Ryan corrected gently, kissing the top of her head. "We saved each other. You stayed strong. You survived. That's your bravery, Mia. And I will never let anyone take that from you."
Mia smiled through her tears, a feeling of warmth and safety flooding her. "I love you, Ryan," she said, her voice steady and full of emotion.
Ryan's lips met hers in a gentle kiss, sealing the bond they had both longed for. "I love you too, Mia. More than you can imagine."
For the first time since the chaos began, Mia felt truly safe, truly loved, and truly understood. With Ryan by her side, nothing seemed impossible.
And as the city slept outside, the two of them held onto each other, knowing that whatever challenges came their way, they would face them together, as mates, as partners, and as soulmates bound by love and unshakable trust.