Standing in the woods with Dominic, Lucas admired the most beautiful wolf he'd ever seen.
The threat aimed his way was clear and direct.
"A word of this, and you won't make it back to the pack, understood?"
Suddenly, he began to question everything.
Why was his superior still there, and what was he really up to?
He was supposed to be pursuing the girl, so why was he hiding it?
Just as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone.
She was like a ghost.
Ayla couldn't help herself.
The weight pressing on her chest was too much.
Sitting on the couch, she felt the urge to run becoming unbearable.
She knew it was only a matter of time, and she just had to wait for the right moment.
When she ran, she quickly realized she wasn't alone.
Her senses sharpened as she darted quietly through the trees.
Eavesdropping, she overheard that an Alpha planned to use Julius as bait.
The thought twisted in her gut.
Her only plan at that point was to make it known that Dominic was still on his mission, whether he was an ally or an enemy.
It could only help Julius.
If she were running through the woods, Domonic had every reason in the world to still be in Scarlet Crest.
Hoping that she did more good than harm, she bolted as fast as she could.
She knew if the boys found out, they'd would kill her themselves, but she had a partial plan, and she knew how to take care of herself.
Her destination was much safer, or so Ayla hoped.
The goal, when she slipped out the front door while they were distracted on the roof, was to get away from the boys to save them.
Seeing the female wolf zoom past, the Silver Moon men lowered any suspicions, just as planned.
Lucas instantly assumed Dominic was doing his job.
He was disappointed he couldn't stay longer, but happy to stretch his legs and be out of pack territory for a short while.
Maybe next time he could do more.
Even though his lips showed delight, his eyes betrayed sorrow as he looked back to meet his superior's eyes.
"I'm glad to see you, sir. Good luck catching that one. I won't say a word," he smiled.
"Thank you, Lucas. Your loyalty isn't lost on me. I hope I can count on you," Dominic winked.
Lucas knew how much loyalty meant to him.
Did he just earn a promotion by being honest?
Still, Dominic had concerns about what the young man might say.
"Alpha Theo will want proof that I'm on my mission. What's your plan? You can't tell him that you saw her wolf, and I don't think he should know she's aware of that yet. So, what will you say without admitting I'm here?" Dominic asked.
Lucas paused to think.
"You're the one who sent the fake intel to keep the other packs away from her! You set it up to trap her. Now it's just you and her, and you nearly have her! How do I sound?" Lucas winked.
"Pretty spot on, if you ask me. I always knew you were a smart wolf," Dominic smirked.
"And the other wolf?" Lucas wondered.
"What other wolf?" Dominic replied.
"The one you, Phoenix, and Raphael were spotted with in the woods," Lucas said.
Dominic's worry spiked.
Julius wasn't safe.
"He's a wolf from town. I learned he's close to her, so I'm using him to get close to the girl. I almost have his trust. Just a few more days and we'll have her, and maybe another wolf or two," he winked back.
"Sir, I knew you were good, but that is masterful. I commend you. See you soon, sir," Lucas said before shifting and heading toward their home territory without delay.
Dominic stood, watching Lucas disappear into the woods until he knew he was a good distance away.
It was time for him to shift and run his stress away.
The last thing he expected was more pack members to show up.
Julius's being discovered was bad enough, but now his alpha knew about him.
How could he protect him?
Dominic shifted, but something urged him not to run.
Turning, he found a white wolf sitting behind him.
He couldn't understand how he hadn't sensed, smelled, or heard her.
It was like stealth was her specialty.
"I think it's time for us to talk," her wolf said to his as she started walking away.
Ayla was done running.
This man was playing games with someone, and it wasn't going to be her or her boys.
Julius and Alexander had begun to mean too much to her, and she wasn't about to let them be played any longer.
They were starting to feel like family, and no one would hurt her family.
It was time for her to stand her ground and fight, no more running, at least for the moment.
Meanwhile, Julius and Alexander had just returned to the apartment.
Alexander's anxiety spiked the moment they walked in.
As he walked into the living room and saw it was empty, he looked to his roommate, and the panic was visible in his eyes.
Without delay, he bolted to the bedroom, nearly tripping over the couch on his way there, only to find it empty as well.
There was no sign of Ayla.
She was gone.
Ayla had left him, the most amazing girl he had ever known, after promising she wouldn't run, and yet she had.
Neither man knew where to start looking.
Alexander was totally helpless as he sat on the couch trying to think, and Julius watched on, feeling bad for his friend.
In the woods, Ayla led Dominic to a secluded spot surrounded by cover, a place she felt safe enough to talk.
Soon, the entrance to the "cave of wonders" appeared.
She shifted as she stepped inside, grabbing a few large leaves along the way.
Her voice, calm yet powerful, came without hesitation: "What was that about?"
She was clear to show him who was in charge from the start.
"I can promise you I had no idea Lucas was going to be sent here," Dominic said, gesturing with his hands as if to sell the truth.
"Are you, or are you not, Julius's dad?"
"Can't you see the resemblance? I'm his dad. He was stolen from me. I'd never harm him," he reassured her.
She wasn't convinced.
It was clear that he wasn't trying to deceive her, but it didn't make what she heard earlier go away.
Was he Julius's dad, probably.
Would he harm him?
That was still uncertain.
Wolves weren't exactly known for their gentle, caring ways.
Dominic knew he had to explain.
"We were seen during our run. Word got back to my Alpha that I lied about being here still. I had to cover for my stay to protect you both. Either way, it's going to be messy soon. Still yet, it will be my fight, not any of yours," he said sternly.
She knew that's what the men had discussed, but she wasn't convinced it was true.
Ayla wanted answers.
"That's something we can see eye to eye on, when something is our fight. This is mine. Men keep trying to step in for me, but this is MY fight. What do you really want with me?" she demanded.
For the first time, she was taking her life into her own hands.
It felt good, empowering.
When he stayed silent, she pressed on.
"I'm done letting everyone control every move I make. So, tell me, now's your chance. What...do...you...want...from...me?"
He hadn't expected such boldness, but at that point, he understood his son's desire to protect her.
She was absolutely worth protecting.
Ayla was strong, stubborn, and courageous.
From the sounds of it, she was done letting others suffer for her, which also made her caring and compassionate.
"Nothing. I don't want anything from you, anymore," he said.
She started toward the cave's exit.
"But others do. They won't stop coming. I sent them away for now, but they'll be back. All of them. Actually, several are still here. Be careful," he warned her.
Ayla glanced back, a smirk playing on her lips, eyes glinting with cocky confidence.
"I know they are. Whenever anything changes, I get the update," she said with a smile.
"Julius?"
She raised an eyebrow, now agreeing or disagreeing, still wearing that smug expression.
Suddenly, it all made sense to Dominic.
"You and Alexander live with him."
Ayla's smile widened.
"Do you think I would tell you anything about my current status?"
Dominic frowned, confused.
"Lived. I lived with them. I'm surprised you haven't figured me out by now, General. I'm a free spirit. Staying too long in one place will only get me caught. Now that I have a tail at will, my options are limitless. Please tell them how thankful I am for everything. I'll miss them. They don't deserve the curse I bring."
Before he could answer her, she was gone, as if she'd never been there at all.
Unsure of what just happened or what to do, Dominic hurried off to get to Julius.
He knew that if they didn't know, they needed to know Ayla's plan.
When he got to the building, he realized he didn't know which apartment belonged to the boys or even how to get into the building.
What he didn't realize was that someone had eyes on him, as his attention was pulled elsewhere.
He had once again been followed from the forest without his knowing.
In a rush, he started buzzing every apartment in the building, but there was no answer.
Not until he reached the top floor, where Julius and Alexander lived.
It was impossible that out of all the apartments, not one person answered until he reached the one on the top that they inhabited.
"What is the point of a buzz system if no one answers it?" he grumbled.
"Sorry about that. We don't really have anyone else..." Julius started as Alexander swatted him.
Blowing off the broken words, he quickly responded.
Dominic was almost rushed in his speech when he spoke, "Can you let me up?"
"We have a situation we are trying to take care of, so if you can tell us your emergency, I would appreciate it," Julius said.
"I really need you to let me up," Dominic urged them.
Julius could sense the concern in his voice and let him, against Alexander's objections.
It was obvious there was a somber mood in the room.
"You know already," he stated as more of a question than a fact.
Alexander was moving to stand beside his friend, "Know what exactly?"
Dominic knew they didn't have time for games.
Ayla was out in the woods, with Goddess only knew who running around.
"She doesn't plan on coming back."
Alexander's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
"WHAT?"
"It's not like that. I didn't do anything, directly anyway," Dominic explained.
"She is used to running and being in danger. Now, she sees you two as being in the same predicament. She thinks her curse has spread to you. In reality, we are all cursed. She plans to disappear in hopes of taking the heat off of you. She said it's her fight."
Dominic put his head down in shame.
"This is my fault. The last time I saw her, she was in the woods."
Alexander thought maybe now he had a chance of finding her as he bolted out of the apartment, headed straight for the woods.
He no longer cared what the two men had to talk about.
If he knew it was about another imminent threat, he might have taken a moment to listen.
Then again, he needed to find Ayla, so maybe not.
Ayla was in her full wolf glory as she allowed her paws to mash into the firm ground with every step she took.
The pads of her paws almost sent shots of pleasure through her with each step they took as she ran, the winds pulling her angst from her fur.
A run through the woods was everything she needed.
For a moment, she wondered if it was worth it to ever change back.
Before she knew it, she had circled back, and she was sitting at the entrance of the cave again.
It was as if nature was giving her a solution to her current predicament.
She might not have any clothes, but the temperature was actually perfect at the moment.
More than that, the cave felt amazing inside, so she didn't need clothes; she could be free with nature.
Ayla wasn't willing to head into the solitude of the cave just yet.
Deep inside the cave was too quiet and isolated.
So, instead, she turned to place her head facing out of the entrance.
Relaxing with her head on her paws, she soaked in the nature around her.
Nighttime was slowly attempting to roll in, and the moon was making itself known before she realized it.
The stars never seemed more beautiful than they did that night.
A sound that almost came out as a huff left her body as she lay there.
Once again, she was alone.
In her mind, it was for the best.
For once, she had actually started to get used to the idea of being with others and hadn't realized how much she liked it.
Her wolf was craving closeness the whole time, a pack, but she had fought it; only now she knew it.
Now, she just had to tell her heart and body that.
It was finally hitting that time of day that was perfect.
The sun and moon were fighting over who belonged in the sky, replicating the fight inside her.
To Ayla's delight, the effects of it were magical.
Everything around her appeared an unnatural color as the two forces meshed.
There almost appeared to be a blue hue before her eyes, as the sun struggled to hang on.
Ayla loved it when she was able to capture this just before the moon would win.
Moonlight was finally beginning to illuminate everything around her, making it look new as her thoughts began to consume her again.
Nature's marvels were no longer distracting her.
She knew this was her fight, as the words, "MY fight," echoed in her head.
Another thought attached itself to it.
Why did she have to fight it alone?
There was no rule book that she had to follow.
She knew the answer to that, though.
It was because she had to keep the others safe.
Deciding she was ready to call it a day, she headed into the cave.
Ayla decided it was probably safest and smartest to stay in her wolf form while there.
Especially while sleeping.
Her wolf had more heightened senses than she did.
There was an added bonus to it.
People chasing her might know her human face, but they wouldn't know her wolf.
Without realizing it, she had drifted off to sleep.
Going so often and so long without sleep was draining, and it finally caught up to her.
A few hours later, she stirred a little, still lying on the bed that had been made the last time she was in the cave.
Her mind started thinking back to the last time she was there.
Alexander made the time there fly by when he joined her.
His body was so warm and inviting.
She started to wish she hadn't left him, but she reminded herself that this was her fight.
Realizing she needed to readjust herself on the leaves, she stood up to start circling the area.
"YELP"!
'What...who...really' she thought to herself.
It took her a minute, but she figured it out.
Alexander had found her and curled up in a ball next to her.
Afraid more than anything that if he woke her up, she would run, he didn't do anything but lie there.
Sleeping quietly next to her was perfect in his book.
He hadn't counted on her waking up at all.
Her yelp from being startled woke him up, but he wouldn't dare show it.
As long as her presence didn't move away from him, he would pretend to stay asleep.
All he wanted was for her to lie back down next to him.
She knew he wasn't sleeping.
Ayla knew that, as loud as her yelp had been, and how light a sleeper he was, he had to be awake.
Hell, anyone in the surrounding woods would have heard her.
To test his resolve, she decided to shift to see if there was a reaction.
At first, he managed to fight fairly well.
Ayla was impressed with how well he fought the temptation.
Then, after a few moments, knowing she was on full display next to him was too much.
His head popped up to see if he was right about the shift.
Seeing her naked body lying next to him, he couldn't resist.
Alexander seamlessly morphed into the matching form.
"What are you doing here, Alexander?" she asked as soon as he shifted.
"You know what I'm doing here, I'm protecting you," he responded, "I asked you not to run."
"This is my fight. You and Julius are being sucked in. It's not fair. I won't let it happen," she said sternly.
Alexander shook his head.
"It isn't like you have a choice. Whether you stay or not, we are involved. The alphas will come for all of us. You know that, right? The first one on the list just happens to be you," he said, running his finger down her chin.
"That's not true. If you understood, then you wouldn't say that. It's my fight, and trying to protect me brought heat on you. I'm removing you from the fire. Don't try to argue with me," she told him.
"I thought you were smart," he chuckled.
"I am. Stop arguing with me," she said.
"Is that an order. Even if it was, I wouldn't listen. I may let you think that I listen to you. Ultimately, I do what is best for myself, Julius, and now you. Being alone. Fighting alone is not what is best for anyone," he told her.
He meant every word, too.
Ayla wanted to make sure he knew what he was facing.
"Alpha Theo knows about Julius, and potentially you. I won't let him get you or him. I don't know how to stop it."
Alexander looked at her with furrowed brows.
"How do you know that?"
She thought for a moment before she told him.
"While I was running, I heard one of Alpha Theo's guards approach that Dominic guy. He told him."
Alexander thought for a moment before he responded.
"Crap. Well, then we need to all get together and come up with some kind of a strategy. Looks like your fight is coming. Please, stop saying 'MY' fight, when it's 'OUR' fight," he smiled, looking at her expression soften.
"Like 'OUR' room," she smiled.
Maybe, just maybe, he got somewhere that time.
He had a knowing look on his face that matched a smirk forming.
If anything, she might be nice enough not to abandon him in the woods alone.
She was moved by what he said, though, as she moved to lean into his body.
"Okay."
He had no clue what the okay meant, but she said OKAY, and Alexander would take it.
Next thing he knew, she was pulling his face down toward hers and pressing her lips to his.
The leftover hint of blood on her lips told him that she had successfully hunted earlier that day.
He was slightly jealous.
Ayla seemed better than him at everything.
Was it right to be jealous, or should he be proud of her resilience?
His thoughts were quickly clouded with lust as her kisses deepened.
She was planning on making more cave memories, and he was on board.
Following her cues, he rolled over and lay on top of her between her legs.
It didn't take much for him to realize she was ready for him.
Ayla was hot, wet, and rolling her body into his to let him know she was ready for him.
Putting a hand down to help Alexander along, she realized he didn't need any help.
He was hard as a rock and just as ready to go.
With a small bit of guidance from her hand, Alexander slowly pushed himself inside her as Ayla let out a pleasurable moan.
Immediately, their mouths found each other, their tongues dancing a dance only they knew.
She was more than ready for a release, as he made sure that he pressed himself as deep as her body would allow, pausing slightly before he started rocking his hips back and forth.
He wanted nothing more than to give her just what she was asking for with every moan that slipped from between their lips.
Outside world be damned.
They were in the cave, and nothing else mattered outside the cave.
There was one problem.
The outside world was closer than they realized.
A lonely black wolf wasn't far and heard their conversation.