Every morning, Bianca Winters walked the same hill path, counting her steps like a prayer. Twenty-seven to the ancient oak where they’d first thrown rocks at her. Fifty-three to the corner where the pack gathered to snarl threats. One hundred and twelve to the iron gates that never opened.
“Winter’s, how dare she show her face! ”
Something sailed past her ear. Garbage, probably. Last week they’d upgraded to stones.
Bianca didn’t flinch. There was almost comfort in their hatred now, a familiar rhythm to their cruelty. Besides, she deserved far worse. Her fingers curled around the healer’s bag at her side, its weight reminding her why she endured this daily gauntlet.
Someone in that manor needed her help, whether they wanted it or not. The great manor loomed ahead, a fortress of shadows. Every window sealed, heavy curtains drawn tight. No one had seen the alpha emerge in months.
Rumors whispered that something had happened to him during the invasion, something that kept him locked away in perpetual darkness. For two weeks she’d come. For two weeks she’d been turned away. But she kept coming, because what else could she do?
Her shame wouldn’t let her leave, and her guilt wouldn’t let her stop trying. Right on schedule, the gatekeeper’s lip curled. He didn’t speak anymore. He knew why she was here.
Within moments, the beta appeared. “Alpha Theo will not see you today, Lady Winter’s. ”
The words were as familiar as breathing. She nodded, turned, and began her long walk back.
Behind her, a young wolf whispered to his mother. “Why does she keep coming? ”
“Because she has to,” the mother answered. “After what they did.
”
Bianca’s shoulders stayed straight. Let them watch. Let them hate. She would return tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
Penance wasn’t meant to be easy. —
“The eastern border patrols report increased activity from rogues. ”
Paige’s voice droned on, delivering his daily report. Theo didn’t move from his position by the window.
His wolf paced beneath his skin, restless and savage. After months of confinement, the beast wanted out. It wanted to run, to hunt, to tear something apart until the rage finally bled out. But that wasn’t an option anymore.
“The treasury shows improvement,” Paige continued, his scent betraying his unease. “But I don’t see the pack moving forward if… well, if you’re going to lead it from here. ”
The point, Paige. Theo’s snarl finally broke free, echoing off the stone walls.
He could practically hear his beta weighing his next words. “The Winter’s healer came again this morning. ”
The name sent ice through Theo’s veins, followed by familiar burning fury. The Winter’s pack.
The ones who’d attacked without warning or cause. The ones who’d wielded nightshade like a surgeon’s blade, precise and merciless. “She’s been coming for two weeks,” Paige continued carefully. “Our healers are overwhelmed, and her reputation is…”
“Like her pack’s reputation for loyalty?
” Theo laughed without humor. “Before they turned on us. ”
The memory rose unbidden. The invasion.
The screams. The burning in his veins as poison spread through his system. Now that same poison had left him trapped in this cage of darkness. “Silas is dead,” Paige reminded him quietly.
“So I’ve been told. ” Theo’s voice was flat. “Does it really matter now? The damage is done.
”
The boy who’d gotten by on charm alone had somehow gained the power to bring entire packs to their knees. Silas had manipulated the strongest pack in the territory into attacking Theo’s people, all because Theo’s natural leadership abilities had driven him mad with jealousy. “The Winter’s claim they were under his spell,” Paige said. “Other packs confirm similar experiences.
”
“And you believe them? ”
A beat of silence. “I believe we need help, Alpha. ”
“The pack suffers while I…” Theo warned, his voice deadly quiet.
“Would you rather I show our enemies exactly how vulnerable we’ve become? Shall I invite them in to finish what they started? ”
Silence fell, heavy as stone. “But if this healer could fix you,” Paige tried one last time.
“If she could return your…”
“Leave me. ”
A soft sigh. Footsteps retreating. The door closed with a final click, leaving Theo alone in his darkness once more.
His wolf howled against its chains, demanding violence, freedom, revenge. But revenge required strength he no longer possessed. All he had left was isolation, pride, and enough raw fury to keep him breathing. So let the Winter’s healer come and waste her time at his gates.
He’d rather rot in darkness than trust their kind again. —
When Bianca had been twenty, she’d fallen in love with sunshine. At least, that’s how she remembered it now. Golden curls catching light, soft blue eyes that made her knees weak, a smile that seemed to glow from within.
His name had been Silas, and Bianca had loved him. Her entire pack had loved him. They’d have had no choice in the matter. Dark, twisted magic had turned them all into Silas’s little puppets.
He’d enchanted them into trusting him, admiring him, confiding in him, and waging wars on his behalf. Now the spell was broken. Silas was dead. And in freedom, Bianca saw through her rose-colored memories.
She saw the truth of what he was and the devastation he’d left in his wake. But at night, her dreams twisted and merged like watercolors in rain. She saw the man she thought she’d loved, felt the love she thought she’d held, until she woke up choking. Had the emotions really been a lie?
Hadn’t she enjoyed his kisses? Hadn’t her heart raced? Hadn’t her wolf purred? Every morning, she stared at herself in the mirror, trying to separate truth from lies.
Where did Silas’s manipulation end and her own fault begin? She had no answers, only shame and an endless need to make things right. So when her father had expressed a need for the pack to take action in the north, Bianca had jumped at the chance. “Their alpha won’t even answer my calls,” Jensen had said two weeks ago.
“I don’t know if he’s alive or if he’s planning our deaths. ”
“What do you expect? ” Kate, Bianca’s sister, had snapped. “After what Silas made us do to them.
”
“Our spies say Theo Blackthorne hasn’t been seen in months,” Jensen had continued. “Rumors claim he’s still injured from our attack. So perhaps if we were to offer a healer…”
“I’ll go. ” The words had left Bianca’s mouth before she could stop them.
“I’m a healer. I can help. ”
“Absolutely not,” Kate’s eyes had flashed gold. “You need time to heal yourself.
”
But Bianca had seen the hope in her father’s eyes. And Ryder, Kate’s mate, had seen through Bianca’s fear of abandonment. “Darling,” Ryder had said quietly, earning a betrayed look from Kate. “Sometimes healing means leaving old shadows behind.
”
Now, two weeks later, Bianca stared up at those shadows made manifest. Alpha Theo’s mansion loomed against steel-gray skies, its sealed windows like blind eyes. Was he behind those walls? Some whispered he was planning revenge.
Others claimed he was already dead, and his beta merely maintained the illusion of his presence. The only thing certain was that no one had seen Theo emerge in months. Sometimes in the pre-dawn light, Bianca thought she saw movement in the highest tower, a tall figure pacing. But that could be her imagination crafting monsters from memories.
Only the house seemed to know the truth, and it kept its secrets behind curtained windows and locked doors. —
The motel room’s rotary phone rang just after sunset. “How is it really going? ” Kate’s voice carried that edge of worry she’d developed since Silas’s death.
Bianca thought of rocks sailing past her head, of snarls and whispered threats. “Fine,” she said brightly. “Everyone’s very welcoming. ”
“Bianca.
”
The warning in Kate’s tone was clear. “Really, Kate. I’m okay. I deserve it.
I’m not weak. I can take it. ”
“And Alpha Theo? Have you seen him yet?
”
“No. He won’t see me. But it’s not just me,” Bianca rushed to add. “He won’t see anyone.
There’s always a line at his gates, pack members begging for an audience, for news. The beta handles everything. ”
“You don’t think…” Kate’s voice dropped lower. “The nightshade Silas had our warriors use… you don’t think he’s actually dead?
”
Bianca’s stomach turned at the mention of nightshade. “I can’t believe we ever agreed to use it. That father still produces it. It’s barbaric.
”
“It’s what makes our pack powerful,” Kate reminded her gently. “It’s what attracted Silas. ”
The words slipped out before Bianca could stop them. Silence stretched between them, heavy with shared memories, until Kate finally whispered good night.
Hours later, Bianca lay awake, thoughts circling like vultures. What happened to the mysterious alpha? Why wouldn’t he see anyone? Was he truly injured, or plotting revenge?
A hand trailed down her spine, familiar and unwelcome. *Such heavy thoughts for such a weak little omega. *
Bianca squeezed her eyes shut. *Shut up.
*
*But you know I’m right. * Silas’s voice carried that honeyed mockery she’d once mistaken for affection. *You’re not like Kate. You’re the weakest of them all.
*
*Shut up. *
*Oh, but you loved me, didn’t you? * His laugh wrapped around her like poison. *You really truly loved me.
*
Bianca bolted upright, heart thundering. The room was empty, of course. Silas was dead. But his ghost lingered in her mind, in her memories, in every shadow that made her doubt herself.
Tears burned in her eyes, and suddenly she was furious with herself. What right did she have to cry? Kate had suffered for years knowing the truth about Silas while everyone dismissed her as paranoid. Bianca had lived in blissful ignorance, wrapped in the comfort of his spell.
If Kate were here, she wouldn’t be hiding in a motel room feeling sorry for herself. She’d have already found a way to help. Before she could second-guess herself, Bianca threw on clothes and slipped out into the night. The manor loomed against star-scattered skies, more fortress than home.
No crowds gathered at this hour. No sneering faces to dodge. Just shadows and silence. She circled through the woods behind the estate, heart thundering as she studied the guard patterns.
There was a window she’d noticed that always stayed open, like the house itself was gasping for air. When the guard turned, she scaled the wall with trembling fingers, cursing herself for breaking every diplomatic protocol imaginable. But she was desperate. Ready to beg this alpha to let her heal him, or his people.
To let her try. The house felt different at night. Hollow and haunted. Bianca followed her instincts, remembering where Paige always glanced when people asked after his alpha.
The highest room in the highest tower, like something from a fairy tale gone wrong. Only when she eased the door open, plunging into absolute darkness, did she realize how monumentally stupid this was. A whiff of pure alpha scent hit her. Masculine and powerful.
Reality crashed in. She’d just broken into a rival alpha’s private chambers at night while he was probably sleeping. If he didn’t kill her on sight, it would be a miracle. “Who’s there?
”
The voice emerged from shadows, deep and guttural, carrying deadly promise. Moonlight filtered through heavy curtains, revealing a massive figure seated by the window. Even in shadow, his presence filled the room like storm clouds before lightning strikes. Broad shoulders, sharp jaw, the kind of raw power that should send her running.
Instead, something inside her came alive. The pull hit like a physical blow. Magnetic. Inexorable.
Terrifying. Every cell in her body seemed to reach for him, a strange recognition singing through her blood. *Mate. *
The word echoed in her mind, in her bones, in places too deep for thought.
Inescapable. Impossible. Like magic. Horror flooded her system.
*You love me, don’t you, Bianca? * Silas’s voice whispered in her memory. *You’d do anything for me. *
The alpha rose, stalking toward her with predatory grace.
His fingers twitched slightly, reaching into empty air like he was testing its substance. But Bianca was too trapped in panic to understand why. “Who are you? ” he demanded.
He towered over her now, all rugged features and coiled strength. His face—she wanted to trace every line, like she’d known it all her life, like she’d been waiting to find it. A whimper escaped her throat. No.
No, no. This isn’t real. This is enchantment. This is—
She met his eyes, desperate to break whatever spell this was, and froze.
Those storm-gray eyes, beautiful and fierce, stared past her rather than at her. His expression remained carefully neutral. No recognition despite their proximity. Like Bianca wasn’t even there.
Like he could not see her. Because he couldn’t. This man was blind. His hand reached for her face, and Bianca felt both joy and horror.
She used to feel that same sort of joy when Silas reached for her. And it had all been a lie. The shift took her without warning. One heartbeat human, the next running on four legs, fleeing the overwhelming cocktail of attraction and terror and shame.
Behind her, she heard his sharp intake of breath. But she didn’t stop. She ran until the mate bond’s pull felt less like drowning, until Silas’s ghost faded from her mind, until the night swallowed her whole. Just a little further.
Just until I can breathe again. Until I can think. The snap of metal was deafening in the night air. Pain exploded through her front leg as the trap’s teeth bit deep.
Bianca’s yelp echoed through the trees, high and desperate. She thrashed, each movement sending fresh agony through her limb, but the trap held firm. No, no, no. They’ll find her.
They’ll take her back there. Back to him. And that overwhelming pull she didn’t trust, couldn’t trust, was worse than any pain. Heavy footsteps approached through the underbrush.
Multiple sets. Getting closer. Bianca yanked harder at her trapped leg, mindless of the pain, of the blood matting her fur. She had to get out.
Had to run. A flashlight beam cut through the darkness. Bianca’s heart stopped. —
Someone had been in his room.
Theo stood frozen by the window, his wolf clawing beneath his skin, desperate to track the intruder. But his dulled senses made tracking impossible. Just another reminder of how far he’d fallen. Only two wolves were allowed in this wing of the estate.
Paige, his beta, who’d left yesterday for a week of diplomatic meetings. And Anne, his housekeeper. But even with his compromised senses, Theo would have recognized Anne’s shuffling gait, her habit of humming under her breath. No, this had been someone else.
Someone who’d slipped past his defenses like they didn’t exist. His fingers traced the window sill, a habit formed since the Winter’s attack changed everything. Since nightshade poison had worked its way through his system, stealing first his sight, then his enhanced senses, leaving him trapped in this endless darkness. At first, he’d believed it temporary.
His pack was vulnerable, reeling from the invasion. So he’d hidden his condition while gathering allies against the Winter’s and their puppet master, Silas. But weeks became months. Instead of improving, his condition deteriorated.
Now he could barely senses anything at all. His world was reduced to echoes and shadows. Paige insisted their only hope lay in Theo’s arranged mating to Olivia, a beta’s daughter who’d agreed to the match before the attack. The alliance would strengthen their position.
But Theo hadn’t seen her since that day. Would she honor their arrangement once she discovered what he’d become? His wolf snarled at the thought, feral after months of confinement. The beast wanted to run, to fight, to prove it wasn’t weak.
But running would mean revealing his vulnerability. Fighting would expose his weakness. So they stayed trapped, wolf and man, in this cage of darkness. Each day, Theo felt his control slipping further.
His thoughts grew more primitive, his wolf’s instincts stronger. Perhaps he’d become nothing more than the animal inside him. Cornered. Frightened.
Dangerous. Perhaps one day they’d have to put him down like any other feral wolf. If so, he’d use whatever time he had left to protect his pack. It was all he had left.
It was all he was. Anne’s footsteps approached his door, their familiar rhythm carrying unusual hesitation. Theo could ease her worry with a word, but he didn’t. He never did anymore.
Seeing those who looked to him for strength only reminded him of what he’d become. To his surprise, Anne broke their usual silence. “Alpha. ” Her tone carried warning.
“Something’s wrong. ”
“What is it? ”
“There’s a wolf caught in one of the border traps. ”
Theo frowned.
A wolf in the trap. The intruder from his room, no doubt. “Who is it? ”
“An omega female.
I don’t recognize her scent markings. Not one of ours. ”
Theo’s mind raced. An unknown wolf who’d already proven capable of breaching his defenses.
If she escaped, she could tell others what she’d seen. “Is she still trapped? ”
“Yes. But she won’t let anyone near.
Snapping, snarling. ”
Theo opened his mouth, ready to tell her to get Paige, when he remembered the beta wasn’t here. “Should I fetch someone else from the pack? ” Anne asked.
Theo paced, wolf bristling. Anyone else might wonder why their alpha didn’t handle this himself. Anyone else might free the intruder, might notice something wrong. “I’ll deal with it.
”
Surprise colored Anne’s voice before she caught herself. “Alpha. ”
The walk outside was excruciating. Every step could betray his weakness.
Every movement could expose his vulnerability. Anne guided him with subtle coughs and cleared throats, but his pride burned with each correction. Then cool night air washed over his skin, and for a moment, the world expanded. His wolf quieted, soothed by the breeze carrying whispers of pine and freedom.
“There, Alpha. ”
He couldn’t see the trapped wolf. Could barely smell her through the stronger senses of earth and decay. But he heard her pained growls, desperate shuffling.
The song of a cornered animal. Theo moved forward, letting his alpha presence flood the space between them like thunder before a storm. The growls intensified. Challenge meeting challenge.
“Down,” he growled. The wolf snarled back, metal clanking as she struggled. Theo stalked closer, each step deliberate. “I said down.
”
A whimper broke through the growls. Only then did he reach out, finding fur that trembled beneath his touch. His hand found her neck, applying firm, steady pressure. “That’s it.
” He gentled his tone now that she’d acknowledged his authority. “You’re not going anywhere. ”
The last of her defiance melted away. And then, instead of fighting, a warm tongue lapped at his fingers.
“Stay still,” he instructed as he heard Anne opening the trap. But instead of fighting, she only continued her gentle licking, even as the metal springs released. His wolf purred at the complete submission, pleasure coursing through him at this small victory. “Can she walk?
” he asked. “The wound’s deep,” Anne replied. “She’ll need help. ”
Without thinking, Theo scooped the wolf into his arms.
She weighed nothing, settling against his chest with complete trust, her breath warm against his collarbone. His wolf rumbled with satisfaction at feeling useful for the first time in months. At this small proof that he could still command respect instead of just hiding. “Let’s get her inside.
”
He turned back toward the house, following Anne’s footsteps and the wolf’s steady heartbeat against his chest. He should question this. Should worry about the stranger in his arms. But for now, he simply enjoyed the warmth of another living being who didn’t seem to notice or care about his brokenness.
—
Being carried in an alpha’s arms should terrify her. Bianca knew this. Knew she’d breached his territory, invaded his private chambers, and would likely face severe consequences once he discovered who—what—she really was. Her racing heart screamed at her to struggle, to flee, to do something other than lie here helplessly.
Yet her body betrayed her, melting into his touch. Heat radiated from his chest, and something primal inside her purred at his proximity, desperate for more contact. Even her injured leg seemed to hurt less, soothed by his steady grip. *Stop that,* she scolded herself.
They moved through empty halls, Theo following Anne’s lead despite his blindness. He navigated turns and doorways with fluid grace, as if he’d memorized every inch of his domain. Not once did he stumble or hesitate. Not once did his grip on her falter.
They entered what appeared to be a staff living area, all worn furniture and practical surfaces. A heavy wooden table dominated the center of the room, and Theo gently lowered her onto its scarred surface. His hands lingered for a moment, checking her position, ensuring her injured leg wasn’t pressed against the wood. “Who are you?
” he demanded, voice deceptively soft. “What are you doing on my territory? ”
Bianca’s ears flattened against her skull. She should change back.
Should explain about wanting to heal him, about recognizing the symptoms of nightshade poisoning he was experiencing—similar to Kate’s when she’d been poisoned as well. Should tell him she might be able to help, that she’d seen these symptoms before. But every time she reached for her human form, Silas’s voice whispered in her mind. *Yes, Bianca.
Go on, change back. Tell him about the bond you’re clearly the only one feeling here. Enjoy falling head over heels for a man who doesn’t love you. *
*You again.
*
Panic clawed up her throat. The alpha was watching her, obviously expectant despite not being able to see her. Bianca wanted to obey. Wanted to shift back.
But then what would he say? Or worse—what would she do? “I do hope you don’t intend on pretending you’re just a regular wolf,” the alpha commented, sounding unimpressed. She wasn’t trying to deceive him.
She wanted to change back. She did. But she couldn’t. She tried to focus, to think more like a human, to draw back the wolf.
The wolf would not budge. “Change back. Right now,” Theo commanded. Bianca whined, shuffling on the table until her leg screamed in protest.
She tried again, desperately reaching for her human form. But Silas’s voice grew louder. *Unless perhaps you still love me, Bianca. Is that it?
Are you ashamed that you still love me? *
A pathetic whimper escaped her throat. How embarrassing, to be stuck like this. She’d never had problems with her wolf before.
She was even more pathetic than she’d thought. “Alpha. ” Anne’s voice cut through the tension. “The poor thing is terrified.
”
“I can see that,” Theo snapped, then caught himself. “Well. In a manner of speaking. ”
His hand found her head again.
Despite everything, Bianca leaned into his touch. His fingers combed through her fur, steady and certain. Something inside her unclenched at the contact. “She’s trembling,” he murmured.
“Perhaps she’s too afraid to shift back. ”
“Sir. ” Anne’s tone carried careful suggestion. “Maybe if we give her time…”
“Are you suggesting we keep her here?
”
Bianca focused on his touch, on the low rumble of his voice, finding it impossibly soothing. She was too desperate to feel embarrassed about it. She just wanted to stop hearing Silas. “Whatever works,” Theo said, almost to himself.
“Well, surely we can’t release her until we know why she’s here, can we? ”
“No, Alpha. ”
A slight pause. His hand froze on Bianca’s head.
“Should we send for a healer for her leg? ”
The word *healer* sent ice through Bianca’s veins. She was the healer. She’d come here to help him.
“I’m sure it will heal just fine on its own, sir,” Anne replied, giving Theo a considering look. “Yes. ” Theo cleared his throat. “You’re right, of course.
”
Bianca whined at the loss of contact, shaking her head slightly. His hand returned to her fur immediately, and she relaxed, pleased despite herself. “Then shall we get her down to the basement, sir? ” Anne suggested.
“The basement? ” His tone sharpened. “Where there are no windows? ”
“Well, where else can we make sure she can’t escape?
”
Another pause, longer this time. “Right. You’re right. ”
He didn’t sound convinced.
But he lifted her again, careful of her injury. Bianca clutched at a desperate hope. Maybe once they left her alone, she could find her human form again. Maybe she could figure out how to fix this mess she’d created.
—
The wolf’s heartbeat drummed against Theo’s chest. Quick, but steady. Too steady for a prisoner. Too calm for an intruder.
Theo’s own wolf stirred beneath his skin, more alert than it had been in months, tracking each subtle shift of the creature in his arms. She should be fighting. Struggling. Snarling.
Trying to escape. Instead, her head rested heavy on his shoulder. Her breath was warm against his neck. Trusting.
Or pretending to trust. His lips curled back from his teeth at the thought. “Left here, Alpha,” Anne murmured, and he followed the sound of her footsteps toward the basement stairs. His wolf bristled at being led, at this constant dependence on others’ eyes.
But the weight in his arms settled something deeper, darker. The part of him that had been prowling the edges of his mind since the poison took his sight. A hint of scent reached him. Faint, dulled like everything else.
But there. Sweet, with an edge of fear that made his chest tight. His wolf growled suddenly, restless. Not at the intruder, but at the thought of that fear.
At the wrongness of it. “The basement has a secure holding area,” Anne continued. But Theo barely heard her. His thoughts circled like prey.
Why wouldn’t she shift back? What could terrify a wolf so completely? Unless it was all an act. Unless she was a spy.
The body in his arms trembled just slightly, and his grip tightened instinctively. His wolf surged forward, protective urges warring with months of paranoia. He couldn’t trust this. Couldn’t trust anything.
And yet. “I’ll keep her in my quarters, Alpha. ”
Anne’s shock was palpable. “But sir, your private…”
“I’ll hear any movement.
” His mind scrambled to rationalize the wolf’s sudden demand. “The basement is too far. If she tries to escape…”
He was already turning, retracing familiar steps upward. Better to keep the threat close.
The threat, his wolf snarled at the word, at the lie of it. This creature who smelled of sweetness and fear, who trembled in his arms but made no move to flee. She was many things, but a threat wasn’t one of them. “As you wish, Alpha,” Anne said quietly.
Theo stalked away before she could question him further. Before he could question himself. His wolf paced beneath his skin, agitated and eager in equal measure. For months, they’d been caged, growing wilder with each passing day.
Now something pulled him toward this stranger, this mystery, and he didn’t understand why. He only knew that the thought of locking her away in darkness was suddenly inconceivable. —
Bianca’s heart raced as Theo led her to his room. Though she had to admit, it worked in her favor.
*The second he falls asleep, I’m out of here. *
Still, something about following him into his private space made her fur prickle with uncertainty. Anne hovered in the doorway after Theo deposited Bianca inside, her presence making the already strange situation more awkward. “Do you need anything else?
” Anne asked. “No. Thank you. ” Theo rushed to close the door.
Then he just stood there, one hand still on the doorknob, as if he’d suddenly forgotten what to do with himself. “I don’t even know why I did that,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. With a deep sigh, he crossed the room and sank into what must be his favorite chair, rubbing his face with both hands. Bianca watched him for a moment, struck by how defeated he looked.
Like now that he was back here with nothing to do, he was weighed down again. Wanting to show her gratitude for his help—and perhaps a bit of sympathy, because it was her family’s fault he was injured—she padded over and settled beside his chair. “You’re going to run the second my eyes close, aren’t you? ”
The question came out soft, resigned.
Guilt twisted in her chest. That had been exactly her plan, and somehow he knew it. She shifted uncomfortably on her paws. “I don’t need to close my eyes not to see you,” he added, his voice barely above a whisper.
Bianca couldn’t help but scoff, a strange sound coming from a wolf’s throat. “Oh, so you knew then? ”
Theo’s shoulders slumped further, if that was possible. He looked so frustrated, his scent sharpening.
Bianca couldn’t take it. Moving closer, she gently rubbed her head against his, the only form of consolation she could offer in this shape. Again, she tried to shift back to human form. But nothing happened, and a pitiful whine escaped her throat.
What if she was stuck like this? “You’re trembling,” Theo observed. He stood and made his way to the fireplace in the corner, kneeling down to feel around for wood. Bianca watched as his hands moved uncertainly over the hearth, accidentally tumbling logs down.
“Can’t even keep people warm anymore. ”
The words were barely audible, but they tugged at something in her chest. Oh, for heaven’s sake. Making a decision, she moved closer and carefully nudged his hand toward the stack of wood.
Theo went completely still for a moment, and she feared she’d crossed some line. *Great job, Bianca. Way to make it weird. *
But then he relaxed, allowing her to guide him.
Together they arranged the logs, and she helped him locate the lighter on the mantle. They worked in comfortable silence, the simple task creating an unexpected connection between them. After the fire was lit, Theo settled on the floor beside her. He didn’t speak again, but somehow the silence felt right.
Bianca found herself growing drowsy as she watched the flames dance, the crackling wood and Theo’s steady breathing creating a soothing rhythm. *My leg barely hurts anymore,* she realized distantly as she drifted off. When she woke, the fire had burned down to embers, and early morning light was seeping through the windows. For a moment, she was disoriented.
Where was she? Then she spotted Theo asleep in his chair and remembered everything. As she shifted position, she realized with a start that she was human again. And completely naked.
Oh, thank God. A small sound of relief escaped her before she could stop it. And Theo stirred in his chair. Oh no.
Terror froze her in place. She watched him like a deer in headlights, her heart thundering so loudly she was sure it would wake him. *Don’t move. Don’t breathe.
Don’t even think too loud. *
After what felt like an eternity, she gathered her courage to move. But at the tiniest movement, he groaned. By the time his eyes fluttered open, Bianca was back in her wolf form, her pulse still racing beneath her fur.
She only realized she’d changed back when a growl came out of her throat. “You’re still here,” Theo observed. She was. And for some reason, Bianca knew she wouldn’t be able to change back anytime soon.
—
The sound of running water from Theo’s shower filled the room as Bianca tried again to shift. *Come on. Come on. *
Her muscles strained with the effort.
But every time she got close, Silas’s voice echoed in her mind. *Are you really going to let magic bind you again? *
The words sent ice through her veins, and she lost her grip on the transformation. *I never loved you.
And neither will he. *
It was Silas’s voice whispering these things. And yet, Bianca agreed. This pull toward Theo, this instinctive trust—it was another trap.
Just like Silas’s love had been. The mate bond felt like chains around her heart, and she couldn’t breathe through the panic of being caught again. When Theo emerged from the bathroom, his hair still damp, he tilted his head. “Are you hungry?
”
Bianca realized she was and barked sharply. A snort escaped him. “Alright. Anne should be here soon.
”
Did he spend all his time just waiting for others to bring him things? Bianca wondered with growing concern. She watched him standing there, so still, and remembered Anne carefully guiding him yesterday. Understanding dawned softly, sadly.
He’s blind. His wolf senses are dulled. Of course he needs help navigating his own home. Her heart ached as she imagined how difficult this must be for him.
How frustrating, to depend on others for such basic things. A gentle whine escaped her before she could stop it. “I know,” Theo said, misinterpreting her sound. “I’m hungry too.
Sorry. ”
Making a decision, Bianca moved to his side and gently nudged his hand onto her back. *Come on,* she thought, urging him toward the door. She could smell how his wolf strained against its cage.
Being cooped up in here wasn’t helping either of them. Even if she couldn’t heal him in this form, she could at least get him moving. “You want us to go outside? ” Theo asked, his voice strained.
She guided him carefully to the door, nudging him forward. As they reached it, he was hesitant. Frustrated. She sat and waited, patient.
“Fine,” Theo growled reluctantly. They left the room. Bianca was secretly pleased to move down the long hallway, keeping close to his side, letting him use her as an anchor with each step. “Are you my guard dog now, little one?
” Theo asked, amusement coloring his voice. Bianca barked twice, offended. *I am not a dog. *
“Guess that means no.
” The smirk in his voice was unmistakable. When they reached the kitchen, Anne’s eyes widened at the sight of them moving freely together. “She smells less afraid,” she observed. “Though still not human.
”
Theo’s brow furrowed. “Are you stuck? ” he asked Bianca directly. She barked once for yes.
“Do you know why? ”
Two barks for no. The day passed with Bianca continuously nudging Theo to move around the house. She couldn’t heal him in her wolf form, but she knew his wolf needed this.
Needed to be freed from its cage. Theo wouldn’t just let himself be guided if it didn’t help, though. Every time she tried to guide him toward the front door, he resisted. “I can’t risk people seeing me like this,” he finally whispered when they were back in his room.
“And I can’t risk you escaping and telling them. ”
That night, Bianca woke in human form again. *This is it. I could leave right now.
*
The thought pounded in her head as she took a step toward the door. People were going to start to worry. Kate might riot if she didn’t hear from Bianca. Time to go.
She couldn’t stay here any longer. Her leg was healed. Her hand reached for the handle, trembling. *Just turn it and run.
*
But then she looked at Theo. Really looked at him. She saw the suffering etched in his face even in sleep. His mind was feral, his wolf caged and raging.
He needed help. And to give it was why she’d come here in the first place. This had nothing to do with their bond, or whatever pull she felt for him—which he didn’t seem to feel back. This was about penance.
About making things right with him and his pack. Kneeling beside his chair, she reached out with shaking fingers and pressed them gently to his temples. She let her power flow through her touch—a soft, golden warmth that sought out the ragged edges where his humanity and wolf nature warred with each other, trying to smooth them. She’d come here to heal.
And she would. —
Days blended into one another, marked by a strange rhythm that became increasingly familiar. During daylight hours, Bianca remained in wolf form, unable to shift no matter how she tried when Theo was present. Only in the deepest hours of night, when he slept, did her human form return to her.
A mystery that left her puzzled, but grateful for these moments when she could heal him. “Sarah? ” Theo asked one morning, determined to guess her real name. Bianca snorted softly at this first guess.
“Margaret? ”
A gentle huff of rejection. “Patrice? ”
This earned him an outraged growl that made him laugh, his face lighting up with genuine mirth.
“Alright, alright. How about Brunilda? ”
His suggestions were getting more outlandish by the day, but she could hear the warmth in his voice, the way he was turning their forced silence into something playful. She bumped against his leg in protest, and his laugh grew warmer.
These moments of playfulness were becoming more frequent, precious gems in their quiet days together. She guided him through the house with increasing confidence, and he followed her lead with growing trust. During their days, Theo shared stories about the pack, choosing mostly happy memories at first. Summer festivals where the whole community gathered under the full moon.
The time his sister tried to teach him to dance and they both ended up in the pond. Bianca listened, memorizing every detail, every smile that crossed his face as he remembered better times. But one night, as they sat by the crackling fire, his voice grew heavy. “I should have seen it earlier,” he said quietly.
“The kind of person Silas was becoming. Even as children, he charmed people just to watch them fall apart later. Found it amusing. ” His hands clenched.
“He’d pick apart their weaknesses, use their trust against them. And I was blind to it. Even then. ”
The memories hit Bianca like physical blows.
Silas’s charming smile. The way he’d seemed so understanding at first. How he’d used everything she’d confided against her later. Her distress must have shown somehow, because Theo’s hand found her fur, stroking gently.
After that night, she started resting her head in his lap during their evening conversations, finding comfort in the simple contact. Time passed in gentle waves. She coaxed Theo to explore more of the house, watching his confidence grow incrementally. His scent began to change too, becoming stronger, more wolf-like.
Telling her the healing was working. Finally, he agreed to venture outside—but only if she was certain no one would see them. In his wolf form, they explored the estate together. His movements became more sure as his senses slowly returned, and he began to follow her more by instinct than by touch.
These moments felt like freedom. Like hope. That evening, as they rested by the fire, Theo buried his nose in her fur, inhaling deeply. His scent wrapped around her, warm and rich and right, in a way that made her want to melt into the touch.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this peaceful. This safe. Then he started speaking, voice low and pained, about the Winter’s betrayal. The poisoning.
The hatred that still burned in him for her family. “They even sent their daughter here to heal me,” he said, a bitter laugh catching in his throat. “As if that could make up for what they did. ”
Later that night, in human form, Bianca’s hands shook as she channeled her healing power into him.
Would he see this as another betrayal? Her deception. Her silent presence in his home. Her gentle touches, all while keeping her true identity hidden.
*He would hate me,* she thought, heart aching. *He would never forgive this. *
She should leave. She knew she should.
But as she looked down at his sleeping face, ran a gentle hand along his cheek, she realized with startling clarity that she couldn’t. Not anymore. The truth of it settled in her chest like a physical weight. Somewhere between the quiet conversations and shared silences, between guiding touches and gentle healing, she’d lost her heart to him.
—
Theo opened his eyes to vague shapes and colors. His breath caught in his throat. This couldn’t be real. He’d been hesitant to hope even as his other senses gradually returned.
His scent had grown stronger by the day, especially in wolf form, and that alone had felt like more blessing than he deserved. But this—this was different. In the darkness, he could make out the tip of his finger. Could see the dying fire casting a soft orange glow across the room.
It wasn’t the absolute darkness he’d grown accustomed to. It was the natural shadow of night. A choked gasp escaped him. His mind reeled with possibility.
But then something else captured his attention entirely. A presence beside him. Warm and peaceful. Her scent.
Oh, her scent. He knew it as intimately as his own now. Sweet and fresh, like the first breath of spring. Like life itself.
He turned to his right, and his heart nearly stopped. There was someone asleep beside him. But it wasn’t a wolf. Through the blur of his returning vision, he saw silk-spun hair spreading across his pillow like liquid gold in the fading firelight.
His eyes traced the delicate curve of a bare shoulder, creamy skin gleaming softly in the darkness. She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen, even through the haze of his imperfect sight. Something deep in his chest ached. Was this his mysterious companion?
Of course it was. He’d know that scent anywhere. She seemed so young, so delicate in her human form. Her peaceful breathing matched the tranquil notes in her scent.
She was close enough that his mouth watered. His wolf stirred with an intensity that startled him. His fingers itched to touch, to trace the curve of her cheek, to tangle in that golden hair. He almost did.
But caught himself. Though she was half-sprawled across his bed, though he’d grown used to touching her wolf form—this was different. She hadn’t given permission for this. Hadn’t chosen to show herself to him this way.
The realization didn’t stop the wanting, though. His wolf howled inside him, desperate to touch, to hold, to protect, to keep. The intensity of his reaction left him bewildered. Careful not to disturb her, he eased himself from the bed.
Despite his still-blurry vision, he navigated the room with surprising ease, his restored hearing and scent more than making up for what his eyes couldn’t yet fully see. Rapid footsteps in the hallway alerted him to Anne’s approach. Not wanting her to wake his sleeping guest, he hurried to meet her at the door. Anne started at finding him up, but he quickly shushed her with a finger to his lips.
She leaned in close, whispering, “There’s someone at the gate for you. ”
“It can wait until morning,” he murmured. But Anne’s grip on his arm tightened. “I’m afraid it can’t.
” Fear threaded through her voice. “You need to come now. ”
The tension in her tone set him on edge. With one last glance toward his bed, toward her, he followed Anne downstairs and across the estate to the gates.
Through the misty shadows, a cloaked figure emerged. Even with his limited vision, he could tell she was small. Petite. His returning senses told him more.
She was a woman, her scent thick with fury and fear and something else. Theo inhaled sharply as realization hit him. This woman was with child. And from the way she was growling at him, she was very, very upset.
“Alpha Theo,” she growled when he was beside her, her voice shaking with hardened steel. “Just what the hell have you done to my sister? ”
—
Bianca woke slowly, drifting up through layers of warmth and contentment. She was cocooned in Theo’s scent, wrapped in sheets that smelled of him, of them together.
Her wolf purred with satisfaction. *This is right. This is where I belong. *
She hadn’t felt this safe, this at peace, since she could even remember when.
A soft hum of pure contentment escaped her before she could stop it. The sound of her own voice. Her human voice. Her eyes snapped open.
She was human. In Theo’s bed. Alone. The reality hit her in waves.
First came the shock of her bare skin against his sheets. Then the growing horror as her mind caught up with what this meant. Her wolf whined in confusion and distress. Where was Theo?
He’d never left her alone before. Not once, in all these weeks. Something must be wrong. Why would he leave?
Unless—
Her human side recoiled as the implications stacked up. Did he see her? Is that why he’s gone? Has her careful charade crumbled in one careless moment of contentment?
Her mind spun with possibilities, each worse than the last. She was exposed. Vulnerable. Her deception laid bare.
*Breathe,* she told herself, fingers twisting in the sheets as she tried to think rationally through the rising panic. Even if he’d realized she’d shifted back, he couldn’t actually see her. Right? And he’d never met Bianca Winters.
Didn’t know her face. Whatever he might have discovered, she could explain this somehow. She could… she could tell him the truth. The thought died as quickly as it formed, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
Theo hated the Winter’s. Hated Bianca for her name alone. If he discovered she’d been here all this time, deceiving him, healing him without his knowledge or consent—the trust they’d built would shatter. He’d throw her out.
And worse, he’d never want to see her again. Her wolf railed against the very thought, while her human side drowned in shame. A sob caught in her throat, raw and painful. He might even be angry enough to break the peace treaty with her father.
But somehow that thought barely registered compared to the idea of Theo looking at her with betrayal in his eyes. She realized with a start that she’d shifted back to wolf form in her panic. Oh, God. Now she wouldn’t even be able to explain herself.
Where was he? What did he see? What did he know? She left the room in a daze, searching for him.
Her wolf whined, desperate to find her mate, to fix this, to make things right again. She caught Theo’s voice from downstairs and moved toward it. But Anne suddenly appeared, blocking her path. “Not now, little wolf.
” Anne’s eyes were bright with excitement. “The alpha will see you later. ”
She beamed, each word like a dagger to Bianca’s heart. “His fiancée is here.
”
Bianca froze. His what? That couldn’t be right. Theo was her mate.
She must have heard wrong. “She arrived this morning with Paige,” Anne’s enthusiasm was devastating. “He brought her back to settle the mating agreement. Miss Olivia and the alpha have been engaged for two years.
It’s about time they finally become mates. ”
Bianca’s mind fractured between shock and denial. *This is her punishment. For not telling him the truth.
For deceiving him. She’s going to lose him. *
Her heart splintered with each beat. Without conscious thought, she bolted past Anne and burst into the living room.
She had to stop this. Had to see him. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t lose him.
Not now. She found him seated with Paige and a beautiful young woman with flowing red hair and light blue eyes. The sight made something primal rise in Bianca’s chest, and a snarl ripped from her throat. They all turned to stare, conversation halting mid-sentence.
“Who is this? ” the woman asked, startled. *How dare she. * Bianca’s fury ignited.
*She’s Theo’s mate. She belongs here. This woman doesn’t. *
Rage and protective instincts consumed her as she launched herself forward with a growl.
Only to be caught mid-leap by strong arms that pulled her back against a broad, firm chest. “Is that—” Paige started, eyes wide with recognition. “Yes. ” Theo’s voice was low, pleased.
He pulled Bianca closer, his scent and warmth enveloping her, instantly calming the storm inside her. “That’s it, darling,” he murmured as she stilled against him. “Be good for me. ”
Before either Paige or their guest could speak, he commanded, “Leave us.
”
“But Alpha—”
“I said leave us. ” Theo’s voice brooked no argument. “This should be a private moment. ”
After they left, Theo gently deposited Bianca on the floor, kneeling beside her.
She whined softly, torn between conflicting impulses. Wanting to reach for him, to demand how he could even think of marrying another when he was hers. But also desperate to explain herself, even as fear held her back. Theo reached out slowly, his hand steady.
“There,” he soothed. “They’re gone now, darling. It’s just me. Just him.
”
Bianca relaxed slightly at that truth. He was looking at her with his usual fondness, but there was something else now. A sort of wondering awe that made her breath catch. He looked pleased to see her.
Unable to resist, she slowly let her head settle against his palm. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone,” Theo murmured, his fingers working through her fur in that way that made her muscles turn to liquid. It wasn’t fair, really. She should be more upset.
But it was impossible when he stroked her like this, his touch so tender it made her ache. “But I won’t ever leave you alone again, Bianca,” he said softly. “I promise. ”
She purred happily before his words registered.
Then she froze in horror. “You are Bianca Winters, aren’t you? ” he asked knowingly. She panicked, trying to shrink away from him.
But his hand remained gentle on her fur. “Were you afraid of how I’d react? ”
His voice stayed calm. Steady.
He didn’t sound angry, she told herself. He didn’t. But she still couldn’t bring herself to look at him. “Please look at me,” he asked, his voice so achingly soft it stole her breath.
When she finally raised her eyes to his face, her heart stopped. He was looking at her like she was a miracle. Like she was precious beyond words. Like he couldn’t quite believe she was real.
And then it hit her. *He can see me. *
“You healed me,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion. “I wondered what was keeping you here.
Why you didn’t try to escape from the confines of this dark, empty home. ” His eyes, clear and bright, searched hers. “I’m bound to you. You could have many times, yet you stayed.
I thought perhaps you were hiding. Afraid. But you were healing me. ”
He swallowed hard.
“You stayed for me, didn’t you? ”
The reverence in his voice made her heart thunder. He was speaking as though she’d done something extraordinary. As though she’d granted him some precious gift.
Of course she’d stayed. It was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. Her pack had betrayed his, had hurt him.
But as Theo pulled her close, pressing his lips to the crown of her head, showering her with thanks and praise, she realized that healing him wasn’t truly why she’d stayed. It was more selfish than that. She’d stayed because she couldn’t bear to leave him. Because she wanted to be by his side.
He pulled back to look at her, cradling her face between his large palms, and smiled. “Hi,” he breathed, his eyes bright with unshed tears. Bianca realized she was human again. Fear fluttered in her chest.
But Theo’s hands were so gentle on her skin, his caresses making her shiver. “I wanted to tell you,” she whispered, watching how he drank in the sound of her voice like it was music. “I didn’t want to stay in wolf form. ”
“But you were afraid,” his expression clouded with concern.
She nodded slowly. Yes, she supposed she had been afraid. Still was, somewhat. But being able to speak with him, to have him look at her and truly see her for who she was—it was worth facing that fear.
“I wasn’t really afraid of you. ” The words tangled in her throat. “Well, I was. But—”
Memories of Silas flashed through her mind, tainted and bitter.
She hadn’t wanted to be deceived again. Hadn’t wanted to trust wrongly. “Your sister told me what happened,” Theo said gently. Her eyes snapped to his.
They were beautiful. So expressive now that he could see. “My sister? ” she asked.
“Kate. She was here. That’s why I left earlier. She was looking for you.
” His smile was soft. “I promised her she’d see you shortly. She should be back anytime now. ”
Bianca nodded, relieved at the thought of seeing Kate, of explaining everything without risking Theo’s anger.
She should be elated at this turn of events. But—
“Theo. ” She met his eyes, slowly placing her small hand over his. “Please don’t mate with that girl.
”
Tears welled up as she spoke. Her relief and joy suddenly crushed by the thought that even if he wasn’t angry, he might not want her. Might choose another. When he belonged with her.
“Darling,” he began, looking troubled. But Bianca couldn’t keep quiet any longer. “You are my mate, Theo. ” She pressed his hand against her bare chest, against her thundering heart.
“You belong with me. ”
His eyes widened, lips parting in surprise. Then they spread into a smile so tender it made her chest ache. “I know,” he murmured.
The low, possessive purr in his voice sent shivers down her spine. “You do? ” she breathed. He nodded solemnly.
“I know. ” His smile deepened. “I already knew. You don’t have to worry about Olivia.
You don’t have to worry about anything anymore, my love. I’m yours. And you are mine. Always.
”
He cradled her face between his palms like she was made of precious crystal. And when his lips met hers, it felt like coming home. —
Healing, as it turned out, came in waves. Some days, everything felt perfect.
Theo’s hand in hers as they walked through the gardens. His scent wrapping around her like a blanket of safety and love. His eyes following her movements with wonder, as though he couldn’t quite believe she was real. Other days, the shadows crept in.
The first time Theo’s kisses grew heated, his hands wandering down her back, pressing her closer—Bianca’s wolf form took over in mere seconds. Fear clawed at her mind as Silas’s voice whispered, *This isn’t real. He doesn’t love you. He’s tricking you.
*
But Theo never pushed. He simply shifted with her, his wolf form powerful and protective beside her smaller one. Under the canopy of ancient trees, they ran together, free from the weight of past wounds. The pack needed their alpha’s attention, but Theo made sure Bianca never felt left out.
He included her in meetings, his hand finding hers under the table when discussions grew heated. He’d catch her eye across the room, a private smile just for her. At night, they started with simple touch. Fingers intertwined as sleep became increasingly elusive, awareness building between them.
His scent wrapped around her, rich and intoxicating, making her wolf purr with want. Soft kisses left them breathless, growing deeper, more urgent. Hands wandered with increasing boldness. Until one night, she was panting against his lips.
“Please, Theo. More. I need more. ”
“Are you sure?
” he asked, his powerful body pressed against hers, skin to fevered skin. She could feel him trembling with restraint, his control hanging by a thread as his hands ghosted over her curves, making her arch into his touch. When they finally came together, the pleasure brought tears to her eyes. A completion she never knew she was missing.
That first time became many. Their passion seemed endless. They almost missed Kate going into labor, lost in their world of heated touches and breathless moans. But nothing could keep Bianca from her sister’s side as new life entered their world.
She held Kate’s hand through the pain, watched Ryder’s face transform with joy as he cradled his daughter. Looking at the tiny bundle, Bianca turned to find Theo’s eyes on her, warm with promise. “I want one,” she whispered that night. His smile could light up the darkest corners of their past.
He marked her the night she told him she was pregnant. Their child growing safe within her as his teeth found her neck. She marked him in return, though in truth, he’d been hers since that first night she’d found him in the darkness. “I love you,” she told him, watching the sunset paint their world in gold.
Their child kicked beneath her heart, and Theo’s hand covered hers. “I know,” he said, his smile holding all the certainty she once thought lost forever. They healed each other, day by day. He who had suffered at Silas’s hand.
She who had almost lost herself to Silas’s lies. Together, they built something new from the ashes. Something stronger. Something true.
And in the end, that was what healing meant. Not the absence of scars, but the presence of hope. Not the forgetting of pain, but the courage to love anyway.
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