The morning sun cast long shadows across the pack grounds as Landon made his way through the omega quarters, his borrowed body tense with anticipation. Elara had left to deal with the rogue situation at the northern border, leaving him to handle matters at home. Despite the fear gnawing at his gut, he felt a strange sense of purpose.A commotion near the training grounds caught his attention. His heart sank as he recognized Garrett and his gang of Betas – the same ones who had tormented him days before.They had cornered a young omega girl, barely more than a pup. Tears streaked down her face as Garrett yanked her by the hair."Thought the Alpha's new rules made you special, didn't you?" Garrett sneered. "Well, he's not here to protect you now."Something snapped inside Landon. He'd been that Alpha once, turning a blind eye to such abuse. Now, trapped in an omega's body, he finally understood the true cost of his indifference."Let her go," he called out, stepping into view. His voice
Landon shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the back of the pack meeting hall, trying to ignore the strange warmth building in his core. As an omega—in Elara's body—he was required to attend but remain silent, a fact that still rankled his Alpha pride.Up front, he watched Elara in his body addressing the pack about new training protocols. Despite his initial skepticism, she was doing a decent job maintaining his authoritative presence. But his attention kept slipping as waves of unfamiliar sensation washed over him."Something's wrong," he muttered under his breath, pressing a hand to his flushed chest. His skin felt hypersensitive, every brush of fabric sending tingles through his nervous system.Beside him, Chloe shot him a concerned glance. "Elara? Are you feeling okay?"Before he could respond, a powerful surge of heat exploded through his body. Landon barely contained a gasp as foreign instincts flooded his consciousness. His wolf—Elara's wolf—was restless, desperate for somethi
The moon cast eerie shadows through the small window of the omega quarters as Elara paced outside Landon's door, her borrowed Alpha body thrumming with nervous energy. Inside, she could hear his muffled groans of discomfort, each one pulling at her through their bond."This is torture," she muttered, running a hand through her—his—hair. As an omega, she knew exactly what Landon was experiencing. But explaining heat to an Alpha who'd never given omega biology a second thought? That would be interesting.A particularly loud whimper made her decision for her. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, Elara slipped inside the cramped room.The sight that greeted her made her breath catch. Landon was curled on the thin mattress, her body flushed and trembling. His eyes—her eyes—were glazed with fever as they met hers."Make it stop," he growled, though in her omega voice it sounded more like a plea."I can't," Elara said softly, maintaining a safe distance. "Heat is natural. It has to
Dawn painted the pack lands in shades of gold as Elara stood at the territory border, maintaining Landon's characteristic rigid posture despite her exhaustion. After spending most of the night helping Landon through his heat, the last thing she needed was a diplomatic visit. Yet here she was, waiting to greet Alpha Dominic Blackwell of the Northern Pack.The sound of approaching motorcycles broke the morning silence. Elara straightened her spine, channeling every ounce of Landon's arrogance as three bikes roared into view.The lead rider dismounted with fluid grace, removing his helmet to reveal striking features and piercing green eyes. Elara's breath caught—she'd heard rumors about Dominic's looks, but they hadn't done him justice."Alpha Wolfe," Dominic's deep voice carried a hint of amusement as he approached. "Still favoring the traditional welcome? Some things never change."Elara forced Landon's trademark smirk. "And you're still making dramatic entrances, Blackwell."Their eye
Candlelight flickered across the private dining room as Elara adjusted Landon's formal jacket for the tenth time. She'd chosen his most intimidating outfit, hoping to maintain distance from Dominic's increasingly obvious interest. But as she caught her reflection—Landon's reflection—in a window, she noticed how the candlelight softened his usually harsh features.Through their bond, she felt Landon's misery like a physical ache. His heat had intensified throughout the day, made worse by their forced separation and the knowledge of her dinner with Dominic."Focus," she muttered to herself. "You're an Alpha, not some lovesick—""Talking to yourself, Wolfe?" Dominic's voice made her spin around. He stood in the doorway, devastatingly handsome in a black suit that emphasized his powerful build. "That's new.""Just reviewing trade terms," Elara recovered smoothly, gesturing to the seat across from her.Dominic's smile held secrets as he sat. "Let's skip the pretense of trade negotiations."
Dawn crept over the pack lands, illuminating the aftermath of the previous night's chaos. Broken furniture littered the common room, and whispers followed Landon as he shuffled through his omega duties, his borrowed body still trembling with lingering heat and shame."Did you hear?" A Beta whispered none too quietly. "The omega went feral, screaming about the Alpha belonging to her!""Delusional," her companion sneered. "Heat madness, obviously."Landon's cheeks burned as he scrubbed the floors, forced to clean up the very mess he'd created. His fingers shook on the brush as fragments of memory assaulted him—the overwhelming jealousy, the primal rage at feeling Dominic's touch through their bond."This is what rock bottom feels like," he muttered, dunking the brush viciously. "The mighty Alpha Landon Wolfe, on his knees scrubbing floors while gossips discuss his heat-induced tantrum.""Talking to yourself now?" Sabrina's silky voice made him freeze. "Or perhaps... talking to someone e
The full moon cast silvery shadows across the pack grounds as Elara made her way through the darkness, her borrowed body moving with unnatural stealth. Every nerve was on high alert, knowing the risk she was taking. As Alpha, she had every right to patrol the grounds at night, but her destination would raise dangerous questions.The omega quarters loomed ahead, quiet except for the occasional whimper of wolves caught in dreams. Elara paused, scenting the air. Her heart skipped as she caught the familiar fragrance that was uniquely Landon, even in her body – pine needles and summer storms, now tinged with the sweet musk of heat.Using their bond, she sent a gentle mental probe. *Landon?*The response came immediately, tinged with relief and something else she couldn't quite identify. *Back door. Hurry.*She found him waiting in the shadows, her own face pale and drawn with the strain of fighting heat symptoms. Without a word, they slipped into a small storage shed behind the building.
The morning sun streamed through the high windows of the pack council chamber, doing nothing to warm the chill that had settled in Elara's bones. She sat rigid in Landon's chair, trying to maintain his customary air of authority while Dominic, the visiting Alpha, outlined his proposal."Think of it, Landon," Dominic said, his handsome face alight with enthusiasm. "Our packs united through marriage, combining our strengths. We could be unstoppable."Through their bond, Elara felt Landon's presence nearby. He was supposedly cleaning the council chamber, but she knew he was listening intently, his emotions a turbulent mix that matched her own."It's an... interesting proposal," Elara said carefully, pitching Landon's voice to its most diplomatic tone. "But such decisions require careful consideration."Dominic leaned forward, his green eyes intense. "What's to consider? Our territories are perfectly aligned, our resources complementary. And..." he smiled, a predatory edge to his charm, "
The pack's harvest celebration filled the great hall with music and laughter, but Elara felt only dread. From her position at the Alpha's table, she watched Dominic approach Landon, his predatory grace making their bond shiver with shared anxiety."Such a lovely omega," Dominic purred, circling Landon as he served wine. "I can see why our Alpha is so... protective of you."Through their connection, Elara felt Landon's revulsion as Dominic's fingers brushed his arm. Her own hands clenched beneath the table, Landon's Alpha instincts raging against another wolf touching what was his."Thank you, honored Alpha," Landon managed, keeping his eyes downcast as an omega should. But through their bond, his fury blazed."Dance with me," Dominic commanded suddenly. "Show everyone how well-trained our Alpha keeps his favorites."Horror shot through their connection. Pack law forbade omegas from refusing an Alpha's direct command.Elara half-rose from her seat before catching herself. She felt Land
The archive room's musty air did nothing to calm Landon's racing heart as he pored over the ancient text he'd discovered hidden behind a loose stone. His borrowed hands trembled as he read the faded words by moonlight."Soul-bound pairs may return to true forms only when hearts align in perfect truth. The price of power shared is love declared beneath Luna's crown..."Through their bond, he felt Elara's concerned inquiry at his sudden spike of excitement. *Found something,* he projected. *Important. Need to—*Footsteps in the corridor cut off his thought. Landon quickly tucked the precious scroll into his dress as voices approached."Search everything," Marcus's second-in-command ordered. "The omega's been stealing information. Beta Marcus wants her found before she reaches the Alpha."Landon's heart pounded as he slipped behind a shelf. Even imprisoned, Marcus was still pulling strings. Through their bond, he felt Elara's alarm and protective instinct surge.*Stay where you are,* he
The council chamber crackled with tension as Elara faced the assembled pack leaders. Through their bond, she felt Landon's steady presence – he stood in the shadows, ostensibly cleaning but actually providing silent support."These reforms go too far," Beta Marcus growled, slamming his fist on the ancient oak table. "Omegas in training classes? Access to sacred texts? And now defending them against higher-ranked visitors? You're undermining the very foundation of pack hierarchy!"*Stay calm,* Landon's thoughts whispered through their connection. *Remember the ancient laws I showed you.*"The foundation of pack hierarchy," Elara said carefully, pitching Landon's voice to its most authoritative tone, "is strength through unity. Or have you forgotten the First Alpha's teachings?"She felt Landon's approval ripple through their bond as she quoted from the texts they'd studied together in secret."Ancient laws are one thing," Gamma Sabrina interjected smoothly. "But your recent behavior su
The visiting wolves circled the omega quarters like vultures, drawn by the intoxicating scent of Landon's intensifying heat. From her position at the Alpha's table, Elara watched through gritted teeth as another Beta approached him, nostrils flaring with interest.Through their bond, she felt Landon's disgust and growing panic as he tried to serve drinks while avoiding wandering hands. His borrowed body betrayed him, omega instincts making him hyper-aware of every dominant wolf's presence."Your omega is causing quite a stir," Dominic observed, his eyes tracking Landon's movements. "Perhaps she needs a stronger hand to guide her."Elara's fingers tightened on her goblet. "She serves her purpose well enough.""Does she?" Another visiting Beta – James from the Mountain Pack – stood, his intention clear. "Let me test that theory."Before Elara could intervene without raising suspicion, James cornered Landon by the wine table. Through their bond, she felt his heart racing as the Beta lean
The archive room's musty air made Marcus sneeze as he rifled through ancient scrolls, determination driving his late-night search. After the display at the Alpha's Summit, he knew something unnatural was happening between their Alpha and that peculiar omega.Moonlight filtered through dusty windows, illuminating yellowed parchment as he pulled another scroll from a hidden shelf. His eyes widened as he read the faded text:"When Alpha and Omega trade more than glances, when souls switch places in the moon's sweet dances... beware the bond that grows too strong, for power shared cannot last long."His hands trembled as he continued reading. Soul swapping between Alpha and Omega... ancient magic triggered by denied mate bonds... the prophecy detailed everything they'd witnessed.A soft sound made him freeze. Through a gap in the shelving, he spotted Landon – in Elara's omega body – slipping between the archives with surprising stealth.Marcus held his breath, watching as the supposed ome
The great hall glittered with lanterns and ceremony as five neighboring packs gathered for the annual Alpha's Summit. Elara stood in Landon's body at the head of the room, painfully aware of both Dominic's predatory gaze and Landon's feverish presence through their bond. He moved among the serving omegas, her body still weak from heat and healing wounds."You look magnificent tonight," Dominic purred, approaching with the fluid grace of a born Alpha. "That formal attire suits you perfectly."Through their bond, Elara felt Landon's spike of jealousy as he watched Dominic's hand settle possessively on her arm. The touch sent uncomfortable ripples through their connection."The Summit honors us with its presence," she replied diplomatically, pitching Landon's voice to its most authoritative tone."Indeed," Dominic smiled, his fingers trailing down her sleeve. "Though I can think of better ways to honor each other."Their bond flared with Landon's sudden rage, making Elara's borrowed hand
The midnight hour found Elara slipping through shadows toward the abandoned healer's cottage, a jar of sacred healing salve clutched in her borrowed hands. Through their bond, she felt Landon's pain like a constant throb, each movement pulling at the fresh lashes across his back.The cottage door creaked softly as she entered. Landon sat on an old cot, moonlight streaming through broken windows illuminating her borrowed form. The sight of her own body, marked by wounds she'd been forced to inflict, made her heart clench."You shouldn't have come," Landon whispered, even as their bond sang with relief at her presence. "If anyone sees...""Let me see your back," Elara said softly, ignoring his protest. She moved behind him, carefully lifting the thin shirt.The moment her fingers brushed his skin, their bond flared to life. Shared sensation rippled between them – her gentle touch, his sharp intake of breath, the electric current that seemed to dance where they connected."This is going
The morning sun cast deceptively peaceful shadows across the pack grounds as Landon made his way through his omega duties, still weak from the previous night's heat symptoms. Through their bond, he felt Elara's constant concern, her attention split between Alpha responsibilities and monitoring his condition.Neither expected Sabrina's trap until it was too late."Well, look who's finally up and about," a smooth voice called. Beta James, one of Sabrina's most loyal followers, stepped out from behind a storage shed. "Feeling better after your... display last night?"Landon tensed, recognizing the predatory gleam in the Beta's eyes. Through their bond, he felt Elara's sudden alertness."I have duties to attend to, Beta," he said carefully, trying to step around the larger wolf.James moved faster than expected, backing him against the shed wall. "Actually," he smiled coldly, "you have new duties. Direct orders from Gamma Sabrina."Landon's heart raced as he spotted movement in his periph
The great hall buzzed with anticipation as the pack gathered for the full moon celebration. Elara stood at the head table in Landon's body, hyperaware of both Dominic's predatory gaze and Landon's feverish presence through their bond. Her borrowed form felt like a cage, trapping her between duty and desire."You look distracted tonight, Landon," Dominic purred, stepping closer than propriety allowed. His scent – pine and alpha musk – made her instincts recoil even as she forced a pleasant expression.Through their bond, she felt Landon's spike of jealousy and discomfort. He stood among the serving omegas, her body trembling with barely controlled heat symptoms as he watched Dominic's advances."Just considering pack matters," Elara replied smoothly, pitching Landon's voice to its most diplomatic tone.Dominic's hand settled on her arm, the touch sending uncomfortable sparks across her skin. "All work and no play makes for a dull Alpha," he smiled. "Dance with me."It wasn't really a r