Episode 3

Chapter three

Logan’s pov

I landed the last hit, sending Luke staggering back with a grunt. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I straightened up, rolling my shoulders to ease the muscle tension.

"Not bad, old pal," I said, flashing him a smirk. "But you're still holding back."

Luke chuckled, wiping his arm across his sweaty brow. "You know me too well, Alpha. Didn't wanna embarrass you in front of the pack."

I laughed out loud, shaking my head in amusement. Luke's unwavering loyalty and easy jokes never failed to lift my spirits, even after all these years.

"Come on, you know you could never beat me, even on your best day."

His eyes twinkled with mirth, but he didn't argue. As my beta, Luke knew his place - and accepted it without a fuss.

We grabbed towels and water pouches from the training area. Luke took a long gulp before fixing me with a pointed look.

"You know, Logan, it's been a while since you took a mate. Maybe time to weigh your options?"

I tensed up, good mood gone in an instant. Not this again...

"What brought this on?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

Luke shrugged, not put off by my brusque response. "Just thinking about the pack's future, that's all. The Blood Moon thing is days away, you'll officially lead all five territories. Wouldn't it be fitting to have a mate by your side?"

I snorted, shaking my head. Trust Luke to bring up this topic with all the subtlety of a rampaging bear.

"You sound just like my mom," I grumbled. "And my sister. When will you all accept I'll get a mate when the right woman comes along?"

Luke raised his hands in a calming gesture, his expression softening.

"Of course, Alpha. No disrespect meant. It's just..." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "The pack is thriving under your leadership. But even the strongest tree needs deep roots to weather storms ahead. A mate could give you that stability, that anchor when times get tough."

I exhaled slowly, mulling over his words. As annoying as this constant pushing could be, I knew Luke spoke from a genuine concern - for me and the pack's future.

"I appreciate your thoughts, my friend," I said finally. "But I won't be rushed into this. When the Moon Goddess decides it's time for me to find my fated mate, she'll reveal her to me. Until then, I got bigger stuff to deal with."

Luke nodded, seeming to accept my rebuke with grace.

"Very well, Alpha. Speaking of bigger stuff..." His expression turned serious. "Farmers along the west border reported more rogue activity in their fields. They're getting restless, demanding we beef up the boundary markers before it escalates."

I frowned, feeling that familiar weight of responsibility on my shoulders.

"Have the scouts picked up any trails? Camp signs?"

Luke shook his head grimly. "Nothing definite, but you know how slippery those rogue scum are. We'd be wise to heed the farmers' warnings before it's too late."

My jaw clenched as I weighed our options. The western border was always a hotspot for rogue packs slipping through undetected. If they gained a foothold in our lands...

"Double the patrols," I said finally. "And reinforce the boundary lines with mountain ash - that should deter even the boldest trespassers. But keep your ears open; I want to know the second there's a whisper of rogue activity."

Luke's expression turned grim, but he nodded without hesitation.

"It'll be done, Alpha. Should I have the builders focus efforts on shoring up the west wall?"

I pondered for a moment before giving a curt nod.

"Yes, that would be wise. We can't afford any lapsed defenses, not with the Blood Moon so close."

Luke clapped me on the shoulder, his touch reassuring.

"Have faith, my friend. Our pack is strong, our warriors loyal. Whatever threats lurk beyond our borders, we'll face them head-on - together."

I allowed a faint smile, drawing strength from Luke's steadfast conviction.

"Well said. Come, let's go inspect the construction effo-"

I cut off abruptly, nostrils flaring as I caught a faint unfamiliar scent drifting on the breeze. Earthy and rich, tinged with the coppery tang of blood.

Luke instantly went on alert. "What is it? What do you smell?"

Without a word, I took off at a brisk lope, following the elusive trail deeper into the forest. Luke kept pace beside me, his sharp senses now tuned to the strange new scent.

We picked up speed, the wind whipping through our fur as we bounded over fallen logs and weaved between ancient trees. The trail grew stronger with every stride until it was unmistakable - the rich, heady aroma of werewolf, laced with the cloying reek of fresh blood.

"Logan, wait!" Luke panted, voice edged with concern. "This could be a trap, we should call backup!"

But I was past heeding warnings. Something primal stirred in me, urging me onward with a ferocity I couldn't ignore. The scent was intoxicating, filling my lungs until all rational thought fled.

I burst into a small clearing, skidding to a halt at the scene before me. There, lying in a rapidly expanding pool of blood, was the source of that bewitching aroma - a female werewolf, battered and broken, barely clinging to life.

Instantly, the beast in me retreated, replaced by a surge of protective wolf so powerful, it stole my breath. I shifted to human form and dropped to my knees, cradling her fragile body in my arms.

"Luke!" I barked urgently. "Is she one of us ?Do you Recognize her scent?"

My beta shook his head mutely, his expression a mix of concern and wariness.

"No, Alpha. Never encountered her before. She must be..."

"A rogue," I finished grimly, tightening my grip on the unconscious woman.

Her pulse was thready and erratic, her skin ashen and clammy. Whatever - or whoever - had done this unleashed hell on this slight, delicate creature.

My wolf raged, snarling at the injustice. She was so small, so frail... Yet she'd fought with everything just to draw another breath.

"Luke, get Marcus to prep the healing rooms," I growled, already rising with my precious cargo. "This woman needs urgent care if she's gonna survive."

My beta wavered, casting a wary glance at the unconscious she-wolf.

"Alpha, I must advise caution. She could be a spy, sent by rivals to sow discord. Perhaps wiser to let her..." He didn't finish that grim thought.

I leveled him with a look that could freeze hellfire.

"Questioning my judgment, beta?" I all but snarled, the words laced with quiet menace.

Luke swallowed hard, shrinking back a step. "N-No, Alpha. Of course not. I'll fetch Marcus."

He turned and loped off, leaving me alone with the mysterious stranger. I looked down at her ashen face, brushing a stray lock of hair from her brow with surprising tenderness.

"Just hold on a little longer," I murmured, more to myself than her. "I'll keep you safe, I swear."

Cradling her against my chest, I took off at a ground-devouring lope, pushing my body to its limits as I raced toward my territory. The pack healers would know what to do, I told myself. They'd worked miracles before.

They had to... Because if this woman died in my arms, I knew with soul-deep that a part of me would die along with her.