3

Vorian POV

Fifty miles on my bike, followed by a twenty-mile hike to reach his property. Hiking gave me the advantage stealth, a clearer view of traps, and no chance of engine noise giving me away.

I powered down my phone, slid it into my pocket, and headed for the garage.

The packhouse was big more than enough space for what I needed but this wasn’t my real home. Just a convenience. My actual residence the one I inherited after my parents died is off-limits to everyone. No one goes there. Ever.

I grabbed my keys from the wall, slung my go-bag over my shoulder, and crossed the garage to where my bike sat my blacked-out beauty. A Ducati 749. Sleek, aggressive, unstoppable. She was mine, and I loved her for it.

Leather jacket on, helmet secure, I took off into the night, tearing through Montana’s winding roads. The wind in my face, the power between my legs it made me feel untouchable. Alive.

Wildlife passed me by in streaks of motion elk, deer, even a mountain lion or two. I spotted bats circling above, owls perched on high limbs, small creatures darting beneath the brush. This this wild, untamed world is where I felt most like myself.

A soft chime from my GPS told me I’d reached my bike drop-off. I found a patch of thick brush, well-hidden, and tucked her away with care. Satisfied, I keyed in the next coordinates and started the hike.

The moon hung heavy overhead, casting shadows across the forest floor. Life still stirred in the undergrowth and trees.

Then I heard it a mountain lion’s cry. Not a hunting sound. A scream of pain. It was close.

Cautiously, I approached.

I found him quickly large, male, caught in a steel bear trap. Blood oozed around the crushed paw, and he thrashed, doing more harm than the trap already had.

Setting my pack down, I stepped into view. He saw me and immediately bristled, growling low with bared teeth.

“Easy,” I murmured. “I’m not here to hurt you. Let me help.”

I let my eyes glow, flickering to red as I called on my dominance. My wolf, Hunter, wasn’t just any beast he commanded submission wherever he went. The second the mountain lion saw those eyes, he quieted. Whined low. Submitted.

“That’s it,” I said softly and moved in.

I carefully pried open the jaws of the trap, freeing his injured leg. Then I returned to my bag, grabbed a water bottle, and rinsed the wound, checking for breaks. It was superficial messy, but clean. He’d recover.

I turned to leave, but heard his paws behind me. The mountain lion had stood and was now following.

I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

He blinked at me.

Fine. Let him tag along. Turned out, it was a smart move. He walked ahead of me and sniffed out bear traps before I got near them. Between the two of us, we made it safely through the forest.

Smoke curled into the sky in the distance thin, but distinct. The cabin.

I crouched low, creeping until it came into view. From inside, the high-pitched cries of a child cut through the night, followed by the unmistakable, sickening sound of a slap against skin.

Rage flared hot in my chest. A child. No one no child, no woman deserved that.

Yes, I use women for pleasure. But they come to my bed willingly. They know the rules. And punishment is never for pleasure it’s for disrespect.

I was weighing my options when the cabin door creaked open and a man stepped out onto the porch, cigarette between his fingers. Tavian. Greasy hair, blood under his nails, soul long since rotted. He lit up, took a slow drag.

I stepped forward, drawing the thick-bladed knife from my waistband. My beta liked to call it a "mini machete," but there was nothing mini about it.

I was on him before he could exhale the smoke.

One clean slice, ear to ear.

He didn’t even scream just choked as the blood pulsed with each dying heartbeat. I watched as confusion faded into realization… and then final, still acceptance. His body collapsed into a red pool at my feet.

The mountain lion padded beside me and growled at the corpse.

“He’s yours. Leave the girl,” I said.

I swear the lion gave a nod before pouncing, teeth sinking into the limp body. I turned and started walking away.

Then I heard the door fly open behind me.

“WAIT! Don’t leave me here! Please I beg you!”

I spun around.

A little girl, no older than five, bolted from the cabin. She threw herself at my leg, gripping it tight. Her tiny frame was covered in blood and burns, bruises littered her arms and face. My throat tightened.

He’d tortured her.

I froze, uncertain.

What the hell do I do with a kid?

“Someone will come for you in the morning,” I said stiffly.

“No, please! I-I don’t wanna be alone! It’s dark I’m scared!” she sobbed, trembling all over.

Shit.

“Alright,” I relented. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed. I’ll stay till you fall asleep.”

She nodded and followed me back inside.

“What’s your name?” I asked as I stepped in behind her.

“Evadne,” she mumbled, wiping her nose on her arm.

“Here,” I said, grabbing a tissue from a dusty box on a nearby table. “Use this.”

We found the bathroom after checking a couple of doors. “Can you shower yourself?” I asked, suddenly uneasy.

“Yes, but I need help with my hair,” she admitted quietly.

“Alright. Hop in and call when you’re ready.” I turned on the water, made sure it wasn’t too hot, then stepped out of the room.

While she bathed, I checked the bedrooms. Found one with a bed that wasn’t completely destroyed and threw on a few clean blankets.

“Mister?” her small voice called out.

I returned to find her head peeking from behind the curtain.

“You good?”

“Can you help me rinse my hair?”

Thankfully, the shower had a detachable head. I stepped in, careful to keep my eyes where they belonged, and quickly helped rinse the soap from her hair.

“Alright. You’re good,” I said, pulling the curtain shut. “Take your time. I’ll be outside.”

Five minutes later, she emerged wrapped in a towel, padded to the bedroom, and climbed into bed, curling up in what looked like a makeshift nightgown fashioned from a pillowcase.

“Sleep. Someone will come for you in the morning.”

“I” she started, but was cut off by a loud bang. The front door flew open and slammed hard.

Hunter snapped to attention.

Something was coming.