Cassian POV

The threat I made seemed to piss her wolf off even more. It seems like she hates being told what to do. Before I could react, Rox shifted into her wolf form. Fucking majestic. She’s as tall as I am, with that damn purple aura dancing like lightning around her body. Volana wolf. The words ran through my head like a warning.

I’d heard the stories. Rare, powerful, and hunted to extinction. Packs would kill to have that bloodline. They’d breed her to death if they ever found out. Not happening.

Without warning, she bolted into the woods, leaving me to deal with the aftermath of her defiance.

‘I’ll make sure I punish you for this, little wolf,’ I muttered under my breath, the anticipation stirring something primal.

I let out a thunderous growl that shook the air, forcing my Lycan to emerge. Drexius came forward, towering and deadly, our midnight-black fur gleaming under the moonlight, red eyes blazing with power. There was no hesitation as I sprinted after her. Every ounce of my dominance radiated through the forest, trees parting as though they feared me.

Her scent was intoxicating, like rain over forest soil. I pushed harder, tracking her with predatory precision. She wasn’t just running—she was trying to prove something. And fuck if I wasn’t going to catch her.

When I finally neared her secluded home by the waterfall, her scent hit me like a drug. She was close. I shifted back into my human form, breathing hard, muscles taut, and body brimming with power.

I found her by the edge of the waterfall. Her wolf instincts had begun to subside, her form shimmering as she fought for control. She shifted back, her naked body glowing under the moonlight, skin kissed by the mist from the falls. She walked toward the water, unsteady but resolute.

I emerged from the tree line, my low growls echoing like a warning. Don’t run again.

She turned, eyes meeting mine with defiance, but also something softer. Vulnerability. The water embraced her as she stepped into it, the roar of the falls drowning out the chaos of moments before. I followed, my movements deliberate, every step reminding her who was in control.

By the time I reached her, we stood chest-deep in the cool water, moonlight bathing us both.

"You didn't catch me," she teased, her honeyed eyes glinting with tired mischief. "So I guess I won."

I let out a low chuckle, voice rough but amused. "You had a head start, and I didn’t want to scare you too much."

Her gaze softened, her exhaustion evident. I got closer, my tone shifting. "Are you okay?"

She hesitated, her eyes meeting mine with a flicker of something fragile. "I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "I wanted to kill him... and you stopped me."

My jaw clenched, anger sparking in my chest at the thought of the bastard. "I don’t want you dirtying your pretty little hands with that scumbag. My men have him detained. I’ll handle it. Trust me, he’ll regret ever breathing in your direction."

Her lips parted, a rebuttal forming, but I cut her off. "No arguments, Rox. This isn’t negotiable. What happened today proves you need someone strong enough to keep you safe. And that someone is me."

Her brow furrowed, her voice trembling. "But why me? Why now? You don’t even—"

I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my touch firm but reverent. "Because you’re mine. My erastaí. You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The heat? The dreams? The way your wolf aches when I’m near?"

Her eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about my dreams?"

I smirked, letting the tension simmer between us. "Because you’re not the only one, little wolf."

Her breath hitched, and I could feel the war waging within her. Doubt. Fear. Desire. I got even closer, pulling her to me, until our bodies brushed. My hand tilted her chin up, forcing her to look into my eyes.

"Let me in, Rox. You’re mine. You know it. Stop fighting this."

Her resolve crumbled. With a shaky breath, she nodded, her walls finally giving way. Her hands hesitantly moved to my chest, fingers brushing over the ridges of muscle before sliding lower.

Sparks ignited where she touched, her veins glowing with neon purple light, her aura flaring. My gaze dipped to her lips, and before I could think twice, she leaned in, claiming me with a kiss that was nothing short of wild.

Our connection blazed like fire. Her arms wrapped around my neck as I pulled her impossibly closer, hands gripping her waist. I lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around me, her heat pressing against mine in a way that tested every ounce of my control. My Lycan howled, urging me to take her, to claim her here and now.

But I couldn’t. Not yet.

Breaking the kiss, I let my forehead rest against hers, our breaths mingling. "We need to stop," I rasped, voice thick with restraint.

Her disappointment was palpable, but she nodded, trusting me. I carried her from the water, her body trembling in my arms.

"You’re fucking crazy," she whispered as I leapt effortlessly onto her porch.

I laughed, setting her down gently. "You’ll get used to it."

Once inside, I led her to the bathroom, turning on the tub for her and the shower for myself. "Clean up, Rox. I’ll be back."

I walked to the shower, I let out a low growl, mind-linking my beta. ‘John, bring my car and duffel to her house. Put two men on watch. What’s the SITREP on fuck face?’

‘He’s detained, ranting about what she is. The crowd thinks it was just an unprovoked attack. We’re in the clear.’

‘Keep him alive. For now.’

After cleaning up, I grabbed a towel, going to the door and grabbing the bag placed outside the door. I slipped on some sweatpants and helped Rox from the tub, wrapping her in a soft robe. She swayed as she walked toward the bed, and I scooped her up without hesitation, tucking her in like the treasure she was.

"You’re so nice to me," she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Only for you, Rox," I whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

As she drifted off, I secured her house, ensuring every door and window was locked. My men were outside, vigilant. I returned to her, pulling her into my arms. Her scent—forest rain—was calming and addictive.

In the glow of the moonlight, I held her close, my lycan purring in contentment. She was mine, and nothing would take her from me. Nothing.