Chapter 1
Chapter 1 – The Wrong Turn
The evening wind carried the damp smell of the suburbs through Lin Wan's sleeves, making her shiver.
She pulled her thin cardigan tighter. Dead leaves crunched under her shoes.
Her phone screen glowed. The little blue dot on the map was drifting away from every known road, sliding into a gray area with no name.
But she didn't want to go back.
Behind her was the city with its neon lights. Her tiny rented room with moldy walls. The endless illustration work on her desk. Coworkers who always found ways to push her aside.
That afternoon, her team leader had trashed her original design in front of everyone. Then handed the project to her cousin. Lin Wan tried to defend herself. She got one reply: "If you don't like it, there are plenty of people who want your job."
She didn't cry. Crying wouldn't change anything.
So after work, she took a bus for an hour to this abandoned land on the edge of town. She just wanted somewhere quiet. Somewhere to breathe.
But the deeper she walked, the thicker the trees got. The sky above turned into broken pieces of light through the leaves. The road went from asphalt to gravel to soft dirt. The air smelled strange—sweet and wild, like animal musk mixed with rust.
Lin Wan finally stopped. She realized two things at once.
She was lost.
And this place was not normal forest.
She turned to leave.
The bushes beside her exploded.
Three gray-black shapes burst out of the darkness. They landed hard, sending leaves flying everywhere. Lin Wan stumbled back. Her spine hit a rough tree trunk. Pain shot through her, making her vision go black for a second.
Then she saw what they were.
Her throat closed up. She couldn't even scream.
They were half-human, half-wolf creatures. Hunched over. Covered in coarse gray fur matted with mud and dark stains. Their faces were twisted into something close to dogs—long snouts, fangs sticking out, drool dripping down and sizzling on the leaves.
Their eyes were the worst part.
Bright red. No pupils. Just pure, hungry red.
They stared at her. Low growls rumbled from their throats.
Lin Wan's back was soaked with cold sweat. She smelled her own fear—but under it, something sweet, like honey and warm milk. She'd never noticed it before. But the wolf-creatures definitely did. Their nostrils flared. Their pupils dilated. They looked like they'd found the most delicious thing in the world.
One of them lowered its front body. Muscles tensed in its hind legs.
Lin Wan squeezed her eyes shut. Threw her arms up in front of her face.
She heard the wind cut through the air. Smelled that sweet-rotten breath coming straight at her.
Then—
A deep, heavy thud exploded in front of her.
The attacking wolf-creature flew sideways like it had been hit by a truck. It spun in the air and slammed into a tree as thick as a bucket. The trunk cracked down the middle. The creature went limp and didn't move again.
The other two let out sharp, terrified whines. They backed away, trembling. For the first time, red fear showed in their eyes.
Lin Wan's eyes flew open.
A black figure stood in front of her.
He was more than a head taller than her. Broad shoulders. Solid frame. He completely blocked her view. Black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His forearms were lean and hard, muscles visible even in the dim light. His hair was a little long, messy from the wind. His side profile was sharp as a knife.
He didn't turn around. He just tilted his head slightly toward the two shaking wolf-creatures and said one word.
"Leave."
His voice was low. Rough. But it carried absolute authority. Cold. Final.
The two creatures spun around and fled into the woods, gone in seconds.
The forest went quiet again. Just the wind and distant bird wings.
Lin Wan's knees were shaking. She leaned against the tree to stay upright. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.
The man turned slowly.
Their eyes met.
His eyes were dark gold. Like ancient coins heated in fire. Something seemed to glow deep inside them.
When his gaze landed on her face, he froze. His pupils contracted. His breath caught.
Lin Wan didn't understand what was happening. All she felt was overwhelming pressure—he wasn't even moving, but every hair on her body stood up. Like invisible chains were wrapping around her limbs.
His expression shifted from cold to something else. Something hot and intense. His throat moved as he swallowed. He lifted his hand like he wanted to touch her—then stopped himself, hand hovering in midair.
Lin Wan's mind screamed at her.
She didn't know who this man was. She didn't know what those creatures were. But she knew this man was more dangerous than all three of them combined. The wildness rolling off him, the controlled violence—every nerve in her body shouted one thing:
Run.
So she did.
While he was still frozen, she shoved branches out of her way and ran back the way she came. Her shoes slipped on dead leaves. Her knees hit rocks. She didn't stop.
She ran until her lungs burned and blood tasted metallic in her throat. When she finally burst out of the trees onto the asphalt road, with the city lights glowing in the distance, she dared to look back.
The forest was dark and silent.
Nothing there.
But she felt it—a gaze, solid and warm, resting on her back.
She didn't stop. She ran all the way to the bus stop, jumped onto the last bus just as it was pulling in, and collapsed into the back seat. She sat there gasping for ten full minutes.
Trees blurred past the window. She gripped her own wrist. Her fingers were still shaking.
What was that?
Werewolves?
The kind from legends?
She curled into her seat and pressed her face into her knees. She told herself it was a hallucination. She was too tired. The woods probably had weird gases or something.
But the cold sweat on her palms and the faint scent of pine and cold air that clung to her nose—that wasn't hers—kept telling her the truth.
It was real.
She'd seen something she shouldn't have.
And the way that man looked at her...
Lin Wan shook her head hard. Tried to throw the image away.
She was just a normal person. She wanted a normal life. Those dangerous, impossible things had nothing to do with her.
Nothing. At. All.
Chapter 2 – Hidden Eyes
The next three days, Lin Wan was like a scared bird.
She stopped all evening walks. Went straight home after work. Locked the door. Checked the windows. Pulled the curtains tight.
She took the busiest streets to work, even if it meant walking extra blocks. She bought a small folding knife and put it in her bag—though she knew if something real came, that knife wouldn't even scratch it.
But everything stayed quiet.
The city kept running. Her coworkers kept being mean. Her team leader kept stealing her ideas.
Nothing changed.
Except sometimes, late at night when she woke up suddenly, she'd smell a faint trace of pine and cold air. She'd open the window—but outside, there was only the greasy smell of barbecue from the street below.
What she didn't know was that from the second she left those woods, Ebur had been following her.
He stayed in the shadows where streetlights couldn't reach. He hid his Alpha aura until he looked like just another ordinary person passing by.
He watched her stumble onto the bus. Watched her bury her face in her knees. Watched her turn on every light in her tiny apartment. Watched those lights go out, one by one.
He didn't get close. His little girl was terrified. He understood.
But her scent was carved into his soul now. Sweet and warm. The smell of his fated mate. Like a hot wire running through his chest, filling up all the empty spaces that had been there for years.
He'd searched for ten years. Waited for ten years. Finally found her.
He couldn't scare her away. But he also couldn't let anyone hurt her.
So when three thugs cornered her on a dark street, they found out the hard way.
It was evening. Lin Wan had stayed late working on her illustrations. By the time she left the office, the sky was completely dark.
She walked fast. At a cross street, three young men came out of a convenience store. They saw her right away.
The leader had bleached blond hair. He whistled and swaggered in front of her.
"Hey beautiful. Walking alone this late? Not safe. Let us walk you home."
He reached for her shoulder.
Lin Wan jumped back. Her back hit the wall. Her bag strap slipped off her shoulder.
"I'm fine," she said, voice tight. "I can walk myself."
"Don't be shy," another one grinned. "We live nearby anyway."
Lin Wan's legs felt weak. She wanted to scream, but the few people on the street were all looking down at their phones, walking fast. No one looked her way.
She was about to make a run for it when a breeze swept past her.
Cold. Sharp. Familiar.
Then—
The blond's face twisted in pain. He was yanked backward by the back of his neck and slammed into a metal trash can. The can caved in with a deafening clang.
The other two thugs went down just as fast—knees and stomachs hit by something invisible. They crumpled to the ground, groaning.
Less than two seconds. No yelling. No fighting. Just thuds and muffled pain.
Lin Wan stood frozen, eyes wide, looking around frantically.
The street was empty. The pedestrians had already walked away. No one else was there.
She hadn't even seen what attacked them.
But for one split second, she caught it—the faint scent of pine and cold air.
She didn't wait. She turned and ran. Faster than she'd run in the forest. All the way back to her apartment. Locked the door. Slid down against it.
Her heart felt like it would burst out of her throat.
Him?
That man?
Why was he helping her? Why was he following her?
She curled up by the door, her mind a mess. She thought about calling the police. But what would she say? Werewolves? Mysterious men? She didn't even believe it herself.
The next day at work, she showed up with dark circles under her eyes. At lunch, Chen Lin, her coworker, came by to mock her.
Chen Lin was the team leader's sister-in-law. She always stole other people's credit. After the team leader trashed Lin Wan's design, Chen Lin took the draft, changed a few colors, and submitted it as her own. It got approved.
Now she walked around the office with her coffee cup, stopping right in front of Lin Wan's desk. She raised her voice on purpose.
"Some people just don't have talent. They should stick to grunt work instead of trying to show off. Drawing that ugly and still wanting credit? Embarrassing."
Everyone went quiet. Some looked down at their phones. Some watched with open amusement.
Lin Wan gripped her pen. Her knuckles went white. She opened her mouth to say, "That was my design"—but the words stuck in her throat. She'd never been good at arguments. The more stressed she got, the less she could speak.
Chen Lin smirked and walked back to her desk.
She sat down. Her computer screen went black. Then came a sharp buzz, followed by a burning smell.
Chen Lin screamed and jumped up. Her computer case sparked and crackled. The motherboard was fried. Worse—all her project files, including the design she'd "modified," were corrupted. Even her USB drive couldn't read them.
Chen Lin's face went white. Before she could call IT, her phone rang. It was the team leader, screaming.
Someone had sent an anonymous email to upper management. It included Lin Wan's original design drafts with date stamps. The comparison was obvious—Chen Lin had copied everything.
The team leader got chewed out. In turn, she made Chen Lin apologize to Lin Wan in front of everyone and docked her monthly bonus.
The office buzzed with gossip. Everyone stared. Chen Lin's face turned red. She choked out a "sorry" to Lin Wan and stormed out.
Lin Wan sat at her desk, completely confused. She hadn't done anything. She didn't send that email.
But for a second—a tiny hint of pine and cold air.
She knew now. He was nearby. Always watching. Always protecting her from the shadows.
And that terrified her even more.
She didn't want to owe a stranger anything. Especially not a dangerous, inhuman one.
Chapter 3 – The Intersection
The third evening, the sunset painted the whole street orange.
Lin Wan walked out of her office building. And saw him.
He stood right at the intersection ahead. Black shirt, black pants. Straight as a sword planted in the ground. His presence was so strong that pedestrians naturally walked two feet around him. Even an old man walking his dog pulled the leash tight and hurried past.
But his eyes—from the moment Lin Wan appeared—locked onto her. Warm. Focused. A little desperate.
Lin Wan's feet stopped.
She almost turned back into the building. But he was already walking toward her—fast strides, yet stopping exactly an arm's length away.
"Don't run." His voice was softer than in the forest. Low and gentle. Like he was afraid of scaring a bird.
Lin Wan gripped her bag strap. Stared at his shoes. His leather shoes had a little dust on them but were clean and sharp. She stared at that spot like she could burn a hole through it with her eyes.
"Don't... don't come closer," she said, voice shaking.
"I've stopped." He spoke calmly. "I won't touch you. I won't force you. I just want to talk."
She bit her lip. After a few seconds, she slowly looked up.
She saw his jaw. Sharp lines. Tightly clenched, like he was holding back something huge. His eyes looked down at her. The dark gold didn't hold the coldness from the forest. Instead, they were filled with... she couldn't name it. It reminded her of when she was little, watching the orphanage director give candy to other kids. That mix of longing and careful hope.
"You're a werewolf," she finally said.
"Yes."
"The things that attacked me in the woods—they were werewolves too?"
"Rogue wolves. Lost their minds." He paused. "I won't let them near you again."
"You've been following me." Her voice went higher. "Those thugs yesterday. Chen Lin's computer today. That was you, wasn't it?"
Ebur didn't deny it. He gave a small nod. "Anyone who hurts you pays."
Something twisted in Lin Wan's chest. She felt both angry and... something else. She pushed it down hard.
"I don't need your help," she said flatly. "I don't want anything to do with you. You're... you're not human. You're dangerous. I'm just a normal person. I live my life. You live yours. Okay?"
Ebur didn't rush to argue. He watched her ears turning pink from stress. Watched her white-knuckled grip on her bag strap. His chest ached.
In his pack, he was ruthless. One word from him and people's fates were sealed. But right now, with this small, scared girl, all his sharp edges melted into warm water.
"You don't know me," he said slowly. "So you're afraid. I understand. But let me tell you a few things. Then I'll go. I won't push."
She looked up, wary.
"One." He held up a finger. "The mate bond is carved into our souls. From the day I became Alpha, I knew I had a fated mate somewhere. I waited ten years. Met countless people. None of them ever made me feel anything. Until I saw you in that forest. My whole soul screamed—it's you. I didn't choose this. You didn't choose this. But it exists."
"Two." Second finger. "I will never hurt you. Ever. I swear on my Alpha title. If I ever harm you, let me lose all my power. Let me fall into ruin."
"Three—" His voice dropped. "I'm not asking you to accept me right now. Hate me. Run from me. Curse at me. But don't stop me from protecting you. Because I can't watch you suffer and do nothing."
He lowered his hand and looked at her in silence.
Lin Wan's nose stung. She couldn't name what she was feeling. She should be scared. Should yell at him. Should chase him away. But looking into his serious, burning eyes, all the harsh words she'd prepared got stuck in her throat.
"Why... why are you doing this?" Her voice cracked. "I have nothing. I'm alone. No background. No talent. I'm weak and scared. What do you even see in me?"
Ebur smiled. It was the first time Lin Wan saw him smile. The curve was small, but it softened his whole face, like moonlight washing over stone.
"Because I searched ten years to find you," he said. "You don't have to be amazing. You don't have to be strong. You just have to stand there, and I want to give you everything good in the world."
Her ears burned. She looked away quickly, took a deep breath, and forced coldness into her voice.
"I don't believe in fate. I don't believe in bonds. Please don't come back."
She sidestepped him and walked fast. As she brushed past, her arm accidentally touched his sleeve.
She felt him flinch. His body heat came through the thin fabric—hot enough to shock her.
Lin Wan didn't stop. She almost ran away.
Ebur stayed where he was, watching her disappear into the dusk. He looked down at his hand. That sleeve still seemed to hold the warmth of her skin. He clenched his fist gently, like he was holding onto something invisible.
It's okay. He could wait.
Chapter 4 – Fever and Vigil
Lin Wan thought if she said those harsh words, he'd give up.
But in the following days, she still felt his presence. Always there. He didn't show himself, but small things kept happening.
The wrong takeout order got replaced the next day with a handwritten apology card. On a rainy day, a brand new umbrella appeared at the front desk with no purchase label. Late at night when she was starving, she opened her fridge to find a sealed box of warm congee with a little pack of honey next to it.
She never touched those things. She put the congee on the windowsill, let it cool, and threw it out. She locked the umbrella in a drawer.
But the next day, something new appeared—a hot taro milk tea from the shop she'd casually mentioned wanting to try.
She was getting frustrated. What did he want? She'd been clear. Why was he still doing this?
Friday night, Lin Wan worked late until ten. The temperature had dropped that day, and she'd only worn a thin hoodie. Walking home in the cold wind for twenty minutes left her freezing and dizzy.
She didn't think much of it. Took a hot shower and went to bed.
In the middle of the night, she woke up shivering. She was under a thick blanket, but her teeth were chattering. Her limbs were ice cold. Her forehead burned.
She dragged herself up to find a thermometer. 39.2°C.
She stumbled to the kitchen to get water. Her vision went black. Her knees buckled.
She thought she'd hit the floor. But instead, hands caught her.
Warm hands. Pine-scented. One supporting her waist. One steadying her shoulder. She fell back against a broad chest.
She was too dizzy to even lift her head. All she heard was a low, anxious sigh above her: "You're burning up."
Then she was lifted gently and put back in bed. Someone tucked the blanket around her. Cool wet cloth folded over her forehead. Through her haze, she felt warm hands enclosing her cold ones, warming her fingers one by one.
That pine scent stayed in her nose the whole time. It made her feel strangely safe. She sank into darkness.
When she woke again, morning light was filtering through the curtains. Her fever was gone. The towel on her forehead had been changed. On the nightstand sat a glass of warm water, two pills, and a bowl of thick congee, still steaming.
The room was empty. But the pine scent hadn't completely faded.
Lin Wan sat up. Looked at the congee for a long time. She touched the bowl. The temperature was perfect—like someone had timed it for when she'd wake up.
She picked up the spoon. Took a bite.
The rice had melted into soft, sweet porridge. Warmth spread through her stomach. Her eyes suddenly stung.
She couldn't remember the last time someone took care of her when she was sick. At the orphanage, the adults were too busy. She learned to take her own medicine, pour her own water, suffer through fevers alone.
No one had ever stayed up all night changing her towel and warming her hands.
She put down the spoon. Buried her face in her palms. Her shoulders shook slightly.
"Come out," she mumbled into her hands. "I know you're there."
The curtain shifted. Ebur stepped out from the balcony shadow. Still in black. Dark circles under his eyes—he hadn't slept all night.
Lin Wan looked up, nose and eyes red. But there was no resistance in her voice anymore. Just helpless softness.
"Why... why are you so good to me?"
He came closer. Stopped by the bed. Bent down to look at her. His eyes searched her face, confirming her fever was gone. Only then did the worry in his gaze ease.
"Because when you're sick," he said, "you frown. You were frowning the whole time. It hurt me to see."
Her tears finally spilled over. She turned her face away and wiped hard. Her voice was nasal. "Go home. I'm okay now."
Ebur didn't move. He pulled a small glass bottle from his pocket. Pale green liquid inside.
"Rub this on your wrists. Helps with recovery. It's wolf medicine, but it works for humans too." He placed it gently on the table. "I'll go. Eat your congee first, then rest more."
He turned toward the balcony.
"Wait."
He stopped. Looked back.
Lin Wan kept her head down, fingers twisting the blanket corner. After a long pause, she forced out: "Will... will you still be here tomorrow?"
Ebur's heart slammed against his ribs. He watched her red ears. His voice was feather-soft.
"Every day. In places you see, or places you don't. Whenever you need me, I'll be here."
Then he vaulted over the balcony railing and disappeared into the dawn light.
Lin Wan stared at the spot. Slowly, her fingers released the blanket. She picked up the congee and ate every bite, scraping the bowl clean.
Chapter 5 – First Real Talk
Three days after her fever broke, Lin Wan didn't go straight home after work.
She stood at that intersection for a while. Hesitated. Then took a deep breath and called into the side alley: "Come out."
A few seconds later, Ebur stepped out from the corner. Calm face. But his eyes held a small nervousness.
"Not scared anymore?" he asked.
Lin Wan shoved her hands in her jacket pockets. Kicked a pebble. Mumbled, "Still scared. But I want answers."
Ebur stepped closer, keeping a polite distance.
"Let me ask you something," she looked up. "Are all werewolves... this stubborn? Once you pick someone, you never let go?"
Ebur thought for a moment. "Most wolves are loyal for life. But someone as persistent as me? Probably rare."
"Have you... liked anyone before?"
"No. I didn't even know what like meant until I met you."
Lin Wan felt heat creep up her face. She changed the subject fast. "You said you're the Alpha. How many wolves do you lead?"
"About three thousand in our territory. Plus affiliated groups and outer forces—close to ten thousand total."
She sucked in a breath. She'd thought he was just a regular werewolf. Turns out he was the leader.
"Shouldn't you be busy, then? Why are you following me all day?"
"Elders and guards handle daily matters. Unless there's a crisis, I don't need to step in." He paused, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Also, Alphas need rest too. My way of resting... is making sure you're safe."
Lin Wan opened her mouth to say I'm not a child, but she stopped herself. Without him, those thugs would've hurt her. Chen Lin would've walked all over her.
She didn't want to admit it, but she owed him.
"Um..." She twisted her fingers. "Those food and drinks... stop sending them. I... I'll buy my own."
Ebur saw how awkward she looked. The corner of his mouth lifted. "Okay. But I'll still watch. Make sure you eat on time."
"You're so stubborn." She muttered. But she wasn't really angry.
They stood in silence for a bit. Then she asked, "The rebellion you mentioned... there are wolves in your territory who don't respect you?"
His expression sobered. But he didn't hide from her. "Yes. Old clans who think I'm too young. They want the throne. They've been building power in secret. I've been waiting for them to make a move."
"Be careful then." The words slipped out before she could stop them. She froze.
Ebur's dark gold eyes flared brighter for a second. He looked at her. His voice was soft as feathers. "You worry about me?"
She turned away. Her ears were flaming. "I just... if you died, there'd be no one to scare off thugs for me."
Ebur laughed quietly. He didn't call her out. He just nodded seriously. "Okay. I'll be safe."
That night, Lin Wan lay in bed, unable to sleep.
She thought about the way he smiled. The warmth of his hands warming hers. The certainty in his voice when he said every day.
She touched her chest. Her heart was beating fast and messy.
She was done for. She was starting to get used to him.
Chapter 6 – The Touch
A week passed. Lin Wan stopped actively avoiding Ebur. She even let him walk her home every evening—two meters behind, silent, just following.
One evening it rained. Light but steady. Lin Wan didn't have an umbrella. As she stepped out of the building, Ebur handed her a black one. It was big enough for two.
"Let's share," he said, tone careful.
She hesitated. Then nodded.
Ebur held the umbrella, tilting it toward her. His own shoulder got soaked quickly. Lin Wan walked on his right, their arms a small gap apart. But under the umbrella, the space was tight. She could smell his pine scent mixed with rain. Crisp and clean.
At a crosswalk, a loose brick shifted under Lin Wan's foot. She lost balance, falling sideways.
Ebur reacted instantly. Dropped the umbrella. His hand caught her waist.
His palm was wide and strong. It pulled her half a step into his chest. Her face hit his shirt. Through the soaked fabric, she felt his hard chest and scorching body heat. His breath hitched. His fingers tightened on her waist for a second—then loosened.
Lin Wan's brain went blank. She smelled his pine scent, stronger now. And his heart—beating under her ear. Faster than hers. Heavy and urgent.
"Steady," his voice came from above. Rough. Controlled.
She pulled back in a panic. Head down. Didn't dare look at him. Her ears, neck, cheeks—all on fire. She grabbed the fallen umbrella, opened it messily, and walked forward without looking back.
Ebur stood still. Raised his hand and pressed it to his chest. Under his palm, his heart still pounded like it would break through his ribs. He'd never lost control around anyone. But one stumble from her, and his soul almost scattered.
Later that night, Lin Wan lay in bed replaying the feel of his hand and his heartbeat under her ear.
She pulled the blanket over her head and groaned into the dark.
"Lin Wan, you're done for."
She finally admitted it. She'd fallen for him. Wolf or monster, human or not—she couldn't pretend anymore.
Chapter 7 – Rebellion and Capture
The emergency message came on a weekend morning.
Lin Wan was sketching on the couch. Suddenly, anxious energy flooded through the window. She pulled the curtain aside. Ebur stood downstairs. His face was grim—more serious than she'd ever seen.
He looked up, saw her, and came upstairs fast. It was the first time he ever knocked on her door.
She opened it. He stood at the threshold, not stepping in. Words came faster than usual.
"The territory is in rebellion. Several clans joined forces. I have to go back and deal with it. I'll leave my most trusted guards around you. Don't go anywhere. Wait for me."
Lin Wan blinked. A strange panic rose in her chest. "Is it bad?"
"I can handle it." His eyes locked onto hers. "But with me gone, be extra careful. If anything feels wrong, run to crowded places. My guards will step in."
She nodded. Wanted to say you be careful, but it felt too intimate. She just said, "Got it."
Ebur looked at her for a long moment. Like he wanted to say something else. But he just turned, and his black figure disappeared between buildings in seconds.
Lin Wan stared at the empty street. Her chest felt hollow.
What she didn't know was that this rebellion was a distraction. The rebel leader—a strong gray wolf named Kane—had placed spies near her home. They'd been waiting for exactly this moment.
Less than half an hour after Ebur left, Lin Wan's door lock snapped from the outside. The door burst open. Three tall, menacing figures stepped in. The leader had an old scar running from brow to jaw. It was Kane himself.
Lin Wan jumped off the couch. Sketches scattered everywhere. She backed up until her spine hit the wall.
"Who—"
"That's her?" Kane jerked his chin at her. Disgust in his voice. "That idiot Ebur gave up his throne for this weak human girl?"
He strode forward and grabbed her wrist. His grip was like iron.
Lin Wan gasped in pain. She struggled, but it was like fighting a steel vise. Kane dragged her to the door. "Take her!"
Her scream was smothered by a hand over her mouth. She was shoved into a black SUV. Wolves on both sides in the back seat. Doors locked.
She watched the city blur past the window. Her heart sank to the bottom of her chest.
Ebur's last words echoed in her head: If anything feels wrong, run to crowded places.
She didn't even get the chance.
The drive went on for a long time, into empty wilderness. They stopped at an abandoned factory. She was thrown into a metal room. The door locked from outside. Dark and damp, smelling of oil and rust.
Outside, Kane made a call. Lin Wan heard his arrogant laughter through the door:
"Alpha, your woman's in my hands. Want her alive? Then give up your throne. Destroy half your power. Come alone. Bring anyone, and I'll send you one of her ears first."
A few seconds of silence. Then Ebur's voice—cold, deep, carrying a barely hidden tremor:
"Don't touch her. I'm coming."
Kane laughed. "Good! One hour."
The call ended.
Lin Wan curled up in the corner. Shaking all over.
She wasn't scared of dying. She was scared Ebur would actually throw away everything for her. She knew what his throne and his power meant to him—it was his ability to protect his whole pack. If he gave it all up for her, she'd rather have never been born.
She gripped her own wrist. Tears fell silently.
She remembered his gentleness. His vigil. The heat of his hands. She remembered pushing him away again and again, and him never giving up.
She felt so stupid now. Why was she so afraid? Why couldn't she have just believed him earlier?
"Ebur..." She buried her face in her knees. "Don't come. Please don't come..."
Chapter 8 – Into the Danger Alone
Forty-nine minutes later, the metal door burst open.
Ebur stood in the doorway. Black shirt whipped by the wind. Hair messy. Cold fury surrounding him like a storm.
He came alone. No weapon. No backup.
His dark gold eyes were tinged with red now. They scanned past everyone and locked onto the small shape curled in the corner.
Seeing she was frightened but not badly hurt, the murder in his eyes subsided—just a little.
Kane and a dozen rebel wolves formed a half-circle around him. They were all big, all armed with special silver blades designed to stop wolf healing.
"Alpha keeps his promises," Kane clapped mockingly. "So here's the deal. Break your power. Or—" he nodded toward Lin Wan, "—I let her taste what it's like to be torn apart."
Two wolves stepped forward. Claws touched Lin Wan's neck. The cold metal made her freeze.
She shook her head violently. Voice hoarse: "Ebur, go! Don't listen to them! I'm not worth—"
"You are." He cut her off. Voice not loud, but clear as carved stone. "Lin Wan. Look at me."
She looked up through tears.
His gaze was calm. Even warm. "From the day I met you, I never planned to survive losing you. So stop telling me to leave. I came here ready to give everything."
He turned to Kane. His tone dropped to ice. "I'll give up the throne. Half my power. You let her go. Then you can do whatever you want with me. But if you touch a single hair on her head—even if I'm on my last breath—I'll drag your entire clan into the grave with me."
Kane narrowed his eyes. Thought for a moment. Then waved his hand. The wolves pulled their claws back, but kept close watch.
Ebur took a deep breath. Raised his right hand. A ball of dark gold light gathered in his palm—his core power. One squeeze, and he'd lose half forever.
He didn't hesitate—
"NO!"
Lin Wan screamed. She threw herself forward, slamming into the wolf guarding her. He wasn't expecting the weak human to fight back. His grip slipped.
She ran to Ebur and grabbed his arm. Held his palm tight over that ball of light.
"Don't you dare!" Tears streamed down her face. "If you lose your power, how will you protect your pack? How will you protect me? If you die, what's the point of me living?"
Ebur shook. Her words hit him like a hot key unlocking the deepest part of his heart. He looked down at her. Her tears fell on his hand. Burning.
"Lin Wan..." His voice broke.
Kane lost patience. "Enough! Attack!"
All the rebel wolves charged at once.
Ebur shoved Lin Wan into a safe corner and turned to meet them. He stopped holding back. Dark gold light exploded around him. One against many.
But part of his mind stayed with the girl behind him. He took every serious hit with his own body, making sure nothing reached her.
Claws tore his skin. Silver blades cut his shoulders. Blood sprayed.
His movements got slower. Wounds multiplied. His black shirt shredded, showing deep, bleeding gashes underneath. His breathing turned ragged. Sweat ran down his forehead.
But his feet stayed planted. He never stepped back.
Lin Wan watched from the corner. Watched him being swarmed. Watched him covered in blood. Watched him stagger and straighten up again.
Her tears ran dry. Her voice gave out. All that was left was her heart—crushed and torn apart in her chest.
Finally, the last rebel wolf fell. Kane went down with a shattered chest from Ebur's final blow, sprawled motionless on the ground.
Ebur stood in the middle of it all. Blood dripped from his fingertips onto the floor. His whole body shook. Vision fading.
But he forced himself to turn. Looked at Lin Wan. Pulled a weak, exhausted smile.
"Don't... be scared... it's over..."
His knees buckled. He crashed forward.
Lin Wan screamed and dove under him, catching his body before his head hit the ground. She held his burning, wet body. Her palms covered in warm blood. She sobbed.
"Ebur! Don't sleep! Stay awake!"
His fingers moved. Curled weakly around her pinky. His voice was barely a whisper.
"You're... okay... that's... all that matters..."
Then he was gone.
Chapter 9 – Healing and Confession
Wolf reinforcements arrived an hour later—Ebur's hidden guards. They cleaned up the scene, arrested all the rebels, and rushed their injured Alpha back to pack territory.
Lin Wan went with them.
She sat on a stone bench outside the medical room. Her hands still stained with dried blood. She looked like a ghost.
She watched healers come and go. Watched them carry out bloodied bandages and medicine bowls. Every time the door opened, she jumped up, and someone gently pushed her back down.
"Patience, Queen," an elderly healer said in a raspy voice. "The Alpha's body is strong. As long as his core is intact, he'll recover."
It was the first time she heard Queen. She blinked but didn't argue. She just gripped her sleeve tighter and stared at that door.
Three days later, Ebur finally woke.
When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Lin Wan's face resting near his bedside. Asleep. Her brows knitted. Her hand still clutched his blanket corner, fingertips slightly red from cold.
Ebur lifted his hand slowly. Brushed her knuckles with his thumb.
She jolted awake. Met his warm gaze. Her nose stung and tears spilled again.
"You scared me to death," she accused, voice thick. "Thirty-something stitches. Two broken ribs. Cracked shoulder blade. You almost died."
He saw her red eyes and thin face. His chest ached. He lifted his hand with effort and wiped her tears.
"I promised I'd be okay. I kept my promise."
Lin Wan grabbed his hand, pressed it to her cheek. Laughing through tears. "You idiot."
He laughed softly. It pulled at his wounds, made him wince. But his eyes were full of joy. "You called me idiot. Sounds so good."
Lin Wan's tears and laughter mixed. She bent down and pressed her forehead to his shoulder. Her voice was muffled.
"Ebur. I'm not running anymore. I'm not scared anymore. But... don't ever do this again. You have to live. Live with me."
His heart raced. His other hand slowly came up, rested on her head, and gently stroked her hair. His voice was hoarse from injury—and thick with emotion.
"Lin Wan. I waited two months to hear you say that. You finally did."
She looked up. Eyes blurry. "I've figured it all out. It doesn't matter what you are. Wolf, Alpha, monster—as long as you're you, I'm... I'm willing."
She didn't finish. Because Ebur lifted his head and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Feather-light. Gentle.
But both their souls trembled at the contact.
Golden light rippled from where their skin touched. The mate bond was starting to heal.
Chapter 10 – The Territory and The Ceremony
Two weeks later, Ebur was mostly healed. He took Lin Wan to the heart of wolf territory for the first time.
She'd expected dark, scary caves. Instead, she saw a wide, sunny valley. Spring flowers everywhere. A clear stream winding through. Fluffy wolf pups chasing each other on the grass, making tiny yips. The air smelled like fresh water and grass, not blood or fur.
She stood on the slope, stunned.
Ebur stood beside her. Pointed to the highest mountain. "That's my home. And yours now." He looked down at her. "Like it?"
She nodded. Eyes a little wet.
She'd grown up in concrete and steel. Never seen a place so wide, so peaceful. Now she understood why he wanted to protect this land. It was worth it.
A young wolf girl ran up shyly. Held out a bunch of wildflowers to Lin Wan. In broken human language: "Queen... pretty... for... for you." Then she ran off, face red.
Lin Wan held the flowers and smiled. She turned to Ebur. "They're not... scared of me?"
"They're scared of me," he laughed. "But you're mine. So they'll only respect you and love you."
He took her around the whole territory that day. Showed her the market. The school. The healing house. The waterfall where he used to play as a pup.
At sunset, they stood on the highest cliff. The sky turned deep purple and gold. Wind played with their clothes.
Ebur turned to face her. Held both her hands seriously.
"Lin Wan," his voice cut through the wind. "My life has been full of fighting and blood. I've been cold to most. The only warmth I have is all for you.
From now on, I'll spend every ounce of my strength keeping you safe. You'll never be cold. Never be hungry. Never be wronged.
Will you stay by my side? Be my mate? Be the only Queen of this territory?"
Lin Wan's tears caught the golden sunset light. She nodded hard. Her voice shook but was sure.
"Yes. Yes, Ebur. I will."
The moment her words landed, a warm gold light wrapped around them both. It spread from their chests, intertwining, and finally formed a delicate wolf-head mark on the inside of Lin Wan's left wrist.
Warm. Soft. Like a finger tracing gently on her skin.
Ebur looked down at that mark. His pupils trembled. He lifted her wrist and kissed the mark softly. His voice was low and sacred.
"The mate bond is complete. From now on, you're mine. I'm your wolf. Through life and death."
Lin Wan looked at the wolf mark on her wrist. A deep steadiness filled her chest. She'd drifted for over twenty years—from orphanage to rented rooms, never finding a place that felt like home.
Now she had one.
The ceremony was three days later. The whole pack showed up. The valley was covered in flowers. Bonfires burned all night.
Elders chanted old wolf vows. Ebur placed a silver forehead piece with a dark gold wolf-eye stone on Lin Wan's head.
"From today," he announced to everyone, "she has the same power and respect as me. Anyone who disrespects her disrespects me."
The pack let out a deep, unified howl. The highest honor wolves could give.
Lin Wan stood beside Ebur. Her wrist mark glowed warm. She looked out at the sea of wolf faces—fierce but friendly—and felt that fate hadn't been so cruel after all.
Epilogue – Forever After
A year later. Spring again.
The valley flowers were blooming. Lin Wan sat on a big rock by the stream. A sketchbook open on her lap. She was drawing wolf pups with charcoal—her style now warm and bright, nothing like the gloomy old days.
Familiar footsteps came from behind. Strong arms wrapped around her waist. Ebur's chin rested on her shoulder. His voice was full of smile.
"Drawing what?"
"Your little monsters." She pointed with her charcoal. "That gray-white one bit my shoelaces yesterday."
"I'll scold him tomorrow."
"You dare." She turned to glare at him. "He's three months old. If you scold him, he'll have nightmares."
Ebur laughed and tightened his arms around her. "Fine, fine. You're the boss."
Lin Wan leaned back against his chest. Let out a happy sigh. Distant snow mountains glowed silver under the sun. Flowers sent up sweet scents. Wolf pups chased each other. Water trickled past her feet.
She put down her charcoal. Leaned up and kissed his chin.
"Ebur."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for finding me."
He lowered his head, forehead against hers. His dark gold eyes held the whole spring inside them.
"No. You found me."
He kissed her.
The valley wind swept by, lifting flower petals into the air, spinning them into the distance. The Alpha's territory stayed safe and peaceful. And the girl who'd once wandered alone finally had a home she could always return to.
