MARKED BUT UNCLAIMED

The lock clicked. The door opened.

Kade stepped inside and closed it behind him. His face was calm but I could see the tension in his shoulders. The gold still flickering in his eyes.

"He's gone," he said.

"I heard." My voice shook. "One week. He gave me one week."

Kade crossed the room in three strides. "He's not taking you anywhere."

"You don't understand. When my father makes a threat, he follows through. He'll come back with more wolves. He'll—"

"Della." Kade's hands framed my face. "Look at me. Breathe."

I tried. But panic was crawling up my throat. Five years of freedom, about to disappear. Five years of building a life, about to crumble.

"I can't go back," I whispered. "I can't marry some stranger. I can't live under his control again. I can't—"

"You won't." Kade's thumb brushed my cheek. "I won't let that happen."

"How? You heard him. The Eastern Pack alliance—"

"Is not my problem. You are." His silver eyes locked onto mine. "You're my mate, Della. That changes everything. No other alpha can claim you now."

My heart stuttered. "But we haven't accepted the bond. It's not official. We haven't—"

"Marked each other?" Kade's voice dropped lower. Rougher. "No. Not yet. But the bond exists whether we've completed it or not. My wolf recognizes yours. That's enough."

"Not for my father. He'll say it doesn't count unless—"

"Unless we complete the mating bond." Kade's jaw tightened. "I know."

The air between us suddenly felt heavy. Charged.

Completing the mate bond meant marking. Claiming. Making it permanent in a way that no alpha could dispute.

It also meant giving up the last piece of freedom I had left.

"I can't," I said. "I'm not ready. We just met. I don't—"

"I know." Kade stepped back, giving me space. "I'm not asking you to. Not like this. Not when you're scared and cornered."

Relief and something else—disappointment?—flooded through me.

"Then what do we do?" I asked. "He's coming back in a week. If I'm not marked by another alpha, he can still claim rights over me as my father."

Kade was quiet for a moment. Thinking.

"You need to stay close to me," he finally said. "At my territory. Where I can protect you."

"You want me to move into the pack house?" My stomach twisted. "That's exactly what I've been running from. Pack life. Pack rules. Being controlled—"

"I'm not asking you to join my pack," he interrupted. "I'm asking you to stay under my protection. There's a difference."

"Is there?"

"Yes." He moved to the window, looking out at the city. "My pack knows I don't force anyone to do anything. I lead through respect, not fear. If you stay with me, you're a guest. Not a member. Not unless you choose to be."

I wanted to believe him. But I'd heard promises before.

"And if I refuse?"

He turned back to face me. "Then you're on your own. And when your father comes back with twenty wolves to drag you home, I won't be able to stop him. Because you're not under my protection. You're not my mate. You're just a rogue wolf who happens to be in my territory."

The words stung. But he was right.

"So basically I have two choices," I said bitterly. "Go back to my father's pack, or hide under your protection like some weak omega."

"Or," Kade said quietly, "you accept that sometimes strength means knowing when to ask for help."

That hit harder than I expected.

"I've been on my own for five years," I whispered. "I don't know how to let someone else—"

"I know. That's why I'm not asking you to trust me completely. Not yet." He crossed his arms. "Just give me one week. Stay close. Let me figure out how to handle your father. If you still want to leave after that, I won't stop you."

"Promise?"

"Promise." His eyes met mine. "But I'm warning you now—my wolf won't like it. And neither will I."

The honesty in his voice made my chest tight.

"Where would I stay?" I asked carefully.

"I have a guest house on my property. Separate from the main pack house. Private. Your own space." He paused. "But close enough that I can keep you safe."

"And my bakery? My apartment? My life?"

"Keep them. I'm not asking you to give anything up. Just add one thing—my protection."

It was more reasonable than I expected. More freedom than my father would ever offer.

But it was still terrifying.

"I need to think," I said.

"You have until morning." Kade checked his watch. "It's almost two AM. Come on. I'll drive you home."

"I have my car—"

"Which your father might be watching. He knows you work here. He'll track your movements." Kade grabbed his jacket from the chair. "Let me take you. We'll pick up your car tomorrow."

He was right. I hated that he was right.

"Fine," I muttered.

We left through the back entrance. Kade's car was a black SUV with tinted windows. Expensive. Sleek. Very alpha.

I gave him my address and we drove in silence. The city lights blurred past. My mind was racing.

One week with Kade. Under his protection. Close to a pack again.

Everything I'd been running from.

But also the only thing standing between me and forced marriage.

"What are you thinking?" Kade asked quietly.

"That my life was a lot simpler six hours ago."

"Before you found your boyfriend in bed with your best friend?"

I flinched. "Yeah. That."

"For what it's worth," Kade said, "he's an idiot. Anyone who would cheat on their mate doesn't deserve them."

"He's not my mate. You are." The words came out before I could stop them.

Kade's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Yes. I am."

We pulled up outside my apartment building. Old brick. Nothing fancy. But it was mine.

"This is it," I said.

Kade studied the building. "Third floor?"

"How did you—"

"I can smell you from here. Your scent is all over that window." He pointed to my apartment. "East facing. Good morning light. Probably has a small kitchen."

"Stop showing off," I muttered.

He smiled. Actually smiled. It transformed his face from dangerous to devastating.

"Go inside," he said. "Lock your doors. Windows too. If you smell any wolf that isn't me, call this number." He handed me a card with his phone number. "I'll be here in five minutes."

"You really think my father would—"

"I think your father is desperate. And desperate alphas do stupid things." His eyes met mine. "Promise me you'll call if anything feels wrong."

"I promise."

I got out of the car. Started to walk away.

"Della."

I turned back.

Kade had rolled down his window. His silver eyes glowed slightly in the darkness.

"Think about my offer," he said. "But know this—mate bond or not, I'm not letting him take you. You're under my protection now. Whether you accept it or not."

Before I could respond, he drove away.

I stood on the sidewalk for a long moment. Processing. Trying to breathe.

Then I went inside. Locked the door. All three locks.

My apartment felt different. Smaller. Like the walls were closing in.

I pulled out my phone. Fifteen missed calls. All from Marcus.

I deleted them without listening.

Then I saw the text from Sophie.

**Sophie:** *Please let me explain. It's not what you think.*

I laughed. Actually laughed. A bitter, broken sound.

What else could it possibly be?

I blocked her number. Blocked Marcus's too.

Then I sat on my couch and stared at Kade's card.

Shadow Moon Pack. Alpha Kade Thorne.

My mate.

My wolf stirred inside me. Restless. Wanting.

*Call him,* she whispered. *Go to him. Accept him.*

But I couldn't. Not yet.

I needed time. Space. One night to process everything.

I took a shower. Changed into pajamas. Tried to sleep.

But every time I closed my eyes, I saw three things:

Marcus and Sophie tangled in his sheets.

My father's cold eyes and colder voice.

And Kade. Silver eyes burning into mine. Promising protection. Promising safety.

Promising everything I was afraid to want.

I finally fell asleep around four AM.

And woke up two hours later to someone pounding on my door.

"Della!" Marcus's voice. Desperate. Angry. "I know you're in there! Open the door! We need to talk!"

I froze in bed. Heart racing.

He'd never come to my apartment before. Never shown up without calling first.

"Della, please!" More pounding. "Just let me explain! Sophie didn't mean anything! It was a mistake!"

My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

**Unknown:** *Is everything okay? I can smell your fear from here.*

Kade. Somehow he was nearby. Watching.

I texted back quickly.

**Me:** *My ex is at my door. Won't leave.*

Three dots appeared. Then:

**Kade:** *I'm coming up. Don't open the door.*

Thirty seconds later, the pounding stopped.

I heard Marcus's voice, confused. "Who the hell are you?"

Then Kade's voice. Calm. Cold. Deadly.

"I'm the alpha who's about to break your hand if you knock on that door again."