Page 63 of Alpha Hunt

I roll my eyes, feeling my frustration mounting. “I appreciate your concern, but I think it’s time for you to go.”

“Nope.” Savannah shakes her head.

“Not happening,” Sierra says.

“Not until we’ve talked some sense into you,” Savannah says. Bree makes a tiny gurgling sound as if she’s agreeing with them.

Dammit. I’m under attack.

“Fine. I’ll think about it.” I’m lying.

“You’re lying.” Savannah takes another sip of her coffee.

I feel my hackles rise at their words. “You two have no idea what you’re talking about,” I snap, bouncing Bree on my knee a little more forcefully than I intended. She lets out a startled cry, and I immediately feel guilty. “Sorry, baby girl,” I murmur, cuddling her close.

Sierra gives me a knowing look. “We know exactly what we’re talking about, Casey. We’ve both been through it. The bond is unbreakable.”

“And trying to fight it will only make you miserable,” Savannah adds, her tone gentler now. “Think carefully about this, my friend. Your wolf has chosen Edirn. You can’t change that.”

I swallow hard, feeling a lump forming in my throat. As much as I hate to admit it, they’re right. My heart feels like it’s being ripped in two, and the ache is almost unbearable.

“Has your wolf ever steered you wrong, Casey?” Sierra is earnest. I shake my head. Because even though I’ve had my share of grief – and maybe a little more – the animal inside me has always seen me through it.

She knows what’s right for me. She wants this male.Thisone. We picked him together…kicking and fighting all the way because that’s just how I am. Stubborn. Slow to trust.

Trust him.

The words seem like a crystal-clear bell in my head.

I stop trying to fight them. It’s pointless.

“Why do I feel so horrible?” I ask brokenly. I barely recognize the sound of my own voice. I don’t think there’s ever been a time I’ve felt so vulnerable.

“Because you opened your heart.” Savannah smiles gently.

“Well, I want to close it again. I don’t like this feeling.” I realize I’m fighting tears, which is also an unfamiliar sensation. I haven’t cried since…since…

Since that day.

Am I reliving that nightmare all over again? Have I truly invited the enemy into our world, brought danger to the heart of Steel Lakes?

My gut tells me that’s not what’s happening here, but there’s a sickening dread that still twists inside me like a knife. Why is that? Am I the only one who ever thought Edirn couldn’t be trusted?

Or is this feeling in the pit of my belly about something else?

It doesn’t feel like mistrust. It feels like…fear.

“Tell us what’s bugging you, babe,” Savannah presses. “Just let it all out. We’re here to help.”

Sierra nods and gives an encouraging smile.

“I can’t explain it,” I say, my voice hoarse. “But something feels…off. Like…like…Edirn is in trouble,” I finish in a rush.

Savannah and Sierra exchange a glance. Their expressions grow serious. “That’s the bond talking,” Sierra says, her tone growing urgent. “You have to listen to it.”

“How do I even know that it’s real?” I want to wail, even though it’s not like me. Nothing feels like me right now.

“You have to trust your instincts, Casey.” Savannah’s eyes are earnest. “When I went off and left Steel Lakes, Gage followed the bond to find me. He told me that it was like a magnetic pull. And I know what he meant because I felt it.”

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