Page 13 of Moon Fated

Was this what it felt like? Was Evelyn’s wolf calling to me? Or had I kept my wolf so bottled up that his mating desire had taken a wrong turn and latched onto the first pretty face I had a history with?

I looked over and saw Lana had arrived along with Liam, Mia, and a few other betas. I clapped my hands together. Time to get organized. "Listen up. Tonight's meeting is crucial. We'll need to be vigilant. There've been whispers of rogue shifters near the border."

"Understood, Alpha," Jasper replied with a nod, his use of my title reinforcing the weight of command resting upon my shoulders.

"Keep your senses sharp. We can't afford any surprises."

"Always," he assured me, his gaze never wavering.

“You know your assignments?”

They all nodded, and Jasper motioned for them to go out back. His voice carried over the lot as he directed Lana in the loading of supplies into the van—maps, first aid kits, and enough food to sustain our pack through a night of deliberations.

"Make sure those crates are secure," Jasper's command cut through the din, his tone inviting no argument.

"Like I'd do anything less," Lana shot back, her sarcasm a sharp contrast to the weight of the evening that lay ahead.

I listened to them snark and finished Mrs. Henderson’s Camry. As I wiped down the wheel and took out the mat guards, Finn walked in, the scent of antiseptic clinging to him like a second skin. His medical bag was slung over one shoulder, the mark of his dedication to our kind.

"Got an update from Lily.” Finn’s voice was low but steady. "The she-wolves are comfortable, all things considered."

"Good.” My mind flicked to the pregnant members of our pack nestled in their homes, their safety paramount in these turbulent times. "Keep me posted."

"Will do," Finn assured, clapping a hand on my shoulder in silent solidarity before moving off to check our medical supplies.

Jasper and I finished up and closed shop as the sky began to bleed into dusk, painting streaks of orange and purple across the horizon. By six o’clock, there was a line of trucks and cars behind the shop.

"Let's move out.” I circled my finger in the air, and Lana, Jasper, and Callum followed me toward the truck. Liam and Mia jumped in with Will.

The clearing was a thirty-minute drive, but at the last minute, I threw Jasper the keys. He held them a moment, then nodded once.

He understood.

I needed to run.

Chapter

Seven

Evelyn

The door of the SUV closed with a solid thud, and I sank into the plush leather seat. I’d chosen my attire meticulously for anonymity—a hooded jacket of deep forest green, loose enough to obscure my form but fitted enough to allow for quick movement. My hair was tucked away beneath a toque, and I’d popped out the lenses on a pair of Celeste’s old glasses. It felt strange having anything sitting on my nose.

"Comfortable?" Blake started the engine, and the low rumble was a soothing backdrop to the thoughts ricocheting through my mind.

"Yep," I replied curtly, trying not to dwell on the tightness in my chest.

His gaze flicked to me in the rearview mirror, those green eyes assessing. "You know, you don't have to do this alone."

I offered him a wry smile, though it likely didn't reach my eyes. "Lone wolf habits die hard," I shifted to peer out the tinted windows. "Besides, I need to be invisible there. If anyone recognizes me, it could spook whoever we're looking for."

"Understood." He returned his attention to the road, his jaw set in a hard line.

The silence stretched between us as the miles unfurled like a dark ribbon beneath our wheels. Nathan was still up north, which meant his second would be there. I wondered if it was still Justin. Probably. Nathan didn’t make friends easily and?—

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and read the name on the screen, then sighed as I answered.

“Hey, Bruce.”

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