Page 19 of Untamed Instincts

As Noah shifted in his sleep and let out a soft sigh, Quinton felt a wave of protectiveness clench him. He wanted nothing more than to keep Noah safe from any pain, fear, or darkness that seemed to follow the human like a shadow.

But Noah wasn’t some fragile flower. He had a quiet strength, one that both intrigued and frustrated Quinton. As the head of his bear shifter family, Quinton was used to taking charge and fiercely protecting those he cared about without question.

With Noah, it wasn’t so easy. His mate had erected walls that Quinton was still trying to get his mate to lower. There was something in Noah’s past, something he wasn’t ready to talk about, and Quinton suspected it was the reason for his mate’s hesitation.

What secrets are you hiding from me, hon?

The soft morning light filtered through the living room window, causing Quinton to focus on the overcast sky outside. The clouds hung low and heavy, like a promise of rain, and the world beyond the apartment walls felt calm and peaceful. It was a quiet he didn’t trust.

Running his fingers softly through Noah’s hair, Quinton thought back to when Kalen had called nearly three months ago, asking the Everharts to help with a vampire problem. Quinton and his sons hadn’t hesitated for a second to drop everything and lend a hand. The unbreakable bond between them had been forged over two centuries ago, and the wolf shifters were like family in every way that mattered. So when someone like Kalen Frost called for help, you didn’t ask questions.

You simply showed up, ready and willing to eliminate the threat.

But the crisis had resolved itself. The vampires in question had retreated, and the town had gone back to its quiet way of life. Quinton had been prepared to return home, but something about Midnight Falls—its tranquility and charm—had drawn him in. More importantly, his sons had felt it too. They’d needed a fresh start, a place away from the old memories that clung to them like ghosts.

So, they’d stayed.

But once again, Quinton’s life was changing.

He had never been one to overthink or dwell on things—three centuries of life had taught him to deal with problems head-on. But with Noah, things were different. This was his mate. His future.

If Quinton were being honest with himself, he’d never thought to find his mate and had made peace with being alone. But that all went out the window the moment he’d laid eyes on the human he now held in his arms. Finding Noah had changed everything.

The moment Quinton had sat next to Noah in the bar, he’d instantly known, had felt the pull, that undeniable connection between mates.

Yet, something wasn’t right.

There was a tension behind Noah’s bright green eyes, a secret that weighed him down. Every instinct Quinton possessed screamed at him to protect Noah, but how could he keep his mate safe when he didn’t even know what he was protecting the human from?

As he scratched at his beard, Quinton inwardly cursed. Instead of enjoying their connection, of simply being with Noah, a creeping sense of dread wouldn’t go away.

Noah stirred, his body moving slightly against Quinton’s. For a moment, he thought his mate had woken up, but then Noah settled again, snuggling deeper into the warmth of his embrace. The small, unconscious gesture tugged at something deep inside Quinton, causing him to smile.

Noah was independent and feisty, sure, but there was also a vulnerability beneath that tough exterior. A part of his mate wanted to be protected, even if the guy refused to admit it.

Quinton was still lost in thought when his phone vibrated. He groaned inwardly, knowing it was probably one of his sons. It was way too early for anyone else to be calling him. Carefully, so as not to disturb Noah, he reached for the phone and checked the message.

It was Ryker.

You awake? I’m downstairs. We’ve got a situation.

With a reluctant sigh, Quinton gently slid out from under Noah, tucking the blanket they’d grabbed from the bedroom earlier around his mate. He pulled on his boots, grabbed his jacket off the carpet in the corner of the room, then slipped out of the apartment.

After he trotted down the steps, he walked out into the cool morning air, the faint scent of rain lingering from the night before. Ryker was waiting for him at the curb, leaning against his motorcycle and wearing a grim expression. Killian, Quinton’s second eldest son, stood next to his brother, arms crossed, his usual carefree demeanor replaced with something more serious.

“What’s going on?” Quinton asked as he approached them.

Ryker glanced over at Killian then back at Quinton. “We found out why Toro’s in town.”

Quinton’s heart skipped a beat as dread pooled in his gut. He didn’t know why the vampire was in Midnight Falls, but he couldn’t shake the feeling this wasn’t just a random coincidence.

Toro didn’t do random. The vampire always had a reason, and it was never anything good.

“It’s your mate,” Killian said bluntly, his voice tinged with frustration. “Toro’s here for Noah.”

Hearing Noah and Toro’s name mentioned in the same sentence made Quinton’s blood run cold. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, the protective instinct surging through him like wildfire. Noah was Toro’s target?

“How do you know for sure it’s Noah he’s after?” Quinton demanded, his voice sharp as his fear and anger skyrocketed. The vampire was a wild card, an unpredictable menace who thrived on chaos.

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