Page 70 of Fated to the Lone Shifter
“Take them back to her car,” they tell the driver.
I wait to feel the wheels moving, prepared to tell another lie and keep another secret from a loved one.
And then do something that another loved one will definitely not understand.
Chapter twenty-two
Alpha’s Challenge
NOAH
The Ranger’s tires crunch over the gravel as it pulls up to Firehouse 333, caked in enough mud to suggest it had wrestled a landslide. I’m already outside with Marcus when the doors swing open. Sera steps out first, looking exhausted but focused. Her hand rests gently on Tori’s back as she helps her out. Tori looks pale—haunted—but she’s upright and whole.
I fight running to her, but every bone in my body breathes a sigh of relief.
“She’s alright,” Sera says before I can even ask. “Just a little shaken. Went out for a morning hike, lost her footing and her phone. The usual.”
I nod slowly, letting her words settle into the air. She gives me the eye—the one that saysnot now, please don’t press.I get it. This is her story, and for the moment, I’ll help her keep it.
“I’m just glad you’re back,” I say instead. Tori grabs my hand and gives it a brief squeeze as she walks past me.
Then I turn to Marcus. His expression is wrong. He’s not relieved. He’s not curious. He’s… watching Sera. Too closely. Like he’s trying to work something out.
My inner wolf growls—a low, simmering rumble I can feel in my chest. Marcus must sense it, because he quickly glances away and clears his throat.
“I’ll, uh, let everyone know the good news,” he says, already backing away.
“Good. And tell them to meet out front in fifteen,” I add. “We’ve got some traps to lay.”
As he heads off, I don’t miss the tension in his posture—or the avoidance in his eyes. Something’s off with him.
Fifteen minutes later, the team is assembled. I hand out maps while the Captain walks through the plan. We’ve mapped the firehouse perimeter and the surrounding forest, marking out every access point. We’ve got pressure plates, motion sensors, and a few old-school snares. Everyone gets assigned a section.
As we break off to place the traps, I memorize every line of the map. I won’t risk triggering any of our own defenses—not with what’s coming. Because somethingiscoming. I can feel it.
I secure my last trap beneath a fallen log, then glance back toward the station. Sera’s inside with Tori. Marcus is who knowswhere. And I’m here, feeling like a noose is slowly tightening around my neck.
We’re all on edge. And I don’t know if we’re setting traps for the enemy—or each other.
After dinner, the firehouse starts to wind down, but I can’t. My wolf is pacing under my skin, restless and watching. Marcus has been off all day—jumpy, cagey, and avoiding me at every turn. It’s time to put this to rest.
I find him in the gear room, checking inventory, pretending like he’s not waiting for me.
“What’s going on with you and Sera?” I ask, arms crossed.
He stiffens, then laughs—too loud, too fast. “Nothing, man. You know I’d never touch her. Bro’s before… well, you know.”
I don’t flinch. I close the distance. “I know that because you know I would kill you if you did.”
His smile fades.
“Why are you looking at her like she just stole your last beer?” I ask, tone flat but full of threat.
Marcus sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t see it. You’re too close.”
“See what?”
He hesitates. “She’s… off. The match prank? It didn’t work.”
