Page 19 of Scarred Savages
Alpha Hudson’s mouth twitched in what might’ve been the beginning of a smile. It’s gone too quickly to be sure.
“‘Alright’ means not bolting out of a moving vehicle because you’re second-guessing your life choices.”
“Then yeah, I’m golden,” I declare, forcing a bravado I don’t feel.
As we drive on, the air grows colder, biting at my exposed skin. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly nostalgic for the warmth of the Institute—not the place so much as the walls that enclosed me.
“Here we are,” Alpha Hudson announces, steering past a heavily fortified entrance and continuing a few miles deeper into the territory.
The dense trees finally part to reveal a sprawling compound, and a massive log cabin-style house stands impressively before me.
“Welcome to Northcrest Territory.” Pulling the SUV to a stop, he adds, “Home.”
I step out, inhaling the crisp air that bites at my lungs. For a fleeting moment, I’m awestruck by the sheer scale of the thick forests and towering mountains, likely part of the Canadian Rockies. It’s breathtaking.
I hope my wolf finds comfort here and feels safe enough to shift.
I’d love to meet you, I tell her through our bond. She’s been quiet, still healing, but knowing she’s there is enough for now.
“Scared?” Alpha Hudson stands beside me, his presence as solid as the mountains.
“Terrified,” I admit, the truth slipping past my usual defenses.
“Good,” he says, surprising me. “Means you’re alive. Come on, Luna. Let’s introduce you to freedom, no matter how savage it might look.”
I nod, my heart thundering in my chest as I follow him.
Whether this will be home or a prison for the next three years remains to be seen.
The log cabin emerges ahead, massive and weathered, with logs of warm wood, like something pulled straight from a wilderness dream.
My heart pounds louder as I cross the threshold.
Inside, the air is laced with the scent of cedar, and the place has a cozy feel despite its size. A stone fireplace dominates the living room, flanked by comfy-looking sofas that make me want to curl up and forget the world; rustic yet undeniably luxurious, not precisely what I expected from a pack of shifters in the middle of nowhere.
A lean alpha with an attentive gaze steps forward, his dark brown hair shaved on the side and swept back at the top. His Asian heritage is evident in the almond shape of his dark eyes, which crinkle slightly at the corners when he offers his hand with a kind smile. A leather pendant hangs at his neck, disappearing beneath the shirt collar sleeves rolled to theelbows, revealing toned forearms. He looks to be in his early thirties, maybe a few years younger than Alpha Hudson.
“You must be Luna. I’m Ethan, one of Hudson’s pack members. Welcome.” His words radiate warmth, but I can’t shake the feeling that he’s quietly assessing my every move.
“Hi,” I manage, my voice caught in a tangle of nerves.
“Where’s your stuff?” he asks, glancing behind me.
Heat crawls up my cheeks. “Just this,” I say, holding up my duffel bag.
“Travel light, huh? I like that.” He takes the bag from me, and I reluctantly release it, feeling strangely vulnerable without it.
A shadow towers behind Ethan.
Another alpha, built like a tank and impossibly larger than Alpha Hudson, with a scowl etched into features so perfectly sculpted they seem almost cruel in their beauty.
He’s dressed entirely in black: a tight t-shirt stretched across broad shoulders. His biceps strain against the fabric as he crosses his arms, visible beneath tanned skin. His midnight-black hair is cropped short at the sides, longer on top. A few curls slip onto his forehead like he can’t be bothered to tame them. He glances my way, eyes the color of a thunderstorm—steel gray with flecks of blue lightning—before looking away, muttering about “unnecessary additions”.
My wolf stirs slightly at the sight of him, pressing against my consciousness with unexpected interest.
“Ah, ignore Damien. He’s a moody fucker, even on his best days,” Alpha Hudson says from behind me. “The others are out. You’ll meet them tomorrow.”
He taps a hand on my shoulder, making me jump and step away. “Sorry about that. Didn’t mean to startle you, Luna.”
