Consciousness returned slowly, like swimming up through murky water. My head throbbed, and my mouth felt dry as sandpaper. I blinked, trying to focus on the face above .
"Liam?" My voice ca out as a raspy whisper.
"I’m here, baby. You’re safe now." His arms tightened around , solid and warm.
Relief flooded through as the fog in my mind cleared. I was in Liam’s arms, his naked chest warm against my cheek. My eyes darted around, taking in the scene. Lucas was still in wolf form, his massive black body positioned protectively in front of us, hackles raised and golden eyes glowing in the darkness. Levi was a few feet away, completely naked and pinning down my attacker with one hand wrapped around his throat.
"Who are you?!" Levi demanded, his voice a feral growl.
The man’s eyes widened, darting frantically between the three brothers. His face was exposed now, the bandana torn away. What I could see made my stomach turn—his skin was a maze of raised scars, burns, and poorly healed wounds. His features were so distorted it would be impossible to identify him.
Before Levi could tighten his grip, the man’s jaw clenched. A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing, and imdiately his body began to convulse.
"What the—" Levi jumped back as foam bubbled from the man’s mouth, his eyes rolling back.
Lucas shifted back to human form in a fluid motion of muscle and bone. "He’s poisoned himself," he said grimly, kneeling beside the thrashing body. "Wolfsbane pill. Hidden in his mouth."
Within seconds, the man went still, his eyes glassy and fixed on the night sky.
"Dammit!" Levi slamd his fist against the ground. "We needed answers!"
Liam shifted in his arms, his eyes scanning my face. "Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?"
I shook my head, though the movent made dizzy. "Just the chloroform. I think I’m okay."
Lucas ca to kneel beside us, his hand gently cupping my cheek. "We need to get her back to the house. Now."
Liam lifted effortlessly, cradling against his chest. My fingers curled into his skin, seeking his warmth. The terror of the attack still pulsed through , but here, surrounded by my mates, I felt the fear beginning to recede.
"What about him?" I asked, glancing at the dead kidnapper.
"I’ll call the warriors," Lucas said, already reaching for the phone he’d stashed in a hollow tree before shifting. "Liam, get her inside. Levi, stay here and guard the body. No one touches it until our people arrive."
The walk back to the house was a blur. I pressed my face against Liam’s chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. His arms around felt like the safest place in the world.
"I was so scared," I whispered.
Liam’s arms tightened. "I know, baby,” he said. “I felt it. Through the bond. I’ve never been so terrified in my life."
By the ti we reached the mansion, the entire pack was on high alert. Warriors patrolled the periter, their expressions grim. Inside, the house buzzed with activity.
"Lockdown protocol is in effect," soone called as we entered.
Alpha Henry strode toward us, his face a mask of controlled fury. I’d rarely seen him look so serious—or so concerned.
"Hazel," he said, his voice gentler than I’d ever heard it. "Are you alright?"
I nodded weakly. "Yes, Alpha."
His hand briefly touched my shoulder—the most affection he’d ever shown . "Good. Liam, get her checked out by the dics. I want a full report within the hour."
"Yes, Father," Liam said.
The next half hour passed in a whirlwind. A pack nurse examined , checking my vitals and confirming that the chloroform would have no lasting effects. Lucas returned, now dressed, with Levi close behind. Their expressions were thunderous.
"No identification on him," Lucas reported. "Nothing to indicate who sent him."
"What about the body?" I asked.
"Being examined," Levi said, dropping onto the edge of my bed and taking my hand. "But those scars... it’s like soone deliberately made sure he couldn’t be identified."
Alpha Henry appeared in the doorway. "The council is assembled. We need to discuss security asures."
"We’re staying with Hazel," Liam said firmly.
Henry nodded. "Of course. I’ve doubled the guards around the house. She’ll be safe here."
I glanced around. "Where’s Luna Evelyn?"
A shadow passed over the Alpha’s face. "Attending to Jessie. The girl was... upset by the commotion."
Of course she was, I thought bitterly. After the Alpha left, the triplets surrounded on the bed, forming a protective circle. Lucas sat at the head, his hand absently stroking my hair. Liam held my right hand, and Levi sprawled across the foot of the bed, one hand resting on my ankle.
"Who would do this?" I asked. That was what I couldn’t figure out. "Who would want to kidnap ?"
The brothers exchanged glances.
"This wasn’t random," Lucas said carefully. "They targeted you specifically."
"But why? I’m nobody important."
"You’re our mate," Levi said fiercely. "Future Luna of Emberfang. That makes you important."
My mind raced through possibilities. "Could it be... soone who doesn’t want with you? Like one of your ex-girlfriends?" I hesitated. "Or... your mother?"
"Hazel—" Liam started.
"I know how she feels about ," I said quietly. "She made it clear tonight."
"She wouldn’t go this far," Lucas said, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced. "But we will investigate every possibility. I promise you that."
Levi squeezed my ankle reassuringly. "Whoever it was, they failed. And now they’ve lost their operative."
"We’ll double security," Liam added. "No one will get near you again."
I nodded. I know I could trust them to get to the bottom of this. Right now, there was no safer place than here with my mates.
Lucas’s brow suddenly furrowed, his expression turning grave. "There’s another possibility we need to consider."
"What’s that?" Liam asked.
Lucas’s eyes t mine, dark and serious. "What if it’s The Dark Hour?"
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