Three Words

Bambi

I pushed him away, giggling. I wasn’t that easy.

I was going to make him work for it.

“If you want more, you’ll have to prove yourself. Catch me if you can,” I said, turning on my heels and running into the woods.

I didn’t know what had gotten me into this mood, but my cheeks were warm, even in the cold night air.

I think I felt ~happy~.

For the first time since I’d arrived at Ekon’s pack, I actually wanted to be here.

To be with him…

“This will be over in minutes,” he called after me. “I’ll even give you a head start.”

My heart was beating out of my chest, but it wasn’t because I was running through the woods…

It was because I was falling for Ekon.

That thought made me run even faster. I felt like I was gliding through the forest, light as a feather.

This feeling was exhilarating.

Was this what love felt like?

I stopped to catch my breath after several minutes of running, realizing that I had no idea where I was.

It didn’t really matter. I knew Ekon would come find me.

I leaned back against a tree, panting, and a water droplet hit my face.

As I looked up at the sky, rain began rushing down, soaking me from head to toe almost instantly.

At first I laughed at my luck, but I stopped when I realized Ekon still hadn’t come.

Where was he? He said he had this whole forest memorized.

Regardless, I needed to find some shelter. This wasn’t a gentle spring shower; it was a downpour.

Maybe I could find that cave that Ekon had mentioned?

I trudged through the forest as it got increasingly muddy. As my foot got caught on a root, I stumbled into the dirt.

The cold water stung as it slapped my face. This wasn’t a game anymore. I needed to go home. I needed my mate.

A claw suddenly swung around from behind and dug into my arm.

“Ekon?” I winced as the claw broke my skin. “Ekon, what are you…”

As I turned around, a flash of lightning lit up the night sky, and I saw what had grabbed ahold of me.

His stench smelled like rotting meat.

His body was scarred and hardened from burn marks.

His skin was peeling from his flesh, and he had yellow eyes with blood-red pupils.

I screamed in terror as I pulled away, his claws tearing down my arm.

I fell back, closing my eyes, until all I saw was darkness.

***

My eyelids fluttered open, and I instantly cringed as a throbbing pain reverberated in my head. I must’ve hit it on something.

I looked around. This was Ekon’s room, and I was in his bed.

But how the hell did I get here?

My arm was wrapped in bandages, and it hurt even worse than my head.

As lightning flashed outside the window, the image of a horrible flayed creature also flashed into my mind.

The woods. I was in the woods.

And I was attacked by…well, I don’t know what exactly, but it smelled like death. I remember that much.

I jumped as the door opened, but it was just Kalindi.

“Luna, you’re awake,” she said, looking relieved. “How are you feeling?”

“Kalindi, what’s going on? Where’s Ekon?” I asked frantically. “We were in the woods and—”

“I know, Luna. You slipped and fell, but you’re all right now. And Ekon is fine too. He’s in—”

“NO!” I shouted in a panic. “Kalindi, listen to me. I didn’t slip and fall. I was ~attacked~. Something is out there.”

Kalindi’s eyes widened, and her face grew pale.

“Perimeter breach! Alert Ekon at once!” she yelled at a guard posted outside the door.

Kalindi rushed to my side and grabbed my hand. “Luna, did you see who it was?”

“I’m not even sure ~what~ it was,” I responded, still shaken.

After what happened at the Northern Pack, everyone was on edge and rightfully so.

Moments later, Ekon stormed into the room and sat next to me on the bed. I launched into his arms as tears formed in my eyes.

“Bambi, what happened? Tell me everything,” he said, stroking my hair.

“Something tried to hurt me,” I sobbed. “His skin was peeling, and he smelled like a corpse. His claws were twice the length of any werewolf’s, and his eyes were bloodshot.”

Ekon spoke to Kalindi like a military general. “This compound is on lockdown. I’m placing two guards at every exit, and I’ll take the rest with me, into the woods. We’ll send a squadron to the pack house too, just in case. I want you, personally, to stand guard over the Luna. If this thing is still out there, we’ll find it.”

“Understood, Alpha.” She returned to standing guard outside the door, and Ekon allowed himself to leave military mode for just a moment.

“I’m…I’m glad you’re okay. You worried me,” he said tenderly.

“I was worried about you too,” I replied, holding his face. His rough stubble scratched against my fingers.

“I promise you have nothing to worry about. I will always protect you, Bambi. I won’t let anything hurt you ever again.”

There was pain in Ekon’s voice, and I felt it in my soul.

The more time I spent with my mate, the stronger our connection became.

It was a connection that wasn’t merely physical—it was spiritual.

If he felt pain, I felt it too.

“Ekon, I—”

A Delta guard suddenly appeared and saluted Ekon. “Alpha, the men are preparing in the barracks. Shall I give the order to move out?”

“No, I’ll do it,” Ekon said, standing up. “I want to lead the men myself. I’ll go with you.”

“You’re leaving?” I said, my eyes growing wide.

“Kalindi will be here to watch over you, but I have to go. I have to lead by example,” he said, kissing me on the forehead.

There were so many things that I wanted to say to him in that moment, but I froze.

I wanted to tell him to stay with me.

I wanted to tell him not to do anything stupid on my account.

I wanted to tell him how much I cared about him.

I wanted to tell him that I…

It didn’t matter because he was already gone.

I wrapped my arms around my knees, praying to the Goddess that she’d keep Ekon safe, when my phone started buzzing.

Victoria

Is everyone safe?

Ela

i’m all good. my sister gave me the heads-up

Holly

Yes, i’m safe, but what’s going on???

Bambi

I was attacked, but I’m okay

Bambi

Just a little shaken

Holly

Oh my goddess!!

Ela

i’m so glad you’re okay girl

Ela

who do you think attacked you?

Bambi

I’m not sure

Bambi

It was dark and it happened so fast

Bambi

But it was definitely something evil…

Victoria

You don’t think it was him do you?

Holly

Matthias…

Bambi

It could’ve been, but he was barely alive

Bambi

He was barely even a person

Bambi

And Ekon is going after him

Ela

do you think he knows we’re investigating him?

Bambi

I don’t know anything right now

Bambi

But I wish you girls were here with me

Victoria

The whole town is on lockdown.

Victoria

And Ryland is stuck at the compound.

Victoria

He’s sending a car for me.

Bambi

That’s a good idea

Bambi

I’m sending a car for Ela and Holly too

Ela

🙏🙏🙏

Holly

I’ll bring some protection charms

Bambi

In the meantime, everyone stay safe

I put my phone down and realized that my mate might be about to go after the most dangerous man alive and all I’d done was blink at him.

I needed to tell him how I felt, and I needed to do it now.

I jumped out of bed and ran to the door, swinging it open.

“Luna, what are you doing?” Kalindi asked in surprise.

“Sorry about this, Kalindi, but I really need to speak to Ekon,” I said, ducking under her arm and racing for the stairs.

“Bambi, wait!” she yelled, running after me.

I bounded down the stairs, and luckily, Ekon was still in the foyer, giving orders to Ryland.

“Ekon, we need to talk,” I said, leaning over the bannister, out of breath.

“Bambi, what are you doing out of the room? It isn’t safe,” he said, grimacing at Kalindi, who had just caught up to me.

“Please, I just need to talk to you before you leave,” I pleaded.

He nodded and motioned for me to come down the stairs. I took his hand and pulled him into an empty corridor, except for the two guards standing by the doorway.

Ekon grunted, and they gave us some privacy.

“What’s so important that you’re already disobeying me, moments after you’ve been injured?” Ekon sighed.

“I…I just got to thinking about you leaving, and it scared me,” I said, embracing him and burying my face in his armored chest.

He hugged me back tightly. “I told you that you don’t need to worry.”

Ryland poked his head around the corner. “Alpha, the squadron is ready to move out.”

I released my grip on Ekon as he started walking down the hallway. “Now get back to the room so I know you’re safe.”

I still hadn’t told him what I wanted to say.

I didn’t know what the next few hours would bring.

It was now or possibly never.

“Ekon…wait.”

He stopped at the end of the corridor, and I took a deep breath.

“I…I love you.”