Chapter 9: The Mate Bond Awakens

Ember POV:

Three weeks passed faster than I expected.

For the first time in years, my days weren't filled with fear.

Nobody insulted me.

Nobody accused me of lying.

Nobody treated me like a burden.

The Shadowlands felt more like home than the Pack House ever had.

Which was both comforting and heartbreaking.

Every morning began with treatment.

Every afternoon was dedicated to research.

And every evening ended with training.

"Again," Derek ordered.

"You're enjoying this too much," I muttered.

"You're improving too slowly."

"Rude."

"Accurate."

His smirk immediately made me want to throw something at him.

Unfortunately, he would probably catch it.

I stood in the center of the training arena.

Around us, dozens of Shadow Pack warriors practiced combat drills.

The moment Derek stepped into the arena, everyone became serious.

Not because they feared him.

Because they respected him.

The difference still amazed me.

"Focus, little wolf."

"Stop calling me that."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because it annoys you."

"You're impossible."

"And you're distracted."

Before I could respond, Derek lunged forward.

"Derek!"

I barely dodged.

His laughter echoed through the arena.

"Better."

"I hate you."

"No, you don't."

The words slipped out so naturally that neither of us spoke for several seconds.

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

Derek looked suspiciously pleased with himself.

"Training is over," I announced.

"Coward."

"Bully."

"Little wolf."

"Alpha menace."

Several warriors nearby burst into laughter.

I immediately realized what I'd said.

Nobody spoke to Derek like that.

Nobody.

Yet instead of getting angry, Derek threw his head back and laughed.

A real laugh.

Warm.

Genuine.

The sound made my heart do something strange.

That night, Sera finally spoke again.

"You like him."

"No."

"Liar."

"Traitor."

"Mate."

"Stop saying that."

"Never."

I buried my face in a pillow.

Sera's laughter echoed through my mind.

"You smile more around him."

"I do not."

"You absolutely do."

"You're insufferable."

"And you're in love."

"We're done talking."

Her smug satisfaction was unbearable.

The next morning, Harper called me into the research center.

"Good news," she announced.

"Please tell me it's actually good news this time."

"Your wolf activity has increased by thirty percent."

"What?"

"You're healing faster than expected."

Hope filled my chest.

"Really?"

"Really."

"At this rate, you'll be able to shift."

"Soon."

For years, that dream felt impossible.

Now it was finally within reach.

Across the continent...

Ryker POV:

"What do you mean nobody knows where she is?"

The investigator swallowed nervously.

"We've searched every university in the region."

"Every apartment complex."

"Every neighboring pack."

"Nothing."

"She vanished."

I clenched my fists.

"People don't just vanish."

"Usually not."

"Usually?"

"Unless someone powerful helps them disappear."

My stomach tightened.

"How powerful?"

"Alpha-level powerful."

A terrible thought crossed my mind.

"The Shadowlands."

The investigator froze.

"We don't have proof."

"But?"

"A witness reported seeing a black armored SUV the day she left."

My blood ran cold.

Only one Alpha used vehicles like that.

Derek Nightshade.

"Impossible," I whispered.

"Why would he want Ember?"

No one had an answer.

Later that evening, I confronted Willow.

"Did you know Ember was leaving?"

She nearly dropped her teacup.

"What?"

"Answer the question."

"No."

"You're lying."

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

Willow looked stunned.

"Ryker..."

"You think I'm lying?"

"I think you've lied before."

Silence.

A dangerous silence.

For the first time, doubt appeared in Willow's eyes.

Because for the first time...

I wasn't automatically choosing her side.

That night, a report landed on my desk.

A security report.

I almost ignored it.

Almost.

Then one sentence caught my attention.

"Unauthorized access detected in historical medical archives."

Medical archives.

Axel's department.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

Something was wrong.

Something connected to Ember.

Something hidden.

And for the first time...

I was determined to find out what it was.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, I stood on a balcony overlooking the Shadowlands skyline.

Derek joined me silently.

"Thinking?" he asked.

"Always."

"Dangerous habit."

"You're one to talk."

A comfortable silence settled between us.

The city lights glittered below.

The night air smelled like snow.

Then Derek gently lifted my hand.

My breath caught.

Neither of us moved.

Neither of us looked away.

"Ember," he said quietly.

"Yes?"

"You're not broken."

My chest tightened.

"I know."

"Good."

"Because I'm getting tired of reminding you."

A laugh escaped me.

Then something unexpected happened.

The bond between us pulsed.

Warm.

Bright.

Alive.

For a brief moment, I felt everything he felt.

Relief.

Protectiveness.

Affection.

And something deeper.

Something that made my heart race.

"Derek..."

"I felt it too."

His voice had gone rough.

The mate bond was waking up.

And neither of us was prepared for what came next.