Savior Hunt had never been this unfocused in his life.
Not during Alpha training.
Not during combat trials.
Not even during the time the west border pack launched a midnight attack and he fought six wolves at once.
But one woman - one night - had wrecked him.
Lauretta.
Her name tasted like temptation on his tongue.
His wolf practically purred whenever he thought it.
And lately?
He thought about her every damned minute.
Her laugh.
Her attitude.
Her scent that clung to his memory like it owned him.
He drove like a man possessed toward Silvercrest City, heart thudding with a strange mix of anticipation and dread. He didn't even know what he'd do when he found her.
Hold her?
Touch her?
Smell her?
Fight her?
Kiss her until she forgot all sense?
His wolf wanted all of it.
But he had no plan.
He only had need.
---
The Hunt mansion was loud. Voices filled the halls as warriors trained outside and advisors argued inside. Hexta's voice boomed from his office, barking orders about the upcoming summit.
The moment Savior stepped inside, heads turned.
"Alpha's son."
"Future Alpha."
"Sir."
He nodded stiffly and kept walking. His mind wasn't here. Not today.
He needed to find her.
He tried to take the stairs two at a time, hoping to escape before-
"SAAAAVIOR!"
Too late.
Dew Philips - Beta's son, smug bastard, and Savior's best friend - launched himself at him like an enthusiastic puppy.
Savior caught him by the shoulders, groaning. "Dew, what the hell?"
Dew grinned, eyes gleaming with trouble. "So... rumor has it that our dear, emotionally constipated Alpha-to-be disappeared for two days on his 'business trip.' Which is interesting because last I checked, you don't do business in Manhattan nightclubs."
Savior stiffened.
Dew smirked wider. "Ah. So the rumors are true."
"There are no rumors," Savior said tightly.
"Oh please. The guards saw you stumbling in at dawn smelling like perfume and sin." Dew elbowed him. "Spill. Who's the woman? Why is your wolf pacing like you put caffeine in its food?"
Savior stared at him.
Dew's mouth fell open. "HOLY SHIT. IT'S TRUE?!"
And then he burst out laughing.
Savior dragged a hand down his face. "Dew-"
"Oh my god, the cold, stoic, terrifying Savior Hunt actually slept with someone! After what-two years? Three? Was it amazing? It must've been. You look traumatized."
Savior didn't answer.
His silence was answer enough.
Dew froze.
"Oh... oh no. It was THAT good?"
Savior exhaled sharply. "Drop it."
Dew looked horrified. "Dude. Are you... in love?"
Savior nearly choked. "Dew, I swear to-"
"Okay, okay! Don't punch me. But seriously, what did she do to you? Did she hex you? Bite you? Whisper sweet nothings in your ear?"
Savior's jaw clenched.
"She didn't do anything," he said quietly. "I... don't know what's happening to me."
Dew blinked.
And for a rare moment, the teasing dropped.
"...Shit. It's that serious?"
"Yeah."
Dew rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay. Then start talking. What's her name? Where's she from? Is she human? Wolf? A witch? Is she hot? Actually, scratch that - she HAS to be hot if you're this messed up."
"Her name is Lauretta," Savior muttered.
Dew raised a brow. "And?"
"And that's all I know."
Dew stared.
"Wait. Wait-WAIT. You don't know anything else?" he exclaimed. "Savior! Did you at least check if you used protection?! What if she's pregnant?!"
Savior stiffened so violently that Dew's eyes widened.
"...Oh gods," Dew whispered. "You didn't."
"I didn't," Savior growled.
Dew let out a strangled laugh. "Wow. You really said 'fuck responsibility' and meant it."
"Dew-"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Continue. What else do we know about Lauretta?"
Savior hesitated.
He didn't tell Dew about the LuneArt Studios post.
About the picture.
About the fact that she lived here - in his territory.
He didn't have to.
Because his wolf suddenly snapped awake.
She's close.
Savior inhaled slowly.
There it was.
Her scent.
Faint but present.
Like moonlit jasmine drifting through sunlight.
He stiffened.
Dew noticed instantly. "Bro... are you okay?"
"She's in Silvercrest," Savior said quietly.
Dew blinked. "Wait - WHAT? Your one-night mystery woman is HERE?!"
Savior didn't bother answering.
He brushed past Dew, instincts igniting like wildfire.
He needed to see her.
Now.
"Savior!"
"Jeez, you couldn't even take off your suit man" Dew called after him.
Dew sighs, "What love can do "
He shakes his head and walks inside.
---
The normal and rational Savior would have been busy with meetings or pack duties.
He should've gone to train.
Should've gone to the council room.
Should've checked in with his father.
But instead...
He drove.
Straight into the city.
Straight toward the LuneArt Studios building.
He told himself he was just curious.
He told himself he just wanted a glimpse.
He told himself he didn't care.
All lies.
His wolf practically hummed with anticipation as he passed the tall glass building with the glowing moon emblem.
He slowed the car.
There - through the fourth-floor windows.
Lauretta Owens walked across the studio like she owned the world.
Wearing a fitted navy jumpsuit.
Hair slicked back into a ponytail.
Sharp eyes.
Sharp heels.
Sharp tongue - he could still hear her voice in his head.
She commanded the room with a presence that made even the walls straighten.
Savior's breath left him.
"Fuck."
She looked... beautiful.
Untouchable.
Perfect.
He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white.
His wolf practically whined, pressing against his mind.
Go to her.
Touch her.
Smell her.
Claim her.
"No," Savior whispered. "Not yet."
"It doesn't work that way, she might have even forgotten about me" he mutters.
He couldn't walk in.
Not until he figured out what the hell this connection was.
Not until he knew what he wanted.
He forced himself to drive away.
Barely.
---
THE DINING HALL - HUNT MANSION
Later that evening, the dining hall was full. The long wooden table was lined with warriors, pack members, advisors - and the Philips family.
Amira sat beside him, smiling sweetly. Too sweetly.
"Welcome back," she said softly.
Savior grunted. "Thanks."
"You look tired," she added, placing a delicate hand on his arm.
His wolf growled instantly.
He moved his arm away.
Amira's face fell, but she recovered. She always did.
She wanted him.
She'd always wanted him.
But he had never felt anything for her.
Not even a spark.
Savior stabbed his food with unnecessary aggression.
Dew leaned in from across the table and whispered, "You're acting like a lovesick teenager with anger issues."
Savior didn't look up. "Shut up."
Dew smirked. "Okay, Romeo."
Jasmine watched him with worried eyes.
Hexta watched him with suspicion.
Savior's head was full of Lauretta.
The way she looked at him.
The way she moaned.
The way she didn't fear him.
The way she-
"Son," Hexta said sharply, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Where is your mind tonight?"
Savior answered honestly.
"Not here."
Gasps rippled down the table.
"Woah..." Dew gasps.
Earning a glare from his father.
Hexta's eyes narrowed. "You are distracted."
"Yes," Savior said evenly.
"And that is unacceptable."
"Maybe I don't care."
Hexta slammed his fist against the table so hard the plates rattled.
"Savior Hunt! You do NOT get to fall apart! You do NOT get to be distracted! You are the heir! You are the future Alpha! You-"
"I know," Savior said quietly. "But right now... I need space."
Jasmine touched Hexta's arm. "Enough. Let him breathe."
"Breathe?" Hexta snapped. "He smells like a woman! His wolf is unsteady! This is the exact recklessness that destroyed the Owens!"
Savior stiffened.
Lauretta's image flashed in his mind.
He didn't know her last name.
He didn't know her family.
He didn't know her history.
He didn't know... anything.
Except that he wanted her.
Badly.
Painfully.
Dangerously.
He stood abruptly from the table.
"I'm done here."
"Savior!" Jasmine called softly.
But he was already walking out.
Already choking on the memory of Lauretta's scent.
Already in too deep.
"What the actual hell am I supposed to do with myself?" He mutters.
---
Savior returned to his room, heart beating too hard, mind spinning.
He shut the door.
The scent of moonlight and jasmine slammed into him.
His wolf surged.
Snarling. Growling. Demanding.
He fell to his knees, gripping the floor.
FIND HER.
WE NEED HER.
NOW.
Savior groaned, chest burning with longing.
"Oh Lauretta, you're like a f*cking virus, you're eating me up from inside!"
"Fuck!" He shouts grabbing a handful of his hair.
He wanted her so badly he felt sick.
This wasn't normal.
This wasn't rational.
This wasn't-
He stood abruptly.
"I'm going to find her."
His wolf howled in triumph.
