Chapter 0313

I meant every word last night when I told Victor to mark me instead of some stranger. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. I don’t believe in the mate bond, but if I have to choose, I’d rather take my chances with someone who might actually care about me—not some power-hungry Alpha who only sees me as a weapon and a womb.

I know what I am—a Guardian, a rare wolf that every Alpha covets. But the truth? I’m terrified. Until a few weeks ago, I thought I was human, just struggling to survive. Fighting? Defending myself? Those were never part of my reality.

So, as much as I hate feeling dependent, I’m grateful Victor is here. He makes me feel safe. Or at least, safer than I’d be alone. I didn’t expect to sleep last night, but curled against his chest, breathing in his scent, listening to his steady heartbeat—I crashed hard. Waking up practically draped over him? Not ideal. Especially when I felt the evidence of how much he wasn’t immune to our closeness.

Victor’s on the phone with Alpha Adrian. There’s another voice in the background, but I can’t make out the words. Sounds like the Crimson Moon wolves know we’re running. Since they have territory in Arizona and New Mexico, we need to change course fast—head north again. I listen as they map out a route through Oklahoma, then east toward Georgia.

I miss the question, but Victor turns to me. “No, we’re not there yet.” I can guess what they asked. Why doesn’t he just mark me? It would end this chase.

Part of me wants to say yes. Then I remember my father—what it was like to be bound to someone who saw you as property. I’d rather run forever.

I stare out the window at the endless flatlands. Victor hangs up. “We have a plan. Not a great one. If the Crimson Moon wolves are watching bus stations, we’re screwed. Next stop, if it’s clear, we shift and run. We’ll skirt pack territories—it’s the safest option.”

I nod. “I’m sorry you’re stuck in this mess. It’d be easier if I just let you mark me.”

He presses a finger to my lips. “You don’t trust the mate bond. I get it. I can wait. As long as it doesn’t mean you end up bound to someone else.”

Silence stretches between us.

That car’s been pacing us too long, Aurora murmurs in my mind.

I glance out. A dark sedan matches the bus’s speed. Too slow for this empty stretch of road.

“Victor.” My voice is tight. “Aurora says that car’s been tailing us. You think it’s them?”

He leans over me, curses under his breath, and grabs his phone.

“They’re on us,” he snaps as soon as Adrian answers.

“How far to the next station?” A different voice—not Adrian.

“Thirty minutes. Just hitting town limits.”

“Give the phone to Isolde.”

Victor hesitates, then hands it to me.

“Hello?”

“Isolde, this is Alpha Sebastian. Do you recognize my name?”

“I know you’ve been talking to Victor.”

“But you don’t remember me?”

“Should I?”