Page 4 of Pack to the Wall

"Run the security protocols again," he said, changing the subject. "I want beach patrols doubled and the perimeter sensors checked."

"Already done. Ewan's team swept the island at dawn." Her eyes crinkled. "Though Ewan said you'd ask again anyway."

A smile tugged at Zev's mouth. His best friend knew him too well.

The morning briefing continued as Zev prowled the main lodge, checking details others would miss—a slightly crooked painting in the dining room and a loose floorboard near the spa entrance. Isle Luna was more than just a luxury resort. It was home to his pack. Their sanctuary was hidden in plain sight among the pampered elite who paid obscene amounts for privacy and perfection.

His family had purchased the island four generations ago, transforming it from a wild jungle outpost to an exclusive paradise. What guests never realized was that the true purpose was protection—a place where wolf shifters could run free under the moonlight without fear of discovery.

As Zev walked the meandering path toward the cliffside villas, his wolf's senses reveled in the island's perfume—saltspray mixing with the heady scent of tropical flowers and the rich, loamy smell of the jungle that covered the island's interior. Beyond the manicured resort grounds lay miles of protected wilderness where his pack could shift and hunt freely.

He paused at the edge of the tree line, letting his gaze sweep across his territory. The resort occupied only a quarter of the island—twenty-five exclusive villas and bungalows nestled into the landscape, the main lodge with its world-class restaurant and spa, and the hidden infrastructure that kept everything running seamlessly. The rest remained wild, preserved for the pack's hundred members who lived in a cluster of homes tucked into a protected valley on the western side.

Yet despite everything he'd built and everything he'd inherited, something gnawed at him. An emptiness he couldn't name.

"What more could you possibly want?" he muttered to himself, annoyed at the persistent feeling of incompleteness. He had wealth beyond measure, a pack that respected him, and a private island paradise. Women threw themselves at him regularly—guests, staff from the mainland, even supernatural creatures drawn to his power as Alpha. None of them had ever sparked more than passing interest.

His wolf's restlessness increased, making him roll his neck to ease the pressure building there.

"You're in a mood today." The observation came from Sofia, one of the few humans who knew their secret. As the resort's concierge, she handled the most delicate guest requests. "The staff's picking up on it."

"I'm fine." He forced his shoulders to relax. "Just... anticipating problems."

"With this VIP?" Sofia cocked an eyebrow. "Must be someone special. You've never been this twitchy for a celebrity before."

"She's not a celebrity." He kept his voice neutral. "Just someone who deserves our best."

Sofia's knowing smile made him wonder how transparent he was. "The Orchid Villa is ready. I added those special Belizean chocolates she mentioned in her thank you note from her last visit."

Zev nodded, impressed but not surprised by Sofia's attention to detail. "Perfect."

As she walked away, Zev turned toward the helipad where their guest would arrive soon. His wolf paced beneath his skin, as if anticipating something monumental. Usually, he could sense threats to his pack or territory, but this wasn't danger his instincts were reacting to.

It was something else entirely—a premonition of change that made his heart beat faster and his senses sharpen. His wolf knew something was coming. Something important.

"Just another day in paradise," he murmured to the turquoise sea stretching endlessly before him. But he didn't believe it for a second.

The concrete of the elevated helipad shimmered in the morning light as Zev stood with his arms crossed, his muscles tensed beneath his crisp white linen shirt. The landing area jutted out over the side of a cliff, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Caribbean's endless azure expanse. He checked his watch for the third time in five minutes.

"If you keep scowling like that, you'll scare her off before she even lands." Ewan's deep voice cut through Zev's concentration as his oldest friend strode up beside him, dressed in cargo shorts and a navy resort polo that stretched across his broad shoulders.

Zev didn't uncross his arms. "I'm not scowling. I'm focused."

"Oh, is that what we're supposed to call it now?" Olivia appeared at Ewan's side, her flowing yellow sundress catching the island breeze. She slipped her hand into her husband'swith the easy familiarity of true mates. "You look like you're preparing for battle instead of welcoming the most beloved matchmaker in the supernatural world."

"I want everything to be perfect." Zev ran his hand through his thick wavy brown hair, feeling the weight of responsibility. "Gerri Wilder deserves our absolute best."

Ewan snorted. "You've personally inspected every corner of the resort twice over. The staff is ready to mutiny if you criticize one more perfectly arranged flower."

"Her connections span continents," Zev countered, pacing the edge of the helipad. "Hell, she even has contacts off-world. Nova Aurora's Alpha bear shifter still owes her a favor, and those bears don't give their loyalty easily."

Olivia's green eyes sparkled with amusement. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Gerri's other talents, would it? Her legendary matchmaking prowess, perhaps?"

Zev shot her a sharp look. "This is about business. Her endorsement keeps our exclusive clientele flowing—the kind who respect our privacy as a supernatural community."

"Mm-hmm." Olivia exchanged a knowing glance with Ewan. "Nothing at all to do with her uncanny ability to match shifters with their fated mates? The woman has a perfect track record, you know."

"Just look at us," Ewan added, pulling Olivia closer against his side. "Three years of bliss thanks to her meddling."

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