Page 49 of Pack to the Wall

The room exploded into jubilant sound as tables laden with food were unveiled and music swelled. Pack members approached one by one to introduce themselves properly to Chrissy, each showing deference that clearly both surprised and moved her.

"They're completely different," she whispered to Zev between greetings. "Yesterday they wanted to run me off the island."

"Yesterday you were an outsider," Zev explained, his arm never leaving her waist. "Today you're Luna. The mark changed everything—you're pack now."

As the evening progressed, Zev watched his mate charm every member of his pack. She remembered names, asked thoughtful questions, and laughed generously at their stories. His wolf preened with satisfaction. They had chosen well.

When the band struck up a slower melody, Zev pulled her onto the dance floor, wrapping his arms around her waist and drawing her close against him.

"Happy?" he asked, his lips brushing her ear.

"More than I knew was possible," she admitted, her arms looping around his neck as they swayed together. "I never thought I'd find this—belonging, freedom, you."

Zev's hand slid down to the small of her back, pressing her tighter against him. "When this celebration ends, I'm taking youhome and showing you exactly how much you belong to me now," he promised softly.

Chrissy's lips curved into a smile against his neck. "Is that a threat or a promise?"

"Both," Zev growled, spinning her in a slow circle as the music enveloped them. "Definitely both."

The way her red dress shimmered in the light as they moved sent fire racing through his veins. His wolf paced, already impatient for the celebration to end so he could claim her again. The pack had honored her beautifully today, but now he wanted her alone, and wanted to peel that dress from her body inch by tantalizing inch.

Zev inhaled deeply, drawing in the intoxicating scent of her. That scent now carried notes of his own, a primal declaration to any wolf shifter that she was claimed. She was his, now and forever.

The song drew to a close, and Zev dipped her dramatically, earning delighted laughter from his mate and appreciative cheers from the pack members watching. As he pulled her upright, he caught sight of Ewan shoving through the crowd, his expression grim.

Zev's instincts flared instantly. He'd known Ewan since childhood—the man didn't panic easily. Something was very wrong.

"Alpha." Ewan's voice was tight, barely controlled as he reached them. Sweat beaded his forehead, his breath coming in quick bursts. "We have a situation. A major one."

Zev's arm tightened around Chrissy's waist, his body automatically shifting to place himself between her and any potential threat. His wolf lunged forward under his skin, teeth bared. "What is it?"

Ewan's eyes darted to Chrissy, then back to Zev, clearly weighing whether to speak freely in front of her.

"She's my mate," Zev growled, the possessive edge in his voice leaving no room for argument. "Whatever it is, she hears it too."

The music around them seemed to fade as a cold knot of dread formed in Zev's stomach. Only one thing could cause his second-in-command to look this alarmed on tonight of all nights.

Marty. The rogue wolf shifter had sensed their mate bond had fully formed—had felt Zev's claim marked officially and permanently on Chrissy. And now Marty was coming for what he still considered his.

NINETEEN

CHRISSY

The music around Chrissy seemed to fade as a knot of dread twisted in her stomach. The white flower circlet in her hair suddenly felt too heavy and the red gown too constrictive as she fought to breathe. Only one thing would make Ewan look this panicked on her special day.

Marty. Marty was coming for her himself.

"Someone at the airfield and boat access point must have special connections with Marty Shriner," Ewan explained, his words clipped. "He's breached our security perimeter. He's en route to the island on a boat and—" he hesitated, his expression grim, "—he has a hostage."

"Who?" Chrissy demanded, stepping out from behind Zev's protective stance, her heart pounding wildly.

"Your father, Luna." Ewan swallowed hard. "He's threatening to harm your father if you don't return immediately to California with him."

The world tilted dangerously. "My dad?" Her voice cracked. "No! He wouldn't—" But even as the denial left her lips, she knew better. Her fingers clutched at the silky material of her gown, bunching it between her white knuckles.

"I need to get to him," she said, panic rising like a tidal wave within her. "I'll go back with Marty. I have to. He can't hurt my dad—that's all I have left."

Zev caught her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. His blue eyes burned with a ferocity that would have terrified her if it had been directed at her. "I'm not letting you sacrifice yourself again, Chrissy."

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