Page 50 of Pack to the Wall

"You don't understand." Her voice broke. "My dad gave up everything for me. He put his whole life on hold to raise me after my mom left. I won't let him die because I ran away."

Ewan cleared his throat. "There's more. In the manila envelope Gerri gave us... there were articles about several missing persons. All connected to Marty. All vanished under mysterious circumstances."

Chrissy's knees nearly buckled. "He'll kill him," she whispered. The room spun around her, faces blurring and the lights too bright. "Zev, please—get me to a boat. Now. Take me to my dad."

She saw the struggle in Zev's eyes—his alpha instinct to protect her warring with his understanding of what her dad meant to her. His jaw clenched, the muscles in his neck straining against the collar of his white shirt.

"I would do anything for my dad," she said, her eyes locked with Zev's. "Even sacrifice this—us. Please understand."

Something shifted in Zev's expression. His hands tightened on her shoulders before he nodded once, sharply. "Ewan, prepare the fleet. We intercept Marty's boat before it reaches our shores."

"Already on it," Ewan replied, pulling out his phone. "I'll have our fastest boat ready for you in ten minutes at the north dock."

Zev took Chrissy's hand, pulling her through the crowd of pack members who had fallen silent, sensing the urgency. "We'llget your father back, Chrissy," he vowed, his voice a deep rumble that vibrated through her bones. "And Marty will regret the day he challenged my mate and her family."

The slit in her gown allowed her to keep pace with Zev's long strides as they rushed from the celebration hall and into the warm night air. Her circlet of flowers tumbled from her hair, but she didn't look back.

"I can't lose my dad," she whispered, more to herself than to Zev. "He's the only one who has always loved me just for me, not for what I could do or who I could be."

Zev's grip on her hand tightened. "Not anymore, Luna." The alpha tone in his voice made her meet his eyes. "You have me now. You have the pack. And we protect what's ours to the death. And both you and your father are ours now."

Chrissy's throat tightened, the fabric of her red gown catching the silver moonlight as her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. She'd never seen Zev like this—his eyes glinting with a primal ferocity and his jaw set in a hard line of fierce determination. This wasn't just the resort owner or even the Alpha leader—this was the wolf, ready to hunt and protect what was his.

They hurried to his black BMW, the tires squealing as he raced through the jungle roads. The mate mark on Chrissy's neck throbbed in rhythm with her pulse as she gripped the door handle, her knuckles white against her fair skin.

"Here's the plan," Zev said, his voice a controlled rumble as he navigated a sharp turn. "You'll play along. Act like you're giving in and going back to California with him. Position yourself close to your father on Marty's boat."

"And then?" Her voice sounded small against the roar of the engine.

"And then me and the pack will do the rest." He flashed a predatory smile that sent a shiver—not entirely of fear—downher spine. "We're connected now, Chrissy. The mate bond is fully formed. We should be able to communicate telepathically and guide each other through this."

Chrissy swallowed hard. "I've never... how do I even?—"

"Focus on me. On us." His hand left the steering wheel long enough to brush against her cheek. "Trust it. Trust me."

They arrived at the north dock where a sleek boat waited, its engines already humming. Ewan stood ready, his expression serious.

"The pack is in position," Ewan reported. "Awaiting your signal."

Zev nodded, helping Chrissy aboard. "I need a few minutes first. Get Chrissy to Marty, let him think he's won."

Heart hammering, Chrissy pulled out Zev's phone from his pocket. She dialed Marty's number and put it on speakerphone. Marty answered on the first ring.

"We're coming to you," she said, forcing a tremor into her voice. "I'm so stupid for leaving. I'm sorry. I'll do whatever you want from now on. Just don't hurt my dad."

"Good girl," Marty's voice oozed satisfaction. "I knew you'd be smart about this. You and I are going to have a fresh start, Chrissy. I'm going to parade you around exactly as I see fit."

His voice lowered to a predatory purr. "I've always wanted to know what you tasted like. And soon, you'll be all mine."

Chrissy felt Zev stiffen beside her, a barely audible growl rumbling in his chest.

"The Alpha wolf thinks he's claimed you," Marty continued. "But that means nothing to me. When we get back to California, I'm making you mine forever."

"Sounds perfect, Marty. See you soon," Chrissy said with feigned sweetness. She ended the call, trying not to throw up. She glanced at Zev, seeing him fighting for control, the muscles in his neck straining.

"It's okay," she murmured, then pressed her forehead against his, focusing on their bond.I have this handled. Trust me.

Zev's blue eyes locked with her green ones. "I trust you completely, Luna." The power in those simple words fortified her like nothing else could.

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