The late afternoon sun filtered through the towering pines surrounding Vardhollow territory, casting long shadows across the forest floor. Three enormous wolves moved silently between the trees, their paws barely disturbing the fallen leaves.

Eilif led the patrol in his wolf form, Vargr's massive dark-brown body moving with effortless power. Nearly black fur covered his broad shoulders and spine, while sharp golden eyes surveyed the forest ahead.

To his left ran Cobalt, Hallstein's charcoal-gray wolf, his silver markings catching the occasional sunlight. On his right, Corvid, Ragnvald's enormous black wolf, prowled through the undergrowth.

Ragnvald:

His voice echoed through their shared mind-link, carrying its usual impatience.

Hallstein: 'Because our esteemed Gamma has been complaining about paperwork for three days, and Eilif thought some fresh air might improve his disposition.'

Ragnvald: 'Fuck off, Hallstein.'

Eilif's amused rumble vibrated through Vargr's chest.

'Both of you, behave. We're almost finished.'

They continued through the trees until a sudden breeze swept across the forest.

Vargr stopped dead.

His enormous paws dug into the earth, ears snapping forward as an unfamiliar scent drifted through the pines.

Something sweet. Wild. Utterly intoxicating.

Eilif inhaled sharply, his entire body going rigid.

Vargr surged forward inside his mind, a growl reverberating through their shared consciousness.

Vargr: 'Mate.'

Eilif's heart slammed against his ribs.

Impossible.

After thirty-five years of waiting, hoping, and wondering whether the Moon, their goddess, had forgotten him...

Another gust carried the scent toward them, stronger this time.

Vargr: 'MATE! FIND HER!'

Vargr's golden eyes blazed as Eilif struggled to contain his wolf's overwhelming excitement.

Hallstein: 'Eilif?'

Cobalt had stopped beside him, his blue-gray eyes studying Vargr's rigid posture.

Ragnvald: 'What's wrong? Do you smell something?'

Eilif barely heard them.

Every instinct he possessed screamed at him to follow that scent, to find its owner, to finally meet the woman he'd spent his entire life waiting for.

'My mate.'

Two stunned silences answered through the mind-link.

Then Ragnvald's disbelieving voice broke through.

Ragnvald: 'you're fucking kidding.'

Eilif didn't answer.

Vargr had already turned toward the source of the scent, muscles trembling with anticipation as he takes off, his friends close behind him.

Vargr: 'Ours. She's close.'

He held him there.

'We ask her first.'

For the first time in years, Eilif Sundqvist, Alpha of Vardhollow, had absolutely no idea what awaited him.

And he had not been this desperate to find out in years.