20. Keiro #2
He met her gaze, unable to suppress his grin.
She was beaming back at him with such pure happiness that his wolf howled with satisfaction beneath his skin.
Through their completed bond, he felt her love, excitement, and hope for their future flooding his consciousness just as surely as she could feel his own emotions pouring back to her.
This was only the beginning of their bright future.
Hours later, the celebration had reached that perfect crescendo where wolves and lions mingled freely around the buffet tables, their laughter carrying across the clearing like music.
Keiro was savoring the sight of his pack members sharing stories with Poppy's pride when his wolf suddenly stilled, every instinct screaming danger.
The ground beneath his feet carried a tremor that felt wrong—not the natural vibration of construction equipment or heavy footsteps, but something deeper. Something dangerous.
Poppy's head snapped toward him, her blue eyes sharp with the same alarm he felt. "You feel that?" she murmured, her voice pitched low enough that only he could hear.
Before he could respond, the wind shifted, and the acrid scent of smoke hit his nostrils. This wasn't the pleasant aroma of a campfire or barbecue—this was the sharp, consuming smell of destruction.
Poppy's arm shot out, pointing toward the eastern edge of their property where orange flames licked hungrily at the treeline. The fire was spreading with unnatural speed, consuming the forest they'd planned to preserve as hiking trails for their retreat guests.
"Sander," Poppy said, her voice carrying a cold certainty.
Keiro's jaw clenched as fury surged through him. The timing was too convenient. This wasn't some random wildfire—this was sabotage designed to destroy everything they were trying to build.
"Dax!" he barked, his Alpha authority cutting through the festive chatter.
His Beta materialized at his side within seconds, Dax's steel-grey eyes already assessing the situation with military precision.
"Take a group of our enforcers to that fire," Keiro commanded. "And call the fire department now."
"On it," Dax replied, already moving toward a cluster of pack enforcers. His voice carried across the clearing as he began mobilizing his team with the efficiency of someone who'd commanded troops in actual war zones.
Poppy turned to where Neve stood. "Get a group of our enforcers and help Dax's team," she ordered, her Alpha presence radiating outward like heat from a forge. "They'll need every available hand to stop that fire from spreading."
"Already moving," Neve confirmed, her usual unflappable demeanor intact.
Keiro felt a surge of pride watching both their people respond with seamless coordination. This was what they'd envisioned—wolves and lions working together as a unified force.
Then he caught a scent that made his blood turn to ice.
Fifty distinct lion signatures were approaching fast, their aggressive musk carrying undertones of violence and desperation. These weren't pride members coming to help or celebrate—these were rogues, and they were charging straight for the celebration with deadly intent.
The first wave crested the hill like a golden tsunami, their roars echoing across the clearing. At the front of the charge ran a massive male lion with a dark mane and familiar blue-green eyes that blazed with eleven years of festering resentment.
"Sander," Poppy breathed, her voice carrying a mixture of fury and something that might've been relief. Finally, the enemy had shown his true face.
Chaos erupted as guests realized what was happening.
Keiro started barking orders, his Alpha voice cutting through the panic. "Everyone get to your cars! Move now!"
But instead of fleeing, something extraordinary happened. Pack members and pride members alike turned toward the approaching threat, their faces set with grim determination.
"We're not letting you handle this alone," called out Dominic, one of his pack members. "We have your back!"
"This is our future too," added Sarah, a lioness from Poppy's pride, her claws extending. "We'll fight to protect what you're building here."
Keiro could hardly believe what he was witnessing. Wolves and lions standing shoulder to shoulder, ready to defend not just their leaders but the vision of unity. His chest swelled with an emotion too large for words.
He met Poppy's gaze, seeing his own amazement reflected in her brilliant blue eyes.
"Alright then," Keiro said, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Let's show them what we're made of."
Poppy's smile was fierce. "Let's deal with Sander once and for all."
The shift took him with violent efficiency, bones restructuring and muscles expanding as his massive black wolf emerged. Beside him, Poppy's lioness materialized in a blur of tawny gold and deadly grace, her blue eyes blazing with predatory focus.