Chapter 30
30
Anora
I ’m drained, barely able to stay upright as Hazel pulls me off the cold, snowy ground. My destroyed hand dangles uselessly at my side, every movement shooting fresh, sharp pain up my arm.
The forest around us feels alive in the worst way—tall, dark trees bowed under heavy snow, their branches blocking out what little light might have reached us. The cold pierces me, my knees trembling so badly I can’t stay standing. My head is pounding, the pain so overwhelming it’s almost impossible to think.
I drop to my knees in the snow, gasping, and Hazel follows instantly, gripping my good hand. “Okay, okay, Anora,” she says, her voice shaky but firm. She glances around like she expects something—or someone—to attack at any moment. “I’ll heal you now.”
“Where are we?” I barely get the words out. My voice is so weak it’s lost in the emptiness around us.
“Wintermoon. ”
The word hits me like lightning. My eyes widen, a flicker of excitement piercing the haze of pain, but the moment she moves my mangled hand closer to hers, I wince and cry out. Excitement dissolves into agony, and tears start spilling down my face.
“I’m sorry, Anora,” Hazel says quickly. Her voice cracks as she watches me, guilt flickering across her face. “I’m so sorry.”
All I can do is cry. The pain shoots through me like fire and ice at the same time, stabbing into my head, my arm, my chest. My whole body feels like it’s breaking apart.
It’s not just physical pain—it’s like every nerve ending is screaming, every fiber of my being rebelling against this violation. This is what true agony feels like, and somewhere in the haze of pain, I understand why Amir is so protective. Why he’d do anything to keep me safe from this.
“Amir...” I can barely manage the word, but his name lingers between us, a fragile hope.
“He’ll find us,” Hazel says, her focus sharpening as she studies my hand. I can’t bring myself to look at it—it’s nothing but crushed bone and raw skin, beyond repair. “You were right about my mom, though,” she adds suddenly, like she’s trying to distract me. “She is a bitch. A cold bitch.”
Even through the pain, a weak laugh escapes me.
Hazel shifts her grip, pressing her palm over my broken hand. The second she does, I scream. The sound echoes through the forest, carrying far too far. My whole body shakes, the agony forcing my eyes shut as Hazel whispers, “It’s almost over, I promise, Anora.”
Her hand glows, soft and steady, a swirl of blue and green light wrapping over mine. The magic feels like tiny needles at first, stabbing into every destroyed piece of bone, forcing them back together bit by bit .
Slowly, the pain starts to ease until it’s nothing but a dull throb. When she finally pulls her hand back, I stare at mine in disbelief, flexing my fingers. The memory of the pain is still fresh, still twisting in my chest, but my hand is whole again. Just... whole.
I touch it cautiously with my other hand, testing it, but Hazel is on her feet already. She looks down at me, her voice softer now. “I’m her daughter, Anora. Wintermoon isn’t safe for me, but I brought you here because it’s the only place you might be out of her reach. Let me?—“
The sound of the trees ruffling cuts her off. We freeze, our eyes snapping toward the shifting shadows around us. It starts soft, a few branches creaking overhead, but then it builds fast.
The noise of the trees shaking grows louder, the wind picking up, snow spiraling down in thick sheets. Hazel steps closer to me, her arm circling my shoulders. I can feel her magic swirl again in her palm, ready to strike, but nothing moves yet. Just the low growl resonating in the forest. It’s not human.
“Wolves,” I whisper, my voice trembling.
Hazel’s grip tightens. “I know.”
Then, something drops from the trees, landing smooth and soundless in front of us. My breath catches. He looks human at first, but his hands are twisted into sharp, monstrous claws, his teeth bared, long and shining. Blue eyes, hard and venomous, lock onto us.
“Gabriel,” Hazel breathes, her shoulders stiffening.
Before I can even blink, two more figures drop from the branches above, landing on both sides of him. One has glowing green eyes, bigger than Gabriel, his sharp features set in a focused expression.
The other one is even taller, with silver eyes that seem to catch every glint of light. His hair—long locs—falls around his shoulders like a dark river, some shifting slightly in the cold air.
Gabriel’s locs are tied back into a tight ponytail with stray pieces framing his face, while the one with the green eyes has a close-shaved head.
The taller one steps forward, his eyes locking onto mine. His growl fades as his body shifts back into full human form, his movement so smooth it’s almost unnerving. He straightens, his broad shoulders catching the light. “Anora,” he says, his voice rough.
He pauses, then looks back at the others, who seem as puzzled as he is. Gabriel and the green-eyed one follow his lead, shifting to their fully human forms with flickers of their previous wildness still in their stances.
The silver-eyed one takes another step toward us. “What are you doing here with a Bailey witch?” he demands, his voice sharp.
Hazel doesn’t flinch. Instead, she raises her hand, holding up a key. Whatever it is, it makes all three of them stop short, their backs straightening instantly.
“You know what this is,” Hazel says firmly.
Their reactions are immediate—their eyes dart to each other, and they stiffen, their unease visible in every muscle. The one with green eyes curls his hands into fists, his teeth clenched like he’s holding in a growl.
“My mother got to Amir,” Hazel continues, her voice bitter now. “She used Anora as bait to get the key.”
The green-eyed one takes a step forward, his jaw clenched. That simmering anger in his shoulders tells me something—she’s done this before.
“I stepped in before he could give her the key,” Hazel mutters, her voice sharp, almost bitter. “Jacob did a better job protecting it than my uncle.” Beside her, the silver-eyed shifter narrows his brows in confusion and glances back at Gabriel, who steps forward with a glare locked on Hazel.
“It’s Hazel,” Gabriel says in that low, biting tone like her name is poison. “Aya’s daughter. She stole the key and gave it to Jacob.”
Jacob. I’ve heard the name before—from Hazel, bits and pieces of how he fits into her past, her family. Her connection with him is tenuous, but important enough to catch the attention of people like this.
The shifters exchange knowing glances—silent, edgy communication. Gabriel folds his arms across his chest, his stance rigid.
“So, what is it?” he asks coldly. “You want sanctuary?”
Something inside me snaps. I step forward, forcing my aching body to move. Anger rises up in me, hot and sharp. I might barely be standing, but I’ll be damned if they treat Hazel like this after everything she’s been through, after everything she’s done to keep people safe.
“No.” My voice is low, weak, but steady. “Just tell us where we can hide. I’m not staying anywhere Hazel isn’t welcome.” I glare at them, daring them to test me.
The silver-eyed shifter—Levi, I think Hazel called him—grunts and steps in, slapping a hand against Gabriel’s chest, shoving him back. Gabriel retreats instantly, his arms dropping to his sides. Levi straightens and lowers his head to me, bowing.
“Forgive us, majesty,” he says, his tone full of calm authority. I flinch at the word. Majestic? Queen? No, that’s not me. But if playing the part will get us through this alive, I’ll keep my mouth shut.
“I’m Levi, Alpha of the House of Zorah,” he introduces himself, his sharp silver gaze never leaving mine. With a nod, he gestures toward Gabriel and then the green-eyed shifter. “You’ve met Gabriel. And this is my brother, Kane.”
Kane lowers his head, his clenched jaw betraying his discomfort, but the look in his eyes gives him away—he doesn’t want us here. I get it, but it still stings. He seems on edge, but for now, like the others, he stays in line.
“Hazel is welcome in the House of Zorah,” Levi says firmly, his voice calm but commanding. He motions toward the forest behind him. “Please, come with us. We’ll get you warm, cleaned up, and fed.”
I glance at Hazel, desperate for some kind of confirmation. Can we trust them? Is this okay? She doesn’t say anything, but I know if it wasn’t safe, she’d tell me. My hand grips Hazel’s where the key rests, and for the first time, I feel a flicker of hope.
The name clicks in my mind. House of Zorah. A faint smile crosses my face as the pieces slide into place. Amir told me about them once, the first shifter pack he ever created. The one he always protected. If Amir trusted them, I can too. I step forward, ready to follow Levi, but everything freezes when a low, bone-shaking roar echoes around us.
It’s loud, deep, primal—and utterly terrifying. I stop dead, my body locking in place as fear floods through me. Hazel squeezes my hand.
“It’s my uncle,” she says quietly, her voice steady, but I can sense her unease.
“Amir,” I whisper, my heart racing as I scan the trees. The forest stirs ahead of us—branches shaking, snow falling as a massive shadow moves between them. Slowly, out of the darkness, a huge lion emerges. His golden eyes lock on me, fierce and unblinking.
It’s Amir.
I’ve seen him in my dreams for years, seen him in so many forms, but nothing prepared me for this. He’s magnificent—powerful and terrifying and beautiful all at once. This is what he truly is: a creature of myth and magic, ancient and deadly, and yet his eyes when they meet mine are so achingly familiar, so full of love it makes my heart stutter.
My breath catches as the lion moves closer, his steps slow and deliberate. He’s massive, unlike anything I’ve ever seen. His black fur glints in the faint patches of moonlight, his mane thick and wild, as dark as night.
A rare lion. My chest heaves as awe and relief hit me all at once. I’ve never seen him like this before—one of his beasts in full form. He growls low, a rumble that vibrates in my chest, his eyes flicking warily to the House of Zorah shifters. All of them immediately drop to their knees, heads bowed low.
But Amir doesn’t pay them any attention. He focuses on me, keeps moving until his massive head is right in front of me. Slowly, cautiously, he leans in and brushes his head against my hand.
His fur is softer than I expected. My eyes blur with tears as he nuzzles me gently, then swipes his tongue across my fingers. It’s warm, reassuring, and familiar.
I ball my hand into a fist, then open it again, raising it so he can see I’m okay. “I’m okay,” I whisper softly, my voice shaking. My hand moves instinctively to his mane, brushing through the thick black fur. He leans into the touch, and I let out the first real breath I’ve taken in hours.
In an instant, there’s a flash, and Amir shifts back to his human form. I hear Hazel groan in disgust and catch her turning her head away, cringing at Amir’s nakedness. I don’t care. I’m moving before I realize it, throwing myself at him and collapsing into his arms .
The tears come fast, spilling down my face as I clutch him tightly. His arms wrap around me just as firmly, holding me like he’s afraid to let go. “It’s okay, Anora,” he murmurs, his voice warm and steady. But I just cry harder, unable to stop.
Over my shoulder, Amir nods at the House of Zorah. Quietly, they rise, watching us.
“House of Zorah, let this be the last time you bow to me. I am no longer your king,” Amir says, his voice even but firm.
Kane huffs loudly, the sound thick with frustration. His disappointment is written all over his face, and he doesn’t bother to hide it. “It’s funny how everyone’s willing to save their mates, yet mine gets made the martyr,” he growls, his anger sharp and cutting. His words hit like a slap, but I don’t understand. What does he mean?
Amir doesn’t argue. His voice is steady, calm. “I can assure you, Kane. I will fix this.”
But Kane doesn’t wait to hear more. Without another word, he turns and leaps back into the trees, disappearing as quickly as he came.
Amir lets out a deep sigh and finally pulls back from me. A wave of shimmering gold light pours out of his fingertips as he waves a hand across his chest. Like magic—because it is magic—clothes materialize across his body. I don’t mean to look, but I can’t help it. Right before the glow covers him, I see everything.
Goddamn. That thing is thick and long even when he’s not aroused. Holy hell , how am I supposed to handle that?
Amir chuckles, and humiliation punches me straight in the chest. He must’ve picked up on my thoughts—or my scent. I groan and bury my face in my hands, horrified, and things only get worse when Levi and Gabriel both burst into laughter.
Amir adjusts his shirt, ignoring them, but Levi clears his throat, his voice still tinged with amusement. “Come. We’ve got a guest cabin you can stay in tonight. We’ll sort everything out in the morning,” he says.
Ahead of us, Hazel falls into step beside Gabriel, walking just as fast as him. Before I can move, Amir sweeps me into his arms, holding me like I weigh nothing. I don’t even think to protest. Between the cold, the hunger, and how tired I am, I’m too broken to argue.
Levi glances back, a smirk still on his face as he looks at Gabriel. “Did she really put a leash on your wolf?” He grins, his voice full of poorly hidden laughter.
Gabriel shoots him a death glare, while Hazel giggles softly, a smug smile crossing her face. “He was so angry,” she says, laughing like the whole memory is fresh in her mind. “He smelled the Bailey witch scent on me and totally lost it. I figured putting a leash on him was better than teleporting him somewhere random—especially since his mate was hurt and unconscious.”
“ Motherfucker! ” Gabriel growls, clearly still pissed about it. He storms ahead, walking faster now while Hazel just keeps laughing.
Levi snickers, turning back to Hazel. “He’s over it, Hazel, I promise—especially after hearing everything you and Jacob have done for the supernaturals. Wintermoon is grateful to you both.”
Hazel’s face hardens as the laughter fades. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she mutters, keeping her eyes forward. Levi laughs like it doesn’t bother him. He doesn’t press her.
I turn my focus to Amir, watching his face carefully as he carries me through the dark forest. His arms are strong and solid, his heat soaking into me, keeping me from freezing. Even in the bitter cold, I’m warm now that he’s holding me.
“Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” I ask, my voice softer than I intended.
He glances down, his golden eyes narrowing in irritation. “You were in the worst pain imaginable, yet you’re worried about me ?” He shakes his head sharply, looking forward again. “I’m fine, Anora.”
I pause for a moment, then manage to ask, “Andrew?”
This time, he doesn’t look at me. “He chose to stay,” Amir answers, his tone tight. “I made him promise me he’d seek shelter if the mob got through.”
I rest my head against his chest, anxiety tugging at my stomach. The thought of radicals hurting Andrew sends a chill through me. God, I pray he’s safe. Please let him be okay.
We don’t talk after that. Eventually, the forest opens up, and I catch sight of lights ahead. My lungs loosen when I see it: a small clearing with a ring of cabins in the middle of the trees. Seven of them—though one looks like it’s still under construction. The sight of it makes me smile. It feels... peaceful.
“We’re expanding,” Levi says over his shoulder, motioning to the cabin at the far end of the cul-de-sac. “You’ll stay there.”
We don’t get the chance to move before the door of one of the cabins bursts open. A figure steps out and leaps from the porch, running toward us so fast I barely have time to register who it is. But Hazel does. Tears fill her eyes, and her hand flies to cover her mouth.
“Jacob,” she whispers, breaking away from us as she runs to meet him.
The moment she leaps into his arms, I smile. Relief washes over me because I recognize him too. Jacob. He lifts her off the ground, clutching her tightly like he doesn’t want to let go.
“I’m okay, Jacob. I’m okay,” Hazel whispers, her voice soft and full of reassurance. Jacob doesn’t respond, doesn’t even look at us. He turns and carries her back toward the cabin.
A woman waits on the porch, her expression calm as Jacob carries Hazel inside. She throws us a quick glance but doesn’t say a word. She steps inside silently and shuts the door behind them.
That leaves me and Amir.
“I guess that means it’s just me and you for the night,” I say, my voice cracking slightly from the awkwardness.
I look up and meet Amir’s eyes, and my stomach drops. Those golden irises are locked on me, sharp and focused, but there’s something new in them—something darker. I swallow hard.
He’s hungry.
My cheeks burn as my mind instantly goes there. Oh god. He’s going to claim me tonight.
The bigger question is... can I handle him?
Because this isn’t just about sex—it’s about belonging, about claiming, about two souls finally coming together after many lifetimes of waiting. The way he’s looking at me now, like I’m everything he’s ever wanted, makes me shiver. I know tonight will change everything, and somehow, that terrifies and thrills me all at once.