Chapter 18

## Elara's POV

I raced toward the screams, my bare feet pounding against the cool pavement as I left the pink sands behind. The woman's cries grew more desperate with each passing second.

"Please, stop!! I didn't do anything wrong. You can take what you need, but please leave me alone!!"

Her pleas were punctuated by low, menacing male laughter and muffled voices that made my skin crawl. As I neared the source, her desperate cries dissolved into helpless sobbing.

We need to hurry, Anna growled within me. They're hurting her.

I vaulted over the low fence separating the beach from the town, landing softly on the other side. The streets were nearly deserted, illuminated only by scattered streetlamps casting pools of yellow light amid vast stretches of darkness. I paused briefly to let a lone car pass before continuing my pursuit.

Rounding a corner into a narrow alley, I finally found the source of the screams. Four men in black hoodies with their hoods pulled up surrounded a young woman. One crouched on the ground, rifling through her purse, while the other three had her pinned against the wall. Her clothes lay in tatters at her feet, her exposed body trembling violently as she sobbed.

White-hot rage surged through me as I watched one of the men run his hands over her body while another laughed.

"Hey!" I shouted, my hands balling into fists at my sides.

I felt the familiar tingle of my Volana powers stirring beneath my skin, electricity dancing between my fingertips. The man crouching with the purse looked up, and the darkness in his eyes sent an involuntary shiver through me. Nevertheless, I held my ground.

"That doesn't belong to you," I said firmly, then glanced at the men holding the woman. "Get away from her."

The attackers exchanged glances before erupting into laughter.

"Mind your own business, little girl," one sneered.

"Maybe she wants some fun too," another suggested, his voice slick with malice.

I kept my voice steady. "Take your hands off her. Now."

"Looks like we made her angry..." another mocked, still laughing.

"This could be interesting," the fourth added.

Let me out! Anna roared inside me. I'll tear them apart!

The men released the woman, who slumped against the wall, and turned their full attention to me. I noticed a backpack near the wall, likely belonging to one of them. Their faces were partially obscured by masks and hoods, revealing only their eyes.

"Why attack an innocent woman?" I asked, maintaining my composure. "What did she do to deserve this?"

"You don't know who you're dealing with," one hissed.

"Maybe we should show her what we're capable of," another suggested, stepping closer.

The stench of whiskey on their breath turned my stomach as they approached. One grabbed my arm, yanking me against his chest. I didn't resist immediately, letting them believe I was weak. I felt his cold fingers trail down my spine, nearly reaching my backside. Another pressed against me from behind, his hardness pushing against my leg as he wrapped his arms around my waist to hold me in place.

"Let's get those clothes off you," he whispered in my ear.

I've had enough, Anna snarled. Let's teach these bastards a lesson!

In one fluid motion, I drove my elbow hard into the stomach of the man behind me, making him double over gasping for breath. Simultaneously, I kicked upward between the legs of the man in front of me, causing him to crumple in agony. Grabbing the arm of the man behind me, I flipped backward over his entire body, landing gracefully behind him.

I raised my fists, ready to continue fighting as the others finally realized what was happening. My eyes glowed in the moonlight, my Volana wolf powers making my movements faster and stronger than they'd anticipated.

## Caius's POV

I realized the thieves would likely strike at night, especially in darker areas like alleyways. The moon hung high in the night sky, bathing Thalassian Reach's streets in silver light as I continued my patrol.

A woman's desperate cry pierced the night: "Please... somebody help me...!"

Without hesitation, I shifted into my wolf form, letting Max take full control as I bounded toward town. The woman's sobs were nearly drowned out by mocking laughter, but as I drew closer, another scent caught my attention—honeysuckle mixed with the metallic tang of blood.

That's our mate, Max growled within me.

I ran faster, her scent growing stronger with each stride. As I rounded the corner, I saw them—the thieves in black hoodies matching those from the jewelry store footage. A crying woman leaned against the wall, trembling with fear. My eyes scanned the scene until I found Elara, her red hair blazing like fire in the moonlight.

She was fighting—and winning. Despite her smaller frame, she moved with extraordinary precision, her combat skills far exceeding what she'd demonstrated in class. The men seemed shocked and embarrassed to be bested by a woman. Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead, her pale skin almost luminous under the moon's glow, red hair clinging to her flushed cheeks. Her heterochromatic eyes flashed dangerously in the darkness.

I'd already summoned some of my Gamma wolves to arrest the thieves and was waiting for their arrival. Noticing a backpack against the alley wall, I circled around and retrieved it, discovering the stolen sapphire necklace inside along with other jewelry and cash.

She's impressive, Max remarked appreciatively.

My Gamma wolves arrived moments later. The thieves attempted to flee, but they were no match for my pack, especially weakened from Elara's assault. I directed my Gammas to restrain them.

While the thieves were being secured, I watched Elara approach the woman who remained huddled against the wall. She removed her own jacket and gently draped it over the woman's exposed body.

"You're safe now," she murmured softly. "It's over."

The woman continued sobbing, though her trembling had subsided. Elara's voice was gentle yet firm, carrying a soothing quality that seemed to calm the traumatized woman.

I found myself unable to look away from Elara. Even back in human form, neither Max nor I could tear our gaze from her. I was struck by her compassion for a complete stranger.

Was she always like this? I wondered. This Volana wolf has many layers to be discovered.

She's a perfect mate, Max whispered. Strong yet compassionate.

One of my Gamma wolves approached Elara, and after a brief exchange, carefully lifted the woman and carried her to a waiting car.

"I'm taking her to the hospital," he informed me.

I handed him the sapphire necklace from the backpack. "Return this to the jewelry store as well. Tell Nyssa we caught the thieves."

"Yes, Alpha," he nodded before returning to the car with the woman.

Elara finally noticed me, approaching with a slight blush coloring her cheeks, her unusual eyes reflecting a hint of embarrassment.

"I'm sorry I left the pack house," she said. "I just needed some fresh air..."

When I didn't respond, she lowered her gaze and started to walk past me. "I'll go back now."

Before she could pass, I caught her arm, stopping her. She looked up at me, eyes wide, and I felt a current of electricity where our skin met. Blood trickled from a cut on her forehead, streaming down the side of her face.

My blue eyes softened, my voice dropping low. "You're hurt."

Our mate is injured, Max whispered worriedly inside me.