The wolf within

Zayn's POV

The wind carried her scent before I ever saw her.

It hit me like a slap-a sweet mix of wildflowers and something uniquely hers, sharp and intoxicating, cutting through the forest air. My wolf stirred instantly, growling with a need so necessary it made my chest ache.

Mate.

I froze mid-step, Venom has never said that word before. I've suddenly forgotten the Rogues I was chasing, my whole attention now on the emotions I was feeling. My vision sharpened, focusing on the faint sound of labored breathing just ahead. My heart hammered in my chest as I walked closer, the bond pulling me forward with an urgency I hadn't felt in decades.

The first thing I saw was her hair, a messy dark bun with strands of white, unusual yet unique. She sat curled up against the base of an old tree, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, shoulders trembling. Her thin, tattered sweater barely shields her from the cold air. She looked... fragile, a word I never thought I'd associate with my mate.

But then I saw her face as she turned.

It broke me. Her face was swollen, her eyes shades of dark purple and red all over. Her nose looked broken and her lips split.

And then I met her eyes.

Even from a distance, they were a piercing shade of deep yellow, reflecting the sunset yet darker than any forest I'd ever walked through. They were clouded with fear and pain, but they burned with something deeper-something defiant, I can't really tell. It hit me like a punch to my stomach. This was a woman who'd been broken. She was holding herself together by sheer force of will and then I realized... I've been holding my breath all this while.

My wolf howled in my mind, desperate to reach her.

She didn't see me at first, too focused on the shaking breaths she was taking. Her fingers tugged at the edges of her sleeves as if the motion would keep her grounded.

"Are you lost?" I asked, keeping my voice low and steady, though every fiber of my being wanted to rush to her.

Her head snapped up, eyes wide with alarm. She quickly got to her feet, attempting to hide herself against the tree as if it could swallow her whole.

"Who are you?" Her voice was hoarse, wary.

I raised my hands slowly, palms open. "My name's Zayn. I'm not here to hurt you."

Her gaze darted around, searching for an escape. My wolf growled softly at her distress, and I had to clench my fists to keep him in check.

"You're lying," she whispered. "Everyone wants something. What do you want?"

I take a cautious step forward, ignoring the strong scent of fear rolling off her. "To help." The truth came easily because I couldn't want anything else. Not with her. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

Her laugh was bitter and broken. "Alone's safer."

The words tore through me, sharper than any rogue's claws. I stopped moving, giving her space even though every instinct screamed at me to close the distance.

Then the wind shifted again, carrying her scent in full force, and it was like I'd been struck by lightning. My wolf surged forward, snarling.

She's hurt.

I took a closer look. There were deep bruises on her arms, largely visible even beneath her sleeves. Her whole body seems swollen, as if she'd taken a blow all over. Rage roared in my chest, nearly drowning out my wolf's possessive growl.

"Who did this to you?" I demanded, unable to keep the growl from my voice.

Her expression flickered, and she shrank back. I tried to calm myself down hoping I didn't scare her too much.

"It doesn't matter," she muttered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"It does to me," I said fiercely, taking another step. "No one will dare touch you ever again. Not while I'm here."

She slowly raised her eyes looking straight into mine, as though searching for something, maybe a trace of dishonesty. "Why do you care? You don't even know me."

I stopped a few feet away, keeping my voice as calm as I could. "You're right. I don't know you. But I do know this: you're mine to protect."

Her brows knit together in confusion, but she didn't run. She stayed rooted to the spot, her body trembling, her eyes darting between distrust and something softer. Hope, maybe.

I stepped closer, slowly this time, and offered her my hand. "Let me help you."

She didn't move for a long moment, and I held my breath. Finally, hesitantly, she reached out. Her fingers brushed mine, and the bond ignited between us like fire, scorching, intense.

She gasped, and so did I. For the first time in years, I felt whole.

She quickly took her hands back with wide eyes, clearly in shock.

"Who are you?" she whispered again, but this time, her voice cracked, laced with something that sounded like surrender.

I held her gaze, letting her see my truth. "I'm the one that will do everything to keep you safe, I'm your mate."

And in that moment, I knew I'd do anything to keep that promise.

But what she said next shocked me more than I expected.

"What do you mean by my mate? I really don't want any trouble, if you could please leave me alone".

I could see her legs shaking as she started murmuring something to herself.

"Are you okay? Who are you speaking to? I ask, a bit worried.

"It's a voice in my head, she calls herself Lyra. I know you might think I'm crazy and probably need to go to an asylum but it's the truth".

"I believe you". I say smiling at her while finally closing the gap between us, I reach out to her once again, patiently waiting and praying for her to take my hands.

Just as she reaches out to me, I hear the ruffling of leaves nearby and then a different scent hits me. My instincts to protect her kicks in and I quickly tell her to get behind me while abruptly scanning the area for rogues. As expected, a couple of wolves jump out of hiding and begin circling us, their intent clear as they growl.

I could easily take them all if I was on my own but now I had a mate standing behind me trembling in fear. I contemplated turning to my wolf and finishing these rogues off but I can't risk her safety so I quickly connect to the mind link trying to reach my beta and pack while making sure she was still safe behind me.

Just as they were about to attack, my Beta Lucian and my Gamma Ryker intercept their attack just in time alongside other wolves. A body thuds behind me and I realize it's my mate's body. Apparently she passed out due to the shock. I rush to her side kneeling next to her trying to make sure she's still alive as I slowly lift her in my arms while ordering out a single command to the pack of wolves surrounding me.

"Protect your Luna!!!".