The scent hit him like a fist to the chest.
A black wolf tore through the forest, golden eyes blazing, paws slamming wet earth. Every breath pulled more of her in.
Serena.
The wolf ran faster than any Alpha had a right to. Faster than bone and muscle should allow, because none of that mattered. He needed to get to her.
He'd been searching for what felt like hours. He'd been so worried.
And when he saw her, his heart cracked open. She stood by a stream, head in her hands.
He shifted mid lunge, hands replacing paws just as he reached her.
"Serena! Are you alright?"
Her sadness bled through the matebond before he even touched her, so sharp it stole his breath.
He pulled her into his arms tightly, catching her off guard.
His scent and touch calmed her. He could feel her through their matebond.
Electricity danced everywhere their skin met.
She stiffened and pushed him away.
