Elliot's instincts flared as he shoved Hayley's hands away, putting space between them, his broad shoulders coiled like a wolf ready to strike but controlled by the sharp discipline of an Alpha. His eyes pinned her, unwavering. "I found you. Now I bear the responsibility for you," he said, his voice low, carrying the weight of his pack and the authority of his bond.
Hayley's posture crumpled, her wide eyes glistening with tears like a pup lost in the wild. "Alright, Elliot… I trust you. You're the one I trust most in this world. I just want to stay by your side, to belong to you, to be protected, to feel needed…" Her words spilled out, vulnerable yet possessive, a wolf staking her claim in the only Alpha she recognized.
