Landon carried Fiona down the long hallway in his arms. She slept peacefully on his shoulder, her soft breaths tickled against his throat.

She had cried in his arms for a long time before her body had given out. He caught her before she could fall and held her on the bench for a while, waiting to see if she would wake.

As she slept, Landon glanced over her features. She was beautiful as always, but he couldn’t help but notice the dark circles and the thinning of her body.

He had noted that she seemed to always use her cane these days, and her mind was often lost in a place that left a look of sorrow etched on her face.

Now he understood the reason.

As he made the last turn that would lead to her bedroom, he wasn’t at all surprised to find Galen waiting with a look of suspicion and anger.

Galen reached for her, but Landon shook his head.

“I will not disturb her rest,” he said softly.

Galen reached out again, but Fiona’s arms around Landon’s neck tightened, and she nuzzled against his throat with a soft whimper. Landon made a soft shush and hugged her as she settled in his arms.

Galen let out a frustrated sigh and turned around to open the door to her room. He moved aside to allow Landon to carry her in. Galen pulled back the blankets on her bed as Landon set her down gently.

Fiona let out another whimper, refusing to let him go. Galen saw the soft smile on Landon’s lips. The man whispered something to Fiona, something Galen couldn’t hear. She smiled and then let go and settled into bed.

Both men left as quietly as they could. But once the door was closed and locked, Galen turned with a growl.

“I won’t let you toy with her,” he said. “She’ll never let you take Summer, anyway.”

Landon sighed and tilted his head.

Galen took a step toward Landon and nodded.

“I know all about it,” he said. “The wolves that reached out to you realized their mistake. They came to me and told me about the request they sent. But I never thought you would actually take them up on it.”

Landon crossed his arms.

“Are you done?” Landon asked.

Galen let out another low growl.

“Out of respect for the alliance between our packs,” he said, “I am holding back. But if you think for a second that she or I will ever let you take over Summer… Let me clear that up right now. It is my duty to protect this pack from anyone who threatens it. And I will uphold that duty, no matter who it is.”

Galen and Landon locked eyes.

They had interacted many times and worked closely together in uniting the packs. Landon had not failed to notice that Galen did not like the attention he paid to Fiona, but so far, he hadn’t said or done anything to try and stop it.

Looking at him now, he saw the fight inside of him. The same man that he had met on the battlefield, the one that cut through the trees and bats as if they were nothing.

He was protecting his pack, as well as Fiona, from a potential threat. A potential conqueror.

Landon smiled.

“Do you remember when we met?” he asked.

Galen furrowed his brow. He thought back to the last night of the war. Returning to Summer, helping Ashleigh through the portal, and returning to the battlefield.

“I said you fought like a beast,” Landon continued.

Galen nodded.

“I told you it was because I knew what I would be losing if I died there,” he replied.

Landon nodded.

“Do you remember what I said to that?”

Galen tried to remember but could only think of a few words.

“I believe you told me I had a great weakness in my heart.”

Landon chuckled and nodded.

Landon tilted his head toward Fiona’s door.

Galen looked back and then turned to Landon with a growl.

“I have no interest in becoming Alpha of Summer,” Landon said. “The wolves that came to me were turned away with instructions to report back to you what they had done.”

Galen furrowed his brow.

“Really?” he asked.

Landon nodded.

“Outside of our alliance, the only thing in Summer that interests me is Fiona.”

Galen clenched his jaw and sighed.

“Does she feel the same?” he asked.

Landon smiled.

“Not the same,” he said. “But something.”

Galen took a deep breath. He pursed his lips and rubbed his temples as though he had a headache.

“I don’t… I don’t want to hear this…” he sighed. “Look, as long as she wants… whatever this is… I won’t interfere. But if you do anything to hurt her or Summer… all bets are off.”

Landon nodded.

Galen sighed and turned to walk away.

Landon furrowed his brow, feeling irritated suddenly.

“Is that it?” he called out.

Galen turned back with a questioning glance.

“Was there something else?” he asked.

“The request…” Landon said. “Is that not cause for concern.”

Galen narrowed his eyes.

“Not for you,” he said. “So long as you aren’t trying to fulfill that request, you don’t need to worry about Summer, okay?”

After a moment, Galen again turned to leave.

Landon took a deep breath through his nose.

“As Beta of this pack, it is my duty to remain here until my Alpha or Luna has returned.”

Galen turned back, eyeing Landon with confusion as the words struck a chord of familiarity.

“That is something else you said to me that day,” Landon said.

Galen furrowed his brow. He remembered when Landon had told him to go to Winter.

“I remember,” he said. “Why mention it?”

Landon took a breath and stood straight, looking directly into Galen’s eyes.

“Your Alpha and Luna are not returning.”