I growled as I ran in my human form, leading a few of the pack members in a group run into our final sprint towards the house.

I decided it best I not shift for the time being, risking myself being seen would be good for no one.

Pierre informed us that many of the packs are lingering, stuck on a rumor of a female wolf shifter and may be visiting or roaming through.

Even now as I slowed toward the house Kieran was speaking with Alpha's from Europe.

I walked into the house quickly, ignoring the states of Kieran as he grinned as the Alpha's watched me with curiosity, the slight scent of lust in the air.

"Your sister?" One of the men asked.

Kieran chuckled quietly.

"That there beauty is my mate." Kieran said proudly.

The scent of jealousy hit the air and I couldn't help but smirk as Kieran grinned and scent me a wink.

"And you two have finished the mating process?" The same guy asked.

"I do not appreciate how interested you are in my mate. You will hold your tongue in my house." Kieran growled lowly.

I watched as the man's gaze landed on me once more, defying Kieran.

I growled loudly at him.

"You are in Kieran's house. You will respect his wishes, or leave." I said strongly.

The man went to protest but the familiar scream of Alina met my ears. I immediately bolted outside, Kieran right on my trail.

I had just stepped outside when the unmistakable sound of a gunshot sounded, the loud noise causing me to flinch.

"Charlotte." I heard in Kieran's strained voice.

I turned gasping when I saw the wound in chest and his eyes closing as he dropped to his knees.

I screamed as I tried to hold him up, trying to keep him awake.

I could feel my face already wet with tears as Kieran struggled to stay conscious.

I took my tank top off, leaving me in my sports bra as I held my shirt against his wound.

"James! Elise! Mom!" I yelled out as I watched Kieran begin to lose his life before my eyes. I looked up to seethe Alpha's standing there in shock, not knowing what to do.

I didn't know what to do. I couldn't lose him. I just couldn't.

"I need you to move honey. " Elise said as she shook me from my thoughts.

I looked down at Kieran's pale face.

"If you don't move he'll die! " Elise yelled.

I let go quickly, letting her take control as she and two others hoisted Kieran onto a stretcher and they ran off with him.

I turned to see James, his hands crimson with blood.

"What's happening? Where are the gunshots coming from?" I growled.

"Sniper. He has to be hidden amongst the trees on that mountain adjacent the house. " James growled.

I immediately turned towards the Alpha's.

"You're coming with me. Kill any enemy you see. Leave the shooter for me." I growled as I tried to shift, failing to do so, and I knew what that meant.

I could still feel Kieran and I's bond, our connection we had as mates. So I knew he was alive for the time being.

I also knew how stupid it would be for me to run towards the people trying to kill us, especially now that I am carrying a pup.

I froze in my tracks, watching as the other Alpha's ran on.

I turned at Alina's voice as she approached with a bandaged Daniel and a furious James.

"You're with child. You cannot shift. You should not be out here." James said.

"My inability to shift doesn't stop me from knowing how to fight, and fight I will, for my mate who cannot defend himself." I said.

I watched as my mother ran out, up to her elbows she was covered in blood, Kieran's scent lingering on her.

"Come quickly." She practically yelled at me.

I got inside the house before she did.

Gasping in shock when I saw Kieran standing up on the surgery table growling, ripping the morphine line from his arm as he growled loudly.

The hole that was previously in his chest was healed over, and he was up and furious as if it had never happened.

He leapt from the table, reaching an incredible height as he landed in front of me.

"How? He looks perfectly fine? Is this even possible? What happened?" I asked.

"We're just as confused as you. He died on the table. He was gone for two minutes and now..." My mother said quietly.

I smoothed my hand over Kieran's chest, feeling the warmth beneath my fingertips.

He placed his hand on my stomach lightly, closing his eyes as he breathed in my scent.

He kissed my lips before stepping outside.

I went to follow, but felt myself get stop abruptly. I looked down, growling when I saw I was restrained to the table with a zip tie.

I growled as I yanked against it, it taking a few tries before it gave way to my strength and I was free.

I ran out to see Kieran already coming from the tree lines as he held a man by the throat.

Kieran was a blur as he slammed the man down onto the sleet covered earth, his body making a sickening crack as it made contact with the ground.

I knew he had to at least to have broken more than a few bones by the sound of that.

Kieran lifted the man by the neck as he yelled at the man.

I watched as Kieran stood still as the man answered and then Kieran out him out of his misery.

Kieran walked towards me, his anger evident on his face, but eyes still softening as they landed on me.

"What did he tell you?" I asked.

"What I suspected. There's a bounty on you. " Kieran said.

"On me? Why?" I asked confused.

"They know you're the shifter. Many people want you as their mate, but for that to happen I have to be dead." Kieran said.

"How aren't you?" I asked still not understanding that part.

" I was always a skeptic, but never really knew it to be true. When a female and male alpha mate, their bond tethers their lives together to the Luna. I lived because you live, but if -

"I die, you will too." I finished.