15

DOM POV

I pace back and forth near the hole we made for holding thirsty ones. We have never had a human inside the den before. All talks with humans have been at the mansion or within the human territory.

I feel oddly exposed having her inside our rudimentary home. I know humans prefer certain accommodations, but our wild side yearns for this way of living. The freedom and connection to the earth satisfy the inner animal we all are.

"This is the hole. Alpha will decide what to do next. You will wait here until that decision is made," Giulia says, and I force my brain to focus on my sense of hearing.

I hear my mate's heart rate accelerate, and I instantly feel regret about my decision to house her in such a place, but the pack must not find out who she is. She might mean something to me, but to the pack, she is a liability.

"It's pitch black. I can't see," my human mate says, and the undeniable fear in her voice makes me step forward.

"I cannot assist you with that problem. Hu