Updated Nov 6, 2025 • ~7 min read
“Stay a little longer.”
Caspian’s voice was soft, almost pleading, as Willow prepared to hike out to Cedar Ridge again. She needed to deliver her next batch of photos to Reid, needed to maintain the cover that she was still “on assignment.”
But leaving was getting harder every time.
“It’s just three days,” Willow said, though her heart wasn’t in it. The incomplete bond pulled at her, aching at the thought of distance.
“I know. I just…” Caspian pulled her into his arms, breathing her in. “Every time you leave, I’m terrified something will happen. That you’ll get hurt, or lost, or Jack will find you.”
“Jack ran. He’s not coming back.”
“He killed two of his own men. Watched me tear them apart. That’s not someone who just gives up.”
He had a point. But Willow couldn’t live in fear.
“Come with me,” she said suddenly. “Not all the way to town, but closer. Stay nearby while I’m gone.”
Caspian hesitated. The thought of getting closer to civilization clearly terrified him. But the thought of her being far away terrified him more.
“Okay,” he agreed. “I’ll come.”
They hiked together, Caspian in panther form because it was easier for him. Willow talked to him the whole way, narrating her thoughts, her plans, what she’d tell Reid.
“The documentary people want to come out here,” she said. “Film the territory. I’ve been putting them off, obviously. Can’t exactly have film crews wandering around your home.”
The panther made a sound of agreement.
“But we’ll need a long-term plan. If I’m going to keep working as a wildlife photographer—which I want to, by the way—we need to figure out how to balance your privacy with my career.”
Caspian shifted to human, walking beside her. “What if we built a cabin? On the edge of the territory. Somewhere you could work from, bring equipment, maybe even have your editor visit without compromising the den.”
Willow stopped walking, staring at him. “You’d do that? Build a cabin?”
“For you? I’d build a castle.” He smiled. “Besides, it makes sense. The cave is defensible, but it’s not practical for you long-term. No electricity, no running water, no space for your equipment.”
“I don’t need electricity—”
“But you want it. And you deserve it.” He cupped her face. “I’m not asking you to live like a wild animal just because I did for forty years. We can have both. The wilderness and some modern conveniences.”
Willow’s eyes filled with tears. “How are you this perfect?”
“I’m not perfect. I’m just in love with you.” He kissed her softly. “When you get back, we’ll start planning it. Our cabin. Our home. Our life.”
“Our life,” Willow repeated, smiling through her tears.
They reached the edge of the forest, close enough to Cedar Ridge that Willow could make it before dark. Caspian pulled her close, reluctant to let her go.
“Three days,” he said. “You promised three days.”
“Three days,” Willow confirmed. “I’ll be back before you know it. And then…” She touched the spot on her neck where his claiming bite would go. “And then we make this permanent.”
Caspian growled, the sound full of promise and possessiveness. “I can’t wait to mark you. To make sure everyone knows you’re mine.”
“I’m already yours.”
“Not officially.” His eyes had gone golden. “But soon. So soon.”
They kissed goodbye—long and deep and full of promise—and then Willow forced herself to walk away. Every step hurt. The bond pulled at her, screaming for her to turn back.
But she kept going. Three days. She could do three days.
Behind her, Caspian watched until she disappeared from view, then shifted to panther and began his vigil. He’d stay close, patrol the area, make sure she was safe even from a distance.
Because she was his. And he protected what was his.
Always.
In Cedar Ridge, Willow checked into the motel and immediately called Reid.
“You sound better,” he said after they’d discussed the photos. “Less…haunted.”
“I’m happy,” Willow admitted. “This place, this assignment—it’s exactly what I needed.”
“You’re not coming back, are you?”
The question startled her. “What?”
“To city life. Normal assignments. You’re going to stay out there.” Reid sighed. “I’ve known you for five years, Willow. I’ve never heard you sound like this. Content. Settled. You found something in that forest.”
“Yeah,” Willow said quietly. “I did.”
“Is it a someone?”
She smiled. “Maybe.”
“Good. You deserve to be happy.” He paused. “But I need to know—are you safe? Really safe? Because if you’ve met some wilderness hermit who’s isolating you—”
“I’m safe, Reid. I promise. He’s—” She caught herself. “It’s complicated. But I’m happy. Genuinely happy. For the first time in my life.”
“Then I’m happy for you.” Reid’s voice was warm. “Just promise me you’ll keep checking in. And if you ever need help, you’ll call.”
“I promise.”
After they hung up, Willow sat on the motel bed and touched the spot on her neck again. In four days, Caspian would bite her there. Complete the bond. Tie them together forever.
And she couldn’t wait.
She spent the next two days handling logistics. Ordered solar panels and a portable generator to be delivered to a pickup point near the forest. Arranged for a satellite internet setup. Bought supplies for their cabin-building project. Spent money she’d made from the National Geographic exclusive on making their wilderness life more livable.
On the third morning, as she prepared to hike back, her satellite phone rang.
Unknown number.
She almost didn’t answer. But something made her pick up.
“Willow Parker?” A man’s voice. Rough. Familiar.
“Who is this?”
“Jack McKenna. We met a week ago. When your pet monster attacked my men.”
Willow’s blood went cold. “How did you get this number?”
“I have connections. Including some very interested parties who’d love to know there’s a black panther shifter living in Washington.” Jack’s voice was smug. “Last of his kind, I’m told. Quite valuable. To the right people.”
“What do you want?”
“I want you to walk away. Leave the forest. Never come back. Do that, and I’ll leave him alone.”
“Liar.”
“Okay, you got me.” Jack laughed. “I’m going to kill him regardless. But if you’re there? You’ll die too. This is me being generous. Giving you a chance to live.”
“When?” Willow demanded.
“Soon. Very soon. My team is already assembling.” He paused. “Say goodbye to your monster, Miss Parker. Because the next time I see him, he’s dead.”
The line went dead.
Willow stood frozen, phone in hand, terror clawing at her throat.
Jack was coming. With a team. To kill Caspian.
And they had maybe days. Maybe hours.
She ran.
Grabbed her pack and ran for the forest, moving faster than she’d ever moved in her life. The incomplete bond pulled at her, guiding her home, and she followed it blindly.
Caspian met her halfway, still in panther form. He took one look at her face and shifted immediately.
“What’s wrong?”
“Jack,” Willow gasped. “He called me. He’s coming. With a team. He knows about you—knows you’re a shifter—and he’s bringing people to kill you.”
Caspian went very still. “When?”
“Soon. He wouldn’t say when. But soon.”
For a moment, pure panic crossed his face. Then it hardened into something else. Determination. Rage. Protection.
“Then we prepare,” he said. “We set traps. Fortify the den. And when they come, we fight.”
“We?” Willow asked.
“We,” Caspian confirmed, pulling her close. “I’m not facing this alone. Not anymore. We’re a team. A Pride, even if it’s just us.”
“A Pride,” Willow repeated.
And as they raced back to the cave to prepare for war, she realized something: she wasn’t scared.
Because whatever came, they’d face it together.
And together, they were unstoppable.
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