Johan's POV

The moment I stepped out of the meeting room, I knew something was wrong.

His scent.

Gone.

Not faded, not weak-gone.

I didn't wait.

I didn't ask.

I didn't breathe.

I stormed through the halls, past startled omegas and confused pack members, my wolf rising fast, clawing at my skin like it wanted to tear the walls apart.

"North!" I roared, my voice echoing through the stone mansion, shaking chandeliers.

No answer.

Just silence.

And that's when I knew.

He'd run.

Tiger appeared at my side without a word, already tracking the trails.

"He went east," he said. "Toward the forest."

I didn't need more.

Lightning stirred in my bones as I shifted-not into full wolf, not yet-but enough to carry the storm in my wake. The skies outside darkened, a low rumble pressing through the clouds, answering the fury in my blood.

He left me.

He ran from me.

He thought I wouldn't come after him?

He was mine.

And I was going to remind him.

The old Silverpine pack house sat quiet on the edge of the forest, cloaked in moss and twilight.

Until I stepped through the front gate.

The wind surged with me. The temperature dropped.

And every eye in the house turned toward the front door as I threw it open, barely containing the thunder rolling under my skin.

I didn't knock.

Didn't announce myself.

My power flooded the entrance like a tidal wave, silencing everyone inside.

North's mother was the first to stand-eyes sharp, protective.

His grandmother watched me with something like ancient recognition.

But I didn't come for them.

I came for him.

North stood just behind the couch, wrapped in too many blankets, lips parted, eyes wide.

He looked smaller here. Fragile. Breakable.

Mine.

My bond snapped taut.

My wolf howled with desperate possessiveness.

"You ran," I said, voice low, deadly. "Without a word."

North flinched-but held my gaze. "I-needed space."

"You don't get space," I growled, crossing the room in two strides. "Not when you're bound to me. Not when I wake up and your scent is gone like a ghost."

"You're not my-"

"Finish that sentence," I warned, my power crashing over the room like a lightning strike. "And I swear, I'll carry you home over my shoulder."

Nao stepped forward, standing protectively in front of North. "Back off," he said quietly, though his hands trembled. "He was scared. He didn't do this to hurt you."

I turned to him slowly, eyes narrowing.

"And who are you?"

"I'm his cousin. Nao."

Another omega.

Delicate scent. Gentle presence.

But not him.

Tiger appeared behind me then, placing a hand on my shoulder.

His tone was calm, but firm. "He's family, Johan. Leave it."

Nao's gaze flicked to Tiger's, something unreadable passing between them. Cautious curiosity. Recognition. Or something darker.

I turned back to North.

"Get your things," I said. "You're coming home."

"I don't-" North started.

"I'm not asking."

Silence crackled around us.

His father tensed. His aunt looked like she wanted to intervene. But his grandmother only watched. Waiting.

North's lips parted. Anger flickered behind his silver gaze, but underneath it-

Fear. Confusion. Longing.

"I'm not ready," he whispered.

I stepped closer, brushing my fingers against the edge of his jaw. He didn't flinch, but he didn't lean in either.

"You don't have to be ready," I murmured. "You just have to trust that I won't let anyone-even you-tear us apart."

His breath hitched.

Then, slowly, he dropped his gaze.

I exhaled, tension bleeding off me just enough to think.

"We'll go slow," I said. "But you will come home."

North nodded once.

And that was enough.

I stepped back, wrapping an arm around him like a living shield, guiding him gently but firmly toward the door.

Tiger paused near Nao, giving him a nod of acknowledgement.

"You have guts," Tiger said, his voice low. "But don't throw yourself between an Alpha and his mate unless you're ready for consequences."

Nao lifted his chin. "Then maybe you should teach your Alpha to stop acting like a storm on a leash."

Tiger's lips twitched-almost a smile. "He is the leash."

And then we left.

North beside me.

His scent back in my lungs.

And this time?

I wasn't letting go.

_____

North's POV

The ride back was silent.

Not the kind of silence that felt peaceful-but the kind that hummed beneath the skin. Like the air before a storm. Like the second before a confession.

I sat pressed against the passenger side window, eyes locked on the passing trees. The sun was breaking through the clouds now, sending lines of gold between the leaves. Johan sat beside me, one hand on the wheel, the other clenched tight in his lap.

He hadn't said a word since we left my pack house.

But I could feel him.

Every breath he took. Every glance he threw my way. His bond curled around me like a rope made of warmth and thunder, tugging, pulling, aching to draw me back in.

And I hated how much of me wanted to let it.

I didn't know what scared me more-his anger, or his tenderness.

Because when Johan was furious, he burned like a storm.

But when he was gentle... he wrecked me.

The truck finally stopped at the top of the long stone driveway, the Crimson Claw mansion looming ahead, sun gleaming across its obsidian roof. I didn't move.

He didn't either.

Until his voice broke the quiet.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

I turned toward him slowly, surprised by how small his voice sounded.

He wasn't looking at me. His jaw was clenched, eyes fixed on the dash like it was the only thing keeping him from crumbling.

"You didn't scare me," I said quietly.

Johan huffed a broken laugh. "You ran from me like I was a monster."

I looked away. "You barged into my home like a thunderstorm."

"Because I thought I'd lost you," he snapped, finally turning. "You don't get it, North. I come back, and you're gone. Your scent's cold. No note. No word. Just silence."

His hand twitched in his lap.

"I've lost people before. But this-" he shook his head, breath unsteady, "-this felt worse."

"I didn't run from you," I whispered. "I ran to something. I needed answers."

His gaze sharpened. "And did you get them?"

I hesitated.

Then I nodded.

"They told me what I am. Or at least... what I might be."

A beat.

"And?"

I met his gaze, chest tight. "Dangerous. Unnatural. Maybe even cursed."

"No." Johan's voice cut through the air like steel. "Powerful. Sacred. Chosen."

I swallowed.

He leaned closer, his eyes burning with something I couldn't name.

"You're not dangerous to me. You're not broken. You're not wrong. You're mine, North."

The bond pulsed between us like a heartbeat.

I didn't run when he reached out this time.

His hand cupped my jaw, thumb brushing along my cheek like I might shatter if he wasn't careful.

And I hated how I leaned into it. Just a little.

"You're still scared," he said softly.

I nodded.

He sighed, thumb sliding across my lower lip before he pulled away and opened the door.

"Come on," he murmured. "You need to eat."

I followed him in.

The halls were quiet. The others were still at the war council, apparently. For once, no prying eyes. No staring omegas. No pressure.

Just the two of us.

He took me back to his room.

I didn't argue.

The moment the door clicked shut, he let out a sigh and leaned back against it like the weight of the entire day had landed in his bones.

I stood awkwardly near the bed, arms crossed.

"Sit," he said gently, nodding to the pillows.

I sat.

He crossed the room slowly, watching me with those storm-drenched eyes, gaze flicking down my face, to my shoulders, my throat. Not possessively-not this time.

Just quietly. Intently. Like he was memorizing me.

When he knelt in front of me, I froze.

"I'm not gonna force anything," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Not your trust. Not your touch. Not this bond."

I stared at him.

"But let me hold you, just for a while. Please."

I didn't answer.

I just nodded.

And when he moved onto the bed, pulling me against his chest, I didn't resist.

His arms wrapped around me slowly. Carefully.

Like I was sacred.

Like I was home.

My back pressed to his front, his breath warm against my neck, one large hand splayed gently across my stomach. His scent wrapped around me-dark pine, cold air, rain on stone.

And then he nudged his nose against my nape.

Inhaled me like it was the first time.

Let out a low, guttural sigh.

His voice rumbled low. "You don't need to run anymore."

I didn't reply.

Because deep down, a part of me already believed him.

And that was the most terrifying thing of all.

______________

Authors note :

I just realised i never added nao and tiger in my stories as side characters and the fact they r my second fave couple in the forever you series after johannorth ?!??!

Anyways the weather is so hot I want to take a cold plunge 😞