Page 26 of Talk Howly to Me

Ronan maintained his usual steady pace, but his jaw remained tight as they navigated the well-worn trail that wound deeper into the dense forest. Every few minutes, he'd glance sideways at Kozue, waiting for his Beta to break the silence that stretched between them.

When the trail curved around a massive boulder, Kozue finally cleared his throat, his voice pitched low enough that only Ronan could hear over the chatter of their guests.

"It just happened," he said, his usual confidence replaced by something rawer, more uncertain. "Sloane invited me inside her suite, and we were talking, and things just... unfolded."

Ronan's stride never faltered, but something sharp twisted in his chest. The rational part of him understood—Sloane was beautiful, compelling, and the mate bond would have been pulling at Kozue just as fiercely as it pulled at him. But understanding didn't ease the sting of rejection that hit him like a gut punch.

"Then she asked me to spend the night with her," Kozue continued, and the words landed with devastating clarity.

The trail narrowed as they approached a section where ancient trees grew so close together their branches formed a natural canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight into dancing patterns across the forest floor. Ronan stepped over a fallen log, his movements automatic while his mind processed what Kozue had just revealed.

"Well, we agreed to let things unfold naturally and let her decide," Ronan said, his voice controlled despite the turmoil churning beneath the surface. The hurt was there—sharp and unexpected—but it wasn't jealousy exactly. It was something deeper. The realization that when given a choice, Sloane had chosen Kozue first. "Clearly, she made her decision. She chose you. So, I'll just step back and let you both explore what's building between you two."

"No." Kozue's response came so quickly and with such force that Mrs. Harrison glanced at them with curiosity before returning her attention to the trail. "Ronan, you are not sacrificing yourself. That's exactly why I panicked this morning and bolted from her suite."

The confession hit Ronan like a slap. So that explained Sloane's subdued mood during the drive to town, the way she'd seemed almost wounded. Kozue had left her alone after an intimate night, and that clearly triggered her.

"I can't do this to you," Kozue continued, his voice thick with guilt. "I shouldn't have been so selfish last night."

They crested a small rise where the trail opened up momentarily, offering a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks in the distance. The beauty of their territory spread out before them, but Ronan's focus remained entirely on the man walking beside him—the brother who'd saved his life, who'd stood by him through every challenge, who was now tearing himself apart over something that should have been a gift.

"Kozue, stop blaming yourself for doing something you clearly wanted," Ronan said, his Alpha authority bleeding into his voice.

"But we have a triad mate bond, whether we've fully accepted that yet or not," Kozue replied, ducking under a low-hanging branch as the trail descended toward the sound of rushing water. "That means we need some sort of understanding about how we're going to navigate this where neither of us steps aside for the other."

The logic was sound, but Ronan could hear the uncertainty underneath Kozue's words. His Beta was struggling with the same questions that had kept Ronan awake most of the night—how did three people build something together when the very concept challenged everything they'd been taught about mate bonds?

"Fine," Ronan conceded, stepping carefully over a section where recent rains had made the trail muddy. "We both shouldn't feel like we have to sacrifice what fate intended for us. But for now, until Sloane is more comfortable, we can't tell her about this triad mate bond. Especially not after what happened today at the general store."

Kozue stopped walking so abruptly that Ronan had to turn back to face him. The concern that flashed across his Beta's features was immediate and intense.

"What happened at the general store?"

The guests continued moving ahead of them, Emerson's voice carrying back as she pointed out different types of wildflowers growing along the trail's edge. Ronan waited until the group had moved far enough ahead that their conversation wouldn't be overheard.

"Well, when we were leaving, three rogue wolves tried to attack Sloane. So, Bob and I had to shift into our wolf forms to protect her."

"Oh no." Kozue's face went pale. "So, she knows we're wolves now?"

Ronan nodded grimly, the memory of Sloane's shocked expression still vivid in his mind. "Yes, and she fainted because of it. Right after we killed the rogues, I looked over at her while I was still in my wolf form, and she just dropped to the ground from shock."

They resumed walking, but Kozue's entire demeanor had altered into something darker and more protective. "This is bad. She's probably going to leave now. And what's worse—I know why those rogues are after her."

The trail began its final ascent toward the waterfall, the sound of cascading water growing louder with each step. Ronan felt his wolf stir with unease, sensing the gravity in Kozue's tone.

"She told me last night that she's an underground fighter," Kozue continued, his voice dropping even lower. "And after she won her match the other night, two men tried to kidnap her. Said their employer wanted to speak with her. That's why she's on the run."

They crested the ridge, and the waterfall opened up before them in all its magnificent glory—a hundred-foot cascade of crystalline water plunging into a deep pool surrounded by moss-covered rocks and wild ferns. The guests immediately spread out along the viewing area, cameras clicking and voices rising in appreciation of the natural wonder.

Ronan and Kozue moved to the side, positioning themselves where they could keep watch over the group while continuing their conversation in private. The roar of the waterfall provided perfect cover for their words.

"This is really bad," Ronan said, his Alpha instincts fully engaged now. "Whoever is after her is clearly still hunting her, and they're obviously on her trail now. They may even already know she's staying at Hale Lodge or will connect the dots soon enough."

His mind was already racing through defensive strategies, calculating the resources they'd need to protect not just Sloane but their entire pack community. If professional kidnappers were involved, this wasn't a threat they could handle with standard security measures.

"We need to beef up our security," he continued, his voice taking on a decisive tone. "Triple the pack patrols. Have two pack enforcers run security at the front of Hale Lodge at all times."

Kozue frowned, his gaze drifting to where the Harrisons' teenage daughters were posing for photos near the water's edge. "That might give off a bad impression to the guests."