Page 40 of Talk Howly to Me

"Well, then you two need to prepare me for this," she said, meeting each of their gazes in turn. "Teach me how to fight a wolf."

Ronan and Kozue exchanged another one of those wordless glances that spoke of years of shared leadership and trust. Something passed between them—agreement, strategy, maybe resignation that their mate was about to insist on throwing herself into danger.

"Alright," Kozue said finally, though his tone suggested he wasn't entirely happy about it. "We can teach you."

For the first time since Tasha had walked through those doors, Sloane felt a spark of hope. She might have brought this storm to their territory, but she wasn't going to hide behind their protection like some helpless survivor.

She was going to learn to fight back harder and stronger than ever before. Because now, she had something she wasn't willing to lose.

SIXTEEN

KOZUE

The walk to the pack training grounds felt like traversing the longest mile of Kozue's life. Each step through the forest path carried the weight of everything crashing down around them—Darius Kade's name spoken aloud like a curse, the lingering scent of Ronan and Sloane's intimacy clinging to his mate's skin, and the bone-deep knowledge that their enemy had found the perfect weapon to destroy everything they'd built.

Ronan's tension radiated like heat waves beside him, his Alpha's controlled facade barely containing the storm brewing underneath. Kozue had seen that particular brand of rigid composure before—the night they'd lost everything twelve years ago. Ronan seemed to be fighting hard not to let the ghosts of his murdered family drag him into the darkness that had nearly consumed him back then.

"The pack training grounds are just ahead," Ronan said, his deep voice carefully neutral as they crested a small hill.

The outdoor facility soon sprawled before them like a testament to years of preparation—a circular clearing surrounded by towering pines, with combat mats arranged in precise formations and weapon racks positioned strategically around the perimeter. This was where pack members had honed their skills for generations, where Kozue and Ronan had learned to fight as both men and wolves.

Where they'd prepared for threats like Darius Kade.

Fifteen pack enforcers were already assembled, their powerful frames casting long shadows in the afternoon light. These weren't just any wolves—they were the pack's elite, handpicked by Ronan for their loyalty, skill, and unwavering dedication to protecting Hale territory.

Sloane's steps faltered slightly as she took in the scene, her fighter's instincts cataloging the assembled warriors with sharp precision. Kozue caught the subtle shift in her posture—shoulders squaring, chin lifting—and felt a surge of fierce pride. Even surrounded by supernatural predators, his mate was already calculating how to hold her own.

"Listen up," Ronan commanded, his Alpha voice cutting through the murmur of conversation.

The enforcers snapped to attention with military precision, their gazes fixed on their leader with absolute focus. Kozue felt the familiar stirring of respect for how effortlessly Ronan commanded loyalty—not through fear or intimidation, but through the quiet certainty that he would die before letting harm come to any of them.

"We have a confirmed threat," Ronan continued, his blue eyes scanning each face. "Darius Kade has marked our territory and is actively hunting one of our own. Effective immediately, we're implementing round-the-clock patrol rotations—triple duty until further notice."

Not a single enforcer so much as blinked at the announcement. Kozue's chest swelled with pride for his pack, for these wolves who would sacrifice sleep and comfort without question to protect what mattered.

"Jarvis," Ronan called out, singling out their head enforcer—a grizzled wolf shifter in his forties whose scarred hands spoke of countless battles fought and won.

"Yes, Alpha," Jarvis replied, stepping forward with crisp efficiency.

"You and Bruno will run front door security at the lodge. Work with the others to position a body at each critical entry point. No one gets past our perimeter without authorization."

"Understood, Alpha." Jarvis's weathered face showed no trace of concern, only grim determination. "We'll have positions locked down within the hour."

Kozue felt some of the tension in his shoulders ease as Jarvis began barking orders, organizing the enforcers with the tactical expertise that had kept the Hale pack safe for over a decade. In another situation, Kozue might have volunteered to coordinate security himself—it was the kind of hands-on leadership role he naturally gravitated toward.

But not today. Today, his place was here, helping prepare their mate for the war that was coming whether they wanted it or not.

Within minutes, the training ground had cleared except for the three of them. Sloane stood in the center of the combat mats wearing her black sports bra and leggings, her long brown hair pulled back in a practical ponytail that emphasized the determined set of her jaw. Her bare feet were planted firmly on the padded surface, and despite the supernatural chaos swirling around her, she looked ready for anything. His wolf rumbled with approval at the sight.

This is our mate. Strong. Fearless. Perfect.

"I'll shift first into my wolf form," Ronan said, his Alpha authority making the decision sound like a tactical briefing rather than a personal choice. "Kozue, you guide Sloane through moves and techniques she can use to fight me and take me down. Obviously, I won't go full strength or power—just enough for her to understand how to engage and defend against a wolf."

Kozue nodded, pushing aside the complicated emotions churning in his chest. "Alright. And after she learns the basics, I'll shift too. She'll need to learn how to fight against multiple wolves. But with us, she'll have to trust her instincts and the mate bond to guide her through this session."

The words felt strange leaving his mouth—acknowledging the bond that connected all three of them even as he struggled with feeling like the third wheel in his own relationship sometimes. But this wasn't about his wounded pride or the ache in his chest from finding Sloane in Ronan's bathroom. This was about keeping her alive.

Ronan's intense blue gaze fixed on Sloane with laser focus. "Do you think you can handle all of that?"