Julian Zhao Xin watched the second-floor balcony from the lower level of the Moon Club, a popular spot deep in the Kunming mountains, hidden within the vast forest claimed by the Kunming clan. Few days ago, it was him and Liu Mei sitting up there, sharing quiet moments away from the chaos. But this time, he was on the floor below, staring up with tension in his chest.
He expected to see Venus smiling, leaning against her so-called boyfriend, Gao Tianyu. Instead, her face was pale and stiff. Gao's hand clamped around her arm, they too tight, and much too possessive. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't release her. Her body language spoke of discomfort and pain.
Julian's wolf, Loka. Stirred restlessly beneath his skin, reacting to her distress. As a quiet snarl escaped his throat.
He pushed through the crowd of dancers and shifters, ignoring the music and laughter. His fists tightly clenched on his sides. Gao Tianyu was beta-blood, known for using charm as a mask. But charm couldn't hide what Julian had just seen.
At the bottom of the staircase, a bulky guard from the security team stood firm. Thinking fast, Julian told him two she-wolves were fighting by the west wall near the incense table, robes flying and claws drawn. When the guard rushed off. Julian ducked under the velvet rope and sprinted up the stairs, two at a time.
When he reached the top, Venus had scratched Gao's cheek, leaving red claw marks on his face. He recoiled, letting go of her. She glared at him with disgust, no longer afraid. Around them, other pack wolves stared.
Gao's pride snapped immediately. His fist lifted in the process.
Julian stepped between them just in time, his voice low and dangerous, daring Gao to try anything.
Gao sneered, sizing him up like a rival wolf. "You want a fight, Zhao Xin?" his expression said.
Julian had wanted to fight this male since the moment he smelled his rotten dominance. He gave Gao a hard look. There was no turning back.
Before any blow landed, Venus screamed. Julian turned and saw one of Bonk's enforcers—another rogue pack member from the outskirts of Lijiang—grab her. She struggled wildly, scratching and kicking, but the male outweighed her by at least fifty jin.
That one second of distraction was all Gao needed. His fist crashed into Julian's jaw. Pain exploded in his skull. He cursed himself—rule one from Elder Shi Diwen's boxing training: never take your eyes off the enemy.
But he wouldn't stay down.
Julian slammed a punch into Gao's stomach, knocking him to the floor. Then chaos broke loose.
Bonk—the rogue leader—charged forward, followed by five of his rough-looking allies. Julian lunged for the enforcer holding Venus, but Bonk and his men blocked the way. Bonk roared that Julian was the one who exposed them during the last full moon gathering, leaking photos of their illegal shift fighting. He threw a punch. Julian dodged and hit back hard.
Bonk grunted, but before Julian could react further, the others grabbed him. Four pairs of strong hands restrained his limbs. He fought like a cornered wolf, but the odds weren't fair. Blood filled his mouth. His vision blurred. Still, he didn't stop.
Just when he thought his bones would snap under their blows, Liang Zhihao and other warriors from the Kunming pack arrived, roaring into battle. Li Tao, being flexible was leading the charge. Pack honor had been challenged, and every ranked wolf knew what that meant.
Julian broke free. His only thought was Venus.
He spotted her escaping from her captor and darted through the chaos. He guided her to a narrow alcove near a stone altar used for the Moon Watcher's Rite and told her to stay put. She nodded but didn't look convinced.
He turned to help his brothers.
Moments later, she was in the fray again. Venus grabbed Bonk's arm just as he was about to claw Liang Zhihao. Julian grabbed Bonk, yanking him back.
"Why can't you ever just stay put?" his eyes seemed to ask her.
She looked stubborn. "I won't hide."
Julian didn't waste more breath. He focused on protecting her.
When another rogue wolf tackled Venus from behind and slammed her to the ground, Julian sprang forward. He lifted her, blood still dripping down his chin, and hissed that she should've stayed hidden.
She snapped back that she didn't need saving. He didn't argue. He picked her up and pushed through the crowd going out of the club.
Outside, the cool mountain air stung their faces. Julian lowered her in front of his pack-issued black SUV and ordered her inside. She protested, but he raised a hand to silence her.
Venus sat stiffly, watching him limp back toward the pack warriors who were just now exiting the club. Liang Zhihao looked thrilled, wiping blood off his jaw. Lin Yue usually a cool healer, was now looking like a civilian, she brushed a hand across Julian's bruised cheek, her eyes wide with concern.
Venus mumbled under her breath, calling Lin Yue dramatic.
Soon, Li Tao and Lin Yue drove off, since they were neighbors, while Julian opened the door for Liu Mei, who thanked him and climbed in. She exclaimed about how awful the rogue wolves were, saying it took five of them to hold Julian down.
Venus said nothing, not wanting to give Liu Mei satisfaction of over praising Julian.
Julian slid into the driver's seat, slow and aching. Venus asked if he could even drive. He just nodded, as if none of the blood, bruises, or growling from earlier mattered. She watched Liu Mei flirting with him again, touching Julian's shoulder through the headrest, sliding fingers near his collar.
Venus looked away, pretending the night sky was more interesting.
When they reached Liu Mei's house, Julian walked her to the door. Venus mumbled something about how disgusting it would be to kiss with a bloody mouth, even if secretly, she didn't want them to kiss at all.
Liu Mei hugged Julian. Venus watched with narrowed eyes. Then, finally, he came back.
"You took your sweet time," she muttered.
Julian raised an eyebrow. "You serious?"
She stayed quiet. Her emotions were raw. She didn't want him to be with someone like Liu Mei. She felt betrayed by Gao Tianyu and now confused about her feelings for Julian.
"Liu Mei is pretty," she finally said.
Julian agreed. "She's cool."
He clearly didn't see what Venus was struggling with.
When they reached their home, the shared den house for their small inner-circle—Venus wanted to tell him the truth. That seeing him beaten hurt her. That she cared. But the words didn't come.
Instead, she said she could've handled Gao on her own.
Julian wiped his lip. "Keep saying that. You might believe it someday."
She stepped out quietly.
Behind her, Julian's voice called, "Venus, wait."
She paused, but didn't turn. His footsteps crunched the gravel.
"You're a strong she-wolf," he said, "but not even an omega should have to fight alone. You can't take on a rogue beta or a pack betrayer by yourself."
She turned slowly. He noticed the angry red marks on her arm where Gao had held her.
"He's not my mate anymore," she whispered. "He lied. Manipulated me. He's joining the rogue cluster near the old market caves. It's over."
Julian took that in. "You ended it?"
She nodded. They stood close, silence wrapping them in the cold night.
She wanted to touch his face, to comfort him. But she didn't.
She couldn't afford to fall for someone who might vanish with the next full moon.
Julian disappeared into the house. Venus went to the kitchen, grabbed a washcloth, herbs from the medicine drawer, and an ice pack enchanted for rapid healing. She found Julian on his bed, scrolling through his phone.
The fight might've ended, but the real battle—inside their hearts, was just beginning.