| Stray |

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It had been a few weeks since the exchange of the lone vampire to Chimera, a diplomatic move that Laswell had called “necessary for supernatural relations.” Price called it babysitting with fangs. Either way, things had finally quieted down, and for once, the base didn’t smell like blood or burnt silver.

Price was halfway through reading an incident report about Soap and Ghost getting detained at an animal shelter in wolf form, when his phone buzzed. He squinted down at the caller ID. Nikolai.

He sighed and answered. “What are you calling for? New blood giving you trouble?”

“Nyet,” came the familiar gravel of Nikolai’s voice. “They are fitting in fine. But... coincidentally, a stray wolf was found on the edge of the territory.”

Price’s brows furrowed. “A wolf?”

“Da. Learned they were being kept by Makarov.” Nikolai paused. “As a pet.”

That got Price’s full attention. “A pet?”

There was a low hum of irritation through the line. “Collared, drugged, half-starved. Not wild, not free. We found silver scars along their throat. They are... one of yours.”

The words hit harder than a bullet.

By the time the call ended, Price was already barking orders.

You didn’t remember much, just the cold bite of metal, the way Makarov’s voice would hum with amusement every time you fought the collar. When you woke again, it wasn’t in a cage but under dim fluorescent lights and the sharp tang of antiseptic.

“Easy, bonnie,” came a voice, Scottish, gentle despite the strength behind it. “You’re safe, yeah? We got you out.”

Your vision swam, sharpening on the man crouched beside your cot. Dark mohawk, bright eyes, and the scent of wolf clinging to his skin. Beta. His smile came easy, even as concern shadowed his face. “Name’s Johnny. Soap, if you’d rather.”

Behind him stood two others, one with piercing eyes behind a skull mask, another with an aura of quiet dominance and a neatly trimmed beard. The latter’s presence pressed against your instincts, Alpha, steady and commanding.

“Price,” he said, introducing himself. “You’re among pack now. No one’s gonna lay a hand on you again. Can you tell us your name?”
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