“AAAAHHHHH!”
The scream ripped through the trees like a dagger, and I swear my skull cracked in half. I slapped both hands over my ears, stumbling out from the thicket where I’d been frozen, mouth open, heart slamming like war drums in my chest.
Night insects went silent, the river seemed to hold its breath. Cold rushed my spine, dragging the scent of wet stone and fear into my lungs.
“It’s just me!” I shouted. “It’s just me—Silas! Damn, stop screaming!”
She spun toward me, standing in the river with water clinging to her thighs as she grabbed an oversized shirt to cover her skin. Her braid was dripping, wild, and her mouth hung open like I’d just crawled out from under her bed.
“You are such a creep,” Raena snapped, clutching a towel to her chest. “What the hell are you doing here at this hour? Are you creeping on me? Are you stalking me—oh my god—you’re stalking me!”
I held up my hands, still catching my breath.
“I’m not creeping on you. I couldn’t sleep, alright? And I wasn’t stalking you! This is my river. You’re the one swimming around like it’s your private spa!”
Her outrage rang too loud; any patrol could hear. My palms itched to shift, but I kept skin, refusing to look like the monster in her voice.
She blinked outraged.
“Well, I know it’s your territory, but that doesn’t mean you get to just show up and spy on me like some rogue lunatic!”
“What do you mean, spy on you?” I snapped. “What do you expect when you’re singing like an angel at two in the morning and splashing around in my river?!”
“You should’ve stayed in your woods and your home instead of stomping into mine like you own everything!”
“I do own it,” I growled. “This is Hollowmoor land. I’m the Alpha now. You’re the one crossing boundaries.”
Wind tore through trees, scattering moonlight across her shoulders like armor. We were one step from claws, two from blood. She stepped forward, dripping water onto the rocks.
“Wow. You sound just like your grandfather.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Don’t start.”
“Oh, I will start,” she said, tightening the towel around her shoulders. “I should’ve listened to the history books. To my father. ‘Don’t trust the Hollowmoor wolves,’ he said. ‘Their Alpha murdered mine.’”
I stepped toward her, the space between us growing thinner. “That’s a lie. Your grandfather started the war. He crossed our border first.”
Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?! Are you seriously telling me we have two completely different versions of history?”
“That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
“There’s only one truth, Silas!”
“Then maybe your pack’s been feeding you lies your whole life.”
“Funny,” she snapped, “that’s exactly what I was thinking about yours.”
We stood toe-to-toe now, the air thick between us. Her eyes flashed gold in the moonlight, her chest rising and falling with fury. My wolf stirred under my skin, clawing to the surface. I smelled mint, ash, and something I refused to name.
“You always think you’re right, don’t you?” she hissed.
“No,” I said, voice low. “I just don’t like being accused of things my family didn’t do.”
“You almost choked a girl at the ceremony!”
“She insulted me.”
“Oh? Poor you.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
I gritted my teeth. “Don’t twist things. I didn’t come here to fight you.”
“Then what did you come here for?” she said, stepping closer, eyes blazing. “To see if the Ashfang she-wolf would kneel for you? Let me save you the time—I don’t kneel for anyone.”
The space between us felt like fire, tense and shaking. Every part of me was buzzing—rage, heat, confusion, and desire. I could smell her anger, feel it vibrating in my chest like thunder.
My fingers curled into fists. Her hands did the same. One more word and we’d explode.
Then I breathed out. “Stop. Just—stop.”
Raena froze.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t fight she-wolves. This is insane.”
She looked at me like she couldn’t decide whether to scream or laugh.
Then she said quietly, “Yeah? You know what’s insane? A wolf who nearly broke someone’s windpipe throwing a tantrum because people think he’s falling for a male wolf.”
My heart stopped. For a moment, I didn’t speak. Then I scoffed, rolled my eyes, and turned away. “Believe what you want.”
The current hissed over stone like laughter I couldn’t outrun.
I started to walk. But she wasn’t done.
Before I could step into the trees, I heard the soft slap of her feet on the riverbank. She picked up her bag and swung the towel over her shoulder. Her shirt clung to her thighs, water still dripping down her calves.
“Well,” she said, voice clipped. “You don’t have to worry about seeing me here again.”
I paused but didn’t look back.
“I’ll see you at the ritual feast dinner,” she added, like a threat. Or, like a promise.