RAYNA POV
Mistwood was quieter at dawn, wrapped in silvery fog that curled around the trees like living spirits. I had been staring out the window, craving movement, air anything that wasn't the suffocating walls of the Alpha's home when Asha burst into my room with a grin too bright for someone living in a pack at war.
"Wanna explore?" she asked, bouncing on her heels like a pup with a secret.
Before I could answer, Rowan appeared behind her, arms crossed, expression tight.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
I arched a brow. "Why? Afraid I'll escape… or that I'll hurt your sister?"
He held my gaze, and instead of anger, something warm flickered in his eyes.
"You harming Asha doesn't worry me," he said, stepping closer. "But you running? That might actually kill me."
Flirty. Unexpected. Dangerous.
Asha elbowed him. "Oh, stop trying to sound dramatic."
"I wasn't trying," Rowan muttered, and walked away before I found a comeback.
Asha grabbed my hand. "Come on. I'll keep him from stalking us."
I wasn't sure if that was true I could feel Rowan's presence no matter how far he was but I followed her into the forest anyway.
The woods felt different from the forests I used to stalk through. Warmer. Alive. They whispered instead of threatened. Birds actually sang here instead of scattering at my approach.
For the first time in a long time… I felt calm.
Asha kept up a stream of soft chatter, pointing out landmarks old dens, training fields, hidden caves. And then…
A familiar scent hit me.
Familiar heartbeat.
Familiar steps.
"Elara?" I whispered.
She stepped out from behind the trees like a ghost. Same blonde hair. Same wide eyes. Same expression that said she'd been terrified of losing me.
We collided in a hug before either of us breathed.
"I thought you were dead," she choked.
"I should be," I admitted. "But things… changed."
She pulled back, searching my face.
"What happened?"
Everything spilled out in a rush the failed assassination, the mate bond, Magnus' betrayal, Rowan's pack, the war forming in the shadows.
Elara listened quietly, jaw tightening when I mentioned Magnus.
"I'm with you," she said firmly. "Whatever happens. If a fight comes… I'll stand with Mistwood."
Something in my chest loosened, something I didn't know had been clenched for years.
"Thank you," I whispered.
She cupped my cheek. "Just stay alive, Rayna. I don't want to lose you."
"I'll try."
She disappeared back into the woods before Asha returned, slipping away like smoke. Asha didn't ask questions she only smiled at me like she was relieved I had someone.
The Mistwood village was humming with life when we reached it. Wolves shifted between chores, training, and market stalls. Children chased each other, laughing. People waved at Asha… and stared cautiously at me.
Asha introduced me to as many as she could warriors, mothers, elders. Some nodded politely. Others stepped back.
"They're talking about telling everyone you're the Shadow Fang," Asha whispered.
"No." My voice snapped sharper than intended. "If they hear that name, they'll fear me. Hate me. And word will spread. Magnus will know exactly where I am."
Asha swallowed. "I'll tell Rowan."
Before we returned to the Alpha's home, I felt eyes burning into my back someone watching from the treeline. Not Rowan.
Someone else.
At dusk, when the sun bled out behind the mountains, I climbed to the rooftop of Rowan's home for silence. Instead, Rowan appeared beside me, leaning against the railing like he already knew I'd be here.
"You found the village," he said quietly.
"I did." I stared at the moon beginning to rise. "Why do you trust me enough to let me walk freely?"
"I don't trust you," Rowan said plainly.
That stung more than I expected.
He stepped closer, so close the mate bond hummed between us, electric and warm.
"But I'm drawn to you," he continued. "More than I should be. More than I can control."
I looked away, throat tightening.
"If I were you… I wouldn't trust me."
"I know," he murmured. "But the bond"
"The bond doesn't change the fact that I was trained to kill you."
He inhaled sharply. "And yet here you are… sitting on my roof instead of stabbing me."
His attempt at humor didn't hide the fear beneath it fear for his pack, his sister, maybe even for me.
He exhaled slowly.
"They'll attack on the full moon."
My stomach twisted.
"Why then?"
"Because that's when your wolf will be unstable," he said. "You'll be shifting for one of the first times… and they'll try to exploit it."
"So I'll be vulnerable."
"Yes," Rowan admitted. "Which is why you need to learn control. Fast."
His hand brushed mine a cautious, unintentional touch and my breath caught.
"I can train you," he said. "If you'll let me."
The world felt dangerously still.
Before I could answer, a scream echoed from the forest sharp, familiar, full of terror.
Asha.
Rowan and I snapped toward the sound at the same time.
"Stay here," he ordered.
"Not a chance," I growled back.
We leapt off the rooftop together.
And the forest swallowed us whole.