RAYNA POV
The forest was quiet when I lifted the bow, my breath steady as I pulled back the string. The arrow sliced the air, burying itself in the center of the target.
Another.
Another.
Each shot faster than the last.
Training kept my thoughts from spiraling. Training kept my heart from remembering the pull I felt whenever Rowan was near.
Footsteps crunched behind me.
"You're supposed to be resting," I said without turning.
"And you're supposed to be taking it easy," Rowan replied, stepping into view. "Yet here you are playing warrior with arrows."
"Playing?" I scoffed. "Maybe because this is my specialty."
He crossed his arms. "You're a werewolf now. You don't need to train like this."
"I'm not planning on going through that painful process again." I fired another arrow, jaw tight.
He stepped closer, voice low. "The full moon is in two days. You'll shift whether you like it or not. The only way it stops hurting is if you learn to control it."
His closeness made my pulse thrum.
Damn the mate bond.
"You can't kill a wolf easily with that," he added, lifting the bow slightly.
"I've killed more werewolves than I can count," I replied.
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Okay… try me."
He stood directly in front of the target.
"You sure about that?" I asked.
"Hit me."
I fired.
He caught the arrow inches from his chest without flinching.
I smirked. "Didn't say I'd only use arrows."
I swung the bow like a staff, sweeping his legs. Rowan hit the ground with a soft thud.
He blinked up at me, stunned.
"Like I said," I murmured, "I've killed more werewolves than I can count."
Rowan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you know how powerful you'd be if you combined those skills with your wolf abilities?"
"I don't need them."
"Yes, you do." His tone softened. "Come with me."
Against my better judgment… I followed.
He led me to a clearing with stone rings and shackles embedded in the ground. New wolves trained here.
"This is where they learn to control their shift," he said.
"Let me guess," I muttered, "you're going to chain me up and make me shift like I'm some kind of animal."
He shrugged. "Technically… you're sort of an animal."
I glared at him. He grinned back.
"What do I get after this?" I asked.
"You don't get anything, Rayna. This is for your own good."
His voice blurred suddenly replaced by a memory, sharp and acidic.
"This is your last mission," Magnus said.
"Kill the Alpha… and you get your reward.
You finally learn the truth about your parents."
My chest tightened.
"Rayna?" Rowan's voice broke through. "Hey. What's wrong?"
I blinked. "Sorry. I zoned out. What did you say?"
He laughed softly. "I guess you'll find out tonight. Okay take off your clothes."
"What?"
"You don't want to ruin them, do you?"
Heat crept up my cheeks. Damn him.
"Okay," he said gently. "Now listen. As a new wolf, emotions trigger your shift. Most wolves are told to control their emotions. But you… you need to let them free. Fully. The way you felt that night."
His words dug under my skin.
So I let everything out
every scar,
every scream,
every lie Magnus fed me,
every fear I tried to bury.
The world spun.
My bones twisted
My lungs collapsed
A howl crawled up my throat
I crashed to the ground, screaming.
"Hey- hey- take it easy!" Rowan rushed to me, kneeling beside me.
"I-I c-can't-" I sobbed, shaking violently.
"Okay, stop! Rayna, stop!" he said urgently.
The pain cut off like a blade. Silence washed over me.
My breath trembled as I lifted my head.
"Are you okay?" Rowan asked. "It wasn't supposed to be that intense. Your emotions… they were too much for you."
I backed away from him, hugging my arms to myself.
"Why are you helping me?" I whispered. "Is it because you want to… use me? The way Magnus did? Pretend to care? Sleep with me only to deceive me?"
Rowan's expression shattered.
"What? Rayna no. I would never do that to you."
"Lies," I snapped. "You're all the same."
"Rayna…" His voice cracked. "That bastard did that to you?"
My throat tightened painfully.
He stepped forward slowly giving me time to stop him and wrapped his arms around me.
Something in me broke.
I collapsed into his chest, trembling as I cried into his shoulder. His hand cradled the back of my head, steady and warm.
"You're safe with me," he whispered. "I swear it."
And for the first time in years…
I wanted to believe someone.
ROWAN POV
She cried like she had held it in for a lifetime, trembling against me.
Every tear that fell burned my chest like fire.
Magnus had done more than manipulate her.
He had broken her.
Used her.
Weaponized her pain.
I held her tighter.
"You deserved better than what he did to you," I murmured against her hair. "You still do."
Her fingers curled into my shirt holding on to me like she wasn't sure I'd stay.
And I knew in that moment:
If Magnus ever came near her again…
I'd tear him apart with my bare hands.
She pulled back slightly, eyes red, voice unsteady. "Why do you care so much?"
Because you're my mate.
Because I feel everything you feel.
Because the bond won't let me breathe without you.
But I didn't say any of that.
Instead, I brushed a tear from her face with my thumb.
"Because you're worth caring about," I said simply. "Even if you don't see it yet."
Her lips parted, trembling.
And the bond surged between us hot, electric, undeniable.
I didn't kiss her.
I didn't move.
I just held her.
…
She held me back.