The moment the words left his mouth, the forest seemed to go silent. Even the flames crackling behind us felt distant, swallowed by the pounding in my ears. Mate. No. No, the moon wouldn't curse me like that.
I took a step back, claws still out. "You're lying."
Alpha Rylan didn't move. He just watched me with those molten‑gold eyes, chest rising and falling like he was fighting something inside himself.
"I wish I were," he said quietly.
His voice wasn't mocking. Not triumphant. Just… raw. It unsettled me more than his strength ever had.
I shook my head. "We're enemies. Our packs have been at war for decades. The moon doesn't make mistakes like this."
A humorless laugh escaped him. "You think I don't know that? You think I wanted this?"
He took a step toward me.
I took two back.
The bond pulsed between us again — a hot, electric tug that made my breath hitch. I hated that my body reacted even when my mind screamed to run.
"Stay away from me," I warned.
He stopped, jaw tightening. "If I wanted to hurt you, little wolf, you'd already be dead."
"Don't call me that."
His eyes flickered. "Then tell me your name."
I hesitated. He noticed.
"Exactly," he said. "You hate me too much to even speak it."
Good. Let him know.
"I don't owe you anything," I snapped. "Not my name. Not my loyalty. Not this bond."
He flinched — barely, but I saw it.
Before he could answer, a howl echoed through the forest. My pack. My heart lurched.
I turned to run, but Rylan moved faster, blocking my path.
"Move," I growled.
"You can't go back there right now."
"Watch me."
He grabbed my arm — not roughly, but firmly enough to stop me. "Your pack is retreating. The rogues hit both sides tonight. If you run into that chaos, you'll die."
"I can take care of myself."
"Not against what's out there."
I froze. "What do you mean?"
His expression darkened. "This wasn't a Bloodfang attack. Someone wants our packs to destroy each other."
My stomach dropped.
He released my arm slowly, as if touching me burned him. "Believe me or don't. But if you go back now, you'll walk straight into a trap."
I hated that his words made sense. I hated that he might be right. I hated that the bond made it impossible to ignore the sincerity in his voice.
But most of all, I hated that I needed him.
"Why should I trust you?" I whispered.
"You shouldn't." His gaze softened — just a fraction. "But I can't let my mate die. Even if she hates me."
The bond pulsed again, stronger this time, like the moon itself was listening.
I swallowed hard. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
"You don't have to." He stepped aside, giving me a clear path. "But if you run into danger, I'll follow. Whether you want me to or not."
My heart twisted painfully.
I hated him.
I hated the bond.
But as I ran back toward the burning forest, one truth burned hotter than the flames:
He was following me.
And I didn't know if I wanted him to stop.