chapter two

Liam's POV

Class dragged on, but I could barely focus. My thoughts kept circling back to the fight, to the way Rafe had dismissed me without even hearing my side. My wolf growled in frustration, still simmering with the need to put him in his place.

Beside me, ethan tapped his pen against his desk, clearly bored. "Dude, you're still fuming," he muttered under his breath. "Let it go. You'll get a chance to knock Dante on his ass later."

I scoffed. "That's not the point. It's the principle of it."

Ethan smirked. "Sure. The principle. Not like you just want to beat the hell out of him."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. I wasn't exactly known for letting things go easily.

A sharp bang at the front of the room made both of us snap to attention. Our history teacher, Mr. Harris, had slammed a book onto his desk, his gaze sweeping the class. "Since many of you seem to have better things to do than listen," he said, eyes narrowing at me and Gemma, "I'll remind you that the midterm project is due in two weeks. If you fail to turn it in, you fail the class. Understood?"

Murmurs of agreement filled the room, and I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Great. Another thing to deal with.

The rest of class passed in a blur, and as soon as the bell rang, I grabbed my bag and shoved my books inside.

"You know we're probably gonna get stuck doing that stupid project together," ethan said as we walked toward the cafeteria.

I shrugged. "Could be worse."

"Yeah, I could be stuck with one of those Bloodmoon idiots," he muttered.

I smirked at that, but before I could respond, my body tensed. A familiar scent filled my nose something sharp, earthy, and undeniably dominant.

My head snapped up.

Rafe.

He was across the hallway, talking to Dante and a few of his warriors. His presence alone pissed me off, but what made it worse was the way his head turned slightly, as if he could sense me too.

Our eyes locked.

For a second, everything else faded.

Then Rafe smirked slow, cocky, and knowing.

I clenched my fists, heat rushing through me, though I couldn't understand why. I hated him. Hated everything about him. But that smirk? It felt like a challenge.

My wolf stirred.

Rafe tilted his head slightly, as if waiting to see if I'd react.

I tore my gaze away, forcing myself to keep walking. I wasn't about to let him get under my skin. Not today.

But as I stepped into the cafeteria, I couldn't shake the feeling that something between us had just shifted. And I had no idea what the hell it meant.

The cafeteria was packed as usual, the air thick with chatter and the scent of food. I had just taken a bite of my sandwich when a sudden commotion made me pause.

A sharp gasp rang through the room, followed by the crash of a tray hitting the floor.

I turned just in time to see one of our Omegas, Mira, standing frozen in horror, her wide eyes locked on Rafe's Gamma Ana,one of Bloodmoon's strongest warriors.Ana's shirt was smeared with food, mashed potatoes and gravy dripping down her front.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then Ana's face wisted with rage.

"You idiot!" she snapped, and before anyone could react, she shoved Mira hard.

Mira stumbled backward, barely catching herself before she hit the floor. A small whimper escaped her lips as she ducked her head, clearly terrified.

The moment ana laid her hands on one of ours, Axel shot to his feet, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Hey! That was an honest mistake!" His voice rang through the cafeteria, thick with authority.

Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. Tension crackled in the air, our packmates rising to their feet as Bloodmoon warriors did the same. The cafeteria had turned into a battlefield in seconds.

I was already moving before I even thought about it. My blood boiled at the sight of Mira cowering, at the sheer arrogance in Ana's arrogant stance.

I stepped forward, standing between her and Mira, my voice cold. "Back off."

Rafe's commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Enough."

His golden eyes swept over the scene, his expression unreadable. But instead of focusing on me, his gaze locked onto Axel.

"Tell your warriors to control themselves, Reid," Rafe said coolly, his voice carrying across the cafeteria. "Or do you encourage disrespect in your pack?"

Axel scoffed, stepping forward, his Alpha presence crashing against Rafe's like a violent storm. "Control ours? How about you keep yours in check? Or are you so used to them running wild that you don't care?"

The tension between them was palpable, a silent challenge hanging in the air. Every time they were in the same space, it was like watching two storms collide, neither willing to back down.

Rafe didn't even glance at me. It was like I wasn't worth his time like I was just another piece in his ongoing battle with Axel.

My fists clenched. That should have been a good thing. The less he focused on me, the better.

But for some reason, it pissed me off.

"You weren't even here when it happened," I muttered, unable to stop myself. "Yet you take her side without question."

Rafe's gaze flickered to me for half a second—brief, dismissive before returning to Axel.

"If this is how your pack handles small problems, it's no wonder you're always on the losing side," Rafe said smoothly, smirking.

Axel's eyes darkened. "Keep talking, Blackwood. We'll see who's losing soon enough."

A slow, knowing smile spread across Rafe's face, and I could feel the shift in the air the silent promise of a fight yet to come.

Then, just as quickly as he arrived, Rafe turned and walked away, his warriors following behind him.

The moment he was gone, Axel let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "Arrogant bastard."

Ethan who had been tense beside me the whole time, finally relaxed. "Why are they always so annoying?"

I let out a dry laugh, shaking off the irritation in my chest. "No idea. But we'll make them regret it soon enough."

Axel smirked. "Damn right we will."

We all sat back down, the tension easing, but I couldn't shake the lingering frustration bubbling beneath my skin.

Not because of the fight.

Not because of the pack rivalry.

But because for that brief moment, I wanted Rafe Blackwood's attention and I hated myself for it.

By the time we got home, the tension from earlier had completely faded.

The Stormcrest Packhouse was already buzzing with life. Warriors were coming in from patrol, Omegas rushed around preparing dinner, and laughter echoed through the halls.

As soon as I stepped inside, Ethan, my pain in the ass shoved me from the side, nearly making me stumble.

"Still brooding over lunch, tough guy?" he teased, smirking.

I rolled my eyes and shoved him back. "Please, I don't brood. That's your thing."

Ethan gasped dramatically. "Excuse you? I am charming, thank you very much."

I snorted. "Sure, if charming means annoying as hell."

He lunged at me, and before I knew it, we were wrestling in the middle of the hallway. He managed to get me in a headlock for a second before I flipped him over my shoulder, sending him crashing onto the couch. The pack members nearby started cheering and laughing, some egging us on, others dodging out of the way in case we took the fight further.

Axel walked in just in time to see Ethan lying sprawled across the couch, groaning. "You two done?" he asked, arms crossed.

I grinned, running a hand through my hair. "He started it."

Ethan groaned. "And you finished it. Unfair."

Axel just shook his head, amusement flickering in his eyes before his expression turned serious. "Alright, idiots, listen up. Tomorrow morning, training starts at five sharp. No excuses. We need to be at our best."

A collective groan rose from the pack.

"Five?" Ethan whined, flopping onto his stomach. "Why do we hate ourselves?"

Axel smirked. "You'll thank me when you're not dead in battle."

That shut everyone up. We all knew how serious our situation with the Bloodmoon Pack was.

"Get some rest," Axel continued. "Tomorrow's going to be hell."

With that, we all started heading to our rooms. I crashed onto my bed, stretching out with a deep sigh. My body was exhausted, but my mind wouldn't shut off.

Tomorrow was going to be intense.

And something told me Rafe Blackwood would make it even worse.