chapter three

Rafe's POV

I woke up before the sun had fully risen, stretching as my body adjusted to the familiar weight of strength coursing through my veins. The strongest Alpha. The rightful heir to the Bloodmoon Pack. There was no one who could challenge me, no one who could stand in my way.

Soon, the title of Alpha would be mine. Next week, I'd officially take over, just as I was meant to.

I got up, rolling my shoulders before heading to my office. A few minutes later, Dante, my Beta, walked in, his usual serious expression in place as he handed me a report.

"Everything's set for today," Dante said, his voice sharp and professional. "Training at dawn, border patrol schedules, and the usual school nonsense."

I barely glanced at the schedule, already knowing my day would follow the same pattern. Train. Lead. Dominate.

Before I could respond, Ana, my Gemma, stormed into the room, her face tight with frustration.

"Rogues attacked near the eastern border," she reported. "Nothing too serious, but they're testing our defenses again."

I exhaled sharply, irritation flaring in my chest. "Again?"

Ana nodded. "We chased them off, but it's only a matter of time before they try something bolder."

"Then we'll be ready," I said simply. The Bloodmoon Pack never lost. Not to rogues. Not to anyone.

We finished training as the sun fully rose, and by the time we got ready for school, my focus had already shifted to the inevitable encounter waiting for me there.

Stormcrest Pack.

Our so-called rivals.

As soon as we arrived, my eyes landed on Axel and Liam, standing together like they owned the damn place. Just seeing them made my blood boil. The constant fights, the battles for dominance, the way Axel always acted like he was my equal.

Dante scoffed beside me, his tone dripping with disdain. "Gosh, I really hate them."

I didn't respond, my jaw clenching as my gaze locked onto Axel and Liam. The hatred between our packs ran deep, and I felt every ounce of it in my bones.

So much hate. So much history.

I tore my gaze away, forcing myself to focus as I made my way to class. I had bigger things to worry about.

Like my birthday next week.

The day I'd finally take what was mine. The day I'd officially become Alpha.

Axel had already had his turn a few months ago. He was already leading Stormcrest. But that didn't concern me.

Class was boring as usual.

I tapped my fingers against the desk, only half listening as the teacher droned on about something I didn't care about. My mind was elsewhere on training, on the rogues testing our borders, on how I'd soon take over the pack.

And, of course, on Axel and Liam.

Even now, I could feel their presence in the room. They weren't sitting too far away, talking quietly, probably plotting something as usual.

I clenched my jaw. Stormcrest had always been a thorn in my side, their so-called strength nothing but arrogance. Axel may have been Alpha already, but that didn't make him my equal. He had months ahead of me in leadership, yet I still outmatched him in strength and skill. And Liam? The ever-loyal Beta? He was just as bad.

My fingers curled into a fist as I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to focus on the lesson.

Dante nudged my shoulder, speaking low so only I could hear. "You look like you're about to murder someone."

I smirked, voice just as quiet. "Who says I'm not considering it?"

He chuckled under his breath, leaning back in his seat. "Don't let them get under your skin. Stormcrest isn't worth the energy."

Maybe he was right. But something about Axel, about the way he carried himself like he was already above me, made my blood boil.

"Just wait," I muttered, more to myself than to Dante. "They'll see soon enough."

Dante didn't ask what I meant. He knew.

One week.

That's all it would take.

The day was finally over, and I was done with this damn school.

Dante walked beside me as we made our way toward the parking lot, talking about patrol schedules and rogue movements. I wasn't really listening. My mind was still on Axel and his smug holier-than-thou attitude. On Liam, always right by his side, as loyal as a damn shadow.

I rolled my shoulders, trying to shake off the frustration. One more week. Then I'd be Alpha, and things would change.

Just as we were heading toward my car, a commotion broke out nearby.

Dante sighed beside me. "What now?"

I followed the noise toward the side of the parking lot, where a group of students had gathered. The tension in the air was thick. As I got closer, I saw the problem.

One of Axel's warriors, Owen, had his hands on Ana.

My Gamma.

She stood rigid, glaring up at him as he blocked her path. From the look on her face, she was two seconds away from breaking his nose.

"Move," Ana snapped.

Owen smirked. "Relax, sweetheart. Just asking a question."

I didn't wait to hear more. I was moving before I could think, grabbing Owen's wrist and yanking him back.

"You have two seconds to step the hell away," I growled.

Owen jerked his arm away, rolling his eyes. "Calm down, Blackwood. No one's touching your precious Gamma."

"Didn't look like that from where I was standing," I shot back. My wolf was already pushing to the surface, ready to rip this guy apart.

Before it could go further, Liam appeared.

"Enough," he ordered, stepping between us. His voice was hard, firm. "Owen, walk away."

Owen hesitated for half a second before muttering under his breath and stepping back.

Problem solved.

Or it should have been.

But Liam turned to me, his eyes sharp. "You didn't have to start something over nothing."

I scoffed. "You call that nothing?"

Liam crossed his arms. "He wasn't going to hurt her."

Ana let out a sharp laugh. "Oh, thank you, Carter. I feel so much safer now."

Liam ignored her, still focused on me. "You're always looking for a fight, Rafe."

That set me off.

"You think this is about me?" I stepped closer, daring him to say more. "Your guy was the one acting like a creep, but sure I'm the problem."

Liam didn't back down. "You just love making everything worse, don't you?"

I grinned, baring my teeth. "Say that again."

Liam exhaled sharply. "You—"

Then he shoved me.

And that was it.

I barely registered the motion before I reacted, grabbing his shirt and throwing him back. He stumbled but caught himself instantly, lunging at me.

The first punch landed against my ribs. I swung back, my fist connecting with his shoulder. We were all in now—fists flying, muscles straining.

I didn't even hear the crowd around us anymore. It was just him and me.

Liam ducked a hit and tackled me, but I flipped us over, slamming him into the pavement. He growled, twisting out of my grip and landing another punch to my jaw.

I wiped the blood from my lip, eyes burning.

He was strong.

But I was stronger.

I surged forward—

"ENOUGH!"

A command ripped through the air, halting us both.

Axel.

He stormed forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "What the hell is wrong with you two?"

I wiped my jaw, still glaring at Liam. "Ask your Beta."

I pushed myself off Liam, wiping my jaw as Axel stormed toward us. 

Liam exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "I was stopping a fight, and your Alpha here decided to start another one."

I scoffed. "Oh, please—"

Axel cut me off with a glare. "I don't care. This is getting old, Rafe."

I clenched my fists, rage simmering under my skin. I turned away before I could say something I'd regret.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.