chapter seven

Rafe's POV

Liam was trying so damn hard to ignore me.

It was cute.

Pathetic, but cute.

I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, watching him stab at his food like it had personally offended him. He kept his head down, jaw tight, shoulders stiff like sheer willpower alone could break the mate bond between us.

It wouldn't.

I smirked, resting my elbow on the table as I studied him.

Liam Carter. Beta of Stormcrest. My sworn enemy.

And my mate.

Fate had a sick sense of humor.

I expected rage. Denial. Maybe even an immediate fight when he realized the truth. And I got all of that. But what Liam didn't understand was that every glare, every stubborn attempt to push me away, every ounce of resistance—

It only made me want him more.

I wanted to break that control of his. Watch it snap.

I let my eyes drag over him slowly, taking my time.

Liam's hands clenched around his fork. His pulse ticked at his throat.

Oh, he felt it.

Even now, when he refused to look at me, I knew he felt me.

I tested the bond, reaching out just enough to brush against his senses, teasing, taunting—

Look at me, Liam.

His body went rigid.

A thrill shot through me.

I saw the way his breathing changed, the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to throw something probably at me.

I bit back a chuckle.

I could go over there. Corner him. Make him face this. Face me.

But I wouldn't.

Not yet.

Liam wasn't ready to accept it.

But he would.

Because he was mine.

I had made my decision.

I would accept Liam as mine.

I wouldn't let some old rivalry, some petty hatred, keep me from my mate.

What even started this fight between our packs anyway? Years of bloodshed, countless battles, and for what?

It didn't matter anymore.

Because the moment I realized Liam was mine, everything else became insignificant.

I needed him. My wolf was getting restless, pacing inside me, clawing at my chest. The urge to find Liam, to claim him, was growing unbearable.

"Rafe, are you okay?" Dante's voice cut through my thoughts.

I forced my expression into something neutral, hiding the storm inside me. "Nothing," I muttered.

Dante eyed me but didn't push. "Alright."

Before I could think any further, shouting erupted from outside.

The sound of a fight.

I turned sharply, already moving toward the commotion. The tension in the air was thick, charged with anger and aggression. My pack members parted as I strode through, my presence alone enough to make them step aside.

And then I saw them—one of mine, Peter, and one of Axel's warriors, locked in a vicious struggle.

"What the fuck is going on?" I demanded, my voice sharp and commanding.

Both wolves hesitated for a second, but Peter's rage burned hotter. He tried to lunge again, but I grabbed him by the collar and yanked him back with a snarl.

"Peter," I snapped. "Explain. Now."

His chest heaved with fury, his hands clenched into fists. "He won't stay away from my mate," he spat, glaring daggers at Axel's warrior.

My brows furrowed. "What?"

Axel stepped forward, looking as confused as I was. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Peter pointed at Axel's warrior. "Him."

I turned my gaze to the other male, who scowled, shifting uncomfortably.

"I think Peter's mate is my girlfriend," he muttered. "And she doesn't want him. She wants me. It's not my fault."

Axel swore under his breath.

I clenched my jaw. Shit.

Peter's mate had already chosen someone else.

And she was rejecting him.

My wolf growled low in my chest. I knew that pain. The ache of an unwanted bond.

Peter's entire body trembled, his rage bubbling over. "She's mine!" he roared, trying to lunge at Axel's warrior again.

I didn't hesitate.

I grabbed Peter's shoulder and shoved him back, my Alpha command ringing through the air. "Enough!"

Axel exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "This is a mess."

"No shit," I mutter.

Still, I wasn't focused on Peter anymore.

Because my own bond was pulling at me, demanding my attention.

My eyes drifted to Liam.

He was standing off to the side, tense, his arms crossed over his chest. Trying to look unaffected. But I felt the way his body reacted to my presence. The bond between us crackled like a live wire, making my wolf restless all over again.

He refused to look at me.

But I was looking at him.

Even now, he was trying so damn hard to fight this to fight me.

And I wasn't going to let him.

Not now. Not ever.

But first, I had to deal with this mess.

I tore my gaze from Liam and turned back to Axel. "Why don't we let her speak?" I said, crossing my arms. "Your warrior is convinced she wants him. Peter is convinced she's his. But what does she want?"

Axel hesitated, then let out a frustrated breath before looking over his shoulder.

A timid girl stepped beside him, her hands twisting together nervously. She was small, her posture tense, eyes darting between Peter and Axel's warrior like she was stuck between two storms.

Axel's face softened slightly as he turned to her. "Is it true? Do you not want him?" His voice was firm but not unkind.

She hesitated.

I saw the way her body shook, how she peeked at Peter and then at her mate the one she'd chosen.

And then, barely above a whisper, she said, "I don't know."

Silence fell.

Peter's face twisted with pain. Axel's warrior frowned.

And Liam—Liam was watching the whole thing, his expression unreadable.

I exhaled sharply. "Well," I said, looking at Axel. "Now what?"

Silence stretched between us. The girl's words hung in the air, uncertain, hesitant.

Peter's jaw clenched, his hands trembling at his sides. "What do you mean you don't know?" His voice was tight, strained. "You're my mate."

She flinched but didn't move closer to him. Her fingers curled into her sleeves as she looked down. "I—" she swallowed. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

Axel's warrior scoffed. "You don't want to hurt anyone, but you're stringing us both along?"

"Enough," Axel said sharply, shooting his warrior a glare before turning back to the girl. "No one is forcing you. But you have to be honest. Do you reject Peter? Or do you accept him?"

The girl hesitated again, her shoulders shaking.

I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. "This is exactly what I meant," I muttered to Axel. "She's scared. Maybe she's rejecting Peter because she's from your pack, and he's from mine. You and I both know how deep this rivalry runs. Can we really trust that she's making a choice for herself and not out of fear?"

Axel's jaw ticked, but he didn't argue. Because he knew I was right.

Liam shifted beside him, arms still crossed, his expression unreadable. But I felt the tension rolling off him.

I could feel his gaze on me even when he tried to pretend otherwise.

Axel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "What do you suggest, then?"

I glanced at the girl again. "Give her time. Let her think. Let her talk to both of them, away from pack pressure. If she still wants to reject Peter after that, fine. But at least it'll be her choice, not one she was forced into by the war between us.*"

Axel didn't respond right away. He studied me like he was trying to figure out my angle.

Liam was watching me, too.

I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze just for a second.

His lips parted, like he wanted to say something.

But he didn't.

Axel finally sighed. "Fine. But if she decides against Peter, he has to accept it and back off."

Peter stiffened but nodded stiffly. "I just want her to be happy," he muttered.

Axel's warrior looked irritated but didn't argue.

The girl still looked unsure, but I saw the slight relief in her eyes.

"Good," I said, nodding. "Then we wait."

The fight was over for now.

But as the tension eased, I realized something else.

Liam was still standing there.

And he hadn't walked away yet.