chapter nine

Liam's POV

By the time I got home, my mind was still racing.

A vampire. A newborn vampire, this close to our pack's territory. That wasn't normal. That wasn't good.

I found Axel in his office, going over some reports. He barely looked up when I entered, but the second he saw my face, his eyes sharpened.

"What happened?"

"A vampire," I said, my voice tight. "A newborn. It attacked me at the store."

Axel stiffened. "What?"

"Rafe showed up," I admitted, hating the words even as I said them. "He helped me kill it. But that's not the point, Axel. What the hell was a newborn vampire doing that close to our land?"

Axel's jaw clenched. "That's what we need to find out." He exhaled sharply. "We haven't had vampire trouble in years. If they're back…"

I nodded. "It's bad."

"I'll send patrols out tonight." Axel's expression darkened. "If this is the start of something, we need to be ready."

I should have stayed to discuss it more. But my skin felt too tight, my body restless. I needed to move. To fight.

So I went to training.

I threw myself into every punch, every kick, every block. Harder. Faster. I needed to burn it all away—the vampire attack, the bond, Rafe.

I didn't stop, even when my muscles screamed.

Didn't stop, even when sweat dripped down my face.

Didn't stop, even when Axel showed up, arms crossed.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I gritted out, not slowing my punches.

"Liam." His tone was careful now. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

I faltered just for a second before regaining my rhythm. "There's nothing to tell."

Axel didn't look convinced, but he didn't push. "Don't wear yourself out. We might have a bigger fight coming."

I nodded, wiping my face before heading inside.

But the second I reached my room, the exhaustion hit me.

I paced, running a hand through my hair, my thoughts circling the same damn thing.

Why?

Why would the Moon Goddess do this to me?

Had I done something wrong? Had I pissed her off so badly that she decided to pair me with my enemy?

I wasn't supposed to have a male mate.

I wasn't supposed to want him.

I groaned, dragging a hand over my face before finally collapsing onto my bed.

I had no idea how to fix this.

Didn't know if I could.

And as sleep finally pulled me under, the last thing on my mind was him.

Sleep dragged me under fast, but it didn't come peacefully.

At first, I was just floating in darkness, my body weightless. Then warmth spread through me, slow and teasing, like fingers trailing over my skin.

I knew this wasn't real.

Knew I was dreaming.

But that didn't stop the sensation.

Didn't stop him.

A strong hand gripped my waist, pulling me back against a firm chest. Heat surrounded me, a low, rumbling voice whispering in my ear.

"You keep running from me, Liam."

A shiver rolled down my spine. My breathing hitched.

"I hate you," I said, but my voice lacked any real venom.

He chuckled. "That's not what your body is saying."

I gasped as lips brushed the back of my neck, slow and deliberate. Hands roamed lower, pressing against my stomach, my hips, setting my skin on fire.

I clenched my jaw. "Get off—"

"Never," Rafe growled, his grip tightening. "You're mine."

I turned, ready to push him away, but the second our lips met, my resolve shattered.

His mouth was hot, demanding, his tongue sweeping in like he owned me. And maybe, in this dream, he did.

I was drowning in him.

His taste. His scent. The raw, desperate need surging between us.

My back hit something—soft sheets, cool against my overheated skin. Rafe hovered over me, his dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with hunger and something deeper.

"Say it," he murmured. "Say you feel it, too."

I swallowed hard, my heart slamming against my ribs.

"I—"

The dream shattered.

I shot up in bed, chest heaving, body flushed and aching.

"Fuck."

I ran a hand over my face, trying to push away the lingering heat, the phantom touches that still clung to my skin.

This was bad.

Really bad.

I forced myself to breathe, to calm down. This was just a dream. A stupid, meaningless dream. It didn't mean anything.

Right?

I groaned, rubbing my face before glancing at the clock. Time for school.

Great.

Dragging myself out of bed, I headed to the bathroom, turning the water cold as I took a quick shower.

I needed to focus. I needed to get a grip.

And most of all?

I needed to stay the hell away from Rafe Blackwood.

I got dressed, grabbing my bag when my phone buzzed.

Mom: I'll be visiting soon! Can't wait to see you, sweetheart.

I blinked.

Well. That was unexpected.

I hadn't seen my mom in a while, and now she was coming here?

I sighed, rubbing my temple. If she showed up while I was dealing with this, I was screwed.

Still, I texted back.

Me: That's nice, Mom. Let me know when you get here.

I grabbed my things and headed out.

One thing at a time.

And first on the list?

Surviving school without losing my mind.

By the time I got to school, I was already exhausted. My dream still clung to me, messing with my head. I needed a distraction, something to focus on.

Thankfully, I had a project to work on in the lab. I grabbed a beaker, carefully measuring out a solution when Ana strolled over and—without a word snatched it right out of my hand.

I scowled. "Hey, I was using that."

She ignored me, flipping her hair over her shoulder like I wasn't even there.

I clenched my jaw. "Hello? What the fuck, Ana?"

She still didn't respond, acting like she had every right to take my stuff.

Before I could snatch it back, a hand reached past me effortless, smooth.

Rafe.

He plucked the beaker from Ana's grip without a word and held it out to me.

I hesitated for half a second before taking it from him.

He didn't say anything. Didn't smirk. Didn't tease.

He just turned and walked away.

His warriors, who had been standing nearby, froze. Their shock was obvious.

I stared after him, my grip tightening around the beaker.

What the hell was that?

Rafe Blackwood didn't just help people, especially not me. He didn't even stick around to gloat or make some smug comment.

He just… walked away.

His warriors were still staring, probably just as confused as I was. I could hear them whispering, exchanging glances like Rafe had lost his damn mind.

I forced myself to focus on my project, but my thoughts kept drifting. This wasn't normal. First, he kept looking at me like I was something he wanted no, like something that belonged to him. Then, last night, he saved me from that damn vampire. And now this?

It was messing with my head.

I finished up in the lab and grabbed my things, pushing down the irritation curling in my chest. As I walked through the halls, I kept my head down, avoiding any unnecessary attention.

I needed to clear my head.

I needed to end this.

Rafe and I had hated each other for years. Our packs had been at war for generations—long before either of us was born. Even my father, the former Beta, fought against Rafe's father. There was too much history, too much bloodshed.

I couldn't just forget that.

I wouldn't.

Being Rafe's mate was a mistake. The Moon Goddess must have gotten it wrong.

I needed to reject him. Soon.

I was still thinking about it when I stepped outside, heading toward my car—only to stop short when I saw Rafe leaning against a nearby motorcycle, his arms crossed, watching me.

Like he'd been waiting for me.

My stomach twisted.

This was going to be a problem.

I stopped in my tracks, my grip tightening around my bag.

Rafe didn't move. He just stood there, arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes locked onto me like he had all the time in the world.

Like he knew I'd come to him.

Arrogant bastard.

I forced my legs to move, walking toward my car like he wasn't even there. I refused to let him get under my skin.

But the second I passed him, his voice stopped me.

"Running again, Beta?"

My teeth clenched.

I turned to face him. "What do you want, Rafe?"

He pushed off the motorcycle, stepping closer. Not enough to touch, but enough that the air between us felt thick.

"You already know what I want."

My heart pounded. My wolf stirred, drawn to the heat of him, but I shoved it down.

"No," I said firmly. "I don't."

His lips curled into that slow, infuriating smirk. "Liar."

I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. "I'm done with this game. I don't know what the hell you think you're doing, but it's not going to work."

His smirk didn't falter. "Who said I was playing?"

I swallowed hard. My throat was dry. This close, I could feel the bond humming between us. The pull, the raw need, the wrongness of it all.

I was Beta. Not a Luna. Not some weak omega to be claimed.

"I can't do this," I muttered, more to myself than him.

"You can," Rafe said. "You just won't."

I turned away. I needed to leave before this got worse.

Before I got worse.

"Liam."

I stopped again.

His voice was different this time. Lower. Rougher.

I didn't want to turn back. I shouldn't.

But I did.

And then he was right there.

Close enough that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my skin. Close enough that I could see the hunger in his eyes.

His fingers brushed my wrist, just barely. A shiver shot down my spine.

"You feel it," he murmured. "Just like I do."

I sucked in a sharp breath.

His gaze flicked to my lips.

No.

Not again.

But then I felt it his hand skimming my waist, a whisper of heat through my shirt.

My pulse jumped.

I wanted to shove him away. I wanted to punch that smug expression off his face.

But I didn't move.

And neither did he.

Anger burned in my chest, hot and suffocating.

I took a step back, putting distance between us, needing space to breathe.

"Okay, Rafe," I said, voice low, controlled but barely. "Tell me. In this so-called relationship, what do I become?"

His smirk faded.

I crossed my arms, jaw tight. "What happens to my post as Beta? What's my role? Am I just some some sub for you to pin whenever you feel like it?"

Rafe's eyes darkened.

"Is that what you think?" His voice was calm, but there was something sharp beneath it.

"What else am I supposed to think?" I snapped. "I've trained my whole life to stand beside Axel. To protect my pack. And now you come along with this bond—" I practically spat the word. "—and expect me to just forget everything? To roll over and let you have me?"

Rafe moved fast.

One second, he was standing there, unreadable. The next, he had me pinned against the wall, his hands gripping my arms—not painfully, but firm. Holding me there.

Not forcing.

But challenging.

My breath caught, my wolf snarling in confusion.

Rafe leaned in, his voice a low growl.

"I don't want you to forget who you are," he said. "I don't want you to stop being Beta. I don't want you to submit." His grip tightened. "I want you to fight me. To challenge me. To stand beside me like an equal."

My heart slammed against my ribs.

He wasn't lying.

I hated that I could feel it.

But I wasn't ready to accept it.

I shoved him back. Hard.

His feet barely moved, but he let go.

"I don't believe you," I said, breathing hard. "You've spent years treating me like your enemy. Now, suddenly, you want me?" I scoffed. "What happened to all that hate, huh? Or do you just want to own me like some prize?"

Something flickered in his eyes.

"You think this is easy for me?" he said, voice rough. "You think I don't hate the fact that my mate is the one person I should never want?"

I swallowed, my throat dry.

He stepped closer, but this time, he didn't touch me.

"This bond is real, Liam," he murmured. "No matter how much we fight it."

I shook my head. "I won't be your Luna."

His lips twitched like he almost smirked but didn't.

"Good," he said, eyes burning into mine. "Because I don't want a Luna."

He leaned in, close enough that his breath brushed my skin.

"I want you."