You need a mate

The wooden bunk bed creaked above him.

Zhao Xin looked down at Falkor, the gray-furred husky mix who lifted his head, stared at him, then went back to chewing on a worn stuffed rabbit.

Zhao Xin wiped the sweat from his forehead. He'd taken a break from his duties patrolling the southern forest edge, coming inside to cool off. But knowing Venus Lin Yue and her so-called mate were upstairs made his blood boil. "Why do I feel like marching up there and tossing Gao Tianyu out by his neck?"

Falkor cocked his head like he wanted to answer, then mounted the stuffed rabbit with enthusiasm.

"You need a mate," Zhao Xin muttered.

Falkor's soulful eyes blinked slowly, as if to say, You're just jealous.

When that show-off Gao Tianyu kissed Venus earlier in front of the main denhouse, Zhao Xin had sensed the silent challenge in his gaze like he was telling him. "She's mine."

That was typical of a young wolf trying to assert dominance and he understood. Venus hadn't noticed. She was focused on something else, always in her head with her medicine studies. But that guy? His dark sunglasses, the way he parked his black Chang'an sports car like it was a symbol of his manhood—it grated on Zhao Xin's nerves.

Why he even cared, he didn't know. Venus didn't need his protection. She was capable and headstrong. But the creaking above made him growl low in his throat.

Enough.

He wasn't going to listen any further at how the two were making out in the upper floor.

He grabbed his shirt and stepped back outside. The summer heat of Kunming wrapped around him. He shifted into his half-form—taller, fur along his arms, claws on his fingertips—and returned to patrol duty, hoping the wind and the earth would cool his thoughts.

Still, every time he looked toward Venus's bedroom window carved into the upper level of the longhouse, he wondered what it'd feel like to kiss her, to have her fingers trace the scar along his jaw. He told himself she wasn't his type. He liked easygoing she-wolves, ones who didn't challenge him or his beliefs. Venus Lin Yue was anything but simple.

Later that evening, after Gao Tianyu left, Venus walked across the courtyard. When Zhao Xin saw her, he took out his earphones.

"Tell me you didn't get back with that arrogant mutt."

She gave him an unimpressed look. "Pull your shirt down. You're showing claw marks."

The girl was a master at ignoring the obvious.

"I mean seriously," he said. "What kind of wolf keeps his sunglasses on when kissing someone?"

Venus didn't miss a beat. "Who I choose to be with—and how we kiss—isn't your concern."

Zhao Xin stepped closer, caught her chin gently between his clawed fingers and lifted her gaze to his.

"A wolf lies when he can't meet your eyes, aren't you lying mooncake?" he said softly.

Venus's eyes flicked away. "Don't."

"Don't what?"

"Don't make me doubt everything." She pulled away and stormed inside the den.

He was about to follow when his phone buzzed.

It was Lin Yue.

"Hey," she said. "What are you doing Saturday?"

He blinked. "Why?"

"I thought we could hang out. You're new to the Kunming territory, and Venus is busy with her apprentice duties. You need someone to help you settle in. I could be that someone."

Zhao Xin looked at the sky, the stars barely visible behind the clouds. Too many gaps in his life, too many shadows. He needed change.

"Yeah," he said finally. "Sounds good.

*****

Venus Lin Yue

Territory gatherings in were legendary, especially when held at Gao tianyu's family estate deep in the forest hills of Kunming. His sires were gone for the week, and the full moon celebration was in full swing.

Gao Tianyu held her hand as they stepped inside. Chen Zixin was in the main hall, drinking from a carved horn and shouting over a loud game of Truth Fang or Wolf's Lie, a traditional werewolf challenge where honesty got you drunk and lies got you punished.

"Join us!" Chen Zixin called out.

Venus shook her head. "Not playing, Zixin."

"Don't be boring, Healer Lin," he teased. "Wolf's Lie… I once kissed Lin Yue in the moonstone garden."

Venus glanced at Lin Yue, who was perched on her boyfriend's, Liu Hao's lap.

"Definitely a lie," Venus said.

"True!" Lin Yue laughed. "But I was just testing his scent."

Zixin groaned and took a shot. As more wolves filtered in, Venus saw Lin Yue straighten her already short black dress, eyes locked on the main door.

Zhao Xin walked in, quiet and cool as ever. Lin Yue immediately grabbed his arm and led him toward the circle.

Venus's chest tightened. He hadn't told her he was coming. He'd stayed holed up in the guardhouse earlier. Why was he suddenly here—with her?

"Julian Zhao Xin is a Wolf's Lie virgin," Gao Tianyu said. "We should change that."

"I don't think so," Venus cut in.

"Relax," Gao Tianyu said smoothly. "He's a big wolf. He can handle a little game."

Zhao Xin shrugged. "Fine. Let's play."

Venus knew something was wrong. There was too much male energy clashing in the room, especially with Gao Tianyu making up rules and pouring strong moonflower vodka into the game's horn.

The game began.

Gao Tianyu leaned in. "Wolf's Lie: You trim your tail fur."

Zhao Xin gave him a look and downed the shot.

Then he asked, "You resented Venus being chosen healer over you."

"Lie," Gao Tianyu snapped.

Zhao Xin shook his head. "You're lying."

"Not how it works," Gao Tianyu retorted. "Wolf's Lie: You hate living in this territory."

Zhao Xin took another shot, not answering.

The crowd was enjoying the tension. Liu Hao chuckled. "This will end in blood or a mating mark."

Venus's heart pounded. "Stop. Both of you."

Gao Tianyu leaned closer. "Wolf's Lie: You've fantasized about my mate."

Venus's eyes widened. "Tianyu!"

Zhao Xin stayed still, then looked away.

"Truth," Liang Zhihao muttered under his breath.

Zhao Xin's jaw clenched. "You're fucking someone behind Venus's back."

The room went still. Gao Tianyu froze, then reached for the shot glass. He hesitated.

Zhao Xin smirked. "Drink. You paused."

The alpha tension snapped like a bowstring.

"Venus is mine," Gao Tianyu growled.

"That's what you think," Zhao Xin shot back. "I sleep in the denhouse next to her every night."

Gasps echoed. Venus felt like she'd been struck. Her blood roared in her ears. She pushed past the circle and ran out into the woods.

"Venus, wait!" Zhao Xin called, shifting back to human form as he chased after her into the trees.

She didn't stop.

"My life isn't one of your stupid games!" she shouted.

"I didn't mean it that way," he said, breath heavy from the shots. "You're blaming me? Gao Tianyu started it—he made it personal."

Venus spun around, eyes glowing faintly. Her anger flared like alpha heat.

"You let it happen. You let it escalate."

Zhao Xin held out her forgotten jacket. "You left this."

She didn't take it.

The air between them was charged. Too many words were unsaid between them. Too much longing buried under duty and pack politics.

"I didn't lie, you know," Zhao Xin said softly. "I do think about you. More than I should."

Venus swallowed hard, her hands shaking.

"But that doesn't mean I wanted to hurt you."

"Then why say something so cruel?" she whispered.

"Because I hate that he touches you."

Her eyes glistened.

"I hate it," he said again, stepping close. "Because I wish I was the one you kissed goodnight."