Raine's POV
"That prick," I muttered under my breath, kicking a loose rock as Lena and I made our way back to town. "I swear, I like him better in his wolf form."
Lena snorted, giving me a knowing look. "You know, you might be the only person who thinks that."
I rolled my eyes. "That's because you're all blind. He's just a big, arrogant mutt."
"Mm-hmm." She hummed, smirking. "A mutt that seems to be softening toward you."
"In your dreams."
"His wolf definitely adores you."
"Shut up."
We continued walking, but I could feel it—Ronan's presence behind us. He wasn't even trying to hide the fact that he was following. His footsteps were too measured, too calculated. I refused to turn around, but the weight of his gaze pressed against my back like a tangible force.
What the hell was his problem? One minute, he was my tormentor, the next, my shadow.
When we reached the outskirts of the forest, my stomach dropped. Bad luck must have been written all over me tonight because standing there, leaning against a rusted lamppost, was the last person I wanted to see—Jonan and his gang of pricks.
"Well, well, look who finally decided to crawl out of the woods." Jonan grinned, his dark eyes locking onto mine with the same sick amusement I'd grown used to. "What were you doing out there, wolfless? Trying to summon your non-existent wolf?"
Laughter erupted from his group, their voices grating against my ears.
I opened my mouth to spit back something equally nasty, but before I could, a deep growl echoed behind me.
"You better watch your mouth, or I'll watch it for you."
Jonan and his gang froze, their laughter dying instantly.
I turned my head slightly, just enough to catch Ronan stepping forward, his face void of amusement. His tone had been calm, but there was no mistaking the threat laced beneath his words.
Jonan's face twisted with confusion. "What the hell, man? Since when do you care—"
"None of your business," Ronan cut him off.
Jonan hesitated before scoffing, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry Ronan."
He gave me a lingering sneer before turning on his heel, motioning for his gang to follow.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, but irritation quickly replaced my brief relief.
"I didn't need you fighting my battles for me, Ronan," I snapped, facing him fully. "Last I checked, you were the one who started the whole 'wolfless' anthem."
Lena smirked beside me, clearly enjoying the show.
Ronan didn't flinch, his face impassive. Instead, his voice slid through the air.
Raine, we still need to talk.
I'm not talking to you.
Talk or don't, but we still will.
I huffed under my breath, grabbing Lena's arm and pulling her along.
The walk back home was quiet—for about five minutes. Then, just as we were nearing my street, a firm hand wrapped around my wrist, yanking me back.
Electricity zipped up my arm at the contact, making my breath hitch.
I spun around, glaring up at Ronan. "Are you—"
He let go instantly, but I could tell from his expression that he'd felt it too. The brief flicker of something in his stormy eyes made my heart lurch against my will.
His gaze flickered over my face, like he was memorizing every detail before his expression hardened again.
Just then, movement in the trees caught my eye.
Three wolves emerged from the shadows, their fur glistening under the moonlight. Jax, Zane, and Kai—Ronan's ever-loyal friends.
I'm sure Ronan sent messages to them through the communication link.
They carried bundles of clothes in their jaws, shifting effortlessly before slipping into them.
One of the unique abilities of werewolves Is that once you've emerged, you can communicate through thought. If you want another wolf to hear what you want to say without speaking, you can just make use of the communication link.
And it work no matter how far the other person is,
Unless you leave the vicinity of Bloodmoon park, then you are cut out from it.
How I wish I can also mind-communicate.
Kai stretched his arms with a groan. "Alright, what's the big deal? I was having a damn good nap."
"I think Raine and Lena have something to tell us," Ronan said. "They had an encounter with that thing tonight."
That shut them up. Their teasing expressions dropped into seriousness as all four of them turned to us.
Lena and I exchanged a look.
"You tell them," she whispered, giving me a small nod.
I sighed, crossing my arms. "We decided to investigate the attack of the other night ourselves. It was stupid, I know, but before we could turn back, one of those things jumped out and started chasing us. Then, more of them appeared."
"They didn't cross the river," Lena added. "It was like they were afraid of the water."
And it looks as if their only target is Raine too, but I don't think they are planning to kill her or something, instead I think they are in awe of her" Lena said.
Silence stretched between us as the guys exchanged glances.
"I think this stays between us," Ronan finally said.
"What? No way," Lena shot back. "We need to tell the Alpha. Maybe he can do something."
I nodded in agreement.
"No, this needs to stay between us guys, I think my dad is hiding something from us" Ronan said.
"Why do you think that?" Jax asked.
"He is not surprised or shocked about the attack and I think he knows what those creatures are and the elders also know something about it" Ronan said.
"Hmm, then that means they are clearly hiding something from us, something they don't want us to find out." Zane mused, rubbing his jaw.
Jax folded his arms. "So what do we do?"
"We find out what they're keeping from us," Ronan said.
Lena snorted. "Well, good luck with that, because we're not working with you guys."
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'd rather get eaten by whatever those things are than team up with him."
Zane sighed. "Listen, as much as you two love to bicker, "he pointed to me and Ronan" we need to work together. We need to put this childish feud aside."
Lena and I exchanged another glance.
She exhaled. "I hate to admit it, but… he's not wrong."
I groaned. "Lena."
She gave me a pointed look. "Raine."
I clenched my jaw, my pride warring with my common sense.
I hated him.
I hated how he made me feel.
But… I needed answers more than I needed to hate him.
Finally, I gave a stiff nod.
"Fine."
Ronan's lips twitched like he wanted to smirk, but he didn't. Instead, he extended his hand.
I just stared at it before walking past him. "Don't push your luck."
Jax snorted. "This is gonna be fun."
Lena chuckled slowly. "Yeah. Fun."
"So, what is the plan?" I asked.
We start with Bloodmoon academy, I think there is something suspicious about the school. And I will try to sneak into my father's office and check if I can see anything that will give us some clues. Ronan said.
"Okay then", I said.
Later that night, after Lena was safely home, I walked toward my house, feeling the weight of someone watching me.
I knew who it was before I even turned around.
Ronan stood at a distance, leaning against a tree, his arms crossed. He wasn't hiding.
He wasn't leaving either.
Even when I went inside, I couldn't stop myself from peeking through the curtains.
He was still there.
Watching.
Waiting.