Chapter 31 – The Wolves of Legends**

The moment they crossed the threshold of Xavier’s estate, Raine couldn’t hold back anymore.

Her heart still pounded from the adrenaline of what had just happened. She had seen them fight—**really fight**—for the first time.

And their wolves…

They were **breathtaking.**

Xavier’s massive black wolf had moved like a **shadow come to life,** his golden eyes glowing with raw power as he tore through their enemies. Every movement had been calculated, ruthless—like an untamed god of war.

Ivy’s wolf, sleek and **silver-white,** had danced through the battlefield with deadly elegance, her speed unmatched. She was **feral grace and cunning intelligence,** striking down threats before they even realized she was there.

And Reed—

His hulking wolf, deep brown with streaks of gold, had been a **juggernaut.** A beast that crashed through enemies like an avalanche, unrelenting and unstoppable.

They weren’t just wolves.

They were **forces of nature.**

Raine had been rooted to the spot, unable to tear her gaze away. She had never seen werewolves **like this.** The only ones she had encountered before were her **stepsisters—**and they had always used their shifts to **torment her.** To **hunt** her.

**This was different.**

These wolves weren’t chasing her.

They were **protecting** her.

And now, back in the safety of Xavier’s home, her awe finally exploded.

She turned to them, her eyes practically **shining.**

"That was—" She shook her head, struggling to find the words. "That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen!"

Ivy smirked, stretching her arms as she leaned against the wall. "Yeah, we’re kind of amazing."

Raine’s gaze flickered to her, and she nearly **bounced in place.** "Your wolf was stunning! The way you moved—it was like watching a storm! So fast, so precise!"

Ivy raised a brow, clearly enjoying the attention. "Well, well. Didn’t take you for the fan-girling type, but I like it."

Reed chuckled, running a hand through his messy hair. "What about me, little one? You see me tear through those bastards?"

Raine nodded **furiously.** "You were **unstoppable!** You didn’t even hesitate! One second they were standing, the next—**gone.** I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kind of strength before!"

Reed grinned. "Damn right."

And then her eyes landed on **Xavier.**

The words died in her throat for a moment.

She wasn’t even sure how to **describe** what she had seen.

He had been **lethal,** more predator than wolf. Every movement had been terrifyingly **beautiful.** His strength, his speed—**it had been unreal.**

Xavier watched her, arms crossed, golden eyes unreadable.

She took a breath, stepping closer.

"And you—" Her voice was softer now. "I don’t even know what to say. I’ve never seen anything like you."

His expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted.

"Like me?" he murmured.

Raine swallowed. "You were…" She exhaled, searching for the words. "You weren’t just fighting. You were **commanding.** Like the whole battlefield belonged to you."

A slow smirk curved his lips. "It did."

She **should** have rolled her eyes at his arrogance, but she couldn’t. Because he wasn’t wrong.

She had never understood why people feared rogues. Why the mere mention of Xavier Draven sent shivers down the spines of **Alphas.**

Now she did.

Because he wasn’t a wolf.

He was a **king among beasts.**

And for the first time, she realized something that sent a shiver down her spine—

**She wasn’t afraid of him.**

Not like she had been of her stepsisters. Not like she had been of Kieran.

Xavier was dangerous. But he wasn’t her **enemy.**

She wasn’t his prey.

And that?

That was a **terrifyingly beautiful thing.**

Ivy nudged her shoulder, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Damn, girl. You keep looking at us like that, and I might start blushing."

Raine’s face **heated.** "I’m just—" She huffed. "I don’t know! I’ve never seen anything like that before! The only werewolves I’ve ever known were my stepsisters, and they used to—"

She cut herself off, but Ivy’s smirk had already **faded.**

"They used to what?"

Raine looked away. "Nothing."

"Raine."

Ivy’s voice was sharper now.

Raine hesitated, then sighed.

"They used to **chase me.** After they shifted."

Silence.

Xavier’s golden eyes darkened. Reed’s relaxed stance **stiffened.** Even Ivy, usually all jokes, was **deadly still.**

"They **hunted** you?" Xavier’s voice was **dangerously quiet.**

Raine fidgeted. "It wasn’t—" She shook her head. "They thought it was **funny.** I was the only one who couldn’t shift, and they—" She swallowed. "They liked reminding me of that."

A growl rumbled from Reed’s chest.

Ivy’s expression darkened. "Those bitches."

Raine let out a weak laugh. "I mean… they weren’t wrong. I really couldn’t shift."

"That doesn’t make it okay," Ivy snapped.

Xavier’s gaze burned into her, his jaw tight. "And no one stopped them?"

Raine forced a shrug. "They were future Alphas. I was nothing."

The air turned **thick.**

Raine **hated** that look in their eyes—the mixture of pity and fury. She had already been weak for most of her life. She didn’t need them to look at her like she was **helpless** now.

So she forced a bright smile. "But that’s why tonight was amazing! I finally got to see werewolves in a different way. Not chasing me. Not hurting me."

Her gaze softened as she looked at Ivy, Reed, and Xavier.

"Tonight… I got to see wolves who fight **for** something. Not against me."

Ivy’s expression shifted. "Damn it, Raine, why do you have to say stuff like that? Now I actually like you."

Raine **laughed.**

And for the first time in a long, long time—she felt **safe.**

She didn’t have her wolf yet.

She wasn’t strong yet.

But she had **this.**

And maybe…

Maybe that was a start.

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