Chapter 33 – The Blood of a Fighter

The day hadn’t settled into stillness for long before the tension returned.

Raine sat beside Ivy on the couch, feeling an odd sense of peace as they scrolled through random things on Ivy’s phone. It was nice—just existing without pressure, without fear. Without always looking over her shoulder.

But peace was fleeting.

Because the moment Xavier’s phone buzzed, his entire demeanor shifted.

Golden eyes darkened. A muscle ticked in his jaw.

He didn’t say anything at first, just glanced at the screen, then stood in a slow, deliberate movement.

Ivy noticed immediately. “Shit. What is it?”

Xavier’s expression was unreadable, but his voice was ice. “We have company.”

Raine stiffened.

Reed, who had just walked in from outside, frowned. “Not the Elders.”

“No,” Xavier muttered. “Not yet. But someone’s testing boundaries.”

Raine’s fingers curled into her lap. A few days ago, she would have hesitated. Would have asked *who? why? what does that mean?*—but she wasn’t that girl anymore.

She didn’t question Xavier’s authority in these matters. If he said there was a threat, there was a threat.

She swallowed. “What do you need me to do?”

Ivy smirked, nudging her. “Now *that’s* what I like to hear.”

Xavier’s gaze flickered to Raine, unreadable for a moment, before he said, “Stay close. Don’t wander. You’re coming with us.”

That surprised her.

He wasn’t telling her to stay behind.

He wasn’t shielding her from it.

He was treating her like one of them.

Like part of the pack.

She nodded once, determined. “Okay.”

\---

The estate had multiple layers of security—some physical, some supernatural—but none of them had been triggered. That meant whoever was waiting outside wanted to be seen.

Which made Xavier even more dangerous.

Because people who *wanted* his attention usually ended up regretting it.

They stepped outside, the cool air brushing against Raine’s skin as she kept close to Ivy.

Three figures stood near the estate’s entrance.

They weren’t just any werewolves.

They *reeked* of money, of polished arrogance, of the kind of power that had nothing to do with physical strength and everything to do with control.

High-ranking wolves.

Alphas.

*Not from Xavier’s side of the world.*

Raine knew their type. She had grown up around them—wolves who believed their bloodlines made them superior, that wealth and influence meant they were untouchable.

She used to shrink in front of wolves like this.

Not anymore.

Xavier stepped forward first, his presence alone enough to make the intruders tense. His voice was calm, but beneath it was the promise of violence. “I don’t remember inviting guests.”

The man in the center smirked. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp-cut suit that screamed money. His wolf eyes flickered with amusement. “Come now, Draven. I thought we were past pleasantries.”

Raine felt Ivy bristle beside her. *She knows this guy.*

Xavier didn’t blink. “Say what you came to say before I decide you’re a waste of my time.”

The man chuckled. “Fine. I’ll be direct.” His gaze flickered over them all, landing on Raine for half a second before settling back on Xavier. “Word is, you’ve been *collecting* interesting company lately.”

Raine’s jaw clenched.

*He means me.*

Xavier’s golden eyes gleamed with warning. “Careful.”

But the man wasn’t done.

“We both know the Elders aren’t blind forever. It’s only a matter of time before they start asking questions about *her.*” His smirk widened. “And when they do, you’ll have to decide—will you hand her over, or will you burn for her?”

Silence.

The air *crackled.*

Raine felt something coil deep inside her.

A week ago, those words would have filled her with fear. Would have made her shrink, would have made her feel like an object being passed around in the politics of power.

But now?

Now she was just *angry.*

She stepped forward before she could think twice, her voice steady. “Funny. You talk like I’m not standing right here.”

The man blinked, finally focusing on her fully. “Oh?”

“I’m not a piece on your board,” she said. “So whatever you’re planning—whatever warning you think you’re giving—save your breath.”

Something dark flashed in his eyes. “Brave little Omega, aren’t you?”

The way he said it—like she was still beneath him—made her blood boil.

But before she could snap back, Xavier *moved.*

Fast.

Deadly.

One second, he was standing beside her. The next, he was gripping the man’s throat, shoving him back into the stone wall of the estate.

The sound of impact was *satisfying.*

The other wolves *immediately* tensed, but they didn’t move. They *knew* better.

Xavier leaned in, his golden eyes glowing with *lethal amusement.*

“I *tolerate* a lot of things,” he said, his voice quiet, controlled. “But coming to *my* house and running your mouth about *my people?*” His grip *tightened.* “That, I do not tolerate.”

The man’s smug demeanor finally cracked.

Raine could see it—the flicker of fear beneath the arrogance.

She didn’t smile.

But she wanted to.

Xavier held him there for another agonizing second before *releasing* him, stepping back as the man *coughed,* trying to regain his breath.

Then Xavier turned, golden eyes sharp. “Now get the fuck off my property before I decide I *do* want to make an example out of you.”

The man didn’t argue.

Didn’t try to reassert dominance.

He just nodded once, stiffly, then turned on his heel.

His companions followed, silent.

And just like that, they were gone.

\---

Raine exhaled.

The tension in the air didn’t fade immediately, but she felt a weight lift.

Ivy muttered a curse, running a hand through her red hair. “I hate those fucking people.”

Reed smirked. “You and me both.”

Xavier was still watching the road where they had disappeared, his expression unreadable.

Raine stepped closer to him. “You knew they’d come.”

It wasn’t a question.

Xavier’s lips twitched, but it wasn’t a smile. “They always do.”

Raine was quiet for a moment. Then—

“Thank you.”

His gaze snapped to her, eyes narrowing. “For what?”

“For not letting him talk about me like I wasn’t here.” She met his gaze, steady. “For making it clear I’m *not* some weak little thing for them to toy with.”

A pause.

Then—

Xavier’s smirk returned, slow and sharp. “I didn’t do that for you.”

She didn’t flinch. “I know.”

His smirk widened.

Ivy groaned. “Alright, *enough* tension. If we’re done putting assholes in their place, we have a *doctor’s appointment* to get to.”

Raine blinked. Right.

Because this wasn’t over.

Her bloodline was still a mystery.

Her power was still locked away.

And if she was really going to be strong enough to survive this war…

She needed answers.

Now.