Chapter 17 Chapter 17: Festival Lights

Chapter 17 Chapter 17: Festival Lights

 The bonfire had already been lit by the time I reached the quad. Orange flames licked twenty feet into the night sky, sparks drifting like lazy fireflies against the dark. Snow from last night had mostly melted, leaving the grass damp and patchy, but someone had scattered straw around the fire pit to keep boots from sinking.

Music thumped from hidden speakers—low bass, something with a steady heartbeat rhythm. Laughter rolled over it in waves. Partial shifts everywhere: eyes glowing amber in the firelight, canines flashing when people smiled too wide, claws tapping against plastic cups like nervous habits. I stayed near the edge of the crowd at first. Hood up. Hands shoved deep in my pockets. The air smelled like woodsmoke, mulled cider from the drink station, and the sharp animal edge of too many wolves in one place. My skin prickled. Not fear, exactly. Just… awareness. Like every nerve ending had been tuned to high. Ivy found me first. She appeared out of the smoke with two steaming cups. “Spiked cider. Non-alcoholic version for the responsible ones.” She handed me one. The warmth seeped through my gloves instantly.“Thanks.”She studied me over the rim of her cup.

“You look like you’re planning an escape route.”“Maybe I am.”She didn’t laugh. Just nodded. “Fair.”Dex joined us a minute later, hoodie zipped to his chin, hands wrapped around a third cup. “Crowd’s bigger than last year. Legacy kids brought half their extended families.”I scanned the faces around the fire. He wasn’t wrong. Older wolves—silver-haired, expensive coats—mixed with the students. Some watched the bonfire like it was a performance. Others watched us.

Rowan appeared next, carrying a paper plate stacked with roasted marshmallows and what looked like s’mores ingredients. “Found the good stuff. Who wants?”Ivy took one. Dex declined. I shook my head. Rowan shrugged. “More for me.” He bit into a marshmallow straight off the stick. Sugar crunched. “You dancing tonight, Winters?”I raised an eyebrow. “You asking?”“Group thing. No pressure. But yeah. I’m asking.”I looked at the fire. Flames reflected in his eyes—warm, steady. No demand behind them. Just… invitation.“Maybe later,” I said. He grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.
”The music shifted—slower tempo, deeper bass. Couples started drifting closer to the flames. Some swayed. Others laughed and spun each other in clumsy circles. Partial shifts made it look wilder—claws glinting as hands linked, eyes flashing gold when heads tilted back. Rowan set his plate down. Held out a hand. “Come on. One dance. Friendly. Promise I won’t step on your toes.”I hesitated. Looked at Ivy. She gave a tiny nod—like permission I didn’t need but wanted anyway.
I took his hand. His palm was warm. Callused from training. Steady. We moved to the edge of the firelight—not center stage, just close enough to feel the heat on our faces. The song wasn’t fast. Wasn’t slow either. Just enough rhythm to sway without looking ridiculous. Rowan kept space between us—respectful. Friendly. His hand rested lightly on my waist. Mine on his shoulder. We moved in small circles, boots scuffing straw.“You’re not bad at this,” he said quietly.“You’re surprised?”“A little.

You always look like you’re ready to bolt.”I almost laughed. “Habit.”He spun me once—gentle, slow. When I came back around, he was smiling. Real smile. Not the cocky legacy grin. Something softer.“Feels good to laugh sometimes,” he said. “Even if it’s just for a minute.”I didn’t answer. Just let the music carry us. Across the flames—through the haze of smoke and shifting bodies—I felt it before I saw it.Kieran.He stood at the far edge of the crowd.

Black coat open over a dark shirt. Arms crossed. Face half-shadowed by firelight. Watching. Our eyes met through the orange glow. His jaw tightened. Gold flecks caught the light—bright, sharp. Not anger. Something rawer. Jealousy? Possession? I couldn’t read it. Didn’t want to. Rowan spun me again—light, playful. When I faced Kieran’s direction once more, he’d turned away. Abrupt. Shoulders rigid. He melted into the crowd like smoke. My stomach twisted. Rowan noticed. “You okay?”“Yeah.” Lie. Automatic. The song ended. We stepped apart. Rowan squeezed my hand once—friendly, brief—then let go.

“Thanks for the dance,” he said. I nodded. Couldn’t speak. I slipped away from the fire. Needed air. Needed space. The crowd pressed too close now—too many scents, too many glowing eyes.I walked toward the tree line. Snow crunched underfoot again.

The bonfire glow faded behind me until the music was only a bass thump in my chest. Footsteps followed. Quiet. Deliberate. I didn’t turn. Kieran stepped out of the shadows between two pines. Moonlight silvered on his face. Eyes still gold-flecked.“You looked happy tonight,” he said. Voice low. Rough. I crossed my arms. “Is that not allowed?”He stepped closer. Close enough that the cold between us warmed. “Not with him.

”The words landed heavily. I lifted my chin. “Rowan’s a friend.”Kieran’s gaze dropped to my mouth for half a second. Then back up. “I know.”“Then why—”“Because I saw the way he looked at you.” Jaw tight. “And I hated it.”Honesty. Raw. No control. My breath caught. He took another step. Inches now. Heat rolling off him despite the cold. Pine. Smoke. Wolf. Want. I should have backed away. I didn’t.“You don’t get to decide who I dance with,” I whispered.“I know.” Voice rougher. “Doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”Our breaths mingled—small clouds in the freezing air. His hand lifted. Slow. Hesitant. Fingers brushed my jaw—barely there. Warm. Steady. I didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away. He leaned in.

Forehead almost touching mine. Eyes searching. Gold is burning bright. I felt the pull—magnetic, terrifying, undeniable. Our mouths were inches apart.“Rowan?” The voice came from the path—Rowan himself, calling my name. Concerned. Close. Kieran froze. Then stepped back. Melted into the dark between the trees as he’d never been there. I exhaled shakily. Turned. Rowan appeared at the edge of the path. “There you are. Ivy was looking for you. You okay?”“Yeah.” Lie again.

“Just needed air.”He studied me for a second. Then nodded. “Come on. Fire’s dying down. We’re heading back.”I followed him. Didn’t look behind me. But I felt Kieran’s gaze on my back the entire walk. Back in the dorm, the room was quiet. Lyra asleep. Lamp off. I sat on my bed in the dark. Hoodie still on. Gloves still on. The note from last night crinkled under my pillow when I lay down. I pulled it out. Unfolded it in the faint moonlight from the window.Three days until prep intensifies.
Breathe, little wolf.
I’m watching.
– KI stared at the words until they blurred. Then I folded it again. Slipped it under my pillow.Closed my eyes. But sleep didn’t come. Instead, I heard the bonfire crackling in my memory. Felt Rowan’s steady hand.Felt Kieran’s almost-touch burning on my jaw. And somewhere deep inside—where the wolf lived—the thing that woke when Kieran was near growled low. Not angry.Possessive.I turned over. Pulled the blanket higher. The snow kept falling outside. Soft. Silent.Covering everything. But it didn’t cover the heat still lingering under my skin.