CHAPTER 35
Zeena’s POV
Alpha Riven Thorne.
He was a thorn in my flesh. Even the sound of his name left a bitter taste in my mouth. Once, he had been my alpha, and I’d thought that meant protection. Instead, he watched as I was bullied, as if my pain was nothing worth noticing. And when the Moon Goddess decided to twist the knife further, she tied me to him as my mate. I begged him–foolishly, naively–to claim me. And after that, he rejected me before the whole pack.
That should have been the end of it. I left. I broke myself free, even if it meant running with nothing but scars. So why did he follow? Why did he come all the way to Alpha Hillary’s, even fight Ryder as if I was some prize to be dragged back?
I was done with him. I’d been done for a long time now. I had made peace with not having my wolf. I was finally finding pieces of myself here–people who actually cared, a place where I could breathe. So why was he still coming? Did he think I wouldn’t be here?
The thought lingered as breakfast ended. The pack spilled out toward the courtyard to welcome our guests, chatter echoing through the air. I followed in the crowd until a familiar warmth closed around my wrist, tugging me aside. I didn’t need to look to know who it was.
Ryder drew me into the shadow of the stairwell that curved up toward the pack house. My back touched the wall as I looked up to find his gaze already locked on me, steady and unblinking.
I cleared my throat, hoping to break the weight of it, but his thumb brushed against my lips. Heat flared in my cheeks instantly. I tried to look away, but he leaned in, voice low against my ear, deep enough to send a shiver down my spine.
“What did I tell you about turning red?”
“You’re… not making it easier not to blush,” I whispered back, inhaling his scent. His nearness was intoxicating.
A strand of hair fell into my face. Ryder pushed it back gently, his knuckles grazing my cheek. “You look so beautiful tonight,” he said, voice rougher than usual. “Too beautiful. You’ve tortured my wolf. You got half the unmated wolves eyeing you, and it’s taking everything in me not to bare my teeth at them.”
My face burned hotter. Before I could find an answer, his mouth pressed to mine. The kiss was nothing like the last time. This was slow, deliberate, soft enough to make my knees weaken. His lips tasted faintly of the wine we’d shared at dinner, the flavor mingling with his own warmth until I couldn’t help but moan into him. For a breathless moment, I melted, lost in the gentleness that unraveled every wall I’d built.
And just when I leaned into it, he pulled back with a low groan, brushing one last kiss across my mouth. “Your lips,” he said huskily, “they’re too lush… too soft. You undo me.”
I wanted to drag him back down, kiss him until I forgot everything else, but he caught my expression and smirked, as if he’d read every word of my silent protest. Then his face sobered.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
My brows drew together. “For what?”
“I didn’t expect Riven to be here. I thought he’d stay away. But he hasn’t threatened my pack outright, and without that, the Council won’t see the danger he is. My hands are tied.” His jaw tightened, the words tight. “I know you’re not ready to face him, but he’s here... I’ll be at your side through it.”
A weary sigh slipped out of me. For a moment, Ryder’s kiss had made me forget about Riven entirely. “I just… I have so much hate bottled inside. So much anger.”
Ryder’s eyes darkened. “He deserves every ounce of it.”
His gaze went distant for a second, the sign of a link, then sharpened. “They’re approaching.”
He took my hand firmly in his. We stepped out into the morning air just as the alphas and their entourages crossed into the courtyard. Laura, Andre, and Lucius were already in place, Ryder and I joined them at the front.
As tradition demanded, the pack bowed their heads in brief acknowledgment. My eyes caught on the arrivals one by one.
Alpha Hillary came into view first. And just as I had remembered, he was broad-shouldered and tall, with dark skin and a scar that cut across his jaw. On his head was a neat brown mane of hair tied back at his nape. His cloak was deep green, lined with fur, a symbol of wealth and status. He carried himself with a confidence that didn't need words.
Beside him, a man I didn't know, he was striking in a different way. His features were strange, with scars trailing down the side of his face like claw marks that never healed. His hair was steel-gray, cut short, his gaze piercing and heavy with authority. Unlike the others, he dressed plainly in deep brown leathers that laid across his pale skin. This had to be Alpha Cephus.
And the worst for the last was Alpha Riven.
He looked annoyingly sharper than the last time I saw him, his jaw newly shaven, his dark eyes gleaming with something between arrogance and challenge.
I didn't let my eyes linger.
The alphas had moved forward, greeting Ryder and the others with handshakes. Alpha Hillary kissed Laura’s hand, then mine, bowing slightly with a sly smile.
“So these are the eyes that made two alphas ruffle,” he said, amusement in his tone. “I see what Alpha Ryder was fighting for.” He glanced at Riven. “You lost this one, mate.”
Alpha Cephus followed, offering the same formal gesture before clasping Ryder in a firm, brotherly hug. I blinked–so they were close, then.
And then came Riven. He clasped Ryder’s hand, but Ryder pulled back almost instantly. A low growl rumbled from Ryder’s chest, his wolf bleeding through.
Riven smirked. “Chill, Ryder—”
“It’s Alpha Ryder to you,” Ryder snapped.
Riven’s smile didn’t falter. He stepped to me, lifted my hand, and pressed a kiss to it. My stomach twisted, revulsion crawling through me. He lingered.
Ryder’s hand tore mine from his grasp. His voice was rough, edged with his wolf. “Watch it.”
Unfazed, Riven leaned closer, his voice a low taunt meant only for Ryder. “I see she’s not yet marked. Why is that? Don’t think she’s worthy of your time?”
Ryder’s hand vibrated with restrained fury. For a second, I thought he might lose control. But then he stepped forward, closing the distance with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. “The only thing unworthy here, Riven, is you still clinging to what you’ve already lost. Get over it.”
Riven’s eyes flickered with rage before he smoothed it into another smirk and stepped aside.
Ryder addressed the group, voice strong. “Stormfang in the Borderlands welcomes our honored guests. Tonight, we stand as one pack, one accord.”
The pack bowed once more before dispersing at his signal. Ryder leaned toward the Alphas. “Shall we continue this in my office?”
As they headed inside, Andre appeared at my side. “Let’s leave the Alphas to it,” he said gently.
I glanced at Ryder. He gave me a small, reassuring smile. So much for staying with me the whole time. I let Andre guide me away.
“I can’t wait for this day to end,” I muttered.
Andre arched a brow. “Because of the other alpha?”
“He’s bad news,” I said flatly.
Andre frowned. “You’re right. From the few times we've had contact, he doesn’t give off a good vibe.”
The words loosened something in me, and before I realized it, I was talking. “He watched me get bullied. He did nothing. Even when Kira complained to him.”
“Kira?”
“She… she was a healer in the pack and a mother to me. She took care of me until she died. Nightshade poisoning.”
Andre frowned. “Nightshade?”
“Yes. She ate food that was meant for me. Said she’d make me a fresh plate since that one had gone cold. She was vomiting within an hour. They tried to save her, but—” My voice cracked.
I didn’t realize I was crying until Andre’s thumb brushed the tears from my cheeks. “Why didn’t you leave?” he asked softly.
“I was tired. I wanted them to just kill me too. But after Kira, they didn't attempt the poison again. Just beatings. Maybe they feared someone else might eat it again.”
“And Alpha Riven?”
“Nothing. No one confessed, so he left it at that. I guess anything that had to do with me wasn't that important.
Andre’s jaw tightened, but before he could speak, a commotion nearby drew his attention. “Stay here,” he said, moving toward a group of quarreling wolves.
I lingered, trying to dry my eyes and smooth out my clothes when I heard a voice that startled me, accompanied
with a name that had never been spoken here.
My real name.
“Zeena.”
The sound of it froze me where I stood.