Chapter 16 – Shadows in the Rain
Unknown POV
The fire crackled in the hearth of the stone-walled room, casting dancing shadows across the floor.
The man sitting by the fire leaned back in his chair, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. His voice was calm, measured — almost too calm.
“So,” he said, his gray eyes glinting as he looked at the girl kneeling before him. “The two Wolfe brothers are finally at each other’s throats.”
Brittany kept her head down, hiding the triumphant smirk on her face. “Yes, Alpha. Just as you wanted.”
“Good,” he said softly, standing and walking toward her. His boots clicked against the floor, each step heavy with authority. “With them distracted, the pack will crumble. Two brothers fighting for one fragile little Luna? It is the perfect storm.”
Brittany risked a glance up. “But… what if Hardin wins her?”
The man chuckled, dark and low. “Hardin is just like his father. Reckless. Emotional. He will destroy himself trying to claim what is not his.”
“And Sebastian?” Brittany asked, her curiosity laced with something sharper — maybe jealousy.
The man’s lips curved into a cruel smile as he crouched to her level. “Sebastian is weak. He will lose everything before this is done.”
“What do you want me to do next?” Brittany asked, voice low.
He reached out and tilted her chin up. “You will stay close. Make sure she doubts him. Make sure every time Sebastian looks at his mate, he sees you.”
Brittany’s lips curved into a smile. “That won’t be hard.”
The man stood, turning back toward the fire. “Good. Now go. We have waited long enough to bring this family to its knees. And Brittany—”
“Yes?”
“If you fail me…” His voice turned sharp, cold enough to freeze the air. “…you won’t live long enough to regret it.”
Brittany swallowed hard and nodded before backing out of the room.
The man turned back to the fire, muttering under his breath. “The sins of the father will drown the sons. And the girl will be the knife that ends them.”
Rhianna’s POV
The rain had turned heavier, soaking me to the bone. I didn’t move. I didn’t care.
The gate in front of me was blurry through my tears. I could still hear the council’s words ringing in my head — replace her if she’s too weak.
And Sebastian’s silence.
That was what hurt most.
The sound of footsteps behind me made me stiffen, but I didn’t turn.
“Rhianna,” a deep, familiar voice said softly.
I closed my eyes. “Go away, Hardin.”
He didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, the rain pattering against the black umbrella he held over us both.
“You’ll get sick,” he said, his voice calm but edged with something I couldn’t place.
“I don’t care.”
“Rhianna—”
I turned to face him, my chest heaving. “Why are you doing this?”
He frowned. “Doing what?”
“This!” I gestured wildly, tears mixing with rain on my cheeks. “You show up and everything falls apart. You’re turning my life upside down. My mate doesn’t even look at me the same anymore!”
Hardin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t step back.
“You think this is my fault?” he asked quietly.
“Yes!” I shouted. “Yes, Hardin! If you hadn’t come back, none of this would be happening. Sebastian wouldn’t be so angry, the council wouldn’t be looking at me like I’m disposable, and I—” My voice broke. “I wouldn’t be standing here, wondering if I’m losing everything.”
Hardin’s expression softened, just slightly. “Rhianna…”
“Don’t,” I whispered, my voice sharp. “Don’t say my name like that. Don’t look at me like that.”
“I can’t help it,” he said, stepping closer. His voice dropped, rough and possessive. “You’ve always been mine, Little Wolf. Even before the bond tied you to him, you were mine.”
My heart squeezed painfully at his words — but I shook my head.
“No,” I said firmly, stepping back. “You need to stop this, Hardin. Find your mate. You’re old enough. The Goddess made someone for you — go find her.”
“She’s right in front of me,” he said without hesitation.
Tears spilled down my face. “Then ignore her. Even if you see me dying in front of you one day, walk away. Pretend you never knew me. Because I can’t lose Sebastian. I can’t.”
Hardin’s jaw clenched, his hand gripping the umbrella so tight I thought it might snap.
For a long moment, neither of us moved. The rain kept falling, washing everything away — except the storm between us.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low. “One day, Rhianna… you’ll stop lying to yourself. And when that day comes, I won’t walk away. Not again.”
Then he turned and walked back toward the pack house, leaving me standing in the rain, sobbing quietly.