Scarred by Moonlight

Chapter 12: The Edge of Control

The bass pulsed through the nightclub like a living thing, each beat vibrating through the soles of Olrun’s boots. He stood at the edge of the dance floor, his gaze locked on River as she swayed to the music. She moved with a fluid grace that demanded attention, her full figure framed by the crimson glow of the strobe lights.

The sight of her dancing sent a rush of heat through his chest, an unfamiliar tightness that made his wolf, Atlas, pace restlessly in the corners of his mind.

The air reeked of sweat, alcohol, and desperation, scents that usually dulled his senses. But tonight, none of it mattered. All he could see, all he could think about, was her. She was making it impossible for Olrun to look away.

His fists clenched at his sides, the nails biting into his palms. He had stationed himself at a booth in the far corner, away from the crowd, trying to maintain some semblance of control. But control was slipping. Fast.

“She’s tempting fate,” Atlas growled in his head.

Olrun didn’t respond. He couldn’t. Atlas had been restless all night, clawing at his resolve, urging him to act. And for once, Olrun wasn’t sure if he had the strength to hold back.

As if the Moon Goddess herself had decided to test his limits, a man approached River. Tall, lean, and cocky, the stranger leaned in, saying something that made her laugh. She didn’t push him away when he moved closer, their bodies aligning as they danced. Olrun’s vision tinted red.

You’re going to let him touch her? Atlas hissed.

“She’s not ours,” Olrun muttered under his breath, ignoring the confused glance from a passing waitress.

She’s our mate, Atlas snapped. Go to her. Now.

Olrun gritted his teeth, his body rigid with tension. “Not now.”

Atlas let out a low growl, a sound of pure disgust. Do you think she’ll wait forever? That bastard is going to—

“Shut up!” Olrun barked aloud. A few heads turned, but he didn’t care. He slammed his fist against the table, the wood splintering beneath his strength.

Across the room, at the bar, Ryker was stalking toward Ashley.

Ryker’s movements were predatory, his frustration radiating like a storm as he confronted a man standing too close to Ashley. Olrun could hear their raised voices even over the pounding music.

“You’re my mate,” Ryker snarled, jabbing a finger at Ashley. “You shouldn’t be letting some asshole buy you drinks. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Ashley’s expression darkened, her carefree demeanor evaporating. “So you can sleep around but I can’t? Until you start acting like my mate, I’ll treat you the same way you treat me.” She shot him a glare that threatened to start a new ice age.

Ryker opened his mouth to argue but stopped, his jaw tightening as guilt flickered across his face. Before he could respond, Ashley turned away, dismissing him entirely.

Olrun’s lip curled, but his focus was quickly yanked back to the dance floor.

The stranger was closer now, his hands lingering at her waist. River’s head tilted back as she laughed, the sound slicing through Olrun like a blade. She didn’t pull away. Instead, she pressed closer, her body aligning with the man’s in a way that made Olrun see red.

He was out of his seat before he realized what he was doing.

The crowd parted as he stormed through, his gaze locked on River. She didn’t see him coming, too lost in the music and the moment. The stranger, however, caught sight of him and faltered, the smirk slipping from his face.

“We’re leaving.” His voice was cold steel, brooking no argument.

“Like hell we are!” she snapped, yanking her arm back. “Who do you think you are?”

Olrun didn’t stop.

He grabbed River’s arm, the heat of her skin burning into his palm as he pulled her away from the dance floor. “Your f*****g alpha!”

“Get off!” River protested, struggling against his grip. “What the hell, Olrun?”

He didn’t answer, his jaw clenched tight as he dragged her through the club and out into the cool night air. The door slammed shut behind them, muffling the music and chatter from inside.

Outside, the cool night air did little to temper the storm brewing between them. Olrun released her wrist, and River spun to face him, her chest heaving with fury.

River rubbed get wrist to soothe the ache from Olrun’s vice like grip. Her cheeks were flushed, her whiskey eyes blazing with anger. She looked like a vengeful goddess to him, the fire in her eyes, her hair swept by the wind, and those lips, damn near snarling at him. “What the hell is your problem, huh? You keep saying you don’t want me! So leave me alone!”

“My problem?” Olrun’s eyes burned with a feral intensity. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Dancing with some mutt like that? Do you even know what he wanted? Are you that naïve?”

River blinked, taken aback. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” Olrun spat, his voice low and dangerous. “What the hell were you thinking?”

River crossed her arms over her chest, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. “What I do and who I do it with is none of your business! You didn’t get to dictate my life!”

Olrun took a step closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. “He was touching you.”

“So?” River shot back, her chin lifting defiantly. “Maybe I wanted him to.”

The words hit Olrun like a punch to the gut. His hands curled into fists, the tendons in his neck straining as he fought to keep himself in check.

“Damn liar,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Am I?” River challenged, stepping closer. “I’m a grown woman, Olrun. I know what I want.”

In one swift motion, he had her pinned against the brick wall, his hands braced on either side of her head. River gasped, her brown eyes wide with shock as she stared up at him.

“I’ll kill him, little wolf, and it won’t be quick! Do you understand me?” Olrun growled, his voice rough with barely-contained rage. “Any man that touches you will die screaming for mercy that will never come.”

“You’re insane,” River said, her voice shaking with anger and something else she couldn’t name.

“You’re driving me insane, you ridiculous woman!” Olrun shouted, his composure snapping.

And then his lips were on hers.

The kiss was rough, desperate, and overwhelming. For a moment, River froze, stunned by the force of it, the passion that ripped through her. It threatened to tear her apart and then rebuild her in playing image. But then, against her better judgment, a soft moan escaped her, and her hands clutched at his jacket.

Olrun growled deep in his throat, the sound vibrating between them as he pressed her against the brick wall. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer as if he couldn’t stand even an inch of distance.

River’s mind was a whirlwind of confusion and desire. She hated him for his arrogance, his possessiveness, but his kiss ignited something in her she couldn’t deny. Her mind screamed to shove him away, to remind him of the countless times he’d hurt her.

But her body betrayed her, leaning into his touch, drinking in the fire that only he could ignite. In this moment, she wanted him -no, she needed him. His hands on her, his lips. She wanted to lose herself in Olrun’s taste.

That sound broke something in Olrun.

He growled low in his throat, his hands sliding to her waist as he lifted her off the ground. River’s arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, her fingers tangling in his hair as the kiss deepened.

The world around them faded, the only sound the rapid beating of their hearts and the harsh breaths they shared. Olrun’s hips ground into Rivers and she could feel how badly he wanted this too.

A loud crash came from inside the club, followed by the sound of raised voices and shattering glass. Olrun pulled back, his chest heaving, his lips inches from hers.

“What the hell now?” he muttered, his eyes flicking toward the commotion.

River didn’t answer. The reality of what had just happened hit her like a freight train, and before Olrun could stop her, she slipped out from under his arm and disappeared into the shadows. Olrun growled, torn between running after his mate, and whatever was happening inside.

Inside, chaos reigned.

Ryker was in the center of it all, his fist connecting with the jaw of the man who had been flirting with Ashley. “Touch her again, bastard! I’ll rip your f*****g throat out, you f*****g mutt!”

Shouts erupted as more people joined the fray, tables overturned and drinks spilling onto the floor. Ashley held onto Ryker’s arms trying to pull him off of the other man. “Ryker, stop it!”

Olrun’s eyes narrowed. He didn’t have time for this. He was desperate to finish what he’d started with his mate.

“Enough!” he roared, his Alpha authority rolling over the room like thunder.

The fighting stopped almost instantly, all eyes turning to him. Olrun’s gaze locked on Ryker, his Beta still bristling with fury. Ryker roared, “He tried to kiss my girl!”

“I said enough, dammit! We’re leaving,” Olrun growled, his voice cold and commanding.

Ryker hesitated, his gaze flicking to Ashley, who stood off to the side with her arms crossed. With a reluctant nod, he followed Olrun toward the exit.

Outside, Olrun scanned the parking lot, his wolf howling for its mate. But River was nowhere to be found. Frustration clawed at him, the need to see her, to hold her again, consuming him. He slammed his fists into the hood of a nearby car, growling under his breath.

Across the street, River leaned against the cool bricks of an alley wall, struggling to catch her breath. Her lips still tingled from the kiss, her emotions a tangled mess of anger, desire, and confusion.

“Miss?”

She flinched at the voice. Alessandro stepped out from the shadows, his brow furrowed with concern. River had heard that a man has arrived in the pack looking like the alpha and claiming to be his cousin, but seeing him in person was something else entirely. It made her heart ache for some reason.

“Are you okay?” His voice was so soft and concerned. “I, uh, saw your fight with your boyfriend.”

River’s gaze flicked up, her whiskey-colored eyes shining with unshed tears. “He’s… he’s not my boyfriend,” she whispered.

Alessandro took a cautious step closer. “I see.” He paused for a moment. “I hope you don’t mind me saying it, but he’s an i***t to make a beautiful girl like you cry. He doesn’t deserve you.”

His words lingered in the air as River looked away, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn’t respond, too consumed by the storm raging within her.

Alessandro sighed. “Just… don’t waste too many tears on the jerk, okay,” he urged, his voice low. Alessandro strolled off in the direction of the bar.

River nodded, but deep down, she knew it wasn’t that simple.