Howls and Hexes

CHAPTER 3

Zac

I had come into the bar. It was one I often frequented. My brother said he needed to unwind. He said it a few times a week if I had to be honest. This place had been our regular spot since Pete opened it years ago. It was not anything fancy but more like a dive bar, and we liked that it was not filled with college students like other places. It was a place for oldies like us. We had gotten there right as a group was leaving, and we were able to snag one of the two booths. We had a group of five of us.

My brother, Kai, and his mate, Stella. Then there was Elias and Dainelle. They were dating. I was the only one flying solo tonight. I usually had Lyra with me, but we were currently off, and I was glad for the break. Lyra could be too much at times.

Upon entering The Howling Tap, a familiar scent hit me—but it was deeper, wilder than anything I’d smelled in years. It smelled like wild raspberries, sweet earth after a thunderstorm, and the distant scent of ancient fire. Something primal in me stirred. My wolf immediately clawed at the edges of my control. Something—someone—was calling to it.

We took our seats at the booth. Pete had already noticed us and I knew he’d bring some whiskey to the table—my personal blend, aged with black oak and birchwood. Still, I couldn’t focus. My mind wasn’t here. My wolf wasn’t either.

Then I saw her.

White hair—long, thick, and glowing under the bar’s amber lights. It shimmered like moonlight on a still lake, cascading down her back in a smooth, silken curtain. I was stunned into stillness. There was no way I had ever seen this girl before. I would’ve remembered.

Then, as if pulled by fate, she turned toward me.

And in that exact moment, the lights above the bar flickered.

Just once.

A subtle surge—blink and you’d miss it—but we both saw it. Her stormy grey eyes locked onto mine, and I could tell she noticed. Her lips parted slightly, and her brows furrowed in confusion. I sat frozen, breath held, as something passed between us—unseen but heavy.

A moment of recognition.

I knew.

She was mine.

My mate.

Then Pete voice brought me back to reality

“Every damn time someone strange walks in, these lights twitch like nervous chihuahuas,” Pete muttered, staring at the ceiling. “I need to get a priest. Or an electrician.”

I've known Pete for a while but I didn't know he grumbled” he only does when he is concerned about something, maybe I'd have to ask him more about what he said in detail.

I got distracted by my mate again , I mean why not ? Mum and dad were fated mates, after my brother Kai It felt like the fates had abandoned me. Mum had said when I saw her the world would stop and yes it did .

I loved how her face was soft and rounded—full cheeks with a flush that looked natural, a small nose, and plush pink lips that gave her a youthful, angelic look. Her grey eyes were wide and stormy, like rolling clouds before a downpour. I felt something c***k open in my chest.

She wasn’t a typical she-wolf—not lean and muscled. No, she was shorter, chubbier, and absolutely captivating. Her thick thighs were hugged by dark jeans that clung to her hips like they were made to. Her butt curved like a sculptor’s dream—full, proud, powerful. I couldn’t look away.

Her friend—tall, red-haired, and fashionable—said something, drawing her gaze away from mine. I growled under my breath.

One moment we were locked together, breath suspended, the next, her attention was pulled back to the redhead sitting beside her.

I followed her gaze. The friend leaned in close, whispering something into her ear, grinning like she was up to something. Rayna forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

My wolf stirred again, more alert than before.

“I don’t like that one.”

You mean the redhead?

“She’s too smug. Watch her body language. She crowds your mate like she owns her. There’s something off—controlling. Fake.”

I didn’t respond. But I kept watching.

The way Tessa leaned into Rayna, subtly placing herself between her and the rest of the room… I noticed it now. The way her fingers lingered on Rayna’s arm a second too long. The way she laughed too hard when Rayna said something quiet.

And Rayna—she shrank a little in her presence. She wasn’t afraid, but she wasn’t at ease either. Like she was trying to blend in, trying not to stand out too much.

“That’s not how a friend acts,” my wolf growled. “That’s how someone keeps control.”

My grip on the edge of the table tightened.

It wasn’t my place to interfere—yet. But everything in me itched to pull Rayna away from her. My instincts flared like a warning beacon, and I hadn’t even spoken to her yet.

She needed someone who saw her. Someone who let her breathe. Not someone who tried to mold her.

And I was already certain of one thing:

That redhead wasn’t good for her. I'm sure of it. “But what if we are just over protective?" I asked my wolf. I mean we are the alpha and we know alpha's are known to be protective of everyone but to talk of their mates . I'll keep an eye on the red haired for my mates sake .

“Are you okay, Zac?” Kai’s voice cut through the fog in my brain.

I didn’t answer immediately. I couldn’t. My whole body was reacting.

“You see something you plan on taking home?” he added with a teasing grin.

“Something in skirts, and you fancy?” Elias snorted.

I clenched my jaw hard enough to grind teeth. I didn’t like their tone. Not about her.

“Zac, I didn’t know your taste had changed. Looks like you’re into the short and curvy kind now,” Kai laughed, and the others joined in.

“Looks like your prize is heading to the bar,” Elias said, nodding in her direction.

Sure enough, she stood and moved toward the bar.

I was up before I even realized it.

I moved fast—maybe too fast—but I couldn’t help it. She was alone at the bar now, and I could see all of her. Her hips swayed with each step. Her curves were wrapped in those jeans like a gift I didn’t deserve. And her scent—damn it, her scent was even stronger now. She smelled like wildflowers after rain and something addictive I couldn’t name.

I wanted to touch her. Hold her. Sink into her.

“Hey,” I said, stepping behind her. “What are you drinking?”

She turned, startled.

“I… was just getting beer and shots for my friend and me,” she said.

Her voice—soft, unsure—sent a jolt straight to my spine. It was like velvet. Gentle. Untouched.

Pete spotted me and came over.

“Two of what the redhead’s been drinking,” I said. “And one house beer for…”

She hesitated. Then:

“Rayna.”

I let the name settle in my mouth.

“Rayna,” I repeated. “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Zac.”

She blushed when I said my name. And for some reason, I wanted to hear her say it back.

She glanced at the drink placed in front of her. “Thank you for the beer.”

“You’re welcome.”

My gaze dropped briefly to the necklace resting just below her collarbone. A silver chain with a crescent pendant—simple, but something about it held my attention.

“Nice necklace,” I said casually, trying to keep my tone light.

She glanced down, then touched it absentmindedly. “Thanks. It was a gift… from my mom.”

I nodded, not thinking much of it. “It suits you.”

But the moment I said it, my wolf stirred—sharp and alert, like someone had snapped their fingers beside his ear.

That necklace is... it isn’t ordinary, he growled inside me.

I tensed slightly. What do you mean?

It’s laced with something old. Protective. Woven in love and fear. Your mate is shielded.

I didn’t respond. My eyes flicked to the necklace again. It shimmered—not visibly, but I felt it. Like heat rising from sunbaked stone.

Rayna was still touching it, unaware of the conversation unraveling in my head.

My lips parted slightly, but I said nothing. Just gave her a smile and nodded toward her drink. The necklace might be enchanted—but whatever secrets it held, she clearly didn’t know them yet. I tried to shake the thought of and focused more on her

I couldn’t stop staring. Her white hair framed her round face like a halo. And the way her chest rose and fell—modest, not showy—but enough to stir something primal in me. She didn’t need cleavage or flashy clothes. She didn’t need to show off to make my wolf bow.

“Are you new in town?” I asked.

“Yes. Just transferred to the university to finish my degree.”

“Let me guess—botany?”

Her brows raised, impressed. “Yeah. How’d you know?”

I gave her a crooked smile. “You smell like someone who spends a lot of time with plants.”

She laughed softly, and I felt like I’d just won a gold medal.

“Most college students don’t come in here,” I added. “You stood out.”

“Figured as much.”

The silence between us wasn’t awkward—it was thick with tension. Awareness.

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Do you want to join me and my friends in our booth?”

Her gaze flicked to the table behind me. I didn’t even need to look—I could feel my pack watching. Rayna hesitated.

“I came with my friend, so I should head back. But… Thank you. For the drink. I hope to see you around, Zac.”

As soon as our fingers brushed, something shifted.

Rayna froze—mid-reach, her hand still touching mine.

Her grey eyes glazed over, not in a dreamy way, but like she’d just been unplugged from reality.

For a heartbeat, I thought she was going to faint.

My wolf immediately lunged forward, snarling in my head.

Something’s wrong. She’s not here.

What the hell do you mean she’s not here?

Her spirit. It’s somewhere else. I can’t feel her soul.

I frowned and leaned closer, watching her closely. Her hand was trembling slightly against the glass of beer. Her knuckles had gone white.

“Rayna?”

No response.

I didn’t want to touch her again. Something about that first touch had set this off but I was ready to catch her if she collapsed. Every protective instinct in me flared to life. The bar, the lights, the music—all of it faded behind the pressure in my chest.

Then, all at once, she gasped and blinked, like someone had snapped her back from the edge of a cliff.

Her eyes darted up to mine. She forced a shaky smile. “The tequila’s hitting harder than I thought,” she mumbled, voice thin.

She was lying.

And not very well.

I didn’t press. But my wolf wasn’t satisfied. “Thanks for the beer Zac, See you some other time” . She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes .

I let her go, even though everything in me screamed to follow.

“You will,” I said under my breath.

When I got back to the booth, Elias raised his brow. “So our big bad Alpha can’t seal the deal with a human?”

“Watch your mouth,” I snapped. “She’s not just some girl.”

Everyone quieted. Then Kai said it.

“She’s your mate, isn’t she?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

They all turned toward Rayna as she laughed with her friend at the table across the bar. She hadn’t even glanced our way again.

“Well… congratulations,” Kai muttered. “She’s beautiful, Zac.”

“What are you going to do?” Danielle asked.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s human.”

I nodded slowly. “I know.”

“How are you going to explain who you are? What we were?” Danielle continued. “Do you plan to tell her everything?”

“I don’t know yet.”

They were right to ask. Having a human mate wasn’t common. A human Luna? Unheard of.

“She’ll never be able to hold your position in the pack,” Danielle added. “You’ll need to prepare them.”

I looked at Rayna again. The curve of her back. Her soft laugh. The way her fingers wrapped around her glass. My heart thudded like a drum.

“I don’t care,” I said. “She’s mine.”

And I meant it.