Howl for Me, Not Her

Chapter 7 Alpha Vincent Returns—with Teeth

Next morning, Marcus was lurking at the lodge entrance like a bad omen. I tried to ghost him, but he shadowed me tightly.

“What’s your game?” I snapped, stopping so fast he crashed into me.

He fumbled, then spat, “Why you with Vincent?”“When’d you link up with him? You two travel together?”

I laughed, bitter as wolfsbane, and shot him a look that could kill. “Marcus, who do you think you are?”“You think you can just demand answers?”

With a snort, I spun and strutted toward the driveway. A sleek, pack-issued SUV rolled up. I hopped in the passenger seat, ignoring the heat from his stare. As the door swung shut, Marcus slammed it back open.

I barked, “What the hell you doing?”

“Get out!” he growled, hand clamped on the door.

I smirked, grabbed my satchel, and whacked his hand with it. “Get lost, Marcus. I’m done with your sorry ass!”

He flinched, and Vincent peeled out. Fuming, I glared out the window, catching my flushed reflection. At a stoplight, Marcus’s voice drifted in, faint but desperate. “Elena, you really done with me?”

Without thinking, I muttered, “Yeah, it’s over.”“Ain’t no comin’ back.”

Vincent stuck to me like a burr for the next seven days.At first, I thought Vincent was just tagging along out of boredom. But I started to notice things—small things.

The way he remembered every offhand comment I made. The way he booked us a private hour at the Moonlit Grove after I murmured the name in my sleep. He didn’t say much, but somehow, he always knew what I needed before I said it.

He’d knock three times before entering, always bringing coffee the way I liked it—extra bitter, no sugar. He didn’t flirt loudly like Marcus used to. Instead, he made me feel seen.And somewhere between the quiet gestures and steady presence, I realized: he had been paying attention all along.

Every morning, Marcus showed up at the lodge withmoonflower, trinkets, and apologies. He even brought a moonstone necklace, which I sneered at. Seeing my disgust, he scrambled, “This one’s got twice the stones as the last.”“Elena, come back. I messed up. I’ll make it right.”

His begging made my stomach twist. I splashed my water in his face. “Get help, Marcus. Just go!”

After, Vincent swooped in, grabbed my bags, and we split. Trip’s end—time to head back to Moonridge. Before we left, a courier dropped off a sealed envelope for Vincent. I caught the flicker of concern in his eyes as he opened it.

“What is it?” I asked.

He folded the letter slowly. “Something from the Council. I have to make a quick stop at Northwatch.”

“Northwatch?” I raised a brow.

He gave me a half-smile. “Not ready to talk about it yet. But soon.”