Crossing Paths
1141 Words
Crossing Path
Davina’s POV
New York was loud tonight, louder than my own thoughts, and that was saying something.
I sat at the corner table of “The Den,” a wolf-owned bar where secrets flowed faster than the whiskey. The smell of sweat, alcohol, and suppressed rage clung to the air like a second skin. Fiona sat across from me, her eyes bright, her red hair tied in a careless bun that screamed, I don’t care — even though she always did.
“So,” she said, swirling the ice in her glass, “you’re really thinking about heading west?”
I sighed, leaning back in my chair, letting the worn leather creak under me. “It’s not thinking, Fi. It’s happening. I’m leaving tonight.
”Her eyes widened, just as I expected. “You’re insane. You do know whose territory that is, right? LA is Vincent’s territory. The Vincent. Ruthless Alpha. Mafia king. You know, the guy who tears throats first and asks questions never?
”A bitter smile curved my lips. “That’s exactly why I’m going.”
“You have a death wish.”
“No,” I said, letting my gaze drift to the bar’s grimy window. “I have unfinished business. And I’m not going to stay in New York, waiting for ghosts to finish me off.
”Fiona’s expression softened. She reached across the table, squeezing my hand. “You’re still thinking about him.”
I flinched. She didn’t say his name — she didn’t have to. The memory of my former Alpha and the betrayal that drove me out of my old pack burned like a scar that would never heal.
“I’m not thinking about him,” I said sharply, pulling my hand away. “I’m thinking about me. About freedom. About not being anyone’s discarded toy.”
Fiona exhaled and sat back, studying me. “Fine. But when you cross into Vincent’s territory, keep your head down. He doesn’t take kindly to strays.”
I grinned, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Good thing I’m not a stray. I’m a storm.”
The road stretched out before me like a dark vein through the wilderness. My old motorcycle roared under me, a familiar growl that made my wolf restless. Every mile west felt like a challenge thrown at fate, daring it to try and stop me.
By the time I crossed the invisible border into LA’s territory, my wolf stirred violently inside me, restless and on edge. Something thick and electric filled the air, prickling against my skin like static.
Then it hit me.
The scent.
Rich, dark, unmistakably Alpha.
My bike skidded to a stop on the dirt road as my heart slammed against my ribs. My wolf howled in my chest, clawing to get out.
Mate.
The word thundered in my mind, leaving me breathless.
Before I could process it, shadows moved in the trees. A dozen wolves appeared, flanking the road in perfect formation, their eyes glowing under the moonlight. And then he stepped out.
Vincent.
I had seen pictures, grainy security shots, news clippings — but none of them prepared me for the real thing. He was massive, towering, his presence sucking all the air out of the night. His eyes locked on mine, golden and lethal.
“Who are you?” His voice was deep, a dangerous purr.
I slid off my bike, my legs shaky but my chin high. “Davina. I’m just passing through.”
His nostrils flared. “You crossed my border. That means you’re not just passing through.”
Something primal twisted in my gut. The mate bond was pulling at me, screaming at me to go to him, to bare my neck, to submit. But I refused to move.
“You feel it too,” I said, my voice low.
For a second, just a second ,something flickered in his eyes. Recognition. Desire. The bond. But then it was gone, replaced by a mask of cold fury.
“Take her,” he ordered, and two wolves shifted into men instantly, stepping toward me.
“Excuse me?” I snapped. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Vincent stepped closer, so close I could feel the heat rolling off his body. My wolf whimpered, but I stood my ground.
“You’re a spy,” he said flatly. “Micah has been sending rogues across my border for months. You expect me to believe you just wandered here?”
“I’m not a spy!”
“Then you’re reckless,” he growled, circling me like a predator. “Either way, you’re a problem.”
My temper flared. “Wow. You meet your fated mate, and your first instinct is to accuse her of espionage? Charming.”
Something dangerous glinted in his eyes. “You think being my mate will save you? I reject you, Davina. Here and now.”
The words hit me like a punch to the chest. My knees nearly buckled under the pain, the bond shredding inside me like glass shards.
I forced myself to laugh, bitter, hollow. “Good. I didn’t want you anyway.”
For a moment, silence hung between us, sharp as a blade. Vincent’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes glowing brighter.
“Lock her up,” he ordered.
The guards grabbed me, their grip iron-tight as they dragged me toward a waiting SUV.
“You’re making a mistake!” I shouted, thrashing against them.
Vincent didn’t look back. “If you’re telling the truth, we’ll find out. If you’re lying…” His voice dropped to a deadly growl. “You won’t live to regret it.”
The SUV’s engine roared as we drove deeper into his territory, and I sat there seething, my wrists burning from the cuffs. My wolf paced in my mind, furious, humiliated.
“Mate,” she whimpered.
“He rejected us,” I snapped back.
But even as I said it, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way his eyes had darkened when he looked at me, like he wanted to kill me and claim me at the same time.
Fiona had been right, crossing into Vincent’s territory was dangerous.
But this wasn’t just danger anymore.
This was war.
And I wasn’t planning on losing.
“You're going to tell me who you are and what you're doing here or you'll be punished.” He said again.
“I'm just a nurse, nothing more. I have my ID.” He took a look at it and frowned.
“We've met before.” He said calmly and I froze. I looked into his eyes and that's when realization stepped in.
“You're the lady from that night!
“You're the man from that night!” We both screamed.
“Let her go.” He said immediately and they let me go.
- Writer
