Chapter 7: The Rival's Scent
983 Words
Morning light filtered through the cabin’s small windows, weak and gray. Lina woke first, Zane’s arm still draped heavy across her waist. His breathing was deep, steady—the kind of sleep that only comes after a storm passes.
She slipped out carefully, not wanting to wake him. The events of last night replayed in her mind: the chains rattling, the beast’s golden eyes locking on hers, the way it had quieted at her touch. The kiss afterward—raw, desperate, full of everything they hadn’t said yet.
She started coffee on the small propane stove, trying to act normal. As if surviving a full-moon shift with a cursed werewolf was just another Tuesday.
Zane stirred soon after. He sat up slowly, rubbing the faint red marks on his wrists where the chains had bitten. No scars. The curse healed fast, even from iron.
“You okay?” she asked, handing him a mug.
He took it, fingers brushing hers deliberately this time. The spark was there—stronger now, like the bond had deepened overnight.
“Better than okay,” he said quietly. “I’ve never… come back that fast. Never felt the beast yield like that.”
Lina sat beside him on the edge of the bed. “Maybe it’s the bond. Maybe I really am the key.”
He set the mug down. Pulled her closer until she was in his lap, legs straddling his. His hands settled on her hips—possessive, but gentle.
“You are,” he murmured against her neck. “And that scares the hell out of me.”
She tilted his chin up. Kissed him slow this time. No rush. Just them.
When they broke apart, his eyes were dark with something new—hope, maybe.
But the moment shattered when Zane stiffened. Nose flaring.
“Someone’s here,” he growled low.
Lina’s pulse spiked. “Pack?”
“Worse.” He stood, setting her behind him. “Rival. I know the scent. Kade. Beta from the Ironfang pack. He’s been hunting me for months.”
Zane grabbed a shirt and pulled it on fast. “Stay inside. Lock everything.”
“No chance.” She snatched the silver knife from the table—the one he’d sharpened yesterday. “We’re in this together, remember?”
He looked like he wanted to argue, but the look on her face stopped him. Instead he nodded once. “Stay behind me. If it goes bad, run to the truck. Keys are under the seat.”
They stepped outside into the cold. The air smelled sharp—pine, snow, and something metallic. Blood? No. Aggression.
A figure emerged from the tree line—tall, lean, blond hair cropped short, eyes ice-blue. He moved like a predator, casual but coiled.
“Kade,” Zane said flatly.
The man—Kade—smiled. Sharp. No warmth. “Zane. Still alive, I see. Thought the curse would’ve finished you by now.”
“It tried.” Zane stepped forward, body angled to shield Lina. “What do you want?”
Kade’s gaze slid past Zane. Landed on Lina. His nostrils flared. “Her. The human who smells like you. Like mate.”
Lina gripped the knife tighter.
Zane snarled—low, lethal. “Touch her and you die.”
Kade laughed. “Bold words for a cursed dog. My alpha wants her. Thinks she’s the leverage to end you once and for all. Bring her in quietly, or we burn this little hideout to the ground.”
Lina felt the shift in Zane—muscles tensing, a growl building in his chest. The curse might be quiet today, but the wolf inside was wide awake.
“You’re not taking her,” Zane said. Voice deadly calm. “Walk away. Last warning.”
Kade’s smile faded. He cracked his knuckles. “Then we do this the hard way.”
He lunged—fast, too fast for human.
Zane met him halfway. They collided like thunder. Fists, claws, snarls. Zane took a hit to the ribs—crack—but didn’t slow. He slammed Kade into a tree, wood splintering.
Lina didn’t freeze. She circled, knife ready. When Kade twisted free and swung at Zane’s back, she moved.
She drove the silver blade into Kade’s shoulder—not deep, just enough to burn.
Kade howled—pain, rage. Silver hurt werewolves bad.
He whirled on her. Eyes wild. “b***h—”
Zane roared. Tackled him to the ground. Pinned him. Claws at Kade’s throat.
“Tell your alpha,” Zane said, voice ice, “if anyone comes for her again, I’ll burn Ironfang to ash. Mate or no mate.”
Kade spat blood. “You’re dead anyway, cursed one. The packs know now. She’s marked. They’ll all come.”
Zane pressed harder. “Then let them come.”
Kade went still. Then—slowly—lifted his hands in surrender.
Zane let him up. Kade backed away, clutching his shoulder, silver wound smoking.
“This isn’t over,” he snarled.
“It never is,” Zane replied.
Kade disappeared into the trees.
Silence returned. Heavy. Bloody.
Zane turned to Lina. Breathing hard. Eyes scanning her for injuries.
“You okay?” he asked, voice rough.
She nodded. Dropped the knife. Stepped into his arms.
He held her tight. Buried his face in her hair.
“You stabbed him,” he said against her neck. Half laugh, half awe.
“Couldn’t let him hurt you.”
He pulled back. Looked at her—really looked.
“You’re not just my mate,” he said softly. “You’re my Luna. And I’m never letting you go.”
Lina smiled. Small. Fierce.
“Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”
In the distance, more howls answered—faint, but coming closer.
The war had started.
And they were right in the middle of it.
- Writer
