Chapter 6
“He’s back again.”
Kate rolls her eyes and nods toward the fence.
Griffin’s crouched there fixing a loose board. Been in town two weeks now, showing up every day to quietly fix stuff around the shelter.
Tell him to leave.” My voice is ice.
‘Hazel…” Kate hesitates. “He seems genuine. Maybe-”
‘No.” I cut her off. “You don’t know what he did.”
I push through the door and walk straight over.
Griffin sees me and drops his tools immediately. Something lights up in his eyes.
‘Leave.”I stop in front of him. “I don’t want to see you.”
‘Hazel, please. One chance.”
‘I gave you chances. Ten years of them.” My voice shakes. “You spent them trashing me in front of everyone.”
Griffin looks down, face twisted in pain. “I know I screwed up…”
‘Does knowing fix anything?” I laugh bitterly. “Does it undo what happened?”
Then what do I do?” He looks up, voice tight. “Tell me. Anything.”
: stare into his eyes: “Leave. That’s the only thing you can do for me.”
His eyes break. But he just nods quietly, picks up his tools, turns to go.
A pickup pulls up. Ethan hops out holding a paper bag.
‘Lunch time!” He calls out, then spots Griffin.
The air goes tight.
‘Ethan.” I walk over fast, ignoring Griffin completely.
You okay?” Ethan asks quietly.
‘Fine.” I grab his hand-making sure Griffin sees-and pull him inside.
than knows what I’m doing. He squeezes my fingers gently and follows.
Before the door closes, I see Griffin standing alone in the drizzle.
Your ex?” Ethan unpacks the takeout.
‘Something like that. A fated bond mistake.”
Ethan pauses. “I thought wolf bonds were unbreakable?”
I’d rather die than stay tied to him.”
Ethan looks at me seriously. “You really hate him that much?”
hapter o
‘Completely.”
We eat quietly. Ethan tells me about recent cases, picking the funny ones. That’s what he does-always makes me relax.
There’s a market tomorrow night. Want to go?”
We’ve hung out before, but this feels different. Like an actual date.
look into his warm brown eyes. My heart skips.
Yeah.” I nod, can’t stop smiling.
After Ethan leaves, I’m organizing medicine when shouting breaks out.
Kate bursts in. “Hazel! Bloodfang wolves! They’re fighting Griffin!”
drop everything and run.
n the rain, three big guys surround Griffin. I recognize the leader-Bloodfang’s Beta.
Well, look who it is.” Beta’s smile is nasty. “The powerless Alpha. Threw everything away for some human who doesn’t love you.”
Griffin stands still. Doesn’t fight, doesn’t retreat. Eyes still normal-hasn’t even called his wolf.
I told you. Stay away.” Griffin’s voice is calm. “Last warning.”
Warning?” Beta laughs. “Without Alpha power, you’re nothing.”
Griffin’s expression stays flat. “Leave. This is human territory-”
Not leaving till we get what we came for. Where’s that girl-”
Griffin’s eyes burn gold instantly,
Say one more word.”
The fight explodes. Griffin takes down two guys fast.
But Beta’s sneaky. Pulls a silver dagger and lunges at Griffin’s back.
Griffin! Watch out!”
The words burst out before I can stop them.
Griffin dodges but the blade slashes his arm. Deep. Silver’s deadly for wolves.
Jeta laughs and raises the dagger to finish him.
grab a wooden plank and swing at Beta’s head.
You” Beta whips around, eyes murderous.
Griffin steps in front of me instantly.
“Touch her and you’re dead.”
Beta’s face shifts. He backs up.
“This isn’t over, Nightfall!” He drags his guys away. “We’ll be back!”
Griffin collapses. Face white as paper. Silver’s spreading.
Chapter 6
“Kate! Call Ethan!” I crouch down to check the wound.
“Why’d you save me?” Griffin’s voice is weak. “You hate me.”
“shut up.” My tone’s cold but my hands are gentle.
Ethan arrives fast. Cleans the wound, applies herbs.
‘He’ll be fine. Just needs rest.”
I nod and walk out.
That night I can’t sleep.
Next day Griffin’s sitting in the backyard, staring at the ocean.
‘Why’d they call you ‘powerless Alpha’?” I can’t help asking.
Griffin turns to me, dark circles under his eyes.
‘Because I gave up the position. Three years ago. The Council made me choose-come back as Alpha or give it up. I gave it up.”
freeze “You gave up everything? Why?”
‘Because without you, the pack meant nothing.”
Something stabs my chest.
‘Doesn’t change the past.” I say coldly.
Griffin nods. “I know. I don’t expect forgiveness. Just want you to know… I paid for what I did. And I’ll keep paying.”
don’t respond.
That night I go to the market with Ethan.
t’s lively, lights everywhere. We try food, dance, laugh.
He’s everything good. Funny, thoughtful, never pushes.
You’re really happy today.” Ethan smiles.
Yeah.” It’s true.
Being with Ethan feels light. Nothing like Griffin-just pain.
Watch out!”
A drunk stumbles toward us. Ethan pulls me aside and I crash into his chest.
(0)
600
