‎If there's one thing I've learned about werewolf mating ceremonies, it's that they're eighty percent drama, ten percent magic, and ten percent trying not to cry in front of your entire pack.

‎I adjusted the collar of my too-tight shirt, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. My hair refused to cooperate, my wolf wouldn't shut up about the bond, and the suit Grandma picked for me looked like it came straight out of a royal ball for people who still used the word betrothal.

‎Jamie's voice boomed through the door. "River! Hurry up, the ceremony starts in five!"

‎"Tell fate I'm busy avoiding lifelong trauma!" I shouted back.

‎"Already told her," he replied. "She laughed."

‎Typical.

‎When I finally stepped out, the forest clearing had been transformed. Strings of lanterns hung between trees, and an altar woven with silver leaves stood in the center. The entire pack gathered in a semicircle, wolves in human form, dressed in muted shades that somehow made them all look like magazine models for "Rustic Supernatural Living."

‎Jamie stood at the front, grinning like he wasn't about to bind his soul to someone for eternity. His soon-to-be mate Dominic, Rowan's Beta, which was just fantastic stood beside him, looking nervous and devastatingly in love.

‎And there, across the clearing, was Rowan.

‎The Alpha.

‎He wore a dark suit that fit him too well, his presence commanding even without a word. The moonlight traced the line of his jaw, the broadness of his shoulders. He was talking to elders, but his eyes kept flicking toward me. Every. Damn. Time.

‎I looked away, pretending to focus on the flowers. I was fine. Totally fine. My heart wasn't doing parkour in my chest. Nope.

‎Grandma Quinn raised her hands, calling for silence. The ceremony began, soft chanting, the faint shimmer of magic binding Jamie and Dominic's hands together. Their vows were sweet, clumsy, and so them.

‎When the final mark of the bond glowed between their palms, the crowd erupted into cheers. Wolves howled, champagne popped, and someone started dancing barefoot under the lanterns.

‎It should've been perfect.

‎But halfway through the celebration, my skin started to prickle. That faint electric pull in my chest, the bond was back, thrumming like a heartbeat that wasn't mine. I didn't have to look to know Rowan was close.

‎"River," a low voice said from behind me.

‎I closed my eyes. "Nope."

‎"River," he said again, and this time it wasn't a command, it was a plea.

‎I turned. Rowan stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable but his eyes stormy, restless. He'd discarded his jacket, sleeves rolled up, the top buttons undone. The Alpha aura around him shimmered faintly under the moonlight.

‎"What do you want, Blackthorn?" I asked, crossing my arms.

‎"Talk."

‎"I don't think that's a good idea. The last time we talked, I ended up in a closet."

‎He winced. "I deserved that. And worse."

‎For a second, just a second, something like guilt softened his face. Then his jaw tightened again. "But this bond, we can't ignore it."

‎I took a step back, the scent of cedar and smoke invading my senses. My wolf howled quietly, wanting to close the distance. "Watch me."

‎He moved closer anyway, voice low. "I felt it the second I saw you. You know what it means."

‎"Oh, I know exactly what it means," I snapped. "It means the Moon's got a terrible sense of humor. You? My fated mate? The guy who made high school a living nightmare? No thanks."

‎"River..."

‎"No. Don't 'River' me." My voice cracked, betraying the tremor underneath. "I built a life away from this place. Away from you. I'm not letting some ancient magic decide who I'm supposed to love."

‎Rowan's expression softened again, pained but steady. "You think I wanted this? You think I don't remember what I did to you?"

‎The rawness in his voice caught me off guard. "Then why act like this bond is a blessing?"

‎"Because it's you," he said simply.

‎For a moment, everything went quiet. The party blurred at the edges, the laughter, the music, the flicker of lanterns all fading into the background hum of our bond.

‎His scent wrapped around me like a memory I couldn't shake. My wolf pressed forward, confused and wanting. I took a shaky breath. "Rowan, don't..."

‎He reached out, fingers brushing mine. The contact was brief, but it sent a shock through me so sharp I gasped. The bond flared, visible for a split second like silver lightning between us.

‎Gasps rippled through the nearby crowd.

‎Oh no. Oh no.

‎I jerked my hand back as whispers started. "The Alpha...did you see?" "An Omega?" "Fated mates?"

‎Rowan's jaw clenched, his gaze cutting across the pack, protective and furious. "Everyone, back to the celebration," he ordered, voice laced with Alpha command. The crowd hesitated but obeyed.

‎When they dispersed, he turned to me again. "You can't hide this. The bond's awake now."

‎"Then maybe I'll find a way to break it."

‎He looked like I'd punched him. "River..."

‎I forced a smirk I didn't feel. "Enjoy the party, Alpha."

‎And before he could say another word, I turned and walked straight into the forest away from the lanterns, away from the pack, away from the mess fate had dumped at my feet.

‎Somewhere deep inside, my wolf whimpered. But I didn't look back. Not once.

‎

‎The woods are quieter than they should be.

‎Moonlight drips through the branches in silvery pools, catching on every breath of mist curling above the forest floor. Somewhere behind me, laughter breaks out from the clearing; the sound of my brother's pack celebrating, clinking glasses, and probably howling to some ridiculous love song.

‎Jamie deserves it. He's finally happy, finally mated to someone who looks at him like the stars rearranged themselves just to spell his name. Dominic's good for him. Strong, loyal, the Beta everyone secretly wants to have their back.

‎And me?

‎I'm out here talking to trees like they care.

‎I kick at a root, watching dirt scatter. My chest still feels tight not from the speeches or the tears, but from that moment earlier, when my eyes accidentally met Rowan Blackthorn's across the ceremony grounds.

‎Rowan - Alpha, local legend, walking storm cloud.

‎The man who once told me I was "reckless, loud, and impossible to control."

‎He wasn't wrong, but he didn't have to say it like he was carving it into my soul.

‎And yet, when he looked at me tonight, something was... off. Like the world tilted an inch, and the air went strange and heavy. My pulse wouldn't settle, no matter how much I pretended it was just nerves.

‎"Get a grip, River," I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair. "You're not falling for that again."

‎Except I can feel something, a strange heat low in my chest, a tug that isn't mine. It's subtle but constant, like a thread winding tighter the deeper I walk.

‎Leaves rustle behind me. My wolf stirs before I even turn.

‎He's there.

‎Rowan Blackthorn.

‎Standing just beyond the tree line, half in shadow, half lit by moonlight. His black shirt sleeves are rolled up, his collar open, and that unreadable expression he wears like armor hasn't cracked once.

‎"River," he says, voice low, too calm, too deliberate.

‎I hate how my name sounds coming from his mouth.

‎And I hate even more how much I don't.

‎"Following me now, Alpha?" I cross my arms. "Careful, people might think you're obsessed."

‎His jaw tightens, but his eyes, gods, those eyes, stay on me. Steady. Piercing.

‎"You left the ceremony without saying goodbye."

‎"I wasn't aware I had to check out with management."

‎His lips twitch. "You're impossible."

‎"And you're predictable," I shoot back. "So why are you here, Rowan? Need to practice your brooding in nature?"

‎He takes a step closer. I don't move back, but every nerve in me lights up.

‎Something's wrong. The air between us is thrumming, like static before lightning. My wolf's heartbeat syncs with his, an echo that shouldn't exist.

‎"I came to make sure you were all right," he says.

‎I snort. "Oh, sure. The Alpha cares. That's new."

‎But when he steps even closer, the sarcasm dies in my throat. His scent; pine, smoke, and something darker floods my senses. I can't breathe. I can't think.

‎Rowan's eyes flash gold for a second. "Do you feel it too?"

‎That voice. That look.

‎My heart slams into my ribs. "Feel what, exactly?"

‎He swallows hard, like the words are ash on his tongue.

‎"The bond."

‎I laugh a sharp, nervous sound. "Yeah, right. The Moon Goddess must be drunk if she thinks this" I gesture between us, my hand shaking slightly, "is a good idea."

‎Rowan doesn't smile. He just watches me, his expression equal parts fury and something terrifyingly tender. "I didn't want this either, River."

‎"Then reject it," I snap. "You're Alpha. You can do whatever you want."

‎He closes the distance before I can step away, his breath brushing my cheek, his eyes searching mine like he's fighting himself every second.

‎"You think I haven't tried?" he says softly. "You think I haven't been fighting this since the moment you walked back into my territory?"

‎The world goes still. The only sound is my pulse roaring in my ears.

‎Moonlight spills over us, and the bond thrums between us alive, undeniable, and furious.

‎"Rowan..." I whisper, and it's not a plea, but it's close.

‎He exhales shakily. "I don't know what the Moon wants, River. But I can't walk away anymore."

‎And before I can come up with something sarcastic, something safe he reaches out.

‎His fingers brush mine. Just barely.

‎The bond ignites.

‎Heat sears up my arm, racing through every vein, every hidden part of me that's still his no matter how hard I've tried to bury it.

‎I jerk back, heart pounding. "No. No, this isn't real. It's not..."

‎But his eyes say otherwise.

‎And the bond hums again, deep and certain.

‎Maybe the Moon's drunk.

‎Or maybe, just maybe, I am.

‎

‎If ignoring a magical bond counted as cardio, I'd have a six-pack by now.

‎I'd spent the entire night pacing my old room at Grandma's cabin, mainlining caffeine, and Googling things like "How to break a fated mate bond without dying." Spoiler: the internet had nothing. Unless I wanted to try moonlight herbs, blood rituals, or "talking about my feelings." Hard pass.

‎By the time sunlight crept through the curtains, my brain was fried. I pulled on the first hoodie I found, black, oversized, coffee-stained and made my way to the kitchen.

‎The smell hit me first. Freshly brewed coffee, buttered toast... and cedar smoke. My stomach sank.

‎"Morning," came a deep voice from the counter.

‎I froze mid-step. "No. Nope. You're not here. You're a hallucination brought on by caffeine withdrawal."

‎Rowan turned, looking unfairly put-together for someone who'd probably been up all night dealing with pack gossip. "Unfortunately for you, I'm very real."

‎He was standing in my kitchen, sleeves rolled up, cooking eggs like some kind of domestic fever dream. The Alpha himself, all muscles and quiet authority, flipping breakfast like he owned the place.

‎"What are you doing here?" I demanded. "Invading my personal space counts as an act of war."

‎He raised an eyebrow. "Jamie asked me to check on you. You ran off last night."

‎"I'm fine," I lied, grabbing a mug. "Totally fine. Just peachy. The universe didn't bond me to the guy who used to call me 'Chatterbox' in gym class or anything."

‎"River..."

‎"Don't 'River' me. You're in my kitchen. You're making eggs. You're not supposed to be making eggs!"

‎His mouth twitched. "Would you rather I left you to starve?"

‎"I'd rather you left," I muttered, pouring coffee with unnecessary force.

‎Rowan leaned against the counter, watching me. His scent cedar, smoke, something faintly electric filled the air, wrapping around me no matter how far I stood. My wolf purred in the back of my mind, traitorous little furball.

‎He said quietly, "You didn't sleep."

‎I shot him a glare. "Are you stalking my REM cycles now?"

‎"I could feel it," he said simply. "The bond, it keeps tugging when you're upset."

‎My hand stilled. "Don't do that."

‎"Do what?"

‎"Act like you care."

‎His expression flickered, pain shadowing his eyes. "I do."

‎For a heartbeat, the room went silent except for the faint hiss of the pan. Something heavy hung between us, old history and unspoken apologies. Then I shook my head and set the mug down.

‎"Nope. Not doing this. You don't get to play the concerned Alpha after everything that happened."

‎"I was a kid," he said, voice low. "Angry. Confused. I took it out on you because I didn't understand what you did to me back then."

‎I snorted. "You mean talk?"

‎He met my gaze, steady. "No. Because even then, I felt something. And it terrified me."

‎My breath caught. "Don't."

‎But his eyes didn't waver. "You were the only one I couldn't control. And I hated that. I hate that still."

‎That did it. My heart betrayed me, stuttering in my chest like a bad engine. I turned away. "You should go before Jamie catches you here. Or worse Grandma."

‎Rowan actually smiled, a small, real thing. "Your grandmother likes me."

‎"She hexed you once."

‎"She missed."

‎I bit back a smile I didn't want to have. "Get out, Alpha Asshole."

‎He chuckled softly. "You're impossible."

‎"Flattery won't save you."

‎He grabbed his jacket and paused by the door. "River, whether you like it or not, this bond won't fade. You'll feel it getting stronger. You'll feel me." His voice softened. "Just don't fight it alone."

‎I stared at the empty doorway long after he was gone, the air still humming with his presence. My wolf was restless, pacing beneath my skin, and for the first time, I wondered what would happen if I stopped running from it.

‎---

‎Rowan's POV

‎The forest always smelled cleaner after sunrise, mist clinging to pine needles, the faint heartbeat of the pack pulsing through the land. But Rowan barely noticed any of it. His thoughts were a storm.

‎He shouldn't have gone to see River. Not when half the pack was already whispering about the "bonded Omega." But he couldn't stay away. The pull had kept him awake all night, sharp and constant, like invisible threads tying their hearts together.

‎He stopped near the training field, where Dominic was giving orders to the younger wolves. Jamie waved from across the clearing, all smiles and post-mating glow. Rowan managed a nod before heading toward the edge of the woods.

‎He needed space. Air. Distance from the bond.

‎But even here, River's scent clung to him. Coffee and rain. Reckless laughter and stubborn pride.

‎A memory flickered, River in high school, cornered by his own sharp tongue, eyes bright with defiance. Rowan had shoved him into that damn closet, not out of cruelty but confusion. Because even then, his wolf had wanted to claim him. And Rowan had panicked.

‎Now, years later, fate had dragged him right back into that feeling. Only this time, there was no running from it.

‎Rowan clenched his fists, grounding himself. "You deserve better than this," he muttered to no one.

‎But the bond pulsed in his chest, steady, insistent, unrelenting.

‎---

‎River's POV

‎By noon, I'd convinced myself it was fine. Totally fine. The Alpha had invaded my kitchen, cooked breakfast, confessed feelings, and left me emotionally scrambled. But everything was fine. (Lies.)

‎Then Grandma appeared at the doorway, holding her tea like some smug oracle. "You smell like cedar."

‎I groaned. "Please tell me that's just a metaphor."

‎"It isn't." She smiled knowingly. "The bond is awakening."

‎"Fantastic. I was hoping for a plague, but this'll do."

‎She chuckled. "You can't run from the Moon, River."

‎"Watch me."

‎But as I stalked off toward the woods, I felt it again, the pull, the thread between us tightening like a heartbeat.

‎And somewhere far off, I could've sworn I heard Rowan's voice carried on the wind.

‎Low, rough, and full of promise.

‎"You'll come back to me, River Quinn. One way or another."

‎