‎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."

‎

‎If anyone ever asks how I handled discovering that the Alpha of Wolfwater Ridge is my fated mate, here's my official answer:

‎Badly.

‎Because the moment Rowan said the word "bond," I ran.

‎Not gracefully. Not heroically. Just pure, embarrassing flight through the trees, nearly tripping over my own feet while muttering, "Nope, nope, nope."

‎And now here I am hours later sitting in my childhood bathroom, submerged in hot water and an alarming amount of lavender-scented bubbles.

‎If this were a movie, this would be the point where I discover enlightenment.

‎Instead, I'm trying to figure out how to drown out his scent, that intoxicating mix of pine, storm, and stupidly attractive authority.

‎The bubbles don't help.

‎Neither does the glass of wine I may or may not have stolen from the afterparty.

‎"Okay," I mutter to myself, staring at the ceiling. "You can do this. You've outrun debt collectors, survived college finals, and once fixed Jamie's truck with duct tape and sheer desperation. You are not going to be claimed by a moody Alpha with trust issues."

‎The bond hums faintly inside me in response like it's laughing.

‎"Traitor," I tell my chest.

‎There's a knock at the door.

‎"River?" Jamie's voice. Soft, careful.

‎I sink lower into the bubbles. "Occupied!"

‎The door creaks open anyway because privacy in this family is a myth.

‎Jamie pokes his head in, dressed in one of Dominic's oversized shirts, glowing in that post-mating happiness that makes me both proud and mildly nauseous.

‎"You missed the end of the party," he says gently.

‎"Yeah, I had a... nature emergency."

‎"Nature emergency?"

‎"Needed to scream into the woods."

‎Jamie frowns, stepping closer. "What happened, Riv?"

‎I close my eyes. "The Moon Goddess has a terrible sense of humor, that's what happened."

‎Jamie sits on the counter, watching me the way only an older brother can with a mix of amusement, concern, and that infuriating I-know-you-better-than-you-know-yourself expression.

‎"This about Rowan?" he asks softly.

‎My head snaps up. "You knew?!"

‎He shrugs. "Dominic told me he looked like he'd seen a ghost when you walked into the ceremony."

‎"Oh, great. So I'm the ghost haunting his emotional stability."

‎Jamie chuckles. "More like the unfinished business he never dealt with."

‎I groan and splash water in his direction. "Don't poetic-analyze me. I'm trying to break a celestial curse with bubble bath and denial."

‎Jamie grins. "River, you can't fight the bond."

‎"Watch me."

‎He sighs, but there's a glimmer of sympathy there. "I know it's complicated. But maybe it's not a curse. Maybe it's just... timing."

‎"Yeah, the Moon's timing is impeccable. She waited until my life was barely functioning before throwing in him."

‎Jamie stands, crossing to the door. "You can't avoid it forever. The bond doesn't just fade. You'll have to talk to him."

‎I sink lower, bubbles nearly reaching my chin. "No, I don't. I'll just... outstubborn fate. That's my new life plan."

‎Jamie shakes his head with a fond smile. "You're impossible."

‎"I come by it honestly," I call after him as he leaves.

‎The door clicks shut. Silence fills the room again except it's not entirely silent.

‎Because somewhere deep inside, I can feel him.

‎Rowan.

‎It's faint, like a heartbeat echoing in the distance, but it's there. Steady. Relentless. Every time I try to block it out, it only gets stronger like the bond's reminding me who it belongs to.

‎I press a wet hand over my heart, whispering to no one, "I'm not ready for this."

‎And that's when the knock comes again, firmer this time.

‎I freeze. "Jamie, I swear if you..."

‎"River."

‎Rowan's voice. Deep, smooth, unmistakable.

‎I sink into the water like that might make me invisible. "You have got to be kidding me."

‎"Open the door," he says quietly. "Please."

‎The "please" undoes something in me.

‎I sigh, grab a towel, and shuffle over to the door, still dripping bubbles and regret.

‎When I open it, Rowan's standing there tall, composed, but his eyes... they're wild. Like he's been pacing outside for hours trying to figure out how to breathe.

‎"You shouldn't be here," I say, tightening the towel around my waist.

‎"I couldn't stay away," he admits. "The bond..."

‎"Don't say it," I cut in. "I'm fragile, wet, and unarmed."

‎He huffs a quiet laugh, but there's tension in every line of his body. "River, we need to talk about what's happening."

‎I meet his gaze, pulse hammering. "What's happening is that the Moon got bored and decided to make a comedy out of my life."

‎Rowan takes a step closer not touching, but close enough that the bond thrums between us again. "This isn't a joke to me."

‎"I know."

‎My voice is small, and I hate it.

‎For a moment, neither of us moves. The air between us feels heavy, electric, the kind that could either burn or heal.

‎Finally, Rowan exhales, his voice quieter now. "I'll give you space. But don't run from this, River. We both know it won't let you."

‎He turns and walks away before I can answer.

‎And I stand there, dripping on the floor, heart pounding in sync with his fading footsteps.

‎I glance at the mirror. My reflection looks exactly how I feel, undone, glowing faintly under the moonlight seeping through the window.

‎"Guess I'll need more bubbles," I mutter. "And maybe a miracle."