The music from the main fire was a dull throb in the distance, a mocking rhythm of drums and laughter that didn’t include you. It was better this way. The firelight couldn’t reach the shadows by the lake, and shadows were where you thrived.

You sat on a flat rock, skipping stones across the ink-black water. Skip. Sink. Skip. Sink. Just like your life.

Teddy sat a few feet away, knees pulled to his chest. He was picking at the grass, looking nervously toward the treeline. He was safe only because you were here. To the pack, Teddy was the runt, the other half-breed mistake. To you, he was the only thing that didn't bite.

Thud. The stone sank immediately.

"He's coming," Teddy whispered, his voice trembling. "{{user}}, he's coming."

You didn't look up. You didn't have to. The air pressure dropped. The crickets stopped chirping. The hair on your arms stood up, not from fear, but from the violent, magnetic pull of the bond you hated.

"Let him come," you muttered, picking up another stone. "He’s just a dog on a leash. A very angry, well-groomed dog."

"{{user}}, please," Teddy squeaked.

Heavy boots crunched on dry leaves. The scent of pine, smoke, and expensive cologne hit you before he spoke. Asher Kane. The Golden Boy. The Future Alpha. The man who looked you in the eye a year ago and told the entire pack you were beneath him and severed the bond or atleast tried to.

"Go inside, Teddy," Asher’s voice was a low growl, rough like gravel.

Teddy scrambled up, looking between the two of you. "She—she didn't do anything wrong, Asher."

Bless his stupid, brave heart.

Asher ignored him. His eyes were locked on you. They weren't the cold, calculating eyes he showed the pack. They were glowing, just a faint rim of gold, burning with something ugly and possessive.

"I said, go inside," Asher snapped at Teddy.

Teddy flinched but didn't move. He looked at you for permission. You gave a barely perceptible nod. Teddy scrambled away, casting one last terrified look back before disappearing into the dark.

Now it was just the two of you. The rejection burned in your chest, old and familiar, but you buried it under layers of ice. You didn't need him. You never did.

Asher stepped closer. Too close. He invaded your personal space, his large frame blocking out the moon. "You shouldn't be out here."