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Ch. 4

Author: Big Queen
last update publish date: 2026-04-04 03:38:20

The morning air was sharp, cool against Carolina’s skin as she stood at the edge of the training field. The scent of earth, sweat, and pine filled her lungs—stronger now, clearer. Everything felt louder since the shift.

Too loud.

Too real.

Too much.

Across the clearing, wolves sparred in controlled bursts of power—snarls, snapping jaws, shifting forms. It should have fascinated her.

Instead, she couldn’t focus on anything except the steady, pulsing awareness at the back of her mind.

Him.

It hadn’t stopped since the night before.

Not for a second.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to ground the feeling, to push it down. It didn’t work.

It never worked.

The bond wasn’t something she could ignore—it was something she felt.

Constantly.

Like a second heartbeat that didn’t belong to her.

“Running away again?”

His voice came from behind her.

Low.

Too close.

Carolina closed her eyes briefly, steadying herself before turning.

Xander stood only a few feet away, hands relaxed at his sides—but there was nothing relaxed about him. Not really.

There was tension in his shoulders.

Focus in his eyes.

And something else.

Something that tightened the air between them.

“I’m not running,” she said.

He raised a brow slightly. “You left before anyone could talk to you.”

“I wasn’t in the mood for questions.”

“You’re still not,” he said, stepping closer.

Her pulse spiked.

“Stop doing that.”

“Doing what?”

“Getting so close like it doesn’t affect anything.”

He stilled at that.

Really stilled.

“Does it affect you?” he asked quietly.

Carolina hesitated.

That was the problem.

She didn’t want it to.

But it did.

“Yes,” she admitted.

The word hung between them.

Heavy.

Honest.

Xander exhaled slowly, like he’d been waiting for that.

“Good,” he said.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Good?”

He stepped closer again—but slower this time. Measured.

Like he was giving her time to react.

Time to stop him.

She didn’t.

“Because it affects me too,” he said.

That did something to her chest.

Something dangerous.

Carolina swallowed, forcing her voice steady. “That doesn’t mean we just… go along with it.”

Xander tilted his head slightly. “You think I’m just going along with it?”

She didn’t answer.

Because she didn’t know.

“I’ve spent my entire life being in control,” he continued, his voice quieter now. “Of my training. My power. My future.”

Another step closer.

“Then you show up—and suddenly I can’t go five minutes without knowing exactly where you are.”

Her breath caught.

“That’s not normal,” she said.

“No,” he agreed. “It’s not.”

Silence stretched between them again.

But this time, it wasn’t distant.

It was charged.

Carolina became acutely aware of everything—the space between them, the warmth of his body, the way his gaze didn’t waver from hers.

“You could fight it,” she said.

His jaw tightened slightly.

“I could.”

“But you’re not.”

A pause.

Then—

“Are you?”

That hit harder than she expected.

Carolina looked away first, breaking the connection.

“I don’t know how,” she admitted.

Xander moved again—close enough now that she could feel him without touching him.

Like heat just beneath her skin.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to,” he said.

Her heart pounded.

Too fast.

Too loud.

“That’s not fair,” she whispered.

His gaze softened—but only slightly.

“Neither is this.”

The bond pulsed again.

Stronger.

Like it was reacting to every word, every step, every second they stood like this.

Carolina forced herself to look back at him.

“You don’t even know me,” she said.

“I know enough.”

“That’s not how this works.”

A flicker of something crossed his face—frustration, maybe.

Or something deeper.

“Then tell me how it works,” he said.

She opened her mouth—

Then stopped.

Because she didn’t have an answer.

“I’m not… what you need,” she said instead.

That shifted something in him.

Subtle.

But unmistakable.

“And what do I need?” he asked.

Carolina hesitated.

Then—

“Someone strong. Someone who can stand beside you. Lead with you.”

His expression darkened slightly.

“And you think you can’t?”

“I know I can’t,” she said.

The words came out sharper than she intended.

But she didn’t take them back.

Xander took another step closer.

Too close now.

Close enough that she had to tilt her head to keep looking at him.

“You faced my father this morning,” he said quietly. “You stood your ground when most wolves wouldn’t even speak.”

“That wasn’t strength,” she said. “That was panic.”

“No,” he said, his voice firm. “That was you not backing down.”

Her breath hitched.

“You don’t get to decide what I am,” she said.

“Then show me.”

The challenge in his voice sent a sharp spark through her.

Carolina’s eyes flashed. “Maybe I will.”

Something almost like a smile touched his lips.

Gone just as quickly as it appeared.

“I’m counting on it,” he said.

The space between them shrank again.

Not intentionally.

Not consciously.

Just… pulled.

Carolina’s breath grew uneven as his gaze dropped—just for a second—to her lips.

Then back up.

Slow.

Deliberate.

The bond surged.

Hotter this time.

More demanding.

“Xander…” his name came out softer than she meant it to.

His hand lifted slightly—hesitating for just a fraction of a second before brushing lightly against her arm.

Barely there.

But enough.

A sharp jolt shot through her.

Neither of them moved.

“Tell me to stop,” he said quietly.

Carolina’s fingers curled at her sides.

She should.

She knew she should.

But she didn’t.

The silence stretched.

Heavy.

Waiting.

And then—

“Xander.”

The voice cut through everything.

Cold.

Commanding.

They both stepped back instantly.

Too fast.

Too obvious.

Alpha Marcus stood at the edge of the field, his gaze sharp and unreadable.

Watching.

Calculating.

Carolina felt the shift in the air immediately.

The warmth from seconds ago disappeared—replaced by something tense and dangerous.

“Inside,” Marcus said.

Xander didn’t argue.

But as he turned, his hand brushed against Carolina’s—

just for a second.

The bond flared.

Strong.

Unmistakable.

Marcus saw it.

Carolina’s stomach dropped.

Because something told her—

That moment?

That one second?

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