Chapter 8: Little Wolf

Azerbel’s Point of View

It was hard to look up at him.

Genaro was too tall.

And we were standing too close.

My neck already ached, but I still couldn't look away.

His presence filled the space.

Heavy.

Dominant.

And his scent...

Strong.

Warm.

Strangely intoxicating.

I hated that I noticed it.

"Be my woman at the party."

He said it like it meant nothing.

Like he was asking about the weather.

For a moment, I just stared at him.

Then his words sank in.

"What?" I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Are you serious?"

My brows drew together as I searched his face for any sign that he was joking.

There was none.

"Do you even know who I am?" I asked.

Sharper this time.

Not because I thought I mattered.

But because I knew he had heard the rumors.

More than that...

he knew exactly what I was to Guerero.

So why me?

"I know you," Genaro said calmly.

Too calmly.

"You're the Alpha's son's mate. The future Luna of this pack."

He paused.

Then added lightly,

"Or... was."

The word hit harder than I expected.

A sharp pain spread through my chest.

Unwelcome.

"I heard the rumors," he continued.

"People like to talk."

I held his gaze this time.

At least he didn't pretend.

No fake sympathy.

No soft lies.

Just the truth.

Blunt.

Direct.

This whole festival was built on appearances anyway.

Peace between packs.

Celebration after war.

Everything looked perfect on the surface.

But underneath...

everyone was watching.

Me included.

There was no way Genaro didn't have a reason for this.

"In that case," I said, keeping my voice steady, "you're wasting your time."

I crossed my arms.

More to steady myself than anything else.

"Whatever plan you have won't work on me."

A bitter taste rose in my throat.

I ignored it.

"If you're trying to provoke Guerero, go find someone else."

I let out a slow breath.

"He already has someone..."

The words caught for a second.

Then I forced them out.

"Someone more important."

The words hurt.

More than I wanted to admit.

Genaro tilted his head slightly.

Studying me.

"I don't think Guerero cares as much as you think," he said.

His tone stayed casual.

But his eyes didn't.

They were sharp.

Watching.

Measuring.

"He won't come near you in public if he truly cares about her," he added.

"Not if it risks upsetting the woman carrying his child."

I frowned.

That didn't make sense.

Or maybe...

it did.

And I didn't like either answer.

"What exactly do you want from me?" I asked.

More direct this time.

Genaro shrugged.

A slow grin formed on his lips.

"I'm offering you help."

"Help?" I repeated flatly.

"To get your revenge."

The word settled between us.

Sharp.

Tempting.

Dangerous.

"I never said I wanted revenge," I shot back.

Too quickly.

His grin widened.

Like he already knew.

I stiffened.

Luna Lorraine's voice echoed in my head.

Don't show your emotions.

Not in front of someone who's watching you.

Being a Luna was never simple.

People thought it meant power.

Respect.

But it didn't.

It meant control.

Awareness.

Knowing when to speak...

and when to stay silent.

I had trained for this.

Spent nights learning.

Watching.

Fixing every mistake.

All for a future that no longer existed.

All because of him.

"I know you do," Genaro said.

His voice was quieter now.

More certain.

I tried to pull my wrist away.

His grip didn't move.

Strong.

Unyielding.

I stopped struggling.

There was no point.

"I don't," I muttered.

But even to my own ears...

it didn't sound convincing.

"At this point, you have nothing to lose by coming with me," Genaro said.

His tone stayed calm.

Too calm.

Like he had already made the decision for both of us.

I stared at him.

Was he serious?

He was still trying to convince me?

"Are you worried about what your pack will think?" he asked.

"Or are you trying not to cause trouble for the man who left you?"

The words hit harder than I expected.

Because they were true.

Both of them.

But I wasn't going to admit that.

"Don't try to use that against me," I snapped.

My voice was steady now.

"It won't work."

I pulled at my hand again.

Harder this time.

But instead of letting go...

he pulled me forward.

Everything happened too fast.

My back hit the wall.

A dull thud.

And suddenly...

I was trapped.

His arms braced on either side of me.

Close.

Too close.

"What are you doing?" I demanded.

My voice rose.

Sharp.

But fear slipped through.

My anger vanished in an instant.

Replaced by something colder.

Real fear.

He didn't move.

Didn't react to my tone.

"I know it's you..." he muttered.

Low.

Almost to himself.

I frowned.

I didn't understand.

And right now...

I didn't care.

"Get off me," I said, pushing against him.

"I'll scream if you don't move."

"You already are."

He said it so calmly.

Like it didn't matter.

Like nothing I did mattered.

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could think,

I shifted.

My claws slid out.

Sharp.

Fast.

And I struck.

The sound sliced through the silence.

A clean slash across his face.

For a second...

everything went still.

Blood appeared.

Dark.

Slowly trailing down his skin.

Even I froze.

I hadn't planned it.

I hadn't meant to do that.

And suddenly...

I wasn't sure what would happen next.

Genaro stepped back.

Surprised.

Actually surprised.

And that scared me more.

Because I realized what I had done.

This wasn't just anyone.

This was the Lycan Alpha.

If this went wrong...

it wouldn't only affect me.

It could become something bigger.

Something dangerous.

Another conflict between packs.

My chest tightened.

I shifted back quickly.

My hands felt cold.

My whole body went still.

I didn't move closer.

But I didn't run either.

I just stood there.

Watching.

Waiting.

His wounds...

healed.

Slowly.

But clearly.

The cuts closed right before my eyes.

The skin pulled together.

The blood stopped.

Within minutes, they were gone.

Only the blood remained.

Dark stains on his skin.

On his shirt.

I stared.

Unable to look away.

Lycans healed quickly.

I knew that.

Everyone knew that.

But seeing it with my own eyes...

was different.

It was terrifying.

"I didn't expect that," Genaro said.

His voice was low.

Darker now.

Almost amused.

He wiped the blood from his cheek with his thumb.

Then looked at it.

"You’re more dangerous than you look..."

His eyes lifted to mine.

Sharp.

Interested.

"Little wolf."

A chill ran down my spine.

I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

Couldn't tell if he was angry.

Or impressed.

And somehow...

that frightened me even more.

Because anger, I understood.

Disappointment, I understood.

But Genaro?

I couldn't read him at all.

For the first time since meeting him...

I felt something new.

Not just fear.

Not just anger.

Uncertainty.

Because I had no idea...

if I had just made an enemy...

or caught the attention of the most dangerous man I had ever met.