His eyes are on me

SHAWN

I didn’t know what I expected.

A normal coronation? A quiet night under the full moon? Honestly, I thought I’d just be standing there, cheering for Mike, my best friend, as he became Alpha of the Brim Pack. I’ve known wolves, packs and mates my whole life through him—heard the stories, the rituals, the warnings.

The night air was cold. Fires crackled around the clearing, casting dancing shadows on the faces. The scent of the forest mixed with smoke,dried herbs and tobacco.

Kane Rivers.

Legendary bachelor, custodian of the Brim Pack, tall, broad, dangerous in every sense of the word. I’d met him before, sure. Exchanged nods, brief conversations. I knew who he was. I knew the stories.

But seeing him tonight… seeing him in the firelight, eyes sharp, posture rigid, all control and intense — my chest started pounding for no reason I could explain.

And then, somehow, our eyes met.

I smiled at him, just a small, nervous thing, because that’s what you do when you meet someone's eyes . My heart didn’t just skip. It leapt. Slammed against my ribs. A jolt like static electricity ran through me, and I stumbled a little, catching myself on a tree.

I laughed nervously. “Uh… hey,” I said, waving a hand like it would somehow explain the jolt in my own chest.

Heat pooled at my stomach. My hands tingled. My skin prickled. A low, magnetic pull tugged me toward him, and I swear to God, I wanted to obey.

That’s when I remembered what Mike had always said. About mates. About bonds. About that single person that could unravel a wolf. I laughed nervously again—louder this time, trying to convince myself it was nothing. I’m human. Humans don’t mate with wolves. Especially with legends like Kane Rivers.

I took a step forward. My heart pounded, my vision narrowed, and for a terrifying, delicious moment, I felt… wanted. Like I mattered.

I blinked, startled at the thought.

The fires flickered. Sparks rose into the night. The pack cheered for Mike. The priest’s voice rang out. And I couldn’t hear any of it. All I could see was Kane.

I wanted to run. But my legs didn’t move. My body didn’t obey. My chest heavednand I realized with a jolt that I was curious. I was curious and terrified in the same breath.

I’m human. I can’t be a mate. Not to anyone. Not to Kane Rivers. And yet, when he looked at me, I felt… claimed.

The next instant, he leaned slightly forward, and I caught the faintest flicker of primal instincts in his eyes.

I swallowed hard. I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Because the boy standing here—the human boy who thought he was just witnessing his best friend’s coronation was about to become the centre of something far bigger than he could ever imagine.

“Alpha,” I grin, pulling him into a quick hug. “You survived.”

He laughs into my shoulder. “Barely.”

When we pull apart, his eyes flick past me.

“You good?” he asks.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

His gaze sharpens. He lowers his voice. “Don’t wander too far tonight.”

I scoff lightly. “I’m human, not fragile.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

Before I can press him, the crowd shifts.

Kane steps forward.The acting Alpha acknowledging the new one.

He stops in front of Mike. Dips his head.

“I recognize you as Alpha of the Brim Pack.”

---

“Why is he staring at me?” I mutter.

Mike doesn’t answer right away.

“He’s not.”

I glance across the clearing.

“That’s weird,” I say under my breath.

Mike exhales slowly. “Just stay in the clearing.”

“I was planning on it.”

I grab a drink from the table near the fire and take a sip .

When I lower the cup— Kane is closer.

He hasn’t said a word to me all night . Our eyes lock.

My pulse stutters. I lift my chin slightly. If this is some dominance play, he can save it. I don’t belong to his pack. His gaze drops briefly—to my mouth, my throat—then returns to my eyes.

Across the clearing, Mike is watching us now.

Kane doesn’t look at him.He looks at me.And then he starts walking towards me.

“You’re staying inside the pack house tonight,” he says quietly.

I blink. “Wasn’t planning to hike into the woods.”

His jaw flexes. “This isn’t a joke.”

“I didn’t realize I needed a curfew.”

“Shawn.”

“You keep looking at me like I owe you something,” I say before I can stop myself. “I don’t.”

His gaze doesn’t waver.

“I know.”

“Then why,” I press, lowering my voice, “are you watching me like that?”

A muscle ticks in his jaw.

“For your safety.”

“That’s Mike’s job now. He’s Alpha. "

“There are things you don’t understand.”

I huff quietly. “Try me.”

His eyes search mine.

“You should keep your distance from me,” he says finally.

“Funny,” I murmur. “You’re the one who walked over here.”

His gaze sharpens. He steps half an inch closer.

“Shawn,” he says again, low and strained, “I’m trying to do the right thing.”

“About what?” I whisper.

His hand lifts - hovering near my wrist.

“About you,” he says.

Footsteps crunch behind him.

Mike’s voice cuts in, firm now. “Uncle.”