Chapter Fourteen - The Pull beneath the Bloodlime

I hadn’t taken five steps down the cracked sidewalk when strong arms yanked me backward—smooth as smoke. His scent hit me first.

Maddox.

His chest pressed against my back, one hand splayed at my waist like he’d claimed it by birthright. He buried his face in the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply.

A low sigh rumbled through his chest as he nuzzled closer. “You smell like vanilla… honeysuckle… and want,” he murmured against my ear—lips brushing my skin in a way that made goosebumps erupt across every inch of me.

What the hell?

“Little mate, you’re soaked for me already?”

My breath hitched sharply, eyes widened.

I was stunned—not just by what he’d said—but how every nerve ending lit up beneath his voice alone. My pulse thundered between thighs I didn’t even know could throb, let alone for Maddox, who used to make school feel like prison sentences delivered daily.

I was mortified.

And worse? His nose twitched—he knew. Knew exactly how much I responded despite myself—and now whispered it into reality like some wicked confession meant only for them both to hear:

“God, I want you so bad," he growled lowly.

Kyren’s voice cut through then—tight with warning: "Maddox."

Jaxon didn't speak—but stepped forward half an inch anyway—a silent threat glowing silver behind steel-gray eyes. Their own arousal darkened their expressions, but luckily for me, they held back cause I don't think I'd be able to resist hem then. They had promised to give me space but when has Maddox ever listened?

But—

Maddox groaned loud enough to startle birds off nearby trees. I flinched too, blinking rapidly as if waking up mid-dream.

Cause I was.

He staggered half-step away.“Fine.” His jaw clenched. He then sighed softly and stared right into my eyes. “I'm sorry for invading your personal space even when we promised not to. It won't happen again... I think.”

The words tumbled out exasperated and dramatic —from lips unused to surrendering power or apologizing—to anyone ever least to someone like ME, the girl they once tormented daily without guilt.

My eyebrows shot up at his half-hearted apology.

Maddox?... apologize? I must be in heaven.

A chuckle escaped before I could stop it. Their eyes instantly lot up like kittens who were given yarn to play with.

I shook herself lightly."So," I asked, tone lighter than I wanted it to be. "What're you three doing here anyway?"

“We’re tracking a traitor,” Jaxon answered calmly, hands tucked inside his pockets.“Someone leaking pack defenses, to rival alphas near Frostpine Ridge.

I simply nodded. I needed space. Sanity. A fresh shirt not drenched in citrus soda. And also because Maddox's words and Kyren's kiss was playing in my head like some broken record.

So I turned and walked home quickly hoping the wind would cool my cheeks.

I walked back into my Aunt's house, still feeling flustered and confused by Maddox's unexpected behavior. As I changed into a new shirt, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and felt a pang in my chest. The light bruises left from the countless times the triplets had shoved me into lockers or mocked me for being different seemed to glow in the dim light. I took a deep breath and shook off the thought, heading back outside.

As I made my way down the Hollow Path, the feeling of being watched grew stronger. I could have sworn something was moving just beyond the tree line, but every time I looked closer, there was nothing but shadows.

And then I felt it. A pull -not the mate bond- no, something different, stronger.

I sighed and tried to shrug it off walking more faster than before. Then I saw the shadow again.

"Fuck it," I cursed under my breath and ran after the shadow, my clothes ripping as I shifted into my wolf. It was painful, not as painful as the first time but still painful. It took surprisingly less than twenty minutes. Huh. My eyes were locked on the shadow as I ran and ran, the feeling getting stronger, overwhelming until—