Chapter 15

Aila Coraline

It was almost dusk by the time Zayn and I finished inspecting the border fences. They were weak compared to the packhouse’s defenses, and Zayn seemed determined to reinforce them. I couldn’t help but think this weakness was why rogues could so easily get in.

“Are we the ones doing the construction?” I asked, glancing at him.

The homestead was barely populated now, with most having moved closer to the center of the packlands due to the frequent rogue attacks. I knew that was also why Zayn was assigned here so often, spending most of his time in this part of the territory.

He smirked. “Do you want to?”

I shrugged, unfazed. “If it’ll help, I’m up for it. I’m stronger than I look, you know.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that,” he replied with a playful tone. “But don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

“Like I’d want you to,” I shot back, rolling my eyes.

Just as I started walking again, my foot caught on a raised root, and I stumbled forward. Zayn reached out to steady me, but in the process, he lost his own footing. We both went down, landing in a heap on the ground — me right on top of him. Before I realized it, our lips brushed, close enough to feel his breath on mine.

It took a second too long for my mind to register what was happening, and I quickly rolled off him, getting to my feet with my heart pounding like crazy.

“Uh... I didn’t mean to...,” I mumbled, barely able to meet his eyes as I brushed the dust off.

Zayn’s smirk returned as he got up, his gaze lingering on me just a bit too long. “Maybe I’ll need to catch you more often,” he teased.

I swallowed hard, struggling to keep my face from going even redder. Why does he have to say that? Can’t he tell how embarrassed I am?

The kiss was an accident — I know that. But it was my first, and it happened with… him. I wanted the ground to just open up and swallow me whole. My clumsiness was hitting new heights, and it was anything but calming. I’d already tripped in front of him back at the packhouse, and now here I was, doing it again.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Coraline. It was just an accident,” he said, tapping my back in a way that seemed almost comforting — like he knew exactly how flustered I felt.

But somehow, his attempt to reassure me only made my cheeks burn hotter. I looked away, hoping he didn’t notice. “Yeah, right…” I mumbled, brushing myself off and trying to keep my composure.

I knew I should be able to get over what happened in the forest. Zayn had already moved on — so why couldn’t I? For the twentieth time, I rolled over on my bed, trying to shove the memory out of my mind. But it kept replaying, over and over, like a broken record.

"Your thoughts are so loud. Quiet them down; I want to rest," Savannah grumbled.

"I'm trying, okay?" I muttered, frustrated.

But it was easier said than done. Every time I closed my eyes, it was like I was back there, heart pounding, face burning, and that accidental moment flashing before me.

It was almost morning by the time I’d finally quieted my thoughts and drifted off. When I looked in the mirror, my face told the whole story: two new dark shadows under my eyes, puffy and bruised-looking, like I’d been in a fight. Great. Just what I needed.

"You look awful. Zayn’s definitely not going to like you now," Savannah chimed in.

Rolling my eyes, I leaned closer to inspect my face. The dark circles stood out even more against my pale skin, but something else caught my attention, something that made me sigh in resignation.

"Stop assuming things, Sav. I don’t like him," I snapped back, turning on the faucet.

"Says the one who almost didn’t sleep, thinking about the kiss," she teased.

If I could stitch her mouth shut, I probably would. I splashed cold water on my face, hoping it’d help a little, though I wasn’t holding my breath.

"Anyway," she continued, "I wonder what his wolf looks like. I haven’t sensed him, which is odd."

I paused, thinking it over. She had a point — I’d never actually felt Zayn’s wolf aura. For someone as skilled and powerful as he was, it did seem… strange.

Though I hadn’t seen his wolf, I was sure he had one. The stories painted a picture of it being as fierce as he was, brutal in the field and notorious in battle. He wouldn’t have earned the title of “tyrant of the realm” if he were fighting alone, without a wolf.

"Should I just ask Zayn that you want to meet his wolf?" I teased Sav.

I sometimes wondered if she was bothered that she didn’t have a mate yet. Neither of us did. Here we were, nearly twenty, and still no sign of a mate. They always said you’d know by the scent alone, but that hadn’t been true for us so far.

"If you do that, I will officially hate you. You’re supposed to be a girls’ girl," she shot back with annoyance.

I couldn’t help but laugh, pushing the thought aside. Not that I would actually do that. Saying something like that would just be weird. I stopped teasing Sav and focused on my dilemma. The puffiness had subsided, but the dark circles remained.

I was still trying to solve my problem when a knock on the door interrupted me. I hadn’t even changed yet, still in my bathrobe, as I went to see who it was.

My heart almost leapt out of my chest when I saw who it was. I shut the door instantly, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. What is wrong with me? Am I going crazy?

"Coraline?" Zayn called me from the other side of the door.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it through the door. Why did he have to show up so early? And, of all days, today—with my puffy eyes and dark circles that seemed impossible to hide.

"Just... give me a second!" I called back, mentally scolding myself for the slight tremor in my voice. I closed my eyes, steadying my breathing, trying to act like I wasn't losing my mind over him standing just outside my door.

But seriously, what was wrong with me? I’d handled plenty of situations without flinching, and yet here I was, scrambling to calm down. With a quick pat to my under-eyes, I straightened up, tightened my bathrobe, and opened the door with what I hoped looked like casual confidence.

Zayn raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry. Am I disturbing you?"

"It’s fine. Just... what do you need?" I tried to sound nonchalant.

"I'm going to head to the center for the equipment. Just wanted to know if you'd like to come with me," he asked.

It would be a chance to take a breather, but the idea of being alone with him made me hesitant. I stared at him for a moment before shaking my head. Right now, I’d rather not be around him or get too close.

"Hm, can I just stay here?" I asked.

He looked at me with calculating eyes, as though trying to read more into my response. I knew that if he insisted, I wouldn't be able to say no. But he was asking, so surely it was fine to refuse, right?

"Are you sure?" he asked.

I nodded. I'm trying to understand this stupid burst of emotion inside me. I hate Zayn. At least, I think I do. But... what’s happening to me? I shouldn’t be reacting this much over a stupid accidental kiss. It shouldn’t affect me—no, it really shouldn’t. But, heck!

"Hope it's not about the kiss," Zayn smirked. "I'm going now."