Chapter 3

Hand of Fate (Vera's POV)

My heart pounded as Gabriel’s scent flooded my senses, his hands pinning me against the rough brick wall in the narrow gap between buildings. 

The rain-soaked alley buzzed with fading rogue footsteps, but my wolf stirred, its weak growl reacting to the alpha before me. 

I hadn’t expected to face him so soon after my rebirth, his blue eyes sparking memories of the rogue lair, where he’d rushed into the flames, holding me as he whispered, “I’ll never leave you alone again.” 

Pain gripped my chest. Had Gabriel been here six years ago, when those photos shattered my pack’s trust? If he’d felt something for me then… 

I shoved the thought away, my wolf whimpering.

The rogue steps faded, rain softening. Gabriel exhaled, releasing my mouth. His brow furrowed as he lifted my baseball cap. 

“Vera?” he asked, his voice rich, like a deep cello. It was the second time I’d heard it, the first being his vow in the fire. My wolf stilled, but Lana’s words—half his Nightmoor territory for me—froze me. I stared, unable to speak.

He softened, mistaking my silence for fear. “It’s dangerous for a she-wolf to wander here alone,” he said, settling the cap back, his fingers brushing my hair. His pack would think him possessed, not ruthless. 

His arm grazed my nose, blood’s tang hitting me. My wolf shifted. “Gabriel, are you injured?” I asked, scanning his damp form.

He blinked, then smiled, eyes glinting. “You know me?” My wolf huffed at his confidence, but he felt different from the rumors—cold-blooded, a kin-killer for power. Here, he was gentle, his aura steady, not deadly. I pulled back from those thoughts, my past life’s pain a warning. 

My wolf’s senses prickled, noting the strength in his frame, the steady pulse of his alpha power. But I yanked myself from those thoughts, my past life’s pain a stark warning.

No matter what Gabriel had done for me in that fire, none of it had happened yet. I was grateful

for his sacrifice, but I could never trust a pack like his. 

His Nightmoor pack was a viper’s den, its alliances ruining every pack it touched. I’d lost my family once; I’d protect Grandpa Gideon and our pack now, no matter how his scent stirred my wolf.

“They’re gone,” I said. “You should have a healer take a look at your wound. I need to get home right away.” I moved to slip past, but his voice stopped me. 

“Wait.” His other hand pressed against the wall, caging me between his arms. My wolf bristled, and I instinctively flattened myself against the bricks to create space between us. 

“What do you want?” I asked, my frown deepening, as my heart raced as his closeness sent a shiver through me.

“They haven’t gone far,” he murmured, his voice soft, his breath warm against my ear. “It’s not safe yet. Wait a bit.” The intimacy of his tone, like a feather brushing my heart, made my wolf quiver.

“Oh,” I mumbled, looking away.

We stood close in the narrow gap, his scent—blood and crisp pine—filling my lungs, my cedar scent drawing his wolf’s notice, his nostrils flaring a bit. 

The quiet rain and distant bar hum wrapped us in a world of our own, the atmosphere turning

heated, charged with something unspoken.

My eyes caught his arm, muscled and strong, radiating power. Heat crept up my neck, my wolf stirring under the moon’s pull. I cursed my reaction.

Lana’s scream echoed from the alley—my trap. My wolf snarled, satisfaction mixed with unease. Gabriel’s claws twitched, his gaze shifting. Panic spiked, my wolf urging me to keep him here, away from Lana’s fate. I grabbed his arm, my fingers digging into his rain-slicked sleeve.

“Don’t go,” I blurted, trembling. His eyes widened, sweeping over my hand, then my face. I braced for questions, but he nodded. 

“Okay,” he said, heavy as a vow.

That “okay” rippled through me, my wolf softening. We stood silent, rain steadying my pulse. Then brakes screeched outside, doors slammed, footsteps rushed. 

My wolf tensed, claws itching. More rogues, after I’d just escaped? Was I reborn to die with Gabriel, bound by cruel fate? I stiffened, fear fueling my thoughts.

Gabriel sensed my discomfort, his warmth radiating through the narrow space. He chuckled softly, his voice low and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid, Vera. They’re my pack.” 

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks, my wolf huffing at my overreaction. I didn't blame it. It was already intoxicated by Gabriel’s aura and wolf.

“I guess that's my cue to be on my way.” I muttered, ducking under his arm, my movements swift to hide my flustered state. I stepped back into the alley, the rain cool against my heated skin,

Gabriel’s footsteps following close behind mine. His presence loomed, a steady shadow that made my wolf both wary and curious.

As we emerged, a burly man rushed up, his beta aura crackling. “Boss, are you alright?” he asked, voice tight. 

Gabriel waved him off. “I’m fine. What took you so long?”