14. Not My Blood

Rayna~

“You’re bleeding!”

The words flew out before I could stop them. I reached for him on instinct, my fingers brushing the side of his neck.

His skin warm, too warm and he didn’t even flinch at the contact instead he closed his eyes, a sigh falling from his lips as he leaned into my touch like he’d been craving it.

The sheer action made my heart jittery.

“You seem worried about me, princess,” he murmured, rough enough to scrape against my skin. “Maybe I should get injured more often if it earns me this kind of tenderness.”

I swallowed hard.

This was the first time I’d seen him since that night, and it wasn’t that I was avoiding him.

I just didn’t know what to say to him, how to react. I knew perfectly well that what we did that night wasn’t in part of his plans.

But he made me feel good, Dario never paid attention to my release. One time was enough but Sven had made me come thrice with just his tongue and finger.

I saw the strain in his pants that night and I completely ignored him. I should have offered to I don't know, help? But instead I slept off with his arms securing me.

Waking up in the same manner had increased the guilt I felt but I did nothing to rectify it.

Not even an apology note.

I tried to pull my hand away, but he caught it midair, his grip firm, possessive.

“Don’t stop,” he whispered, eyes half-lidded. “Please.”

Something in his tone—something quiet, almost broken—made my chest ache. But then my gaze caught the drying smear on his collar, and the tenderness evaporated.

“You’re not bleeding anymore,” I said softly, confusion threading my words.

A ghost of a smirk curved his lips. “It wasn’t my blood, Princess.”

My stomach dropped. I froze, my pulse hammering in my throat. “What? But—”

He tilted his head slightly, studying me like he was measuring how much truth I could handle. “I never said it was mine.”

My hand trembled in his grasp.

“Whose blood was it, Sven?” I asked, barely recognizing my own voice.

His eyes darkened—cold, empty of remorse. “A spy. A traitor. A fucking asshole. I could care less.”

And just like that the illusion cracked.

What was I expecting? That the rumors were wrong? That I’d somehow imagined what I witnessed that night?

I stepped back, the chair legs scraping sharply against the wooden floor.

My eyes darted around, searching for anyone else—for safety, for normalcy—but the library was empty.

“Where’s everyone?” I breathed.

He didn’t answer right away. He just looked at me—steady, unreadable, with that faint glimmer in his eyes that made it hard to tell if he wanted to reassure me or devour me.

“I kicked them out.” He said softly.

Gods. He was so freaking infuriating, who did he think he was?

Oh right—the Alpha.

Still fuck him.

“Why would you do that? People were reading Sven!”

His gaze sharpened, hunger flickering behind it. “You’ve been ignoring me, menace. And I didn’t want anyone interrupting us.”

He took another step toward me, closing the save between us until his cologne was all I could smell. Intoxicating.

“I haven’t—“

“Yes, you have.” His eyes dropped to my lips before meeting mine again. “I barely get to see you, and when you come for meals you sit at the far end and leave once done.”

I gulped hard, taking a step back to put distance between, “I’ve been busy.“

“Stop it Rayna.” He grumbled. “ I’m not a fucking idiot. You are avoiding me!”

“I’ve been reading,” I snapped, growing tired of his nagging. “Stop being full of yourself, Sven. I have my freedom to think about.”

“Last I checked, it was a brawl not a battle of intellects.”

I glanced back at the open book on the desk, the page about wolf restoration bare to plain sight. I slammed it shut.

Nothing in any of the pages were helpful, I needed to at least train before the fight just incase getting Dana back proved impossible.

“That’s not your business, Sven. My strategy right?”

He chuckled lowly, “Fine. But are you going to pretend that night didn’t happen? Are you going to pretend I didn’t eat—“

I cut him off before he could finish.“It was a mistake, a terrible one at that. And while I’m grateful for your help, I’d rather we don’t speak about it again.”

I picked the book up, ready to bolt out of the library but Sven held me back.

“A mistake?” His tone quieter now. He leaned in, his hot breath fanning my ear. “If that was a mistake, then I'll make it a million times princess. Because hearing my name from your lips as you came for me—” his lips curved. “—felt a hell lot like perfection. And just so we're clear, I don't make mistakes. Ever.”

He released me slowly, but the area he held burned from the contact.

“And oh, princess…” His voice softened just enough to catch my attention. “The fight’s in two weeks, you'd better get to reading.”

I stood there unmoving, watching his retreating figure slip through the door.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Fucking shit.

Two weeks? Two weeks was barely enough time for me to figure the whole Dana situation and still train for the fight.

I didn't know anyone in the pack willing enough to guide me, fuck. Why did I ever accept his stupid offer?

I clasped the book to my chest. Staying here wouldn't do shit, I need to find a trainer immediately.

The cold air kissed my skin as I stepped out of the library, my thoughts spinning faster than I could catch them.

Gods, Sven was an asshole. He'd told me I could come to him when I was ready and the date would be fixed, and now he was going back on his word.

I thought that's what Alpha’s pride themselves in? Their word.

The pack grounds were half-empty, warriors scattered across the field. Most of them avoided my gaze and some didn't bother to acknowledge my presence.

Fine.

I was halfway to the training yard when a familiar voice slid through the wind—smooth, teasing.

“Looking for trouble, Princess?”

I stopped, turning to find Reeves leaning against a tree, which I've noticed he loved to rest on, his sleeves rolled up, that lazy smirk stretching across his lips. His eyes swept over me.

“I wish it was trouble,” I said. “I need a trainer.”

His brows arched. “Same thing, depending on who you ask.”

I folded my arms. “Tsk. Will you help me or are you just here to waste time?”

Reeves chuckled, pushing off the tree. “Easy tiger. What’s the pay?”

“The satisfaction of seeing me not die during the brawl.”

He pretended to think. “Tempting offer. But watching you fight might kill me first.”

I rolled my eyes. “So you're going to help?”

“I’m weighing my cons here.” He stepped closer, close enough that I caught the faint scent of smoke and pine clinging to him. “Besides, Sven’s going to lose his mind when he finds out you came to me.”

“I don't care.” I muttered.

“Oh, but i do,” he said, lowering his voice, his tone dipping into something almost serious. “Alpha Sven is awfully protective of you, and while I care about you staying alive during the fight, watching the Alpha’s pants in a twist is more fun.”

For a second, I forgot to breathe. He's going to help me, just to spite Sven?

Does this man not love his life?

“Are you offering to train me?”

“Yes, tiger.” he said, that grin flickering again. “As long as you can handle being bossed around by someone who doesn’t worship the ground you walk on.”

I smirked. “Try me.”

Reeves tilted his head, eyes glinting. “Oh, Tiger… don’t say that unless you mean it.”