A Storm in the Market

🌒 Chapter Three: A Storm in the Market

Raven didn’t plan to see him again.

She told herself it was safer that way. Safer for him. Safer for her pack. Safer for her heart, which shouldn’t have a say in any of this.

But the bond wouldn’t let her rest.

It pulled at her, a constant hum under her skin, a restless storm in her blood. Every breath she took felt wrong without his scent. Every shadow in the forest made her head snap around, searching for storm gray eyes she knew she shouldn’t want to see.

By dawn, she could stand it no longer.

She shifted into her pure black wolf, Shadow, grabbed her satchel with her mouth and ran through the waking forest, pine needles brushing her paws as she urged her to run faster. She needed to see him.

To convince herself she could walk away if she chose to.

The market on the edge of the human town buzzed with life, the scent of roasting meats, spices, and wet earth blending into a thick cloud that set her wolf on edge. She kept her ears up, shadows cloaking her eyes, but even so, people shifted away from her, sensing something they couldn’t name.

Good, she thought coldly. Let them fear me.

She was halfway through the narrow row of vegetable stalls when the scent slammed into her, stronger than before, sharp as lightning on a summer night.

Sandalwood. Rain.

Mate purred Shadow

He stood near an old bookstall, flipping through a leather bound volume with careful fingers, a crease in his brow as he read. His dark hair was damp from the drizzle, and a hint of stubble shadowed his sharp jaw.

Raven’s wolf watched from a distance, egar to move closer.

She hated the fact that she wanted to do that.

She hid behind a tree and shifted back pulling on her spare clothes and boots she kept in her satchel.

Before she could think, she stepped forward, the wet earth soft beneath her boots. The air between them crackled, the bond vibrating in the space like a living thing.

His eyes lifted, storm gray and impossibly deep, locking onto hers. For a moment, the market noise fell away, leaving only the pounding of her heart and the hush of the world watching them.

“It’s you again,” he said, a nervous half-smile tugging at his lips. “Are you following me?”

Raven narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms. “You’re not supposed to be here.”

He blinked, then laughed softly, shaking his head as he closed the book and placed it back on the stall. “You’re the one who keeps showing up where I am.”

"Your scent is loud,” she snapped before she could stop herself.

His eyebrows shot up, amusement flickering in his eyes despite the tension that hummed around them.

“Loud, huh? Is that your way of saying you like it?”

Raven growled under her breath, stepping closer so that the scent of him wrapped around her like rain and heat. “You’re in danger here.”

“Danger?” He tilted his head, studying her. “From you?”

Her jaw tightened. She wanted to deny it, but the truth tangled on her tongue.

“From everything,” she said instead. “You don’t belong here.”

“And yet,” he said quietly, “it feels like I do.”

A shout broke the charged silence, drawing Raven’s eyes to the alley at the edge of the market where two rogue wolves stood, their eyes glowing faintly, the scent of decay rolling off them.

She moved instantly, stepping in front of Ragnar, her hand going to the dagger strapped at her thigh.

“What the hell—” Ragnar started, but she cut him off with a glare.

“Stay behind me,” she ordered.

She mindlinked her beta Luca

"Luca, rogue's at the market"

"Shit" Luca linked back, I'm on my way with some warriors".

The rogues laughed, low and vicious, shifting partially so that claws glinted in the gray morning light.

“Alpha Queen,” one sneered, “so this is your weakness?”

Rage burned through her, sharp and cold.

“I have no weakness,” she said, her voice deadly calm.

The first rogue lunged, claws slashing for her throat, but Raven sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting until she heard the satisfying crack of bone. She slammed her elbow into his jaw, sending him sprawling across the cobblestones.

The second tried to circle behind her, but her senses were sharp, her wolf alive beneath her skin. She spun, her blade flashing as it caught the rogue’s thigh, dropping him to his knees with a howl.

People screamed, scattering, but Raven barely heard them as she stood over the rogues, her eyes glowing gold.

“You will tell your Alpha that this territory is mine,” she snarled, “and that I will kill every rogue who crosses into it.”

They scrambled away, limping and cursing, disappearing into the crowd as it closed behind them.

Raven turned slowly, breathing hard, the adrenaline humming through her veins.

Luca was just catching up to where she was

"You’re late" She huffed

"Yeah sorry about that Alpha, but it looks like you handled it well."

"I did yes, now if you will excuse me I have to have a word with someone".

She turned around and sae that Ragnar stood a few feet away, eyes wide, shocked and something like lust in his stormy eyes.

“What are you?” he whispered.

Raven sheathed her blade, stepping closer, close enough to see the confusion and fear warring in his expression.

“Your worst nightmare,” she said quietly.

But as the bond flared hot between them, she wondered if she was lying to herself.

Because what terrified her more than anything was that he might not run.