Chapter 7: No One & No Money

RIVER

Air.

I needed air.

My legs kicked uselessly as the Luna Queen’s hand tightened around my throat. Her red eyes glared into mine, and the strength in her single hand made me feel like a ragdoll caught in the grip of a beast.

My lungs burned. My fingers clawed at her wrist, but it was no use. My vision went blurry, making the edges of the room close in on me.

“Please, Your Majesty!” Paloma’s voice shook as she dropped to her knees. “Let her go! She can’t breathe!”

The Luna’s gaze flicked to her, sharp as a blade. “Stay out of this, child!” she warned, her voice rough and animalistic.

Paloma sobbed. “She’ll die!”

But the Queen didn’t falter. She squeezed tighter still, so tight I felt my pulse hammer against her grip and spots of light danced before my eyes.

Then something happened.

A growl so deep and terrifying that it seemed to rattle the very air around us. The Luna immediately went still and when my foggy gaze flicked toward the source, my chest tightened in disbelief.

Densmore.

He strode into the room, shirtless, his skin slick with sweat, dark brown curls damp against his forehead. His chest heaved like he had been running, tattoos inked across his arms and torso flexing with every step. The snarl tore from his throat again, louder this time, and the hair on my arms rose as my wolf whimpered within me.

The Luna bared her fangs, a snarl ripping from her chest. “Do not challenge me, boy!”

But Densmore did not back down. His eyes burned red, his growl intensifying until it filled every corner of the room, swallowing even the sound of my shallow gasps. Black spots spread wider across my vision as my body grew weaker and my hands fell uselessly to my sides. The only thing I could hear now was the thunder of my heartbeat fading.

For a moment, silence stretched between mother and son. Their eyes locked, neither moving, neither blinking. It was obvious they were communicating via mindlink.

Then, without warning, the Luna loosened her grip and I fell.

My body crashed to the marble floor, pain flaring through my side. I sucked in a ragged breath, coughing violently, air flooding my starved lungs.

“River!” Paloma rushed to me, her arms sliding beneath my shoulders, helping me sit up. My throat burned with every intake of breath. Tears stung my eyes as I clutched at her arm for balance. Above me, the Luna’s shadow loomed. Her red eyes blazed as she pointed a finger at me, her voice cutting through the air like a curse.

“You will never set foot in my home again, River Scarrow. If you do, I will wipe out every last one of your bloodline. Do you hear me?”

I nodded in desperation. Her words sliced deeper than claws. My heart pounded in terror as I rose to my feet acknowledging the fact that the Luna had just spared me—but her promise was clear.

Next time, she wouldn’t.

My eyes strayed to Densmore and I found him watching me, his eyes void of emotion - a mask that warriors were trained to have. 

Paloma’s arm wrapped firmly around my waist, catching my attention and with one last glance at Densmore, I mouthed a ‘thank-you’ before following Paloma out of the mansion. 

My legs trembled with every step, my throat still raw, and my body weak from the lack of air. I leaned into Paloma, grateful for her warmth, though shame weighed heavily on my shoulders.

Once we reached the iron gates, I was about to thank her, but she let go of me suddenly, making me almost stumble.

“You’ll be fine from here,” she said softly, brushing a strand of golden hair from her face but her expression was cold.

I blinked, stunned. “Aren’t you… coming with me?”

Her eyes flicked toward the mansion, where Densmore was. She bit her lip before answering. “I need to attend to Den. He’s… probably upset. But I’ll drop by later to pick you up for our assignment.”

She smiled but it looked forced and before I could reply, she turned back toward the gates and went in.

I stood there, watching her leave me behind and the familiar ache of abandonment bloomed in my chest. I shouldn’t be surprised though. If anything Paloma had a right to feel somehow. Me being around Densmore could be threatening to her especially after what just happened. 

Densmore has rarely, if ever, gone against his mother. But today he did…for me which was beyond odd. 

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I started down the dirt road alone. The cool morning air brushed against my skin, but it did little to ease the tightness in my chest. Each step closer to home felt heavier, and when the farmhouse finally came into view, my feet slowed.

Suddenly, memories slammed into me—my father’s drunken rage, the crash of the bottle, the sting of the belt, the way I begged my brother for help and he walked away. My stomach knotted, my breaths shallow and uneven.

I stopped at the porch, gripping the railing to steady myself. “You can do this,” I whispered. “Just breathe.”

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside and immediately my heart sank.

There were boxes. Everywhere.

The home I knew and grew up in was now different, almost empty of the little comforts we had left. The living room looked gutted, hollow, like the home itself was giving up.

“What… what is this?” I whispered.

Raven appeared from the hallway, dragging a suitcase behind him. His black hair fell over his forehead, but it did nothing to hide the fury in his eyes. He stopped when he saw me, his glare sharp enough to cut.

“What’s going on?” I asked carefully, fear threading through my voice.

“Pops sold the farm,” Raven spat, not bothering to hide his contempt. “We’re moving.”

My mouth fell open. “What? But… he loved this farm. He always said it was passed down for generations. He promised it would be yours one day.”

Raven’s jaw clenched. “Well, promises don’t mean much anymore, do they?”

I stared at him, my mind spinning. Why so suddenly and overnight?

Before I could ask more, the front door creaked open, and my heart dropped to my stomach.

My father walked in, a box balanced on his hip. The moment I saw the jagged gash slicing across his face, my breath caught. I remembered the crash of glass, Densmore’s hand flinging him through the window. The wound it caused must have been too deep for his wolf to heal.

He set the box down slowly, his eyes meeting mine. A murderous glare spread across his twisted features.

“You,” he said, his voice low and cold. “You’re not coming with us.”

My stomach lurched. “What? But—”

“You’ve caused this family enough pain.” He stepped closer, each word dripping with venom. “This is where it ends.”

I blinked in surprise, panic rising in my bones. Almost in tears, I choked out, “Where… where am I supposed to go? I have no one and no money.”

“I don’t care!” He yelled at me, making me flinch. Then his lips curled into a cruel smirk. “I read your diary, River. I know about those suicidal thoughts you keep scribbling down. Maybe now’s the best time to do the world a favor… and see it through, yes?”

The floor tilted beneath me. My throat burned with unshed tears as the words sank deep into my bones.

This was it. My life was over.