Chapter 4 Four

The sun was barely rising when I realized sleep had abandoned me completely. My mind was a storm of thoughts. Ezra’s dark and unsettling gaze. Orion’s furious expression. Lola’s warnings that kept replaying in my head. I could not calm down or breathe without feeling the weight of everything pressing on my chest.

I wandered near the edge of the packhouse grounds hoping the cold morning air would clear my mind. The sky was pale and thin light filtered through the trees. The forest felt different today. Quiet in a way that made the hairs on my arms rise.

Then I heard it. Footsteps behind me. Slow. Steady. Deliberate. I turned quickly and froze in place.

Ezra.

He stepped out of the shadows as if he had been waiting for me. His expression was focused and unreadable. His presence filled the clearing in an overwhelming way that made my heart stutter.

“You are difficult to avoid,” he said. His voice was low with a hint of amusement even though his eyes were sharp.

“I was not hiding,” I replied, trying to keep my voice firm. “I just needed air.”

Ezra moved closer and the distance between us shrank until I could feel the intensity of his gaze. “Air,” he murmured. “Or trying to stop thinking about me.”

My pulse jumped. I tried to force the words out. “I am not thinking about last night. It was a mistake and I want it forgotten.”

Ezra’s smile was slow and certain. “You can tell yourself that. But I see the truth. The moment your thoughts drift even a little they return to me.”

My breath caught. I hated how easily he read me. I hated how true it felt.

Before I could respond another sound broke the tension. Heavy footsteps. A familiar presence. I turned and saw Orion pushing through the trees. His eyes were dark and filled with anger.

“What is going on here?” he asked. His voice was calm but every word carried danger.

Ezra did not move. He lifted his chin slightly and watched Orion with cool amusement. “We are talking. Nothing more.”

Orion looked at me with an expression that made my stomach twist. “Zara. Is that true?”

I swallowed. “It is not what you think. I just came out here and he appeared. I did not want this.”

Ezra stepped forward before Orion could speak. “She kissed me,” he said. His tone was casual but meant to provoke. “She says it was a mistake.”

Orion’s jaw tightened. “A mistake,” he repeated. “Do you understand how serious this is, Zara? To our pack. To me.”

“Yes,” I said quickly. “I know. I have been thinking about it since last night. I did not mean for any of this to happen.”

Orion breathed out slowly. “You put yourself in danger. You gave him a reason to watch you. Ezra does not leave things alone. And now you are on his mind.”

Ezra’s eyes glimmered with interest. “On my mind,” he said softly. “Yes. She is.”

Orion stepped in front of me. “Stay away from her, Ezra. If you value your life or hers keep your distance.”

Ezra did not back away. He simply tilted his head and studied Orion with a faint smile. “You sound threatened. Interesting.”

“Threats are not necessary,” Orion said. His voice was cold. “This is a warning. Last one.”

Ezra’s smile widened just a little. “We will see.”

He turned away and disappeared into the trees as easily as he had appeared. The air felt heavy long after he was gone.

Orion faced me again. His anger had softened but his concern was stronger than ever. “Zara. We need to talk tonight. All of this is getting out of control and you are not safe.”

I nodded even though my heart was still pounding. “I know. I am sorry.”

He touched my hand briefly. The warmth of his fingers sent a shiver up my arm. Then he let go and walked away with tense shoulders.

When he was gone Lola stepped out from behind a tree. I had not even realized she was there. She shook her head with a mix of frustration and sympathy.

“You are in deeper trouble than I thought,” she said. “Ezra is not letting this go. Orion is ready to fight him. And you are standing right in the middle.”

I sank onto the nearest rock and dropped my face into my hands. I could still feel Ezra’s stare. I could still feel Orion’s anger. Everything was happening too fast and I had no idea how to stop any of it.

Lola sat beside me and nudged my shoulder. “You need a plan. And you need it soon. Otherwise the two strongest alphas around you will tear each other apart and you will be the reason.”

The thought made my stomach twist painfully.

I had kissed the wrong alpha. And now both of them were acting like I belonged to them.

I had no idea how to stop what was coming next.