I'd barely been able to keep the hunger at bay. It gnawed at me every time I passed a blood bank, every time I saw a warm body too close, and every time I found myself alone in the woods at night. But I was doing better. I'd managed to keep my cravings under control, or so I thought.
Tonight, though, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The hunger pulsed again, faint but undeniable. I fought the urge to let it consume me as I sat with Kian and Nova on the porch, the setting sun casting a warm glow over the forest beyond our new pack house.
"You're quiet," Kian said, narrowing her eyes as she watched me. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
I exhaled, leaning back in my chair. "Just... trying to keep it under control. It's getting harder. I can feel it, Kian."
"You've got this," Nova added from the steps, glancing at me over her shoulder. "You've been doing better."
"Better doesn't mean perfect," I muttered. "I can feel it when I'm around certain people. The pull."
Kian's expression softened. "We're all here for you. You know that, right?"
"I know," I said, my voice low. "But I'm not sure how long I can keep pretending like I'm fine."
Before Kian could respond, the sound of laughter and voices floated through the open windows. The rest of the pack had just returned from a patrol, and the energy in the house was shifting from tense to lively.
"Looks like the party's starting," Nova said, getting to her feet. "Let's go join them. You'll feel better once you're around everyone. Get your mind off things."
I hesitated but nodded. I didn't want to face the pack alone, especially when my hunger felt like it might snap if I wasn't careful.
The sound of laughter and music greeted us as we entered the common area. But it wasn't the usual party vibe. Instead, the space was set up for an indoor game night, with a large table in the middle of the room stacked with snacks, drinks, and a mix of board games and cards. A few people were playing, others were chatting, and there was even a popcorn machine in the corner. The walls were lined with string lights and colorful banners, giving the room a cozy, celebratory feel.
"It's like a giant sleepover," Nova grinned, heading toward the snack table.
I smiled weakly, the energy from the pack surrounding me, their familiar presence grounding me. But even in the midst of their laughter and carefree conversation, I felt the hungerâstill there, lurking under the surface.
Kian nudged me with her elbow. "You should join us for a round of cards," she suggested. "Distract yourself for a while."
I nodded, following her toward the table where a few of the warriors were already settling in. As I moved, I noticed the familiar tension in the air, and sure enough, my eyes locked with Hailey's from across the room.
Her gaze turned cold, the challenge in her eyes unmistakable.
"I see you're finally here, Rae," Hailey said, her voice dripping with venom as she stood near Damon. The two of them were talking, but as soon as she saw me, Hailey stepped toward me, a smirk playing on her lips.
I didn't look away. I didn't even flinch. "What do you want, Hailey?"
She laughed, but it was bitter. "Oh, nothing. I just wanted to see how long you'd hide from me. Not going to lie, I thought you might be too scared to show your face after what happened the other day."
I didn't respond immediately. She was poking at a wound, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of showing her how much it still hurt. I was stronger than that.
But then, Damon stepped in, his posture tense. "Hailey, don't," he said, his voice warning. "Not here."
Hailey only scoffed. "He's not going to protect you, Rae," she spat, moving even closer. "And trust me, this whole 'alpha' act you're putting on? It's pathetic."
Something inside me snapped. The words stung, but the anger wasn't just from her. The hunger was making me reckless, each breath feeling like a struggle to hold it together.
I could feel it, the sharp, burning ache deep in my gut. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth, trying to push it away, but I could already feel my wolf stirring, eager to fight. I needed to control it. I had to control it.
Hailey took another step toward me, practically daring me to do something. Her eyes glittered, her voice mocking. "What? You're going to prove something now? Show us all you're really the alpha you claim to be?"
I couldn't take it anymore.
Before I even realized what was happening, I was in front of her, faster than anyone could have predicted. My grip tightened around her arm, my fingers digging into her skin as I pushed her back against the wall. The room fell silent.
The sound of my heart pounding in my ears, the hunger clawing at me, I didn't care about anything else but showing her just how wrong she was.
"You don't know anything about me," I growled, my voice a low, dangerous rumble. "You think you can challenge me? You think you can provoke me into acting like some omega, someone you can walk all over?"
Hailey gasped, her eyes wide as she tried to break free from my hold. But I wasn't done yet. The need to prove myself, the need to show her, was stronger than ever.
My fangs elongated, sharp and hungry. I didn't think. I couldn't think. Without realizing it, I sank my fangs into her neck.
The moment I bit down, it was like my senses exploded. The taste of her blood filled my mouth, fiery and warm. The sensation was intoxicating, overwhelming. It wasn't just a bite. It was everything I'd been holding backâmy thirst, my rage, my hungerâall spilling out in one brutal moment.
I felt her body go limp in my arms, but I couldn't stop. Not yet.
It wasn't until I heard Damon's desperate shout, "Rae, stop!" that I snapped back to reality.
I pulled away, shaking as I looked down at Hailey, who was now crumpled to the floor, pale and gasping for air. Blood stained my lips, and my heart pounded in my chest, horrified by what I'd just done.
Damon was by her side in an instant, pushing her hair away from her face as he cradled her head. His eyes locked on me, burning with fury. "You nearly killed her!"
"I didn't mean to," I whispered, trembling as the weight of what I'd just done hit me. The hunger was still there, still clawing at me, but this time it was different. This time, I had almost crossed a line I couldn't come back from.
The room was dead silent, everyone watching in shock, none of them daring to speak.
I looked at Damon, then at Hailey's unconscious form. And in that moment, I knew I had lost something I could never get back.