Chapter Three: Bruises and Whispers

I awoke to the sound of bashing on my door. "Kyan, get up, man! Cade's going to kick your ass if you're late!" It was Matt, one of my closest friends in the pack, his voice muffled but urgent through the thick wood. He was always looking out for me, even when I didn't deserve it.

"He's going to kick my ass anyway," I shouted back, rolling over in bed, the sheets tangling around my legs like a trap. My body felt heavy, still wound up from yesterday's chaos, but at least I wasn't nursing any bruises—yet.

There was a knock again five minutes later, sharper this time. "Get up!" Cade's voice boomed, and I knew if I didn't move, he'd bust my door down—alpha strength and no patience for my bullshit.

I threw the covers off like an angry child, the cool air hitting my skin as I fumbled for my sweatpants on the floor. Slipping them on, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My black hair hung shaggy over my eyes, a mess I pushed aside with a lazy swipe, too tired to bother with a comb. Dark green eyes stared back at me—my mom's eyes, people always said, paired with her straight nose. But my build? That was all Dad—broad shoulders, thick arms, standing at 6'4, perfect for looming over threats or staring down rogues. It made me look tougher than I felt some days, especially lately.

Most of what I knew about my parents came from pack stories and faded photos—snippets of a life I barely remembered. They'd died when I was six, rogue attack gone wrong, or so the elders said. I didn't like dwelling on it; the past was a weight I couldn't lift.

I decided to leave my shirt off, a petty jab at modesty—and maybe a chance to get a reaction out of Electra for a laugh. I knew it was wrong to think that way, but after yesterday, messing with her felt like fair game.

I opened the door to a pissed-off Cade, his arms crossed, jaw tight. He took one look at me—bare-chested, half-awake—and scowled. "You have twenty minutes to get to the training area. Don't be late," he said grumpily, then turned on his heel and stalked off. Guess he wasn't over yesterday's mess yet.

I trudged downstairs, the wood creaking under my weight, and headed straight for the kitchen. About ten packmates were scattered around the long table, digging into breakfast. They all looked up as I entered, then quickly away, their chatter dipping. Okay, so I'd pissed some of them off by snarling at them yesterday. Fair enough. I muttered a gruff "morning" as I passed, and a few mumbled it back, eyes on their plates.

I rummaged in the cupboard, grabbing a box of Milo cereal—chocolatey, crunchy, the only thing worth eating this early. Taking a seat next to Matt, I poured a bowl, ignoring the eyebrow he raised at me. "So, I heard what happened between you and Cade," he said after a minute, his tone casual but probing. I stayed quiet, shovelling cereal into my mouth. "Apparently it was quite the showdown. Wish I could've been there to see it." He flashed a grin, all teeth and mischief.

I kept my mouth shut, but he pressed on. "So, what happened between you and his sister? You turn on the charm?" The room fell silent, every ear perked, every eye pretending not to watch.

I shifted in my seat, irritation prickling my skin. "Nothing happened. It was just a misunderstanding, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't gossip about it," I snapped, loud enough to carry. The chatter resumed, a low hum, and Matt held up his hands in surrender, his spoon clinking against his bowl.

"Sorry, dude, didn't mean to pry. Just—everyone's noticed the tension between you and Cade lately, and they want to know what's going on." He went back to his cereal, unfazed.

The kitchen door swung open, and everyone looked up as Electra walked in. She wore sweatpants, a black sports bra that hugged her frame, and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, swinging with each step. She must be training with us today. My eyes lingered a beat too long—damn it—and I caught the faint flush creeping up her cheeks as her gaze darted to me, then lower, before snapping away. I smirked to myself. This was fun.

She offered a small smile to the room, murmuring a "good morning" as she grabbed a bowl and some cereal, settling next to one of the girls—Lila, I think, a quiet redhead. I finished my breakfast, washed my bowl in the sink, and headed outside to the oval near the house where we trained, the grass still damp with morning dew.

Cade sat alone on the grass, staring out at the tree line, his shoulders tense. I approached, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. "Hey," I said, testing the waters. He didn't respond, just kept his eyes fixed ahead. "Listen, about yesterday..." I paused, searching for the right words. "You know I wouldn't do that to her, right?" I meant Electra, and he knew it.

He looked up, his face softening slightly. "Yeah, I know. I guess I got out of hand." He laughed, a short, dry sound, and I felt the tension between us ease, just a little. "Just remember our deal," he added, his tone firming up.

I nodded. Ah, yes, the deal. Made months ago, before Electra came back from the academy—a promise I wouldn't chase her like I did other girls, no flirting, no moves, or he'd boot me from the pack. It was fair; she was his sister, alpha blood, off-limits. Didn't mean I couldn't mess with her head a little, though. That blush was too good to pass up, and it didn't break any rules—not technically.

Other packmates trickled in, whispering and pointing at us. After yesterday's shouting match, Cade and I were the pack's hot topic. I didn't mind the attention—kept things interesting. I spotted Shauna among them, her blonde hair catching the sunlight, and grinned. She returned it, a knowing glint in her eyes. With Cade's parents back, I'd have more free time—maybe we'd sneak off later.

Cade called us together, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Basic hand-to-hand today. Shifting's tomorrow." I started to drift toward Matt for a partner, but Cade's voice stopped me cold. "You're with me today, Kyan."

I sighed. Of course. I was one of the few who could match him in a fight, but today, I didn't want to limp back to my room aching. Too late—he swung a fist at my face, fast and unannounced. I dodged, throwing one back, but he blocked it with a smirk. Game on.

Swing after swing, dodge after dodge, we traded blows, landing only a few weak hits neither of us could brag about. He had a strange fire in him today, a determination I couldn't place, and I'd be damned if I let him win. Sweat beaded on my forehead, the sun climbing higher, as we circled each other like wolves testing a boundary.

A cheer erupted to my left, and I glanced over—mistake. Cade's fist slammed into my jaw, a solid crack that sent me sprawling to the grass with a loud thump. Pain exploded across my face, sharp and hot, radiating down my neck. It'd fade in an hour thanks to wolf healing, but right now, it hurt like a bitch.

Rubbing my jaw, I glared up at him. He held out a hand, grinning wide. I wanted to smack it away but grabbed it instead, letting him haul me up. "Nice going today, Kyan. Just remember—distractions lead to death," he said, clapping my shoulder before heading toward the cheer.

I considered tackling him from behind—payback for the smugness—but thought better of it. He'd kill me, and I didn't have a death wish. Curiosity tugged me after him instead. Shauna and Electra were locked in a sparring match, rolling on the ground, each breaking holds with grunts and quick moves. They were evenly matched—Electra's alpha blood giving her raw power, Shauna's years of training lending her precision. The pack had stopped to watch, eyes wide.

Shauna finally pinned Electra, her knee pressing into her back. Electra tapped out, and they shook hands, breathing hard. Shauna looked impressed; Electra just scowled, storming off toward the house without a word. Shauna sauntered over to me, high-fiving packmates as she went, her grin triumphant.

I slung an arm around her shoulders. "I've never seen anyone get close to beating you before," I teased, squeezing lightly.

"She's pretty good, I'll admit. That academy training's paid off," Shauna said, a hint of pride in her voice. She loved a challenge, loved teaching too.

I grinned, leaning closer as we walked. "You should come back to my room—help me work out these kinks from Cade's cheap shot." I nudged her playfully. "What do you say?"

She smacked my ribs—ouch, tender from a stray hit—and I flinched. She pulled away, grinning. "Not today, stud. You probably deserved what he did anyway." She shot me a sideways glance, teasing.

"No way, I'm an angel," I protested, reaching for her. She dodged, laughing.

"Ugh, men," she sighed, mock-exasperated. "You all sook until you get what you want." I grinned, thinking she'd cave, but she shook her head. "Sorry, I've got plans." She walked off, swaying her hips just to mess with me.

I groaned. Today was going to be annoying.

By noon, my stomach growled, and I headed for the lunch room, jaw still throbbing faintly. It wasn't my day to cook—thank God—but I was on dish duty, stuck with pots and pans. Stepping inside, I caught a few wary glances from packmates, their chatter dipping again. Word travelled fast here.

Electra sat in the corner with a group of girls, her bowl untouched. They were gushing over her fight with Shauna, begging her to train them. She shrugged, muttering an "okay," her face blank. No smile, no spark. Weird—she'd held her own against one of our best. Back at the academy, she'd been top-tier, or so the rumours went. Maybe Shauna's win stung more than I thought.

I piled food onto my plate—roast chicken, mashed potatoes, some greens I'd pretend to eat—and sat with Matt. He sported a fresh bruise under his left eye, a dark purple ring. "Nice shiner," I said, smirking.

He looked up, grinning. "Nice jaw." He nodded at the swelling I could feel starting to bloom.

I touched it, wincing. "Damn, he got me good." My eyes flicked to Electra, catching hers for a split second before she looked away.

Matt watched me, his brow furrowing. "Don't even think about it. You know what Cade's like—what he'd do to anyone who touches her."

I rolled my eyes, stabbing at my chicken. "Nothing's happening between us. Chill." But Electra's frown nagged at me—she should've been proud, not sulking.

"Good, 'cause you're needed around here," Matt said, smiling.

"Yeah, whatever." I shrugged, standing. "Speaking of being needed, I've got dishes." I groaned, heading for the sink. Even betas pulled chores—kept the pack running smooth.

The pots and pans took over an hour, grease and grime clinging like a curse. By the time I finished, it was just past 2:00 PM, and I trudged back upstairs, hands pruned and jaw still tender. Reaching my room, I spotted a folded note wedged in the doorframe. I plucked it free, unfolding it.

Kyan,

We need to discuss something. Please meet me in the forest clearing behind the house at 8pm.

No signature. My pulse kicked up—whoever it was, they wanted privacy. If it was a fight, I could handle it; I was a tough wolf, beta for a reason. If it was Cade, testing me again, I'd deal. Six hours to figure it out—plenty of time. I ripped the note in half, tossing it on my dresser, and grabbed my boots and a shirt. Cade had tasked me with setting traps for the rogues after training, and I wasn't about to slack off, not with that scent on the border still fresh in my mind.

I headed downstairs, snagging a spool of wire, some netting, a bundle of scent markers—dried herbs and wolf urine, yes actual wild wolf urine, potent enough to confuse a rogue—and a shovel from the supply shed. The forest loomed behind the pack house, dense and shadowed even in daylight. I trekked toward the eastern border where the sentinels had caught that musky whiff yesterday, the damp earth squelching under my boots. My jaw ached with every step, a reminder of Cade's fist, but I shook it off—work would distract me.

I started near the river, digging shallow pits for Electra's net traps. The academy trick made sense—slow a rogue down, buy time to assess. I strung wire between trees, low and taut, threading the markers along it to mask our scents and throw off any prowlers. Sweat stung my eyes as I worked, the shovel biting into the soil, my muscles straining. Two hours in, I'd set three traps and a half-mile of markers, the forest quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the distant call of a hawk. No rogue stench yet, but the hair on my neck prickled—I wasn't alone out here, even if it was just instinct talking.

By 4:30 PM, I wiped my brow, satisfied with the progress. The traps wouldn't stop a full pack, but they'd snag a lone wolf long enough for us to handle it. I'd finish the rest tomorrow—right now, I needed a shower and some food before that 8:00 PM meetup. Trudging back, the note gnawed at me. Shauna, maybe, rethinking her "not today"? Matt, pulling a stunt? Or—crazy thought—Electra, sulking over her loss? I smirked, then dismissed it. Whoever it was, I'd find out soon enough.

Back at the house, I kicked off my muddy boots by the door, the clock ticking toward 5:00 PM. Plenty of time to clean up and kill before heading to the clearing. My mind churned—traps, rogues, that damn note. Something was brewing, and I'd be ready for it.