Chapter 4 4.

Laura's POV

The steam from my bath still clung to my skin as I sat on the edge of my bed, blow-drying my hair. The soft hum filled the room, almost lulling me into a fragile calm. I was ready to slip into pajamas and bury myself under the sheets when the sharp ding-dong of my doorbell cut through the quiet.

I froze.

Nobody visits me this late.

It rang again, firmer this time. I set the blow-dryer down on the dresser and tiptoed toward the door. I pressed my eye against the peephole-

James.

Oh God.

I wasn't ready for this. Not tonight. I had avoided his calls all day, dodged his messages, and now there he was-smiling patiently at my door.

I inhaled deeply, bracing myself, and unlocked the door.

"Hey, baby," James said instantly, his face lighting up as if nothing was wrong. In his hand, he held a bouquet of white lilies. My chest tightened. Lilies-my favorite.

I forced a small smile. "Thank you."

"Anything for you," he replied, stepping inside the moment I moved aside. His cologne trailed with him, clean and familiar, but tonight it made me feel suffocated. He settled on the couch like he owned the space, casual, relaxed.

I escaped to the kitchen, busying myself with finding a vase. I trimmed the stems and dropped the lilies into water. They looked so perfect, so delicate, like they belonged in another life,one I no longer lived.

When I came back, I sat on the opposite chair, careful to keep distance between us.

James leaned forward, studying me. "What's wrong, babe?"

"Why would you think something's wrong?" I deflected, forcing my voice steady.

He frowned slightly. "After you left my house last night, I called you countless times, but you didn't pick up. I even tried again today but you ignored all my calls."

"Oh... about that." I fiddled with my fingers. "I went straight to bed when I got home, so I didn't hear the phone ring. And today was hectic at work. Back-to-back tasks. I barely had time to breathe."

He softened, nodding slowly. "I know you were angry last night. I'm sorry, Laura. I'll do better next time. I promise. Just give me time."

The same words. Always the same words.

I stared at him, the man I'd loved for years, the man I'd sacrificed pieces of myself for.

"That's what you always say, James," I whispered, my throat tight. "Next time will be better. But it never is. And I'm so tired."

His eyes widened. Panic flickered there, quick and raw. "Baby, no. Please. I'll try harder next time. You just need to trust me. I love you." He got up and came to me, cupping my face gently in his warm hands. His thumb brushed my cheek like I was fragile glass. "I love you so much, Laura."

I swallowed hard, my heart aching. "I know, James. But love isn't enough anymore."

Gently, I pushed his hands away and stood.

His brows furrowed. "What are you saying?"

I met his eyes, my voice trembling but firm. "Let's break up, James."

It was like I'd slapped him. He froze, disbelief etched across his face.

"Break up?" His voice cracked. "Laura, no. No, don't say that. You don't mean it."

"I do.I can't keep doing this. I can't keep waiting for the man you promise to be but never become. I can't keep shrinking myself for you."

He shook his head violently. "No. Please, baby, don't do this. We can fix it. I swear I'll change. I'll prove it to you this time." He reached for my hands, gripping them tightly. "You're everything to me. Please,don't leave me."

I pulled my hands free. "I'm sorry, James. I'm so, so sorry. But I'm done. I can't do this anymore."

"Laura, please!" His voice broke, desperate, almost childlike. He sank back down on the couch, burying his face in his hands. "Don't throw us away. Don't throw me away."

I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood, forcing myself not to crumble. Every part of me wanted to comfort him, but I knew-if I gave in now, I'd be trapped in this cycle forever.

"Goodbye, James," I whispered, my voice final.

He stared at me, broken, before slowly standing. His eyes searched mine, one last time, as if hoping to find the girl who would change her mind. But she was gone.

Without another word, he walked to the door and left.

The sound of the door clicking shut echoed like thunder in my chest.

I collapsed onto the couch, burying my face in my hands. Tears slipped free, hot and guilty. I felt bad for him. For us. For what we used to be.

But deep down, beneath the ache, was the quiet certainty that I'd done the right thing.

---

Damien POV

I stood outside my pack house, the Ravenblood manor, with Adrian by my side- my brother, my beta and my most trusted right hand. Around us, the rest of my wolves formed a circle, silent but seething. Their loyalty vibrated in the air like a low hum, waiting for my word.

"They have gone too far, brother ," Adrian said, his voice taut with restrained fury. "They're pushing at our borders. They want to make this personal."

My jaw tightened, my eyes burning with rage as I lifted them to the dark canopy of trees. I had kept my cool long enough. The Ashmoon Pack was crossing lines that should never be touched.

Other packs in this region had long since bent to the Ravenblood, not because they loved us, but because they knew being our enemy was suicide. For generations, my family's pack had been the strongest, and since I became Alpha at twenty-three, I had carved us into something even deadlier. Ten years of blood and rule. Ten years of proving I was ruthless enough to protect my own.

Anyone who tested me - who tried to cross my borders, plant spies, or spark war - always regretted it. Because when the Ravenbloods fought, we did not stop until our enemies were on their knees, begging for mercy they would never receive.

But Kael Draven, Alpha of the Ashmoon, was too arrogant to learn.

He had always wanted war. Always sought ways to plant a spy in my ranks. His spies never lasted long , they died before they could breathe treachery inside my walls. But Kael never stopped trying. And now he'd gone further than stunts and threats. He'd murdered one of mine and left him at our border like a challenge.

My wolves bristled, a growl rippling through the crowd.

The Ashmoon were filth. Unlike us, they reveled in blood and chaos. They kidnapped wolves and humans alike, raped, slaughtered, and forced the change on innocents building power from suffering. They were a stain on our kind.

And now they had bled one of my blood on our land.

"Enough," I growled, my voice low but carrying through the pack. "It's time we remind them who we are."

"Yes, Alpha," Adrian agreed, his lips curling into a dangerous smile.

"It's about time," another wolf muttered with eagerness. "I've been craving violence. They're begging for it."

I nodded once, decisive. "Bury him, Dan."

The command snapped the tension like a whip. Dan bowed his head and obeyed without hesitation.

We stood in silence as Dan and two others carried our brother's body away. The forest seemed to hold its breath, the weight of grief pressing down like stone.

Adrian stepped forward, his fists clenched. His voice was steady, but I knew him well enough to hear the storm beneath it.

"They won't stop, Damien. Kael wants war."

I turned, meeting my brother's eyes. His wolf burned behind them, furious and ready. "Then war is what he'll get."

The pack stirred, growls rumbling low in their throats. They needed my rage. They needed my command.

"Double the patrols," I ordered. "No one crosses these borders without bleeding for it. If they so much as breathe in our direction, tear their throats out."

"Yes, Alpha," voices echoed in unison.

One of my men bared his teeth in a savage grin. "Let them come. I've been starving for blood."

I didn't return the grin. I wasn't hungry - I was wrath itself, and Kael had just fed the fire.

As the others moved to carry out my orders, Adrian lingered at my side.

"Brother," he said low, "don't let your fury blind you. Kael wants you reckless. He'll use every weakness against you."

My jaw tightened. I knew he was right. But weakness was not something I could afford to feel. Not tonight. Not ever.

I looked out into the darkness, toward Ashmoon lands, and let the vow slip past my lips, sharp as a blade.

"He took one of mine.He will pay in blood. "

The pack's growls swelled, the sound rising into the night - a promise of violence, a storm already brewing.

And I stood in the center of it, fury burning in my veins, ready to unleash hell.