Drake's POV:
I carried her on my back, her arms loosely draped around my shoulders as I trudged through the forest. She had protested at first, insisting she could manage on her own, but I wasn't about to let her stumble through the woods while holding up her oversized shorts. So, with a gentle but firm insistence, I had scooped her up into a piggyback ride, feeling her small frame relax against me once she realized I wasn't taking no for an answer.
I had hoped the closeness might prompt her to open up, to let me in on whatever demons she was fighting. With her body pressed against mine, I could feel the tension radiating from her. It was like she was holding something back—something that ran deeper than the fear from earlier. I had always suspected there was darkness in her past, something she hadn't shared yet. But now, I was sure of it.
As we made our way back, the silence stretched between us. I could feel her breathing, steady but shallow, her head resting against the back of mine. The night was calm, save for the occasional rustle of leaves beneath my feet, and for a moment, I thought she might say something—anything that would give me a glimpse into the storm I knew was brewing inside her.
But she didn't.
Not a single word escaped her lips for the entire journey back. Instead, she clung to me, quiet and guarded, lost in thoughts she wasn't ready to share. I didn't push her, as much as I wanted to. I could feel the weight of her silence, the heaviness of the secrets she carried, but I knew that trust couldn't be forced.
So, I carried her in silence, feeling every ounce of her hidden pain, and vowed to wait. When she was ready, I would be there, no matter how long it took. For now, her quiet presence was enough.
I remained skeptical of her, the questions swirling in my mind never fully quieting. I wanted to dig deeper, to understand the darkness that haunted her, but she kept her answers frustratingly short. The only thing she offered willingly was her name—Leila. It felt like a small victory, but one that left me wanting more. I needed to know what lay beneath the surface, behind her guarded eyes.
I introduced her to my beta, Lucas, and his mate, Nelly. Lucas, ever the loyal second, greeted her with a firm handshake, his sharp eyes assessing her, though never in an unfriendly way. Nelly, on the other hand, took to Leila immediately, pulling her into a hug before I could even warn her. From the moment Nelly had witnessed my mate punch Latisha, the wannabe Luna, she had been sold. Nelly loved Leila's fiery spirit and often gushed about how tough she seemed.
The rest of the pack wasn't far behind in their acceptance of her. Despite her quiet nature, Leila began to draw people in with her mysterious allure and quiet strength. The younger wolves admired her from afar, whispering about how she stood up to Latisha without a second thought. Some of the warriors respected her resilience, even though she hadn't said much to them. She wasn't trying to prove herself—she didn't have to. There was something about her that commanded respect, and the pack felt it.
Leila was getting in tune with everything, settling into pack life quicker than I'd expected. She began to help Nelly with some of the day-to-day tasks around the packhouse, and soon enough, I would find her sitting with Lucas and Nelly at meals, laughing quietly at their stories. Even the other women in the pack started to warm up to her, drawn to the quiet strength she exuded despite her reserved demeanor.
Still, there was a part of her that remained distant—an invisible wall I couldn't quite breach. I watched her closely, waiting for her to slip, to give me some hint of the darkness she kept locked away. Every time I tried to get closer, to ask her more personal questions, she would gently steer the conversation away or fall into silence. I knew she was hiding something, something deep and painful, and while I respected her need for space, it frustrated me to no end.
The bond between us was undeniable, but it wasn't enough to make her open up completely. I wanted to know her fears, the shadows that chased her in her sleep. I wanted to understand why she kept herself at arm's length from me, even as she began to immerse herself in pack life. But every time I reached out, she would pull back—just enough to keep me at bay.
And so, I let her be, for now. I watched as she found her place among my pack, making connections and earning the respect of those around her. But all the while, I kept my eye on her, waiting for the moment when she would finally trust me enough to let me in.
Leila's POV:
I knew Drake was suspicious about my past. His eyes, always searching, always waiting for me to slip up, never let me forget it. It was only a matter of time before he started digging deeper, trying to uncover the truth I had worked so hard to bury. I couldn't let that happen. Not yet. If he stumbled upon the full truth, everything would fall apart—my plans, my survival, my revenge. I needed to get ahead of it. To control the narrative before he unraveled it himself.
But I couldn't just lay it all out for him. He wasn't ready for the real story. Hell, I wasn't ready to give it to him. So I'd tell him a half-truth—just enough to satisfy his curiosity and keep him from digging deeper. It would also be enough to make him feel like he knew me, to make him trust me more. Once I had that trust, I could use it, bend it to my advantage. He'd stop asking questions and start focusing on what mattered—helping me get revenge on the men who had wronged me.
But before any of that, I needed to test him. I had to see how far he'd go for me, how crazy he truly was about this bond we shared. Would he be willing to wage war for me? To destroy another pack in my name? I couldn't be sure, but I had a feeling. Drake was possessive, protective, and fiercely loyal. If I played my cards right, I could fan those flames, ignite the jealousy that already simmered beneath the surface.
That would be the first step. To push him, to make him burn with jealousy and want me more fiercely than ever before. I needed to know what lengths he'd go to for me before I could risk telling him even the smallest piece of the truth. If he was willing to fight for me, then I'd know he could be useful. But if he wasn't… well, I'd have to figure out another way to get what I wanted.
But first, I needed to set my plan in motion. I had to make him feel like he could lose me—make him see how much he wanted me and how far he'd go to keep me. The thought of it brought a small smile to my lips. This could be fun.
I just hoped Drake was ready to play the game.
I needed to make Drake jealous. It wasn't out of cruelty; it was a test. I had to see if the bond we shared was strong enough to make him burn for me—to push him to the brink, to show me just how far he'd go if he thought he might lose me. Would he be willing to fight for me, to destroy anything that threatened to take me away? Only then would I know if I could trust him with even the smallest part of my plan.
The opportunity presented itself sooner than I expected. It was a routine day, nothing out of the ordinary—until one of the younger warriors, a wolf named Marcus, started talking to me. Marcus was charming, with his boyish grin and playful nature, and I knew he had no idea what game he was walking into. He had an innocent crush, and I could tell by the way he lingered around me, his easy banter and subtle attempts to impress me.
Perfect.
I started to lean into it, just enough to catch Drake's eye. I laughed a little louder at Marcus' jokes, let my hand rest on his arm a little longer than necessary. It wasn't hard—Marcus was sweet, and the way he smiled at me made it easy to play along. But I wasn't focused on him. No, my attention was on Drake, who was across the training yard, watching me with that smoldering intensity that never seemed to leave his gaze.
I could feel his eyes on me like a physical touch, burning through me as I stood close to Marcus. I leaned in closer to Marcus as we talked, pretending to be fascinated by whatever story he was telling me. His easy laughter filled the space between us, but all I could focus on was the shift in Drake's stance—how his jaw clenched, how his fists tightened at his sides. His wolf was barely contained beneath the surface, and I could sense the primal possessiveness surging through him.
I let it go on for just a little longer, testing his limits. I tossed my hair over my shoulder, flashing a smile at Marcus as he made another joke, all the while feeling Drake's anger simmering, boiling just beneath his calm exterior. I could practically taste his jealousy in the air, thick and heavy, and it sent a thrill through me. This was exactly what I needed.
And then, I took it a step further. I reached out and playfully touched Marcus's arm, laughing softly at something trivial. That's when I felt it—Drake's control snapping. He moved so fast I barely saw him coming.
Suddenly, Marcus wasn't in front of me anymore. Drake had shoved him aside with a low growl, stepping between us, his eyes blazing with a barely restrained fury. "That's enough," he said, his voice dangerously low, his body blocking Marcus completely from my view. His eyes locked onto mine, and the intensity of his gaze made my breath catch.
There it was—exactly what I wanted. The possessiveness, the fire, the proof that he couldn't stand the idea of another man being close to me.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "What's the matter, Drake?"
His nostrils flared, his fists clenched tightly as he took a step closer to me. "You know exactly what the matter is," he growled, his voice rough with jealousy.
I let a slow smile curl my lips as I tilted my head, looking up at him through my lashes. "Do I?"
His jaw tightened even further, and for a moment, I wondered if he would actually lose control. But instead, he just took another step closer, his presence overwhelming, his eyes blazing with something dark and possessive. "Don't play games with me, Leila," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "You're mine. And I don't share."
The words sent a shiver down my spine, but I kept my composure, smiling up at him like I wasn't fazed. But inside, I felt a thrill of triumph. He was exactly as protective as I hoped, his jealousy more than just a flicker—it was a wildfire, and it would burn anyone who got too close to me.
That was exactly what I needed to know.
Now, it was time to see just how far he'd go for me.