Fuck, was it Vince? Tyrus? Ares? For all, I know it could be Ryder too. It seemed like everyone was out to get me these days.

My senses were telling me to hide, but I didn’t do that. Creeping quietly, I grabbed my other knife from inside Remy’s dresser. With a simple click, the sharp blade reflected the dull light from outside. Being careful to avoid being seen, I tiptoed my way against the wall, positioning myself adjacent to the window. The vantage point let me look down into the yard without being seen by this unknown perpetrator. I had some sense to think about calling the Alphas, but I didn't.

Fuck them, I can handle myself.

I’d always been a resourceful wolf and now wasn’t the time to be weak. If I had to slice a bitch’s throat to send a message, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. Death didn’t scare me.

Another pebble tapped against the window. Whoever this was, they clearly got off on the idea of me cowering in fear. Inching closer, I still couldn’t see anything yet.

‘River…’ a familiar voice floated into my head. A draining sensation gripped my body, fear washing over me, holding me still in place.

‘Where are you, River?’ Ares mindlink. ‘Don’t hide from me now.’

I lied. I wasn’t ready. My legs buckled. I clutched my knife closer to my chest. My heart was beating so fast, I couldn’t hear anything else over the loud beats. My vision became blurry, afraid he was the one lurking just beneath the window seal.

Only for a ‌moment, I lost myself. My emotions slipped out, and I began choking back tears. I had become weak. Being in Rosewood Creek made me drop my guard. A single tear escaped my eyes.

I’m scared—-I don’t want to go back there. Please, I want to stay here.

Trembling, I steadied my breath. I still had a way out. Ares wasn’t going to take me without a fight.

‘Piss off,’ I growled back at him. My message was clear: Come get me, you coward.

Looking to strike first, I opened my window, aiming my weapon, readying myself only to find two pairs of familiar eyes staring up at me from the grassy lawn.

“Ah, there he is. River, my love,” Ezra said with a soft smile. Deep crimson ember eyes gaze upon me. Sharp golden ones were beside him. Barron stood by, with less emotion. The two were still in their human forms. They had been waiting for me, Ezra throwing tiny stones to get my attention. A deep growl stirred from within me and bubbled up inside my chest.

These good-for-nothing idiots.

Seriously. They made me think this was going to be my last stand. Fortunately enough, it was just my stupid mates who were outside.

“My love, if you could be so kind, open the door for us.” Ezra pointed to the screen porch. They didn’t want to wake my parents. Fair, but it didn’t excuse the fact that they had just sent me on an anxiety-riddled trip to hell for no reason.

They didn’t call, text, not even a proper mindlink—just fucking pebbles being thrown at my window.

What is this? The Stone Age?!

Assumptions had gotten me to a point where I could no longer hold my tongue. Peering over the edge of my window, I looked down with disdain at the pair of fools.

“No.” I gritted my teeth, annoyed I had even worked myself up for this.

“No?” Barron cocked his head, lifting his brow at my defiant stance.

“River, come on now. You’re just playing with us right?” Ezra had a keen enough sense to know I wasn’t just playing. I was pissed. Livid that these two thought they had the right to ask to come into my house after ignoring me all day. Fuck that.

“I said no. Go home.”

“River—”

“No.” I wasn’t budging on this. The amount of anger I had for the day was finally being released on them.

Ezra gave a frustrated sigh. The wolf shook his head, unsure how to calm me down at this point. Barron, however, didn’t care for my attitude.

“Little wolf,” he called out my nickname, his deep voice sending chills down my spine. “I’m warning you now. Open the door or else,” he commanded. His cold hardened stare could kill a person, but I didn’t care.

“Sounds like a you problem,” I snapped back. It was interesting that Barron thought he could try to intimidate me to listen to him.

Why? Because he was an Alpha and I was his Luna?

I huffed at the idea, crossing my arms to the bullshit. It didn’t matter what our titles were. The last time I checked, I wasn’t anyone’s bitch either.

I picked up Remy’s phone from the charging station. Opening the app to activate the security system. I showed them the red screen before I flipped them off.

“Go fuck yourselves.” I held out my middle finger. I was tired of them and the shit they put me through.

Sorry boys, looks like you’re sleeping outside tonight.

Barron only growled, pacing back and forth before he walked off, disappearing towards the back of the house.

He could try it if he liked, but he wasn’t getting inside, not without alerting the local police and the whole damn neighborhood.

“My love, what's wrong?” Ezra was still trying to talk things out. “I can see that you’re angry at us, but we didn’t mean to ignore you. It was just that our humans—”

“Oh, I’m not angry,” I cut him off. Sticking my head out the window so he could hear me better.

“I’m just disappointed that I'm mated to not one but two selfish, lying ass Alphas. That’s all.” My words were hurtful, but I didn’t care. Ezra stood watching me come for his life. The Alpha didn’t bother to do his hair, his long strands almost covered up his red eyes, like he had bangs. He only laughed at my statement.

“You know you're cute when you're mad.” He smiled as he teased me.

“I’m not mad,” I shouted ‌louder than I intended to. I checked to listen to make sure I didn’t wake anyone up. The house was still quiet.

“That’s what you think.” Ezra snickered. “You're upset you didn’t get any attention today? I’m sorry about that. Shall I recite a poem for you? Sing a song? What is it ‌ you want my love? I’ll do anything for you,” Ezra’s voice had taken on a pleading tone as he got on his knees. He was cheating, knowing I got off on the idea of a strong wolf bending to my will. It was working. Only a little.

This was what I was talking about. They thought I was easy. Like a simple kiss could fix all of this. I doubled down on my position, flashing my knife at the Alpha below.

“Leave me alone,” I threatened.

Ezra just stood there, laughing at my remarks once more. “As I’ve said before, you're pretty cute when you’re mad.” He got another belly laugh in, filling me with rage at his pigheaded comments. 

“Actually, both of you are kinda cute.” Ezra pointed with his finger up towards the sky.

“Both of you?” My mind didn’t quite understand what he was trying to get at until the answer soon found itself. Up on the rooftop, Barron had climbed his way onto my house, making good on his threat earlier. Startled, I fell, landing flat on my ass. The wooden flooring barely cushioned my fall. The angry Alpha swung himself inside my room, climbing in from the window.

“Shit,” I cursed. They played me. Ezra was the distraction while Barron snuck his way onto my roof once he realized he couldn’t get into my house.

The Alpha made his way inside, standing tall as he dusted off the dirt on his clothes. The towering figure stood above me, making me feel even smaller than I was. Barron took his time, adjusting his clothes before he turned his attention to me.

His icy stare soon evolved into a flirtatious glare. Barron smiled as he quietly approached.

“So where were we? You were saying I should… oh right go fuck myself, huh?” He jeered me to repeat my empty threats.

Looking deep into those golden eyes, I knew I couldn’t escape him. One thing was for sure—I had walked myself into his calculated trap. I was fucked. But it wouldn’t be the first time for that now, was it?

A/N Gotta love River always being a moody baby. Oh River, when will you learn that your actions have consequences (LOL). Hope you guys enjoy the new chapter. I wasn't really planning on giving River a chapter so soon but I felt like it just went well after everything that happen. I actually plan to write other chapters from the wolf's perspective. That's right Barron and Ezra will get a chapter too! (Definitely gonna be interesting!😘) 

Until next time,

Otaku_rose🥀

P.S. If you want to read ahead, Patreon has chapters 1-22 available now as well as some spicy NSFW content😘 💕🌸