But Fenris moves like water—fluid and graceful. He bends backward, narrowly avoiding the strike, and steps smoothly out of the way, regaining his footing with ease. If I wasn't so pissed,I'd be impressed.
I land hard but pivot quickly, my sword swinging wide in an arc meant to catch him off guard. This time, he ducks, his movements completely controlled. Before I can adjust, he surges up, his fist slamming into my midsection with enough force to knock the breath from my lungs.
I stagger back, gasping, and glare at him as I clutch my side. Fenris steps away, giving me just enough space to recover but not enough to feel in control.
“You’re never going to be ready,” Fenris goads, his voice cold and cutting. His words are a challenge, his tone dripping with disdain, and it grates on my last nerve.
“Says you?” I snap back, my hands curling into fists at my sides.
“Says me,” he agrees, the smirk on his face only fueling my anger. He crosses his arms over his chest, the picture of arrogant confidence, and I swear, if looks could kill, he’d be a smoldering pile of ash.
“You’re being a jerk.” I glare up at him, resisting the urge to scream.
“I’m not being a jerk,” Fenris argues dismissively. “I’m just stating facts.”
“No, you’re not!” The words burst out of me, louder than I intended, my voice trembling with emotion. “Something is bothering you. You’ve been nothing but an ass since we met, and I don’t know why. So why don’t you enlighten me?”
The anger wells up inside me, hot and consuming, but it’s the frustration that breaks me. Tears burn at the corners of my eyes, and I hate it—I hate that I feel this vulnerable, this raw in front of him. Of all people.
Fenris’s expression darkens, his smirk fading as he takes a step forward, closing the space between us. His movements are almostpredatory, and for a moment, I feel the weight of his anger matching my own. But before he can get any closer, Kian steps into the space between us, his presence an unyielding barrier.
“That’s enough.” Kian’s voice is low, like the rumble of distant thunder. His lavender eyes lock onto Fenris, daring him to push further.
Fenris halts, his jaw clenching. “Out of my way.”
“Calm the fuck down,” Kian volleys back.
They are standing so close, and it’s only now that I realize how much bigger Fenris is compared to everyone else. I step out from behind Kian, ignoring the way his hand twitches as if to pull me back. Facing Fenris, I keep my voice level, refusing to let the hurt seep through.
“What did I ever do to deserve your hatred?” I whisper, the words barely audible.
Fenris freezes, his body going impossibly still. His eyes burn with anger, as they lock onto mine, and for a moment, I think I see something else—something deeper. But then his expression hardens, the fury in him flaring to life like a spark catching fire.
The next moment, his body ripples with raw, untamed magic. I barely have time to react before he transforms, his shift so sudden and violent it sends Kian stumbling to the side. All around me, shouts erupt, distant and muffled in the haze of disbelief.
I stare, dumbfounded, at the massive wolf now standing before me. Fenris’s gray and black fur bristles with tension, each strand catching the light like steel. His sheer size is overwhelming—easily a foot taller than Nymeria and Anika. He prowls closer, his movements fluid and deliberate, the low, menacing growl rumbling from his chest reverberating through the ground beneath my feet.
The dagger in my hand feels laughably inadequate. My fingers tighten around the hilt, but I know it’s useless against him. The sheer power radiating off his form is suffocating, a force I can’t hope to match head-on.
I force myself to take a deep breath, steadying the wild rhythm of my heart. But as I do, his scent hits me. Notes of leather, star anise, and olive blossom flood my senses, overwhelming and oddly familiar. The recognition slams into me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs and leaving me momentarily paralyzed.
A memory surfaces, unbidden and vivid.
“You can’t catch me.” I giggle, running across the grass, my bare feet sinking into the damp earth.
“Wanna bet!” Fenris shouts from behind me.
I look over my shoulder and squeal when I see him shift, his wolf form racing after me. Excitement and adrenaline pulse through my veins. The heat of my magic flowing through me as I run. Barely ten seconds later, Fenris barrels into me, knocking me over. Laughing, I roll onto my back and sit up, only for Fenris to nudge me with his nose, his fur warm and soft.
“I wish I could shift into a wolf.” My hand glides over his thick coat.
Fenris shakes, sending me tumbling back, and I laugh even harder. Around us, fireflies scatter, their tiny lights flickering as dusk settles in, creating a magical aura.
Fenris shifts back into his human form and sits next to me, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “It is pretty cool,” he admits.
“If I could shift, then you’d never catch me,” I tease, still breathless from our play.
Fenris meets my gaze, his eyes reflecting a depth far beyond his years. “I will always catch you, Vera. You are mine to protect. Once I’m oldenough, my father will pass on Paladin duties to me. I will be by your side as long as you want me there. I promise.”
