Blood and Bonds

The next evening, the bar was quieter. Seline wiped down tables, her mind racing. Rent was due tomorrow, and her paycheck tonight was her last chance. She’d begged the bar owner for an advance, but he’d refused. One more night, she told herself. Just get through tonight.

Mira flitted around, restocking bottles. “Hey, Seline. Those wolf shifters are back. The ones from yesterday.”

Seline glanced at the corner table. Austin sat with his pack two men and a woman. The woman was the same one she’d seen him laughing with. Her chest tightened.

“Ignore them,” Seline said.

“The dark-haired guy asked for you,” Mira added. “Said his name is Jax. The woman’s Lena, and the other guy is Cole.”

Seline froze. “Why are you telling me this?”

Mira shrugged. “Thought you’d want to know.”

She didn’t. But her eyes drifted to Austin anyway. He was watching her, his expression unreadable. She looked away, cheeks burning.

The night dragged on. Seline served drinks, avoiding the wolves’ table. But every time she passed, she felt Austin’s gaze. It made her skin itch, her wolf restless.

During a lull, Jax waved her over. “Hey, hybrid! We need another round.”

Seline hesitated, then approached. “What’ll it be?”

Jax grinned. He had a scar across his cheek, but his eyes were friendly. “Three beers. And whatever the Alpha’s having.”

Austin leaned back in his chair. “Whiskey. Neat.”

She scribbled the order, avoiding his eyes.

“So,” Lena said, her voice smooth. “You’re the hybrid everyone’s talking about.”

Seline stiffened. “And?”

Lena smirked. “Just surprised. Didn’t think someone like you could run a bar.”

“Lena,” Austin warned.

Seline forced a smile. “I’ll get your drinks.”

As she walked off, she heard Jax mutter, “Be nice, Lena. She’s not the enemy.”

Not yet, Seline thought bitterly.

By midnight, the bar emptied. Seline counted the register, her stomach sinking. Still not enough. She’d have to beg her landlord again.

“Need help closing up?”

She jumped. Austin stood nearby, his arms crossed.

“No,” she said. “Leave.”

He didn’t move. “You’re hurt.”

She glanced at her arm. The scratch had scabbed over. “It’s fine.”

“You’re lying.”

“Why do you care?” she snapped.

His jaw tightened. “I don’t.”

“Good.” She grabbed a trash bag and headed for the back door.

The alley was dark, the dumpster reeking. She tossed the bag in, turning to leave—

Five panther shifters stepped out of the shadows.

“Miss us?” the leader sneered.

Seline backed up. “Get lost.”

He lunged.

She threw out her hands, magic surging. A blast of air knocked him into the wall. The others hissed, circling her.

“Witch tricks won’t save you,” one spat.

She sent another burst, but they dodged. Claws slashed her leg. She cried out, stumbling.

“Pathetic,” the leader growled. “Half-breeds shouldn’t exist.”

They attacked together.

Seline fought wildly. She threw spells fire, wind, whatever her magic could muster but there were too many. A claw raked her shoulder. Another cut her thigh. Blood soaked her jeans.

“Stop… struggling,” the leader panted, pinning her against the dumpster. “This’ll be quick.”

She kicked him, but he grabbed her throat. Her vision blurred.

A snarl tore through the air.

The panther shifter flew off her. Austin in wolf form slammed him into the ground. The other shifters froze.

Austin’s wolf was massive, fur bristling, teeth bared. The panthers scattered, but he chased them down, snapping and clawing. Seline slid to the ground, clutching her wounds.

When it was over, Austin shifted back. He knelt beside her, his hands trembling as he checked her injuries.

“Stupid,” he muttered. “Why didn’t you call for help?”

She pushed him away. “I… didn’t need… you.”

Her vision swam. Blood pooled under her.

“You’re dying,” he said roughly.

“Then let me.”

He scooped her up, ignoring her weak protests.

“Put me… down…”

“Quiet.”

He carried her into the bar, kicking the storeroom door open. He laid her on a stack of boxes and ripped her sleeve to see the wounds.

“This’ll hurt,” he warned.

He pressed his palm to her shoulder. Heat flared a healing spell? But wolves didn’t do magic.

Her skin knit together slowly, the pain fading. She gasped. “How…?”

“Pack magic,” he said shortly. “Rare.”

He moved to her leg, his touch gentler. Her wolf stirred, reaching for him. She tried to fight it, but the bond pulsed between them—bright, unignorable.

Mate.

Her breath hitched. Austin froze, his eyes meeting hers.

“You feel it too,” she whispered.

He pulled back like she’d burned him. “No.”

“Liar.”

He stood, fists clenched. “This changes nothing.”

“You’re my mate,” she said, voice breaking. “You can’t deny that.”

“I can.” His voice was ice. “And I will.”

He walked out, leaving her alone in the dark.

Seline lay there, tears mixing with blood. Her body healed, but her chest ached. The bond the one thing she’d never thought she’d have was real. And he’d rejected it.

She staggered to her feet, leaning on the wall. The bar was silent. Austin was gone.

Outside, the moon hung high. She limped home, each step agony.

Her apartment felt emptier than ever. She sank onto the couch, clutching a pillow.

Mate.

The word haunted her.

But Austin’s words haunted her more.

“This changes nothing.”

She closed her eyes, wishing she could hate him.

But her wolf still longed for him.

And that hurt worst of all.