I walked through the forest like I owned it, even though the Ventor territory wasn't mine to claim. Every snapping twig and rustle of leaves underfoot reminded me that I was an intruder—and I loved it. My fingers itched to touch the hilt of my dagger, to feel the sharp weight of it, but mostly, I wanted to see her. The girl who somehow got under my skin the second I heard her name. Mari Ventor.
She was everything my father warned me about: deadly, sharp-tongued, and so infuriatingly untouchable I wanted to punch her straight in the face—or kiss her until she couldn't breathe. Only one problem—she hated my guts, and I liked her even more for it.
"Luke Vrenatta," a voice hissed from the shadows.
I smirked. Hell yes. She was already watching me. Of course she was. Only the Ventor heiress would have the nerve to stand there like she owned the forest while glaring daggers at me.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little ice queen herself," I said, leaning against a tree with all the casual arrogance I could muster. "Still sharpening that sharp tongue of yours, I see."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're a cocky little shit, you know that?"
I chuckled, stepping closer, ignoring the way my pulse picked up. She smelled like frost and wildflowers, a combination that made me want to rip my fingers through her hair—or strangle her. Maybe both.
"I've been called worse," I said. "But you, Mari Ventor… you might just be the worst for my blood pressure."
Her glare could cut steel. "Stay the hell out of my pack's territory, Vrenatta, or I'll make sure your ass regrets it."
I raised an eyebrow, letting my smirk widen. "Or… maybe you'll make me regret it. Something tells me you'd enjoy that a little too much."
She flinched—or maybe that was just the wind. Hard to tell. My gut said it was her.
"You're—" she started, jaw tight, "—nothing but trouble."
"And you're my favorite kind," I said, letting my eyes linger on her face a little too long, testing the line between irritation and desire. She squared her shoulders, ready to attack, but didn't. Not yet. That was smart. But it only made me want to push further.
"God, I hate you," she muttered, voice low and dangerous.
I grinned like an idiot. "Keep saying that. It's fucking music to my ears."
I circled her slowly, letting the tension build. Every move was calculated, testing her reactions, seeing how sharp her claws were—not literally, not yet—but sharp enough to match mine. She didn't flinch. Good. That meant she was dangerous. Even better.
"Luke—" she snapped. "Don't even think about—"
Her threat cut off with the sound of a branch breaking nearby. My senses flared. Shit. That wasn't one of her traps. My hand went to the dagger at my belt as a shadow shifted in the trees.
Darius Krell. Of course. That asshole always found a way to ruin my fun. He stepped out, eyes gleaming, grin wicked as hell.
"Well, isn't this cozy?" he sneered. "Little Vrenatta and little Ventor, finally in the same spot."
I felt Mari stiffen behind me. Good. Let her feel it too.
"Fuck off, Krell," I said, stepping protectively in front of her, though my pulse betrayed how excited I was for a fight.
"Or what?" he taunted. "You're alone. That's cute. And you—" he gestured at Mari, "—look like you're trembling behind him."
She shot him a glare that could have killed. And for a second, I almost wanted to kiss her right there, just because she was that fierce.
"Don't you dare talk to her like that," I growled. My senses were on fire, adrenaline coursing through me.
Darius laughed, stepping closer. I tensed, ready to fight, but Mari shifted beside me, ice in her eyes, and I realized she wasn't just some fragile little girl. She was a storm. She raised her hand, fingers curled, and the air around her seemed to freeze. My stomach tightened in awe—and a little fear. Fucking hell, she was terrifying.
I shot her a sideways grin. "Don't worry, princess. I've got your back."
She rolled her eyes. "I don't need your shit, Vrenatta. I can handle myself."
"Yeah? Let's see it then." I crouched, ready, heart thumping. Her gaze met mine, full of fury and… something else. Something I wasn't ready to name.
The tension between us was so thick I could cut it with my claws. And hell, I wanted to.
Before I could even blink, Mari let out a growl that would make even my father shrink back in fear and lunged at him, claws out and ready to kill.
A slow smile spread across my lips. oh, this is gonna be fucking fun.
We moved like one slashing and clawing blood every fucking where and I swear red suits her better than anything else.
I clawed Krell's leg and Mari got him in the face before he ran away. Hmph the fucking coward, I can worry about that later for now I have a Mari to piss off.
I exhaled, a slow grin spreading across my face. "Well, that was fun."
She stepped back, brushing leaves off her coat, glaring daggers at me. "You're an asshole."
"And you're… not so bad yourself," I muttered under my breath, just loud enough for her to hear. Her ears twitched. Shit. Did she hear that?
"I—" she started, then stopped, shaking her head. "Whatever. You're still the biggest pain in my pack's ass."
I laughed, stepping closer, ignoring the way my chest tightened around her. "Good. That's exactly the way I like it."
The forest seemed quieter now, the air heavy with unspoken words and possibilities. I watched her walk away, the sway of her hips, the flicker of fire in her eyes. And I knew one thing for certain: this was going to be a long, hellishly fun war. Between packs, between us… and maybe even against ourselves.
I clenched my fists. Shit. I was already addicted to her.