Chapter 2: Lines in the Sand

The bond was a leash, one that tightened with every passing moment, and I hated it. But hate was an easy thing to cling to. It kept the chaos at bay.

For three days, I avoided Dax. I threw myself into chores, running errands for my mom, and hiking the trails behind the house, pretending that I wasn’t constantly aware of his every move. But it was impossible. Every look, every smirk, every fleeting touch in the hallway was a reminder that he was inescapable.

“Alina, can you run to town for me?” Mom’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She was in the kitchen, humming to herself as she prepped dinner.

“Sure. What do you need?”

She handed me a list, her eyes warm and full of gratitude. “Just a few things for tonight. Oh, and Dax needs some parts for his motorcycle. Can you pick those up too?”

Of course, he did.

I plastered on a fake smile. “Sure, no problem.”

An hour later, I was pulling into the parking lot of the local hardware store, cursing my luck. The town was small, and everyone knew everyone else’s business. If anyone even suspected something between Dax and me, the gossip would spread like wildfire.

As I stepped inside, I caught sight of a familiar face. Rebecca Davis, one of the pack’s golden girls, was at the counter, leaning over it in a way that practically screamed desperation. And there he was, standing opposite her, his trademark smirk firmly in place.

Dax.

My stomach churned. Of course, he’d be here. Because the universe clearly hated me.

Rebecca tossed her hair over her shoulder, her laugh ringing out like a bell. A very annoying bell. “You’re such a tease, Dax. When are you going to take me for a ride on that bike of yours?”

Dax’s grin widened, but his eyes flicked to me the second I walked through the door. “Depends,” he said, his tone lazy. “Do you think you could hold on tight enough?”

My wolf bristled. I hated how easily he could make my blood boil. But more than that, I hated the possessiveness that flared inside me. He wasn’t mine. Not really.

“Oh, don’t worry,” Rebecca purred, oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. “I’ve got a strong grip.”

I slammed the list onto the counter with more force than necessary, cutting off whatever flirtatious nonsense Rebecca was about to spew next. “I need these,” I said sharply, avoiding Dax’s gaze.

Rebecca turned, her perfectly arched brow lifting in surprise. “Oh, Alina. I didn’t see you there.” Her smile was all teeth. “How long has it been? Since high school, right? You’ve… changed.”

“So have you,” I shot back, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Though not by much.”

Dax’s low chuckle sent a shiver down my spine. “Play nice, ladies.”

Rebecca’s smile faltered as she glanced between us, her sharp instincts no doubt picking up on the tension. But before she could say anything, I grabbed my bag and turned on my heel.

“Alina,” Dax called after me, his voice firm. “Wait.”

I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My chest was tight, my wolf clawing at me to turn back, to claim him, to show Rebecca—and everyone else—that he was mine. But I wouldn’t give in to her. Not here. Not now.

I made it to my car, my hands shaking as I fumbled with the keys. Before I could start the engine, the passenger door opened, and Dax slid in.

“Get out,” I snapped, glaring at him.

“No.” He leaned back, his legs spread casually, his scent overwhelming the small space. “Not until you tell me what the hell that was in there.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning innocence.

“Don’t play dumb, Alina. You’re pissed, and I want to know why.”

I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white. “I’m not pissed. I just don’t like watching you flirt with every girl in town.”

His brow arched. “Jealous?”

“No.” The denial was automatic, but we both knew it was a lie.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Liar.”

“Get out of my car, Dax.”

“No.” His hand shot out, grabbing my chin and forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes burned with a mix of anger and something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name. “You don’t get to walk away from this. From me.”

My heart raced, my wolf howling in approval at his dominance. But my human side rebelled, shoving his hand away. “You don’t own me, Dax.”

“Don’t I?” The question hung in the air, heavy with implication.

I clenched my fists, every nerve in my body screaming for release. “I’m not some prize for you to claim. If you think I’m just going to roll over and play house because of this bond—”

“This bond is everything,” he cut in, his voice sharp. “I don’t care,” I lied, the words bitter on my tongue. “You don’t get to dictate my life. Not now, not ever.”

His jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. For a moment, I thought he might push back, might demand more. But then he leaned back, his expression hardening into something cold and unreadable.

“Fine,” he said, his voice low. “Have it your way. But don’t come crying to me when you realize you can’t fight this forever.”

He opened the door and stepped out, slamming it shut behind him. I watched him walk away, my chest heaving with a mix of anger and longing. He was right about one thing—the bond wasn’t going away. But that didn’t mean I had to give in.