Chapter 3
441words
I began deliberately crossing paths with another wolf warrior—Damian. As Ryan's cousin, he was equally powerful and just as handsome, but with a straightforward sincerity Ryan lacked. In my previous life, I'd barely noticed him, knowing only that he questioned Ryan's leadership.
"Gracie? I didn't expect to find you so deep in the forest," Damian said when I "accidentally" encountered him by the stream.
"Damian," I smiled, dropping the formality. "What a surprise. I'm gathering moonflowers—I heard they help ease the pain during transformations."
Damian's eyebrows shot up. "You know about moonflowers? Most humans have no idea they affect our shifts."
"I want to be a worthy Luna," I said, lowering my eyes modestly. "So I've been studying everything I can about wolf biology and culture."
Admiration flickered in Damian's eyes. "Ryan doesn't deserve you," he said softly, then looked embarrassed. "I mean, he's lucky to have found you."
Over the next weeks, I engineered more "chance" meetings with Damian. Each conversation confirmed what I'd heard—he was honorable, genuinely cared for the pack, and would make a far better Alpha than Ryan.
With Ryan, I remained the perfect, doting fiancée, but began dropping Damian's name into our conversations.
"Damian showed me which berries are poisonous to wolves today. He's so knowledgeable."
"I saw Damian helping the pack elders with their hunting today. The way everyone respects him is remarkable."
Each time I mentioned Damian, Ryan's jaw would tighten almost imperceptibly. Though he tried to hide it, jealousy radiated from him like heat.
One night, as we lay together, Ryan suddenly asked, "You seem to run into my cousin quite often these days."
I widened my eyes innocently. "Do I? We just chat occasionally when we cross paths. He's your family—I thought you'd want me to be friendly."
Ryan's fingers dug into my arm. "Stay away from him," he growled. "He's always wanted what's mine. He's dangerous."
I bit my lip, appearing troubled while inwardly rejoicing. "That's hard to believe... he seems so kind."
"You don't understand pack politics," Ryan snapped. "Just do as I say and stay away from him."
I lowered my eyes submissively, but inside I was triumphant. The seed of doubt was planted—Ryan was beginning to fear I might prefer Damian.
Meanwhile, I made sure to gush about Ryan's "romantic gestures" whenever Rosie was within earshot, watching with satisfaction as her face contorted with rage.
Let them both taste the bitter draught of suspicion and insecurity they'd once forced down my throat.
