He knew that.
Hell, he knew first hand what Lucas was capable of.
"And if my brother finds her here," he said, "we all are as good as dead."
"You will not let that happen," she said simply.
Dennis let out a hollow laugh, rubbing a hand down his face. "And what exactly is stopping him, Missy? Our mighty defenses?" He gestured toward the ragged collection of houses, the starving children, the desperation etched into the faces of the people who followed him. "We’re barely surviving as it is. What do we have? A bunch of werewolves who haven’t eaten properly in months?" He shook his head. "If Lucas attacks, this place won’t last a damn day."
Missy was quiet for a mont before she spoke.
"Every single one of us here would lay down our lives for you, Alpha. Whether we are well-fed or starving. But we will not stand by and watch you beco a man you are not because you are afraid."
Dennis turned away, staring out at the road where Ava had disappeared. The sky was darkening, thick clouds rolling in, promising rain.
"If we go to war because of this, Missy..." He exhaled sharply, rubbing at the back of his neck. "We will all die."
If Lucas ca, they would fall.
And Dennis...
Dennis would have no choice.
"I cannot let him out, Missy," he whispered. "I won’t."
Missy’s expression softened. "Dennis..."
"I can’t."
Because if he did, if he let the thing inside of him out, he wouldn’t be able to stop.
He wasn’t like Lucas. Lucas was naturally cruel, violent, unhinged which gave him sort sort of control over Manic. Lucas could make choices. He could calculate his moves.
But Dennis... had no such luxury.
If he let his wolf out, if he gave in to the darkness clawing at his insides, he wouldn’t be able to rein it back in.
There would be no stopping until there was nothing left but blood and bone.
And for all of Lucas’ sins, Dennis would not beco worse than him.
Missy let out a slow breath. "Why do the Raventhorns believe their wolves are nothing but monsters?"
Dennis barked out a bitter laugh.
"It’s not a belief, Missy." He turned to her, his eyes dark and empty. "It’s what we are."
Missy studied him for a long mont. Then, with a quiet sigh, she placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing gently.
"You are not your brother, Dennis."
She wasn’t there. She couldn’t know. If she did, she would know Lucas was just a learner compared to him.
Dennis didn’t respond.
Instead, he turned, stepping off the porch, heading in the direction Ava had gone.
*****
Dennis spotted Ava at the river’s edge, standing at the very spot where he had once pulled her from the icy depths. A strange twist of fate, saving her once, only to send her away, and now, chasing after her again.
He sighed, jogging the last few steps. "Ava... Ava, wait up!"
She didn’t turn right away. Instead, she stared out at the water, its surface reflecting the shifting clouds overhead.
"Listen, I get it, okay?" she said before he could speak. "I’m a danger wherever I go."
There was no anger in her voice. No resentnt. Just a quiet acceptance.
Dennis exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I’m sorry. That was unlike . I just... I try to avoid my brother as much as possible. And for the past decade, we’ve managed to live without stepping on each other’s toes. I would really prefer to keep it that way."
After a pause, he sighed. "Look... you can hide out here."
She blinked.
Dennis held up a finger. "On one condition. You have to tell why Lucas is trying to kill his own Luna."
She looked back at the river. Then, finally, she let out a breath.
"Let’s just say so people do not want to be Luna, and they’ll do anything to make sure it doesn’t happen."
Dennis arched a brow. "By ’people,’ you an Dorian."
Ava nodded.
Dennis sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess nothing has changed then..." His tone was dry.
"Did you love him?"
"Regretfully so," she admitted. "I..." She swallowed. "I recently found out he killed my father years ago. It’s kind of hard to co to terms with that when I just married him a few hours before I found out."
Dennis let out a low whistle. "Oof. That’s... wow. That’s like, next-level wedding drama."
Ava gave him a look.
"I’ll be sure to keep my future wedding as exciting as yours." He teased.
Ava let out a small, reluctant laugh.
Dennis looked at her. "I can’t promise you the life you were used to with Lucas."
Ava arched a brow. "Oh? No grand halls? No private chefs? No silk sheets?" she tried to tease him back.
Dennis smirked. "Well, we do have an excellent selection of damp, moth-eaten blankets."
"Charming."
Dennis chuckled, then t her gaze more seriously. "I can promise you safety."
Ava sighed. Safety from a man she loves. Weird.
He extended his hand.
"Co on. I’ll introduce you to the pack."
Ava hesitated only for a second before taking his hand. The mont their fingers touched, a subtle wave of emotions hit her.
It felt like affection, guilt and jealousy.
Ava frowned slightly, shaking the feeling off. Now was not the ti to overanalyze her own emotions. She followed behind Dennis, stepping away from the river’s edge.
But they weren’t alone.
Up on the cliff, crouched low in the shadows, Lucas watched.
His sharp gaze followed every step she took from afar. He would recognise her anywhere. Her petite figure, one that fit quite right in his arms.
He shouldn’t be there. He shouldn’t be watching.
But he couldn’t not watch.
The possessive anger flared but he swallowed it down. He had to.
Because she was safe there.
That was the only thing keeping him from tearing down that godforsaken encampnt brick by brick.
She was safe.
Dennis would protect her.
And when the ti ca, when the dust settled, he would make sure she forgave him.
She had to. Without her, he was nothing.
And when she did...
She would be back by his side. Where she belonged.
@evadaniela: its been a while. I hope you are okay.
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