Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Mara's name spread through the Pack Healing Academy in her first week.
The senior healer who hadn't taken a student in fifteen years had taken one — a new student, quiet and sharp, who learned faster than anyone he'd seen.
People noticed.
One afternoon she came out of the Academy library and a blond student blocked her path.
"Lin." He smiled. "Can I buy you a coffee?"
She was still working out what to say when a hand came down on her waist.
Riven had appeared behind her, jaw easy, eyes not.
"She's allergic to caffeine. Sorry."
The blond looked at the hand on her waist, and at the man it belonged to, and left.
Mara looked up at Riven.
"Since when am I allergic to caffeine?"
He blinked. "Just now."
"That's an abuse of power."
"It's claiming what's mine. Different thing, babe."
They went on like that.
Then came the day.
"No."
Riven said it without raising his voice. He just went cold.
Mara was holding the invitation in both hands. The Inter-Pack Medical Summit back in Pack territory — the most selective gathering of Pack Healers on the continent. She'd been invited to present her research.
This was everything she'd worked for.
"Why not?" She frowned. "This matters for my future."
Riven said nothing. He moved to the window and lit a cigarette. Smoke curled up past his face.
Mara watched him.
It hit her that in all the time she'd known him — here — he had never said no to anything. She wanted to study medicine, he arranged it. She wanted to come west, he came with her. She worked through the night on a paper, he stayed up to bring her things and be there.
This was the first time.
She saw the shadows under his eyes.
Her voice came out softer.
"Riven."
She walked over and pulled at his sleeve.
"Let me go. Please."
He didn't turn around. He pulled on the cigarette.
Through the smoke she could see his eyes and something in them she didn't know the name of.
"I really want this."
Riven looked at her — the slight crease in her brow, the warmth in her face.
He exhaled a long breath. Then he turned and pulled her in, held her so tight she nearly couldn't breathe.
"Mara."
His voice was low, hoarse.
"Whatever happens — you won't leave me, right?"
She blinked. He sounded unlike himself. She patted his back.
"I won't leave you. I told you. We grew up together, remember?"
Something in him seized up.
She felt it, looked up.
"What is it?"
He looked at her for a long moment. Then he let go.
"Nothing." He said it quietly. "Go. Do whatever you want to do."
I'll always be on your side.
Even when you don't belong to me anymore.