Chapter Four: The Beast Within
Faith didn’t sleep that night.
Her skin still burned where David had touched her, where his claim had sparked something primal beneath her flesh. No mark was visible, but she felt it — the invisible thread that tied her soul to his.
She tried to reason with herself. This wasn’t a real bond. It couldn’t be.
He didn’t even bite her.
And yet her wolf was purring, restless and hungry for him.
She wrapped the blanket tighter around her, sitting by the wide window, staring into the darkness that cloaked the Rainfall Pack’s territory. The moon hung low, and she wondered how something so gentle could lead to something this wild.
Just before dawn, the silence shattered.
A roar — not human, not wolf — shook the walls.
Faith’s heart stopped.
The door flew open. Two warriors rushed in, panic in their eyes.
“Stay inside!”
“What is it?” she asked, already rising.
But they were gone.
Another growl shook the estate. This time closer.
A deep, guttural sound that scraped against her bones.
Her wolf whimpered inside her, then stood tall. It knew that sound.
Knew him.
Faith ran.
Down the hallway, barefoot, barely dressed, drawn by something she couldn’t explain.
She followed the sound to the training grounds at the edge of the forest.
What she saw stole her breath.
David shifted — but not fully. He stood half in his human skin, half in his beast form. His claws were out, fangs bared, black fur spreading across his arms and chest. His eyes glowed gold-red. Wild. Uncontrolled.
Four warriors surrounded him, weapons drawn, but hesitant.
“He won’t listen!” one of them yelled. “He’s gone feral!”
“No,” Faith whispered, stepping forward. “He’s not.”
“Stay back, omega!” someone snapped. “He’ll tear you apart!”
But she walked anyway.
Not because she wasn’t scared — but because her wolf pulled her.
David’s body heaved. He was fighting something inside himself, muscles shaking, veins bulging. His hands curled like claws ready to rip. His beast had risen and he couldn’t cage it.
“David…” Her voice was soft but sure.
He turned sharply.
The others braced for violence.
But he didn’t move.
He just stared.
She stepped closer.
Then closer still.
“Faith,” one warrior warned, “his beast has never been this out of control. Not since—”
“I said stay back,” she snapped.
The air around David vibrated. His breath came in harsh growls.
Faith reached him. Slowly, she raised her hand and placed it on his chest, right over his heart.
“Come back,” she whispered.
A growl rumbled from his throat. He dropped to his knees.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he rasped, voice strangled. “But he’s in control. He won’t listen.”
“He is you,” she whispered. “And I’m not afraid.”
He shuddered, fangs flashing, claws twitching.
“Faith,” he groaned, pain and need clashing in his eyes. “Run.”
“No.”
She leaned closer, her lips brushing his ear.
“I know your beast… because mine answers to him.”
His body jerked.
Then silence.
David let out a roar that cracked the sky and collapsed.
When the dust settled, he was back in his human form — naked, sweating, chest rising and falling with effort. His skin was streaked with blood from his own claws.
Faith dropped to her knees beside him.
“Why did you come?” he asked, voice raw.
“I felt you.”
“You could’ve died.”
“But I didn’t.”
Their eyes locked. Something ancient passed between them.
“I can’t control it when it rises,” he said. “It’s not just a wolf. It’s something darker. Meaner.”
“Is that why you didn’t claim Divine?”
He nodded slowly. “My beast rejected her. It only ever stirred for you.”
Faith swallowed.
He looked up at her, eyes softening. “You calm him.”
She touched his cheek. “Maybe it’s because… the beast within me wants yours.”
He caught her wrist, pulled her closer. “Say it again.”
Her lips trembled. “The beast within me… wants yours.”
That was all it took.
In one swift move, David pulled her into his lap. His mouth crashed against hers, and every fear she had burned away. He kissed her like he needed to breathe her in, like she was the only thing anchoring him to sanity.
Faith whimpered, clutching his shoulders, feeling his need — his desperation to claim.
But she also felt his restraint.
He broke the kiss, panting.
“If I take you now,” he said, voice trembling, “there’ll be no going back.”
“I don’t want to go back.”
His jaw clenched. “Then say it. Say you’re mine.”
“I’m yours.”
His eyes darkened. “And I’ll be yours. Every brutal, broken piece of me.”
The moon rose higher, and in its light, the beast inside both of them purred.