Silver and steel

My heart pounds so hard it might break my ribs. I grip Mercy, my crossbow, tight, its silver bolt shining under the Rusty Spoon's jukebox light. A sappy love song plays, mocking the mess in my head. I'm a hunter, spying for Cassian Holt, the Ironfang pack's alpha, while hiding my own wolf inside. I'm also pregnant, a secret from a one-night stand with Jaxon Creed, another alpha. If Cassian finds out, I'm dead. My hands shake, but I can't let it show. "Focus, Kane," I whisper, my wit keeping me steady. My auburn hair sticks to my face, green eyes scanning the diner's worn booths.

The air smells of coffee and grease, neon signs buzzing outside the rainy windows. Cassian wants Luka Voss dead-a mechanic turned werewolf by Rhea, his beta. One shot, one kill. Sounds easy, but my gut says no, and it's not just the baby. Elena Voss, Luka's sister, my old friend, is out there hunting too. Her blue eyes and laugh broke my heart as a teenager. She was my first love, lost when we became hunters. Facing her now? I'd rather face a wolf. The diner's quiet, just a few late-night folks sipping coffee, unaware of what's coming. My scars-jagged lines on my arms-itch, memories of my parents' blood, torn apart by wolves. I hunt to avenge them, but tonight, something's off. My wolf stirs, hungry, and the baby's a weight I can't ignore. I'm supposed to be tough, but I'm cracking. The door bangs open, and Luka walks in, soaked, his leather jacket torn, blood dripping from his arm. His hazel eyes flash gold, wolf showing, and meet mine. My breath stops, like a punch to the chest. Love at first sight? It's stupid, but it's real, and it's trouble. His grin, cocky despite the mess, lights a spark I don't want. "Kane?" Luka's voice is rough, teasing, like we're friends, not enemies. "Are you here to greet me or kill me?" "Quiet, Voss," I snap, stepping closer, my cold mask slipping. My wolf wakes, sniffing him-not prey, something more. I curse myself, finger on Mercy's trigger. "You're a werewolf. I'm here to stop you." Luka laughs, sharp and bold. "Some first date. Are you always this nice?" I tighten my grip, scars burning. I've killed wolves for years, each one a step toward justice. But Luka's eyes, human despite the gold, shake me. He's my target, but my heart says don't. The baby, my wolf, Elena-they swirl in my head, and I'm losing control. The jukebox shifts to a sad tune, like it knows I'm doomed. "You don't get it," I say, voice low. "You're a monster now. You'll kill, like the ones who took my family." Luka's grin fades, eyes soft. "I didn't choose this, Kane. Rhea got me drunk, and I woke up like this. I'm still me." His words hit hard. I didn't choose this-not my wolf, not this baby, not this life. My hand shakes, Mercy dipping. My wolf howls, feeling home with him, and I hate it. I glance at the diner's windows, rain streaking down, and wish I could run. The door slams open, and Elena storms in, blonde braid swinging, crossbow aimed at Luka. My heart jumps-she's here, real, not a memory. Vincent Marrow, our hunter boss, follows, his silver sword shining like his smirk. His ice-blue eyes cut through me. "Kill him, Kane," Vincent orders, voice sharp. Elena looks at me, and I see her-my Elena, the girl I loved before hunting split us. Her eyes waver, but her crossbow's steady. "Mir, do it," she says, my name breaking. "He's not Luka. He's a monster, like the ones who killed your parents." "El, please," Luka begs, no sarcasm, just pain. "I'm your brother. I didn't want this." My hand trembles, Mercy heavy. I've lost my parents, lost Elena, and now I'm losing myself-to my wolf, to a baby I'm not ready for. Luka's plea echoes my own fear: I didn't choose this. My wolf pushes me to protect him, not kill him. Elena's eyes, full of hurt, tear me apart. I loved her, maybe still do, and she wants me to kill her brother. My promises-to hunters, to revenge, to Cassian-are falling apart. A roar shakes the diner, glass shattering. Jaxon, black-furred and huge, crashes through the window, tackling Vincent's guard. Blood sprays, hot and sharp, splashing the booths. The few customers scream, running for the door. Elena fires, her bolt grazing Jaxon's side. He snarls, yellow eyes flashing, and drags the body into the rain, gone fast. Vincent laughs, cold, his sword up. "More wolves. Finish it, Kane." Everything spins-Luka's eyes, Elena's tears, the baby inside me. Jaxon's attack wakes my wolf, its growl loud in my bones. I'm a hunter, but I don't know what I am anymore. Luka watches me, like he trusts me, even with Mercy aimed at him. Elena's crossbow shakes, her face angry and sad. Vincent's sword gleams, ready to end this. My promises break. I swing Mercy and fire at Elena's shoulder. The bolt hits, and she falls, gasping, "Mir, why?" Her voice cuts deeper than any wound, and my heart splits. I want to say I'm sorry, that I love her, but there's no time. Vincent's sword swings at Luka, and I move fast. I grab Luka's arm, his warmth like a shock. "Run, Voss, or we're dead!" "Who are you?" he growls, pulling back, blood dripping. His eyes-I could get lost in them, enemy or not. "Your only chance," I say, dragging him to the back door. The diner's a mess-booths flipped, jukebox sparking. Vincent yells, "You'll pay, Kane!" and Elena's cry echoes. Jaxon's pack howls outside, too close. My wolf wants to fight, but Luka's hand on my waist, shaky but real, pulls me to something else-hope, maybe love. We hit the alley, rain stinging my face. My bike's by a dumpster, black and ready. I jump on, Luka behind me, his arms tight. "Go!" he says, and I gun the engine, the roar drowning the howls. The diner fades, but Elena's pain and Vincent's threat chase me. My phone buzzes, and I know it's Cassian. At a stoplight, I check-his text glows: Bring Voss to me, or your secret's out. My stomach drops. Cassian knows about my baby, or he's guessing. Either way, I'm in deep, and Luka's life-and mine-depends on my next move.