Page 157 of Into the Isle

He lifted his chin defiantly. “I know that.”

“So you can go. You’ve said your piece.”

Still, he didn’t budge. What is this asshole’s problem?

Sven said, “I need her alive.”

My head whipped over to him from my food tray. I stood, towering over the wolf shifter. “What did you just say?” My aura was threatening, menacing.

Sven didn’t back down. “You misunderstand. I need her alive because she’s the only one who will keep my jaws off your throat.”

I bared my teeth, ready to shift right here in the mess hall and test that theory. A few other late-night eaters scampered from their tables, giving us a wide berth when they saw how quickly I jumped up at his threat.

“Fens and Bjorns have been enemies for ages,” Sven explained. “That won’t change anytime soon. With Ravinica . . . well, she truly is quite a menace. Because I have less of an inclination to rip your flesh apart when she’s around.”

“The feeling is not mutual, Sven.”

A small grin crept across his face. “That’s fair. I’ve given you hell all semester. And I’ll keep doing it.”

I couldn’t understand his logic. If he wanted me rather than Ravinica, why had he attacked her so often? Orientation night, our stroll through the woods, the Lunar Night. His assaults were endless on the poor girl. Whenever he had an opening . . .

Staring down at his face, at his arrogant expression, it dawned on me like a kick to the balls.

He’s been attacking her to draw me out. To test the waters and see if I would protect her, knowing it’s in my nature. Once he saw I would on that first night, the game was afoot.

I shook my head, furrowing my brow. Fresh hells. He’s telling the truth. He’s been after me, not Ravinica, this whole time.

“You think I give a shit my stupid brother Ulf felt disrespected by the girl’s tainted bloodline? Don’t be silly. Ulf’s feelings played no part in this.”

I fought back on his explanation, knowing there was more to this than the simple revelation he shared with me. “You feel it too,” I said.

His head lurched. “Feel what?”

“The draw to her. You try to deny it—to deny yourself. I know you, Sven Torfen.”

His smile vanished, peeling back in a snarl. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kollbjorn.”

I barked a scoff, crossing my arms. I had him. I could tell by the surprised expression on his face. Yes, I might have been his target this entire time, rather than Ravinica, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t drawn to her with the same eerie pull the rest of us were.

There was something about Ravinica Linmyrr none of us could explain. I had noticed it the first night I met her. Sven likely had, too. Arne was more smitten with the girl than any of us. Hells, even Magnus, that sociopathic man who reeked of blood and death, had been brought down by Ravinica. He had called her “love,” silvermoon, and kissed her forehead like they were closer than any of us.

The four of us were wrapped around Ravinica’s little finger. Sven was just the last one to admit it—the one putting up the most resistance before falling in line.

“Has she sent you to find Astrid?” Sven asked me.

I nodded curtly. “Try to stop me, and there will be trouble.”

“On the contrary. I can get close to her because she wants to bed me.”

“Don’t get in my way, Torfen. She’s mine. You just said it yourself: We’re enemies.”

His arrogant smile returned, arms folding. “Rivals, more like. Sounds like an intriguing challenge.”

Sven pushed past me, heading for the door of the mess hall.

I called after him. “What are you planning, wolf?”

He stopped. “I’m planning on finding the prey before you do.”

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