บท 19: Chapter 19 - Envy
Río stood just beyond the tree line, concealed by the thick brush, his eyes fixed on the soft glow coming from Ezra's window. He had done this countless times—watched, waited, envied. The warmth inside Ezra's home, the laughter that filled the air—it was a life Río had never known, but craved deeply. The love Ezra received from his father, the affection from his pack—it all surrounded him, enveloped him like a second skin. Río could only watch from the shadows, never a part of it.
His heart tightened as he leaned against the rough bark of a tree, unable to tear his gaze away from the window. Ezra was in his room, standing in front of the mirror, his fingers working the buttons of his shirt. Río's breath hitched when Ezra slipped the fabric off his shoulders, revealing his body—muscular, yet slim, toned from countless hours of training. His skin glowed under the dim light, smooth and firm, with the faintest sheen of sweat that made his muscles stand out with each movement.
Río swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry as he felt heat creeping up his neck. He wasn't used to this feeling—the way his face flushed, the way his heart seemed to race faster as he watched Ezra move. He didn't want to look away, couldn't. He knew it was wrong, spying on him like this, but he felt powerless, like something deeper inside him wouldn't let him stop.
Ezra ran a hand over his chest, stretching slightly as he discarded the shirt onto the floor. His abs flexed with the movement, and Río's breath caught in his throat. There was something effortless about the way Ezra moved, the confidence that came with being so loved, so accepted. It was something Río had never known. A sudden pang of jealousy stabbed at his chest.
He stepped back into the shadows, feeling guilty for watching but unable to tear himself away completely. He wanted to be Ezra—to be in his place, loved and accepted by everyone. Even though he was seen as the future alpha in his own pack, no one actually respected him. They feared him, they kept their distance. He was always the outsider, always the one left in the cold.
Río let out a slow, trembling breath, feeling the ache in his chest deepen. His fingers dug into the bark behind him, grounding himself from the whirlwind of emotions that stirred inside. He longed for something he could never have, and it left him feeling empty, hollow.
With a heavy sigh, he turned away, heading toward the familiar waterfall that lay at the border of their packs. It had been his secret place once, but somehow Ezra had found it and claimed it, just like everything else. Even here, Río felt overshadowed, forced to hide every time he came so it wouldn't feel awkward.
Reaching the water's edge, he stripped off his clothes, the chill of the night air biting at his skin. But he welcomed it, diving into the icy waters. The cold was a relief, numbing the raw emotions swirling inside him. As the water surrounded him, he ran a hand over his face, gently brushing his still-tender cheek. Yesterday's beating had healed quickly, thanks to his wolf nature, but the internal damage—the pain of broken bones that had hastily mended—left a dull, lingering ache.
Río floated in the water, letting the cold embrace him. His body bore the marks of his struggles—too many wounds, too many scars. But no one saw them, no one cared.
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