The next morning, Ivy woke to a silence she wasn't used to. The usual chorus of wolves greeting the dawn was absent, replaced by an eerie calm that made her uneasy. No sounds of footsteps in the cabin, no rustling in the woods—just the soft whistle of wind threading through the pine trees.
Pulling on her jacket, she slipped out of the cabin and stepped into the crisp mountain air. The sky was painted with muted grays, the sun barely visible behind thick clouds that promised rain later. Ivy's thoughts raced as she followed the narrow dirt path leading toward the pack's meeting grounds, a knot tightening in her chest.
Killian wasn't anywhere near the cabin, and that was unlike him. He was always nearby, vigilant, protective. Maybe even a little too serious for his own good. She wondered why he hadn't checked on her last night, why he had left her to fend for herself during the storm.
As she approached the clearing, she spotted Killian standing tall in front of the gathered wolves. His broad frame seemed even larger beneath the towering evergreens, his dark eyes sharp and focused. Ivy's heart fluttered at the sight of him, and yet she couldn't shake the fear lurking beneath.
When Killian's gaze landed on her, he nodded once, a silent acknowledgment that made her pulse quicken. Then he resumed speaking, his voice low but steady, carrying easily through the chilled morning air.
"Ivy," he called as she stepped closer. "There are things you need to know."
She bit her lip, nodding. "Tell me everything."
Killian's eyes searched hers, wary but resolute. "You are not just anyone. You're my brother's mate—my pack's future. That bond you feel isn't just in your mind. It's real. Powerful. Dangerous."
Ivy's breath caught. "Why didn't you tell me before?"
He sighed deeply. "Because I was afraid. Afraid you'd run. Afraid the truth would put you in even more danger."
She frowned. "Danger from who?"
Killian's jaw clenched. "From those who don't want Liam or his bloodline here. From enemies within and without. The pack is divided. Some want peace, others want war."
A chill ran down Ivy's spine as she realized the magnitude of what she was stepping into. This wasn't just a complicated family matter—it was a power struggle with far-reaching consequences.
"I don't want to fight," she whispered, "but I don't want to run either."
Killian took a step closer, lowering his voice. "Good. Because you will need every ounce of strength you have. The bond between mates is more than just love—it's a shield, a weapon, a link that can't be broken."
Suddenly, a deep rumble vibrated through the ground beneath them, followed by a low growl rising from the dark woods surrounding the clearing. The pack's posture shifted instantly, ears pricked and eyes sharp.
Killian's expression darkened. "They're coming."
Ivy's heart pounded as a tall figure emerged from the shadows—Liam, her ex's brother, his face hard and eyes blazing with fury.
"This storm is far from over," Killian warned. "And now, more than ever, we need to stand together."
Ivy swallowed her fear, knowing that whatever lay ahead, her life had changed forever.