The moon hung low in the sky, shrouded by a veil of clouds that muted its usual glow. The forest was alive with the symphony of night—the hoot of an owl, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional snapping of twigs. A thick tension settled over the pack's territory as Emilia trailed after Liam, her heart pounding with questions left unanswered.
Since her awakening, flashes of her fragmented memories had begun to piece themselves together. Faces she couldn't name, voices calling her in a language she didn't recognize, and a chilling scream that echoed in her dreams. Liam, despite his gruff exterior, had proven to be her anchor in the chaos. But even he had secrets, and tonight, she intended to uncover them.
"I can feel you staring, Emilia," Liam said, not breaking his stride. His deep voice carried through the air, a low rumble that matched the growl of the wind.
"I have questions," she said, quickening her pace to walk beside him. "And I think it's time you stopped avoiding them."
Liam's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond immediately. The moonlight caught the sharp angles of his face, highlighting the storm brewing in his gray eyes. Finally, he stopped, turning to face her.
"This isn't the time or place," he said, his tone edged with warning.
Emilia crossed her arms, standing firm. "You keep saying that, but it's never the right time, is it? I deserve to know what's happening to me, Liam. I deserve to know what you know."
A flicker of emotion crossed his face—was it guilt? Regret? He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You're not ready for the truth."
"And who are you to decide that for me?" she snapped, her frustration boiling over.
Liam stepped closer, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. But instead of intimidation, his closeness only fueled her determination. "I'm the one who found you half-dead in the woods," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm the one who's been protecting you from the moment you woke up. Don't question my motives, Emilia."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, taut and unyielding. Emilia held his gaze, searching for cracks in his armor.
"Then tell me," she said, her voice softer but no less insistent. "What are you protecting me from?"
Before Liam could answer, a distant howl pierced the air, sharp and mournful. It wasn't the sound of one of their own—it was something darker, more primal. Liam's entire body tensed, his eyes scanning the forest with a predator's precision.
"Stay close," he said, his voice dropping into a commanding tone.
"What is it?" Emilia asked, her own senses prickling with unease.
"They've found us," he muttered, grabbing her arm and pulling her into motion.
"Who?" she demanded, struggling to keep up with his long strides.
But Liam didn't answer. His focus was locked on the path ahead, his movements swift and deliberate. The air grew colder, and the once-familiar forest now seemed foreign and hostile. Shadows danced between the trees, and every sound seemed amplified, a potential threat lurking in the dark.
They reached a small clearing where Liam abruptly stopped. He turned to Emilia, his expression grave. "No matter what happens, you stay behind me. Do you understand?"
Before she could respond, the underbrush exploded with movement. Figures emerged from the darkness, their eyes glowing an unnatural red. Emilia's breath caught as she recognized the unmistakable scent of blood and decay.
Rogues.
The pack had warned her about them—werewolves who had forsaken the laws and bonds that held their kind together, descending into madness and violence.
"Liam," she whispered, her voice trembling.
He didn't reply. Instead, he shifted in a fluid motion, his human form dissolving into the powerful beast she had seen before. His fur bristled, and his growl sent a shiver down her spine.
The rogues circled them, their movements erratic but calculated. Liam lunged first, his powerful jaws snapping at the nearest rogue. Chaos erupted as the clearing became a battlefield of snarls and claws.
Emilia stumbled back, her heart racing as she searched for something—anything—to defend herself. Her fingers closed around a sharp branch, and she gripped it tightly, her knuckles white.
One of the rogues broke from the fight, its red eyes locked on her. Emilia's pulse thundered in her ears as it charged, its fangs bared. She swung the branch with all her strength, the impact jarring her arms but sending the rogue sprawling.
The momentary victory was short-lived. Another rogue closed in, its growl low and menacing. Just as it leapt, a silver blur intercepted it—Liam, his jaws clamping down on its throat.
But there were too many.
"Run!" Liam roared, his voice distorted by his half-shifted form.
Emilia hesitated, torn between the instinct to flee and the desire to stay. But the look in Liam's eyes left no room for argument. She turned and ran, her legs carrying her blindly through the forest.
The sounds of battle faded behind her, replaced by the pounding of her heartbeat and the crunch of leaves underfoot.
Just when she thought she had escaped, a figure stepped into her path. It wasn't a rogue—this one was different. Taller, more composed, and radiating an aura of danger.
"Going somewhere, little wolf?" the stranger said, his voice smooth and chilling.
Emilia froze, her breath catching in her throat. The stranger's eyes gleamed like molten gold, and a cruel smile curved his lips.
And then, he spoke the
words that shattered her world.
"I've been looking for you, daughter."