Elise skidded to a halt, her breath hitching in terror. The wolf was unlike any she had ever seen. Its fur was pitch black, its eyes glowing an unnatural red.
Before Elise could react, more wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with the same eerie light. They surrounded her, their low growls vibrating through the air.
Elise's mind raced. She had no wolf, no strength, no chance against them.
The lead wolf snarled, baring its teeth. It circled her, its movements predatory and calculated. The other wolves followed suit, closing in on her.
Elise's back hit a tree, and she knew there was no escape.
The lead wolf lunged.
Instinct took over. Elise raised her hands, bracing for impact.
But the impact never came.
Instead, an invisible force erupted from her outstretched hands, sending the wolf flying into a nearby tree. The sound of the crash echoed through the forest, and the other wolves froze in shock.
Elise stared at her hands, her chest heaving. What had she just done?
The wolves recovered quickly, their shock turning to rage. They attacked all at once, their growls deafening the air between them.
Elise raised her hands again, and the same invisible force burst forth, throwing the wolves back. But one of them was faster, recovering quick from the knock back and coming at her.
A searing pain tore through her back as its claws raked across her skin. She cried out, her blood soaking through her clothes. The force of the strike sent her crashing to the ground, her crescent necklace flying off her neck to the dirt.
The wolves regrouped, their leader snarling orders. Elise knew she couldn't hold them off much longer. Her vision blurred, her strength fading.
Then, a howl pierced the air.
The wolves froze, their ears perking up. The sound was powerful, commanding, and filled with authority.
Panic flashed in their glowing red eyes. One by one, they retreated, disappearing into the shadows.
Elise collapsed to her knees, her strength gone.
Through her blurring vision, she saw a massive wolf emerge from the thicket. Its golden eyes locked onto her as it shifted, its form morphing into that of a man.
Kai.
He knelt beside her, his expression filled with concern.
"Elise," he said, his voice soft but urgent.
Elise tried to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Her vision darkened, and the last thing she saw was Kai's face, illuminated by the moonlight, before everything went black.
The first thing Elise noticed when she woke was the faint scent of lavender and herbs, mixed with the sterile smell of disinfectant. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she was greeted by a warm, golden light filtering through the gauzy curtains of the infirmary.
Her body ached, particularly her back, where the wolf's claws had left their mark. The faint sting of the injury made her wince as she tried to move.
"You're awake," a soft voice said, drawing Elise's attention to a middle-aged woman in a pale green uniform. Her kind eyes crinkled as she smiled.
"Where am I?" Elise croaked, her voice hoarse.
"The pack house infirmary," the woman said, stepping closer with a tray of steaming bowls. "You've been unconscious for a day and a half. The healers have been working on your injuries, but you'll need more rest to fully recover."
The mention of the pack house sent a jolt through Elise. She had never been here before, never been allowed to step into the sanctum of the wolves who ruled her world. The infirmary was surprisingly elegant, its walls lined with shelves of herbs and tonics. Everything felt alien yet strangely comforting.
The memories of the attack in the forest surged back, causing Elise to sit up abruptly, only to hiss in pain.
"Easy now," the healer said, gently pressing her back onto the soft mattress.
"I... there was a wolf," Elise stammered, her heartbeat quickening.
"No, a pack of wolves. And then—" She paused, her thoughts scrambling to piece together the fragmented images.
"There was someone. Kai. The Lycan leader. He—"
"He brought you here," the healer confirmed, her tone calm and steady.
Elise's heart skipped. "Where is he?"
The healer hesitated, her smile dimming. "The Alpha has other matters to attend to. You won't see him here."
The answer left Elise with more questions than relief. Why had he saved her? And why had he disappeared?
"When will I leave?" Elise asked, her voice softer now.
The healer placed a damp cloth on Elise's forehead, her movements tender. "You'll stay here until you're fully healed. After that, you'll return home."
Home. The word felt like a weight on Elise's chest. The thought of going back to her aunt's house, back to the endless ridicule, made her stomach churn.
Elise's hands roamed to her neck. It was with great shock that she realised an important part of her was missing.
The necklace, where is it?
Elise thought to herself as her hands roamed every inch of her body. She must've lost in the woods when those wolves attacked. There was no way she could go back there.
The healer didn't seem to notice her discomfort. "For now, rest. You'll need your strength."
Elise nodded reluctantly and lay back, but her mind was far from at ease.
The days at the pack house passed in a strange haze of quiet observation and restless thoughts. Elise spent her time either lying in bed or watching the other wolves as they came and went. The pack house was a hive of activity, filled with warriors, council members, and staff bustling about their duties.
But no sign of Kai.
Elise had heard whispers about him—his unmatched strength, his icy demeanor, his penchant for solitude. But no one spoke to her directly, and her questions about him were met with polite deflection.
On the third day, she decided she'd had enough.
She at least needed to see her rescuer and thank him.
Elise swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing at the soreness in her back, and stood. Her legs wobbled beneath her weight, but she steadied herself.
She needed to know what was going on. .
Draped in the plain clothes the healers had provided, Elise ventured out of the infirmary. The pack house was even grander than she had imagined, its walls adorned with ancient tapestries and symbols of the clans.
As she wandered through the halls, she felt the stares of wolves who passed by. They didn't speak, but their eyes said enough. Some looked at her with pity, others with disdain.
Elise ignored them and pressed on.
She turned a corner and nearly collided with someone.
"Watch it!" a gruff voice barked.