THREE YEARS LATER
The warm sunlight streamed through the windows of the large pack kitchen, lighting up Evelina's tired but focused face as she worked the dough. The kitchen was simple but comfortable, a small haven in the Lupis Hollow Pack's lands. Even three years on, she couldn't help but feel that she didn't belong here.
This pack was small, located deep within the northern forest, under the alpha leader of the northern region. It was led by Alpha Kael and served as a sanctuary for rogues seeking a second chance or a place to hide.
She shook her head, pushing back the memories of when she'd arrived…the daze, the distrustful eyes. She had a debt to repay to Alpha Kael. He wanted her to be a part of his pack but in order to do that, she needs to do the ritual and she needed her wolf for it. But Evelina's wolf has been silent, since that disastrous night.
Even though she was a pack doctor and a warrior, as a rogue, she was never trusted, always cornered, always spied upon.
Always an outsider.
Her hands halted in mid-motion as she felt a little tug on the back of her skirt. She looked down to see the tiny dress of a three-year-old child. Big, questioning eyes stared up into hers, and chubby fingers stretched out, good for only one weak word: "Ma."
Evelina's chest constricted. Sera, little one, was everything. Sera had never spoken more than a syllable, yet Evelina had long since stopped hoping for words. They had built their relationship on touch and instinct instead. She knelt, batting away the flour-covered hands from her apron, and enfolded Sera in her arms.
"Hungry, my love?" she asked, pecking the girl's forehead. Sera nodded, resting her head on Evelina's shoulder, her small fists holding onto her.
The jarring sound of boots on the wooden floor interrupted the silence. Evelina swiveled around as Alpha Kael strode into the kitchen, his presence a silent command that put the air strained.
His dark hair was disheveled, as if he had run his fingers through it in irritation, and his green eyes, which were usually so warm with her when he gazed at her, were rimmed with desperation.
"Evelina," he growled, his sentences abrupt. "We need to talk. Now."
Her eyebrow creased. "What's wrong?"
Kael paused, his gaze flicking to Sera. He relaxed a little, stooping down to the child's level. "Sera, sweetie, would you play in the other room? Mommy and I need to talk."
Sera hugged Evelina tightly, her large eyes brimming with fear. Evelina kissed her cheek, her voice barely above a whisper as she comforted the child before setting her down gently. The little girl crept out slowly, looking back at her mother uncertainty.
"What is it, Kael?" Evelina uttered the moment Sera was past hearing.
"They found you," he said quietly but with a sense of urgency.
Evelina was rigid, her heart thudding against her ribcage. "What do you mean?" she whispered, fear creeping in her belly.
Kael ran his hand through his hair, a show of annoyance that was rare. "I mean they…whoever you are running from. Someone saw you in town last week. They've already crossed my border. If you stay here, you're endangering everyone. Even though I want to keep you safe with my everything, this pack is my responsibility."
She gasped and shook her head. "No, no, I can't go…Sera…"
"Listen to me, Evelina. I have a ride waiting for you outside, they will take you somewhere safe. Trust me, you will be protected there. No one will even dare to touch you. I'll pick you up as soon as I know that everything is fine here." Kael said all at once, without breathing, his eyes pleading with her to say yes.
"Why did they accept me? Did you inform them that I carry the baggage of danger?" She inquired with a scowl, her heart pounding hard in terror. Her mind went blank.
"They owe me a favor. I'll explain it to you later. You have to leave. NOW!" Kael almost employed his alpha voice, and she took a step back in fear. He immediately regretted it but she didn't allow him a chance to speak as she ran towards the door.
She was going to call it quits from the kitchen when she made up her mind, spinning around and looking at him with questioning expressions.
"Who is he again?" She asked with a shiver.
"The only one who can keep you safe." He responded confidently. She nodded to him, believing every bit of his words before hurrying off to bring Sera.
___
The car jounced violently as it sped through the dense, dark jungle, the headlights slashing through the deep shadows of enormous trees. The scent of damp earth and pine hung heavy in the air, but Evelina could barely focus on anything but the pounding of her heart. She held Sera tight, the little girl's tiny arms around her neck, trembling but still.
The driver, Simon, a burly man with sharp eyes, gripped the wheel tightly, his gaze darting between the road ahead and the rearview mirror. His jaw was tense as he spoke. "We're almost there. Three more miles straight to the north, and we'll reach our destination. Don't worry."
Evelina nodded stiffly, but her own fingers gripped harder on Sera. Something about this place, the way the trees curved inwards, the way the night air was heavy with an unnatural silence, made her uneasy. A strange sense of familiarity tugged at her, though she couldn't fathom why.
She had no time to consider it before a heavy thud jolted the car. Metal groaned as something massive fell onto the roof with enough force to crush it inward. The driver cursed, swerving sharply to keep control. Evelina clutched Sera more tightly, a scream torn from her throat.
"What's going on?! " she cried, her heart in her throat.
The driver's eyes blazed with urgency. "Evelina, get out of the car and run. Run straight until you reach the pack house. Don't look back. Don't stop. Don't think. RUN!"
A sharp warrior's order was in his tone. No sooner could she object than another rogue tore open the door on his side, claws glinting in moonlight. Simon transformed into his wolf with a snarl, launching himself at the attacker. The air rang with snapping jaws and furious growls as they clashed.
Evelina didn't wait. She shoved the door open and ran into the woods, Sera clutched tight. Her bare feet slapped the cold, damp ground as branches whipped against her skin. The sound of heavy paws, snapping branches drew near.
Came the searing, burning agony.
A rogue's claws tore down her back, tearing cloth and skin. She bit back a cry, staggering but not halting. Blood streamed down her spine, soaking into her dress, but she didn't stop.
Run. Run. Run.
The night was a blur of agony and naked will as she forced herself to set one foot in front of the other. Her lungs burned, her vision spun, but then…there.
A great pack house loomed in front of her, vast and menacing, its shape moonlit silver. The image barely registered before her knees buckled. She fell hard onto the cold stone steps, her body weak, breathing strained.
"PLEASE HELP!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice hoarse, despairing.
Heads turned. The people in the pack house rushed to the door, but before anyone could reach her, the rogues emerged from the shadows. Three of them, their yellowed fangs bared in cruel grins, eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt.
Evelina tightened her arms around Sera, curling around her daughter, embracing what was to come. Her body was broken, her strength gone. This was the end.
Then…
A shape wedged itself between her and the rogues.
Imperious. Towering. Radiating a devastating power that came through the darkness.
A voice, low and unmistakable, cut through the fight like a blade.
"Touch her, and you die."
That voice.
Her sight blurred some more, darkness nibbling at the edges as her entire body was aching, but before unconsciousness claimed her, she heard someone shout,
"Alpha Sebastian, the traitor is back!"