Chapter 3 — Shadows of the Enemy
The next morning, the forest feels heavier than usual. Mist curls between the trees, and every rustle makes my wolf tense.
Kael sits silently at the table, bandaging his wound the best he can. His pride still bristles, but I can see the fear lurking underneath — the fear of losing everything he has left.
I pace by the window, senses sharp. My wolf can smell the tension in the air, a lingering scent of something unfamiliar… dangerous.
"I know they're coming," I whisper, mostly to myself.
Kael's head snaps up. "What do you mean?"
"They're not done," I say. "The pack that attacked yours… they won't stop until every last survivor is gone."
He swallows hard. "Then we prepare. We fight… but we need a plan. And I can't do it alone."
I nod, determination building. "You won't."
We step outside, and the forest greets us with eerie silence. Every shadow could hide a predator, every whisper of the wind could signal an ambush.
Hours pass as we scout the perimeter, setting traps and mapping escape routes. My wolf snarls at every distant snap of a branch, but Kael's presence calms me — even if my heart still remembers the pain of rejection.
As night falls, the forest seems to close in around us. And then, from the shadows…
Movement. Silent. Swift. Predators.
Kael moves first, instincts honed from years as Alpha kicking in. I follow, my own wolf rising to the challenge.
They strike from all sides — faster, stronger, and bigger than anything I've faced.
I dodge a swipe of sharp claws, feeling the wind slice past me. Kael roars, grabbing one attacker and slamming it to the ground. Amber eyes flare in the darkness, glowing with raw power.
"Stay close!" he shouts, and I leap beside him, our bond faintly igniting with every synchronized move.
We fight through the night, side by side. Exhaustion hits me, but adrenaline keeps me moving. Every strike, every dodge, every growl strengthens a connection I thought was broken.
By the time dawn breaks, the forest is eerily quiet. The enemy pack has retreated… for now.
Kael leans against a tree, breathing hard. "You're stronger than I remembered," he admits, voice low.
I glance at him, chest heaving. "Don't thank me. I just don't want to die tonight."
A brief smile flickers on his lips. "Noted."
But deep down, I know the danger isn't over. This fight was only the beginning.
And as we walk back to the cabin, side by side, I realize something terrifying: my bond with him is awakening in ways I cannot control.