Chapter Three
Evie followed Gabriel deeper into the forest, her footsteps silent as she tried to keep up with his swift, almost ghostly movements. He led her through a labyrinth of trees and thickets, moving with an ease that left her feeling exposed. She could barely see where they were going; the night swallowed them, each step leading her farther from everything she knew.
"Where are we going?" she finally asked, her voice cutting through the silence. Gabriel didn't slow down or turn to face her.
"To a place you'll find answers," he replied simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Evie's brows knit together. "Answers to what?"
Gabriel stopped suddenly, causing her to nearly stumble into him. He turned, his amber eyes catching the faint moonlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow. "To questions you haven't dared to ask yet," he said, his voice steady. His gaze held hers, unyielding, and she felt a shiver run through her, though she couldn't say if it was from fear or intrigue.
Before she could press him further, he resumed walking, leaving her to follow, the weight of his words heavy in the silence that surrounded them.
They arrived at a clearing, where a massive stone structure loomed, hidden within a tangle of overgrown vines and moss. It looked ancient, as though it had stood there for centuries, forgotten by all but the forest itself. Gabriel's hand rested on one of the stones, his expression distant, almost reverent.
"What is this place?" Evie whispered her voice barely more than a breath. "An old shrine," he replied, his gaze never leaving the stones. "It's said to belong to the Blood Moon Clan."
Evie's eyes widened as she took in the place, feeling a strange pull deep within her chest. She couldn't explain it, but the air felt different here, heavier, as though it carried secrets whispered through the ages. She reached out, her fingers grazing the cold stone, and a faint sensation prickled her skin, a warmth that seemed to pulse beneath her fingertips.
Gabriel watched her closely, his expression unreadable. "Do you feel it?" She nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. "It's… strange. Like it knows me."
He inclined his head slightly, a flicker of understanding in his gaze. "Maybe it does. After all, you have the blood."
Evie looked at him sharply, a thousand questions forming in her mind, but Gabriel turned away, his attention shifting to the shadows cast by the trees. He raised a finger to his lips, signaling silence. Someone was coming.
The sound of footsteps grew louder, distinct yet cautious, as though the person moving through the forest didn't want to be seen. Evie's heartbeat quickened, and she instinctively pressed herself against the stone, peering into the darkness with wide, alert eyes. Gabriel's stance shifted, his body tense, ready to strike if needed.
A figure stepped into the clearing—a man, tall and lean, with sandy brown hair and a faint, crooked smile. He looked around, his eyes narrowing when they landed on Gabriel.
"Well, well," the man drawled, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. "Didn't think I'd find you here, Gabriel. And with… company, no less."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "Cedric," he acknowledged, his voice laced with suspicion. "Why are you here?"
Cedric's gaze shifted to Evie, lingering for a moment longer than she liked. "Could ask you the same thing," he replied, crossing his arms. "It's rare to find someone like her here, isn't it?"
Evie stiffened, not appreciating his tone or the scrutiny in his gaze. Gabriel moved subtly in front of her, shielding her without a word. It was a small gesture, but it sparked a warmth in her chest—a silent reassurance in the midst of this strange meeting.
Cedric's smirk widened, clearly catching on to the protective stance Gabriel had taken. "So, you're the lost little wolf everyone's been whispering about," he said, looking at Evie with interest. "Banished, weren't you? Must've done something real bad for them to toss you out like that."
Evie felt her jaw clench, the reminder of her rejection stinging like salt on an open wound. She wanted to snap back, to tell him to mind his own business, but Gabriel spoke first, his voice dangerously low.
"Leave her alone, Cedric. She's not your concern."
Cedric raised his hands in mock surrender, though his smile remained. "Relax, Gabriel. I'm just curious." He paused, his gaze flicking back to Evie. "You're connected to this place, aren't you? The Blood Moon Clan?"
Evie's breath caught. How did he know? She glanced at Gabriel, whose expression remained impassive, though there was a warning in his eyes.
Cedric seemed to sense the tension, his smile fading. "Look, I came here to warn you. The pack isn't done with her. They're already planning their next move, and it won't be a friendly one."
Evie's pulse quickened, fear mixing with a strange sense of anger. "What do you mean?"
Cedric glanced around, his voice lowering. "They see you as a threat, little wolf. A loose end that needs to be… tied up."
Evie's heart pounded as Cedric's words sank in, each one a weight pressing on her chest. A threat. That's what she was to them now, something to be hunted, silenced. She forced herself to breathe, to focus, but the thought of being pursued sent a chill through her bones.
Gabriel turned to her, his face set in a look of steely resolve. "You're not alone in this, Evie. Whatever they're planning, we'll be ready."
Cedric's gaze flicked between them, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Just be careful. They're not the only ones with their eyes on her." He paused, his expression darkening. "And not everyone is as… forgiving as me."
Evie couldn't tell if he was warning them or threatening them, but the ambiguity in his words left her unsettled. She opened her mouth to question him, but before she could, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving her and Gabriel alone once more.
Gabriel's hand rested on her shoulder, his touch grounding her. "We'll figure this out," he said softly, his voice steady. "But from now on, you need to trust me."
Evie met his gaze, feeling the weight of his words. She gave a small nod, a flicker of determination igniting within her. There was no turning back now. The forest around them felt darker, filled with unseen threats, but for the first time, she felt a spark of hope—however fragile—that maybe, just maybe, she could survive this.