Chapter 6: into the fire
The day began quietly, but Ava sensed the tension in the air. Damien had been withdrawn, clearly lost in thought about the events of the previous night. She was aware that the rogues would return, but there was something more—an ominous threat looming over them both. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to shift in ways she couldn't comprehend.
The afternoon was warm, with the sun casting a golden hue over the forest, yet peace eluded her. Damien had spent the last few hours reviewing their safety plans and assessing their limited supplies.
Ava attempted to keep herself occupied, but her mind kept drifting back to the rogue attack. She hadn't anticipated being thrust into a world like this—not even after discovering the existence of werewolves. But now, she had no choice. This was her reality, and she couldn't just wait around, hoping someone else would come to her rescue.
The sound of tires crunching on gravel jolted her from her thoughts. Ava tensed, instinctively glancing toward the driveway. She met Damien's gaze; his expression darkened immediately.
A sleek black SUV rolled into the clearing. Damien's body language shifted, his muscles coiling as he observed the vehicle come to a halt and the door swing open. The man who emerged was tall, built like a fighter, with a commanding presence. Victor. Damien's older brother.
Ava's heart raced. She had heard stories about him, but this was the first time she had laid eyes on him
Damien carried himself like a leader, exuding a quiet authority that made her feel small in comparison.
He let out a frustrated sigh, crossing his arms over his chest. "Great," he muttered under his breath. "Here we go."
Victor's cold eyes scanned the area before settling on Damien. He had an unmistakable air of superiority. But then his gaze shifted to Ava, a flicker of disdain crossing his face.
"Damien," Victor said, his voice smooth yet tinged with mockery. "Still hiding in the woods, I see."
Ava stood beside Damien, her posture instinctively defensive. She felt a spark of unease under Victor's gaze, as if he viewed her as an inconvenience he had to endure.
Damien didn't respond immediately. He simply observed his brother, his jaw clenched in frustration. "What do you want, Victor?"
Victor's smirk grew wider. "I was hoping you'd return to the pack. You've been away long enough. There's work to be done." He stepped closer, his eyes flicking over Ava again with a hint of curiosity. "And I see you've found a new… distraction."
Ava's chest tightened, and she instinctively moved closer to Damien. She didn't appreciate the way Victor spoke—like she was merely a fleeting interest. But she refused to let him intimidate her.
"I'm not a distraction," Ava said, her voice steady.
Victor raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her response. "Really? Because that's certainly how it looks. A human—out of her depth in this world. What does she even know about what's at stake here?" He turned his attention back to Damien, his tone darkening. "You're an alpha. You can't afford to get caught up in human nonsense. You need to focus. Come back to the pack, where you belong."
Damien's eyes hardened. "I'm not going back, Victor. Not while the rogues are still out there."
Victor's lips twisted into a sneer. "Rogues are nothing. You're wasting your time with this human nonsense when you could be leading the pack, where you belong. You'll always be a part of us, Damien. You can't escape that."
There was a venom in his voice that was impossible to ignore. Victor wasn't just disappointed in Damien's choices; he was angry, resentful of his brother's decision to forge his own path.
Ava's heart raced in her chest. She couldn't understand why Victor was so bitter—why he seemed so intent on tearing Damien down. But what truly unsettled her was the clear hostility in his gaze, directed not just at Damien but also at her.
Victor stepped back, his eyes narrowing. "You'll realize soon enough. This human won't protect you when it really matters."
The words struck harder than she anticipated, the sting of his contempt settling deep in her gut. But she refused to let him see her falter.
"Victor, enough," Damien said, his voice low and commanding. "You're out of line."
Victor held Damien's gaze for a long moment, his jaw clenched tight. "You'll regret this, Damien," he finally said, before turning on his heel. "I'll be watching."
With that, he stalked back to the SUV, slamming the door shut with a resounding thud. The engine roared to life, and within moments, Victor was gone, leaving the silence of the woods behind.
Ava exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing a little. She hadn't realized how much she'd been holding in breath.
Damien didn't move at first. He stood there, staring at the spot where Victor's SUV had disappeared, a flicker of anger still evident in his eyes. His fists clenched and relaxed at his sides, and for a moment, Ava wondered if he would say anything at all.
Finally, he turned to her. "Victor… he's always been like this," he said, his voice rough. "He doesn't get that things have changed."
Ava frowned, her mind racing. "What's his issue with me? Why does he treat me like I'm just an obstacle?"
Damien's gaze softened, but there was a trace of bitterness in it. "It's not about you. It's about control. Victor wants to dominate the pack. And anyone he sees as a threat to that control—well, you can guess how he handles them."
Ava bit her lip, taking in his words. It was clear that Victor viewed her as something Damien would have to choose between—his family, his pack, or her. And it seemed he didn't like the idea of Damien choosing her.
"I don't like this," Ava said quietly. "I don't want to be the reason you're at odds with your family."
Damien stepped closer, his voice soft yet firm. "You're not the issue. Victor is. You just need to focus on surviving—on staying safe. The rest is on me."
Ava looked up at him, her heart racing in her chest. She wasn't sure what the future held, but one thing was clear: the conflict between Damien a
nd his brother had only just begun, and it was bound to escalate.