Chapter 8: unseen threat
The days following Victor's visit were filled with a tense calm, but both Ava and Damien sensed the underlying anxiety. The threat of the rogues still hung over them, yet there was an additional layer of discomfort—Victor's warning. His threats were not mere bluster; he was serious.
Ava found herself repeatedly reflecting on his words. "This human won't protect you when it really matters." That line had struck her the hardest. Was Victor correct? Was she merely a burden in Damien's world? She understood she didn't belong there, but she had no intention of being a hindrance, especially after all Damien had done for her.
The forest around the cabin, once a serene backdrop, now felt ominous. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig set her on edge. There was no escaping the threat. Despite Damien's assurances of her safety, Ava was acutely aware of the reality: the true danger was still out there, waiting in the dark.
That evening, Damien appeared preoccupied. His golden eyes were clouded, and his jaw was clenched as he moved restlessly around the cabin. Ava sat on the couch, trying to mask her racing thoughts, wondering what Victor might do next.
"Damien, please talk to me," she urged gently, breaking the heavy silence. "What are we really waiting for? Is it just the rogues, or is there something more?"
He halted, locking eyes with her. "There's always something more," he replied quietly, running a hand through his dark hair. "The rogues are just the start. They won't be the last we face."
Ava frowned and stood to join him. "You've been acting like you're anticipating something worse. What aren't you telling me?"
Damien hesitated, his usual calm professionalism faltering for a moment. With a resigned sigh, he finally spoke.
"Victor isn't the only issue," he admitted. "I've been trying to shield you from this, but it's impossible. You're already in the thick of it, and there's no turning back."
Ava's heart raced in her chest. "Damien—"
"The pack isn't just about werewolves," he continued. "It's about power. Control. Right now, there are those within the pack who see me as weak for stepping back. For choosing to live like this, away from everything." He gestured around the cabin, as if to include the life he'd built with her.
Ava's stomach twisted. "And Victor?"
Damien shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Victor is the least of our worries. There are others who think I'm being reckless. They don't trust me to lead. And if they don't get what they want, they'll try to take it."
Ava swallowed hard, piecing together his words. "They'll try to seize control." The weight of that realization hit her hard. She had no idea what kind of power struggles Damien was entangled in—what dangers he faced daily.
"There's more than just the rogues out there," Damien said softly, his voice tight with frustration. "And they won't just leave us alone because I'm with you."
Ava stood frozen, absorbing the new information. She felt the widening chasm between them, the unspoken distance neither seemed able to bridge. She had always known Damien was powerful, that he was different. But now she understood that power was both a gift and a burden. It wasn't just about fending off rogues anymore.
A cold shiver ran down her spine as she realized how little she truly grasped about the world Damien inhabited. The pack. The politics. The constant threat. Her world and his were worlds apart. She was just a human girl, powerless in a realm of wolves and monsters, and it felt like that made her more of a target.
"I didn't sign up for this," she said, her voice steady yet soft. "But I'm here now, and I won't back down."
Damien's expression softened for a moment, but it quickly shifted back to determination. "I don't want to put you in danger. I didn't ask for any of this either."
Ava stepped closer, her gaze firm. "But you don't get to make that choice for me, Damien. I refuse to sit back and let you handle this alone."
Damien searched her eyes, weighing her determination. Finally, he nodded. "Okay. But you need to realize this won't be easy. You'll become a target, Ava. The pack will see you as a vulnerability."
"And what about you?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "Aren't you worried they'll see you as a weakness too?"
A shadow crossed his face. "They already do."
Before Ava could reply, a loud crash echoed from outside, shattering the fragile moment. They both froze, instinctively moving toward the door. Damien's body tensed, muscles coiled like a spring ready to release. He cracked the door open, his senses on high alert.
Ava's heart raced as she noticed movement in the trees just beyond the cabin. There, at the forest's edge, stood a figure—a rogue, just like the one they had encountered before.
It was smaller than the last, but its predatory gaze was unmistakable. And it was staring right at them.
Damien didn't hesitate. He stepped outside, his voice low and authoritative. "Get back inside, Ava. Now."
But Ava didn't move. She couldn't. Her feet felt glued to the ground, her body paralyzed by the weight of the moment. The rogue didn't make any sudden movements, but its mere presence sent chills through her veins.
Damien approached the rogue slowly, his stance radiating the same controlled strength that defined him as an alpha. Yet, there was something unsettling about this rogue. It wasn't just a solitary wolf—it was observing them, biding its time.
Ava's heart raced, her instincts urging her to act, to flee, but she remained frozen, unsure if she could trust her own judgment.
Then, unexpectedly, the rogue spoke.
"You can't hide forever, alpha," it taunted, its voice rough and mocking. "The pack is fractured. And you, you're a feeble leader, lurking in the woods with your little human."
A shiver coursed through Ava. The rogue wasn't just targeting Damien—it was delivering a message.
"Leave," Damien growled, his tone low yet menacing. "You're trespassing."
But the rogue merely smirked, its eyes narrowing. "You'll regret this, alpha. Just wait."
And with that, it melted back into the trees, disappearing without a sound.
Damien remained still, scanning the forest for any signs of movement, but there was nothing more.
Ava exhaled slowly, her heart racing in her chest. She glanced up at Damien, who stood motionless, his expression unreadable.
"That was a warning,"
he said softly. "They know about us. And things are only going to get worse."