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Elena's POV
Elena woke to the soft light of dawn filtering through the thin curtains of her bedroom. The unease from the night before lingered, but she forced herself to push it aside. Today was a new day, and if she let herself spiral into paranoia, she'd never settle into Blackwood Hollow.
Still, the image of the man's amber eyes haunted her. Who was he? And why had he been watching her?
Elena dressed quickly, her curiosity outweighing her fear. She decided she'd explore more of the town and maybe even venture into the woods again, despite her better judgment. The fresh air might clear her head, and if nothing else, it would help her learn the lay of the land.
After a quick breakfast of toast and coffee, she grabbed her jacket and stepped outside. The chill in the air was sharper today, the forest around her cabin quiet and still.
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The town of Blackwood Hollow was a picture-perfect mountain village: quaint shops with hand-painted signs, cobblestone streets, and the distant smell of woodsmoke wafting from chimneys. As Elena parked her car near the town square, she couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed to know each other. Locals waved and stopped to chat, their voices carrying a friendliness that felt almost foreign to her after years of city living.
"Elena Hayes, right?"
She turned to find a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and an apron dusted with flour.
"Yes, that's me," Elena replied, offering a smile.
"I'm Maria Thatcher," the woman said, extending a hand. "I own the bakery just over there. Dr. Langston mentioned we'd have a new vet in town. Welcome!"
"Thank you," Elena said, shaking her hand.
"If you ever need anything—especially something sweet—don't hesitate to stop by. We're a close-knit community here, but we're always happy to welcome new faces."
Elena nodded, grateful for the warm reception. As Maria walked away, though, she couldn't shake the feeling that the friendliness hid something more. People weren't just noticing her—they were studying her, their smiles tinged with curiosity or... caution?
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Elena spent the next hour wandering the town, visiting the general store and chatting briefly with the librarian at the small, ivy-covered library. Everyone was polite, but the same sense of being watched persisted.
By the time she returned to her car, she decided she needed some space. The forest had scared her the night before, but in the daylight, it felt less menacing.
She drove back toward her cabin but parked at a trailhead she'd noticed earlier. The sign read Blackwood Hollow Nature Preserve, and a map showed a network of trails winding through the dense forest.
"This should be safe enough," Elena muttered, grabbing her backpack.
The trail was well-maintained, the path lined with fallen leaves and the occasional marker to guide hikers. The forest stretched endlessly around her, the towering trees swaying gently in the wind.
At first, the walk was peaceful. Birds chirped in the distance, and the earthy smell of moss and pine filled the air. But as she ventured deeper, the atmosphere began to shift.
The sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick canopy, casting long, eerie shadows on the ground. The sounds of wildlife faded, replaced by an unsettling silence.
Elena stopped, her hand tightening on the strap of her backpack. She wasn't sure why, but the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
You're being ridiculous, she told herself. It's just a forest.
But then she heard it—a faint rustling, followed by the unmistakable snap of a twig.
"Elena," she whispered to herself, "you've watched too many horror movies."
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't alone. Her eyes darted to the trees, searching for movement.
That's when she saw it.
At first, it was just a shadow—a flicker of motion between the trees. But then it became clearer: a figure, tall and broad-shouldered, standing just beyond the path.
"Hello?" Elena called, her voice trembling slightly.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, it stepped closer, and she caught a glimpse of dark hair and piercing amber eyes.
It was him—the man from last night.
"What do you want?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.
The man stopped, his gaze locked on hers. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, without a word, he turned and disappeared into the woods, faster than seemed possible.
Elena's heart pounded as she stood frozen, unsure whether to follow or run.
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Caleb's POV
Caleb leaned against a tree, watching as Elena cautiously continued down the trail. He shouldn't have let her see him, but he couldn't help himself. The moment he sensed her presence in the woods, he'd been drawn to her like a moth to a flame.
"She's going to figure it out, you know."
Caleb turned to see Owen approaching, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"She won't," Caleb said. "Not if we keep our distance."
"You're not exactly doing a great job of that."
Caleb's growl was low and menacing, but Owen didn't flinch.
"She's a liability," Owen continued. "You can't protect her forever, Caleb. The pack's already asking questions. And if Victor catches wind of her..."
"I'll handle it," Caleb snapped.
Owen sighed, his gaze softening. "I know you care about her. But you need to think about the bigger picture. The pack comes first."
Caleb didn't respond. He couldn't. Deep down, he knew Owen was right. But the thought of staying away from Elena—of leaving her to face the dangers of Blackwood Hollow alone—was unbearable.
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Elena's POV
By the time Elena returned to her cabin, the sun was beginning to set. She locked the door behind her and leaned against it, her mind racing.
Who was that man? And why did he keep showing up?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Startled, she grabbed a kitchen knife before cautiously opening it.
To her relief, it was Maria Thatcher, holding a covered basket.
"Sorry to bother you," Maria said with a warm smile. "I thought you might like some dinner. It's my famous chicken pot pie."
Elena set the knife down, feeling a little foolish. "That's so kind of you. Thank you."
As Maria handed her the basket, her expression turned serious. "Elena, I hope you don't mind me saying this, but... be careful out here. The woods can be dangerous, especially for someone new to town."
Elena frowned. "What do you mean?"
Maria hesitated, then forced a smile. "Just stay on the main trails and don't wander too far. Okay?"
"Okay," Elena said, though the warning only added to her unease.
As Maria walked away, Elena closed the door and set the basket on the counter. She couldn't ignore it anymore: something strange was going on in Blackwood Hollow.
And she was going to find out what.
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