Caleb's POV
The moon hung low in the sky, a pale sliver that barely illuminated the edges of the forest. Caleb paced outside his cabin, the weight of the night pressing heavily on his shoulders. The defenses Elias and the pack were fortifying wouldn't be enough. Ivanna wasn't just a predator; she was a strategist. And Caleb knew she would strike when they least expected it.
His thoughts were interrupted by James, who approached with a grim expression.
"We need to talk," James said, crossing his arms.
Caleb stopped pacing, his golden eyes narrowing. "About what?"
"About Elena. About this obsession you have with her safety." James's tone was sharp, but there was a hint of concern beneath it.
"She's in danger," Caleb replied evenly. "And I'm the only one who can protect her."
"She's not just some random girl, Caleb," James said, stepping closer. "You feel something for her. That's why you're throwing yourself into this headfirst. Don't deny it."
Caleb's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. He couldn't deny it—not to James, and not to himself.
"You need to be careful," James continued. "Ivanna will use that against you. If she senses a weakness, she'll exploit it."
Caleb finally looked at his brother, his expression hard. "Elena isn't a weakness. She's my responsibility."
James sighed, shaking his head. "Just remember what's at stake. The pack comes first, Caleb. Don't lose sight of that."
---
Elena's POV
Elena sat in her room, the book from the library spread open on the small desk in front of her. The words blurred as her mind wandered, replaying the vision she'd seen at the altar. Ivanna's voice, cold and menacing, echoed in her ears.
A knock at the door startled her, and she quickly closed the book.
"Come in," she called.
The door opened, and Mia stepped inside, her expression hesitant.
"I thought you might want some company," Mia said, holding up two steaming mugs of tea.
Elena managed a small smile. "Thanks. I could use a distraction."
Mia handed her a mug and sat on the edge of the bed. "You've been through a lot lately. I can't imagine what it must feel like, being pulled into all of this."
"It's... overwhelming," Elena admitted. "I keep thinking about what Ivanna said. Why would someone like her care about me? I'm nobody special."
Mia hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Maybe you're more important than you think. Sometimes, it's the people who don't see their own worth who end up changing everything."
Elena looked at her, surprised by the depth of her words. "You sound like you're speaking from experience."
Mia smiled faintly. "Let's just say I know what it's like to feel out of place."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the warmth of the tea helping to ease Elena's nerves. But as the moonlight streamed through the window, the unease in her chest returned.
"I need to figure this out, Mia," Elena said suddenly. "I can't just sit here and wait for something to happen. I need to know why Ivanna is after me."
Mia nodded. "Then you'll figure it out. And when you do, you won't be alone. You have people who care about you, Elena. Don't forget that."
---
Elias's POV
Elias stood at the edge of the clearing, his eyes fixed on the dark expanse of the forest. The pack was restless, their unease rippling through the bond they shared.
"She's moving closer," one of the sentries reported, his voice low. "We've caught traces of her scent near the northern border."
Elias nodded, his expression grim. "Double the patrols. We can't afford any mistakes."
The sentry nodded and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Elias alone with his thoughts.
He'd known Ivanna was dangerous, but the vision Elena described had confirmed his worst fears. Ivanna wasn't just coming for the pack—she was coming for the Hollow itself. And Elena was at the center of it all.
Elias clenched his fists, his mind racing. He didn't trust Caleb's blind devotion to Elena, but he couldn't deny that the bond between them might be their only chance of surviving what was to come.
---
The Gathering
Later that evening, Caleb called a meeting in the pack's council hall. The room was filled with tense energy as the pack members gathered, their voices hushed as they exchanged worried glances.
Elena stood near the back, trying to blend into the shadows. But her presence didn't go unnoticed. Caleb's golden eyes found her in the crowd, and he gave her a small nod of reassurance.
"We all know why we're here," Caleb began, his voice steady but firm. "Ivanna is a threat to all of us, not just the pack but the entire Hollow. She won't stop until she gets what she wants."
"And what does she want?" one of the elders asked, his tone skeptical.
Caleb hesitated, his gaze flickering to Elena. "She wants power. And she sees Elena as the key to getting it."
The room erupted into murmurs, and Elena felt a wave of panic rising in her chest.
"She's not one of us," another voice called out. "Why should we risk everything for her?"
"Because she's under our protection," Caleb said, his voice sharp. "And because if Ivanna succeeds, none of us will be safe."
Elias stepped forward, his calm demeanor silencing the room. "Caleb's right. This isn't just about Elena. It's about all of us. If we don't stand together, Ivanna will tear us apart."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words settling over them.
---
The Pact
After the meeting, Caleb found Elena outside the hall, her arms wrapped around herself as she stared up at the stars.
"You didn't have to defend me like that," she said quietly as he approached.
"Yes, I did," Caleb replied, his voice gentle. "You're part of this now, whether you like it or not. And I'm not going to let anyone push you aside."
Elena looked at him, her eyes glistening. "Why do you care so much? You barely know me."
Caleb hesitated, his golden eyes searching hers. "Because you matter, Elena. More than you realize. And I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them palpable. Then, slowly, Elena reached out and took his hand.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Caleb nodded, his grip firm and reassuring. "We'll get through this. Together."
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