Elena's POV
The weight of the pack's distrust hung heavy in Elena's chest as she walked back to Caleb's cabin. Though Caleb had stood firm in her defense, their whispers and accusing glances echoed in her mind. She didn't belong here, and no amount of reassurance could change that.
When they reached the cabin, Caleb opened the door and motioned for her to enter. She hesitated for a moment, her thoughts swirling, before stepping inside.
"You're quiet," Caleb said, closing the door behind them.
"Do you blame them?" Elena asked, turning to face him. "They're risking everything for someone who isn't even part of their world."
"You're wrong," Caleb said, his golden eyes unwavering. "You are part of this world, whether you want to be or not. The altar chose you. That makes you important."
Elena shook her head, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Important doesn't mean wanted. They don't trust me, Caleb. And honestly, I don't blame them. I don't even know why I'm here."
Caleb took a step closer, his expression softening. "You're here because you're strong, because you're brave enough to face what's coming. And because—" He stopped, the words catching in his throat.
"Because what?" Elena pressed, her heart pounding.
"Because I believe in you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Elena felt her cheeks flush, the sincerity in his eyes almost too much to bear. She turned away, needing a moment to collect herself.
"I need some air," she said quickly, heading for the door.
"Elena—" Caleb started, but she was already outside, the cool night air wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.
---
The Forgotten Journal
As she wandered through the quiet village, her thoughts heavy, Elena found herself drawn back to the library. The building loomed in the darkness, its windows glowing faintly with candlelight. She pushed the door open, the soft creak echoing in the stillness.
To her surprise, Mia was still there, sitting at a small table surrounded by books.
"Elena?" Mia looked up, her eyes widening. "What are you doing here this late?"
"I couldn't sleep," Elena admitted. "I keep feeling like I'm missing something, like there's a piece of this puzzle I haven't found yet."
Mia hesitated before gesturing to the seat across from her. "I might have something that can help."
Elena sat down as Mia reached for a worn leather-bound journal. Its edges were frayed, and the cover bore the faint imprint of a crescent moon.
"This belonged to one of the Hollow's founders," Mia explained, sliding the journal across the table. "He wrote about the altar and the legends surrounding it. I've been going through it, trying to make sense of it all."
Elena opened the journal carefully, the pages brittle beneath her fingers. The handwriting was neat but faded, the ink smudged in places.
"The altar is not merely a relic; it is a beacon. It calls to those marked by the moon, binding them to its will. But such power does not come without a cost. The marked must walk a path of shadows, their every step watched by those who hunger for the moon's light."
The words sent a chill down Elena's spine. She glanced up at Mia, who was watching her intently.
"What does it mean?" Elena asked.
Mia shook her head. "I'm not sure. But it sounds like the altar is more than just a symbol of power. It's connected to something deeper, something ancient."
Elena turned back to the journal, her eyes scanning the page. Her gaze caught on a sketch of the altar, intricate symbols etched into its surface. Beneath it, a single word was scrawled in bold letters: Sacrifice.
Her stomach turned, the implications weighing heavily on her.
---
Caleb's POV
Back at the cabin, Caleb paced the floor, his frustration growing with each passing minute. He shouldn't have let her go alone. The Hollow was safe—for now—but danger lurked in the shadows, and Elena's curiosity had a way of leading her straight to it.
"Let her breathe," Elias said from his perch near the window.
"She shouldn't be wandering around," Caleb snapped. "Not after everything that's happened."
"She's stronger than you give her credit for," Elias replied calmly. "You can't protect her by keeping her locked away."
Caleb glared at him but said nothing. He knew Elias was right, but the thought of something happening to Elena made his blood boil.
The door creaked open, and they both turned as Elena stepped inside, the journal clutched tightly in her hands.
"Where did you get that?" Caleb asked, his voice low.
"The library," Elena said, setting the journal on the table. "Mia found it. It's written by one of the founders. He knew about the altar, Caleb. He knew what it could do."
Caleb's eyes darkened as he picked up the journal, flipping through its pages. The mention of sacrifice made his jaw tighten.
"We can't ignore this," Elena said, her voice firm. "If the altar requires a sacrifice, we need to know what that means."
"We're not going to let it come to that," Caleb said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Elena crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "You can't promise that. If Ivanna is after the altar, she's not going to stop. We need to be prepared for anything."
Caleb met her gaze, the fire in her eyes both infuriating and admirable. "We'll figure it out. Together."
---
The Pack's Decision
The next morning, Caleb called another meeting with the pack. The journal sat on the table in front of him, its presence casting a heavy shadow over the room.
Elena stood by his side, her resolve evident despite the murmurs of disapproval from the pack members.
"We have new information," Caleb began, holding up the journal. "This confirms that the altar is more than just a relic. It's a source of power, but it comes with a price."
He hesitated, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Ivanna wants to use the altar, and she'll stop at nothing to get to it. We need to be ready."
"What about the sacrifice?" one of the elders asked, his voice tinged with fear.
"We don't know what it means yet," Caleb admitted. "But we're not going to let it come to that. The altar is a tool, and we'll find a way to use it against her."
The room erupted into heated discussion, the pack divided on whether to fight or flee.
Elena stepped forward, her voice cutting through the chaos. "I know I'm not one of you, but this is my fight too. Ivanna is after me, and I'm not going to run from her. If you'll let me, I want to help."
The room fell silent, the pack members exchanging uncertain glances.
"She's right," Elias said, stepping forward. "Ivanna's not just a threat to Elena. She's a threat to all of us. If we stand together, we might have a chance."
Slowly, the pack began to nod, their determination growing.
---
The Shadows Deepen
As the meeting adjourned, Caleb caught Elena's arm, pulling her aside.
"You didn't have to do that," he said, his voice low.
"Yes, I did," Elena replied. "I'm not going to sit on the sidelines while everyone fights for me."
Caleb studied her for a moment, his expression softening. "You're braver than you realize."
Elena smiled faintly. "And you're more stubborn than I thought."
For the first time in days, Caleb chuckled, the tension between them easing just slightly. But as they walked back to the cabin, the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on them both.
---