Elena's POV
The tension in the air was suffocating as the rogues emerged from the shadows. Their glowing red eyes bore into Elena, sending a chill down her spine. She clenched her fists, her breath hitching as fear clawed at her chest.
Caleb stepped in front of her, his posture tense, his wolf barely restrained. His golden eyes glimmered with both rage and determination.
"They're here for you," Caleb said, his voice low and steady.
"For me?" Elena whispered, her heart racing.
The leader of the rogues stepped forward, his sneer revealing sharp teeth. "You're protecting her, Alpha? How noble. But it won't last. She belongs to the pack—our pack."
"She's under my protection," Caleb growled. His voice was steady, but the raw power behind it sent a shiver through Elena. "Leave now, or face me."
The rogue leader chuckled darkly. "You're outnumbered, Caleb. Do you really think you can win?"
Caleb's response was a snarl that echoed through the clearing. "Try me."
The rogue leader's grin widened. "As you wish."
---
The Fight Begins
The first rogue launched itself at Caleb, its claws slashing through the air. Caleb shifted instantly, his powerful wolf form slamming into the rogue mid-leap. The two crashed to the ground in a flurry of snarls and snapping jaws.
Elena stumbled back, her heart pounding as she watched the fight unfold. Caleb was a force of nature, his movements swift and deadly. But there were too many of them.
Her fear deepened as two more rogues broke away from the group, their red eyes fixed on her. They moved with predatory grace, their lips curling into menacing grins.
"Elena, get down!" Caleb's voice roared through the chaos.
She dropped to the ground, scrambling behind a fallen tree. Her trembling hands gripped a large branch, her mind racing. Could she really defend herself against creatures like this?
Before she could think further, one of the rogues lunged at her. She swung the branch with all her strength, striking it across the snout. The rogue snarled, momentarily stunned, but it wasn't enough to stop it.
---
Caleb's POV
Caleb felt his wolf surge with fury as he saw the rogues closing in on Elena. He fought harder, his claws and teeth tearing through his opponents with savage precision. But there were too many, and he couldn't reach her in time.
A sudden blur of silver streaked through the clearing, slamming into the rogue that was about to attack Elena. Caleb's heart leapt as he recognized the wolf.
"James," Caleb growled under his breath.
James tore into the rogue with relentless fury, his smaller but agile form proving just as deadly. The rogue howled in pain before collapsing to the ground.
The leader of the rogues snarled, his red eyes narrowing as he realized the tide of the battle had shifted. "This isn't over," he spat. His gaze lingered on Elena, his voice dripping with malice. "The girl is ours. You can't protect her forever."
With a final growl, the rogues retreated into the shadows, their glowing eyes disappearing into the night.
---
The Aftermath
Caleb shifted back into his human form, his chest heaving as he stumbled toward Elena. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
She nodded shakily, holding up her arm. "Just a scratch," she said, though the gash on her arm was deep and bleeding.
"You're lucky it wasn't worse," Caleb muttered, his voice filled with both relief and frustration.
James shifted back as well, brushing dirt off his clothes. "A thank you would be nice," he said dryly.
Caleb shot him a glare. "What are you doing here, James?"
"Saving your mate, apparently," James retorted. He glanced at Elena, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine," Elena said, offering him a faint smile. "Thank you for stepping in."
James nodded. "Anytime."
Caleb sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to get back to the cabin. It's not safe out here."
---
Back at the Cabin
Caleb cleaned and bandaged Elena's wound with a gentleness that surprised her. His touch was steady, but his jaw was tight with tension.
"Who were they?" Elena asked, breaking the silence.
"Rogues," Caleb said, his voice heavy. "They've abandoned the laws of the pack. They live by their own rules, and they don't care who they hurt."
"But why were they after me?"
Caleb hesitated, his golden eyes meeting hers. "Because of the bond. They think you're the key to something they want—something dangerous."
Elena's heart sank. She had hoped for a simple answer, but nothing about this situation was simple.
"What do we do now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caleb's hand tightened around hers. "We fight. We protect what's ours. And we don't let them win."
---
James's Warning
Later that night, as Elena slept, James pulled Caleb aside.
"This isn't just about rogues, is it?" James asked, his tone serious.
Caleb shook his head. "No. There's more going on here. Victor's behind this, and he's not working alone."
James frowned. "Then we need to be ready. If the rogues come back, they'll be stronger—and more determined."
Caleb nodded, his resolve hardening. "Let them come. I'll protect her with everything I have."
James clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Then let's make sure you're ready."
As Caleb glanced toward the room where Elena slept, he silently vowed to keep her safe—no matter what it took.
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