Caleb's POV
Relief washed over Caleb as Elena's words echoed in his mind. I choose you, Caleb. I choose this bond. It was more than a declaration; it was a lifeline, binding them in ways he hadn't thought possible. But there was no time to dwell on her choice. Victor was still in the room, his smug grin replaced with a simmering anger that Caleb could almost taste.
"You've made a mistake," Victor snarled, his calm veneer cracking. His eyes darkened, his body taut as if ready to strike.
Caleb's instincts kicked in. He stepped in front of Elena, his voice a growl. "You heard her. She's made her decision. Now leave."
Victor's lips curled into a sneer, but he didn't move. Instead, he took a step forward, his presence suffocating. "Do you think this is over, Caleb? Do you think she's safe with you? You can't protect her from what's coming."
Caleb clenched his fists, his wolf clawing at the surface. It wanted out—to tear Victor apart and end the threat to their mate. But he couldn't risk losing control, not with Elena so close. "Get out, Victor," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Before I make you."
Victor held his gaze for a moment, then shifted his attention to Elena. "This isn't the end, Elena," he said, his voice soft, almost pitying. "When you realize the truth, I'll be waiting."
And then, with a flash of movement, he was gone, disappearing into the shadows outside the cottage. Caleb listened intently until he was certain Victor was far enough away, then turned to Elena.
She was trembling, her arms wrapped around herself, her eyes wide and filled with unshed tears. Caleb's heart twisted at the sight. He took a step closer, his voice gentle. "Are you okay?"
Elena nodded, but her voice was shaky. "What did he mean? About the bond, about the truth? Caleb, I need answers."
Caleb hesitated. He had wanted to tell her everything, but not like this—not with Victor's manipulation still fresh in her mind. "I'll explain," he said finally. "But not here. It's not safe."
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Elena's POV
The ride through the forest was silent, but the tension between them was palpable. Caleb's hand rested lightly on the reins, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed ahead. Elena sat behind him, her hands clutching his jacket as the horse carried them deeper into the woods.
She couldn't stop replaying Victor's words in her mind. You're the key. And if you choose him, you'll be choosing to stay in the dark. What did he mean? And why did it feel like Caleb was holding something back?
The forest opened up into a clearing, the moonlight bathing the area in a silvery glow. Caleb dismounted and helped her down, his touch lingering just a moment longer than necessary. He led her to a fallen log near the edge of the clearing and gestured for her to sit.
"Elena," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "There's a lot you don't know about this bond—about what it means for both of us."
She nodded, her eyes searching his. "Then tell me. I'm tired of being kept in the dark."
He took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the ground. "The bond isn't just a connection between us. It's… ancient. A power that ties the human soul to the wolf's. It's supposed to strengthen us, to make us whole. But it's also dangerous."
"Dangerous how?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
He met her gaze, his golden eyes glowing in the moonlight. "The bond amplifies everything—our emotions, our instincts. If one of us loses control, it can spiral out of hand. And if the bond is broken…" He hesitated, the words catching in his throat. "It could destroy us both."
Elena's stomach turned. "Destroy us? Caleb, why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because I didn't want to scare you," he admitted, his voice soft. "I thought I could protect you from it, that we could figure it out together. But Victor's right about one thing—you're the key, Elena. You're the only one who can decide what happens next."
---
A Night of Decisions
The weight of Caleb's words pressed down on Elena as she stared at him, her mind racing. The only one who can decide what happens next. What did that mean? What was she supposed to do with this knowledge?
"I don't know what to do," she admitted, her voice breaking. "I don't even know who I am anymore."
Caleb reached out, his hand gently brushing against her cheek. "You're Elena. You're strong, and brave, and stubborn as hell. And no matter what happens, I'll be by your side."
His words should have comforted her, but they only deepened her unease. She didn't want to be the key to anything. She just wanted to be normal, to live a quiet life. But normal was no longer an option.
"What happens now?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Caleb's expression hardened. "Now, we prepare. Victor won't stop, and there are others who will come for you once they know who you are."
"Who I am?" she repeated, confusion clouding her features. "What are you talking about?"
He hesitated, then took her hands in his. "You're not just my mate, Elena. You're something more. The bond chose you for a reason. You have a power inside you, one that even I don't fully understand. And if we're going to survive this, you need to learn how to use it."
Elena's breath caught in her throat. "Power? Caleb, I don't have any power. I'm just… me."
He shook his head, his grip on her hands tightening. "You're more than that. And I'm going to help you see it."
---
A New Threat
Before Elena could respond, a low growl echoed through the clearing, sending a chill down her spine. Caleb's body tensed, his head snapping toward the trees.
"Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice a growl.
Elena's heart pounded as she stepped back, her eyes scanning the darkness. Shadows moved between the trees, and the air grew thick with the scent of danger. Caleb shifted slightly, his body crouched and ready to attack.
A figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing an eerie red. It was a wolf, but unlike any she had seen before. Its fur was matted and black as night, its teeth bared in a snarl. And it wasn't alone. More figures stepped into the clearing, their eyes glowing with the same unnatural light.
Caleb growled, his body trembling as his wolf fought to take control. "Rogues," he muttered under his breath.
Elena's blood ran cold. She had heard the term before but had never seen them up close. These weren't just wolves—they were monsters, corrupted and twisted by whatever darkness had claimed them.
"Stay close to me," Caleb said, his voice low and steady. "No matter what happens, don't run."
Elena nodded, her hands clenched into fists as she tried to steady her breathing. She didn't know what was about to happen, but one thing was clear: her quiet life in Blackwood Hollow was over.
And the fight for her future was just beginning.
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