Elena's POV
The walk back to Caleb's cabin was steeped in silence, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot. The forest, once hauntingly beautiful in its stillness, now seemed oppressive. Every shadow between the trees felt like a lurking predator, every distant rustle a potential threat.
Elena clung to Caleb's arm, her mind racing with questions she was too afraid to voice. The rogue wolves' words replayed in her head like a broken record. What did they mean? What am I?
Caleb seemed equally troubled, his golden eyes scanning the surroundings with sharp precision. His protective aura was comforting, but she could feel the tension radiating from him. He was keeping something from her, something important.
As they approached the cabin, Caleb paused, sniffing the air.
"What is it?" Elena whispered, her grip tightening on his arm.
"Nothing," he said, though his furrowed brow suggested otherwise. He led her inside quickly, bolting the door behind them.
The interior of the cabin felt safer, but the unease didn't dissipate. Caleb paced the room, running a hand through his hair while Elena stood by the window, staring out into the darkness.
"I need answers, Caleb," she said finally, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hands.
He stopped pacing and looked at her, his expression torn. "Elena, it's not that simple."
"Not that simple?" she repeated, her voice rising. "I was just attacked by a pack of wolves who seemed to know more about me than I do! They called me the key. What does that mean? What aren't you telling me?"
Caleb sighed, his shoulders sagging. "I'm trying to protect you."
"From what? The truth?"
His jaw tightened. "From everything. The rogues, Darian, the danger that comes with knowing too much too soon. You don't understand what's at stake."
"Then help me understand," she pleaded, stepping closer to him. "I can't keep stumbling around in the dark, Caleb. If I'm the key to whatever's happening here, don't you think I deserve to know why?"
He hesitated, conflict etched into his features. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "There's a legend tied to Blackwood Hollow, one that's been passed down through the generations. It speaks of a mortal chosen by the moon—a mortal whose blood can tip the balance between order and chaos."
Elena's heart pounded. "And you think that's me?"
"I don't just think it," he said, meeting her eyes. "The rogues' interest in you, the obelisk's reaction when you touched it... It all points to you being that mortal."
Her knees felt weak, and she sank onto the edge of the couch. "Why me? I'm nobody special."
"You're more special than you realize," Caleb said, sitting beside her. "Your connection to the obelisk, to this forest... It's no coincidence. But I don't know why the rogues want you. Not yet."
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Caleb's POV
Watching Elena struggle to process the truth was agonizing. She looked so fragile, her fingers trembling as she clasped them together. Yet there was a fire in her eyes, a determination that reminded him why he had to protect her at all costs.
He wanted to tell her everything, to lay all the secrets bare, but the full truth was too dangerous. If Darian or the rogues discovered the extent of her potential, they'd stop at nothing to claim her.
"Elena," he said gently, "I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. But you have to trust me. Can you do that?"
She looked at him, her expression conflicted. "I want to trust you, Caleb, but you're still holding back."
"I have to," he admitted. "For your sake."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're treating me like I'm some damsel in distress, but I'm not. I can handle the truth, Caleb. You just don't want to share it."
Before he could respond, a loud knock echoed through the cabin, shattering the tense silence.
Both of them froze. Caleb was on his feet in an instant, motioning for Elena to stay back.
"Who is it?" she whispered.
"Stay here," he said, his voice low but firm.
He approached the door cautiously, his senses on high alert. The scent on the other side was familiar but unwelcome. He opened the door slightly, just enough to confirm his suspicions.
"Victor," he said coldly.
Victor stood on the porch, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "You're looking a little worse for wear, Caleb. Rough night?"
Caleb growled softly. "What do you want?"
Victor leaned against the doorframe, his smirk widening. "Relax. I'm not here to fight. I just thought you'd like to know that the rogues are regrouping. They're planning something big."
Caleb's jaw tightened. "How do you know?"
"I have my sources," Victor said cryptically. "Let's just say Darian isn't as untouchable as he likes to think."
Elena appeared behind Caleb, her curiosity outweighing his warning. "Who's Darian?" she asked.
Victor's gaze shifted to her, his smirk faltering slightly. "Ah, so this is the famous Elena."
Caleb stepped in front of her protectively. "She's none of your concern."
"On the contrary," Victor said, his tone turning serious. "She's everyone's concern now. The rogues won't stop until they get her, Caleb. You know that."
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Elena's POV
Elena's stomach churned as the conversation unfolded. Victor's presence was unsettling, his sharp features and predatory gaze making her uneasy. But his words sent a chill down her spine.
"Why me?" she asked, stepping around Caleb despite his glare. "What do they want with me?"
Victor's eyes softened slightly, and he glanced at Caleb before answering. "You're more valuable than you realize. Your connection to the obelisk, to the forest—it's something Darian's been searching for his entire life. And now that he knows you exist, he won't stop until you're his."
Elena swallowed hard, her mind spinning. "What does he want to do with me?"
"That," Victor said, his smirk returning, "is the million-dollar question."
Caleb growled. "If you're done wasting our time, leave."
Victor raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you. Things are about to get a lot worse."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Elena and Caleb alone once more.
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Elena's POV
As the door closed behind Victor, Elena turned to Caleb, her heart pounding. "We need to do something, Caleb. We can't just sit here and wait for them to come for me."
Caleb nodded reluctantly. "You're right. But first, we need answers. And I think I know where to start."
"Where?"
He hesitated, then said, "The obelisk."
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