Damon's voice was calm, but the tension rippled through his stance. "You should have stayed out of this."
Ava stepped back instinctively, her eyes darting between Damon and the imposing figure in front of him—Nathaniel. His smirk was as sharp as the blade in his hand, glinting under the pale moonlight.
"Stay out of it?" Nathaniel laughed darkly. "Why don't you tell her the truth, brother? Tell her why you've been lurking around like a shadow. She deserves to know exactly what you're hiding."
Ava's heart raced. The ground felt unsteady beneath her feet, and the air seemed to tighten around her. This wasn't about her, not directly, but the weight of Nathaniel's words made her feel like a pawn in a dangerous game she didn't fully understand.
"Nathaniel," Damon warned, his tone as cold as the night air.
But Nathaniel didn't back down. "I'm only here for one reason, Damon. To remind you of your place—and to ensure you never forget who holds the power in this pack."
Ava hadn't wanted to be here. In fact, she had been doing everything possible to avoid the brewing storm between Damon and Nathaniel. But staying invisible at Lunar Heights had become impossible, especially after the incident earlier that day.
The whispers had started even before she stepped into the dining hall. Selene's perfectly glossed smile had spread venom through the crowd, her voice carrying just loud enough for Ava to hear.
"Isn't it strange how some people don't know their place?" Selene's eyes had locked on Ava, the challenge clear.
Ava clenched her fists under the table, determined not to rise to the bait. But when Selene casually knocked her tray to the ground, the entire room had turned to watch.
"She's not worth it," Lila whispered urgently, pulling Ava away before she could say something reckless.
But now, hours later, the events of the day seemed distant compared to the immediate danger before her.
Nathaniel circled Damon like a predator, his eyes flicking briefly to Ava. "Is she the reason you came back, Damon? Or is she just another distraction?"
Ava bristled, the insinuation clear.
"That's enough," Damon said, stepping forward. The power in his voice made the air crackle, silencing Nathaniel's taunts.
But Nathaniel's smirk only deepened. "Oh, brother, you think this ends with words?"
Without warning, he lunged.
Ava didn't think; she reacted. Grabbing a fallen branch, she stepped between them, her heart pounding like a drum.
"Stop it!" she shouted, her voice firmer than she expected.
The impact of her words made both men pause. Damon glanced at her, his expression unreadable, while Nathaniel's amusement gave way to curiosity.
"Well, well," Nathaniel said, lowering his blade slightly. "Looks like she has a spine after all. But do you really think you can stand in the way of this?"
Ava didn't flinch. "I don't care about your pack politics, but I won't let you tear each other apart."
Damon's hand brushed her arm gently, urging her back. "This isn't your fight, Ava."
But before she could respond, a distant howl cut through the silence, sharp and haunting. The three of them froze.
Nathaniel's smirk faded instantly. "Rogues," he muttered, his voice low.
Ava's chest tightened. She had heard the stories—wild, untamed werewolves who lived outside the packs' rules. They were dangerous, unpredictable, and far too close for comfort.
Damon grabbed her hand, his grip firm. "We need to move."
Nathaniel didn't argue, though his expression remained guarded. "This isn't over," he said, but for once, his words lacked the usual malice.
They ran, the forest closing in around them. Damon kept Ava close, his movements swift and calculated. She couldn't help but notice how easily he navigated the terrain, as if he were part of it.
"What do they want?" Ava asked, breathless.
"Trouble," Damon replied shortly.
The howls grew louder, joined by more voices, until it felt like the entire forest was alive with their cries.
When they reached the clearing, Ava stopped abruptly. Shadows moved in the distance, their figures barely visible against the dark sky.
Damon pushed her behind him, his body tense. "Stay close," he said, his voice low.
Nathaniel stepped forward, his blade gleaming once more. "Looks like we're outnumbered," he said, though his tone carried an edge of grim excitement.
Ava swallowed hard. This wasn't a fight she wanted to be part of, but there was no escape now.
The rogues emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with wild hunger.
Damon stepped forward, his voice steady despite the odds. "This is pack territory. Leave now, and we'll spare you."
The leader, a towering figure with scars marking his face, laughed. "Spare us? You've got it backward, boy. This is our territory now."
Before anyone could react, the rogue leader lunged forward, his claws gleaming in the moonlight.
Damon met him head-on, their collision shaking the ground beneath them. Ava stumbled back, her heart racing as the battle erupted around her.
And then, she felt it—a surge of energy coursing through her veins, unlike anything she had ever known.
Her hands trembled as a faint glow surrounded them.
"What's happening to me?" she whispered, but there was no time for answers.
The fight had begun, and Ava was no longer just an observer.