The forest trail behind Talia White's house had always been her refuge. The towering pines whispered secrets in the wind, their earthy scent grounding her in the present. But today, something was different. The air carried an edge, a faint, unfamiliar scent—pine, musk, and a shadow of something darker.
Her steps slowed.
Talia tightened her grip on her jacket, her breath visible in the crisp morning air. She glanced around the dense woods, her senses on high alert. Stop it, Talia. She pushed the unease aside and quickened her pace toward Maplewood Veterinary Clinic, forcing herself to focus on her routine.
Her life here was quiet, free from the chaos of wolves and betrayal that had defined her past. In this small Montana town, she wasn't the rejected Luna—just Dr. White, the town's reliable veterinarian.
By the time she reached the clinic, the forest's eerie stillness still clung to her, but she busied herself with the morning checklist. The scent of antiseptic and the hum of Lisa's cheerful chatter filled the space, banishing the lingering tension.
"Morning, Dr. White!" Lisa called out, her bright voice breaking through Talia's thoughts.
"Morning," Talia replied with a faint smile, trying to mask the unease gnawing at her.
The clinic was her sanctuary, a place where she could heal others while ignoring her own scars. But as she tended to her patients—a sprained Labrador, a jittery Siamese cat—that strange sensation of being watched refused to fade.
The bell above the clinic door chimed.
Talia looked up from the clipboard, her breath catching in her throat. Standing in the doorway was a man she thought she'd left behind forever.
Alpha Kael Blackthorn.
He looked sharper, more imposing than she remembered. His dark hair framed a face carved with sharp angles, and his amber eyes burned with intensity. The air in the room seemed to shift, charged with his commanding presence.
Her wolf stirred violently, clawing against the walls she'd built around it. Her chest tightened as memories she had buried long ago resurfaced—his rejection, her humiliation, the exile.
"What are you doing here?" Talia's voice was low, trembling with barely restrained fury.
Kael stepped further inside, his movements deliberate, his gaze never leaving hers. "We need to talk."
Her nails bit into her palms. "I have nothing to say to you. Get out."
He sighed, his expression softening, and for a moment, she saw regret flicker in his eyes. It only fueled her anger.
"Talia, please—"
"Don't." She cut him off, her voice a whip. "Don't say my name like it means something to you."
Lisa peeked her head out from the back room, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Dr. White, is everything okay?"
"Yes, Lisa," Talia replied tightly, forcing a smile. "Just a personal matter. I'll handle it."
Lisa hesitated before retreating, leaving the two of them alone.
Kael's gaze hardened, but his voice softened. "You're in danger."
Talia scoffed, her anger flaring. "The only danger in my life is you. I don't need your warnings or your help."
"You think this is about me?" His voice deepened, the alpha in him rising. "Rogues have been attacking packs across the region. They're coming for you."
Her heart stuttered, but she refused to show fear. "Why would rogues care about me? I'm not part of your world anymore. You made sure of that."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You think you can hide forever? They know who you are, Talia. What you are. And they won't stop until they've taken what they want."
The weight of his words settled over her, but she refused to yield. "Get out," she said firmly, her voice trembling with fury.
Kael stared at her for a long moment, his amber eyes searching hers. Finally, he nodded and stepped back toward the door.
"This isn't over," he said quietly before disappearing into the afternoon sunlight.
The bell above the door jingled again, the sound eerily final.
Talia stood frozen, her pulse racing. She wanted to scream, to break something, but she forced herself to breathe. Her wolf whimpered within her, torn between longing and rage.
She turned back to her desk, but movement outside the window caught her eye. Her stomach dropped.
Between the shadows of the forest, a pair of glowing yellow eyes stared back at her, unblinking and predatory.
Her breath hitched.
The danger Kael spoke of wasn't just a threat.
It was already here.