Talia stood at the edge of the dense forest, her heart pounding in rhythm with the rustling leaves around her. The morning sunlight cut through the canopy above, painting the ground with streaks of gold. She inhaled deeply, the crisp air doing little to calm the storm inside her.
Kael stepped out from the shadows, his dark eyes scanning her face. "It's not too late to turn back," he said, his voice calm but resolute.
Talia tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. "I didn't come this far to back out." Her voice was firm, but her wolf stirred uneasily, sensing the danger ahead.
Kael nodded, motioning for her to follow. His strides were steady, yet she could tell he was being careful, as if each step could shatter the fragile truce between them. The silence between them was thick, filled with words neither dared to say.
As they neared the edge of the pack's territory, memories clawed their way to the surface—memories of sneers, accusations, and the way her pack had turned their backs on her without hesitation. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Kael stopped suddenly, turning to face her. "Once we cross this line, there's no turning back," he said, his voice low.
Talia met his gaze, her chin lifting defiantly. "I'm not afraid of them."
His lips twitched into something resembling a smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good."
They stepped over the invisible boundary, and the air seemed to change. It was heavier here, charged with an energy that made the hair on Talia's arms stand on end. Within minutes, they were met by a group of wolves, their expressions ranging from shock to outright hostility.
"Talia White," one of them whispered, disbelief coloring their tone.
She straightened her spine, forcing herself to hold their stares. "I'm here under Kael's protection," she said evenly, though her heart raced.
The wolves parted reluctantly, their eyes burning into her as she walked past. The whispers started almost immediately, fragments of her name and past echoing in the wind.
---
The packhouse loomed ahead, larger than Talia remembered. Its wooden structure was nestled deep within the territory, blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest. The sight of it sent a wave of unease through her, but she forced herself to follow Kael inside.
The moment they stepped into the main hall, every conversation ceased. Wolves turned to stare, their expressions a mixture of surprise and contempt.
Kael cleared his throat, his voice commanding attention. "This is Talia White," he announced. "She's under my protection and will be staying here."
The room erupted into murmurs, some incredulous, others openly hostile.
"Why bring her back?" a deep voice growled.
Talia's gaze snapped to the speaker. Logan, Kael's Beta, stood with his arms crossed, his towering frame radiating authority. His sharp eyes narrowed on her, and she felt the weight of his judgment.
"She has her reasons," Kael replied coolly.
Logan stepped forward, his glare unwavering. "Reasons don't erase what happened. She's a liability."
Talia's jaw tightened, but she remained silent, letting Kael handle the confrontation.
"She's not a liability," Kael shot back. "She's the key to stopping the rogues."
The room fell silent, tension crackling in the air like a storm waiting to break.
Logan's lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't argue further. "Fine," he said after a moment. "But if she steps out of line, she's on her own."
Talia met his gaze, her voice steady and cold. "I don't need your protection."
Logan's eyes flashed with something between anger and respect, but he said nothing more.
---
Kael led her to a modest room on the second floor. The wooden walls were bare, but the large window overlooking the forest gave it a sense of peace.
"This is yours," Kael said, lingering at the doorway.
Talia set her bag down on the bed, her fingers brushing the worn fabric. "Thank you," she said curtly.
Kael hesitated, as if he wanted to say more. Finally, he turned to leave.
"Kael," she called after him.
He paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"Why did you really bring me back?" she asked, her voice soft but firm.
His expression darkened. "I told you—it's about the rogues."
Talia shook her head. "That's not the whole truth."
Kael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "There are things I can't tell you yet. But trust me, you're safer here than out there."
Before she could press him further, he left, closing the door behind him.
---
That night, Talia lay awake, her mind racing. The whispers, the stares, Logan's hostility—it all weighed on her. But something about Kael's words stuck with her, like a thorn she couldn't ignore.
As the moon climbed higher in the sky, a sound outside her door made her sit up. Her wolf stirred, sensing danger. Quietly, she crept to the window, her eyes scanning the moonlit forest.
There, at the edge of the trees, a figure stood. Their glowing eyes locked onto hers, and a chill ran down her spine.
The Shadow Wolf had found her.