Chapter Seven: Into the Unknown
The night had grown colder, and the full moon hung heavy in the sky, casting long, eerie shadows over the forest floor. Evelyn moved silently beside Alaric, her mind still reeling from everything he had just told her. The truth about her heritage, about her true family—it was all too much to process in a single breath, but she knew she couldn't afford to dwell on it. The forest around her, once a place of refuge, now felt unfamiliar, even hostile, as if the trees themselves were watching her, aware of the storm that had stirred in her blood.
Alaric led the way, his sharp instincts guiding him through the darkness. His pace was steady, assured, and Evelyn couldn't help but admire his strength. He was a protector, someone who had known this world long before she had been thrust into it. The bond they shared—her bond to him—was undeniable now. But it wasn't just that. There was a deeper connection, one that tied her to him in ways that felt both terrifying and exhilarating.
"What happens now?" Evelyn asked, her voice a quiet whisper, barely audible over the rustling of the leaves.
Alaric didn't look at her as he answered, his gaze fixed ahead. Now, we need to find a place to lay low. The others are still out there. Darius won't be the last to come after you, Evelyn. Not by far.
Evelyn swallowed, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy blanket. She had always thought of herself as just a girl with an uncertain future. A runaway bride with no control over her own life. But now, everything had changed. The truth about her bloodline, about the power that ran through her veins—it made her feel both alive and terrified at the same time. She had been chosen for something she didn't understand, something she wasn't sure she wanted.
"Do you think Darius will come after us again?" she asked, trying to steady her nerves, though her heart raced at the thought.
Yes, Alaric replied with a quiet certainty. And not just him. There are others who will hear of your bloodline. They'll want to either use you or destroy you. There are factions in the pack world, each with its own agenda. Some will try to control you, to force you into their ranks. Others will try to eliminate you to prevent you from ever gaining power.
Evelyn shivered at the thought, her skin prickling with the fear of what was to come. She had never wanted any of this. She had run away from the life that was being forced upon her, but now, it seemed there was no escaping it. Her destiny was tied to this world in a way she couldn't escape, no matter how far she ran.
But one thing she knew for sure: She wasn't going to let anyone control her again. Not like her adoptive parents had tried to.
The two of them moved deeper into the forest, the night growing darker, the trees seeming to close in around them as if protecting them from the dangers lurking just beyond the treeline. Evelyn's thoughts kept racing, and the more she thought about her past, the more questions swirled in her mind. Why had her parents hidden her true heritage from her? What had happened to them? And why had they sent her away?
A low growl broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. She froze, instinctively crouching, her senses alert, her ears straining to catch any sign of danger. Alaric's golden eyes flicked to hers, and his voice echoed in her mind, calm but sharp.
Stay close. Something's not right.
Evelyn nodded, her heartbeat quickening. Her eyes darted around the dark forest, but she couldn't see anything. The growl had been low and menacing, like a warning—but who, or what, was it?
Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes to her left caught her attention. Before she could react, a shadow lunged from the underbrush with terrifying speed, its eyes glowing in the moonlight.
It was a wolf—larger than any she had seen before, its fur dark as midnight, and its eyes filled with a predatory hunger. Its growl was deep, vibrating through the earth beneath them as it bared its teeth.
Evelyn instinctively stepped back, her body tensing. The wolf before her was no ordinary creature; it had the same aura of power that Darius had carried—dominant and dangerous.
Alaric was in front of her before she could blink, his stance protective, his eyes glowing with the ferocity of an Alpha. Stay behind me, he commanded, his voice hard with authority.
The other wolf didn't back down. It circled them, its eyes never leaving Alaric. A challenge hung in the air like an electric charge. This wasn't just a random encounter. This was another test. Another predator wanting to stake its claim.
Evelyn could feel the tension building in her own body, the wolf inside her stirring with the desire to fight. But she held herself in check, remembering Alaric's words—remembering that she wasn't ready yet.
The wolf's growl deepened, its posture shifting as it stepped closer to Alaric, its eyes narrowing with contempt. It wasn't just after Alaric—it was after her, too.
I didn't think you'd be so bold, the wolf growled, its voice low and gravelly. But I see now that the little runaway bride is more than she seems.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. The wolf knew her too.
"What do you want?" Alaric's voice was cold, his eyes flashing with warning.
The other wolf's lips curled into a sneer. I'm here to take her, Alaric. She belongs to us now. She's not yours to protect. The pack's decision has been made.
Evelyn's pulse thundered in her ears. What does that mean? she thought, confusion swirling in her chest.
It means—the wolf's eyes flicked to her—that you're not just an Alpha's heir. You're the key to an empire. And I'm here to claim what's mine.
The weight of the words hit Evelyn like a slap to the face. Her mind reeled as she tried to make sense of the implications. An empire? What did this wolf mean? And who were they?
Alaric stepped forward, his growl rising in his throat. You'll never take her, Hadrik. You don't know what you're dealing with.
Hadrik's eyes flashed with anger. You'll regret this, Alaric. I will see to it personally that she's taken where she belongs. The bloodline will be restored. And she will kneel before the pack's true ruler.
The final words were a threat, but Evelyn didn't need to hear any more. The pieces were falling into place in her mind. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about power—about the empire that Alaric had mentioned, about the forces that sought to control her.
She wasn't just running away anymore.
She was fighting for her future.
No one will control me, Evelyn thought fiercely, her voice sharp in her mind. Not them. Not anyone.
The battle for her freedom was far from over.