LUCAS'S POV
The path through the woods was familiar but unwelcoming, a winding trail swallowed by dense trees that whispered with the wind. My boots crunched against the undergrowth, the damp earth clinging to every step I took. It had been too long since I'd last come this way. Even though the forest had become a second home, this part felt like it belonged to someone else entirely—a sanctuary for a lone wolf who wanted nothing to do with the chaos of the pack.
Kaden's cabin came into view, hidden between gnarled oaks and thick patches of bramble. The place looked just as I remembered it, the wooden structure rough and unpolished but sturdy, like the man who lived within it. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, a sign that he was home.
I hesitated at the door, my hand hovering over the knotted wood before knocking twice. The sound echoed in the stillness, and after a few seconds, the door creaked open.
Kaden stood there, his tall frame filling the doorway. His piercing blue eyes narrowed as they landed on me, and I couldn't help but notice how much fuller his beard had grown since the last time we saw each other. It gave him an almost rugged look, though his expression was as guarded as ever.
"Lucas." He said gruffly, his voice like gravel. "Didn't think I'd see you again anytime soon."
"Things have been... complicated." I admitted, stepping inside as he moved aside to let me through.
The interior of the cabin was simple but functional, with a fireplace crackling in one corner and a small table cluttered with maps and books. Kaden gestured for me to sit, but I remained standing, the weight of my thoughts making it impossible to relax.
He leaned against the table, crossing his arms. "You look worse than the last time we met. What's going on?"
I took a deep breath. "Elena's back in Silverwood."
Kaden stiffened, his expression darkening. "That's not good. Does she know—"
"No." I interrupted quickly. "She doesn't know the full story yet. But Viktor does. He's already sent his men after her."
Kaden cursed under his breath, rubbing a hand over his face. "Damn it, Lucas. You should've kept her out of here. Viktor won't stop until he gets what he wants."
"Do you think I don't know that?" I snapped, my frustration bubbling over. "But she's here now, and things have already started to spiral. He's taken her grandmother."
Kaden froze, his blue eyes widening. "Her grandmother? You're sure?"
I nodded grimly. "I went to check on her. The house was ransacked, and her grandmother was gone. Viktor left a note, he wants Elena to come to him."
Kaden swore again, pacing the small space of the cabin. His shoulders were tense, his hands clenched into fists. "This is bad, Lucas. Real bad. If Viktor has her grandmother, it's only a matter of time before he uses her as leverage to get Elena. And if he gets his hands on her..."
"I know." I said, my voice low. "That's why I need your help."
He stopped pacing, turning to face me with a skeptical look. "My help? You know what you're asking, right? Viktor's got half the pack under his thumb. You really think the two of us can go up against him?"
"I don't have a choice." I said firmly. "Elena's in danger, and I'm not going to sit back and let Viktor destroy her life. Not again."
Kaden's jaw tightened, his eyes searching mine. "Lucas, you know I've stayed out of this for a reason. Leaving the pack was the best decision I ever made. I don't want to get dragged back into Viktor's mess."
I took a step closer, my tone pleading. "This isn't just about Viktor or the pack, Kaden. This is about Elena. She doesn't deserve to pay for what happened years ago. And if we don't stop him, he won't just stop with her. He'll take control of the entire town, maybe even beyond that."
Kaden looked away, his expression conflicted. I could see the battle waging within him. The desire to stay safe clashing with the part of him that still cared.
"Kaden," I said softly. "You know what kind of man Viktor is. You know what he's capable of. If we don't do something, who will?"
For a long moment, he didn't respond. The crackling of the fire filled the silence, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air. Finally, he let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"Damn it, Lucas." He muttered. "You always know how to rope me into your mess."
A small flicker of relief coursed through me. "So you'll help?"
He nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I'll help. But we're going to need a plan, a damn good one. Viktor's not the type to leave loose ends."
"I know," I said, a grim determination settling over me. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Kaden held my gaze for a moment before reaching for one of the maps on the table. "All right, let's get to work."
As we began pouring over the maps, marking possible locations where Viktor might be holding Elena's grandmother, I couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. It was faint, barely enough to hold onto, but it was there.
For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel like I was fighting this battle alone.