Chapter 2
618words
But as I move deeper into the cabin, I notice small things wrong. A picture frame slightly askew. A drawer not fully closed.
I spot Thea's phone on the counter and pick it up. Dead. Next to it lies her silver wolf pendant—the one our grandmother gave her, the one she never takes off.
"Something's wrong," I whisper. "She wouldn't leave without this."
Kieran moves to the window, scanning the tree line. "There are tracks outside. Multiple wolves."
And then I catch it—faint but unmistakable. A scent that makes my stomach turn, that haunted my nightmares for three years.
"Marcus," I breathe, panic rising in my throat.
Kieran turns, eyes narrowed. "Marcus?"
"My…Alpha. He's dangerous. Obsessive. He's been tracking me, and he knows about Thea." The words tumble out. "If he found her, if he hurt her—"
"No wolf hurts another in my territory without consequences," Kieran says, voice dropping to a growl.
Suddenly, a noise from the bedroom makes us both freeze.
Kieran moves quickly, positioning himself in front of me as the door slowly opens.
A young woman steps out, blood matting her blonde hair, eyes wide with fear until she sees Kieran. Relief washes over her face.
"Alpha," she breathes. "Thank the moon. I thought they'd come back."
Kieran moves to support her as she sways. "What happened?”
"Four wolves. Not from here.” She winces as Kieran helps her to a chair. "They came looking for Thea's sister.”
"When Thea wouldn't tell them where she was, they…” Her voice breaks.
My knees nearly buckle. "This is my fault. Marcus found her because of me."
Kieran's hand finds my shoulder, steady and warm. "No. This is the fault of a wolf who doesn't understand what it means to be an alpha." His eyes meet mine. "We'll find her. I promise."
"How?" I ask, desperation edging my voice. "Marcus has her, and the full moon is coming."
"He's in my territory now," Kieran says, something powerful entering his voice. "And he's about to learn what happens to wolves who hunt what's under my protection."
The possessive note in his voice should frighten me after everything with Marcus.
Instead, it sends a wave of warmth through my body, my wolf responding to his strength not with submission, but with recognition.
This is what an alpha should be.
As Kieran pulls out his phone to alert his pack, I catch him watching me, something unreadable in his expression.
"What?" I ask.
Kieran's phone buzzes, breaking the moment. He answers, his expression hardening as he listens.
Kieran's face darkens as he listens to the caller. "Where? How many?"
I catch fragments: "...north ridge...four of them...marking territory..."
My blood runs cold. Marking territory is a direct challenge.
"They're not hiding," Kieran says, ending the call. "They want us to know they're here."
"That's Marcus," I say. "Making a statement."
"A stupid one.” Kieran spreads a map across the table. He turns to the young woman and says, "Gather the others. Approach from the south, stay downwind.”
She nods and leaves.
"I'm coming with you," I say.
"No."
I step closer. "She's my sister. And Marcus is here because of me."
"Exactly why you should stay hidden."
"I know how he thinks. How he fights." I meet his gaze directly. "You need me."
Something flashes in his eyes—respect, maybe. "And if he tries to claim you?"
"He can try. I'm not his. I never was."
Kieran studies me. "Stay close. If I give an order, follow it."
I nod.
