Chapter eight
843 Words
ALINA’S POV
I stayed where I was long after he disappeared.
My back was still pressed against the tree, my chest rising and falling too fast, like I’d been running instead of standing still. The forest felt quieter now, but not in a comforting way. Everything felt… off.
My fingers curled slightly at my sides as I tried to steady myself. I could still feel him. The warmth of his touch lingered at my neck, and the bond had settled into a low, steady hum, almost satisfied.
I hated that.
I pushed myself away from the tree, forcing my breathing to slow, forcing my thoughts back into place. I needed to focus. I needed to remember where I was, what I was supposed to be doing—
“Alina!”
Kai’s voice cut through the trees, followed by the sound of footsteps. I turned just as he and Amala broke through the undergrowth, both of them slightly out of breath.
“There you are,” Kai said, looking half annoyed, half impressed. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Amala crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at me. “You went farther than usual.”
“I needed a good hiding spot,” I said quickly, hoping my voice sounded normal.
Kai let out a short laugh. “Well, congratulations. You win. We couldn’t find you anywhere.”
I forced a small smile, though my pulse was still uneven. “Guess I got lucky.”
“Or sneaky,” Amala muttered under her breath.
Kai stretched his arms over his head. “I’m done. I’m heading back.” He glanced between us briefly. “Try not to disappear again.”
Before I could respond, he turned and jogged off, his footsteps fading quickly as he made his way out of the forest.
And just like that, it was quiet again.
Too quiet.
I felt it immediately—Amala’s eyes on me. Sharp. Watching.
“What?” I asked, trying to sound casual as I brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she took a step closer, her gaze sweeping over me like she was trying to piece something together.
“You’ve been on edge lately,” she said finally.
My stomach tightened. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” Her tone was calm, but firm. “You’ve been distracted. Distant. And right now…” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You look flustered.”
“I just ran,” I said quickly.
Amala didn’t look convinced. Not even a little.
“You weren’t running,” she said. “You were hiding. And that doesn’t explain this.”
“This what?” I snapped, a little too quickly.
Her gaze sharpened. “This.” She gestured vaguely at me. “You look like something just happened. And it definitely wasn’t just you hiding behind a bunch of trees.”
My chest tightened. “You’re overthinking it.”
Amala tilted her head slightly, studying me. Then, slowly, she stepped closer—too close.
“Amala—”
She inhaled.
And everything changed.
Her eyes widened instantly.
The shift in her expression hit me like a physical blow. Shock. Recognition. Realisation.
“No…” she whispered.
My heart dropped.
She took another breath, slower this time, like she was trying to confirm it.
“That scent…” Her voice was barely above a whisper now. “Alina…”
I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
Her eyes snapped back to mine, searching, demanding answers I hadn’t meant to give.
“You were with a black ridge wolf.”
It wasn’t a question.
Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating.
I swallowed hard, my mind racing, my chest tightening with every passing second. There was no point denying it. She already knew.
“Amala…” My voice came out quieter than I intended.
She shook her head slightly, still staring at me like she was trying to understand something impossible. “Do you have any idea what you’re saying right now? What that means?”
“I know,” I said quickly, stepping closer. “I know exactly what it means.”
“Then why—” she started, her voice rising, panic slipping through.
“Shh!” I cut her off sharply, glancing around instinctively even though we were alone. “Lower your voice.”
She stared at me, disbelief written all over her face.
I took a breath, steadying myself. This was it. There was no going back now.
“I’m going to tell you everything,” I said, meeting her eyes.
Her expression didn’t soften. If anything, it grew more serious.
“But you have to promise me something first.”
She hesitated. “What?”
“You can’t tell anyone.” My voice was firm now, urgent. “Not my father. Not Kai. No one. You have to promise me, Amala.”
She held my gaze, the weight of my words settling between us.
And for a moment, I didn’t know what she would say.
- Writer
