Chapter Eleven - The Trap
779 Words
Kael's POV
The moment the alarm horn echoed through Blackthorn, I knew something was wrong.
Not because our borders had been crossed.
That happened from time to time.
No...
Because whoever had crossed them wanted us to know.
"They're drawing us out," my wolf growled.
"I know."
The cold night air rushed past as my horse raced through the forest, nearly thirty warriors following behind me. Torches lit the narrow trail, casting long shadows between the ancient pines.
Marcus rode beside me.
"The scouts reported movement near the northern ridge."
"How many?"
"They couldn't tell. Whoever it is knows how to hide their scent."
That bothered me.
Even rogues usually left enough signs for experienced scouts to estimate their numbers.
These wolves...
Were careful.
Too careful.
---
We reached the northern border in less than twenty minutes.
Nothing.
The forest was silent.
No growls.
No voices.
No scent except our own.
Damon dismounted first, kneeling beside the fresh snow.
"Tracks."
I joined him.
Several footprints led deeper into the woods.
At first glance, they looked like a small group.
But something felt off.
I followed them a little farther before stopping.
"...They're fake."
Marcus frowned.
"What?"
I pointed to the snow.
"Look carefully."
The footprints repeated the exact same pattern every few meters.
Someone had walked in circles before continuing.
"They wanted us to think there were more wolves."
Damon cursed under his breath.
"It's a distraction."
The realization hit all of us at once.
Blackthorn.
Luna.
I was already turning my horse around.
"Back to the village!"
No one questioned the order.
Thirty warriors wheeled their horses around and charged back through the forest.
---
Back in Blackthorn...
Luna stood inside the healer's cabin.
Elara had insisted everyone remain indoors until the patrol returned.
Still...
Luna couldn't settle.
She paced near the window, clutching Kael's cloak around her shoulders.
Rosie sat nearby, quietly drawing flowers on a piece of parchment.
"You'll wear a hole in the floor," Elara said gently.
Luna stopped pacing.
"I'm sorry."
Elara smiled.
"I wasn't scolding you."
"I know."
But the words had already slipped out.
Rosie looked up from her drawing.
"Alpha Kael always comes back."
Luna forced a small smile.
"I hope so."
"He will."
The little girl sounded so certain.
Luna wished she could believe it as easily.
---
Outside...
A shadow moved silently between the cabins.
Then another.
And another.
None of them wore pack colors.
Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods.
One stopped beside the healer's cabin.
He looked through the window.
"There she is."
The tallest figure nodded.
"Remember."
"No unnecessary bloodshed."
"We only take the girl."
The others nodded.
Within seconds, they surrounded the cabin without making a sound.
---
Inside...
Luna suddenly froze.
Her wolf whimpered inside her.
Something's wrong.
She looked toward the window.
The village was too quiet.
The guards at the end of the street...
Were gone.
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Elara..."
The healer looked up.
"What is it?"
"I..."
Luna couldn't explain it.
She just...
Knew.
A loud crash exploded from the front of the cabin.
The door burst inward.
Rosie screamed.
Three hooded wolves rushed inside.
One grabbed Elara before she could reach the children.
Another blocked the exit.
The third looked directly at Luna.
His golden eyes widened.
"There she is."
Luna instinctively stepped in front of Rosie.
"Leave her alone!"
The man smiled beneath his hood.
"So it really is you."
"I don't know who you are!"
"No."
His voice was strangely calm.
"But we know exactly who you are."
He took another step.
"Come with us, Princess."
Luna stared at him.
"...Princess?"
"I think you've forgotten your real name."
Her breathing became uneven.
"I... what?"
Before anyone could move, the stranger lunged.
Luna grabbed Rosie and shoved her behind a table.
The hooded man reached for Luna—
A deafening howl echoed through the village.
The attackers froze.
The sound was powerful.
Furious.
An Alpha's howl.
Kael.
The leader cursed.
"He's back already!"
"Retreat!"
"But the girl—"
"NOW!"
The hooded wolves vanished through the shattered doorway just as Blackthorn warriors flooded into the village.
Kael leaped from his horse before it had fully stopped.
"Luna!"
He rushed into the cabin.
His eyes immediately found her.
Shaking.
But alive.
Without thinking, he crossed the room and pulled her into his arms.
For a heartbeat...
Luna froze.
Then, for the first time in her life...
She clung to someone.
Tightly.
As if letting go meant falling apart.
Kael wrapped his arms around her protectively, his eyes never leaving the broken doorway.
His wolf snarled.
They came into our home.
They touched our mate.
Now...
They've started a war.
- Writer
