Chapter three
779 Words
CHAPTER THREE
THE STRANGER IN THE FOREST
The howl echoed through the estate again.
Liana stood beside the dining table, staring at the dark windows.
Something was out there.
Something that had frightened even the guards.
Kael walked toward the entrance, his expression hard.
“Ethan.”
His Beta immediately followed him.
“Stay with Liana,” Kael ordered.
Ethan nodded.
Liana frowned.
“Wait. Where are you going?”
Kael stopped.
“To find out who crossed my boundary.”
“I'm coming with you.”
“No.”
The answer was immediate.
Liana folded her arms.
“You can't just tell me to stay behind every time something happens.”
“I can when it's dangerous.”
“You don't even know what it is.”
“Exactly.”
He turned toward the doors.
Liana followed him for two steps before Ethan gently blocked her path.
“Please,” Ethan said. “Listen to the Alpha.”
Liana glared at him.
“Does everyone in this pack obey him without question?”
Ethan almost smiled.
“Not everyone.”
“Who doesn't?”
“You, apparently.”
Before Liana could answer, the doors opened.
Kael stepped outside with several guards.
The night air rushed into the hall.
Then the doors closed.
Liana stared at them.
She had no idea why, but something inside her urged her to follow.
Not because she wanted to disobey Kael.
It was something else.
That strange feeling had returned.
The forest was calling her.
Liana walked toward the nearest window.
Ethan noticed.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking outside.”
“Don't.”
“Why?”
“Because the forest isn't safe tonight.”
She turned around.
“What happened there?”
Ethan hesitated.
“Something has been watching the estate for several nights.”
Liana's eyes widened.
“You knew?”
“We suspected.”
“And nobody told me?”
“You arrived today.”
“That doesn't mean I don't deserve to know what's happening.”
Ethan sighed.
“You're right.”
He walked toward the window and lowered his voice.
“There have been strange tracks around the eastern boundary. No pack member recognizes them.”
“Wolf tracks?”
“Not exactly.”
Before Liana could ask another question, a crash came from outside.
Everyone froze.
Then came shouting.
Ethan immediately reached for the weapon at his side.
“Stay here.”
Liana grabbed his arm.
“What's happening?”
“I don't know.”
He ran toward the entrance.
Liana remained behind for only a few seconds.
Then curiosity won.
She moved toward the side door and stepped outside.
Cold air touched her face.
The gardens were empty.
In the distance, she could see guards running toward the forest.
Then she heard it.
A voice.
“Liana.”
She froze.
Nobody was behind her.
“Who's there?”
The voice came again.
“Liana Vale.”
Her heart raced.
She slowly turned toward the trees.
A shadow stood between them.
Liana couldn't see the person's face.
“Who are you?”
The stranger stepped forward.
Moonlight revealed a young man with silver eyes.
Liana took a step backward.
“You shouldn't be here,” he said.
“Who are you?”
“You need to leave this place.”
“Why?”
“Because Kael doesn't know what you are.”
Liana's breath caught.
“What am I?”
The stranger looked toward the mansion.
Before he could answer, a furious growl came from behind Liana.
She turned.
Kael stood at the edge of the garden.
His eyes glowed with unmistakable fury.
“Step away from my wife.”
The stranger smiled.
“Too late, Alpha.”
Then he disappeared into the forest.
Kael rushed toward Liana.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He looked toward the trees.
“Did he touch you?”
“No.”
Kael's expression remained tense.
“What did he say?”
Liana looked at him.
“He said you don't know what I am.”
For a moment, Kael said nothing.
Then his gaze shifted toward the forest.
“I was afraid of that.”
Liana stared at him.
“Afraid of what?”
Kael looked back at her.
“That someone would find you before I discovered the truth.”
Liana's heart sank.
“What truth?”
Kael didn't answer.
Instead, he took her back toward the mansion.
But Liana knew one thing now.
The secrets surrounding her family were much bigger than she had imagined.
And apparently, even the most powerful Alpha in the kingdom didn't know the whole truth.
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