Chapter 12: The Call of the Wild
1239 Words
The haunting howl echoed through the forest, lingering in the cold night air. Clara felt her breath hitch, her pulse quickening as the sound reverberated in her chest. It was both beautiful and terrifying, a primal reminder of the world she was beginning to understand but didn’t yet fully know.
She paced the living room, her hands twisting together as she tried to quiet her spiraling thoughts. Jacob had told her to stay put, but every fiber of her being screamed at her to follow him, to make sure he was safe.
Another howl split the air, closer this time, and Clara froze. She glanced toward the door, her heart pounding.
“Stay here,” she muttered to herself, mimicking Jacob’s stern tone. “Yeah, right.”
---
Grabbing a flashlight from the kitchen counter, Clara steeled herself and stepped out into the night. The cold bit at her skin, and the darkness pressed in from all sides, but she pushed forward, following the direction Jacob had gone.
The forest seemed alive, every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs amplifying her growing unease. The flashlight’s beam cut through the darkness, but it felt inadequate against the overwhelming shadows.
“Jacob?” she called softly, her voice trembling.
Silence.
---
As she ventured deeper, Clara’s thoughts raced. What if Jacob was hurt? Or worse? The memory of the attacker’s cruel grin flashed in her mind, and she shuddered.
She reached a small clearing and stopped, her breath visible in the chilly air. The moon cast an eerie glow over the area, and for a moment, she thought she saw movement at the edge of her vision.
“Jacob?” she tried again, louder this time.
A low growl answered her.
Clara’s grip tightened on the flashlight as she turned toward the sound. Her knees felt weak, but she forced herself to stand her ground.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing eyes emerged, their green hue familiar but unsettling. Jacob stepped into the light, his form tense and his expression unreadable.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice sharper than she’d ever heard it.
“I was worried about you,” Clara said, her voice small. “I couldn’t just sit there and wait.”
Jacob exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “You shouldn’t be out here. It’s not safe.”
“Then take me with you,” Clara said, her resolve firming. “If it’s not safe for me to be alone, then I should be with you.”
---
Jacob hesitated, his jaw tightening. Finally, he nodded. “Stay close to me. Don’t wander off, no matter what.”
Clara nodded, falling into step beside him as they continued deeper into the forest.
“What was that howl?” she asked after a moment.
“An intruder,” Jacob said grimly. “One of Marcus’s men, probably.”
Clara’s stomach churned. “Why would they be here?”
“They’re testing our defenses,” Jacob said. “Trying to see how far they can push before we retaliate.”
“Retaliate?” Clara echoed, her voice shaking.
Jacob glanced at her, his expression softening slightly. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. We’re careful about how we handle threats. But if they’re after you, we can’t afford to take chances.”
---
They reached another clearing, this one smaller and more enclosed. The ground was littered with broken branches and scattered leaves, evidence of a recent struggle.
Jacob crouched, examining the area with practiced precision. “They were here,” he said, his voice low. “Two of them, maybe three.”
Clara hugged herself, trying to ward off the chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. “Did they leave?”
“For now,” Jacob said, standing. “But they’ll be back.”
He turned to her, his green eyes blazing with determination. “We need to get you back to the house.”
“No,” Clara said firmly. “I’m not going back there alone.”
Jacob’s gaze softened. “Clara—”
“I mean it,” she interrupted. “I’m safer with you, and you know it.”
Jacob sighed but didn’t argue. “Fine. But you have to promise me you’ll listen to everything I say. No wandering off, no trying to play hero.”
Clara nodded. “I promise.”
---
They continued through the forest, the tension between them easing slightly as they talked.
“Do you always deal with things like this?” Clara asked, trying to lighten the mood.
Jacob chuckled softly. “Not always. Most nights are a lot quieter.”
“Lucky me,” Clara said wryly.
Jacob glanced at her, his smile faint but genuine. “You’re handling this better than I expected.”
“I’m trying,” Clara admitted. “But it’s a lot to take in.”
Jacob’s expression grew serious. “I know. And I’m sorry you’re caught up in all of this. But I promise, I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe.”
Clara’s chest tightened at the sincerity in his voice. “I know you will.”
---
As they neared Jacob’s territory, the forest seemed to shift, the oppressive darkness giving way to a sense of safety. Clara could see faint lights in the distance, marking the edge of the pack’s land.
They emerged from the trees to find two figures waiting for them—a man and a woman, both tall and imposing.
“Jacob,” the man said, his tone curt. “What’s going on?”
“We had an intruder,” Jacob said. “Possibly one of Marcus’s men.”
The woman’s eyes flicked to Clara, her expression unreadable. “And her?”
“She’s with me,” Jacob said firmly.
The man frowned. “Bringing outsiders here isn’t—”
“She’s not just an outsider,” Jacob interrupted. “She’s involved now, whether we like it or not.”
The man and woman exchanged a glance before nodding.
“Fine,” the man said. “But you’d better keep her close.”
“I plan to,” Jacob said, his voice steely.
---
Inside the pack’s territory, Clara felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. The area was bustling with activity—wolves and humans moving seamlessly between tasks. It was a world she never could have imagined, hidden in plain sight.
Jacob led her to a small cabin near the center of the territory. “You can stay here,” he said. “It’s close to the main house, so you’ll be safe.”
Clara hesitated, her eyes searching his. “What about you?”
“I’ll be nearby,” Jacob said. “But I need to meet with the others, figure out our next move.”
Clara nodded, though the thought of being without him made her uneasy. “Be careful,” she said softly.
Jacob smiled faintly. “I will.”
---
As he left, Clara sat on the edge of the bed, her mind racing. The pack’s world was unlike anything she had ever known, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was on the verge of something even bigger.
For the first time, she wondered if she was truly prepared for the path she had chosen—or if it had chosen her
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