The One I Was Meant To Fear

A shadow at the border

Chapter Nine

The message arrived before sunrise.

Kelvin was already awake when the guard entered his study. He stood beside the window, staring toward the eastern forest, where a thin layer of mist covered the trees.

"Alpha."

Kelvin turned.

The guard lowered his head and held out a sealed piece of parchment.

"This was found near the eastern border."

Kelvin's expression tightened.

He recognized the seal immediately.

The Vampire Kingdom.

For a moment, he didn't move.

Then he took the message and broke the seal.

There were only a few words.

We know where she is.

Kelvin's fingers tightened around the parchment.

"Who found this?"

"Patrol team."

"Did they see anyone?"

"No, Alpha."

Kelvin walked toward the fireplace and dropped the message into the flames.

Lucas entered moments later.

He took one look at Kelvin's face.

"They found her."

Kelvin nodded.

Lucas closed the door behind him.

"How long?"

"I don't know."

"Then we need to move her."

Kelvin shook his head.

"If we move her suddenly, she'll know something is wrong."

Lucas stared at him.

"They already know where she is."

"I know."

"And you're still worried about frightening her?"

Kelvin looked at him.

"She spent twelve years imprisoned by them."

His voice became quieter.

"I'm not going to turn her new home into another place where she's constantly afraid."

Lucas sighed.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Kelvin looked toward the window.

"We strengthen the borders. Quietly."

"And Daniella?"

Kelvin hesitated.

"She stays here."

Lucas studied him.

"You know she'll eventually find out."

Kelvin didn't answer.

Because he knew.

---

Daniella woke to an unusual silence.

The pack usually became noisy early in the morning, but today there was something different.

Fewer people were outside.

The guards at the main entrance had doubled.

And everyone seemed to be whispering.

Daniella walked downstairs and found Mia arranging flowers in the dining hall.

"What's going on?"

Mia looked up.

"What do you mean?"

"There are twice as many guards outside."

Mia paused.

"Kelvin increased security."

"Why?"

"Pack business."

Daniella frowned.

"Does something happen?"

"No."

Mia smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

Daniella noticed.

"You aren't telling me everything."

"I'm telling you what I know."

Daniella sighed.

"Everyone here says that."

Mia gave her an apologetic look.

Before Daniella could ask another question, Kelvin entered.

His expression changed slightly when he saw her.

"Good morning."

"Morning."

He walked toward them.

"Daniella, can I talk to you?"

She immediately became suspicious.

"About what?"

"Nothing bad."

She crossed her arms.

"You always say that before telling me something complicated."

Kelvin smiled.

"Come with me."

They walked outside.

The morning air was cool, and the pack was beginning to wake properly.

Daniella noticed several warriors positioned around the perimeter.

She looked at Kelvin.

"What's happening?"

"There's been a small security concern."

"What kind?"

"Nothing you need to worry about."

She stopped walking.

"Kelvin."

He stopped too.

"I don't like being kept in the dark."

"I know."

"Then tell me."

He looked at her.

For a second, he almost told her everything.

The message.

The vampires.

The danger.

But then he remembered the fear in her eyes the night he'd found her.

He couldn't put that fear back into her.

"Some strangers were seen near the border."

Daniella's face went pale.

"Vampires?"

Kelvin's silence answered her.

She took a step backward.

"They found me."

"I'm not sure."

"They found me."

"Daniella—"

"I knew it."

Her breathing became uneven.

"They're going to take me back."

Kelvin stepped toward her.

"They won't."

"You don't know that."

"I do."

"You can't promise that."

"I can."

She stared at him.

Kelvin's voice became firm.

"As long as you're under my protection, nobody is taking you anywhere."

Daniella swallowed.

She wanted to believe him.

More than anything, she wanted to.

"Why are you protecting me?"

"Because you're my mate."

"That's not enough."

Kelvin's expression softened.

"No."

He took a breath.

"You're right."

Daniella waited.

"Then because I care about you."

She froze.

Neither of them spoke.

Kelvin seemed surprised by his own words.

Daniella looked away.

She didn't know what to say.

No one had said those words to her in years.

Not like that.

Not without wanting something in return.

"I care about you too," she whispered.

Kelvin looked at her.

The tension between them softened.

Then a howl sounded from the forest.

Kelvin immediately turned.

Another howl answered.

Then another.

His expression changed.

"Go inside."

Daniella frowned.

"Why?"

"Now."

"What happened?"

"Daniella."

His voice was different.

Not angry.

Afraid.

She had never heard that tone from him before.

She obeyed.

Kelvin ran toward the eastern border.

---

The first vampire crossed the boundary just after noon.

Three guards intercepted him.

He didn't attack.

He simply smiled.

"Tell your Alpha that King Vegas wants his property returned."

The guard's expression hardened.

"She isn't property."

The vampire laughed.

"That's not for you to decide."

Before the guard could respond, the vampire disappeared into the trees.

---

By evening, the pack was on high alert.

Daniella remained inside the main house, surrounded by people who refused to tell her what was happening.

She hated it.

The old feeling of helplessness was returning.

She walked toward the front door.

A guard blocked her.

"Sorry, Luna."

"Move."

"I can't."

"I'm not going anywhere. I just want to see Kelvin."

"He'll come to you."

Daniella frowned.

"Why is everyone treating me like I'm fragile?"

The guard didn't answer.

She turned away.

Then she heard footsteps.

Kelvin entered.

There was dirt on his clothes and a cut near his eyebrow.

Daniella rushed toward him.

"You're hurt."

"It's nothing."

She stopped in front of him.

"You're bleeding."

"I said I'm fine."

She stared at him.

"Stop saying you're fine when you're clearly not."

Kelvin almost smiled.

"You sound like Mia."

"Maybe Mia is right."

She reached toward his face, then hesitated.

Kelvin gently took her hand.

"I'm okay."

Daniella looked into his eyes.

"Did you see them?"

"Yes."

"Are they coming for me?"

Kelvin didn't answer immediately.

Finally, he said, "They won't get you."

Daniella nodded.

But deep inside, she knew something had changed.

The past she'd escaped was no longer behind her.

It was coming.

And this time, it wasn't just her life at stake.

It was Kelvin's entire pack.

That night, while Daniella slept, Kelvin stood alone outside the main house.

Lucas approached him.

"There's more."

Kelvin turned.

"What?"

Lucas held out another piece of parchment.

Kelvin opened it.

His eyes moved across the words.

His expression slowly darkened.

"What does it say?" Lucas asked.

Kelvin folded the message.

"Vegas isn't just asking for Daniella anymore."

Lucas stared at him.

"Then what does he want?"

Kelvin looked toward the house.

"Daniella's alive for a reason."

Lucas's face tightened.

"Why?"

Kelvin's voice dropped.

"Because the King knows something about her that we don't."

Neither of them noticed the faint glow coming from beneath Daniella's bedroom door.

Something inside her was beginning to awaken.

And the vampires were coming for it.