Elena’s POV
The chill of the morning air was nothing compared to the storm of emotions brewing inside me. After yesterday’s confrontation with Chloe and my conversation with Lucas, I felt more trapped than ever. The realization of Oliver’s hold on my life was becoming a suffocating weight, and each glance from the pack members only deepened the feeling of isolation.
I wandered through the forest surrounding the pack grounds, needing space to think. But no matter how far I went, it seemed that Oliver was always there, lingering in the shadows of my mind. The guilt in his gaze, the attempts to “protect” me—it all felt too little, too late. What I needed was clarity, freedom, and a chance to decide for myself.
The rustling of leaves pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, seeing Lucas making
