Between Two Worlds

Chapter One: Surprise Return

Liora

Seven years. That’s how long it had been since I last stepped foot in the lands of the Nightshade Pack.

It felt strange to be back—unannounced, as always. But to my surprise, everything had changed. Radically. The moment I reached the border of the pack’s territory, I was surrounded by three wolves. Those were just the ones I could see, but I sensed at least four more lurking in the shadows of the forest, their sharp gazes drilling into me.

To them, I was an intruder.

None of their faces were familiar, and it was clear from their wary stances that they didn’t recognize me either. That wasn’t unexpected. Back then, only two people in this pack ever acknowledged me: Camwen and Rogan.

Well, calling Rogan’s acknowledgment “talking” would be generous. We mostly exchanged scathing remarks that barely passed for conversation. He had never been interested in getting to know me, and I had never cared to try. In all the years I have known them, I never had an ordinary conversation with Rogan. We were never on the same page. Not that I’d wanted to be his friend anyway. And besides Alpha Kael, Rogan’s father, whom I’d met a handful of times, the rest of the pack treated me as if I were invisible—or worse, like something foul they’d stepped on.

In truth, “ignored” wasn’t the right word. “Ridiculed” was more accurate.

Oh, they talked to me alright—if you count the sneers, whispered insults, and thinly veiled threats. Not that I’d ever let them see that it affected me. At least, I told myself it didn’t.

Camwen, the ever-valiant knight in shining armor and future Beta of the pack, had been my only defender. Every single time, Cam was there for me. He hated the way his pack treated me, especially because there was no reason for their hatred. I’d done nothing to provoke them.

Nothing besides being myself.

“State your business, intruder!” a low, growling voice called out, cutting through the silence. “You're trespassing pack lands and we will attack!”. The menacing voice came from one of the wolves concealed nearby. He wasn’t in his animal form, or I wouldn’t have understood him, but he also hadn’t stepped out to confront me directly. Cowardly. Or maybe he was indeed very smart.

“I’m Liora,” I announced, loud enough for all the hidden ears to hear. “A friend of Camwen, your futu—your Beta.” I caught myself mid-sentence—he wasn’t just the future Beta anymore. It had been years, and I had no doubt Camwen had risen to his rank.

And Rogan… I grimaced inwardly. He was likely the Alpha now.

A few tense seconds passed before a broad-shouldered man stepped out of the shadows. His tanned skin glistened with a sheen of sweat, and his dark eyes locked onto me with unnerving intensity, as if he were attempting to read my mind.

I sighed, bristling slightly. Why was it that every single werewolf looked like a walking warrior god? Moon Goddess had clearly taken her time sculpting their kind—chiseled jaws, impossible muscles, and an effortless grace that bordered on irritating. Would it kill her to make one of them look... ordinary? Maybe give them a beer belly or a crooked nose for once? And their build, could at least some of them lack the amazing six-pack they all carried?

Or maybe they could have one or two flaws for me to use against them?

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Of course, Rogan wasn’t exempt from this breathtaking perfection, though his arrogance and cockiness were glaring flaws. Who was I kidding? Those weren’t really considered a flaw of someone's physical attributes, only a flaw of character. And just for a few people. Most of the females in the pack seemed to find those traits charming.

Arrrgh, why was I thinking about him? Or about how good he looked? For the Gods! I was definitely going crazy. That was the only thing that could explain these uncalled thoughts swirling inside my head.

The man in front of me hadn’t taken his eyes off me, as if I was some kind of threat he was trying to assess.His stance remained rigid, his arms crossed like a shield of immovable steel.

I was brought back from my reverie when he spoke again. “Beta Camwen didn’t mention any visitors,” he said gruffly. “I advise you to turn around and leave before you're considered a threat, girl. We don't take trespassers lightly. We aim to kill and you do good to remember that next time you come to our pack lands unannounced," his tone was of a warning, and I could feel he’d already discovered what kind of supernatural creature I was. Or at least the half part of my hybrid self. That was the reason for his aggressive behavior.

Almost no one could sense I was a hybrid. Others always assumed I was all Siren.

Being a predator, he could easily few others like him. I was considered a predator too. Since Sirens were killers—or better speaking, they were considered killers. But I wasn't one, and every time someone judged me by only the general Siren's standards without really getting to know who I truly was, it made my nerves boil.

Yet, I was trying very hard no to lose it.

“I’m not a threat,” I said evenly, keeping my tone calm and polite. “Just mind-link Camwen. Tell him I’m here, and he’ll let me in.”

“I don’t take orders from the likes of you,” the man snapped, his voice laced with disdain. His eyes burned a deep green, a sure sign that his wolf was just as unhappy with my presence as he was.

From somewhere in the woods around me, I could hear low, menacing snarls. They were warning me to back off. These wolves definitely considered me a threat.

For the Moon Goddess above, they were just like their f*****g Alpha. Could it be that I truly appeared like a menace to them?

“I’m not giving orders,” I replied sharply. “It’s simply a request. Camwen knows me, and I’m certain he’d vouch for me. Once you tell him who wants to talk with him, he would be fine with me being in your lands” my tone was dry; even though I was trying my best not to be considered a threat, it was kind of hard when people were treating me like trash, or like I already had done something bad in front of them.

His snarl deepened, and I felt my control slipping. Waves of energy radiated off me, subtle at first but growing with each passing moment. My eyes began to glow faintly, their usual deep purple lightening. It was one of the telltale signs of my Siren blood.

I said one. There was also my alluring and irresistible appearance. And that wasn’t even just me being full of myself.

I took a steadying breath, willing myself to remain calm. I didn’t want to scare them.

Because I could.

My appearance alone was enough to unsettle anyone. Long, waist-length black hair fell in waves down my back. A voluptuous body with curves that were as alluring as they were dangerous, my lips full and a natural pink. Everything in me screamed beauty and danger. My body was a weapon for me to use, and everyone knew it.

But it was my eyes—almond-shaped and violet—that gave me away. The thing was that, depending on my mood, my eye color could range from a deep purple to a bright light purple.

And light purples were always bad news for everyone—mostly for idiots that liked to provoke me. The bright color was a sign of when my full powers were manifesting. It meant I was pissed off. And no one wanted a powerful Siren pissed off.

Most assumed I was only Siren.

They had no idea about the other half of me. They really have no idea of the peril they would be in if they made me angry!

If they pushed too hard, they might find out. And that would be their undoing.