Emotions That Cannot Be Ignored
1000 Words
Eva's POV
"You know he's been watching you since morning."
Marge’s voice came like a whisper behind my ear, but it still made me jump. I turned to her, a smirk playing on her lips and her gray eyes twinkling with mischief.
I crossed my arms. "Who?"
She nodded her head subtly toward the training field where Alpha Trent was standing, with his sword in hand, sparring with one of the younger warriors. His shirt clung to his chest, sweat dripping from his forehead. But it was not the sword or the sweat that caught my attention.
It was his eyes. They flicked over to me every few seconds. Even now.
"You are imagining things," I said.
Marge chuckled. "You really think I’m blind? That man is hooked. And you, my dear, are pretending like you don’t see it."
I tore my gaze away and focused on Nathan, who was playing near the tree with other pups from the pack. His laughter drifted through the air like music, and I clung to it, using it as a shield.
I was not ready to talk about Trent. Not after the stunt he pulled.
"He still closed the borders without asking me. That’s not love, that’s control."
Marge hummed. "Maybe. Or maybe it’s protection disguised as control. I’m just saying..."
I did not let her finish. I walked away.
The sun was just beginning to dip when the sound of a loud horn tore through the evening air. Everyone froze. My heart leapt to my throat as warriors dropped their weapons and turned toward the forest line.
Trent barked an order. "Form up! Defense lines!"
Panic surged through me. I sprinted to Nathan, scooping him up into my arms just as Beta Henry ran toward us.
"Get her inside the pack house! Lock it down!"
I shook my head. "Tell me what is happening first!"
Beta Henry’s face was tense, but he softened his tone. "Reinforcements. Not an enemy. But they didn’t send word, so we need to be cautious."
Reinforcements?
Before I could ask more, the tree line parted. The warriors stood frozen, some with weapons drawn, others holding their breath.
And then he stepped out.
Isak.
Dressed in the Lycan King's armor, a long black cloak trailing behind him. His eyes scanned the field until they landed on me. He smiled.
My grip tightened on Nathan.
Trent didn’t smile.
"Isak," he growled.
"Alpha Trent." Isak nodded, his voice cool but cordial.
I stepped forward, handing Nathan off to Marge. I needed to breathe. I needed to think. I needed to not panic.
"Eva," Isak said, reaching for my hand. "You’re safe."
Trent blocked his path.
"You can address her without touching her."
I closed my eyes. Here we go.
"I didn’t come here for a fight," Isak said. "I came to protect Eva and her son. The King sent me."
"The King sent you? Why?"
Isak looked past Trent and directly into my eyes. "Because word got out that Eva was in danger. And because someone tried to cross the border last night."
My stomach dropped. "Who?"
"A rogue with markings I’ve only seen once before. Near your old territory."
Trent cursed. "So they’ve tracked her here."
Marge moved closer with Nathan. I could see the fear in her eyes now, even if she tried to hide it.
"Let’s go inside," I whispered.
Trent hesitated, but eventually nodded. "To the council room. Now."
Once inside, Beta Henry, Isak, and Trent gathered around the long table. I stayed by the window, Nathan asleep in my arms.
Isak spoke first. "Eva’s location is no longer a secret. Whoever it is, they’ve been watching for a while."
"I want names," Trent snapped. "I want every rogue in a ten-mile radius hunted down."
"They’re not stupid," Isak countered. "They’re organized. That means we’re not just dealing with common rogues."
I felt a chill crawl down my back. "Then who?"
Isak didn’t answer immediately.
"They’re trained. Tactical. Possibly ex-enforcers."
Trent slammed his fist into the table. "Then we strike first."
"No," I said suddenly. All eyes turned to me. I stood, pulling my cloak tighter around Nathan.
"This isn’t about war," I said. "They’re after me. And my son. This is personal."
Trent’s jaw tightened. "Exactly why you need protection."
Isak nodded. "Which is why I’m staying. With your permission."
Trent didn’t reply.
"If you’re worried about your ego, Alpha," I added, "then don’t bother. I’ll let Nathan decide who makes him feel safe."
The room fell into silence. My pulse thundered in my ears.
Trent finally said, "Fine. You can stay. But you answer to me while you're in my territory."
Isak grinned. "As long as she’s safe, I’ll answer to anyone."
And just like that, the room erupted into tension.
Later that night, I stepped out onto the balcony. The air was cool, the stars dull behind clouds. I heard footsteps behind me.
"You trust him?" Trent’s voice.
I didn’t turn around. "He’s never lied to me."
"I haven’t either."
I scoffed. "You denied me. Denied our child."
"Because I was scared."
"And you think that makes it okay?"
He stepped closer. "No. But I think it makes me human."
I finally turned. "You are not human. You are a werewolf. An Alpha. And right now, I don’t need an apology. I need a plan."
He nodded slowly. "Then let’s make one. Together."
Before I could respond, a horn blew again.
This time, it was different.
Urgent. Angry.
We ran to the walls.
A shadow moved between the trees. And then, another.
My heart stilled.
Beta Henry shouted, "We have a movement! East perimeter!"
Trent growled. "Positions!"
But before anyone could move, a chilling scream tore through the woods.
Nathan.
My son.
"No!" I shouted.
And then I saw it.
A figure running from the trees, holding a small body. Fast. Too fast.
Trent roared. Isak was already mid-shift. I didn’t think. I didn’t breathe.
I jumped off the balcony.
Into the chaos.
- Writer
