FATED TO THE EXILED WOLF

Nova’s eyes remained shut, her lids heavy as lead. Her head throbbed like a bass drum, each beat reverberating through her entire body. She winced, her dry lips parting in a silent groan. Her legs ached as if she’d run a marathon in her sleep. “Ugh, what happened?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. She lifted a trembling hand to her forehead, but before she could make contact, another hand settled there—firm, detached, and cold. “You’re awake,” a deep voice stated, devoid of warmth. Nova’s eyes fluttered open, and the sight before her stole her breath. A strikingly handsome man sat beside her, his piercing green eyes locking onto hers. His sharp jawline and chiseled features looked carved from stone, but his expression was icy—guarded, unreadable. For a moment, Nova’s pain was forgotten. She was drawn to his beauty, but his cold demeanor sent a chill down her spine. “Who…?” she began, her voice trailing off. “You are safe. For now,” the man replied, his tone even, emotionless. Nova’s mind raced, but her memories were shrouded in fog. Panic set in, her heart pounding in her chest. “I don’t remember,” she stammered, her voice laced with fear. The man’s jaw tightened, his eyes unreadable. Nova’s own eyes widened as realization struck—she didn’t know her name, her past, or how she had gotten here. Terror gripped her. “No. This can’t be,” she whispered, breath catching. “I don’t know who I am.” For the first time, his eyes flickered. In that fleeting instant, Nova glimpsed something deeper—something painful—but it vanished just as quickly. “You will recall,” he said, his tone unyielding. Nova’s gaze drifted to her surroundings, taking in the unfamiliar room. Wooden beams, soft curtains, a stone fireplace—everything was strange. How had she ended up here? And who was this man? “Who are you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. He paused, eyes narrowing. “Someone who’s keeping you alive.” Nova’s thoughts swirled, questions piling up, but before she could ask another, exhaustion claimed her. Her eyelids grew heavy. The last thing she saw was the man’s piercing green eyes watching her with unnerving intensity. When Nova woke again, the room was empty. The stranger was gone, but his eyes still lingered in her memory. She tried to sit up, but her head spun. “Nova,” she whispered—that was her name. She clung to it like a lifeline. She waited for another memory to surface, but none came. With a frustrated sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, testing her strength. Her legs ached, but she managed to stand. Her gaze wandered across the cabin’s rustic charm—wooden beams, soft curtains, and a fireplace glowing faintly with dying embers. It was cozy and beautiful, just like the man who had rescued her. Smiling faintly, Nova limped toward the door, curiosity tugging at her. When she stepped outside, a breathtaking view greeted her: towering trees stretched toward a dusky sky, and the crisp scent of pine and earth filled her lungs. But as she ventured deeper into the woods, the silence grew oppressive. Fear began to bloom in her chest. Suddenly, a figure burst from the underbrush. “Stop!” a deep voice boomed. Nova’s heart skipped a beat. She gasped, clutching her chest. “You scared me!” she cried when she realized it was Kaidan, carrying firewood. Kaidan’s expression remained stern. “Go back inside. The woods are heavily trapped.” Nova’s fear gave way to defiance. “Why? What’s going on? Why are there traps everywhere?” “I set them for protection,” Kaidan said flatly, his jaw tightening. “Protection from what?” she pressed, her tone demanding. “And who are you, really?” “Go back inside,” he ordered, scanning the dark treeline. “It’s not safe here.” Nova hesitated but retreated into the cabin, Kaidan following close behind. When they were inside, she spun to face him. “Answer me. Who are you? How did I get here?” “My name is Kaidan,” he said, depositing the firewood with measured calm. “I found you at the base of a cliff. It looked like someone pushed you. You’re not safe until you regain your memory.” Nova’s mind reeled. Pushed? Someone had tried to kill her? Kaidan’s eyes darkened. “You should rest. You’ll remember soon.” “That’s not enough!” she snapped. “Tell me more.” He studied her quietly. “You’ve been through trauma,” he said finally. “Your memories will return when you’re ready.” Nova wasn’t convinced. “Who are you, really? Why live out here—alone?” His eyes flashed a warning. “I’m just a recluse. I like solitude.” But her intuition screamed that there was more to his story. “What’s really going on in these woods? Why all the traps?” “Protection from wild animals,” he said again, his tone final. Nova’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t believe him. “Do you live here alone?” she asked softly. “Do you have family nearby?” Kaidan’s expression tightened, his gaze flickering toward the window. Just then, a loud crash echoed outside, making Nova jump. The sound was primal—like the snapping of wood under the weight of something massive. “What was that?” Nova whispered, eyes wide with fear. Kaidan’s face went grim. “That’s the wild animal I was talking about.” Nova’s skin crawled. The darkness outside pressed against the cabin windows, suffocating her with dread. “Stay inside,” Kaidan commanded, his voice low and firm. “Don’t step out for any reason.” He grabbed a nearby flashlight and moved toward the door. “Wait!” Nova called out, but Kaidan was already gone, disappearing into the night. The door creaked shut behind him, leaving Nova alone with her fear.