Chapter Five
975 Words
The silence between Ethan and Daisy lingered as they walked back toward the village outskirts. Ethan’s wolf remained restless, pacing in the back of his mind, but he forced himself to stay calm. Daisy had promised she didn’t know anything about the Phoenix pack, but her presence in his life felt far from coincidental.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. She walked a few steps behind him, arms wrapped tightly around herself, clearly shaken by their conversation. Despite his suspicions, Ethan couldn’t shake the strange pull he felt toward her—a connection he couldn’t explain.
“You don’t have to come with me,” he finally said, breaking the silence.
Daisy looked up, startled. “Where else would I go? I don’t even know how I ended up in that forest in the first place.”
Ethan stopped walking and turned to face her. “You don’t remember anything? Not even how you got the mark on your wrist?”
She shook her head. “No. The last thing I remember is waking up in the forest, and then... you.”
Her words unsettled him, but he nodded. “Fine. I’ll take you somewhere safe for the night. But tomorrow, I’m taking you to Poppy.”
“Who’s Poppy?” Daisy asked.
“My grandmother. She knows more about the Phoenix pack than anyone. If there’s even a chance you’re connected to them, she’ll find out.”
Daisy hesitated but nodded. “Okay.”
---
The Lunar pack house loomed ahead, its tall spires casting eerie shadows under the moonlight. As they approached, the guards stiffened at the sight of Ethan and the unfamiliar girl.
“She’s with me,” Ethan said sharply, brushing past them without waiting for a response. Daisy hurried to keep up.
Inside, the pack house was quieter than usual, the tension from Aiden’s arrival still lingering. Ethan led Daisy through the hallways, avoiding the curious gazes of the servants. He stopped in front of a guest room and pushed the door open.
“You’ll stay here for now,” he said. “Don’t wander off. I’ll check on you in the morning.”
Daisy stepped inside, glancing around the modest but comfortable room. “Thank you,” she said softly, meeting his gaze.
Ethan nodded but didn’t respond. He closed the door behind her and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. His mind was a storm of questions, and he knew he wouldn’t find peace until he had answers.
---
Meanwhile, in Poppy’s private chambers, Aiden sat up in bed, his injuries healing faster than expected. Poppy paced the room, her sharp eyes filled with worry.
“You shouldn’t have come back early,” she said, her voice low but firm. “It’s too dangerous right now.”
“I didn’t have a choice,” Aiden replied, wincing as he adjusted his position. “I needed to warn you. The Phoenix pack is mobilizing. They’re planning something big.”
Poppy froze, her expression hardening. “How do you know this?”
“I overheard them,” Aiden said. “I was tracking rogues near the border when I stumbled onto a group of Phoenix pack warriors. They were talking about an alliance with another rogue faction. Something about taking back what’s rightfully theirs.”
Poppy’s grip tightened on the edge of the table. “If they’re forming alliances, it means war.”
“I know,” Aiden said grimly. “And that’s not all. They mentioned a girl—someone they’re looking for. A girl with their mark.”
Poppy’s eyes narrowed. “What girl?”
“I don’t know,” Aiden admitted. “But they said she’s the key to their plans. Without her, they can’t succeed.”
Poppy’s mind raced. “We need to strengthen the pack’s defenses immediately. If they’re searching for this girl, they’ll come for her soon.”
---
Later that night, Ethan stood in his room, staring at the crumpled piece of paper he’d pulled from Aiden’s bag. The Phoenix pack’s symbol seemed to taunt him, its meaning just out of reach.
A knock at his door broke his thoughts. He opened it to find Poppy standing there, her expression unreadable.
“We need to talk,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
“What is it?” Ethan asked, shutting the door.
“I’ve learned something troubling,” Poppy said, her voice low. “The Phoenix pack is mobilizing for war. They’re searching for someone—a girl with their mark.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold. “What does she have to do with them?”
“We don’t know yet,” Poppy admitted. “But if they find her, it could mean the end of our pack.”
Ethan hesitated before speaking. “I think I’ve already found her.”
Poppy’s eyes widened. “What?”
“She’s here,” Ethan said. “The girl. She showed up in the forest earlier today. She has the mark on her wrist, but she claims she doesn’t know anything about the Phoenix pack.”
Poppy’s face hardened. “Take me to her. Now.”
Ethan nodded and led her down the hall to the guest room. He knocked on the door, and Daisy opened it, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Poppy.
“This is her,” Ethan said.
Poppy stepped forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Daisy. “You have a lot of explaining to do, girl.”
Daisy stepped back, fear evident in her eyes. “I already told Ethan—I don’t know anything!”
Poppy grabbed Daisy’s wrist, lifting it to examine the mark. Her expression darkened.
“This isn’t just any mark,” Poppy said, her voice filled with dread. “It’s the mark of the Phoenix heir.”
- Writer
