Rejected and Claimed by his Best Friend, Book 1

Chapter 36: Shadows in the Dark (Remi’s POV)

The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife as I stepped outside the safe house. My eyes scanned the surrounding woods, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I didn’t need my wolf, Black, to tell me something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones.

There had been a disturbance—a faint scent on the wind that didn’t belong to anyone from the Crescent Moon pack. At first, I thought it was just a rogue, but then I caught the familiar scent of another pack mixed in. Not just any pack, but the Silvermoon pack—the one I’d severed all ties with.

*Why are they here?* Black growled in the back of my mind, his unease reflecting mine.

I didn’t answer him right away, keeping my focus on the trees ahead. I’d told Alice to stay inside, but a part of me wasn’t sure if I could protect her from whatever this was. If it was Silvermoon, they might have sent someone to track her. But why? What did they want with her?

My thoughts were interrupted by a rustling sound to my left. I turned quickly, but there was nothing. No movement, no sign of life.

The silence stretched, and I continued forward, my senses heightened. I could feel the presence of someone, something, lurking just out of sight. My instincts told me this wasn’t a simple search; it was something more—something personal.

*Stay alert,* Black warned, his voice low and intense. *Something’s coming.*

I gritted my teeth. The scent trail led me farther into the woods, and I knew I couldn’t ignore it. I couldn’t let whatever threat was out here get anywhere near Alice. If it was a rogue or someone sent from Silvermoon, I needed to deal with it, and fast.

As I moved deeper into the forest, I felt the pull of the moon. The closer I got to the clearing, the stronger the pull became. It was as though something—or someone—was calling me. But the closer I came to it, the more unsettling the feeling became.

Then, I saw it.

A shadow, moving fluidly in the moonlight, darted across my path. Before I could react, the figure vanished into the trees, just as quickly as it had appeared.

*They know we’re here,* Black growled. *We need to go after them.*

Without thinking, I surged forward, pushing my wolf’s strength to the limit. The cold night air whipped against my face as I followed the trail deeper into the forest. Whoever this was, they were good. Too good. And they were leading me away from the safe house, away from Alice.

I cursed under my breath. This was a trap. They were trying to get me away from her.

*Don’t let your guard down,* Black warned.

I could hear the rush of footsteps behind me—closer now. A low growl rose in my throat as I forced myself to slow down. I had to be smart about this. The last thing I needed was to be lured into a confrontation with no backup.

I stopped, allowing myself to blend into the shadows, waiting for my pursuer to reveal themselves. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting an eerie glow over the forest floor.

Then I saw it—a flash of silver. The flicker of movement.

I sprang into action, my body moving before my mind could fully process it. The figure turned, and for the briefest moment, I locked eyes with the person who had been tracking me.

It was a young man, dressed in dark clothes, his features sharp and cold. His eyes, however, were what unsettled me most—there was a deep, unnerving recognition in them.

“I was hoping I’d catch up with you,” the man said, his voice calm, almost too calm.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous.

The man chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “I think you’ll find I’m not the one you need to worry about.” He took a step closer, his eyes flickering toward the safe house in the distance. “Your little pack is under threat. And it’s only a matter of time before they come for you... all of you.”

I stiffened, every muscle in my body coiling in preparation for a fight. “Who are you?”

“My name’s irrelevant,” the man said, his gaze now fixed on me with a chilling intensity. “But what I know is this: you can’t protect her forever, Alpha.”

I felt a deep anger stir within me, but I kept my composure. “If you’ve come for Alice, you’re making a mistake.”

He raised an eyebrow, his smile turning darker. “I’m not here for her. I’m here for you. Or rather, what’s left of you.”

Before I could respond, he vanished into the trees with a speed I couldn’t match, leaving me standing in the clearing, the echo of his words lingering in the air.

I stood frozen, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Whoever this person was, he was part of something much bigger than I’d anticipated.

*He’s not the threat,* Black whispered, his voice tense with frustration. *The real danger is coming. And it’s coming for Alice.*

I didn’t need Black to tell me that. I already knew.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing. I needed to get back to Alice, now. Whatever game was being played here, I wouldn’t let her become a pawn. Not again.

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