CHAPTER 6:Secrets of the Pack
1155 Words
Morning crept in slowly, the pale light slipping through the thick canopy of the forest. I stirred awake, my body aching from yesterday’s madness. Everything felt like a fever dream,fighting off rogues, the desperate escape, and Lucian’s heated kiss that still burned on my lips.
He was gone when I woke up. I’d half expected that. Lucian was the kind of man who liked to pretend nothing fazed him, like he could just shove his emotions into a box and lock it away. But I remembered the look in his eyes. That haunted, desperate look.
My fingers traced the faint bruises on my shoulder where the rogue’s claws had torn into me. The pain was dull now, nothing compared to the storm raging inside me.
I pulled myself out of bed, fighting off the stiffness in my muscles. The small cabin Lucian had taken me to was quiet, just the soft rustle of leaves outside and the occasional chirp of birds. But something felt… off. Like the world was holding its breath.
The door creaked open, and Kade stepped inside. His usual carefree expression was replaced by a grim seriousness.
“You’re awake,” he said, eyes sweeping over me as if checking for injuries. “Lucian sent me to keep an eye on you while he handles things.”
“What things?” I asked, my voice scratchy from sleep.
“The rogues. They’ve been increasing their attacks. Lucian’s trying to figure out why.”
Guilt twisted in my chest. “Because of me?”
Kade’s gaze softened. “You’re not the reason, Aria. The rogues have been growing bolder for weeks. But last night was worse than anything we’ve seen.”
“Why?” I demanded. “What’s changed?”
He hesitated, his jaw tightening. “Maybe you should wait for Lucian to explain.”
“I’m tired of waiting around like some helpless doll,” I snapped. “If something’s going on, I deserve to know.”
Kade looked at me for a long moment, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Alright. But if Lucian finds out I told you, I’m a dead man.”
“I won’t tell him.”
He glanced over his shoulder, as if making sure we were truly alone, before lowering his voice. “The rogues aren’t just random wolves attacking for territory. They’re organized. Coordinated.”
“Coordinated? By who?”
“That’s the problem. We don’t know. But whoever it is, they have a reason for sending rogues after the Bloodmoon Pack. And it’s not just for power. It’s personal.”
“Personal?”
“Yes. And we suspect it’s connected to you.”
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. “Me?”
Kade nodded. “Ever since you showed up, their attacks have been more frequent. Almost like they’re trying to draw you out.”
“But why?” My voice trembled. “I’m just… me. Nothing special.”
Kade’s eyes narrowed. “You’re human, Aria. Yet Lucian brought you here and kept you alive. That alone makes you special.”
I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. Was it true? Were the rogues after me because of Lucian’s strange obsession with protecting me?
“I need to talk to him,” I said, pushing myself to my feet. “He can’t just leave me in the dark while the whole pack is in danger.”
“You won’t find him,” Kade said. “Not right now. He’s too busy trying to keep the rogues at bay.”
“Then I’ll find answers myself.”
“Aria, wait”
But I was already storming out of the cabin, my feet pounding against the forest floor as I made my way toward the main village.
The pack’s settlement was alive with activity. Wolves in human form scrambled to reinforce defenses, their faces etched with worry. The attack last night had shaken them. I could see it in their eyes.
“Aria!” A familiar voice called out, and I turned to see Mira, the young healer who’d been kind to me when I first arrived. Her eyes were wide with worry. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
“I need to find Lucian,” I said.
“He’s not here. He’s leading the warriors on a sweep of the southern border.”
“Then tell me what’s going on, Mira. I need to know why the rogues keep attacking.”
She hesitated, her fingers wringing together. “I’m not supposed to say anything. But… the pack is scared. They’re saying the rogues are after something—or someone. And some of them think it’s you.”
My chest tightened. “Why would they think that?”
“Because Lucian’s never acted like this before,” Mira admitted. “He’s ruthless, yes. But he’s also careful. He doesn’t risk the pack’s safety for anyone. And yet, here you are.”
The truth stung, but it made sense. The more Lucian protected me, the more of a target I became.
I turned to leave, but Mira grabbed my arm. “Aria, wait. Be careful. There are some in the pack who… who don’t agree with Lucian’s decision to protect you.”
I pulled away, my mind racing. If I was putting the pack at risk, I had to do something. I couldn’t just hide away and let them fight for me.
As I made my way back to the cabin, I spotted a figure leaning against a tree, his gaze locked on me.
“Lucian,” I breathed. He looked worse than before, dark circles under his eyes, his jaw tight with anger.
“You couldn’t just stay put, could you?” he growled.
“No. Because you keep leaving me out of everything. You expect me to just sit back and pretend everything’s fine when it’s not.”
“Because you are the reason it’s not,” he snapped, his voice rough. “They’re after you, Aria. And as much as I hate to admit it, I can’t protect you if you keep running headfirst into danger.”
“I’m not running. I’m fighting back,” I shot back. “You think I’m weak, but I’m not. And if I’m the reason they keep coming, then I deserve to know why.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “You want answers? Fine. But once you know the truth, there’s no turning back.”
I met his gaze, my heart pounding. “I’m ready.”
The tension between us crackled like lightning, his eyes blazing with something I couldn’t quite name. But whatever it was, I wasn’t backing down.
Because if I was going to survive this world, I needed to understand the secrets that made it so dangerous.
And maybe just maybe I needed to understand the man who was somehow both my protector and my worst nightmare.
- Writer
