Chapter 11
701 Words
Elena stood motionless inside the apartment building, her hand still resting on the door handle.
The black SUV disappeared around the corner without making a sound.
A strange uneasiness settled in the pit of her stomach.
She told herself it was probably a coincidence.
People parked outside apartment buildings all the time.
Yet something about the way the vehicle had driven away the moment she looked at it made her instincts whisper otherwise.
"You've been imagining things ever since the forest," she murmured.
Taking a deep breath, she climbed the stairs to her apartment instead of waiting for the elevator.
She didn't feel like standing in another enclosed space.
Not after her encounter with Adrian.
Once inside, she locked the door, checked every window, and drew the curtains.
Only then did she allow herself to relax.
Her phone buzzed.
Lily: Made it home! Did you?
A smile tugged at Elena's lips.
Elena: Yes. Thanks for walking with me today.
Lily: Anytime. And promise me something.
Elena: What?
Lily: No more shortcuts through creepy forests.
Elena laughed softly.
Elena: Deal.
She placed the phone on the coffee table and headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
For the first time in days, the apartment felt peaceful.
~~~
Across town, Ryker parked his motorcycle outside a quiet warehouse near the edge of Ashridge.
Another Black Moon warrior was already waiting.
"Anything?" Ryker asked.
The warrior shook his head.
"The SUV disappeared before we could follow it."
Ryker frowned.
"They knew exactly when to leave."
"You think they're rogues?"
"I'm sure of it."
The warrior glanced around before lowering his voice.
"Should we tell the Alpha?"
Ryker gave him a look.
"He already knows."
~~~
At the Black Moon Pack House, Kael stood in the library, surrounded by shelves filled with centuries-old journals and records.
A thick leather-bound book lay open on the table before him.
Most Alphas never bothered reading the oldest records.
Kael was different.
If someone was hunting Elena, the answers might lie in the past.
His fingers paused over a faded illustration.
It depicted a human woman standing beneath a full moon while wolves surrounded her.
The page was damaged with age, making most of the writing unreadable.
Only one sentence remained intact.
"When the chosen one awakens, the balance between man and wolf shall be tested."
Kael read the line twice.
Then a third time.
A knock sounded at the library door.
"Come in."
Elder Gideon stepped inside.
"You've found something."
Kael turned the book toward him.
"What does 'the chosen one' mean?"
The elder's expression changed the moment he saw the page.
"You shouldn't have found that yet."
"Answer the question."
Gideon sighed.
"That book contains stories older than this pack itself."
"Stories?"
"Some call them legends."
"And you?"
"I call them warnings."
Kael folded his arms.
"I'm listening."
The elder looked at the illustration for a long moment.
"It is said that once in many generations, fate chooses someone capable of changing the future of every werewolf alive."
"A werewolf?"
"No."
The elder slowly shook his head.
"A human."
Silence settled over the library.
Kael's jaw tightened.
He didn't believe in fate.
He believed in facts.
Yet everything happening around Elena seemed to point toward something far beyond coincidence.
~~~
That same night, Elena sat curled up on her couch with a cup of tea.
She had almost convinced herself to stop thinking about wolves and prophecies.
Almost.
Then the lights went out.
The apartment fell into complete darkness.
"The power again?"
She sighed and reached for her phone to use its flashlight.
Just as the beam lit the room...
A loud crash echoed from her balcony.
She froze.
The curtain moved.
Not because of the wind.
Because something had landed there.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Slowly, she stepped closer.
The flashlight trembled in her hand.
She pulled the curtain aside.
A large black wolf stood silently on the balcony, its silver eyes meeting hers through the glass.
It didn't growl.
It didn't bare its teeth.
It simply watched her.
Elena stumbled backward in shock.
The wolf turned its head slightly...
As if making sure she was unharmed.
Then, with one powerful leap, it disappeared into the darkness.
- Writer
