Meeting the forests Wolves

Stella's POV:

I knew for sure that either way, we would be confronted by those wolves, whoever they were. Whatever pack that lived in this forest!

Perhaps it was better to just call them out and come up with a diplomatic way to get help from them - it was the only way for survival.

Three figures emerged from the tree line, moving with the fluid confidence of apex predators.

These weren't the high level threats I'd been expecting. Instead, they looked like locals—rural werewolves who'd made this forest their territory.

The largest of the three stepped forward and shifted smoothly from wolf to human form. He was a broad-shouldered man in his forties, wearing the practical attire of an English farmer—worn denim, muddy boots, and a thick wool sweater that had seen better days.

His graying brown hair was tousled, and his weathered face spoke of years spent working the land. But his eyes—sharp amber eyes—held the unmistakable intelligence and wariness of an Alpha protecting his territory.

"Well, well," he said, his accent distinctly Yorkshire. "What have we here? Two strangers washing up on our riverbank like dead fish."

I forced myself to remain calm, even as my protective instincts screamed at me to shield Orion from their scrutiny. "Please," I said, keeping my voice steady and non-threatening. "My mate is unconscious. He's in a trance—a supernatural condition. We're not here to cause trouble. We just need help."

The farmer-Alpha's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Trance? That's a convenient story. More likely he's unconscious from whatever fight you two were running from."

He gestured to his companions—two younger men who flanked him like loyal lieutenants. "Thomas, Samuel, restrain her. Check him for weapons."

"No, wait—" I started to protest, but it was too late.

The two younger wolves moved with practiced efficiency. Before I could react, rough rope was being wound around my wrists and arms, binding them tightly behind my back.

The coarse fiber bit into my skin, and I winced at the sudden restriction of movement. "Ahhh....." a scream tore through my throat.

"You don't understand," I pleaded as they secured the knots. "He's not unconscious from injury. It's a past-life trance. If you disturb him—"

"Save your stories for the Chief," the farmer-Alpha interrupted curtly. He nodded to Samuel, a lanky young man with sandy hair. "Carry the big one. If he's truly unconscious, he won't be going anywhere soon."

I watched in mounting anxiety as Samuel hefted Orion's limp form over his shoulder with surprising ease.

Even unconscious, Orion's presence was commanding—his tall frame and broad shoulders making him look every inch the powerful Alpha he was. But in his current state, he was completely vulnerable.

"Be careful with him!" I snapped, struggling against my bonds. "If you hurt him—"

"You'll what?" Thomas, the third wolf, laughed harshly. He was younger than the others, maybe early twenties, with the cocky attitude of someone trying to prove himself. "You're tied up and outnumbered. Not exactly in a position to make threats."

The farmer-Alpha—who I assumed was some kind of lieutenant or second-in-command—gestured for us to move. "Enough chatter. The Chief will want to question them properly."

They marched us through the forest along well-worn paths, clearly familiar territory for this pack. I stumbled occasionally, my balance affected by having my arms bound, but I forced myself to keep up.

Every few steps, I glanced back anxiously at Orion's unconscious form bouncing on Samuel's shoulder.

Wherever the hell they were taking us.....

If only Orion hadn't fallen unconscious, he would have definitely shown these wolves blood and death.

They were so lucky!