LOGINI didn’t answer her immediately as my eyes stayed on the blood and on the direction it led, on the faint, fading scent that still lingered in the air.“They hurt him,” I said finally, my voice low.Kael shifted beside me. “You don’t know that, Ethan.”“I do.”Sarafina frowned slightly. “Ethan—”“He’s injured,” I cut in. “And if they took him like this…” I gestured toward the trail, “…then I need to make sure they’re not still hurting him.”Kael glanced at the blood again, then back at me. “Why would they still be torturing him, Ethan? I really don't see any reason as to why they would still be torturing him. I mean, if they already got what they wanted—”“They didn’t,” I said. "They didn't get what they wanted."They both looked at me.Something in my tone must’ve given it away because Sarafina’s expression sharpened.“…What do you mean, Ethan?” she asked.I exhaled slowly.This was the part I didn’t want to explain, the part that made everything worse.“Before I say anything,” I said
The moment we crossed the gate, we ran with no hesitation. We didn't even look back, even when the forest swallowed us whole as we pushed forward, feet barely making a sound against the ground. Branches snapped softly under pressure, leaves brushed past us, wind rushing against my skin as I led the way.Kael and Sarafina kept up closer than I expected, matching my pace step for step.Good because that meant I didn’t have to slow down.“Still got time?” Kael called quietly from behind.“Yeah,” I replied, not turning. “Just keep moving.”We didn’t stop, and we didn’t break our formation. Everything in me was locked on one thing, and that was the cabin. The deeper we went, the more familiar the path became, and the trees grew denser. Then I saw the clearing... the remains of what used to be the cabin.I slowed immediately, raising a hand slightly, and they stopped behind me. We stayed at the edge of the trees as we hid and watched.My eyes scanned every inch for movement or even voices,
I gasped as air slammed back into my lungs like I’d been drowning.The fire, the screams of I’ve lost my wolf were all gone and replaced by cold stone, low torchlight and voices.“Ethan!”My eyes snapped open.The cave ceiling came into focus above me, blurred at first, then sharpening as I blinked rapidly. My body felt heavy like I’d been dragged through something and dropped back into myself too fast.“Easy,” one of the elders said.I pushed myself up instinctively, ignoring the way my head spun for a second. My mother was right there, crouched in front of me, her hands hovering like she wanted to touch me but wasn’t sure if she should.“I’m fine,” I said quickly, even though my voice came out rough.My father stood just behind her, watching me closely. The circle of elders remained around me, waiting, observing and judging.“What did you see?” one of them asked.The question hit immediately and with it, the image of me on my knees, crying that I’ve lost my wolf…My chest tightened.
I returned home as quickly as I could, as all that mattered was getting through this next phase so I could leave, and so I could get back to him.I stepped into my room and shut the door behind me, leaning back against it for a second as I exhaled slowly.“Just get through it,” I muttered.That was the plan, nothing more and nothing less.I moved on autopilot after that.I went to my bed and sat. After a few seconds of doing just that, I stood. Then I paced as time stretched, and every minute that passed was another minute Derek was still out there, and I hated it.I sat on the edge of my bed, elbows on my knees, staring at the floor when a knock at the door broke the silence.“Ethan.”My mother.I stood immediately and crossed the room, opening the door.She stood there, already dressed.“The elders are waiting,” she said softly. “It’s time.”Finally.I nodded. “Okay.”She smiled faintly, stepping back so I could walk out.I didn’t hesitate as the sooner this was done, the sooner I c
“…What really is your relationship with Derek…?”I didn’t answer. So instead, I looked away like I hadn’t heard him.“…Ethan,” Lucas said.I ignored it. Turned slightly, exhaling through my nose as I was more focused on the ground than the weight of his stare, causing silence to stretch.Then—“Yeah,” Lucas muttered. “That’s what I thought.”I clenched my jaw, but still said nothing. Because anything I said would’ve been the wrong thing... and he knew it.Of course he did.Lucas shook his head once, stepping back.“My answer is still no.”That snapped something in me, and I looked up at him again, frustration flaring.“Lucas—”“I’m not helping you sneak out,” he said firmly. “End of discussion.”I exhaled sharply, then glanced briefly at Kael and Sarafina. They were watching.I turned back to Lucas.“Can I talk to you?” I asked, quieter now.He frowned slightly. “You’re already talking.”“Alone. Please.”His gaze flicked past me to them, then back to me.“…Make it quick.”I didn’t wai
Lucas stood with his arms crossed, and his gaze lifted the moment I approached. There was a brief pause, then—“Happy birthday.”I nodded once. “Thanks.”He didn’t smile but just watched me for a second longer before pushing off the gate slightly.“Alright,” he said. “Go straight to the point.”Kael snorted immediately.Lucas didn’t even look at him.“I know you didn’t come all the way out here to enjoy the scenery,” he continued. “So say what you want.”That did it as Kael and Sarafina both broke into laughter.I groaned, dragging a hand over my face. “Can you two not—”That only made it worse.Kael bent slightly, clutching his stomach. “He said go straight to the point—”“I am at the point,” Lucas said dryly.Sarafina tried to stifle hers, covering her mouth, but it came out anyway in short bursts.“Guys,” I said, sharper this time. “Stop.”They didn’t even though they tried, but they couldn’t.Lucas exhaled slowly, already turning away. “You know what—”“No, wait—!” Kael straighten
Returning home was… easier than I expected. After everything that had happened this evening... the witches, the destroyed cabin, the fight, Bri’s decision to leave, the almost-discovery by those old hikers, you’d think walking back into pack territory would feel impossible.But it didn’t.The momen
Bri was walking beside me, and she hadn’t let go of my hand. Her fingers were wrapped tightly around mine.Lucas walked ahead of us, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he kept scanning the trees out of habit. Even though the danger had passed, wolves didn’t exactly turn off their instincts that
I smiled at the ceiling of my room.My heart had been beating a little faster ever since we started talking about the kiss, but hearing that… hearing him say that so honestly… it made something inside my chest tighten in the best possible way.“Derek,” I said slowly, “would you love for that wish t
Voices murmured faintly through the trees.I stood beside Derek, my heart beating steadily but hard. My wolf senses were stretched to their limit, trying to identify how many people were coming.Behind us, hidden deep within the trees, Bri and Lucas had already slipped into the shadows. They were w







