The Wolves Who Watch

The hallway felt longer this time.

Amara walked beside Lucian, trying not to show how strange everything felt. Every step made her hyper-aware of the people around them.

Or rather…

The wolves.

She could feel their eyes on her.

Everywhere.

Watching.

Judging.

Some curious.

Some hostile.

It made the back of her neck itch.

“How many of them are there?” she muttered.

Lucian didn’t look at her.

“Enough.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Do you ever give normal responses?”

“No.”

“Figures.”

They entered a wider corridor.

The moment they did, several wolves straightened.

Respect.

Fear.

Submission.

It all aimed at one person.

Lucian.

Amara noticed it immediately.

The way their heads lowered slightly.

The way no one dared step into his path.

Even the air seemed to move around him differently.

She frowned.

“You’re really their boss.”

Lucian glanced at her briefly.

“I’m their Alpha.”

“That sounds worse.”

As they walked, whispers followed.

“She’s the human…”

“The one who bit him…”

“Is it true she dominated the test wolf?”

Amara stiffened.

Great.

She was already famous.

A woman stepped forward suddenly.

Tall.

Elegant.

Cold.

Rhea.

Her dark eyes locked onto Amara instantly.

“Well,” she said smoothly.

“So the little survivor finally comes out.”

Amara stopped walking.

Lucian didn’t.

Which meant she almost walked straight into him.

She quickly stepped to the side.

“You must be the sister,” Amara said flatly.

Rhea smiled.

Sharp.

“Oh?”

“You have the same ego.”

A few wolves nearby inhaled sharply.

Lucian glanced sideways at Amara.

Amused.

Rhea’s smile thinned.

“You’re bold for someone who barely survived yesterday.”

Amara crossed her arms.

“And you’re rude for someone I just met.”

Silence.

Tension thickened instantly.

Rhea stepped closer.

Studying her.

Like she was examining something strange.

“I don’t like you,” Rhea said calmly.

Amara shrugged.

“Good. The feeling is mutual.”

Lucian sighed softly.

“Rhea.”

His voice carried warning.

But Rhea ignored it.

Instead, her eyes drifted to Amara’s neck.

The faint bite mark.

Her gaze darkened slightly.

“You turned her,” she said.

Lucian didn’t answer.

But he didn’t deny it either.

Rhea’s expression sharpened.

“That’s a mistake.”

Amara’s patience snapped.

“Can everyone stop talking about me like I’m not here?”

Several wolves shifted awkwardly.

Lucian smirked slightly.

Rhea tilted her head.

“You’re in a wolf pack now, human.”

“Name’s Amara.”

Rhea ignored that.

“Things don’t revolve around your comfort.”

Amara stepped forward.

“Good.”

Rhea’s brows lifted slightly.

“Because I wasn’t planning on making you comfortable either.”

For a moment, both women simply stared at each other.

Predators circling.

Lucian finally stepped between them.

“That’s enough.”

His voice wasn’t loud.

But it carried authority.

Instantly.

The tension dropped.

Rhea sighed softly.

“You’re protective already.”

Lucian’s expression didn’t change.

“She’s under my protection.”

Amara blinked.

That was… unexpected.

Rhea noticed too.

Her eyes flickered with something dangerous.

“Interesting,” she murmured.

Very interesting.

⸻

Footsteps approached from behind.

Dante.

He slid into the hallway like he had been waiting for drama.

“Did I miss anything fun?”

“Yes,” Amara muttered.

“You missed the welcoming committee.”

Dante grinned.

“I like her.”

Kael appeared moments later.

His gaze immediately locked onto Amara.

Cold.

Suspicious.

“You shouldn’t be walking freely yet,” he said.

Amara groaned.

“Here we go again.”

Kael ignored her.

“She’s unstable.”

“I’m standing right here!”

Lucian’s voice cut through the argument.

“She stays.”

That was final.

Everyone knew it.

Even Kael didn’t argue further.

But his eyes didn’t soften.

If anything…

They hardened.

Amara shifted uncomfortably.

“So… this is my life now?”

Lucian looked at her.

“Yes.”

She sighed dramatically.

“Great.”

Lucian turned toward the large doors ahead.

“Come.”

She followed reluctantly.

The doors opened.

And Amara froze.

The room beyond was massive.

Like a throne room.

Long table.

High ceilings.

Wolves everywhere.

Dozens of them.

And every single one turned toward her.

Her heart skipped.

“Oh…”

Lucian walked forward.

Completely unbothered.

Amara leaned closer slightly.

“Please tell me this isn’t a meeting about me.”

Lucian didn’t look at her.

“It is.”

She groaned.

“Fantastic.”

Lucian stopped at the head of the table.

Every wolf lowered their head instantly.

Submission.

Power.

Authority.

Amara watched it all carefully.

Then looked at him.

“You really run this place.”

Lucian glanced sideways.

“I told you.”

She leaned back slightly.

“Well…”

She sighed.

“I guess if I’m stuck here…”

Her eyes scanned the room.

“…I should at least learn the rules.”

Lucian’s gaze lingered on her.

Curious.

Interested.

Because that?

That was the first step toward acceptance.

Even if she didn’t realize it yet.

Across the room, Rhea watched them both.

And smiled slowly.

Because she could already see something dangerous forming.

Something that could destroy everything.

Or rule it.