Chapter 5

Midnight in the Kane mansion felt like a cage with golden bars, and Nora could not shake the feeling that the walls were closing in.

She waited until the house grew quiet before slipping out of her room. The halls were dimly lit as she made her way to the large study on the second floor. Old family papers and locked cabinets called to her. She needed answers.

Nora picked the lock on one drawer with a hairpin and started pulling out documents. Dust rose as she flipped through them quickly.

"Come on, there has to be something here," she whispered to herself.

Footsteps sounded behind her. She froze.

Blake's deep voice cut through the silence. "Looking for secrets in the middle of the night?"

Drew stepped into the room right after him. "Could not sleep, little wolf? Or are you trying to dig up dirt on us?"

Nora straightened up and faced them. "I need to know what I am really part of. You two keep talking about this bond, but I want the truth about my mother."

Blake crossed his arms and moved closer. "The truth comes with a price. Tell us what you already know and maybe we will help."

Drew leaned against the desk with a softer smile. "We are on your side, Nora. Let us help you. No need to sneak around."

Nora held up a faded letter. "This mentions my mother working closely with Donovan before the marriage. What is that about?"

Blake's eyes narrowed. "Put that down and talk to us properly. Why are you really here?"

"I told you," Nora said, stepping back as they circled her. "I want answers. My mother hid things from me. I can feel it."

Drew reached out gently and touched her arm. "Easy. We understand. The bond is messing with your head too. Let me see that letter."

She handed it over but kept her guard up. "See? It says she knew about the pack long before she married into the family."

Blake read over Drew's shoulder. His voice grew harder. "Your mother was more involved than you think. Now tell us why you ran after the ritual. What really scared you?"

Nora met his stare. "You both scared me. The way you claimed me. The power in it. I was not ready."

Drew's tone stayed warm. "But you felt it too. The connection. It is still pulling us together right now. Admit it."

"I admit nothing," Nora shot back. "You two act like I belong to you. I belong to myself."

Blake pressed forward. "Wrong. The bond says otherwise. Stop fighting us and start working with us. What else did you find in those papers?"

Nora picked up another document. "This one has her signature on a pack agreement. She knew about werewolves. Why did she never tell me?"

Drew moved behind her, his breath warm on her neck. "Because she wanted to protect you. Just like we do. Come on, Nora. Trust us a little."

Blake took the paper from her hands. "Trust starts with honesty. You have been hiding more than you say. What are you really afraid of?"

Nora turned between them. "I am afraid of losing control. Of becoming something I do not recognize. You both make me feel things I should not."

Drew smiled softly. "Those feelings are real. The bond does not lie. Let it guide you."

Blake's voice stayed firm. "Stop running from it. We can keep you safe if you let us in."

The tension grew thick in the room. Nora felt caught between Blake's pressure and Drew's charm. Her heart raced.

"I need air," she said, trying to step away.

Blake blocked her path. "Not until you talk. What else is in these files?"

Suddenly loud crashes echoed from downstairs. Glass shattered. Alarms blared through the mansion.

"Intruders," Blake growled. "Stay here."

Nora grabbed a heavy letter opener from the desk. "No. I am fighting too."

Drew pulled a gun from his jacket. "You do not have to prove anything."

"I am not hiding while you risk everything," Nora insisted.

They rushed downstairs together. Masked attackers poured through broken windows. Gunfire filled the air.

"Get down," Blake shouted.

Nora ducked and swung the letter opener at one attacker who got too close. She stabbed him in the arm and he yelled in pain.

Drew fired two quick shots. "Nice move, Nora. Stay between us."

Blake charged forward. "These are rival wolves. They want blood."

One attacker shifted into a snarling wolf right in front of them. Blake roared and shifted too. His massive black wolf form tore into the enemy with powerful jaws.

Nora watched in awe and horror. "Blake!"

Drew shifted beside her into a lighter brown wolf. He moved with speed and cunning, taking down another attacker from the side.

Nora grabbed a fallen gun and fired at a man aiming at Drew. "I got your back."

Blake's wolf glanced at her with glowing eyes before ripping through more enemies. The power in their shifted forms was terrifying and impressive.

Drew shifted back halfway through the fight to shout at her. "You are incredible. Keep fighting."

Nora fired again. "Just survive this."

Blake shifted back to human form, breathing hard. "They are retreating. We got most of them."

Drew wiped blood from his lip. "You fought like one of us, Nora. That was brave."

Nora lowered the gun, hands shaking. "I had no choice. You two were amazing. The way you shifted. The strength."

Blake pulled her close for a quick check. "Are you hurt?"

"No," she said. "But this proves I cannot just leave. They will keep coming."

Drew picked up a dropped envelope from one of the attackers. "Look at this. It has your mother's old seal on it."

Nora took the paper with trembling fingers. "What does it say?"

Blake read over her shoulder. "It is a letter from years ago. She planned the ritual. She wanted you bonded to us from the start."

Nora stared at the words in shock. "My own mother set this up? Why?"

Drew put an arm around her. "We will find out together. You are not alone anymore."

The night left Nora exhausted but wide awake with new questions. As the brothers secured the mansion, she realized the secrets ran deeper than she e

ver imagined. Escape felt further away than ever, and part of her was starting to wonder if she even wanted it.