Chapter 6: Shadows Closing In

Rylan kept a steady pace through the woods. I followed close, the artifact heavy in my bag. Every step felt strange. I had a brother again. A family. But the bond in my chest kept pulling me back toward Eli like an invisible rope.

“We’re almost there,” Rylan said quietly. “It’s not much, but it’s safe. For now.”

The trees thinned out. I smelled smoke and cooked meat. Then I saw it. A small hidden camp tucked in a narrow valley. Tents and simple cabins mixed together. Some people moved around fires. A few were werewolves like us. Others looked completely human. They all carried the same tired but determined look.

Rylan led me toward the largest cabin. My heart started pounding. The door opened and a young woman stepped out. Dark hair. Sharp green eyes like mine. She froze when she saw me.

“Lila?” My voice cracked.

“Jax?” She whispered my name like she couldn’t believe it.

I rushed forward. She did the same. We crashed into each other in a tight hug. I lifted her off the ground without thinking. She laughed through tears and held on just as hard.

“You’re really here,” she said, voice muffled against my shoulder. “After all this years.”

“I thought I lost you both,” I replied, throat tight. “I looked everywhere.”

We pulled back but kept holding each other’s arms. Rylan watched with a small smile. “Come inside. You need food and rest.”

The cabin was simple but warm. Wooden walls, a big table, blankets everywhere. Lila hurried to the small kitchen area. “Sit down. I’ll make you something hot. You look like you ran for days.”

I sat on a bench, still staring at her. It felt unreal.

Rylan sat across from me. The silence stretched for a moment while we heard Lila moving pots in the kitchen.

“So this is where you’ve been all these years?” I asked quietly.

Rylan shook his head. “Not exactly. This camp is temporary. We come here when we need to clear our heads from the noise all around the city, train young wolves or when the Alpha calls us for something important. It’s a safe stop, but not home.”

I leaned forward. “Then where do you actually live?”

“The main camp is back in the city,” he said. “We blend in there. Apartments, jobs, normal lives on the surface. After we finish whatever mission the Alpha gives us, we head back. It’s easier to hide among humans. No one suspects a thing.”

I tried to picture it. My brother and sister living in a city, acting ordinary while hiding what they were. “How did you adjust to that? Normal life after everything that happened?”

Rylan gave a tired smile. “It wasn’t easy at first. Lila was so young. I had to teach her how to control her shifts, how to act human in school. We kept moving when things got risky. But we made it work. Got good at pretending.”

I nodded slowly, trying to take it in. “I spent years alone in the woods and cheap motels. Never thought you two were out there building something real.”

“We looked for you,” he said. “Every chance we got. But the trail always went cold.”

Before I could reply, Lila came back carrying two bowls of hot stew and fresh bread. Steam rose from the food. She set them down with a gentle smile.

“Eat up,” she said. “We can talk more after you get some strength back.”

I picked up the spoon, grateful for the warmth. For the first time in years, sitting with my brother and sister felt like a real second chance.

Back at the Shadowfang compound, chaos filled Eli’s quarters. Three council enforcers in dark robes searched the room. Drawers were yanked open. The bed was torn apart. Eli stood by the wall with his arms crossed, jaw tight.

“Where is the thief?” the lead enforcer demanded.

“I told you,” Eli said calmly. “I don't know any thief you are talking about.”

The enforcer sneered. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Crowe.”

Eli didn’t flinch. “Search all you want. He’s gone.”

They tore through the room for another ten minutes. When they found nothing, the leader barked orders. “Send trackers into the woods. Now. Use scent. He couldn’t have gone far.”

Men shifted outside. Wolves howled as they picked up Jax’s trail. They picked up scents from the footsteps Jax left behind. The pack moved fast through the trees, following the clear footsteps and scent markers.

Unknown to Jax, these wolves were heading straight toward the hidden survivor camp.

While we were eating at the camp, Lila leaned closed and asked me. “Tell me everything,” she said softly. “How did you survive?”

Before I could answer, the door opened hard. A big man walked in. Broad shoulders, scarred face, eyes that looked like they’d seen too much. The Alpha of this camp.

He looked at Rylan. “Who did you bring here without telling me first?”

Rylan stood straight. “This is my brother, Jax. We’ve been searching for him for years. And he has finally found us.”

The Alpha turned to me. His stare felt heavy. “Is this true?”

I nodded and set the bowl down. “It’s true. I escaped from Shadowfang quarters just hours ago. I was captured on my way to the east wing.”

The Alpha’s eyes glowed bright red. His hands folded into fists. His face turned serious, almost dangerous. “Where did you say you escaped from?”

I swallowed hard. Fear crept up my spine. Unable to speak due to the pressure bringing me down.

He moved faster than I expected. Grabbed the front of my shirt and lifted me off the bench. Rylan stepped forward and was about to interfere but stopped when the Alpha shot him a sharp fierce look.

“Shadowfang quarters,” I repeated quickly, voice shaking a little.

The Alpha threw me hard onto the floor. I hit the wood with a thud. Pain shot through my back.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” he roared.

The whole cabin went silent. Lila froze where she was. Rylan looked torn.

Before anyone could speak, gunshots cracked outside. Shouts followed. People started shifting. Wolves howled in warning. The door burst open as someone yelled, “SHADOWFANG! They found us!”

I pushed myself up, heart racing. The camp was under attack. And it seems like I led them here unknowingly.