Chapter Four

Anna’s POV

Another explosion tore through the ceremony grounds, sending splinters of wood and stone flying into the air.

The joyous celebration dissolved into chaos.

Parents grabbed their children and rushed toward the safety of the pack house while warriors barked orders over the terrified screams echoing across the clearing.

“Protect the elders!”

“Get everyone inside!”

Several wolves shifted instantly, their massive forms bursting through torn clothing as they charged toward the eastern gate.

I instinctively reached for the dagger hidden beneath my dress.

Kael looked over his shoulder, his sharp gray eyes finding mine.

“Stay with Grams Becky.”

“I can fight.”

“I know you can.” His voice remained calm despite the chaos around us. “That’s not a request, Anna.”

Before I could argue, he was already gone.

He strode toward the broken gate with steady, unhurried steps, as though the invading wolves posed little threat to him.

My eyes followed him until Grams Becky grabbed my arm.

“Anna, come with me.”

She was trying to usher a frightened little girl toward the mansion, but the child was crying too hard to move.

“I’ll help.”

Together, we guided several frightened children away from the fighting. Around us, Ironfang warriors clashed with the invaders, their growls shaking the night.

A rogue broke through the line of defense and lunged toward us.

Without thinking, I stepped in front of Grams Becky.

The wolf’s jaws snapped inches from my face.

I ducked beneath him, drove my dagger into his side, and twisted hard before shoving him away.

He staggered backward with a pained howl.

An Ironfang warrior finished him moments later.

Grams Becky stared at me with wide eyes.

“You were supposed to stay behind me,” I muttered, breathing hard.

She gave me an exasperated look despite everything happening around us.

“I was about to tell you the same thing.”

Even now, she was still trying to protect me.

A smile almost escaped me.

Then a familiar voice called my name.

“Anna!”

Emma ran toward us, her dress stained with dirt.

Caleb was beside her, blood streaking one side of his arm where fresh claw marks had torn through his sleeve.

“I’m fine,” he quickly assured Emma before she could panic. “It’s only a scratch.”

Emma cupped his face with trembling hands. “You idiot! What if something bad happens to you?”

“But I’m your idiot.” He smiled “ and nothing bad is going to happen my love “

Despite everything happening around us, she smile through her tears before throwing her arms around him.

Relief washed over me.

At least they were alive. A roar echoed across the battlefield, drawing everyone’s attention.

Kael.

He stood in the middle of the clearing surrounded by fallen wolves.

“You must be incredibly bold to attack my territory head-on.”

His gray eyes moved over each of the intruders before settling on the one standing at the front.

“I was beginning to think tonight would be dull.”

Without warning, a rogue lunged at him from behind.

Without even looking, Kael caught the attacker by the throat and slammed him into the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath them.

Silence rippled across the battlefield.

The rogues froze, their eyes fixed on the fallen wolf lying motionless at Kael’s feet. That wasn’t just the strength of an Alpha. It was something far more terrifying.

For the first time since the attack began, fear flickered across their faces.

But fear wasn’t enough to stop them.

With furious growls, they charged at him all at once.

Before anyone could move, another rogue darted past the fighting, trying to escape through the broken gate.

His hood slipped back as he ran.

My heart stopped immediately. A jagged scar stretched across the left side of his face.

I knew that scar.

A memory crashed into me. The Flames swallowing my home. My father’s roar. That same scarred wolf standing among the attackers.

My fingers tightened around my dagger.

It was him, One of the wolves who had attacked my pack.

The rogue glanced over his shoulder.

The moment our eyes met, recognition flashed across his face.

His expression changed For a split second, he looked… surprised.

Then he turned and ran.

“No!”

I took off after him before I could think.

“Anna!”

Someone shouted behind me.

Maybe Emma.

Maybe Grams Becky.

I didn’t stop.

The rogue sprinted through the shattered eastern gate and disappeared into the forest.

I chased him as fast as I could.

Branches scraped against my bare arms while roots threatened to trip me with every step, but I refused to slow down.

Not this time. Not when I was finally so close.

The rogue remained just ahead of me, close enough for me to catch glimpses of his dark cloak between the trees.

Every time I thought I was gaining on him, he pulled farther away.

It was almost as though, He wanted me to keep following him.

The thought barely crossed my mind before he suddenly stopped running.

He stood in the middle of a small clearing with his back to me.

Breathing heavily, I raised my dagger.

“It’s over,” I said.

The rogue slowly turned around and Instead of fear, He smiled.

A chill crawled down my spine.

“You’re even easier to lure than he said.”

My grip tightened around the dagger.

“What are you talking about?”

He chuckled.

“You really thought I was running from you?”

The forest around us suddenly fell silent.

Leaves rustled behind me , Then to my left.

Another sound came from somewhere to my right.

My pulse quickened.

Heavy footsteps surrounded the clearing.

Dark figures began emerging from between the trees, their eyes fixed on me with frightening precision.

Every escape route disappeared. My heart pounded against my ribs as I realized that it was a trap .

The scarred rogue folded his arms, satisfaction shining in his eyes.

“Our Alpha gave us one order.”He took a slow step toward me.

“If we ever found you alive…” A cruel smile spread across his face. “…we were to bring you back.”