11. The First Battle

The impact between Shadow and Caleb is brutal—like two forces of nature colliding inside the cramped cabin. The wood groans beneath their feet as they hurl themselves at each other, a whirlwind of claws and snarls that drives me back against the wall, paralyzed.

“Shadow!” I scream, but he doesn’t hear me.

Caleb is larger, stronger, and he seems to revel in every blow he lands on Shadow. Yet Shadow doesn’t back down. His movements are quick, precise—like he’s anticipating Caleb’s attacks before they even come. Still, I can’t ignore the truth: he’s losing.

Fear wraps around me, but something stronger than panic forces me to act. I grab a log from the fireplace, my heart pounding as I step toward the fight.

“Leave him alone!” I shout, hurling the log at Caleb.

The blow catches him off guard, but barely makes him stagger. He turns to me, his eyes gleaming with a fury that freezes me in place.

“Well, looks like you’ve got some fire in you,” he says, stepping toward me.

“Don’t touch her!” Shadow roars, launching himself at Caleb and slamming him to the ground.

The fight escalates, their snarls echoing through the cabin. I see blood on Shadow’s face, on his hands, and I know he can’t last much longer.

“Enough!” I cry, my voice trembling but firm.

Caleb stops, turning to me with a twisted grin.

“Do you really think you can stop me, little human?”My heart hammers, but I don’t look away.

“If you kill him, you’ll never get what you want.”

For a moment, he looks puzzled, then his expression shifts to a mix of curiosity and contempt.

“And what is it you think I want?”

“Power. Control. But you won’t get it by destroying Shadow.”

He laughs—a cold, cruel sound that makes me shudder.

“Interesting. But I already have control. And power… that’ll come when both of you are out of the way.”

Before I can react, Caleb lunges at me—but Shadow intercepts him. His growl is deeper, more feral, and for a moment, Caleb hesitates.

“This isn’t over, brother,” Caleb spits, before turning and storming out of the cabin.

The silence he leaves behind is deafening. Shadow slumps against the wall, gasping for air. I rush to him, my heart racing out of control.

“Are you okay?” I ask, though I know it’s a pointless question.

He nods weakly, wiping blood from his face.

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

I try to check his wounds, but he pushes my hand away.

“Amelia, you don’t have to do this.”

“Do what? Take care of you? Protect you? Because that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Shadow looks at me, his eyes full of something I can’t quite name.

“I don’t know how much longer I can keep protecting you,” he murmurs.

“You don’t have to do it alone. I’m here, Shadow. We’re in this together—whether you like it or not.”

For a moment, it seems like he’s about to argue. But then, he simply nods.

“Alright. But we have to move. Caleb won’t stop, and I won’t risk you being in his path again.”

“So what do we do?”

“We find help.”

“Help? From who?”

His eyes harden, and I know I won’t like the answer.

“My father.”

The night is cold as we leave the cabin, slipping into the forest. Shadow barely gives me time to pack a few clothes and some food before insisting we leave.

“Your father?” I ask, breaking the silence as I struggle to keep pace. “I thought he was… well, dead.”

“He’s not dead,” Shadow replies without looking at me. “But I wish he were.”

“Well, that’s… encouraging.”

He doesn’t answer, and I decide not to push. Something in his voice tells me this isn’t a subject he wants to touch.

The forest is dark and quiet, except for the crunch of leaves under our feet. I do my best to stay close to Shadow, though I know I’ll never match his speed or stamina.

Finally, after what feels like hours, we reach a clearing. In the center stands an old house, nearly falling apart—its windows shattered, the door hanging from rusted hinges.

“This is where your father lives?” I ask, trying not to sound too afraid.

Shadow nods, his jaw clenched tight.

“Yes.”

Before I can say anything else, the door creaks open, and a tall, broad-shouldered man steps into the doorway. His golden eyes gleam in the dark, and his smile is as fierce as it is terrifying.

“Shadow,” he says, his voice deep and thunderous. “Never thought I’d see you here again.”

“I didn’t have a choice,” Shadow replies, his tone cold.

The man looks at me, and his smile widens.

“And who is this lovely creature?”

“She’s none of your business,” Shadow growls, stepping protectively in front of me.

The man lets out a booming laugh.

“Oh, but she is my business. If she’s with you, then she’s already part of it.”

His gaze cuts through me, and I feel my heart skip a beat. Something tells me this man—whoever he is—might be just as dangerous as Caleb… maybe even more.