4. The Line We Crossed

The cabin feels smaller now that I’m inside. Not because of its size, but because of Shadow—his presence fills every corner with an intensity that seems to press in on me. He watches me in silence, with a mixture of caution and something deeper I can’t quite name.

“If you knew how much trouble being here could bring you, you wouldn’t be so calm.”

He leans back in the chair, but his muscles are taut, like he’s ready to spring up at any moment.

“Maybe I’m not as sensible as you think.”

I try to sound brave, though my voice wavers slightly—and that seems to amuse him.

“Or maybe you’re braver than you should be.”

The silence that follows is thick, heavy with all the questions neither of us dares to ask. Then, as if he can’t bear the tension anymore, Shadow stands and begins to pace the room.

“Why aren’t you afraid?”

His voice is low, but there’s a restrained frustration in it.

“Should I be?”

He stops and looks at me, his eyes glinting with that strange golden light I’d seen before.

“I’m a lycan, Amelia. A beast. On nights like this, when the moon is full, my control is… limited. I’m here, in this cabin, because I need to stay away—from everything. From everyone.”

“From what?”

“From the people I might hurt.”

His confession is stark, and the weight of his words settles over me like a stone.

“And now you’ve brought me here? What does that mean?” I ask, my heart racing.

He runs a hand through his hair, exasperated.

“It means I’m taking a risk. With you.”

The air between us grows heavier. I know I should be afraid. I should get up and leave. But I don’t. There’s something about Shadow that pulls me in—something beyond the mystery, beyond the danger. It’s like he’s a storm, and I’m willing to walk straight into it.

“I’m not going to run, Shadow.”

My words seem to catch him off guard.

“Maybe you should.”

He steps closer, and this time, there’s no space left between us. I feel the heat of his body, the sheer force of his presence, and my breath quickens.

“But I won’t.”

For a moment, it looks like he’s about to say something more—but then it happens. From outside the cabin, a sound shatters the stillness: a long, deep howl that makes my skin prickle.

Shadow tenses instantly, his eyes blazing gold once more.

“What was that?” I ask, though I already know.

“I’m not alone.”

His voice is low, almost a growl.

I understand what that means. Others like him are near—and by the way he moves toward the door, I know this is bad.

“Stay here. No matter what happens, don’t come out. Do you understand?”

His tone is commanding, almost threatening—but I see the worry in his eyes.

“Shadow—”

“Amelia, promise me!”

I nod, though every instinct screams that staying put is the last thing I should do. He opens the door and vanishes into the darkness, leaving behind a silence that presses against the walls of the cabin like a living thing.

More howls echo through the woods, followed by something else: low snarls, the snap of branches, voices I can’t make out. My heart hammers in my chest, and though I promised to stay, I can’t help but move to the window.

I see him. Shadow stands facing two figures. I can’t make out their faces, but I know—they’re like him. Their movements are tense, almost animal. The way they lean toward him tells me they’re not pleased to see him.

One of them steps forward, says something I can’t hear. Shadow replies, his stance defiant—but the other lycan doesn’t back down.

I can’t just stand here. I know it’s madness to go out there, but the thought of something happening to Shadow terrifies me.

Before my mind can stop me, I open the door. The cold air hits me, and all three pairs of eyes snap to me at once.

“What are you doing?” Shadow growls, his voice low and dangerous.

“I couldn’t stay inside.”

My voice trembles, but I don’t step back.

The other two lycans eye me with curiosity, and a malicious smile spreads across one of their faces.

“So this is the human. Interesting.”

His voice is deep, mocking—and it sends a chill through me.

“Go back inside, Amelia. Now.”

Shadow moves toward me, but the other lycan steps between us, blocking his path.

“What’s this, Shadow? Protecting her? That’s not like us.”

“Don’t touch her, Caleb.”

Shadow’s voice is a low snarl, his body coiled like a spring, as if he’s about to change before my eyes.

“Why not? She’s just a human. Why should you care so much?”

Caleb steps closer, and fear surges through me—but I force myself to stand my ground.

“Stay away from her!”

Shadow’s voice rumbles, and for a heartbeat, even Caleb seems to hesitate.

The other lycan, the one who’d been silent, watches with a tilted smile, as if enjoying the chaos.

“This is fascinating. Very fascinating.”

His tone is mocking, but his eyes are cold, calculating.

Shadow steps forward, placing himself between Caleb and me, every muscle in his body drawn tight.

“She’s not part of this. Leave her out of it.”

“Oh, but she is now, friend. You brought her here. She’s part of it whether you like it or not.”

The lycan’s words hit like a blow—and I know he’s right. When I crossed that door, when I stepped into Shadow’s world, I became something more than just a bystander.

And now… there’s no way back.