THE SCENT OF DANGER

Standing at the edge of the penthouse, I watched the children chase each other using the chairs as obstacles. Lucas’s laughter echoed as he darted away from Lily, who giggled in pursuit. For a moment, it was easy to forget everything we had escaped.

This life, hidden away in the penthouse was suffocating but dreamlike.

Eric had bought it immediately we reached the city, keeping men around the building for our safety. He’d kept his promise to protect us.

Since the moment he found us and I agreed to trust him, for the sake of the children. He had done everything to hide them from the world he belonged to. He had kept me a secret, hiding out with unlimited supplies and limited movement.

I watched the twins with a bittersweet smile. I still raised them like humans, though their wolf threatened to be exposed every day. It scared me as it was getting harder to hide who they were.

Eric never pushed. He respected my decisions and was oddly understand. But there was something, it had been gnawing on me. I felt he wanted to use us, to weaponize the twins. But there was no proof, so far he was nothing but great.

“Don’t run too much!” I found myself calling, as I moved away from the window.

“They’re fine,” Eric’s low voice came behind me.

I turned, catching his warm smile as he came beside me, tucking his hands gently into his pockets. I stared at him, locking our eyes and finding comfort in his gaze.

“I just worry” I said softly.

Eric looked at the children, eyes narrowing slightly. There it was, that gnawing feeling that came to me whenever he gave the children that look.

“That’s why I brought you here, to protect you and to stop your worries”

I nodded, but a flicker of unease stirred in my chest.

“Are we really safe?” I found myself asking, knowing the answer before he could speak.

Eric didn’t answer immediately. His silence spoke the words he didn't want to say.

“I can't say for sure” he finally answered, his words an obvious half truth.

At the building that framed their quiet haven, lurking in the shadows, another figure moved closely watching the men that stood guard

A rogue wolf, took in the air, where the children’s scent lingere. An unmistakably hybrid scent. Something he’d never smelled before but only heard in rumours.

It was Half-human, Half-wolf.

he knew exactly who would want to hear about it. Someone who was tracing the scent.

With a low growl of satisfaction, he shifted into his wolf form and sprinted, paws pounding as he raced toward the stronghold of Alpha Vincent.

Alpha Vincent sat in a carved stone chair, a glass of blood-red wine in one hand. He was a tall man with silver-blonde hair and eyes as sharp as a blade.

Where Eric commanded respect, Vincent inspired fear.

His pack wasn’t united by loyalty, it was ruled by dominance. With only the powerful as leaders anyone less than that was discarded.

The rogue dropped to one knee the moment he entered the chamber, chest heaving from the run.

Vincent barely looked at him.

“Speak.” he said as he studied his wine.

“I found them,” the rogue said, his voice rough. “The twins.”

That caught Vincent’s attention.

He sat forward, placing his glass on the armrest. “the Twins?”

The rogue nodded. “Eric’s, the ones he had With the human. I caught their scent, I know where they are. They haven't fully turned but they're powerful”

Vincent’s lips curved into a cold smile. “where?”

“one of Eric's penthouse”

Vincent leaned back.

“Eric hides them like precious stones. If they exist, they’re his weakness.” the rogue said.

He turned his attention to him. “no. You don't know Eric. He might try to deny it but we're very similar. They're good weapons. You’ve done well”

The rogue bowed and left, and Vincent rose from his seat, pacing the chamber.

He’d always believed it impossible. That hybrids could exist. It was a wonder they were still alive and if he could claim the children, He could turn the tide of everything.

I watched as Lucas and Lily colored at the table, my worries reducing. Eric paced near the window, his phone pressed to his ear.

“What is it?” I asked, scared of the answer.

“A rogue found us.” he answered as he ended the call.

I felt my stomach drop. “Here? How?”

“He picked up the twins’ scent and my men? They're useless”

I clutched the edge of the counter. “i know this was too obvious”

“i thought…”

“You thought? I earned you and now what? We're no longer hidden”

The twins picked up on the tension and Lily looked up from her drawing.

“Mommy, is something wrong?”

I forced a smile not wanting to alarm them.

“No sweetheart. Go help your brother finish that picture, okay?”

Eric waited until the twins had left the room. Then he stepped close and took my hand.

“I’ll handle it. I'll increase the guards. No one’s getting through.”

“But what if they do?”

Eric looked me in the eye his expression scaring me.

“Then I’ll burn down the world to protect them.”

Eric watched the moon through the window. It was full. His wolf shimmered just beneath his skin, begging to be released.

He’d trusted his men to keep them hidden. Now that trust had been shattered.

Rogues were like cockroaches, one meant more weren’t far behind.

Jaden walked up to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

“I heard,”

Eric didn’t turn. “Vincent?”

“Confirmed. He knows.”

Eric clenched his jaw. “I need you to tighten the guards. Anyone who comes close, I want to know before they even breathe.”

Jaden nodded. “And the twins?”

Eric glanced back at the house. “They’re our only hope to win the war, we can't let him find them.”

I couldn’t sleep. I sat watching the children sleep. They looked peaceful.

I knew I couldn't run away from the truth forever. I couldn't live this lie anymore. Someone was coming for them. For my children.

And if they were found…

I couldn't finish the thought. Instead, I tucked the blanket tighter around Lily and kissed both of their foreheads.

I ran straight to Eric, his eyes locked onto mine.

“They’re still safe. For now.”

I nodded, though fear gripped me. “I’m scared.”

“I know” he said quietly.

I rested my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. For once, I let herself believe in him fully. I needed to.

The next morning, Lucas woke up first. He padded barefoot to the window, rubbing his eyes and froze.

At the corner of the room stood a tall man with glowing silver eyes, Watching him.

The man raised a hand and smiled.

Lucas face was filled with horror as he screamed.