CHAPTER 3

Elise’s breath hitched. She had heard stories of him—stories of his power, his ruthlessness, and his infamous temper. The sight of him up close was overwhelming. His tall, commanding frame exuded authority, and his sharp, chiseled features were as cold and unyielding as marble. But it was his eyes—those piercing amber eyes—that held her captive. They weren’t filled with rage as she had feared. Instead, they burned with something else. Something she couldn’t name.

“I—I’m so sorry!” Elise stammered, stepping back in horror. “I didn’t mean—”

Kai raised a hand, silencing her apology.

“It’s fine,” he said, his voice deep and calm, startling her further.

The crowd gasped in unison, their disbelief palpable. Everyone knew Kai’s temper. For him to be this calm in the face of such an insult—it was unheard of.

Kai’s gaze softened as it lingered on her, and for a moment, the room seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them. He reached for a napkin from a passing waiter and began to dab at the stain on his suit, but Elise quickly snatched it from him.

“Let me!” she pleaded, her cheeks burning with shame.

Kai didn’t stop her, his intense gaze fixed on her as she clumsily tried to clean the mess. Her hands trembled, and she could barely hold the napkin steady.

“It’s just a suit,” Kai said quietly, his voice barely audible over the pounding in her ears.

Elise glanced up at him, surprised by the softness in his tone. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, the noise of the world around them disappeared. It was just him and her, locked in a silent exchange that neither of them understood.

Kai took a step closer, and Elise’s breath caught. The intensity in his eyes was almost too much to bear. Her heart raced, and she felt a strange pull toward him, like an invisible thread was tying them together.

Then, just as suddenly as it began, the moment ended.

Kai stepped back, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he turned and walked toward the front door, disappearing into the night.

Elise stood there, her heart still racing. The spell was broken, but the memory of his gaze lingered. Whispers spread through the crowd like wildfire, but Elise didn’t care to listen. She needed air.

She bolted for the exit, ignoring the stares and murmurs that followed her. Once outside, she took a deep breath, the cool night air soothing her frayed nerves.

The thought of taking a cab crossed her mind, but the weight of the evening urged her to seek solitude. Instead, she decided to take the trail through the woods—a path she knew well from her years in Archview.

The forest was dark. Moonlight streamed through the canopy above. Elise’s footsteps were the only sound as she made her way through the trail.

The earlier feeling of being watched returned, stronger this time.

Her pace quickened.

A rustle in the bushes made her freeze. She spun around, her eyes darting to the shadows, but saw nothing.

Elise tried to reassure herself that everything was alright. She knew these woods like the back of her hand. There was no reason to fret over what seemed to be a stray rabbit, right?

But the unease didn’t leave her.

Another sound—a faint growl.

Elise’s pulse spiked. She broke into a run, her short steps turning into desperate strides. The shadows seemed to move with her, following her every step.

Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed down from the trees, landing directly in her path.

Elise skidded to a halt, her breath hitching in terror. The wolf was unlike any she had ever seen. Its fur was pitch black, its eyes glowing an unnatural red.

Before Elise could react, more wolves emerged from the shadows, their eyes gleaming with the same eerie light. They surrounded her, their low growls vibrating through the air.

Elise’s mind raced. She had no wolf, no strength, no chance against them.

The lead wolf snarled, baring its teeth. It circled her, its movements predatory and calculated. The other wolves followed suit, closing in on her.

Elise’s back hit a tree, and she knew there was no escape.

The lead wolf lunged.

Instinct took over. Elise raised her hands, bracing for impact.

But the impact never came.

Instead, an invisible force erupted from her outstretched hands, sending the wolf flying into a nearby tree. The sound of the crash echoed through the forest, and the other wolves froze in shock.

Elise stared at her hands, her chest heaving. What had she just done?

The wolves recovered quickly, their shock turning to rage. They attacked all at once, their growls deafening the air between them.

Elise raised her hands again, and the same invisible force burst forth, throwing the wolves back. But one of them was faster, recovering quick from the knock back and coming at her.

A searing pain tore through her back as its claws raked across her skin. She cried out, her blood soaking through her clothes. The force of the strike sent her crashing to the ground, her crescent necklace flying off her neck to the dirt.

The wolves regrouped, their leader snarling orders. Elise knew she couldn’t hold them off much longer. Her vision blurred, her strength fading.

Then, a howl pierced the air.

The wolves froze, their ears perking up. The sound was powerful, commanding, and filled with authority.

Panic flashed in their glowing red eyes. One by one, they retreated, disappearing into the shadows.

Elise collapsed to her knees, her strength gone.

Through her blurring vision, she saw a massive wolf emerge from the thicket. Its golden eyes locked onto her as it shifted, its form morphing into that of a man.

Kai.

He knelt beside her, his expression filled with concern.

“Elise,” he said, his voice soft but urgent.

Elise tried to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Her vision darkened, and the last thing she saw was Kai’s face, illuminated by the moonlight, before everything went black.

The first thing Elise noticed when she woke was the faint scent of lavender and herbs, mixed with the sterile smell of disinfectant. Her eyelids fluttered open, and she was greeted by a warm, golden light filtering through the gauzy curtains of the infirmary.

Her body ached, particularly her back, where the wolf’s claws had left their mark. The faint sting of the injury made her wince as she tried to move.

“You’re awake,” a soft voice said, drawing Elise’s attention to a middle-aged woman in a pale green uniform. Her kind eyes crinkled as she smiled.

“Where am I?” Elise croaked, her voice hoarse.

“The pack house infirmary,” the woman said, stepping closer with a tray of steaming bowls. “You’ve been unconscious for a day and a half. The healers have been working on your injuries, but you’ll need more rest to fully recover.”

The mention of the pack house sent a jolt through Elise. She had never been here before, never been allowed to step into the sanctum of the wolves who ruled her world. The infirmary was surprisingly elegant, its walls lined with shelves of herbs and tonics. Everything felt alien yet strangely comforting.

The memories of the attack in the forest surged back, causing Elise to sit up abruptly, only to hiss in pain.

“Easy now,” the healer said, gently pressing her back onto the soft mattress.

“I... there was a wolf,” Elise stammered, her heartbeat quickening.

“No, a pack of wolves. And then—” She paused, her thoughts scrambling to piece together the fragmented images.

“There was someone. Kai. The Lycan leader. He—”

“He brought you here,” the healer confirmed, her tone calm and steady.

Elise’s heart skipped. “Where is he?”

The healer hesitated, her smile dimming. “The Alpha has other matters to attend to. You won’t see him here.”

The answer left Elise with more questions than relief. Why had he saved her? And why had he disappeared?

“When will I leave?” Elise asked, her voice softer now.

The healer placed a damp cloth on Elise’s forehead, her movements tender. “You’ll stay here until you’re fully healed. After that, you’ll return home.”

Home. The word felt like a weight on Elise’s chest. The thought of going back to her aunt’s house, back to the endless ridicule, made her stomach churn.

Elise’s hands roamed to her neck. It was with great shock that she realised an important part of her was missing.