Chapter 6: The Forbidden Bond

The moon hung high over the Black Ridge Pack’s training grounds, casting long shadows over the clearing. Samantha’s heart pounded as she stood at the edge, hidden among the trees. She knew she shouldn’t be here. Training was for wolves, not for someone like her—an outsider, a human. But something deep within her refused to accept that. She wanted to prove she wasn’t weak.

With careful steps, she blended into the crowd of young wolves preparing for their drills. No one seemed to notice her at first, and she let herself believe, just for a moment, that she could do this. That she could belong.

But then—

“Hey, who’s that?”

A sharp voice rang out.

Samantha froze as heads turned toward her. Panic coiled in her stomach like a snake. She had been caught.

Murmurs spread through the group, eyes narrowing in suspicion. Some looked amused, others annoyed. A few sneered outright.

“Wait… is that the stray?” another voice sneered. “What’s she doing here?”

Samantha swallowed hard, her mind racing for an excuse. But before she could utter a word, a familiar figure stepped forward.

“That’s enough,” Derek’s voice cut through the crowd like a blade.

The young wolves immediately silenced. The Alpha’s son carried an authority that none of them dared to challenge. He strode toward Samantha, his piercing golden eyes locking onto hers.

“What are you doing here, Samantha?” he asked, his tone low but firm.

She clenched her fists. “I just… I just wanted to see.”

A flicker of something—was it admiration?—crossed Derek’s face, but it was gone in an instant. He exhaled through his nose before turning to the others.

“Go back to your drills,” he ordered. “Now.”

Reluctantly, the group obeyed, though not without a few lingering glances in Samantha’s direction.

When they were finally alone, Derek turned back to her, his expression unreadable. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you could get into for this?”

Samantha folded her arms, looking away. “I didn’t ask for your help.”

Derek huffed a quiet laugh. “And yet, you always seem to need it.”

His words made something in her chest tighten, but she ignored it. “I should go.”

Before she could move, Derek reached out, his fingers grazing her wrist. The touch was barely there, but it sent a shiver up her spine.

“Let me walk you home,” he said.

Samantha hesitated. She knew she should say no. The last thing she needed was for someone else to see them together and start whispering rumors. But before she could refuse, Derek had already started walking, expecting her to follow.

And she did.

As they walked through the moonlit path, silence stretched between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it carried something unspoken—something that made Samantha’s skin tingle.

Derek was the first to break it. “You’re not weak, you know.”

Samantha glanced at him. “You don’t have to say that.”

“I’m not saying it to be nice,” he countered. “I see it in you. You’re stronger than they think.”

Her breath hitched at his words, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. “It doesn’t matter. No matter what I do, I’ll always be different.”

Derek stopped walking, turning to face her fully. “Being different isn’t a weakness.”

Their eyes met, and for the first time, Samantha allowed herself to truly look at him. Not as the Alpha’s son. Not as someone she had to avoid. But as someone who saw her—not just the human girl, not just the outsider, but her.

Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

This is dangerous, a voice in her head warned.

And yet, she didn’t move.

Before anything more could be said, a rustle sounded from the side of the path. They both turned just as a figure stepped out from the shadows.

Alex.

Her friend’s sharp eyes darted between her and Derek before narrowing.

“Samantha,” Alex’s voice was low. “What are you doing?”

Samantha stiffened, guilt creeping into her chest. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Alex crossed her arms. “It looks like you’re walking with the Alpha’s son in the middle of the night. Do you have any idea what would happen if the pack found out?”

Samantha’s stomach twisted. She did know.

She had let herself forget, just for a moment, that this wasn’t allowed. That this was dangerous.

Derek was watching her, waiting for her response.

She inhaled shakily before stepping away from him. “You’re right, Alex.”

Derek’s jaw tightened. “Samantha—”

“This can’t happen,” she interrupted, her voice quieter now. “You and I… whatever this is, it’s not real. It can’t be.”

Derek didn’t speak for a long moment, but when he did, his voice was softer than before. “Is that what you really believe?”

Samantha looked away.

She had to believe it.

Because if she didn’t, she knew she would fall. And falling for someone like Derek would only lead to heartbreak.

With a heavy heart, she turned and walked away, leaving Derek standing beneath the moonlight.

But as she did, she couldn’t shake the feeling that it was already too late.