Chapter 71: The Crescent Grove Pack Lucas POV

"Are you sure about this?" While Gareth led us deeper into the Crescent Grove Pack's territory, I said to Anna. His walk was calm and almost slow, as if having people over to his house was nothing new to him. With each step, my muscles tensed up because of how relaxed he was and how anxious I was getting.

Anna, or better still, Lia looked at me with a serious face. "Caleb, do you have a better idea?" When she shot back, her voice was sharp but quiet.

I didn't answer. I didn't need one—I really didn't—but I didn't want to give it any attention. Anna was clearly tired of walking without thinking, but something inside me told me this was a bad idea. She was not to blame.

The land of Crescent Grove was not at all what I had expected. A tidy clearing was dotted with small wooden houses, each dimly lit by candle light. Amidst the crackling of fires, a faint murmur of talk and laughter drifted through the crisp evening air. It was... quiet. Too quiet.

"It's... quiet," Anna whispered in an unsure voice.

"Too quiet," I answered.

Her piercing gaze cautioned me to control my paranoia, but I was powerless to refuse. Such packs did not simply exist for no obvious reason. They were either more dangerous than they seemed, or they were hiding something.

Gareth tilted his head slightly in front of us. His tone was light but strong as he stated, "The Alpha will want to meet you both. He is a fair man, so don't be afraid. You have nothing to fear as long as you treat others with respect."

Anna gave him a slight nod, but I stayed silent. Despite the tightness in her shoulders, she said, "Thank you," in a firm voice.

The interior of the Alpha's hall, a simple stone building, was cozy and inviting. The hearth raged with fire, bathing the basic furniture and polished wooden beams in golden light. A tall guy with dark hair streaked with silver stood next to a long oak table at the far end of the room.

Alpha Darius.

As we walked in, he raised his head, his sharp blue eyes moving over us with a serene focus that made my skin tingle. His smile was kind, almost charming, but beneath it, I could see a hint of something harsher.

Gareth bowed slightly and said, "Alpha Darius. These two outlaws wandered into our area. Lia and Caleb, who are supposedly siblings, are escaping a rogue attack."

Before he nodded, Darius's eyes stayed on us for much too long. His voice was smooth and deep as he continued, "Welcome to Crescent Grove. I guess your trip has been tough. I'm happy you arrived safely."

Anna quickly answered, "Thank you, Alpha," and stepped forward, bowing slightly. She spoke calmly, but I could feel the stress in her voice. "Thank you for your kindness. Our running has been going on for days.

I stayed where I was, keeping a close eye on Darius and crossing my arms. His piercing eyes didn’t miss mine, but his face didn’t waver either.

With his gaze darting between us, Darius stated, "Family is important. I respect how you have looked out for one another."

"Always," I answered in a tight voice.

Anna's foot brushed mine beneath the table as she gave me a warning look. I chose to ignore it and kept concentrating on Darius.

"You'll find Crescent Grove to be a serene place," Darius added, motioning for us to take a seat. "Our strength and size are inferior to that of bigger packs, but we have built something durable here. Above all, we value integrity and trust."

Unspoken meaning fell heavily on the words that hung in the air.

With a firm voice, Anna stated, "We don't want to make trouble for your pack. We simply need a place to recuperate and figure our next course of action."

Nodding, Darius answered, "Understandable. There’s no judgment here. We don’t encroach on what isn’t freely shared, and everyone has a past."

He looked at me once more, and I made myself keep my eyes open. I was worried about his tone, but his words were comforting. He wasn’t prying right now, but he might do so in the future.

We followed Gareth to a tiny hut outside the town. It had a faded sofa, a single bed, and a fireplace that gave off a subtle woodsmoke smell. It was plain but cozy.

Gareth handed Anna a set of keys and stated, "This will be yours for the time being. You are free to roam the area as you wish because the Alpha hates it when people feel confined. Just don’t cross the borders without permission."

Anna replied with a slight smile, "Understood."

Gareth paused, looking from one of us to the other. After a minute, he continued, "You'll be safe here. But don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it."

I gave him a short nod, then turned to face Anna after he had left my sight. "Safe, huh?" I whispered. "When I see it, I'll believe it."

With a groan, Anna fell on the couch and massaged her temples. "Lucas—I mean, Caleb—you can't be suspicious of everyone we encounter."

"Can't I?" I retorted, pacing the space. "Darius has something to hide. I feel something, but I'm not sure what it is."

She leaned her head back on the pillows and moaned. "You're impossible."

I turned to her and replied, "No, I’m cautious. You were blind to the way he looked at us. As if he was trying to determine our value."

"What would he gain from us, too?" She sat up and retorted. "Remember that we’re nobody? Two criminals with nowhere to go."

The knot in my stomach wouldn’t go away, but I had no answer for that. "Just... be careful, shall we?"

"Always," she replied, her voice softer. "However, we can’t run forever. This place may not be ideal, but it’s still better than sleeping in the dirt."

Reluctantly, I nodded, realizing she was right. Still, I kept thinking Crescent Grove was too good to be true.

I lay awake on the uncomfortable sofa that night, watching the shadows dance on the ceiling as the firelight flashed across the room. The silence was broken by Anna's soft breathing, but my thoughts wouldn’t stop.

Every word Darius spoke was laced with secret meaning as it replayed in my mind. Sincerity. Have faith. Don’t judge.

He wanted us to feel safe. But why?

I was unsure of the answer, but I knew that I would not lower my shields. Not for anyone, not for him.

I would comply for the time being. However, I would be willing to burn Crescent Grove to the ground if it proved to be a trap.