CHAPTER TEN: THE AWAKENING STIRS.

   THE AWAKENING STIRS

A voice sharp, commanding, familiar, cut through the night.

“Enough!”

From the trees, Ethan stepped into the clearing, flanked by two of his pack. But his eyes weren’t warm. They were cold, calculating. And they were fixed on me.

“Emily,” he called, his voice smooth but dangerous. “Step away from them. You don’t know what you’re doing.”

I froze. My claws still extended, my senses on fire. “Ethan? What are you doing here?”

“I came to warn you,” he said, stepping closer. “Damien… he’s not what he seems. You think he’s protecting you, but he’s using you. Using your blood. Your power. Can’t you see that?”

I shook my head. “No! He saved me! He… he claimed me as his mate. He’s protecting me —”

“Claiming you? Protecting you?” Ethan’s laugh was sharp, cutting. “You don’t understand. Kings like him don’t protect. They control. And if you’re not careful, he’ll consume everything you are.”

Damien stepped between us, wolf form towering, eyes glowing. “Back off,” he growled, low and dangerous. “She is mine. Stay away, Ethan. Or you will regret it.”

Ethan smirked, but I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. “We’ll see about that,” he said, before disappearing into the shadows, leaving his pack behind.

I stared at Damien, trembling. “He… he’s going to come back.”

Damien’s wolf growled, low and protective. “Let him try.”

I sank to my knees, my body shaking from adrenaline and fear. My wolf roared inside me, demanding release. My claws retracted slowly, leaving my hands raw but steady.

Damien lowered himself to my level, wolf form morphing seamlessly back into human. His molten eyes held mine, commanding, possessive, and terrifying.

“You are mine,” he said simply.

I swallowed. “I… I don’t know what that means.”

His gaze softened slightly, but only slightly. “You will. Soon. And when you do… everything changes.”

I nodded, too exhausted, too overwhelmed to speak.

Bella appeared behind me, hand on my shoulder. “Rest for now,” she said gently. “This night… is only the beginning. You’ve awakened. But your journey has just begun.”

I looked out toward the trees, my heart pounding. Somewhere out there, Ethan’s shadow still lingered. Somewhere out there, others who coveted my blood were watching.

And Damien… Damien was waiting. Always watching, always claiming, always ready.

The forest was alive. And so was my wolf.

But for the first time, I wasn’t afraid.

I was beginning to understand that my destiny was calling.

For the first time, I felt a sense of importance.

****************

The sun had barely risen, yet the estate was already alive with tension. Wolves patrolled the grounds, their ears perked, noses twitching, and eyes scanning the distant trees. Guards whispered among themselves, their attention flicking toward the forest, where shadows moved unnaturally, like water flowing against the wind.

I stood on the balcony of my room, staring at the treeline. The dream I had the previous night disturbed me, seeing Ethan in my dream unnerved me. I get the whole idea that Damien was not truthful with me because, as werewolves, we only get one mate. Right?

My wolf stirred beneath my skin, echoing the unease I felt deep inside.

Bella appeared beside me without knocking, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. Her eyes were serious, unreadable, yet filled with concern.

“Morning,” she said quietly. “Sleep well?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t. I kept seeing him in the woods. Damien.”

She nodded knowingly. “And your wolf?”

“I… felt her. Strong. Powerful. But wild.” My voice trembled. “I can’t control it yet.”

“You will,” Bella said softly. “You have to learn to listen. To feel and to trust the wolf inside you. Damien can guide you, but he will not do it for you.”

I swallowed hard. The words hit harder than any physical blow. I had always relied on my parents to do my hardwork. Now, for the first time, I realized that if I wanted to survive, I had to rely on myself.

Before I could respond, a distant howl tore through the air, sharp, urgent, and full of malice. Every wolf on the estate stiffened, ears pinned, teeth bared. The ground seemed to tremble under the force of it.

“Rogues,” Matteo growled from behind me. His voice was tight, restrained. “They’re testing the perimeter. Checking if we’re prepared.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine. “How many?”

“Too many to fight individually,” Regina replied, stepping up beside him. “They’re looking for the white wolf.” Her gaze flicked to me. “They don’t know you’re here yet, but they will.”

Bella grasped my arm. “This is why you have to awaken. Your wolf is strong, Emily. But strength without control is dangerous, not just for you, but for everyone around you.”

“I was safe at my pack. There were the occasional rogues, but you all have been plagued with rogues since I came here.” I looked at her sceptically.

Bella chuckled, the soft sound lifting my spirit, “The grounds of this place is what awakened the white wolf in you. For a white wolf to awaken, one of the necessities is the location. The location of your pack would have kept her dormant and asleep all her life. Throughout history, no white wolf has ever been awakened on your pack lands. The land is not fruitful enough for white wolves.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words, “Does it mean -----” I paused abruptly, my heart constricting in my chest, my hand rising to claw the oppre

ssive feeling away.

What the heck is that?

Am I dying?