There was always movement, laughter, the sound of training, the rhythm of life. But that morning, the air felt heavy. It felt too still. Like the forest itself was holding its breath.

I noticed it when Ingrid didn't smile at breakfast.

I noticed it when warriors gathered in small groups, their voices low, eyes sharp. I noticed it when Karon didn't joke, didn't tease, didn't laugh even once.

And then I noticed Ramon.

He hadn't looked at me since training the night before. Now, when he entered the hall, the room shifted. Conversations stopped. Backs straightened. Faces hardened.

Something had happened.

I stood slowly, my chest tight. "What's going on?"

No one answered.

Ramon's gaze snapped to me instantly.

"Stay where you are," he said sharply.

That tone.

It wasn't calm. It wasn't gentle. It was command.

My spine stiffened. "Don't talk to me like that."

He crossed the room in long strides and stopped right in front of me. His eyes were dark, stormy, burning with something that looked dangerously close to fear.

"We need to talk," he said. "Now."

"I'm not a child," I shot back. "You don't get to..."

"Talia," he snapped. Then, softer, but tighter, "I really do not have the time for your quarrels today."

That word stopped me.

"Just come with me."

He took my wrist, not rough, but firm, and guided me toward my room. I could feel eyes on my back the entire way. Whispers followed us like shadows.

The door shut behind us with a heavy thud.

"What happened?" I asked immediately. "Why is everyone acting like...."

He turned to face me, jaw clenched. "The rogue pack sent a message."

My heart dropped.

"Rogues?" I whispered.

"Yes."

I swallowed hard. "What kind of message?"

He hesitated. Just for a second.

That hesitation scared me more than any answer.

"They know about you," he said.

The room felt smaller. "Know... what about me?"

"They know who you are," he replied. "What you mean. And what you are to this pack."

My hands curled into fists. "What did they say, Ramon?"

He exhaled sharply and finally met my eyes.

"They said if I don't surrender territory," he said slowly, "they'll take you."

The words hit me like a slap.

"Take me?" I repeated, disbelief flooding my voice. "You mean kidnap me?"

"They didn't use that word," he said grimly. "They said break."

My stomach twisted violently.

I took a step back. "Why me?"

His voice was rough when he answered. "Because you're human. Because you matter to me. Because they think you're my weakness. They saw you that night, remember?"

Something snapped inside my chest.

"So this is my fault now?" I asked bitterly. "I come here, and suddenly I'm a target?"

"No," he said quickly. "This is not your fault."

"Then why does it feel like I'm being punished for existing?" I demanded.

He rubbed a hand over his face. "That's not what this is."

"Then what is it?" I asked. "Because it feels like the moment I arrived here, danger followed me."

His eyes softened just a little. "Danger existed long before you."

Silence stretched between us.

Finally, he spoke again. "You're not leaving the pack grounds."

I stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"You won't go out alone," he continued.

"You'll be escorted at all times. Training will continue, but only with guards present.

No wandering. No early walks. No....."

"No freedom, no breathing, how about just kill me" I cut in.

His jaw tightened.

"You don't get to lock me up," I said coldly.

"This is not a prison," he snapped.

"Then why does it feel exactly like one?" I shot back.

He stepped closer. "Because you don't understand what they'll do if they get their hands on you."

"And you think scaring me into obedience is the solution?" I asked. "Dragging me deeper into your world and calling it protection?"

His voice dropped. "I am trying to keep you alive."

"Fuck you, Ramon". I said

"I was alive before you," I said quietly. "I was safe."

His eyes flared. "You think the human world would protect you from monsters like them?"

"At least it was my choice," I snapped.

That hurt him.

I saw it in the way his shoulders tensed, the way his eyes darkened with something like regret.

"You don't see it," he said softly. "You don't see how fragile you are to them."

I laughed bitterly. "And you don't see how strong I had to be before you took my life away.",

Silence crashed between us again.

Then he spoke, slower now. "This is exactly why I wanted you trained."

"So I can fight rogues now?" I scoffed. "Is that it?"

"So you won't freeze when fear comes," he replied. "So you won't die because you thought peace meant safety."

I looked away, my throat burning.

"I won't let them touch you," he said firmly. "Not ever."

I turned back to him. "You don't get to promise that."

"I do," he said. "As your Alpha."

"There it is," I whispered. "That stupid title again."

He flinched.

"You keep using power when you're afraid," I said. "And every time you do, you push me further away."

His voice broke just slightly. "I would rather have you angry than dead."

That stopped me.

Because I saw it then.

The kind that claws into your chest and refuses to let go.

"I won't be hidden," I said quietly. "I won't be caged for your peace of mind."

"And I won't bury you," he replied just as quietly.

We stood there, staring at each other, two people on opposite sides of the same fear.

Outside, the pack prepared for war.

And somewhere beyond the forest...

Someone had marked me as prey.

Chapter 9 WHEN SAFETY BECOMES A CAGE.

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