Chapter 4 Not for Long

I didn't sleep that day.

I spent the night talking with my friend Samar about everything that happened.

She sat next to me on my bed, listening to every word with wide eyes.

"Nora, this is crazy," she said. "In one day, two hot guys are challenging the world for you."

She laughed and added, "Let's put the three potential grooms in a line and choose one together."

"Samar! This is not funny," I said. "This can really start a war with the Red Moon tribe again."

Her face turned serious.

"You know," she said slowly, "no matter what you do or who you choose, this can end badly.

You must tell your father."

I looked at the floor, thinking for a long moment, then looked back at her.

"My father already has enough problems because of me and Draven.

Besides, I need to know who that mysterious man is.

Are you sure your husband can find out safely? It's been hours since we sent him, and he hasn't returned."

Samar smiled.

"Oh, don't worry about William. I'm sure he'll be back soon with every dark secret about your mysterious man."

And she was right.

Not long after, William returned, panting, his eyes full of worry.

"I went to the place you told me about," he said, "but I wasn't the only one looking for him. Others were there before me."

I felt my chest tighten.

"Others? I don't understand."

"Jax's men," William continued. "I followed them. They dragged him to Jax's house.

And I heard voices inside."

"What voices?" Samar shouted. "William, talk! What's going on?"

William hesitated, then said quietly,

"I think he's being interrogated. Jax suspects a relationship between him and Nora."

I stood up and ran.

I could hear Samar and William shouting behind me, telling me to stop, to wait, to talk first.

But I couldn't.

How did Jax know about him?

Rage and fear burned inside me as I ran down the road toward Draven's house.

Suddenly, William pulled me off the road and whispered, "Wait."

I was about to shout, but he and Samar stopped me, pointing ahead, signaling me to stay quiet.

I looked up.

It was Draven... and Jax.

They were coming toward us.

We quickly hid behind the trees, our bodies frozen, our breaths silent.

From where we stood, we could hear their voices-low, sharp, and filled with anger.

"What does this mean?" Draven said.

"She's not only planning a marriage with Ray's son...

She's also seeing a man from the common people?

And Steve knows nothing about this?"

Samar looked at me with fear in her eyes as she whispered,

"Nora... how did they know about Ray's offer to marry you to his son?"

I couldn't answer.

My mind was spinning.

Everything was happening too fast, all at once.

William spoke quickly, "Nora, I'll try to delay them.

You need to go now.

Go talk to your father before they twist the story."

I couldn't think.

I could barely hear William at all.

All I could think about was the mysterious man-the one who helped me in the forest.

What did they do to him?

My worry for him drowned out everything else.

Suddenly, I found myself running the other way, toward Draven's house.

Samar and William ran after me.

This was my chance.

Draven and Jax were not home.

I had to help him.

As I got closer to the house, I smelled him.

His scent hit me hard.

The wolf inside me grew restless and tense.

The moment I reached the house, I forced my way inside.

I didn't search.

I didn't need to.

I could feel him.

I knew exactly where he was.

The basement.

I ran toward it.

Samar and William followed, calling my name, telling me to wait.

I ignored them and rushed down the stairs.

I could feel his pain.

He was hurting-right now.

When I reached him, tears fell on their own.

He was chained to the ceiling.

His body was covered in wounds and marks of torture.

And still... he looked at me and smiled.

"I knew you were coming," he said softly.

"I could feel you."

I ran to him and started breaking the chains, my hands shaking.

"I'm sorry," I kept saying. "I'm so sorry. All of this happened because of me."

At that moment, Samar and William reached us.

As soon as the last chain fell, his body collapsed against my shoulder.

Samar and William helped me hold him, and together we got him out of Draven's house.

We moved quickly, heading toward the forest.

As we walked, William suddenly frowned, his eyes fixed on him.

"Did anyone notice that?" he said.

"I'm sure some of his wounds are gone."

Samar looked closer.

"I don't know... but he's definitely not bleeding anymore."

I looked at him, worried.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He smiled softly.

"I feel better," he said. "Much better since I saw you."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks.

I looked away, embarrassed, glancing at Samar and William.

William stared at him carefully.

"This kind of healing speed," he said slowly, "is impossible for a common werewolf."

Then he asked, "Could it be... are you a Black Wolf too?"

He let out a quiet laugh, then winced as pain stopped him.

"My name is Max," he said.

"And no... I'm not a Black Wolf. I'm not special at all."

We listened in silence as he continued.

"Many years ago my tribe cast me out," he said.

"I failed to awaken the wolf inside me.

They said I was just a normal human, raised by mistake among them."

"Max..." I said softly. "You should rest. Don't talk too much if you're in pain."

He looked at me, then gently moved his hand from William's shoulder.

He straightened up... and started walking on his own.

"Don't worry," he said with a small smile.

"I really feel better now."

At the same time, inside Steve's house, the argument was intense.

Draven and Jax were standing in front of him, their voices rising.

Steve couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Draven," Steve said sharply, "what you're saying is impossible.

That is not my daughter's behavior. That's not who Nora is."

Draven snapped back, his anger clear.

"So now we're lying?

Call your daughter here. Let her say that to my face."

Steve looked at Draven with cold fury.

"I won't allow this talk to cause another split between us," he said firmly.

"But I suggest you take your son and leave. Now."

Draven opened his mouth to argue, but Steve continued,

"I'll speak to you after I talk to my daughter and arrange with her an appointment for her marriage to Jax."

Draven's eyes darkened.

"No," he said harshly. "Tomorrow.

I won't let you leave this open without a clear date again."

Then he said it, without hesitation.

"Jax and Nora's wedding will be tomorrow."

Steve slammed his hand on the table.

The loud sound cut Draven off before he could say another word.

"You won't let me?" Steve repeated slowly, his voice dangerous.

"Don't forget yourself, Draven.

I am the Alpha here."

For a moment, Draven said nothing.

He swallowed his rage with effort, grabbed his son, and turned to leave.

As he walked away, he spoke in a low voice, teeth clenched:

"Not for long."