Chapter 4 4

The growl reverberated through the dense woods, low and threatening. It seemed to come from everywhere at once, bouncing off the towering trees and sending a chill crawling up Amara's spine.

"What was that?" she whispered, her voice trembling as she instinctively stepped closer to Lachlan.

"Stay behind me," he said, his tone sharp and commanding. His silver eyes scanned the shadows, his posture shifting-almost predatory.

Amara's breath caught as she watched him. There was something about the way he moved, every muscle in his body coiled with tension, as if he were ready to pounce. It was unsettling, but there was also a strange comfort in the way he positioned himself between her and whatever lurked in the darkness.

The growl came again, louder this time, followed by the unmistakable sound of movement-leaves crunching, branches snapping. Whatever was out there was getting closer.

"Lachlan," she hissed, her panic rising. "What is it? A bear? A wolf?"

"Neither," he replied without looking back.

"Then what-"

A sudden burst of motion cut her off. A shadow emerged from the treeline, moving fast-too fast. It was massive, its outline barely discernible in the dim light, but Amara caught the glint of eyeshine, the flash of sharp teeth.

Before she could scream, Lachlan moved. He surged forward with a speed that defied logic, meeting the creature head-on. The sound of impact echoed through the clearing as the two collided, a tangle of claws and snarls.

Amara stumbled back, her heart pounding as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. The creature was like nothing she'd ever imagined. It was humanoid in shape but covered in thick, dark fur. Its limbs were long and sinewy, its claws glinting like knives.

But what truly terrified her was the way Lachlan fought it-not like a man, but like an animal. He didn't hesitate, didn't flinch. His movements were fluid and instinctive, his growls blending with the creature's as they grappled.

Her stomach lurched as realization hit her. He's like it. He's one of them.

The fight was brutal and chaotic. The creature lunged, its claws raking through the air, but Lachlan dodged with inhuman agility. He countered with a vicious swipe of his own, his hands-no, claws-tearing into the creature's side.

Amara's knees buckled, and she sank to the ground, her mind reeling. This couldn't be real. It wasn't possible. And yet, the sounds of snarling and tearing flesh were unmistakable.

The fight seemed to last forever, though it could only have been minutes. Finally, with a guttural roar, Lachlan drove the creature back. It staggered, blood dripping from its wounds, before retreating into the shadows with a snarl.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Lachlan stood in the middle of the clearing, his chest heaving, his body rigid. The dim light caught the sheen of blood on his hands and arms-hands that were no longer quite human. Slowly, he turned to face her.

Amara couldn't move. Her eyes locked onto his, and she saw it-the wild, untamed gleam that hadn't been there before. His features were sharper, his posture still animalistic. But as she stared, he began to change. His breathing slowed, and the sharpness of his features softened. His claws retracted, his hands returning to their human form.

"Amara," he said, his voice hoarse, but it was enough to snap her out of her stupor.

"What... what are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step toward her, his expression pained. "You weren't supposed to see that."

She scrambled back, shaking her head. "Stay away from me."

"Amara, please," he said, his tone pleading. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"You-" She gestured wildly toward the spot where the creature had disappeared. "That thing... and you-you're the same! Aren't you? You're one of them!"

Lachlan's jaw tightened. "I'm not like it. Not completely."

"Not completely?" she echoed, her voice rising. "What does that even mean?"

He ran a hand through his hair, the tension in his body evident. "It means I'm not human. Not entirely. I'm... something else. Something you wouldn't understand."

"Try me," she shot back, her fear giving way to anger.

For a moment, he hesitated, his silver eyes searching hers. Then, with a resigned sigh, he crouched down, his posture more vulnerable.

"I'm a werewolf," he said simply.

The words hung in the air between them, heavy and unreal.

Amara laughed, a sharp, disbelieving sound. "A werewolf? You expect me to believe that?"

"You saw it," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "You saw me. Do you think there's any other explanation for what just happened?"

Her laughter died in her throat as the reality of his words sank in. She had seen him-seen the claws, the speed, the ferocity. No human could fight like that. No human could shift like that.

"Why... why are you telling me this?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"Because you're in danger," he said, his expression darkening. "That thing? It wasn't here by chance. It was looking for you."

Her blood ran cold. "Me? Why?"

"I don't know," he admitted, his frustration evident. "But you don't belong here, Amara. Not in Blackwood. This place isn't safe for you. You need to leave."

She shook her head, her mind racing. "I can't just leave. I came here to start over, to get away from-" She stopped herself, her chest tightening at the thought of her past.

Lachlan's gaze softened. "I get it. But whatever you were running from... it's nothing compared to what's out here."

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves and sending a shiver through her. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to process everything.

"What happens if I stay?" she asked finally.

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, he didn't answer. Then he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "If you stay, you'll be dragged into something you're not ready for. A war between us and them. And trust me, Amara-you don't want to be caught in between."

His words sent a chill down her spine, but despite the fear coiling in her chest, she found herself asking, "And what about you? If I stay... what happens to you?"

For the first time, Lachlan looked uncertain. "I don't know," he said quietly. "But whatever happens... I'll protect you."

Amara's breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze, but before she could respond, another howl echoed through the forest, closer this time. Lachlan's head snapped toward the sound, his body tensing.

"We need to go," he said, grabbing her arm.

"What about-"

"Now, Amara!"

She didn't argue. As they ran back toward the truck, her heart pounded with more than just fear. Whatever she had stepped into, she knew one thing for sure: there was no turning back now.