Chapter 2 INTO THE WOLF'S DEN

Chapter Two:

Into the Wolf's Den

The pack borders loomed before us, with eight guards pacing their posts like shadows against the dense trees. I could feel Amra's heartbeat pounding in my chest, fierce and unrelenting. These guards weren't amateurs-they moved with sharp, calculated precision, alert for any sign of movement. They were ready to defend.

"Think you can sprint past them?" I asked her, though I already sensed her answer in the stubborn set of her mind.

With a deep breath, she launched forward, her body a blur of speed and focus. She slipped between two guards, blending into the night, her movements fluid and silent. But then, a guard caught sight of her just as she darted past.

"Intruder!" The shout cut through the stillness, sending a jolt of alarm down my spine.

The other guards snapped into action, their footsteps heavy and relentless as they chased her. But Amra pushed herself harder, her breath coming fast, dodging left, then right, her entire being focused on outpacing the pursuit. The forest was a maze of obstacles-branches, roots, uneven ground-but she moved like she was born to the shadows.

"Run, Amra, run!" I urged, my own fear and adrenaline spurring her on.

Then it happened-a shadow lunged from the trees, barreling into her side with a force that sent her hurtling backward. She crashed into a tree, a sharp pain radiating through her body as she crumpled to the ground, gasping. The impact had rattled her, her senses spinning as she tried to regain her bearings.

I felt the pain as keenly as she did, the weakness creeping through her limbs as she struggled to stand. But there wasn't time to rest. Another wolf stood over her, eyes glinting with something dark, something primal. He prowled closer, his gaze intent, his lips peeling back in a silent snarl.

"Amra, Get up!...get up or we are screwed!" I pushed through, my urgency slicing through her haze of pain.

With a strained breath, she tried to rise, but her body was trembling, exhausted. Just then, the wolf shifted, his powerful form melting away into a tall, imposing figure of a man.

The pain surged through her, sharp and unrelenting, and I felt her slipping, her control loosening. She shifted back to her human form, her wolf energy drained, and in that moment, I felt myself pulling forward, taking over as she surrendered.

The man didn't seem surprised. His gaze flicked to me as I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself, feeling the sting of Amra's injuries ripple through every inch of my body. He noticed, his mouth quirking with a faint glimmer of amusement. His face was unreadable, his expression cold as he assessed her, then tossed a cloak toward her.

"Put it on," he ordered, his voice steady.

I picked it up, wrapping the cloak around myself.

"I'll walk on my own," I told him, forcing my voice to stay steady. "I won't try to run."

For a moment, he seemed to consider, then he nodded, watching me with a wary gaze. I took a slow step forward, feeling the ache in my muscles, but my determination burned even brighter. With every step, I promised myself I wouldn't falter. Not now.

We moved through the winding corridors of the pack's stronghold, the walls pressing in on me, the scent of wolves thick in the air. Finally, we entered a grand chamber, dimly lit, filled with the faint hum of power.

At the far end of the room, he was waiting-the Alpha.

I recognized him instantly, the memories flashing through me like shards of glass. Amra's pain was mine, the searing hatred surging up from deep within, mingling with every ounce of anger I felt. This was the one who had taken everything from her-who had torn her family apart.

I kept my gaze on him, letting the fire in my eyes speak for itself, and I saw him smile, his satisfaction evident, as if he had been waiting for this moment as much as I had. My hands curled into fists beneath the cloak, nails digging into my palms as I forced myself to stay still, to let the rage simmer rather than explode.

"You've come a long way," he said, his tone as smug as his expression.

My whole body was taut, every muscle tense, the need to lash out nearly consuming me. I felt Amra's consciousness surge within me, a burst of fury and desperation, filling me with a strength I hadn't expected. But then something strange, something impossible, stirred deep within, a bond snapping into place that made my heartbeat stutter, my pulse race.

It was like a current, an invisible pull, binding me to him, refusing to let go. A single word echoed in my mind, unbidden, raw, and powerful, filling me with a longing I couldn't understand, couldn't control.

"Mate."