Chapter 3 The Pack's Law

Kael led Emma deeper into the woods, his silence as thick as the fog curling around the trees. The night air was cool, but Emma's skin burned with questions she wasn't sure how to ask. She kept glancing at him, hoping he would offer some kind of explanation, but his jaw was set, his expression unreadable.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "So... you're a werewolf," she said, breaking the silence.

"Yes," Kael replied without looking at her.

"And the wolf earlier? The one that almost attacked me?"

Kael sighed. "One of mine. A member of my pack."

"Your pack?" Emma repeated, struggling to wrap her mind around the concept. "Like... you're in charge of them?"

"I'm the alpha," Kael said. "It's my job to protect them. To keep them in line."

Emma frowned. "And attacking random humans is considered 'in line'?"

Kael stopped abruptly, turning to face her. "It's not supposed to happen. My pack follows strict rules, and harming humans is forbidden. That's why I've been trying to keep you out of this."

Emma crossed her arms. "Well, it's a little late for that, don't you think?"

Kael's eyes softened, and for a moment, Emma thought she saw a flicker of regret. "You don't understand how dangerous this is. My pack is already on edge because of the curse. Your presence here... it complicates things."

Emma tilted her head. "The curse. What exactly is it?"

Kael hesitated, as if debating how much to tell her. Finally, he began walking again, gesturing for her to follow.

They reached a clearing bathed in the silvery light of the moon. In the center stood a towering oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching toward the sky like skeletal hands. At its base was a circle of stones arranged in an intricate pattern.

"This is where it all began," Kael said, his voice low.

Emma stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the stones. "What is this place?"

"It's sacred ground," Kael explained. "The site of the first betrayal."

Emma looked at him, her curiosity piqued. "What betrayal?"

Kael crouched by the stones, his fingers brushing against the moss-covered surface. "Centuries ago, two packs ruled this land. They lived in peace, bound by a treaty sealed with blood and magic. But one of the alphas broke the pact, falling in love with a human and choosing her over his own kind."

Emma's breath hitched. "And that's what caused the curse?"

Kael nodded. "The betrayal angered the other alpha, who cursed the bloodline of the one who broke the pact. Every generation since has been plagued by the curse, forcing us to live in constant conflict-with each other and with ourselves."

Emma knelt beside him, her heart aching at the pain in his voice. "What happens if the curse isn't broken?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "It grows stronger. The wolf inside us becomes harder to control. Eventually, it takes over completely."

Emma shuddered, her mind racing. "Is there a way to break it?"

Kael hesitated before answering. "There's a legend. It says the curse can be broken by a bond stronger than blood-a bond forged in love and sacrifice. But no one knows if it's true."

Emma's gaze lingered on him, her chest tightening. She wanted to say something-anything-but the weight of his words left her speechless.

A rustling sound from the edge of the clearing broke the silence. Kael shot to his feet, his eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight.

"Stay behind me," he ordered, his voice low.

Emma obeyed, her heart pounding as the rustling grew louder. A moment later, three figures emerged from the shadows-two men and a woman, all with the same predatory grace that Kael possessed.

"Kael," one of the men said, his voice laced with tension. "We need to talk."

Kael's posture stiffened. "What's wrong?"

"It's Luka," the man replied. "He's challenging you-for the pack."

Emma glanced at Kael, noting the way his jaw clenched at the name. "Who's Luka?" she whispered.

Kael didn't answer. Instead, he turned to the newcomers. "Where is he now?"

"Near the river," the woman said, her sharp features softened by concern. "He's gathering support. Some of the others think he's right."

Emma frowned. "Right about what?"

The woman's gaze shifted to Emma, her eyes narrowing. "About her."

Kael stepped protectively in front of Emma. "This is my decision. No one else's."

The first man shook his head. "Kael, you know how dangerous this is. If Luka convinces the others that you've broken the pack's law by bringing a human into our world-"

"I haven't broken any laws," Kael snapped. "Emma isn't a threat."

Emma's stomach twisted as she realized what they were implying. "Wait-are they blaming me for this?"

The woman's eyes flashed. "You don't belong here, human. Your presence is putting all of us at risk."

"That's enough," Kael growled, his voice echoing through the clearing. "Emma stays. And if Luka has a problem with that, he can face me."

The tension in the air was palpable as the other wolves exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, they nodded and disappeared back into the woods, leaving Kael and Emma alone once more.

Emma exhaled shakily. "What was that about?"

Kael turned to her, his expression hard. "Luka's been challenging my leadership for months. He's using you as an excuse to turn the pack against me."

Emma's chest tightened. "I didn't mean to cause trouble-"

"You didn't," Kael interrupted, his tone softening. "Luka's been looking for a reason to fight. This just gave him one."

Emma bit her lip, guilt gnawing at her. "What happens now?"

Kael's gaze darkened. "Now, I will make sure Luka doesn't win."