Chapter 6 A Whisper of Shadows

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting the forest in hues of amber and crimson. Emma walked beside Kael, her thoughts as tangled as the roots beneath her feet. The day's events still weighed on her, especially Luka's parting threat.

Kael's silence didn't help. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, his jaw tight and his silver eyes distant.

"Do you think Luka will try again?" Emma finally asked, breaking the quiet.

Kael's gaze flickered to her before returning to the path ahead. "Yes."

His bluntness made Emma's stomach tighten. "And what if he wins next time?"

"He won't," Kael replied, his voice firm.

Emma stopped walking, forcing him to turn and face her. "You can't keep carrying this alone, Kael. If Luka's this much of a threat, shouldn't you have a plan?"

Kael sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "I do have a plan, Emma. But it doesn't involve putting you in more danger."

Emma crossed her arms, her frustration bubbling over. "I'm already in danger! You said it yourself-Luka used me as an excuse to challenge you. Do you really think he's just going to leave me out of it now?"

Kael opened his mouth to argue but stopped when he saw the determination in her eyes. "You're not going to back down, are you?"

"No," Emma said firmly.

Kael exhaled deeply. "Fine. If you're going to stay, you need to learn how to protect yourself."

Kael led Emma to a secluded area deeper in the woods. The trees here were older, their trunks thick and gnarled, and the air was heavy with the scent of earth and moss.

"We'll start with the basics," Kael said, shrugging off his jacket. "First rule: always trust your instincts. Your body knows when you're in danger, even if your mind doesn't. Learn to listen to it."

Emma nodded, though her heart was already racing. "Okay. What's the second rule?"

"Stay calm," Kael said. "Fear makes you sloppy. If you panic, you're more likely to make mistakes."

Emma swallowed hard. "Easy for you to say. You've been doing this your whole life."

Kael gave her a faint smile. "True. But you're stronger than you think, Emma. You just need to believe it."

He stepped back, his expression serious. "Let's see what you've got. Try to hit me."

Emma blinked. "What?"

"Hit me," Kael repeated, holding his arms out.

Emma hesitated. "I don't think this is a good idea."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Do you want to learn or not?"

Taking a deep breath, Emma balled her fists and swung at him. Kael dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.

"Not bad," he said. "But you're holding back. If this were a real fight, you'd already be on the ground."

Emma scowled. "You could at least pretend I'm a threat."

Kael chuckled. "Make me believe it, then."

For the next hour, Kael guided Emma through a series of exercises, teaching her how to throw punches, block attacks, and use her surroundings to her advantage. By the time they finished, her muscles ached, and her clothes were damp with sweat, but she felt a spark of confidence she hadn't felt before.

"You're a quick learner," Kael said as they walked back toward town.

Emma glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I had a good teacher."

Kael smiled faintly, but the warmth in his expression was short-lived. His gaze shifted to the forest around them, his body tensing.

"What is it?" Emma asked, her voice low.

"We're not alone," Kael murmured.

A low growl rumbled through the air, and Emma's heart leapt into her throat. She turned to see a pair of glowing golden eyes staring at them from the shadows.

"Luka," Kael growled.

The rogue alpha stepped into the clearing, a sly grin on his face. "Well, well. Out for a little stroll, are we?"

"What do you want, Luka?" Kael demanded, positioning himself between Luka and Emma.

Luka's grin widened. "Just checking in. Wouldn't want our dear alpha to think I've forgotten about him."

Kael's hands clenched into fists. "If you're here to fight, let's get it over with."

"Not tonight," Luka said, his tone mocking. "But soon. And when the time comes, you'll wish you'd stayed in your place."

With that, Luka turned and disappeared into the woods, his laughter echoing behind him.

Emma exhaled shakily, her knees threatening to give out. "What was that?"

Kael turned to her, his expression grim. "A warning. Luka's not done yet. And next time, he won't come alone."

As they reached the edge of the forest, Kael stopped and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder. "You did well today. But there's still a lot to learn."

Emma nodded, her resolve hardening. "Then teach me. Whatever it takes, I want to be ready."

Kael's silver eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw something in them-something raw and vulnerable. "I will. But promise me one thing."

"What?"

"Don't let this world change you," Kael said softly. "You're stronger than you know, Emma. But strength isn't about losing who you are. It's about holding on to it."

Emma nodded, her chest tightening. "I promise."

Kael gave her a faint smile, but the weight of the night lingered in his gaze. Together, they headed back to town, the shadows of the forest stretching long behind them.