Chapter 4 4

The fire in the cabin crackled softly, its warmth doing little to chase away the unease curling in Aurelia's stomach. She sat in a worn armchair, staring at the journal spread open on her lap. The pages now seemed to pulse with meaning, each word a warning or clue she could barely piece together. The weight of Liam's words from earlier echoed in her mind-she was here for a reason.

The door creaked open behind her, and Aurelia jolted, her heart thundering. Liam stepped inside, his face shadowed with tension.

"Sorry," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"You have to stop doing that," she muttered, shutting the journal. "What's going on out there? Everyone seemed... on edge."

"They're worried," he admitted, leaning against the wall. "The blood moon draws out old wounds. Rivalries get sharper, instincts stronger. Add you to the mix, and people start asking questions."

Her fingers traced the journal's leather cover. "Why does everyone keep looking at me like I'm a threat? I don't even know what I'm supposed to do."

"It's not just what you'll do," Liam said, his gaze fixed on her. "It's who you remind them of."

"Margaret."

He nodded. "Your grandmother wasn't just the guardian of the lunar key; she was a bridge between our world and yours. Humans and wolves lived in a fragile peace because of her. When she left, things unraveled. Now, some wolves think your return means balance can be restored. Others think you're here to tip the scales."

The firelight flickered, casting Liam's face in shifting light and shadow. His intensity unnerved her, but beneath it, she sensed something deeper-a protective instinct that made her want to trust him, even when she wasn't sure she should.

"Do you think I'm here to tip the scales?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His jaw tightened. "I think you're here because fate doesn't make mistakes. What you do with that is up to you."

The tension between them hung heavy until a distant howl shattered the moment. Liam straightened immediately, his posture taut like a predator sensing danger.

"That wasn't one of ours," he said, his tone grim.

Aurelia's stomach dropped. "The rival pack?"

"Stay here," he ordered, already heading for the door.

"Wait-"

He didn't give her a chance to finish. The door slammed shut behind him, leaving her alone in the flickering firelight.

She stood, pacing the cabin. Every instinct screamed at her to stay put, but the weight of the journal in her hands reminded her she couldn't keep hiding from the truth. If the rival pack was out there, they weren't just coming for Liam or the others-they were coming for her.

Her fingers brushed over the crescent moon seal on the journal, and she made a decision. Grabbing her coat, she slipped out of the cabin into the cold night air.

The pack's clearing was empty, save for the faint embers of a dying bonfire. The forest loomed ahead, its shadows deeper and more menacing under the nearly full moon. A low growl reached her ears, freezing her in place.

A wolf emerged from the treeline, its sleek black fur shimmering in the moonlight. Its golden eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, she thought it might attack.

Then it shifted.

Bones cracked and reshaped, fur melted away to reveal tanned skin, and within seconds, the wolf was gone, replaced by a man. The transformation left Aurelia both awestruck and horrified.

"Venturing out alone?" he asked, his voice smooth but laced with mockery.

Her throat tightened. "Who are you?"

"Name's Caleb," he said, stepping closer. "And you're the infamous granddaughter, aren't you? Margaret's heir."

She forced herself to stand her ground. "What do you want?"

Caleb smiled, his teeth sharp even in human form. "To see what all the fuss is about. You don't look like much."

The insult didn't sting as much as the unease creeping through her veins. "If you're here to threaten me, you can save your breath. I'm not leaving."

His laughter echoed through the clearing. "Brave words, little human. But bravery won't save you when the blood moon rises. Do you even know what's coming?"

"I know enough to stay away from people like you."

He tilted his head, studying her. "Oh, you think you're so different. You don't even realize what's inside you, do you?"

"Inside me?"

He stepped closer, so close she could see the predatory glint in his eyes. "Margaret wasn't just a guardian. She carried the blood of both worlds. And so do you."

Her heart stopped. "You're lying."

"Am I?" His grin widened. "Why do you think the wolves are so drawn to you? Why do you think the lunar key reacts to your presence? You're not just human, Aurelia. You're a catalyst."

A sound behind them made Caleb pause. Liam emerged from the shadows, his expression murderous.

"Get away from her," Liam growled.

"Always so protective," Caleb sneered, stepping back but not retreating entirely. "Don't worry, West. I'm just saying hello. We wouldn't want to break the truce... yet."

Liam moved to Aurelia's side, his presence grounding her. "You've overstayed your welcome."

Caleb held up his hands mockingly. "I'll go. For now. But don't think this is over."

With that, he shifted back into his wolf form and disappeared into the forest.

Aurelia's legs felt like jelly. She leaned against Liam for support, her mind racing.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now.

"Is it true?" she whispered. "What he said about me?"

Liam hesitated, then sighed. "We don't know for sure. But it's possible. Your grandmother's bloodline was unique. That's why you're so important."

The weight of his words settled over her like a shroud. "What does it mean? What am I supposed to do?"

"We'll figure it out," he promised. "But for now, you need to stay close to the pack. The blood moon changes everything, and Caleb's right about one thing- it's coming fast."

Though Liam's presence reassured her, Aurelia couldn't shake the feeling that she was standing on the edge of something far bigger- and far darker- than she could have ever imagined.