Chapter 3 Shadows of the Past

I stared at Adrian, my mind a tangle of disbelief and confusion. His words hung heavy in the air, an impossible truth I wasn't sure I could accept.

"What do you mean I'm different?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to sound steady.

Adrian took a step closer, his amber eyes filled with a strange mix of caution and urgency. "You're not like other humans, Elena. There's something in your blood... something they can sense. It's why the rival pack noticed you last night."

I shook my head, taking a step back. "That doesn't make any sense. I'm just... me. I've never been anything but ordinary."

He tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Have you ever felt different? A connection to the wilderness? A sense of knowing things before they happen?"

The question struck a nerve. Memories flickered through my mind-times when I'd felt inexplicably drawn to the forest, when I'd predicted a storm before the skies had even darkened, or when animals had acted strangely calm around me. But those were just coincidences, weren't they?

I crossed my arms, my voice defensive. "Even if I have, that doesn't mean anything. Lots of people feel connected to nature."

Adrian's expression softened, though the intensity in his gaze didn't waver. "I know it's hard to believe, but there's more to you than you realize. The rival pack sensed it, and they won't stop until they figure out what makes you different. That's why you're in danger."

Danger. The word echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of the glowing eyes and haunting howls that had chased me through the woods. I wanted to argue, to deny everything he was saying, but deep down, a part of me knew he was telling the truth.

"So, what now?" I asked, my voice quieter. "Am I supposed to just... hide in my house forever?"

Adrian shook his head. "No. But you need to be careful. And you need to trust me."

That last part made me hesitate. Trusting Adrian felt both natural and reckless. He'd saved my life, but he was also a stranger who claimed to be something out of a myth. Still, the memory of his glowing eyes and inhuman speed left little room for doubt.

"Alright," I said finally. "What do we do?"

Relief flickered across his face, though it was quickly replaced by the same grim determination he'd worn since the moment we met. "First, we need to figure out why you're different. There's someone who might be able to help us... someone who knows more about your kind."

"My kind?" The words felt foreign on my tongue.

Adrian nodded. "There's a lot you don't know, Elena. About yourself, about the world around you. But I promise I'll help you figure it out."

His promise sounded sincere, but it did little to ease the knot of fear tightening in my chest. I didn't have a choice, though. If what he said was true, then the rival pack wouldn't stop until they found me. And if Adrian was the only one who could protect me, I had to trust him.

We left my house under the cover of darkness, Adrian insisting it was safer to travel at night. He led me to a sleek black car parked a block away, explaining that it was better not to draw attention to my home. The drive was silent at first, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. I stared out the window, watching the streetlights blur into streaks of gold as we sped down the empty roads.

Finally, I broke the silence. "Where are we going?"

"To someone who can give us answers," Adrian replied without taking his eyes off the road.

"And who is this someone?"

He hesitated for a moment before answering. "Her name is Lila. She's... an elder, someone who's been around long enough to know the truth about people like you."

"And she's one of you? A shapeshifter?"

Adrian's lips quirked into a faint smile. "Not exactly. She's something else entirely. But she's trusted by my clan, and if anyone can help us, it's her."

The way he said it made me wonder what exactly "something else" meant, but I decided not to press him. There were already too many questions swirling in my head, and I wasn't sure I was ready for the answers.

The drive took us deep into the countryside, far from the city lights and the safety of familiar streets. The landscape grew wilder with each passing mile, the trees crowding closer to the road as if trying to swallow it whole. Finally, Adrian turned onto a narrow dirt path that wound through the woods, the car's headlights cutting through the darkness like twin beams of silver.

We came to a stop in front of a small, weathered cabin nestled among the trees. It looked ancient, its wooden walls warped by time and covered in a thin layer of moss. Warm light spilled from the windows, and the faint smell of herbs and smoke drifted through the air.

"This is it," Adrian said, killing the engine.

I followed him to the front door, my heart pounding in my chest. He knocked twice, the sound echoing through the stillness of the forest. A moment later, the door creaked open, and a woman stepped into view.

She was older, with silver-streaked hair that fell in waves down her back and eyes the color of storm clouds. Despite her age, she carried herself with a regal grace, her posture straight and her movements deliberate. She studied me for a long moment, her gaze piercing, before turning her attention to Adrian.

"You've brought her," she said, her voice low and melodic. "Good. Come in."

The cabin's interior was cozy and cluttered, filled with shelves of books, jars of dried herbs, and trinkets that looked like they'd been collected over centuries. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the walls.

Lila gestured for us to sit at a small table in the center of the room. "You must be Elena," she said, her sharp eyes studying me once again. "Adrian's told me about you."

I glanced at him, surprised. "You have?"

Adrian gave a small nod. "She needed to know what we were dealing with."

Lila smiled faintly. "You've had a glimpse of the truth, haven't you? The world is far stranger than most realize."

I nodded hesitantly. "Adrian said you might know why I... why I'm different."

Lila's expression grew serious. "Yes. But before I can help you, I need to see something."

"See what?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Your aura," she replied. "It will tell me what lies within you."

I glanced at Adrian, who gave me an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, I turned back to Lila. "Okay. What do I need to do?"

She reached across the table, her fingers brushing lightly against mine. The touch was warm, almost electric, and I felt a strange tingling sensation spread through my body. Lila closed her eyes, her brows furrowing in concentration.

A moment later, her eyes snapped open, and she drew back, a look of shock and wonder on her face.

"What is it?" Adrian asked, his voice tense.

Lila's gaze locked onto mine, her expression unreadable. "She... she's more than I expected. Much more."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. "What does that mean?"

Lila hesitated, her eyes filled with a mixture of awe and fear. "It means, Elena, that you're not just different. You're extraordinary."