Chapter 4 Stranger in the Pack

Elena's POV

The forest floor was covered in pools of moonlight. My heart was racing as I stood at the edge of the clearing. My former pack territory were in front of me. Circles of fire glowed. Among tents, wolves glided like shadows.

I took a deep breath. I felt confident and strong in my new body. But recollections hurt my chest. I had once passed away here. I would now be a stranger among them.

I took a step onto the walkway. The air smelled like cooked meat and wood smoke. The dried leaves were crushed by my boots. All the noises were sharp.

Two dark-furred guards turned to face me ahead. They squinted. One of the wolves moved forward. She knitted her brow.

"Who are you?" she said softly.

My mouth formed a courteous grin. I introduced myself as Serin. "I'm looking for work as a healer and scout."

The guard looked at me. All she could see was a stranger. She said, "New face." "We now require scouts. We have overstretched frontiers.

I gave a nod. "I'll assist."

"Come on," she said. I trailed after her past tents with crackling cooking fires. Under the moon, wolves chuckled softly. I heard their voices and a glimmer of sadness came over me.

We arrived at a tall, ribbon-wrapped pole. At the base stood a wolf with a bow. He looked up with surprise. I looked into his light green eyes. We exchanged a spark of something. Fear? Recognition? I had no idea.

I was presented by the guard. "This is Serin. She is going to be one of our scouts.

After giving one nod, he went back to his bow. My heart twisted. Rowan's apprentice was that person. I had already trained him. I had been Elena to him. He didn't even know me now.

I lowered my head. "I feel honored."

He got up and handed me a little wooden cup of hot tea. I drank, feeling my stomach warm from the mint's spice. He silently observed me.

"What has brought you here?" he finally inquired.

I said, "I heard your pack needed help." "I am skilled in tracking and healing."

He looked at my face. He remarked, "You move like a wolf born to these lands." "I'll talk to the council."

He got up and moved on. I was by myself under the moon. My heart pounded. I was alive when I crossed the border. However, I was concerned about my inside situation.

A horn blew. With their torches raised, six guards strode by. They made their way to the elder rings, where the leaders convened. I kept a space behind.

On level stones, the council sat. Offering a scroll to Jace, Seraphine knelt beside him. He wore a rich, dark cloak. He wore our pack's crown. My chest twisted with pride and sorrow.

Jace's voice was quiet. From here, I couldn't hear what he was saying. The elders of the council gave a solemn nod. Rowan was one among them, I noticed. The torchlight caught his silver hair. Leaning forward, he spoke softly to Jace.

I pressed up against an oak pillar. I gasped. Over time, I had hoped to notice changes in their faces. However, it appeared that Jace was the only one with fresh pain on his brow.

Seraphine stood up and touched his arm. He gave her fingers a squeeze. It hurt my heart. I was unsure if he still loved her.

Rowan was the first to stand. He gestured toward a painted map's borders. "The south poses a threat to us. There, the clans become more assertive.

Jace gave a nod. "At dawn, I will dispatch scouts."

Rowan's eyes strayed. I was hit by it. My heart stopped. I remained motionless. He scowled before returning his attention to the map.

As the conference came to a conclusion, I slid into the shadows. The guards moved out in a line. I walked between them, being cautious not to trip. It felt weird, my new name, my new form.

Dawn arrived too quickly. With my cloak pulled tight, I stood at the edge of the camp. Pink light glowed in the sky. I could hear wolves howling in the distance.

Another trumpet sounded. Scouts in their dozens assembled. In his entire cloak, Jace stood in front of them. His voice was clear in the cold air as he talked. I leaned in to listen to all the words.

"My pack," he murmured. We are in peril on three different fronts. Many won't come back. I rely on you all to deliver the news and protect our house.

They walked off in groups, their heads bent. My heart was racing. I wanted to fall with him, to battle with him, to follow him. But now I was Serin. I had no link, no trust.

I moved forward to join a group that was going east. At my side was Rowan's apprentice. Kian was his name. He gave me a quick look and grinned. "All set?"

I gave a nod. His warmth made my heart skip a beat. "All set."

The woodland stretched out like waves as we topped a ridge. The scent of stone and pine filled the air. The sun was beckoned to by a chorus of birds.

Kian took the lead. He took deliberate steps. My senses were as keen as his. I recalled hearing mice stirring under foliage and tracking deer.

He gestured at splintered branches. "Last night, they went by here. A ring of black-furred wolves. They murder at first sight.

Tight in the chest, I nodded. "Do you think the camp will be attacked again?"

He scowled. "They may. They appear to hunt something, though. I have no idea what it is.

My thoughts were racing. Is that the same rogue warband I've already faced? Or something fresh and riskier?

We continued. Tall trees loomed overhead as the forest drew in. The leaves danced in the sunlight. We traced a thin line.

Kian abruptly stopped. He held up a hand. I stopped. Like waves, silence pressed in.

It was a quake under my boots that I felt first. It made the trees tremble. The woods echoed with a hoarse snarl.

Kian pulled out his bow. My hand moved to my belt and my dagger. In my chest, exhilaration and fear fought each other.

Shapes erupted out of the undergrowth. We were charged by wolves with black fur. They had red eyes.

I leaped to my feet and brandished my dagger. Kian was attacked by a wolf. I slashed across its flank with my blade. Blood spurted warm.

Kian shot the pack with an arrow. A wolf was hit between the shoulders by it. The creature stumbled and yelled.

I positioned myself between the wolves and him. The scent of soil and blood filled my clothes. Each breath was a burning sensation.

The wolves grew closer. The lead beast was sliced by me. Its fur was scored by my blade. It snapped at me, growling. I crouched beneath its teeth.

Kian fired once more. He struck the leg of another wolf. With a groan, it fell.

Jace was standing at the edge of the clearing when I turned around. A large sword with a blade as dark as shadows was in his hand. He roared fiercely, driving a wolf back after blocking its charge.

The sight of him made my heart skip a beat. His gaze briefly shifted to me. A spark of recognition. He clenched his jaw.

He stomped over to us after slaying the wolf in front of him. His footsteps caused the ground to tremble.

I looked him in the eye. He looked into my face. My breath stopped.

A wolf leaped at Kian, who screamed. I sprang forward and slapped the animal across the throat. It thumped down wetly.

To get to us, Jace battled his way through the group. He was between the rest of the wolves and me. He displayed his sword. He took them back via car.

A wolf attempted to get up at his feet. He knelt down and touched its throat with the tip of his blade. The wolf closed its eyes and moaned.

Jace stood up and faced me. His cloak fluttered. His eyes were ferocious and angry.

He demanded to know who you were. Emotion shook his voice.

I took a deep breath. At my side, my dagger felt heavy. I started to say something, but nothing came out.

Kian glanced at each of us. He lowered his bow. "She is with me," he said in a hesitant tone.

Jace looked from me to Kian and back again. He stepped forward. The wind slowed. The wolves withdrew into the woodland.

I could feel his breath because he was so close. My heart pounded. Fear and need made my chest hurt.

"Serin?" he said softly.

I gazed into his eyes. I opened my mouth once. I desired to use my real name. I wanted to share everything with him. However, I choked on the words.

Kian moved uncomfortably. It was too close in the clearing. The world was too noisy.

Jace lifted his sword, then brought it back down. He let out a deep exhale. Without a word, he turned and left.

The sight of his fleeing back destroyed my heart. On the mossy floor, I fell to my knees. Kian was kneeling next to me.

"Explain what transpired," he asked quietly.

I drew a trembling breath and closed my eyes. Soon, I would tell him. Soon, I would tell them all.

I had to find out why Jace had given me that look first, though. Why my name had been summoned by his heart.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Jace disappear into the woods. I shuddered in my new physique. It hurt my old heart.

Then, behind me, I heard his voice. Urgent and gentle. On the wind, my real name.

"Elena?"