Chapter 6 The Forbidden Bond

The moon hung high over the Black Ridge Pack's training grounds, casting long shadows over the clearing like fingers reaching across the earth. Samantha's heart pounded as she stood at the edge, hidden among the thick trees. She shouldn't be here. She knew the rules training was for wolves, not for someone like her. Not for a human. Not for an outsider.

But something deeper than logic had pulled her here tonight. Something stubborn and wild inside her refused to stay quiet any longer. She wanted to prove she wasn't weak. That she wasn't just the stray girl they tolerated out of pity. She wanted to show that she could fight, too.

With cautious steps, she moved forward, careful not to draw attention. She slipped into the crowd of young wolves preparing for drills, trying to blend in. The scent of pine and damp earth mixed with musk and fur. Claws dug into soil. Jaws snapped in warm-ups. Muscles flexed under moonlight. She kept her head low, heart hammering in her chest.

At first, no one noticed her.

For one brief, fragile moment, she allowed herself to believe that maybe she could belong.

But then

"Hey, who's that?"

A sharp voice pierced the air like a snapped twig.

Samantha froze mid-step. Dozens of heads turned toward her in unison, ears perked. Curiosity twisted into confusion, then into irritation.

"Wait... is that the stray?" another voice sneered. "What's she doing here?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd like a growing storm. Amused smirks, annoyed glares, open mockery she could feel it all pressing in on her like a wall closing fast.

She opened her mouth, searching desperately for a response, but her voice failed her.

Then salvation.

"That's enough," came a voice, smooth and commanding.

The crowd silenced immediately.

Derek.

The Alpha's son stepped forward, golden eyes locked on Samantha with quiet intensity. His voice alone held the power to scatter the others, and they obeyed without hesitation. Even the most arrogant lowered their gazes when he approached.

"What are you doing here, Samantha?" he asked, his tone low and firm.

She took a breath, trying to still the panic in her chest. "I just... I wanted to see."

A flicker of something softened his expression of admiration? Amusement? concern? but it passed quickly.

He turned to the others. "Get back to your drills. Now."

They obeyed again, though a few lingered with reluctant glances in her direction before turning away.

As the clearing emptied, Derek looked back at her. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you could get into for this?"

Samantha crossed her arms, lifting her chin. "I didn't ask for your help."

Derek let out a soft laugh, more tired than amused. "And yet, here we are. Again."

She looked away, shame prickling beneath her skin.

"I should go," she said quickly, eager to escape the heat in her chest.

But before she could turn, Derek stepped closer and reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her wrist. The contact was brief, but it sent a shiver through her body.

"Let me walk you home," he said, his voice quiet.

She hesitated. She knew it was dangerous being seen with the Alpha's son after dark. The rumors, the consequences. She should say no.

But when he turned and began walking without waiting for her answer, her legs followed before her mind could stop them.

They walked in silence beneath the silver canopy of moonlight. Crickets chirped in the underbrush. Leaves whispered with the wind. But between them hung something heavier something unspoken that neither dared disturb.

It was Derek who broke the silence. "You're not weak, you know."

Samantha glanced at him. "You don't have to say that."

"I'm not saying it to be kind," he replied. "I've seen you fight. You've got fire. You don't give up. That counts for something."

Her breath caught in her chest. The sincerity in his voice made it hard to look away.

"It doesn't matter," she said softly. "Even if I try harder than anyone else, I'll always be different."

He stopped walking, turning to face her.

"Being different isn't a weakness," he said, his gaze unwavering. "It's what makes you stand out. What makes you... you."

She stared at him, searching his eyes for sarcasm, for mockery but found none. Only the truth. Only honesty.

And for the first time, she didn't feel so invisible.

But just as the moment settled between them like a fragile thread of hope, a rustle came from the nearby brush.

They both turned.

A figure emerged from the trees.

Alex.

Her closest friend, and the only other person in the pack who'd ever really stood by her.

Alex's sharp eyes swept over the scene of Samantha standing alone with Derek in the woods, too close, too familiar. Her expression tightened.

"Samantha," she said slowly, "what are you doing?"

Samantha's stomach twisted with guilt. "It's not what it looks like."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "It looks like you're out here alone with the Alpha's son. At night. After sneaking into training."

Samantha opened her mouth, but no explanation seemed good enough.

Derek stood silently, watching them both.

"Do you have any idea what would happen if someone else saw this?" Alex's voice was calm, but laced with tension. "This could get you exiled, Sam. Or worse."

Samantha's chest tightened. She had let herself forget for just a moment how dangerous this was. How forbidden and she almost let herself sink in and forget she was an outcast thinking she was one of them.

She stepped back from Derek, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"You're right," she whispered.

Derek's jaw tensed. "Samantha"

But she cut him off. "This can't happen. You and me... whatever this is, it isn't real, we can't talk to each other Derek, you can't be seen with an outcast not you not anyone. It's a mistake."

Silence followed her words like a shadow.

Derek didn't move. His eyes searched hers, quietly pleading.

"Is that really what you believe? That you should be treated just because you're not from here, you might not be from here but to me you'd always be one of us" he said, voice soft, almost broken.

She looked away.

She had to believe it.

Because if she didn't, she knew she'd fall and falling for someone like Derek could destroy them both.

With her heart heavy and her shoulders stiff, she turned and walked away, leaving him behind in the moonlight.

But deep down, she already knew it was too late.