CHAPTER 2:Into the Wolf’s

I couldn’t stop trembling. The pain in my shoulder throbbed with every step, but it was nothing compared to the terror gnawing at my insides. I had survived the attack, but now I was at the mercy of the Alpha King himself.

Lucian’s gaze was sharp as he walked ahead of me, his strides powerful and purposeful. He hadn’t said much since I introduced myself, just barked at me to follow him. And somehow, my legs obeyed even when my brain screamed for me to run.

“Where are you taking me?” I dared to ask, my voice shaky.

He didn’t look back. “Somewhere safe.”

I wanted to believe him, but how could I? The man was a beast, and his pack was known for tearing apart anyone who entered their territory. Yet, something about him seemed….different. He could’ve let his wolves kill me. But he didn’t.

The forest eventually gave way to a small, secluded village. Cabins and structures built from rough wood and stone stood scattered between the trees. It looked almost peaceful, if not for the watchful eyes that followed our every move.

The wolves. They were everywhere. Some were in their human forms, others prowled around in their wolf forms. But all of them had one thing in common—the way they stared at me like I was an intruder. An enemy.

I kept my eyes low, my heart racing as Lucian led me through the village. The silence was suffocating, and I could feel the hatred radiating from everyone around us.

“Why are they staring at me?” I whispered.

“Because you don’t belong here,” Lucian replied bluntly. “Humans are not welcome in Bloodmoon territory.”

“Then why did you save me?” I couldn’t help but ask.

His shoulders tensed, but he kept moving. “Like I said, I don’t know.”

He pushed open the door to a cabin and gestured for me to enter. My body hesitated, every instinct screaming that this was a terrible idea. But staying outside felt worse, so I stepped inside, my breath shaky.

The cabin was simple. A fireplace crackled to the side, and the air was warm and slightly smoky. There was a small bed, a table, and chairs. It looked almost… normal.

“You can rest here,” Lucian said, his tone clipped. “You’re injured, and running around the forest like a fool will only get you killed.”

I swallowed hard. “And once I heal? Will you let me leave?”

His eyes darkened. “We’ll see.”

I wanted to scream. To beg him to let me go. But something in his gaze told me it would be pointless. He was used to giving orders, and he expected them to be followed.

“You should clean your wound,” he continued. “There’s water and bandages over there.”

My gaze followed his gesture to a small table with supplies. I looked back at him, unsure of what to say. “Thank you.”

He gave a short nod but said nothing.

I moved to the table, my hands shaking as I cleaned my wound. The sting was sharp, but I forced myself to push through the pain. As I wrapped a bandage around my shoulder, I couldn’t help but glance at him.

He was watching me, his expression unreadable. The firelight cast shadows across his face, making him seem even more intimidating. And yet, there was something about him that made me feel… safe.

“I’ve heard about you,” I said quietly. “People call you a monster.”

He snorted. “And do you believe them?”

“I don’t know.” I met his gaze. “But you saved me. So, maybe not.”

Something flashed in his eyes, but he looked away before I could understand it.

“I didn’t save you out of kindness,” he said. “You were on my land. And your presence is a problem I have to deal with.”

The harshness of his words stung, but I tried not to show it. “So, what are you going to do with me?”

“I haven’t decided yet.” His tone was cold, but there was something else there. Something uncertain.

Silence settled between us, thick and uncomfortable. I looked around the cabin, trying to distract myself from his piercing gaze.

“Do you live here?” I asked, desperate to fill the silence.

“No.” His answer was short. Dismissive.

I wanted to ask more, to understand why someone so powerful would have such a simple place. But I kept my curiosity to myself.

Instead, I focused on the fact that I was still alive. And that Lucian, terrifying as he was, hadn’t killed me yet.

As night fell, exhaustion pulled at me. I hadn’t slept properly in days, and the adrenaline that had kept me going was slowly fading. I sank down onto the bed, my body aching, my eyes heavy.

“Rest,” Lucian said, his voice softer this time. “You’ll need your strength if you want to survive here.”

I wanted to argue, to demand answers. But the heaviness in my limbs was too much. My eyes slid shut, and sleep claimed me before I could even think of fighting it.

The next morning, I woke up to find Lucian standing by the fireplace, his gaze distant. For a moment, I wondered if last night had been a nightmare. But the pain in my shoulder told me it was all too real.

“You’re awake,” he said without turning around.

“Yeah,” I replied, my voice rough. “Thanks… for letting me stay here.”

He didn’t respond, just kept staring into the fire.

“Are you going to tell me what happens now?” I pressed.

He finally looked at me, his eyes burning with intensity. “Now, you prove to me that you’re worth keeping alive.”

His words hit me like a blow, but something inside me refused to cower. If surviving meant proving myself to him, then I’d do it. Because giving up wasn’t an option.