Chapter 10

Aiden’s grip on me tightened before he suddenly let go, stepping forward. His body trembled, his muscles shifting, and then—his eyes. They weren’t their usual sharp blue anymore. They burned silver, glowing under the moonlight like molten metal.

Beside him, Ryan was doing the same. His transformation was just as fluid, his eyes gleaming a dangerous, electric blue.

Then, in a blur of movement, their bodies morphed. Bones cracked, limbs elongated, and fur sprouted in place of skin. In mere seconds, where my two best friends once stood, now stood two massive wolves—Aiden’s coat, silver as the moon, Ryan’s a striking blend of brown and gray. They were breathtaking, yet utterly terrifying.

The rogues lunged forward at once, snarling, their teeth bared. Aiden let out a deep, bone-chilling growl, stepping in front of me protectively. Ryan did the same for Ariana, his massive frame shielding her as she stood frozen in place.

I could feel my pulse hammering in my throat. The rogues were circling now, waiting for the right moment to strike. My fingers curled into fists at my sides. I was useless here. Powerless. And I hated it.

Then—just as the first rogue pounced—another growl echoed through the trees. This one was louder. Fiercer. It was followed by the sound of rapid footsteps, leaves crunching under heavy paws.

And then, they arrived.

A blur of dark figures rushed into the clearing—more wolves, larger and more powerful than the rogues. At the forefront was a wolf so massive, so commanding, that even the rogues hesitated for a split second. His fur was sleek black, his presence radiating pure authority.

Alpha Caden.

He must have heard his son's howl, my heart leaped for joy.

The rogues barely had time to react before the new wolves crashed into them with brutal force. Snarls and howls filled the air as bodies slammed against trees, fangs clashed, and blood splattered onto the

forest floor.

Aiden and Ryan wasted no time. They leaped into the fight, their massive forms tearing into the rogues with ruthless precision. It was chaos. A deadly, violent blur of movement as the battle unfolded right in front of me.

I could do nothing but stand there, my heart pounding, as I watched the fight rage on.

In the minutes, the rogues were all lying helpless, slashed in cold blood.

Ariana and I turned at once as Ryan and Aiden turned back to their human form as some warriors gave them a clothing to change into woke the others packed the rogues dead body.

Alpha Caden and some others remained in their wolf form.

" You two, to the pack house now!" He growled but neither Ryan nor Aiden moved.

I could see his eyes twitching. "Did you.."

Aiden spoke up first. "Take them home" He said to Ryan who nodded immediately. He looked at me then looked away without saying a word, then walked away with Alpha Caden.

Ryan turned to us, his expression filled with worry. "Are you okay?" He asked and I nodded while Ariana hissed. "Please just take us home" she muttered.

****

"You okay?" Ryan asked as he finally tucked me to bed, he insisted.

"Yeah" I muttered with a yawn. "I'm tired" I added, feeling drowsy. His hand went up to my forehead, feeling my temperature. My brows raised "I'm fine" I said, taking his hands off. "Yeah, just checking for a cold" he said in a mutter, pulling away from me.

"Go to sleep" He added. I raised my brows further, sitting up on the bed.

"Is this about Aiden?" I asked and his forehead smoothed. "No" He lied.

"Hmm, you care to tell me what happened between you two? Was it after you dropped me off at home this afternoon or was it inside the car through some mind link or what? What did you two argue about?" I demanded an answer.

"Nothing" Ryan said, looking away.

I got up at once, grabbed his shirt, pulled him to me and looked at him eye-to-eye.

"Tell me now, Ryan. Don't get me mad." I snapped.

"What did you two argue about?" I asked, again.

"You" He responded sharply, my brows furrowed and I slowly released my grip on the collar of his shirt.

He straightened his shirt, as I slowly sat on the bed.

"Why?" I asked, looking back up at him. He cleared his throat. "Well, nothing serious." He said, grabbing his sling bag from across the room.

"Now, go to sleep. I'll pick you up tomorrow, sleep tight" He said, before twisting the door open and walking out at once.

My brows dipped further in confusion but I decided to brush it off. Won't be the first time they argued over me anyways, Ryan was all carefree while Aiden was always careful, and that sure caused fights between them most times, as Aiden most of the time thinks Ryan was never careful with me and I was too weak to be engaging in his 'reckless activities' such being drinking, lol, so it was probably nothing.

My eyes suddenly caught the little dim light blinks coming from my laptop, I must have forgotten to turn it off.

I got up on my feet and walked over to the laptop, oh, I have unfinished work. I let out a frustrated sigh, raking my fingers through my hair as I sat on the chair and opened my laptop.

I needed to finish my unfinished drafts. So, I got to work immediately and began typing on, and on, till day break.

I didn't know how long I had been writing till I heard movements out in the hallway. That must be my mom preparing for the morning.

"Shit, how long did I stay up for?" I let out a mutter, stretching my hands with a yawn. I moved my laptop to the side, lazily and drowsily got up my feet and slumped to the bed, I didn't bother checking what time it was, all I knew was I had to sleep or I would break so I did, I shut my eyes and sleep washed over me immediately.