*** Locker room ***

The hallway was still empty by the time Kael emerged from the locker room, his damp hair falling into his eyes, a lazy grin tugging at his lips. His jersey was half-zipped, and there was a flush of adrenaline still clinging to his skin.

“You survived the storm,” he teased, slinging an arm around my shoulders like we were high school sweethearts.

I forced a smile but didn’t lean into him. My mind was stuck in the moment from earlier, the chill, the flickering lights, that *shadow that passed by*. I still couldn’t explain it, and I didn’t want to sound crazy. But something in my gut screamed that it wasn’t nothing.

“Kael…”

He stopped walking, his gaze turning serious in a heartbeat. “What is it?”

I swallowed, glancing back down the hallway as if the shadow might still be there, watching. “I saw something. Earlier. A shape, I think. It moved weird. Fast. It wasn’t normal.”

Kael tilted his head. “A shape?”

“I know it sounds ridiculous,” I murmured. “But the temperature dropped, and I felt watched. Just for a second.”

His brows furrowed, but not with concern, more like amusement. He brushed his knuckles over my cheek and leaned in close, lips nearly grazing my ear.

“Maybe your senses are sharpening,” he whispered. “Could be your wolf waking up.”

I pulled back slightly. “I’m being serious, Kael.”

“So am I.” His grin deepened. “But I also think you’ve got nothing to worry about. No ghost, no monster, no shadow or goddess is gonna touch you while I’m around.”

He bumped my shoulder with his. “Come on. You’re safe with me.”

That should’ve made me feel better.

But it didn’t.

**************************************************

Lucien

I stood at the top of the arena's upper balcony, looking down through the tinted glass as Kael and Sasha disappeared into the parking lot, laughing like nothing in the world could touch or even them.

Fools.

I tapped my fingers against the railing, slow and steady, a smile creeping across my bruised face.

“She thinks she saw something,” I muttered to myself. “And no one’s going to believe her.”

"Not even her so called mate"

I chuckled darkly, the sound hollow in the empty observation booth. “Poor Sasha. Little wolf with no one to trust.”

“ it's actually such a pity”

My eyes glowed faintly, and my canines lengthened just enough to press against my lips.

“I’ll keep whispering in the dark. I’ll make you doubt everything, especially him.”

“ I'll make her think he is hiding something from her "

" And only in a matter of time, they'll break their bond out of anger and she'll be mine ” I said laughing out loud.

I pulled out my phone and typed something quickly.

**"Phase One: Complete. She’s cracking."**

Then I slid the phone back into my coat, eyes fixed on the door where they’d left.

“This is just the beginning....... Kael”

*************************************************

Sasha

*** In her room***

I really don't know why Kael didn't believe me.

I was literally sure of what I saw in the locker room's hall way.

The shadow.... The wind....

It was different.

"Why can't my life just be normal."

"I left my home town, left hockey and my life as a player and.....”

“ just a minute Sasha..... You're a player too???"

I flinched as I turned to see Kael who was leaning to the wall.

"How long have you been here Kael " I said when my head down.

Kael walked closer and kept in front of me, cuppingy face.

" I was heading to the kitchen only to notice that you were rather more quiet than usual "

" Why did you say your life wasn't normal...."

"I...." I didn't finish my sentence when Kael, his hands at the back of my head, indulged me in warm and slow kiss.

I responded because that seemed to be the only thing that could calm me at this moment.

His lips tasted like strawberry and at this moment I forgot all my worries.

Kael broke the kiss and cupped my face again.

'I'm here with you Sasha, even if there's anything out there, we'll fight it together. We are 1 now and we are much stronger now."

I simply smiles because I saw a lot of truth in his eyes.

“Then about your hockey career......” He wore a weird smirk that looked super sexy on him.

***************************************************

**Unknown Territory .... Midnight**

In a forest blanketed in snow, far from the familiar lands, another pack gathered under the bone-white moon. Their compound was older, half buried in Rocks , the other half surrounded by black pine trees that filled with heavy snow.

At the center stood a long hall lit by torches, flickering red-orange against the rough timber walls. Wolves...scarred, lean, savage, stood in lines on either side, silent and waiting.

And at the head of it all, seated on a carved throne of ice and human bones, was a man with a silver mask covering half his face, eyes dark and attractive.

His voice was quiet. Calm. But every word carried the weight of death itself.

“How many?” he asked.

A scout knelt in the snow. “Six humans. Two males. Four females. Trespassing near the creek border.”

“And you captured them?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

The masked man tilted his head. “Fools.”

He rose slowly, the furs on his shoulders falling away to reveal arms lined with ink and old scars. His boots crunched over snow as he stepped forward.

“Release the males,” he said.

The scout blinked. “Release them?”

“Yes. Let them run.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Then hunt them.”

The wolves growled with approval.

“And the females?” the scout asked.

The masked Alpha turned to the side, voice low.

“Send them to the cells. We’ll keep them for now.”

He walked toward the edge of the hall and looked out over the cliff beyond, miles of dark wilderness could be clearly seen. His breath misted in the air.

“Let the humans bleed,” he said softly. “Let the world know that the Hollowfangs do not forgive trespass.”

He turned to his Beta.

“And find out more about the Ice Lords. I hear their Alpha has finally taken a mate.”

His eyes glinted beneath the mask.

“That will make this much more fun.