Chapter 3

Laura's days in the forest with Kael were like entering a new world. Every morning, when the sunlight penetrated through the cracks in the leaves, Kael woke Laura up to train. Not ordinary training, but survival lessons.

"If you want to survive outside the herd, you must be able to protect yourself," Kael said in a firm tone, but his gaze remained gentle.

Laura nodded even though her body was still weak. She knew Kael was right. Ever since Axel rejected her and kicked her out, she had no one. The outside world knew no mercy.

They started with simple things. Kael taught her how to listen to the sounds in the forest. when the birds stopped chirping, what a broken twig meant in the distance, and how to read the direction of the wind. Then they moved on to basic fighting techniques.

Kael stood in front of her, his body erect, his movements controlled. "Try attacking me," he said.

Laura was startled. "What? I can't-"

"Try," Kael cut in. "I won't fight, just hold back."

Hesitantly, Laura stepped forward. Her hands trembled as she tried to push Kael's chest. But instantly, Kael easily caught her wrist, holding it without hurting her.

"See?" he said. "You're too predictable. Don't let your opponent know where you're going. Use surprise. Use your wits."

Laura grunted, tried again. This time she cheated by moving to the right, then attacking from the left. Kael smiled faintly, managing to hold her off again.

But the moment their skin touched, something strange happened.

Laura's heart beat uncontrollably, not because of the training, but because of the strange vibrations that spread through her body. She could hear Kael's heartbeat, loud and clear, as if it merged with her own.

Laura staggered back, her face pale. "This... this can't be..." her voice trembled. "I'm already destined for Axel."

Kael froze. He too felt the same, a weak tug, a tremor that should not have been possible. There was only one mate for one wolf. There could be no other.

But his body could not lie.

Kael took a deep breath, trying to hide it. "You're just tired. Don't think about anything else."

But the look in his eyes betrayed his words.

---

In the next few days, the bond between them became more and more tangible. Every time Laura laughed, Kael's chest felt warm. Whenever Laura was even the slightest bit hurt, there was a burning rage within him.

Laura felt it too. There was a chemistry that was hard to ignore. But she tried to resist it. I can't... I'm already tied to Axel.

One night, as a small campfire was lit, Laura finally opened her voice.

"Kael," she whispered. "I want you to know... the day he rejected me, it felt as if my life was ruined. Everyone looked at me as if I meant nothing. Even my family was ashamed of me."

She looked down, tears welling up in her eyes. "I really wanted to die back then."

Kael listened without interrupting. His face was full of patience, his eyes never leaving Laura.

"I don't understand... why I have to feel all this. I was supposed to bond with Axel. But why... why do I feel different every time I'm with you?"

The gazes of the two of them met for too long. There was no touch, only silence and emotions swirling between them.

Laura realized there were two ties pulling her. one to Axel who rejected her, and the other to Kael who saved her. It made her chest feel tight.

---

On the other hand, news began to circulate among them. The news that Laura was still alive also reached Axel's ears.

When he heard it, his face immediately darkened. "No way," he whispered. "I drove her out myself."

But rumors are never without fire. Angrily, Axel ordered some of his soldiers. "Find him. Make sure it's true. And if you find him bring him to me."

---

Kael heard the movement from his allies. He knew his time was running out.

"I'll hide you deeper," he told Laura one night. "They won't find you."

Laura looked down. "Kael... I feel guilty. Because of me, you fought with your own brother. You shouldn't have-"

"Enough." Kael looked at her sharply. "The decision to protect you was mine. Not your fault. Don't ever feel guilty that you're alive."

Those words pierced Laura's heart, making her tears flow again. For the first time since the rejection, she felt truly understood.

---

But Axel was not a stupid man.

One night, he faced Kael directly.

His gaze was sharp, suspicious. "Are you protecting that woman?"

Kael was silent. His lips wanted to say no, but his heart couldn't. "No... of course not," he said finally.

But the look in his eyes wavered. And Axel caught it.

"Don't lie to me, Kael," he said coldly. "I can read your eyes better than anyone."

The tension between them was so real, the air seemed to freeze.

Laura, who was hiding nearby, heard everything. Her chest felt crushed. She felt sandwiched between two brothers who had once rejected her, one of whom was now protecting her.

Axel approached, just an inch away from Kael. "If you really betray me..." his voice was low, full of venom, "you will regret it."

Kael's eyes stared with an unusual look that was not submissive, but full of courage.

And in that moment, Laura knew, the battle between these two brothers had just begun.