Chapter 8- Elena -

The black wolf was beautiful and terrifying.

He tore through the rogues like they were made of paper. The leader who had been choking me dropped me instantly, shifting to face this new threat. But he didn't stand a chance.

Damien, because I knew it was him, could feel it was him, moved like death itself. One rogue tried to run. Damien caught him in two leaps, throwing him against a tree. Another tried to attack from behind. Damien spun, his jaws catching the rogue's throat.

In less than a minute, three rogues were dead. The other three ran, disappearing into the darkness like the cowards they were.

I lay on the ground, gasping for air, watching Damien shift back to human form. His warriors appeared from the shadows, but he waved them away.

"Chase them," he ordered. "Make sure they don't come back."

Then he turned to me.

His face was hard. Angry. His jaw clenched so tight I could almost see the muscle jumping.

"You absolute fool," he muttered under his breath, but his hands were gentle as they checked my throat. "What were you thinking?"

"I'm sorry, I-"

"Quiet." The word was soft but firm. "Just... don't talk right now."

He lifted me like I weighed nothing. One arm under my knees, the other supporting my back. I wanted to protest, to say I could walk, but the way he held me, careful, protective, like I might break, made me close my mouth.

His body was warm against mine. Too warm. Like he was burning with fever. Or rage. Maybe both.

"Alpha!"

A gray wolf burst through the trees, shifting mid-leap. Sophia stood there, perfectly composed despite just transforming. How did she manage to look beautiful even now?

"Oh thank the Moon Goddess!" She rushed forward and held her hands together in gratitude. and I had to blink twice. You've got to be kidding me. This wasn't the same woman who had threatened me. Her face showed genuine worry. "How did this happen? I went to check on Elena and found her room empty. I came as fast as I could."

"She was leaving," Damien said flatly.

"Of course she was. The poor thing is probably terrified after that accident." Sophia touched my arm gently. I wanted to flinch away, but I couldn't move. "Elena, sweetie, are you okay? Did they hurt you? Why would you do this? That was very unwise of you to leave like that. Do you have a death wish or something?"

She was scolding me still in that sweet voice that was laced with fake concern when she was the very reason I was trying to leave. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. My throat felt crushed.

"She can't talk," Damien said. "You don't have to push it now." I was glad he made her stop.

"Those monsters." Sophia's voice was filled with tears. Actual tears. "We need to get her back to the lack. The doctor needs to see her immediately."

"I know." Damien started walking, still holding me. "Run ahead. Tell her to prepare."

"Of course." Sophia shifted back to wolf form and ran.

Damien's warriors returned, flanking us as we moved through the forest. No one spoke. The only sounds were footsteps and my ragged breathing. I closed my eyes and went limp in his arms. But I could still hear.

"You could have died," Damien said suddenly. His voice was quiet, meant only for me. "You almost died."

I wanted to say I was sorry. Wanted to explain about the threat I felt, about not wanting to cause problems. But my throat wouldn't work, and even if it did, would he believe me? Sophia had just played the concerned friend perfectly and I looked like an ungrateful person.

"My wolf knew the second you left pack grounds," he continued, not minding if I could actually hear him or not. "He went insane. I've never... I couldn't control him."

His arms tightened slightly around me. Not enough to hurt. Just enough to pull me closer to his chest.

"Don't run again," he said. "Promise me you won't run again."

I couldn't promise. Couldn't speak. Could only lean into his warmth and wonder why the great Alpha of this Pack cared if one worthless human lived or died.

The pack house came into view, lit up despite the early hour. Sophia stood at the entrance with the doctor, both looking worried. The perfect welcoming committee.

"Bring her inside," the doctor ordered, all business now. "Straight to the medical room."

As Damien carried me through the doors, I caught Sophia's eye for just a second. The worried expression was still there, but underneath, just for me, I saw the truth.

Pure rage.

She had wanted me gone. Now Damien had saved me, carried me home, held me like I mattered.

I closed my eyes, pretending to pass out. It was easier than seeing her face. Easier than wondering what she would do next.

Because Sophia wasn't done with me. That much was clear.

The question was: would Damien always be there to save me?

Or would Sophia find a way to get rid of me when he wasn't looking? Nowhere is safe, running away wouldn't even work. Damien was really mad at me.

I might just be stuck here and have to figure out how I can deal with this, deal with Sophia or whatever it is I might face in this pack.

Damiem dropped me gently on the bed and adjusted my dress.

"Make sure both mother and child are okay," He said to the doctor.

"I will do everything I can. But you need to get some rest Alpha," she told him.

"Do what you need to do. I'll stay here. Don't worry about me." My heart melted at Damien's kindness despite my condition but my joy was short lived when Sophia chipped in.

"I'll stay too," she offered and I almost jumped up to say no.