Chapter Sixty-FiveJenna's POV“I went out.” I answer, moving towards my bed.Eleanor wrinkles her nose as I pass by her. “Did you go for a run?”“Yes.”“You should shower. You really stink. Here,” she throws a bag at me.“There are a few more clothes there and toiletries for you. There's a towel too.” She adds as she begins to get up and move towards the door. “Thank you, Eleanor.”“You should thank Elizabeth.” Eleanor says as she turns to look me over. “She's taken a special liking to you and wants to see to it that you're really comfortable here.”“I'm really happy for everyone's hospitality here. The humans—”I catch myself quickly. “I mean, everyone here is kind, and I'm more than grateful for that.”“Sometimes, people hide their dark sinister motives behind the illusion of kindness. Don't get carried away.”Eleanor pins me with a look that brings me nothing but confusion. What does she mean by that? Is she trying to tell me that their kindness is pretentious? “I don't understa
Chapter Sixty-SixJenna's POVThe women's shelter is quieter than usual when I step back inside. After the morning at the park with Eleanor, Maddie, and Zoe, I feel a strange mix of unease and relief. It’s odd, feeling like I’m starting to belong in a place where I know I don’t. But I can't allow myself to derail from my true mission. I didn't journey for days in the forest, simply to come here and dillydally. As I head toward the common area, I spot Elizabeth at the far end of the hallway. She’s overseeing the delivery of some supplies, her sharp eyes scanning the workers as they move boxes into the storeroom. Elizabeth is a woman who doesn’t miss a thing. When I first arrived here, it was she who welcomed me, her eyes filled with a mix of empathy and warmth. But as the day progressed, I began to feel watched; sometimes during dinner, I'd catch someone watching me thoughtfully. "Jenna," Elizabeth calls, her voice cutting through the silence. She waves me over with a slight tilt o
Chapter Sixty Seven Jenna's POV Elizabeth’s smile fades slightly, and after a lingering glance, she turns to leave. When the sound of her steps is gone, I release a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding. Alone again, I feel the familiar pull to venture further into the outskirts. The wild calls to me, the open, untamed land that lies beyond the boundaries of this human town. I glance toward the direction of the shelter, then back outside, where the sky is bright and the air looks promising. I don't forget about my growling stomach. Breakfast of syrupy pancakes had not done anything to ebb my natural hunger. Zoe and Eleanor had seemed to really enjoy the meal, and I couldn't resist pushing my plates towards them and watching as they happily divided my almost full plate equally and dived into it. My wolf stirs inside me, reminding me of its meal. Our meal, urging me to go deeper, to get closer to the forest that still feels like home in so many ways. Despite my mission to unde
Chapter Sixty Eight Jenna’s POVI swallow hard, my mind racing. She’s right—I do understand. I’ve been hiding who I am since the moment I stepped into this town, pretending to be human, just like she has."You knew," I say slowly, realisation dawning. "You knew what I was."Eleanor nods. "I suspected. There’s a certain... aura around those of us who come from the wild. But I wasn’t sure, not until tonight."My head spins with the weight of her words and the implications of what this means. “I suspected you were more than just human.” We’re not so different, Eleanor and I. Both of us are wolves in hiding, navigating a world that isn’t ours, trying to blend in while keeping our true nature secret.“Yes. I needed to be sure I could trust you with my secret.”"What now?" I ask, my voice quiet.Eleanor steps closer, her eyes softening. "Now, we talk. But not here."She glances around at the dark woods, her expression serious. "It’s not safe. The bear wasn’t the only threat out here."I n
Chapter Sixty Nine Jenna's POV As we head back towards the shelter, walking side by side in silence, I struggle to fully process what I’ve learnt about Eleanor. The fight with the bear lingers in my mind—her fierceness, her survival instincts. She had learnt to fend for herself early, and it showed in every movement, every decisive action. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?” Eleanor asks, her voice calm but with an edge of understanding.I turn to eye her, feeling a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. “You’ve always been able to guess what I’m thinking. Are you a mind reader too?”Eleanor chuckles, shaking her head. “No, not really. But I do have a degree in human development and psychology. I can read your thoughts through your nonverbal cues. You make it really easy for me, though—you have a readable face.”I raise an eyebrow. “That’s not very flattering.”She grins, clearly amused. “No, but it’s cute. You’re like an open book.”An open book. That’s what Zephyr used to say too. I wi
Chapter Seventy Jenna's POV As we continue walking through the quiet night, the sounds of the forest falling into a lull, I can feel the weight of the conversation still hanging between us. Eleanor's offer to teach me how to use human weapons lingers in my mind, but there's another pressing issue I can't ignore—surviving here in the human world.I stop, turning to face her, and Eleanor pauses beside me, her dark eyes steady, waiting."I need to ask you something," I begin hesitantly. "You told me earlier about finding a job. I know I can't stay at the shelter forever, and I need money—the human currency—if I want to be independent. How... how do I even start?"Eleanor seems to consider my words for a moment before nodding slowly. "You're right. Money is necessary in this world, unfortunately. You can't get far without it."I shift uncomfortably. "But I don’t even know where to begin. Eleanor gives me a reassuring smile. "There are ways around that. I can help you get what you need—
Chapter Seventy-One Jenna’s POVThe sun is barely rising when I slip out of bed the next morning, nerves dancing in my stomach like a pack of restless wolves. Today’s the day. My first real job—if you can call waiting tables a "real job." But to me, it’s more than just a way to make money. It’s a way to blend in, to observe the humans up close without raising suspicion.Eleanor does not know this, but she's provided me with the best cover. It would be so easy to carry out my try mission undetected. Things couldn't have progressed any better. Eleanor is up early too, but I know that it's not due to nerves or anything like that. As I get ready for the day, Eleanor does the same. And we walk in silence as we each go about our morning business. I have to make sure breakfast is ready. Eleanor says, after we've both showered and downed our clothes. I nod and watch as she slips through the door. At breakfast, Zoe chatters away as usual, telling me about her new stuffed animal, Toddles.
Chapter Seventy-TwoJack's POV The crowd slowly disperses, the people murmuring to one another, discussing the sudden command to leave. The dread in the air is palpable, but beneath it, I sense a thread of reluctant acceptance. They know we cannot stay here, not with the threat of humans looming over us. And though it tears at my heart to leave our home, our ancestors' resting place, I know it is the right decision. The only decision.As I walk toward my own den to prepare for the journey, my mind races with thoughts of the upcoming challenge. Leading a pack to a new home is no simple feat. I have to be strong—stronger than I feel at this moment. Strong enough to make the hard decisions. For their sake.The night stretches long, sleepless, as I prepare for the dawn. When the first light breaks across the horizon, we gather once more at the base of the mountain. The air is crisp and cold, biting at exposed skin. The people are bundled up, their bags packed with whatever little they ca
Jenna’s POV “You’re not fine,” I snap, my wolf growling low in agreement. “If you don’t let Eleanor take care of that, you won’t make it to morning. Stop being stubborn.” Caleb looks at me for a long moment, and I see the flicker of resistance in his eyes. But it fades quickly, replaced by exhaustion and a begrudging understanding. With a sigh, he drops his hand from the wound, revealing the full extent of the damage. Eleanor doesn’t say a word, just moves closer and gets to work. She pulls out her supplies, her movements efficient but not without care. Caleb winces when she cleans the wound, muttering something under his breath, but he doesn’t complain beyond that. While Eleanor focuses on Caleb, I glance over at Raina. She’s sitting cross-legged by the fire, absently tracing a finger along the scarlet stain that seeps through her makeshift bandage. She meets my gaze, her lips twitching into a crooked smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Still alive, huh?” she says, her voice
Jenna’s POV The world feels distant, as if I’m watching everything unfold from the outside. My side throbs, a constant reminder of the bullet lodged deep in my flesh. The cool air bites at my skin, but the pain is worse, gnawing at me like an animal digging in my gut. Eleanor kneels beside me, her fingers surprisingly gentle as she peels back the fabric of my shirt, exposing the wound. Her face is set in hard lines, but there’s a quiet intensity to her movements, as though she’s done this a hundred times before. I’ve seen her heal others, but I didn’t expect it to feel so... personal. “You’re lucky it didn’t hit anything vital,” she murmurs, her voice focused. She dabs the wound with a damp cloth, and I flinch, the coolness stinging like fire. “Just get it over with,” I mutter, the words escaping before I can stop them. Eleanor doesn’t respond, but I see her eyes flicker to my face, assessing the depth of my discomfort. She doesn’t push me to talk, just continues working, wh
Jenna’s POVThe smoke clings to my lungs as I crouch by the edge of the forest, my pulse thundering in my ears. The flames consuming the inn crackle and roar, lighting up the dark night like a funeral pyre. My claws ache from the fight, my body trembling from exhaustion, but I can’t stop moving. Not yet. Greta and Mia are safe, but the council won’t let us have this small victory for long. My wolf growls low in my chest, restless and furious. She wants to chase after the hunters to finish what we started. But I force her back, knowing the cost of giving in to that instinct. The council’s hunters are trained for this—calculated, ruthless, and relentless. Tonight was just a warning. I glance around the clearing. Raina stands a few feet away, her usually playful smirk replaced by a hardened glare. She wipes blood from her knuckles, muttering something under her breath. Eleanor is near Caleb, examining the gash across his cheek with her practiced precision. Despite the chaos, her hands
Jack's POV The morning breaks sharp and cool, the kind that gets under your skin and wakes you up fast. I step outside the house, the crunch of frost under my boots the only sound for a moment. The younger ones are already stirring, their faces alight with a mix of excitement and nerves. They hover near the clearing we’ve set up, glancing at the knives laid out on a rough wooden table.And it reminds me of the first turn that they'd learnt to fight, but not without weapons, how they'd learnt to use the forest to their advantage and protect themselves. Eldris stands at the edge of the group, calm and composed, as usual. He’s giving quiet instructions to one of the older wolves, gesturing toward the targets we’ve rigged up from logs and rope. His efficiency never ceases to amaze me.I draw in a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day settle on my shoulders. It’s my job to guide them, to make sure they understand this isn’t about picking fights or proving dominance. It’s about survi
Jack's POV The house is too quiet, even with the faint hum of activity outside. The younger ones explore the space, their laughter and chatter muffled by the walls. It feels wrong—unnatural—to hear those sounds without the rustling of leaves or the distant howls of the pack in the background. Eldris stands in the doorway, his arms crossed and that familiar, calculating look on his face. He doesn’t say anything right away, but I can feel the weight of whatever’s on his mind. “What is it?” I ask, leaning back against the worn chair. “The younger ones,” he starts, stepping into the room and sitting across from me. “They’re restless. Eager to learn. I’ve been teaching them what I can, but it’s not enough. Jack, we need to consider sending them to school.” The words hit me like a blow. “School?” I repeat, leaning forward. “You’re talking about sending our kids into human schools? Among them?” “Yes,” he says, his tone calm and resolute. My fingers tighten around the armrests. “Y
Jack’s POVThe days pass in a blur of unease and fascination. Each morning, we wake to a world that feels alien—smooth floors beneath our feet, no damp earth or leaves clinging to our skin. The house itself is strange, with its glowing orbs that light up the night and its doors that shut with a tightness that keeps the wind and cold completely at bay. On the first day, Eldris shows us how to use the objects around us. He calls them “appliances.” A box that keeps food cold without ice, a stove that heats without fire, and strange fixtures in the walls that bring water at the twist of a handle. It’s all overwhelming, but there’s no denying how useful these things are. For the pack, adapting to human ways is harder than I expected. Eating from plates with knives and forks feels unnatural, but Eldris insists we must. “If you want to pass as human, you must live like them,” he tells us. “They eat with tools, not their hands. They use furniture, not the ground.” At first, the pack res
Jenna's POV The sharp crack of wood splintering jolts me awake, the sound echoing through the inn like a gunshot. My wolf growls deep inside me, her instincts flaring to life. Something is wrong. I’m out of bed in an instant, yanking open my door just as Eleanor appears in the hallway, her expression grim and focused. “They’re here,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “Humans?” I ask, already knowing the answer. She nods, her gaze darting toward the stairs. “Armed. Council dogs."My blood runs cold. The council wasn’t wasting time—they’d sent their human hunters to flush us out. “Wake Caleb and Mia,” I say, my voice hard. “I’ll find Greta." Eleanor nods and disappears down the hall as I race toward Greta’s room. The old wolf is already awake, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness. She doesn’t ask questions—she doesn’t need to. “We’re under attack,” I tell her. “You need to take Mia and run. Get her out of here." Greta frowns, her jaw tightening. “And leave you behind?
Jenna’s POVThe soft knock at my door jolts me awake, my wolf stirring restlessly at the disturbance. The inn is usually quiet at this hour, but the urgency in the sound puts me on edge. I swing my legs off the bed and pad to the door, opening it to find Eleanor. She stands with her arms crossed, her eyes holding a strange mix of calm and tension. “Come with me,” she says softly, gesturing for me to follow. I don’t question her. Something in her tone tells me this isn’t about the spy we’d uncovered earlier—it’s something else. I throw on a sweater and trail her down the creaky stairs, out the back door, and into the crisp night air. Eleanor leads me toward the cluster of trees at the edge of the inn’s property. There, in the faint moonlight, two figures emerge—a young man and a woman, their clothes worn and their faces etched with fatigue. “They showed up tonight,” Eleanor says, stopping a few steps away from them. “They need help." I glance between the strangers and Eleanor, my
Jack's POV The forest opens before us, the dense canopy giving way to the edges of human civilization. For days, we’ve trudged through the wilderness, the ground uneven and slick with fallen leaves, but now the terrain changes. The air smells different—cleaner yet tinged with the faint aroma of smoke and something else I can’t place. Ahead, Eldris halts and raises his hand, signalling us to stop. His sharp eyes scan the horizon, and I follow his gaze. Just beyond the treeline, the human settlement comes into view. It’s nothing like I expected. “Is that... brick?” Violet whispers, her voice unsteady. She steps forward, her amber eyes wide with disbelief, her usual guarded demeanour replaced with genuine curiosity. I nod slowly, though I can hardly believe it myself. The structure ahead is a small house, built from smooth red bricks that seem unnaturally uniform. The roof is sloped, its tiles perfectly aligned, and a strange reflective material covers the windows. The whole thing lo