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
Chapter Seventy-three Jack's POV We push on for hours, stopping only briefly for water or to rest our legs. The young children cling to their parents, their small faces streaked with dirt and weariness. The older wolves keep watch, their eyes sharp, scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. But so far, the forest has been quiet. Too quiet. By the time the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the trees, I know we need to stop for the night. "We’ll rest here," I announce, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. "Set up camp. We'll continue at first light."There’s a collective sigh of relief from the pack, and they begin to set down their burdens, their tired limbs sagging with the promise of rest. I watch them for a moment, my eyes scanning the group. Many of them are too vulnerable, too unprepared for the dangers that might lie ahead. The human attack was a harsh reminder that we can’t rely solely on our strength to protect us. We need mor
Chapter Seventy-Four Jack’s POVAs I stand back, watching the scene unfold, Violet steps up beside me, her eyes shining with satisfaction and pride. "They’re doing well," she says softly.I nod, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "They are. This will make a difference.""We’ll be ready," she replies, her voice filled with quiet determination.I turn to her, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "You’re incredible, you know that?" Violet has greatly demonstrated that I make no mistake choosing her as my mate. I had known that I needed someone strong and agile, someone who could match my energy and vigor. Violet jag greatly fits that description. My mind goes back to Jenna; I had begun to think about her less and less. But she remained at the back of my mind, never building to the surface. Her large green eyes sometimes flickered through my mind's eye, and sometimes I found myself wondering about her. Thinking about what had become of her. Maybe she had sojourned in another
Chapter Seventy-FiveJenna’s POV“I didn’t order egg sandwiches,” he says as soon as I drop the food on his desk. “I’m sorry about that,” I reply, looking down at my writing pad. Eleanor had taught me to write words; it had been quite easy to learn, and I had caught up in no time. “It says here egg sandwiches for table five.” “Are you deaf? I freaking didn’t order that. I said that I needed bagels and a cup of plain coffee.” I shake my head at the man who looks a little intimidating in his expensive suit. That’s far from what you ordered. “Are you implying that I am lying? Is that what you’re implying?” His voice is cold, and his tone is deadly. “Are you trying to push the blame on me for your foolishness and incompetence?” His voice has begun to rise, grabbing the attention of the other patrons, who turn to listen in on the conversation. My heart beats loudly, and I try to rein in my anger. I had been taught that the customer is always right, even though this suit man is clear
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
Jack's POV The forest breathes with life as dawn breaks, the air crisp and laden with the earthy scent of dew-soaked leaves. I rise before the others, my senses attuned to every sound. The pack sleeps in scattered clusters, their forms wrapped in blankets and cloaks against the chill. Last night’s feast brought a rare sense of calm, but it won’t last. It never does. I stretch, my muscles tight from days of travel, and take a moment to survey the clearing. Eldris is awake too, perched on a fallen log near the edge of the camp. His eyes are distant, his posture stiff, as though he’s wrestling with thoughts; he doesn’t dare voice. It’s not unusual for him to keep to himself, but something about his demeanour today feels different. I approach him quietly, my footsteps deliberately light to avoid waking the others. He doesn’t flinch or startle as I sit beside him, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Couldn’t sleep?” I ask, breaking the silence. He shakes his head. “Not much use in it thes
Jack's POV The scent of the buck is sharp in the air, cutting through the familiar tang of the forest. My senses sharpen, every sound and movement amplified. Days of empty bellies and restless nights have made the pack restless, but this kill will change that. It has to. I raise a hand, signalling the pack to halt. “Quiet,” I whisper, my voice low and firm. They freeze behind me, their eagerness palpable, their breaths hushed. Eldris, as always, stays a step behind the group, watching with his usual calm detachment. His presence still stirs unease, though I’ve made it clear that he’s staying. His knowledge of the forest and Nightspire’s plans is too valuable. The buck comes into view—a magnificent creature, its antlers spreading wide, its body taut with strength. It grazes in a small clearing, blissfully unaware of the predators lurking just beyond the trees. My heart quickens, but my movements remain deliberate and precise. I glance back, meeting Violet’s eyes briefly. For a mome
Violet’s POV The pack trudges onward, exhaustion creeping into every step. Jack leads at the front, his movements steady despite the weariness I know he must feel. I linger near the back, my mind clouded not by fatigue but by the whispers of the tether. It coils around my thoughts like smoke, its voice soft and insidious. ‘Eldris doesn’t belong here,’ it murmurs. ‘He’s dangerous, a shadow in the fold.’I shake my head, trying to dispel the thoughts. But the tether persists, weaving doubt into every corner of my mind. It knows how to press against my insecurities, exploiting the fact that Eldris has been with us for days yet remains an enigma. When the pack pauses to rest near a shallow river, I feel the tether’s presence stronger than ever, a cold weight in my chest. Wolves fan out to gather firewood and prepare for the night, but I stay rooted in place, my gaze fixed on Eldris as he speaks quietly with Asa. ‘You should tell Jack,’ the tether urges. ‘Convince him to rid the pac
Jack’s POVThe pack finally stops for a rest after hours of trekking through the dense forest. The sun hangs low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the clearing where we gather. The younger wolves sprawl out on the ground, exhaustion evident in their movements. Some older wolves take watch, their eyes scanning the tree line for any sign of danger. I stand near the edge of the group, observing, calculating, and trying to find a moment of peace in this chaos. Eldris, as always, is nearby, his presence a mixture of comfort and intrigue. He’s been with us for days now, ever since he arrived with news of Nightspire’s plan to declare war. His knowledge has proven invaluable, though I’ve yet to fully decide if I trust him. He has a way of knowing too much, of seeing too far ahead. Still, I can’t deny the truth in his words or the insight he’s offered. “Jack.” His voice breaks through my thoughts, low and deliberate. I turn to face him, finding his pale blue eyes already fixed on