Chapter 6: The Shadow of the Past

Eve woke with a start, her breath coming in short gasps. The dream had felt so real—dark woods, glowing red eyes watching her from the shadows, and a deep voice whispering her name. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to shake off the lingering fear. But something inside her told her that the dream was not just a dream. It felt like a warning.

The early morning light streamed through the wooden cabin’s small window. The air was cool, carrying the scent of damp earth and pine. For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the peacefulness. But that peace didn’t last long.

A loud knock on her door startled her. Before she could respond, Lila’s voice came through, urgent and firm.

“Eve, wake up. Luca wants you outside. Now.”

Eve sighed, stretching her sore limbs. After days of intense training, her muscles ached in places she didn’t even know existed. But she knew better than to keep Luca waiting. Throwing on a simple shirt and pants, she stepped outside into the cool morning air.

Luca stood near the training ground, his expression unreadable. He wasn’t alone. Several pack members stood beside him, their faces tense. Lila was among them, arms crossed. Eve could feel the tension in the air like a storm about to break.

“What’s going on?” Eve asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Luca turned to her, his gaze sharp. “Elias Thorn was spotted near our border last night.”

Eve’s heart skipped a beat. “He was here?”

“Not here,” Lila corrected. “But close enough.”

Luca nodded. “We don’t know why he was so close, but we can’t ignore the possibility that he’s planning something. That’s why I need you to be extra cautious.”

Eve swallowed hard. She had heard enough about Elias Thorn to know he was dangerous. The leader of the Shadowfangs wasn’t just ruthless—he was smart. If he was lurking near their territory, it meant trouble.

Luca continued, “We’re doubling the patrols along the borders. I want every member on high alert. Eve, I need you to focus on your training. You’re getting stronger, but you’re not ready to face someone like Elias.”

Eve bristled at his words but knew he was right. Her shifting was still unpredictable, and she had yet to master full control over her wolf form. But she hated feeling helpless. She wanted to do more.

Lila stepped forward. “We also have another problem.”

Luca gave her a nod, signaling her to continue.

Lila hesitated for a second before speaking. “Some of the younger pack members are starting to question Eve’s presence here.”

Eve frowned. “What do you mean?”

Lila sighed. “Not everyone believes in the prophecy. Some think your arrival is putting the pack in danger. They think Elias is after you, and that having you here is making us a target.”

Eve felt a cold knot in her stomach. Of course, not everyone would accept her. She had been thrown into this world without a choice, but that didn’t mean others saw her as one of them.

Luca’s expression hardened. “Eve is under my protection. Anyone who doubts her can take it up with me.”

Lila nodded, but Eve could sense the underlying problem. Luca’s word carried weight, but doubts had already been planted in some of the pack members. If Elias truly was after her, it would only make things worse.

Taking a deep breath, Eve met Luca’s gaze. “Then I need to prove myself. I need to show them I belong here.”

Luca studied her for a moment before nodding.

“Then let’s get to work.”

Training was brutal.

Luca pushed her harder than ever, making her run, dodge, and fight. The pack watched, judging her every move. Eve felt their stares, their skepticism, but she refused to let it shake her. She had to be strong.

“Again!” Luca barked as she fell onto the dirt, panting.

Eve gritted her teeth and pushed herself up, lunging at him again. He dodged easily, sweeping her legs out from under her. She hit the ground hard, frustration boiling inside her. She was trying. She was giving everything she had. But it still wasn’t enough.

“Focus,” Luca said, offering his hand. “You’re letting your emotions take over. You have to be in control.”

Eve took his hand, pulling herself up. “I am trying.”

“I know,” he said, softer this time. “But trying isn’t enough when you’re facing real danger. Elias won’t give you a second chance.”

The mention of Elias sent a chill down her spine, but she forced herself to push forward. She would get stronger. She had to.

Later that evening, as Eve sat near the fire pit, her body still aching from training, she overheard two pack members whispering nearby.

“She’s not ready,” one muttered. “She’s a liability.”

“Luca’s risking everything for her,” another agreed. “If Elias wants her, maybe we should let him take her.”

Eve’s hands curled into fists. She wanted to shout, to tell them she wasn’t a burden, that she was fighting just as hard as anyone else. But what good would that do? Words wouldn’t change their minds. Actions would.

Lila sat down beside her, watching her carefully. “You heard them, didn’t you?”

Eve exhaled slowly. “They don’t think I belong here.”

Lila hesitated before nodding. “Some don’t. But others do. You just have to prove them wrong.”

Eve met her gaze. “How?”

Lila smirked. “By surviving.”

The night was eerily quiet when Eve awoke again. Something felt wrong.

The air was thick with tension, and an uneasy feeling crawled up her spine. She sat up, listening. Then she heard it—the soft sound of footsteps outside her cabin.

Her heart pounded as she slipped out of bed, inching toward the door. She pressed her ear against the wood, straining to hear. A low growl rumbled from just beyond the door, deep and menacing.

Fear gripped her. Was it one of the pack members? Or something else?

Taking a deep breath, she reached for the door handle, turning it slowly. The door creaked open, and the cold night air rushed in.

And then she saw him.

A tall figure stood just a few feet away, cloaked in darkness. His golden eyes glowed in the moonlight, sharp and piercing. A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.

“Hello, little wolf,” Elias Thorn murmured.

Eve’s breath caught in her throat. Her body screamed at her to run, but her feet felt frozen to the ground.

Elias took a slow step forward. “I was wondering when we’d finally meet.”

Eve forced herself to move, stepping back into her cabin. “What do you want?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Elias chuckled. “Oh, I think you already know.”

She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about the prophecy.”

“Maybe not yet,” Elias mused, “but you will.”

He moved so fast that Eve barely had time to react. In a blink, he was inches from her, his presence overwhelming.

“Stay away from me,” she whispered, but the words lacked strength.

Elias tilted his head, studying her. “You’re afraid. Good. You should be.”

A sudden howl pierced the night, breaking the moment. Elias glanced toward the forest, then back at Eve. His smirk deepened.

“Looks like your Alpha is looking for you.” He stepped back, fading into the shadows. “I’ll be seeing you soon, little wolf.”

And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone.

Eve stood frozen, her heart hammering in her chest. She had just come face-to-face with Elias Thorn. And something told her that this was only the beginning.

To be continued…