Chapter 6

Kelsey POV

A memory flickered, unbidden, across my mind. Jason's voice whispered through the corridors of my consciousness, pulling me into the labyrinth of remembrance.

"Are you sure?" he asked, looking into my eyes with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

"Yes," I responded, my voice hardly more than a breathy whisper. "I've never been more certain of anything."

And so, under the silent watch of the moon, I had given myself to him. He was my first, my awakening. I, who had always dreamed of waiting for marriage, had found my reality shifted by a man who sparked a fire in me that I hadn't known existed. It wasn't just about the physical act but the emotions that poured from me like a river freed from a dam, overwhelming and unstoppable. His touch, his kiss, and him inside me - it was a symphony that played through my veins, making me yearn for an encore.

Shaking off the remnants of the memory, I rose from my bed and slipped into a tunic, my mind still cluttered with the image of Jason. I needed a distraction, an escape from this consuming vortex of feelings. The distant murmurs of a gathering reached my ears, pulling me back to reality. I followed the sound outside where the clan had congregated for a meeting, Michael's voice, steady and firm, acting as a beacon.

"Listen, everyone, Rodriguez has brought us crucial information," Michael announced, his eyes sweeping over the crowd as they quieted down.

"The pack will be having a full moon celebration in two days. There's a bonfire party the night before. It's our best shot," Rodriguez interjected, his voice crisp and matter-of-fact.

Silence followed, punctuated by the occasional nods of agreement. I felt a rush of adrenaline. This was a fight we had been preparing for.

"Michael," I stepped into the circle, demanding attention. "I want to join the hunt."

"No, Kelsey," he dismissed, his brows knitted in concern. "This isn't like your usual drills. It's dangerous."

"Since when has danger stopped us?" I shot back, my voice laced with determination.

"I won't risk it, Kelsey," he insisted, his tone stubborn.

"But you're okay risking others' lives?" I countered, my voice echoing in the silent gathering. "I've trained as hard as any of them. I deserve to be there."

"I can't lose you, Kelsey," Michael's voice softened, revealing the worry of a brother beneath the leader's mask.

"And I can't live knowing I did nothing when I could've fought," I responded, holding his gaze. After a tense pause, he nodded, finally relenting.

With newfound resolve, I spent the rest of the day preparing for the mission ahead. I could see the concern in the eyes of my clan mates, especially Michael's, but I pushed it aside. This was my fight too, and I was ready.

The next evening, our clan huddled together, weapons in hand, anticipation and tension hanging heavy in the air. A plan was laid out, each member knowing their role. Michael cast a final glance over everyone, his gaze lingering a second longer on me before he signaled for us to move out.

We moved in shadows, our steps muffled against the soft forest floor. The smell of the bonfire grew stronger as we approached the werewolves' gathering. The faint sounds of celebration reached our ears. For a moment, I thought I heard a laugh that sounded eerily like Jason's, and my heart clenched.

"We attack my signal," Michael whispered, but I was barely listening. My mind was on Jason. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. Tonight, I was not a woman yearning for a man; I was a hunter. It was time to focus.

Suddenly, an unexpected howl ripped through the air, freezing my blood. I whipped my head around to see a colossal wolf standing on a small incline, its eyes glowing ominously in the moonlight. Recognition hit me like a ton of bricks. It was him.

"Jason," I breathed, the name escaping my lips before I could stop it.

Just then, Michael gave the signal, and chaos ensued. Weapons clashed and snarls echoed through the forest. The scene in front of me seemed to blur as my mind raced with a thousand questions.

Why was Jason here? Did he know about the attack? Did he recognize me?

Suddenly, a dark figure lunged at me, snapping me out of my thoughts. Reflexively, I dodged and counterattacked. As the adrenaline surged through my veins, I forgot about Jason, focusing solely on survival.

The fight was intense and brutal, but we were gaining the upper hand. Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry pierced the air, chilling me to the bone.

"Kelsey!"

I spun around just in time to see Michael collapse, a large wolf towering over him. Fear gripped me as I raced toward them, every other thought evaporating.

Before the wolf could strike Michael again, I threw myself into its path. The beast's claws tore into my side, and blinding pain erupted through me. But I bit back a scream, refusing to back down.

Suddenly, the attacking wolf was hurled away from me. I looked up to see another wolf standing protectively in front of me. Larger, more ferocious. Jason.

The world fell silent as we locked eyes. Recognition flashed in his gaze, mixed with a deep, haunting sadness. A million unasked questions hung in the air between us. Then, with an unreadable look, he turned away from me and growled at the others.

"Take her with us," he ordered, his voice resonating with authority. The command was met with a few shocked gasps, but no one dared to question him.

"But, Alpha..." one of the wolves began, only to be cut off by Jason's cold stare.

"I said take her!" His voice echoed through the now silent woods. There was an edge to it, a dangerous warning. Again, he didn't look at me.

Two of the wolves moved toward me cautiously, transforming back into their human forms. As they bent down to lift me, I tried to resist, but the world was beginning to spin, and my protests came out as weak mumbles.

"No, I..." was all I could manage before my eyes fluttered shut, darkness washing over me.

"Kelsey!"

Michael's anguished cry was the last thing I heard as I was carried away, into the heart of the very danger I had come to destroy. The man I had yearned for, whose touch I had been craving, was now my captor. How had it come to this?