Chapter Two

~Aden's POV~

"Great work, man," I said to Cassel as he skillfully chopped the wood. The crackling sound of splitting logs filled the air. These logs would provide warmth and comfort to the children later in the evening.

Cassel was not only a devoted father but also a true friend, someone who had saved my life a decade ago. I owed him more than words could express.

My father's untimely death and the mysterious disappearance of Kierra, the love of my life, had cast a shadow over everything. It all began with masked intruders who had invaded our home, ruthlessly ending my father's life with a silver stake.

The sight of my father's lifeless body on the floor left me devastated and filled with a burning desire for justice. Who could have orchestrated such a heinous act? My mind raced with questions, but the answers remained elusive.

My father was my anchor, my only family. Having lost my mother at a young age, he was all I had. Yet, there was a secret concealed within our family—my twin brother, Argon. We were mirror images of each other, but his life was plagued by an illness that confined him to the indoors, vulnerable to sunlight. It was a mystery we never fully understood, but our father had managed to keep it hidden, known only to Mr. Anderson, our messenger, and Madam Charity, our nursemaid.

As children, Argon and I had shared precious moments together, guided by the care of Madam Charity in the absence of our mother. Our father, consumed by his work, could only devote time to us when he returned home late in the evenings. While I ventured out into the world, making new friends and embracing school, Argon remained secluded, his education limited to the confines of our home. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving him behind, deprived of the joys of childhood companionship.

The night everything changed, I found myself at the mercy of Mr. Anderson and his henchmen, with Argon inexplicably by their side. They dragged me into the depths of the forest, where their intentions became clear. Mr. Anderson manipulated Argon, feeding him lies about my supposed role in our father's neglect, convincing him that only by eliminating me could he find relevance and claim his place as the Alpha of Kenvy.

Anger surged within me as their words seeped into my ears, but it wasn't until they mentioned Kierra's name that a profound sense of urgency overtook me. Confusion clouded my mind as I tried to comprehend their motives for targeting her.

Fueled by rage and desperation, I fought against their grip, but it was Cassel who witnessed the unfolding events from a distance. He had sensed something amiss when he visited my home, and when he saw me being forcefully taken, he followed without hesitation. His swift thinking and the aid of his uncle allowed us to escape Kenvy, seeking refuge in his family's home in Borgn.

For six long months, I remained in a coma, my body healing from the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon me. During that time, vengeance consumed my thoughts. I mourned the loss of my father, the destruction of my home, and the uncertainty surrounding my twin brother's fate.

Cassel, ever the loyal friend, delivered the news that two charred bodies, unidentifiable, had been recovered from Kierra's home, while Kierra herself remained missing. The weight of the unknown pressed upon me, intensifying my need for answers.

Cassel had been my first friend, his easygoing nature and friendly demeanor drawing me in from the start. His family hailed from Borgn, though they resided in Kenvy due to his uncle's work as a police officer.

But it was in high school that fate smiled upon me, granting me the chance to meet Kierra. The rules of werewolf mating rituals seemed trivial in comparison to the natural connection we shared. The moment I laid eyes on her, beauty radiated from her like an ethereal glow. Fate had orchestrated our meeting, placing her right in front of me in class.

Kierra, a new transfer student, possessed not only beauty but also intelligence that commanded respect. Nervous and unsure, I couldn't bring myself to approach her until Cassel intervened , suggesting she assist in the search for his "missing" friend—me. It was when we went for a three-day camp in the Ora forest. Without hesitation, she followed Cassel into the depths of the Ora forest, a gesture of kindness that tugged at my heartstrings.

Playing my part, I emerged from my hiding spot, pretending to have found my way back. The moment our hands touched, an electrifying current coursed through me, igniting a fire within that I had never experienced before. Her smile, warm and genuine, spoke volumes.

Lost in the memory, I was abruptly pulled back to reality by Cassel's urgent voice, calling me from a distance.

"Aden, come look! Another body has been found in the forest."

Dread settled in the pit of my stomach, a familiar ache that signaled danger and further unraveling mysteries.