Chapter 10

Elena’s POV

I woke up feeling a bit stronger but still weak. My fever had broken, but my body ached like I had run for days without rest. The mysterious old woman, Ana, entered the room again with a bowl of hot soup.

“You need to eat,” she said firmly, handing me the bowl.

I hesitated. “Who are you, really? And why are you helping me?”

Ana sat down beside the bed, her eyes studying me. “I’ve lived in this forest for many years, child. The pack wars have affected us all, even those of us who don’t get involved. I help where I can, and I can sense when someone is in need. As for who I am…let’s just say I’ve been around long enough to see many stories like yours.”

Her words puzzled me, but I was too tired to press for answers. I took a sip of the soup, the warmth soothing my throat. “You talk like you know more about me than you’re letting on.”

Ana’s expression softened. “I know a lot, Elena. You’re not just an ordinary wolf. But for now, you need to rest and regain your strength. When you’re ready, I’ll help you understand everything.”

I looked at her, my mind whirling with questions. What did she mean by “not just an ordinary wolf”? And how did she know my name? Exhaustion overtook me again, and I sank back into the bed.

Oliver’s POV

Hours had passed since we raided the rival pack’s den, and I was still fuming. We had taken down their strongest members, secured the territory, but Elena wasn’t there. My frustration gnawed at me.

“Oliver, are you alright?” Lucas asked as we returned to our base.

I didn’t answer immediately. How could I be alright when Elena was still out there, possibly in danger? My wolf was restless, agitated, demanding I find her. He hadn’t calmed down since the moment I rejected her—and then claimed her.

Why did I do that? I had been so certain that rejecting her was the right choice. She was a weakness I couldn’t afford. But the moment I saw her run, the primal part of me screamed that I had made a mistake.

“I need to find her, Lucas,” I finally said, my voice low but filled with resolve. “I can’t rest until I know she’s safe.”

Lucas nodded. “We’ll keep searching. There are still parts of the forest we haven’t combed through.”

As I walked back into the woods, my thoughts drifted to Elena again. Why did I reject her? The memory of her hurt expression twisted inside me. My pride had blinded me, but now it felt like something else was at play. It wasn’t just about being a leader anymore—it was about her. My wolf howled in frustration.

I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. I needed to find her first. Everything else could wait.

Elena’s POV

By the third day, I was able to walk around the cabin without collapsing. Ana kept her distance, giving me space but watching me closely. It was clear she knew more about me than she was letting on, and I was growing impatient.

One afternoon, I confronted her. “You said I’m not just an ordinary wolf. What did you mean by that?”

Ana set down the herbs she had been grinding and looked at me with an intensity that made me shiver. “There’s a lot you don’t know about your lineage, child. You come from a line of powerful wolves—ones who are connected to something much older and much stronger than most packs realize.”

I frowned, trying to make sense of her words. “What are you talking about? My family… they were just ordinary wolves.”

She shook her head. “No, Elena. Your family carries a power that has been dormant for generations, but it’s stirring inside you. It’s why your bond with your mate is so active.”

“Oliver?” His name came out as a whisper, and the pain of his rejection resurfaced. “He rejected me. How can there be a bond between us?”

Ana’s eyes softened. “Rejection doesn’t sever the bond completely, not when your power is involved. He is drawn to you, whether he understands it or not. And you, whether you want to admit it or not, are still connected to him.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “No. That can’t be true. He doesn’t want me. He made that perfectly clear.”

Ana sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder. “What he says and what his wolf desires are two different things. You’re running from yourself, Elena, because you’re afraid of something inside you. But you’ll have to face it soon.”

I didn’t know what to say. My mind was spinning with everything she was telling me. Power? A deeper connection with Oliver? It was too much to process.

Suddenly, the door to the cabin burst open, and my heart leaped into my throat. Standing there, drenched in sweat and dirt, was Oliver. His eyes locked onto mine with a mixture of relief and anger.

“Elena,” he growled, stepping inside. “You’re coming back with me.”

I froze, caught between fear and confusion. How did he find me? And what did he mean by coming back?

Ana stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “She needs rest. You’ll have your answers in time, but right now, she is not leaving this cabin.”

Oliver’s eyes narrowed, and his wolf flickered in them. “Stay out of this, old woman.”

Ana smiled, unfazed. “I’ve dealt with wolves like you before. Don’t think for a second that I can’t handle whatever you throw at me.”

The tension in the room was thick. I stared at Oliver, my emotions a whirlwind. He had rejected me, then claimed me, and now he was here, demanding I go with him. But a part of me—the part Ana had awakened—knew there was more to this than just a mate bond.

“I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers,” I said, my voice stronger than I expected.

Oliver stared at me, shocked at my defiance, but something softened in his gaze. “Then we’ll get those answers together.”

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