Serena’s POVThe villagers had spotted me, just as I had seen them. When I turned and ran, they chased after me. I heard their fast feet and distant shouts behind me. What were they shouting? Hang her? I wouldn’t be surprised. The roads twisted and turned around me as I ran aimlessly. Would anything ever look familiar? I might be running in circles. I would never know.I saw a river at the edge of the village and ran toward it. Not that I’d had great luck with rivers before, but it was a landmark and it ran in a certain direction. It may help me find a direction and go with it. Following the river had helped me to get away from enemies before, even if Baird hadn’t turned out to be an enemy, exactly.I glanced behind me. The villagers were gaining on me. They probably knew all the right streets to take to cut me off. I doubled my speed. I wasn’t sure how much longer my legs would hold up. I veered closer to the river. If I ran on its banks, my footprints would disappear fast. W
Serena’s POVFive minutes later, I found myself sitting in the living room, surrounded by a mix of warriors and villagers. The atmosphere was tense, but not hostile. It was more like the awkward tension at a family reunion. Apparently, what had just happened was a big misunderstanding.The warriors, who had burst in so suddenly, were actually Baird’s men. They had come to check on me, worried that I might not be able to adjust to life in the Storm Pack or that I might not know how to cook lunch for myself. It was all Baird’s arrangement, but he had forgotten to mention it to me. The resulting chaos had been an unfortunate consequence of this oversight.Kevin, one of Baird’s closest friends, stepped forward. His face was a mix of guilt and determination. He sat next to me, his expression softening as he tried to make me feel at ease. "You know, Serena," he began, his voice lighter now, "this whole thing was a pretty big mix-up. We were just worried about you. Baird told us to c
Serena’s PovThe sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the village as laughter filled the air. I sat around the fire with Baird’s companions and the villagers. The evening was cheerful, the air thick with the scent of roasting meat and the sound of crackling flames. It was a rare moment of peace and joy, and I cherished every second of it.As the night grew deeper, the villagers began to say their goodbyes. They approached me, their faces lit with gratitude and warmth. “Thank you, Serena. Tonight was wonderful,” said Cervine, one of the villagers. I smiled back, feeling a sense of belonging that was still new and exhilarating.Just then, Baird stood up, his commanding presence drawing everyone’s attention. “Wait,” he said, his voice steady and kind. “Before you go, my warriors will escort you home and share some of the meat we have stored.”A murmur of surprise rippled through the villagers. “Oh no, Baird, we can’t accept that,” Cervine protested,
Serena POV As the sun began its slow descent, casting a warm golden hue over the rugged landscape, I stood at the edge of the village, taking in a deep breath. Today was crucial. The children, or pups as they were affectionately called here, had been skeptical of me from the start. As an outsider and a member of the Pack Alliance, I was an anomaly in their tight-knit world. But today, I was determined to win them over. I gathered the pups in the clearing, their curious eyes following my every move. The clearing was a sun-dappled expanse of grass and wildflowers, surrounded by towering trees that whispered secrets in the breeze. The youngest pup, barely able to toddle, clung to the hand of an older sibling, while the eldest stood with their arms crossed, a curious eyebrow raised. Their expressions were a mix of boredom, curiosity, and suspicion, a challenge I was eager to tackle. There were about a dozen of them, each with their unique quirks. One of the pups, a girl with wild
Serena's POV The dawn's first light filtered through the gaps in the wooden shutters, casting a soft glow in the room. As I was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind was awash with thoughts of Baird. Sleep had been elusive, my dreams filled with his face, his voice, his touch. The night had done little to diminish the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. I finally rose, pulling a shawl around my shoulders to ward off the morning chill. The small, rudimentary cottage was still and quiet, the only sound the gentle crackling of the dying embers in the hearth. I moved to the window, pushing open the shutters to let in the fresh morning air. The sky was painted in hues of pink and gold, a beautiful reminder of the new day dawning, yet it did little to lift the heaviness in my heart. My mind was a whirlpool of confusion and conflicting emotions. The primitive yet warm life in the Storm Pack had grown on me, and the people, despite their rough edges, had become a part
Serena’s PovThe dense forest was eerily silent as Baird and I made our way through the transition region. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth, and every snap of a twig beneath our feet sounded like a thunderclap in the stillness. We were both on edge, knowing full well the dangers that lurked not just in the shadows but in the open daylight as well. I glanced at Baird, his jaw set in a determined line. His presence was a comfort, but it didn't quell the growing unease in my stomach. Suddenly, I caught sight of a group of warriors moving toward us through the trees. My heart skipped a beat when I recognized the leader—Marcus. Marcus had a personal vendetta against both of us. He was the one who had nearly ended my life on the execution ground. His eyes burned with malice anytime I saw him, and I knew we were in trouble. If they caught us here, in this forbidden zone, it would be the military court for us—on charges of treason, no less."Baird," I whispere
Serena’s POVThe cold, iron grip of Marcus's hand tightened around my arm as he dragged me through the dimly lit corridor. Beside me, Baird was shoved forward by another warrior, his jaw set in a grim line. The torches lining the walls flickered, casting eerie shadows that danced like specters, adding to the sense of impending doom."You both think you can pull a stunt like that and get off scot-free?" Marcus snarled, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "You think your actions have no consequences?""Marcus, please, you don’t understand—" I began, my voice trembling, but he cut me off with a harsh laugh."Understand? What I understand is that you've brought nothing but problems for our pack, and you should be punished for it." He shoved open the heavy wooden door of the dungeon, the hinges creaking ominously.Baird, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up. “Marcus, It's not that big of a deal; it all happened in the spur of the moment. Serena’s done noth
Serena’s POVThe moment we stepped out of the headquarters, I was still reeling from the whirlwind of events that had just transpired. My mind was a chaotic storm of thoughts and emotions, each one vying for dominance. How had a simple misunderstanding led us to this point? I glanced at Baird, hoping to find some semblance of clarity or reassurance in his expression, but his face was set in a hard, unreadable mask. "Baird, I—" I began, my voice barely more than a whisper. He cut me off with a slight shake of his head, his eyes darting to the warriors surrounding us. It was clear that this was not the time nor the place for a conversation of this magnitude. As we made our way to the waiting vehicle, a warrior I didn't recognize approached us. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a friendly demeanor that starkly contrasted with the tension radiating from Baird. "Congratulations, Baird!" the warrior exclaimed, clapping Baird on the shoulder with a camaraderie that suggested