Chapter 23: The Rogue’s Proposal

Lila's POV

The moon hung low in the sky, casting long, haunting shadows across the clearing as I made my way toward the place Ethan had chosen for our late-night meeting. The air was cool and heavy with anticipation, and I could feel a pulse of energy in the night, something that set my senses on edge. Beside me, Ethan walked in silence, his eyes sharp and focused, though his jaw was clenched with tension.

A rogue werewolf offering help? It didn’t sit right with either of us. According to what ethan told me Rogues rarely wanted anything to do with pack matters—they stayed on the outskirts, managing themselves. This one, though, had come with a proposal, one that had piqued Ethan’s curiosity and, more importantly, his caution.

We finally reached the edge of the forest where the trees opened up to reveal an abandoned cabin, isolated and blanketed in shadows. My pulse quickened as we approached, the weight of the night settling heavily on my shoulders. Ethan glanced at me, his face serious and unreadable.

“Stay alert, Lila. This could be another one of Dominic’s traps.”

I gave a quick nod, swallowing down the growing knot of anxiety in my stomach. We didn’t know what to expect. But if this rogue could give us an advantage, maybe it was worth hearing him out. The fate of Silverwood and everyone we loved hung in the balance.

The door creaked open, and a figure emerged from the cabin. In the dim light, I could make out his tall, broad frame and piercing eyes that seemed to catch every flicker of movement around him. He stood relaxed but ready, his gaze sweeping over us with a sharp intensity.

“Ethan,” the rogue greeted, his voice low and gravelly. He glanced at me briefly before turning back to Ethan, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You brought your mate. Interesting choice.”

“Enough small talk, Logan. What do you want?” Ethan replied, his voice firm and unyielding.

Logan tilted his head slightly, the smirk widening as he held Ethan’s gaze. “Straight to business, I see. Fair enough.”

There was an air of tension between them that seemed to pulse with every passing second, and I found myself studying Logan, trying to understand the strange mix of confidence and secrecy he wore like armor. I’d only met him briefly during the confrontation at the lodge, but there was something about him that drew me in—a mystery I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

He glanced at me again, his gaze lingering a beat too long, and I felt an odd flutter in my chest, a strange pull I couldn’t explain. I forced myself to look away, focusing instead on the cool night air against my skin.

“I’ll make this quick,” Logan continued, finally breaking the silence. “Dominic has something planned, something bigger than any of you can imagine. And if you want a chance at stopping him, you’re going to need me.”

“And why should we believe anything you say?” Ethan asked, folding his arms. His tone was laced with skepticism, and I could tell he was itching to end this conversation before it even began.

Logan’s smirk faded, his expression turning serious. “You don’t have to believe me,” he replied, his voice softer but filled with an intensity that made my skin prickle. “But if you don’t, you’re risking the lives of everyone in Silverwood. Dominic won’t stop until he has control over all of us. He’s relentless. But I know his weaknesses.”

Ethan’s gaze narrowed. “And what do you want in exchange for this information?”

Logan paused, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t read. “I want a place in Silverwood. I want to be able to walk freely without fearing for my life.”

Ethan let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “So that’s your price? Sanctuary among the very people you betrayed?”

Logan’s jaw tightened, his expression darkening. “I didn’t betray Silverwood. I was forced out for reasons you know nothing about.” He paused, glancing down before meeting Ethan’s gaze again. “But yes, that’s my price. I want a second chance.”

The silence that followed was thick and uncomfortable, and I could feel Ethan’s hesitation. But there was something about Logan’s offer, something that made me wonder if he really did want to help. I knew what it was like to be trapped in circumstances beyond your control, to want another shot at proving yourself.

“Ethan,” I said quietly, my voice barely a whisper. He looked at me, his expression softening slightly as he waited for me to continue. “Maybe we should hear him out. We need all the help we can get.”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed as he glanced back at Logan, clearly wrestling with the decision. I could feel the tension radiating off him, the silent battle waging in his mind.

Finally, he spoke. “Fine. But understand this, Logan—if you so much as breathe the wrong way, you’re done. Got it?”

Logan’s lips quirked into a faint smile, his gaze flickering over to me briefly. “Understood.”

Ethan’s grip on my hand tightened, and I could sense his unease, though he said nothing. Logan began explaining Dominic’s plans in detail, describing a ritual that would strengthen Dominic’s power and give him control over both wolves and humans alike. The thought sent a chill down my spine, but I forced myself to listen, absorbing every word.

As Logan spoke, I felt an unexplainable pull toward him—a strange, magnetic feeling that made my thoughts whirl. He was a rogue, a stranger who had betrayed Silverwood, and yet… something about him felt familiar, almost as if I’d known him before.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the feeling. It had to be exhaustion or nerves, nothing more. But the longer I stood there, the harder it became to ignore.

Logan’s gaze drifted to me, his eyes catching mine in a way that made my pulse race. I quickly looked away, feeling a strange sense of guilt for reasons I couldn’t quite place. Ethan must have sensed my discomfort, as he turned to me, his gaze softening.

“Lila, are you okay?” he asked quietly, his voice filled with concern.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied quickly, offering a small smile. But I could see the doubt in his eyes, the hint of worry that lingered there.

Logan finished explaining, and Ethan nodded curtly. “We’ll consider your offer,” he said, his tone firm. “But don’t think for a second that we trust you.”

Logan simply nodded, a slight smirk returning to his face. “Trust is earned, not given. But I think you’ll find I’m worth the risk.”

With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving us standing alone in the clearing. Ethan let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as the weight of the night settled over him.

“Ethan,” I began, my voice soft. “Do you think… do you think we can trust him?”

He hesitated, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “But right now, we don’t have much of a choice.”

We stood there in silence, the sounds of the forest filling the air around us. I could feel the unease gnawing at me, the strange sense of attraction toward Logan lingering in my mind. I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts.

Ethan took my hand, squeezing it gently. “Come on. Let’s get back to the pack. We have a lot to discuss.”

As we walked back, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted tonight, that a new path had opened before us, one filled with dangers and uncertainties I couldn’t begin to imagine. And as much as I wanted to ignore it, I couldn’t deny the strange pull I felt toward Logan—a pull I couldn’t explain, no matter how hard I tried.

It was just exhaustion, I told myself. Just the stress of everything weighing down on me. But deep down, a small voice whispered a different truth—a truth I wasn’t ready to face.