Chapter 003

"Lola, you can't keep escaping this."

Kael was standing in front of me, his body tense, his eyes black with a maelstrom of emotions, and I could sense the frustration in his words. Even though we were in a tiny, poorly lit chamber in the middle of a forest, distant from the busy city, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I wasn't really safe. The way Kael was staring at me, no. Not with the way I felt about things. Confusion and an identity that didn't feel like mine were engulfing me.

I tried to control my voice, but the tremble persisted, and snapped, "I'm not running." "I'm not sure what's going on, but this—" I gestured with my hand. This is not who I am. Kael, I have no place in your universe.

His eyes grew softer for a second, then hardened once again. "Lola, you have no other option. Whether you like it or not, you are a part of this planet. You will ruin everything if you don't learn to control your powers, which are already beginning to manifest.

I instinctively flinched as his words struck me like a slap. "What are you discussing?" My chest constricted. "What powers?"

With his heavy boots resonating across the wooden floor, Kael crossed the room with his jaw gritted. He didn't respond right away, but I could sense that his silence was weighing heavily on me while he considered how much to tell me. How much I could take.

Kael remarked in a low, menacing voice, "I don't know how much you've felt it yet." However, your relationship with the pack is already becoming closer. That mark on your wrist? He indicated the spot where I had initially seen the odd symbol, which was now dimly glowing from an unexplainable internal heat. "Lola, it's a tether. To me. To the group. And to your strength.

I took a deep breath. Despite the fact that his remarks were alien to me—like something from a nightmare—they were too genuine to ignore.

I shook my head and repeated, "I don't have power," trying to persuade myself more than he did. "I'm just... I am who I am. I don't experience anything like what you're saying.

Kael's eyes become stony. "You'll."

I gazed at him. "What does that mean to you?"

Kael leaned closer, staring at me with piercing eyes. The first indication is the mark. Those who are connected to you are being called. The wolves that prowl around in the dark. They'll stop at nothing to have you. to exert influence over you. Lola, they're observing you. And it won't be long before they come after you.

A shiver went through me. "Come for me, what do you mean?"

With his voice now almost audible, Kael added, "They'll try to take you." They'll make an attempt to take you. Your abilities. Your blood

Still attempting to process what he had said, I blinked at him. I had the impression that I was standing on the brink of a huge chasm, unable to see the bottom but aware that I was going to plummet.

Despite myself, I shook my voice and continued, "But I don't understand." "What abilities? What blood?

Clearly agitated, Kael ran a hand through his hair. "Lola, your family wasn't your typical folks. This world included them. That was your mother, a Luna. An actual leader of the group. Her strength was passed down to you.

I shook my head, finding it difficult to follow what he was saying. "My mom? I have no knowledge of her. She's gone. She abandoned me when I was a newborn.

"Not by choice," Kael stated in a profoundly meaningful voice. She had to go. She also concealed you. secure. However, now that you're waking up, the others are aware. They are aware of your identity.

I wasn't sure if I should be afraid or angry. I felt like I was being pulled into a universe I hadn't requested, and my sense of control over my own life diminished as Kael talked more. "Any of this is not what I want. I have no desire to be a part of your universe.

For a brief moment, Kael's eyes softened, and he then moved toward me. I could sense the tension between us and his heat, but I wasn't sure if I was attracted to him or angry. Everything was too much.

Kael whispered, "Lola, you are a part of this world." You will have to learn how to survive in it, whether you like it or not. You are needed by the pack. You are necessary to me. Additionally, you must realize that there is no escaping this.

Frustration flooded my chest as I tightened my fists. "I'm not sure how to approach this. Being a member of something that I don't even believe in is beyond me.

With a firmer tone now, Kael stated, "You don't have to believe in it." However, you must get ready. You will soon have no choice but to practice and learn how to control your powers. The people who don't want you to replace them will come after you. And they will do whatever it takes.

"Why is the damn pack always in the spotlight?" I became more irate than I intended to be and exploded. Why must that be the focus of everything? How about me? What about my desires?

Kael inhaled deeply, his face stiffening once more. "Lola, everything has always been about you. This is about survival, not just about your abilities or the pack. What happens to all of us will be decided by you. It is up to you to put an end to the impending war. However, everything will be destroyed if you are unable to accept who you are and control what is within of you.

His remarks were like a kick to the stomach. This was about more than just my confusion and fear. This was about something that was much larger than myself and that I was unable to fully understand. Nevertheless, despite everything bearing down on me, there was a part of me that was unwilling to give in.

"Are you getting it now?" Kael asked in a strained, low voice. "The key is you. To everything. But we're all doomed if you can't figure out how to use it.

I felt as though the earth had been torn out from under me as I stood there, rooted to the spot. "What should I do?" More to myself than to him, I muttered.

Something inscrutable flashed in Kael's eyes, but before he could respond, a voice called out from behind me.

"It's time, Kael."

My heart pounded in my chest as I whirled around. In the doorway appeared a man with chilly, piercing dark eyes. He had a strong, almost frightening demeanor. And I could tell as soon as I saw him that he wasn't there to strike up a conversation.

Kael's face changed as he looked directly into the newcomer's eyes, a dark flickering in his eyes.

The man added in a gravelly voice, "We don't have time for this." Take her to the Alpha, please. Right now.

Kael tightened his jaw while maintaining eye contact with me. With an abruptly harsh and anxious tone, he murmured to me, "Stay close."

And suddenly, I was aware. Things would never be the same again.

The weight of Kael's words—his warning—crushed over me as he grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the door. For the first time, I realized what it was like to be trapped in the midst of a conflict i was unaware even existed.

I also doubted that I would make it through.