Chapter 14: Lucas’ Suspicions Lucas' POV

Since the hanging, the pack's tension had increased. I barely noticed the murmured conversations as I passed. Leo's trial, Anna's accusing stare, and the constant reminder that I might have made a mistake, an unforgivable one were all replayed in my head nonstop.  

I stood on the ridge close to the edge of the the forest, looking at Anna's house dim light. I couldn't sleep, and guilt was like a restless beast, eating away at my thoughts. Leo's blood-stained hands, the boy's lifeless body, and the wild fear in Leo's eyes when I sounded the alarm were all details from that night that clawed their way back, clearer now.  

I sighed and ran a hand over my hair. "What if I was mistaken?" I was repeating the question to myself.  

The stronger smell of blood had nearly overpowered the rogue aroma close to the spot. Back then, I should have followed my gut, but duty—the urge to take action—had taken precedence over all other considerations. I was being choked by doubt, which was all I had left.  

My boots crunched quietly against the bushes as I entered the forest, which was shifting. I didn't intend to go this far, but something about tonight's woods felt... strange. As if the trees themselves were holding their breath, there was an uncanny energy in the air.  

That was when I saw her.  

Anna shifted hesitantly, her little body lit by the dim light coming from deeper into the forest. She walked carefully, barefoot, as though she was scared the ground would turn on her. Patches of moonlight pierced the canopy, catching her hair and turning it silver.  

How come you're out here? I whispered to myself. My curiosity warred with caution.  

I followed her at a distance, staying to the shadows. Every instinct told me to go back, but I was unable to do so because of something that I couldn't describe that was drawing her forward.  

As she arrived at a tree with an unearthly sign carved into its bark, the light became brighter. My breath caught as I froze.  

What is that?  

Anna extended her hand and traced the marking with shaky fingertips. She twitched her lips but made no sound. She was controlled by whatever it was that she was seeing or feeling at the time.  

I balled my fists up. If she was connected to this, if she had any involvement with the rogues, I needed to know.  

The woodland was as black and unforgiving as ever when she turned back toward her cabin, the illumination gone. Before approaching the tree, I waited for a whole minute. Still, the symbol glowed dimly, like coals that would not go out.  

When I ran my palm over it, I didn't feel the heat I had anticipated. Rather, a weird pulse, steady but weak, like the beating of a distant heart, came from it.  

Anna, what are you hiding?  

Thoughts of her clouded my mind as I strolled toward the pack's training grounds the following day. The questions kept coming back to me, even though I shouldn't have followed her or interfered last night. Who was Anna, really?  

The chores were underway, and the sound of work filled the air: axes chopping wood, water splashing from the well, and the dull chatter of pack members trying to shake off the lingering tension. I saw her right away.  

Anna moved quickly, almost desperately, as though staying occupied would prevent the world from collapsing around her. Even though her hair was pushed back, a few loose strands stuck to her sweaty face.  

I went straight over, my instinct to confront her taking priority over my better judgment.  

"Anna," I began, using a harsher tone than I meant to.  

Her shoulders stiffened as she froze in mid-step. She turned slowly, her look as piercing as a knife.  

"What are you looking for?" With venom in her voice, she spat.  

I didn't wince. “We need to talk.”  

"Talk?" She laughed harshly and moved in closer. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes blazed with rage. “You think we need to talk? after all of your actions?”  

I clenched my jaw. "I came here not to fight."  

"So, what brings you here?" She lost her temper. “To rub it in? To remind me that you are the reason my father died?"

I made myself look into her eyes even though her words were like a blow. I said calmly, "I'm trying to understand what happened."  

“Understand?” With a look of astonishment on her face, she shook her head. "Lucas, or whatever your name is, it's too late for that. You had the opportunity to fully understand but you decided to ruin him instead."

I swallowed the sharp retort building in my throat. "Anna, I'm not your enemy."  

“Could’ve fooled me.”  

The following silence was thick and stiff with strain. I could not tell if she was trembling from anger or tiredness, but I could see that her fists were clinched at her sides.  

"Why did you spend last night in the woods?" I asked in a quiet voice.  

Her eyes briefly expanded before becoming suspiciously narrowed. "What are you talking about?"  

I pushed, "You understand what I'm talking about. That tree. The sign. You were there, weren’t you?”  

She opened her mouth, but said nothing. She glanced at her wrist for a moment before drawing her arms behind her back.  

I lowered my voice and took a step closer. "What do you have to hide?"  

"Keep yourself out of my affairs," she said, taking a step back.  

I looked down at her wrist, where she was hiding something. I grabbed her hand before she could stop me. She yanked it back, but not before I caught a glimpse—a faint glow, barely visible beneath her sleeve.  

The sign was identical.  

My breath caught. "You..."  

Her voice was shaking as she said, "Leave me alone."  

Her response told me everything. She was well aware of the symbol's meaning, but she refused to voluntarily divulge it.  

"Wait, Anna—"  

But she was already walking away, her shoulders rigid, her steps quick. With my head racing, I let her go.  

She was involved in something that was larger than any of us. And I wasn’t going to let it go unanswered.