Chapter 36: The Confrontation Anna POV

Sharp and relentless, the Beta's eyes stared into mine. His presence suffocated the tiny hut as his tall form filled it.

His voice was low and angry as he continued, "You're lying."

I said, trying to keep my voice calm, "I've told you everything. I am nothing more than a lone wolf."

He took a step closer and snorted. With a bang that reverberated throughout the little room, the door closed behind him, confining me with his distrust.

"Do you think that I am blind?" he snarled. "I've seen your moves and self-presentation. You're not a helpless wolf fleeing from outlaws."

My heart was pounding, but I kept my hands from shaking by clenching them. "Believe in what you want to believe in. But I haven't hurt this pack in any way."

The Beta squinted his piercing green eyes and crossed his arms. "That mark on your wrist, what about it? You continue to try to hide it, but I can see it clearly."

My fingers moved automatically to cover the mark's faint glimmer. "It's nothing," I blurted out. "Just a scar from last time."

He shook his head and laughed cruelly. "Do you deem me to be foolish? That mark is more than a simple scar. Something else—something dangerous—is involved."

With my heart beating in my ears, I retreated a step. The cabin's walls seemed to be closing in on us. I said, becoming quieter, "You're imagining things."

"No, I'm not," he spoke in a cold, calculating tone. "I think the Alpha will want to know exactly what you're hiding, and I've seen enough to know that."

His comments made my stomach turn. My precious refuge would be destroyed if the Alpha became involved.

With a hint of panic in my voice, I replied, "You can't. You're not understanding..."

He abruptly stopped me, saying, "Then make me understand. Who are you, really? Why have you come here?"

The tension in the room changed, and I could feel it. My mind hurriedly searched for an escape route, but none was found.

I mumbled, more to myself than to him, "I'm nobody."

The Beta stepped forward once more, his voice dropping to a threatening murmur. "I'll drag you to the Alpha myself if you don't tell me the truth."

Something broke inside of me. The huge strain, the fear, and the desperation all came crashing down at once.

"I said I'm not important!" The words tore from my throat as I yelled.

The Beta froze as the air around us looked to sizzle with a strong charge. I had an odd feeling that gathered in my chest and radiated forth.

The Beta began, "What the..." but stopped when he noticed a dim glow coming from my hands.

I was helpless to stop whatever was happening, so I looked down at them in terror. The intricate patterns of the mark on my wrist glowed like molten gold as it burned brightly.

"Stop it!" I pleaded, but I had no idea to whom or what I was pleading.

The Beta staggered back, his frightened eyes wide. "What on earth are you doing?"

"I'm not sure!" The excitement was getting out of control, so I started crying. The force of it caused the little cabin to seem to tremble, with things rattling on shelves and the air becoming hotter.

The Beta's fear was replaced by a more sinister feeling: understanding. He whispered, almost to himself, "It's you. The rumors... They are true."

I was out of breath as the energy faded as fast as it had blazed. The Beta was staring at me like I was a monster, and the room was strangely quiet.

His hand fumbled for the handle as he backed toward the door. His voice was trembling but triumphant as he responded, "You've just confirmed my suspicions. This will be communicated to the Alpha."

"No," I whispered as I moved forward, my voice firm but tremulous. "You don't understand...please..."

He opened the door and remarked, "I understand enough. You pose a threat."

I was left to bear the consequences of what had just happened alone when he vanished into the night.

With my head in my hands, I fell onto the bed. Whatever power had rushed through me was still quivering beneath my skin as my body shook.

What had I done? Who was I?

The mark on my wrist was still glowing dimly in the dark, but it had lessened. My thoughts were racing as I gazed at it. Was I being hunted because of this? Why was it that I was never at peace?

I was jolted out of my reverie by a groan outside the window. With every nerve in my body on high alert, my head jerked up.

"Who is there?" With a sharp voice, I yelled out.

As Lucas entered, the door slowly opened, and I felt my breath catch in my throat.

"Lucas?" I muttered, feeling both shocked and disbelieving at the same time.

With patient and cautious moves, he shut the door behind him. He still wore a scarf, which partly covered his face, but his eyes were unmistakably blue and penetrating.

"Why are you in this place?" I stood up suddenly and ordered.

His face was grim as he drew the scarf down. "I might consider asking the same question to you."

I stepped back and shook my head. "You have no business being here. You're not understanding..."

He replied, calmly but firmly, "I understand more than you think. Anna, I've been following you for days."

His comments were like a kick to the stomach. "Are you following me? Why? What are you looking for from me?"

Lucas paused, his eyes getting softer. "I'm here to help you."

The sound was loud in the quiet room as I laughed bitterly. "Can you help me? Following all that you have done to me? Why should I put my trust in you?"

With a firm and confident tone, he stated, "Because I am the only one who can keep you alive."