Chapter 70: A Chance Encounter Lucas POV

"We can't just go about aimlessly, Anna." I flung my rucksack over my shoulder and stated, "We need a plan," in an angry tone. My skin was pricked by the chilly early air, but our worry was far greater.

Anna brushed past me to secure her bag's slack strap while rolling her eyes. "Lucas, what is your bold plan? March directly into another pack and pray we aren't quickly killed?"

I squeezed the bridge of my nose and sighed. "I'm not suggesting that we enter a dangerous position. But it's a death sentence to stay here. you heard Elara: Oliver's rogues are relentless. We need friends, or a hiding place at the very least."

Her look was unreadable as she turned to face me. "And who, in your opinion, will accept two offenders without question? Packs provide refuge for more reasons than just their kindness."

I knew she was right, so her words hurt. We couldn't afford to offer or expect trust in return. Even though I wasn't sure if I believed it, I boldly stated, "We'll figure it out."

We were about an hour away from the sanctuary when we were surprised by the sound of a twig breaking. I moved in front of Anna out of instinct while looking around the thick bush for any movement.

"Who is there?" I called in a quiet but firm voice.

Out of the darkness, a man appears with palms up in a gesture of peace. He was tall, lanky, and had a face that was worn from years of being in the wild. Although he handled himself with a caution that suggested he wasn't affiliated with a pack, his scent—earthy with a subtle smell of cedar—identified him as a wolf.

The man remarked in a calm tone, "Easy. My name is Gareth. I work for Crescent Grove Pack as a scout. You two appear to have suffered a lot."

Behind me, Anna tensed, her hand grazing my arm. Despite the tremble in her touch, she said steadily and quickly, "We're just passing through."

Gareth looked from one of us to the other and arched an eyebrow. "Traversing rogue land without help? That is either brave or foolish. What is it?"

I stepped forward to keep Anna out of his line of sight and forced a tight smile. "We wish to avoid trouble. We're just looking for a safe place to take a little break."

His eyes narrowed, and I briefly believed he was going to reveal our deception. However, his stance eased a little as he nodded. "I'm glad I found you first. The Alpha of Crescent Grove isn't the type to ignore wolves in need. I can take you there if you agree to abide by our rules."

Anna gave me a suspicious look, and I could tell what she was thinking. It was too easy, too convenient. What choice did we have, though?

"Thank you," I murmured carefully. "We'll do as you say."

Gareth went ahead of us at a steady pace, checking to make sure we were still following him. The trees in the forest seemed to be whispering secrets to us that we were unable to hear.

"Where are the two of you from?" Over his shoulder, Gareth asked.

When Anna stopped, I interrupted her before she could say anything that might cause suspicion. "Up north, we belonged to a small rogue group. Things became violent. We're just trying to start over."

With a thoughtful gaze, he nodded slowly. "You're siblings, too?"

"Yes," Anna replied hastily, her tone more abrasive than she meant. Her tone eased as she cleared her throat. "This is my brother, Caleb, and my name is Lia."

I forced myself not to cringe at the fictitious names we had hurriedly agreed upon earlier. We were not allowed to be picky, even when they seemed absurd.

Gareth repeated, "Lia and Caleb," as though he was trying to remember the names. "Crescent Grove is an excellent spot to start new, you'll find. However, kindness should not be taken as weakness. Alpha Darius doesn't put up with trouble or lying."

Anna tensed up next to me as his words stayed in the air like a warning.

"How far is it?" I inquired, shifting the conversation.

"Not far," said Gareth. "In about an hour, we will arrive at the border. I will speak for you, but the Alpha has the last say."

I caught the glimmer of doubt in Anna's eyes as she whispered something beneath her breath.

"Believe me," I said in a barely audible whisper.

The world seemed to disappear for a second as we locked eyes. There was only the tenuous bond we had been making a concerted effort to avoid, no resentment or mistrust.

She whispered, "I hope I don't regret this," in a voice that was so sensitive it made me feel something deep inside.

The woodland was glowing amber and gold as the sun began to set by the time we got at the edge of Crescent Grove. With easy yet alert stances, two sentries stood watch.

One of them nodded and said, "Gareth." His face sharpened as his eyes shifted to us. "Who are they?"

"Caleb and Lia," Gareth said with ease. "They're trying to find safety. I told them that Alpha Darius would be interested in meeting them."

The guard looked at us for a bit and then moved away. "All right. However, you are answerable if they cause any problems."

Gareth grinned and gestured for us to follow, saying, "Noted."

I had the unshakeable sense that we were walking into a trap as soon as we entered Crescent Grove's area. With little houses tucked away amid the trees and a shared fire pit in the middle of the clearing, the pack's domain was compact but well-kept.

Gareth took us to a cabin close to the edge of the area, its worn façade blending in perfectly with the woods. He said, "You'll stay here until the Alpha makes a decision about you."

With an intentionally neutral expression, Anna nodded. "I'm grateful."

I felt a wave of protectiveness rise in my chest as Gareth's eyes stayed on her for a second longer than was necessary. I stepped up between them and said, "We'll stay out of trouble."

"Make sure you do," Gareth said, his eyes keen but his tone light.

Anna turned to face me with her arms folded as he left. "This feels wrong," she mumbled.

With a stiff jaw, I nodded. "For the time being, we'll comply. But we leave if things don't work out. Without hesitation."

She nodded after pausing. "I agree."

With a single bed and a makeshift kitchenette, the hut was small yet cozy. As we settled in, the weight of our situation pressed down on me. We were safe—for now. But the question lingered: for how long?