Chapter 4 The Hidden Sisterhood

Kaela’s breath came in ragged gasps. Dane had seen her. For a long moment, neither of them moved. The moonlight glowed against his dark fur, highlighting the sharp amber of his eyes. He was the Alpha’s son, a man feared by all—including Dane. But yet, he hadn’t attacked. He hadn’t even called for anyone yet. Instead, he had lowered his head. Kaela’s wolf instincts screamed at her to run, but something deeper, more human, kept her frozen. Why wasn’t he exposing her? Then, suddenly, Dane took a slow step forward. Panic jolted through Kaela, breaking the trance. Without thinking, she turned and bolted. Running from Death She tore through the trees, her paws barely touching the ground. Her body was still adjusting to this form—her limbs awkward, her movements unbalanced—but instinct guided her. The wind howled in her ears, but she heard him behind her. Following. Kaela pushed herself harder, weaving between thick trunks, her claws digging into the earth for speed. She couldn’t let him catch her. She couldn’t let him drag her back to the pack. But no matter how fast she ran, he was faster. His scent was everywhere, his presence closing in, and then— A blur of motion. Dane surged ahead, cutting her off. Kaela tried to skid to a stop, but her paws slipped against damp leaves. She tumbled forward, landing hard on her side. A pained whimper escaped her, and before she could rise, Dane was there. Towering over her. Trapping her. Her chest heaved, panic rising like a tide. This was it. But Dane didn’t lunge. He didn’t attack. He shifted. Before her eyes, his fur shimmered, his body bending and reshaping until he stood before her as a man. Bare-chested, his muscles rippled beneath the moonlight, his dark hair tousled from the shift. But it was his eyes that held her still. They were no longer the cold, ruthless gaze of a warrior. They were curious. “Kaela,” he murmured, his voice rough from the shift. Her breath hitched. He knew her name. And he wasn’t calling for her execution. An Unexpected Warning Kaela forced herself to shift back, gritting her teeth through the pain of returning to her human form. Her legs felt weak, her head spinning, but she forced herself to stand. Dane studied her, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. “You need to leave.” Kaela’s pulse pounded in her ears. “What?” He glanced over his shoulder, toward the distant lights of the village. “The others will be searching soon.” A sharp chill ran down her spine. “You’re not telling them?” Dane, gaze returned to hers, unreadable. “Not yet.” Her body tensed. “Why?” A long silence stretched between them, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he took a step back. “This conversation never happened,” he said. Then, his voice lowered. “Run, Kaela. And don’t let me catch you again.” Then, without another word, he turned and disappeared into the trees. Kaela stood there, stunned, her heart still hammering. Why had he let her go? And more importantly—what did he mean by not yet? Not Alone Anymore Kaela didn’t wait to find out. She ran. Not toward the village, but deeper into the forest. For the first time in her life, she had nowhere safe to go. She couldn’t return home—her mother would be in danger if anyone found out. And she couldn’t risk being anywhere near the pack. So she ran with no destination. Hours passed, exhaustion weighing down on her limbs. She had no idea where she was anymore, only that the trees seemed thicker, the air wilder. Then, suddenly—a sound. Soft footsteps. Too soft for a man. Kaela’s breath hitched, and she spun around. A pair of golden eyes stared back at her. Another woman. Kaela took a step back, but the woman raised a hand. “You don’t need to run.” Her voice was low, soothing. Confident. More figures emerged from the trees, all women. Their presence sent a strange, thrumming energy through Kaela’s veins. She wasn’t just looking at outcasts. She was looking at wolves. Female wolves. Kaela’s throat tightened. “Who are you?” The first woman smiled, her golden eyes glinting. “We’re the ones they couldn’t kill.” Kaela’s breath caught. The hidden sisterhood. The women who had survived. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, a mixture of fear and hope tangling inside her. She wasn’t alone anymore.