Chapter 5 Bonds & Betrayals

The air in the hidden grove was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. The flickering fire cast long shadows over the gathered women, their faces illuminated by the flames. Some were hardened by suffering, their eyes dark with loss. Others were fresh to this rebellion, still trembling from the weight of their decision to defy the laws of the pack. Kaela stood among them, feeling the weight of their gazes. She had found them. She had sought them out, refusing to live in fear. And now, she was one of them. Terren, the fierce warrior, stood with her arms crossed, watching Kaela with an appraising eye. “You’ve chosen this path. There’s no turning back now.” Kaela lifted her chin. “I know.” From the side, Elira, her best friend and second aunt, stepped forward. Elira, my aunty “you are here”. “Kaela, I need to talk to you.” Kaela turned, seeing the worry in Elira’s face. The older woman took her by the arm and pulled her away from the group. “You don’t have to do this,” Elira whispered urgently. “This fight… it’s dangerous. It’s not just about us hiding anymore. If the Alpha finds out what we’ve done, what we’re planning—” Kaela’s jaw tightened. “Then we fight.” Elira sighed, shaking her head. “You sound like Terren.” Kaela glanced at the warrior woman, who was sharpening a dagger near the fire. “She’s right. We can’t run forever.” Elira hesitated, then touched Kaela’s cheek gently. “I just don’t want to lose you.” Kaela softened. “You won’t.” A rustle in the underbrush made them both turn. Sienna stepped into view. Kaela felt her muscles tighten. There was something about Sienna that always put her on edge. Maybe it was the way her eyes lingered too long on Kaela, always sharp with something unreadable. Or maybe it was the way she carried herself—like she was waiting for the right moment to strike. Sienna smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Terren wants us all together. She says we need to prepare.” Kaela nodded and followed, but Elira lingered a second longer, watching Sienna carefully. Something felt off. The Alpha’s Suspicion In the heart of the Alpha’s stronghold, Dane stood beside his father acting like he didn’t just see Kaela turn, he couldn’t get her out of his head. Ulrich spread a map of the surrounding territory across the heavy oak table. “There’s been movement in the northern forests,” Ulrich reported. “More than usual. It’s them. The She-Wolves.” Roven’s lips curled into a snarl. “We should have wiped them out years ago.” Dane remained silent, but his hands clenched at his sides. He knew who they were talking about. Kaela. He had heard the whispers. He had seen the way her fire refused to be dimmed, how she questioned everything they had been raised to believe. And now, she was gone. His father’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Send the hunters. I want this rebellion crushed before it begins.” Ulrich smirked. “It may already be taken care of.” Dane frowned. “What do you mean?” Ulrich leaned against the table. “We have someone on the inside.” A sick feeling twisted in Dane’s gut. Someone had betrayed the She-Wolves. The Betrayal Back in the grove, the women were making preparations for their next move. Kaela was kneeling beside Luna, the youngest of them all, showing her how to shift without losing control. “Close your eyes,” Kaela instructed. “Feel the change, but don’t fight it.” Luna’s small face was set with determination. “Like this?” Before Kaela could answer, a sharp howl pierced the night. The grove fell silent. Then came the sound of footsteps. Heavy. Too many. Terren cursed. “We’ve been found.” Kaela’s blood ran cold. How? Sienna. Kaela turned to her, and the truth hit her like a thunderclap. Sienna wasn’t panicked. She wasn’t afraid. She was smiling. “You did this.” Kaela’s voice was barely a whisper. Sienna tilted her head. “You’ve always thought you were better than me, Kaela. Stronger. Smarter. Prettier.” Her lips curled. “Let’s see how strong you are now.” Kaela lunged, but it was too late. Torches flared to life beyond the trees. A voice rang out—Ulrich’s. “No survivors.” And then—chaos.