*POV: Nyla*
The next morning, Damon took me deeper into the forest, past the cottage and into the very heart of their territory. The air felt charged—alive. I could sense the shift in energy, like I had crossed into a world hidden from ordinary eyes.
"This is the Hollow," Damon said. "Where the pack meets, trains… prepares."
We arrived at a clearing surrounded by towering trees. At its center stood five people—each with a presence that made me instinctively straighten my back.
"This is your protective circle," Damon announced.
First stepped forward a woman with short, scarlet-dyed hair and fierce green eyes. Her arms were inked in elegant runes, her stance ready for war.
"I'm Rhea," she said with a smirk. "Former rogue, now loyal Beta guard. I'll be on your left—always."
Next was Kade, tall and broad-shouldered with piercing blue eyes. He gave me a respectful nod.
"Tracker. Stealth is my thing. If someone so much as breathes near you, I'll know."
Then came Zara and Micah—twins with matching silver eyes and mischievous grins.
"We're your shadows," Zara chimed.
"Literal ones," Micah added. "We've been trained to blend in, disappear, and reappear right when the enemy thinks they've won."
The last to approach was not a guard—but a girl around my age, with glowing brown skin, two long braids, and an energy that pulled me in like sunlight.
"I'm Lani," she said, slipping her arm around mine without hesitation. "I'm not a wolf. Just a witch with an attitude and a killer sense of humor. Looks like we're stuck with each other now, huh?"
I laughed—a real one—for the first time in days.
Damon stepped forward. "Each of them has pledged their life to protect you. Because you're not just someone with ancient blood… You're one of us."
I felt it then—like something inside me clicked.
But the warmth didn't last long.
From the edge of the woods, something shifted. A breeze carried an unfamiliar scent. My head snapped toward the trees.
I saw nothing, but every hair on my body rose.
Damon stiffened too.
"You felt that?" he asked sharply.
I nodded slowly. "Yes. Like… we're being watched."
Far beyond the clearing, unseen eyes studied us. Hidden beneath a dark cloak, a figure whispered:
"She doesn't know yet. But soon… she will."
And then they vanished, swallowed by the shadows.
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To be continued...…..