The clearing remained silent long after Kael's warning.
No one dared to challenge him.
Even the strongest warriors in the Nightfall Pack avoided looking directly at the Black Alpha. His presence alone was enough to crush their courage.
I stood beside him, still trying to understand how my life had changed so suddenly.
Only minutes ago, I had been rejected and humiliated in front of everyone I had ever known.
Now I was standing beside the most powerful Alpha in the region.
It felt unreal.
My former Alpha's eyes burned with anger as he watched us.
"Take her and leave," he said coldly.
The words were like a knife to my chest.
Just like that, he was throwing me away.
Not once did he try to stop me from leaving.
Not once did he show regret for rejecting me.
The pack members whispered quietly among themselves.
Some looked shocked.
Others looked curious.
But no one stepped forward to defend me.
That was when I finally realized the truth.
This pack had never truly been my home.
Kael turned toward me.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
His voice was calm, but there was something reassuring in the way he spoke.
I hesitated for a moment.
Leaving meant abandoning everything I had ever known.
The pack.
The territory.
The memories.
But staying meant living every day in humiliation.
I took a deep breath.
"Yes," I said quietly.
Kael nodded once.
Without another word, he began walking toward the black car waiting near the edge of the clearing.
I followed him.
Every step felt heavy.
As we passed through the crowd, the pack members moved aside quickly.
No one wanted to stand in Kael's way.
My former Alpha watched us go, his expression dark.
For a brief moment, our eyes met.
There was something strange in his gaze.
Not love.
Not regret.
But something closer to frustration.
As if he had just lost something valuable.
Too late.
He was the one who rejected me.
When we reached the car, Kael opened the door for me.
I paused.
"You're really taking me with you?" I asked.
He looked at me as if the question was obvious.
"Of course."
"But why?" I asked quietly.
"You don't even know me."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Oh, I know more than you think."
That answer only confused me more.
Still, I got inside the car.
The leather seat felt strangely comfortable compared to the cold ground of the clearing.
A moment later, Kael entered the driver's side.
The engine started with a low rumble.
As the car began moving, I looked out the window.
The Nightfall Pack slowly disappeared behind us.
The forest grew darker as we drove deeper into unfamiliar territory.
My heart pounded with uncertainty.
"Where are we going?" I finally asked.
"To my pack," Kael replied.
"And your pack is…?"
He glanced at me briefly before returning his eyes to the road.
"Blackwood."
My eyes widened.
Blackwood Pack was the most powerful pack in the entire region.
Stories about them were everywhere.
Their territory was massive.
Their warriors were feared.
And their Alpha…
Was the man sitting beside me.
"You're the Black Alpha," I whispered.
He chuckled softly.
"That's what they call me."
The car continued down the dark road.
For several minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then suddenly Kael asked a question.
"Tell me something."
I looked at him.
"Why did your Alpha reject you?"
The question caught me off guard.
I looked down at my hands.
"I don't know," I admitted quietly.
"He said he found someone better."
Kael's eyes darkened slightly.
"That fool," he muttered.
I frowned.
"What?"
"Nothing," he said.
But there was clear irritation in his voice.
The car finally slowed as we approached a large iron gate hidden deep within the forest.
Two massive guards stood on either side.
The moment they saw Kael's car, they stepped aside and opened the gate.
Beyond it stood something incredible.
A massive pack compound surrounded by tall stone walls.
Lights glowed warmly from dozens of buildings.
Warriors patrolled the area with sharp attention.
This place felt… powerful.
Safe.
Kael parked the car and stepped out.
I followed slowly.
The moment we entered the courtyard, several wolves bowed their heads respectfully.
"Alpha."
"Welcome back, Alpha."
Their voices were filled with loyalty.
Kael acknowledged them with a slight nod.
Then he turned toward me.
"Welcome to Blackwood Pack."
My heart raced.
For the first time since the rejection ceremony…
I felt like I might actually belong somewhere.
But I had no idea that this new beginning would soon bring even greater dangers.