The gates of Blackwood Pack closed behind us with a heavy metallic sound.
The noise echoed through the courtyard, making my heart beat a little faster.
For the first time since leaving Nightfall Pack, I realized there was no going back.
This place… this powerful territory surrounded by stone walls and guarded by warriors… was now where I was supposed to live.
I looked around slowly.
Everything about Blackwood Pack was different.
Stronger.
More organized.
Warriors moved through the courtyard with confidence, their eyes sharp and alert. Even the air felt heavier here, filled with power.
Every wolf who passed lowered their head respectfully toward Kael.
"Alpha."
"Welcome back, Alpha."
The respect in their voices was clear.
This wasn't just fear.
This was loyalty.
Kael acknowledged them with small nods as he walked forward. His presence commanded attention without him needing to say a single word.
I stayed close behind him, unsure where to look.
Some of the wolves began staring at me.
Whispers quickly spread.
"Who is she?"
"Why is the Alpha bringing a woman here?"
"She smells like another pack…"
Their curious gazes made my skin prickle.
I lowered my eyes, suddenly feeling self-conscious.
Kael noticed.
Without slowing his steps, he spoke quietly.
"Ignore them."
His voice was calm but firm.
"They'll learn soon enough."
Learn what?
Before I could ask, a tall man approached us from the steps of the large pack house ahead.
He had broad shoulders and dark brown hair tied loosely at the back of his neck. A scar ran across his jaw, giving him a rough appearance.
The moment he reached us, he bowed his head.
"Alpha."
Kael stopped walking.
"Everything calm while I was gone, Beta Lucas?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yes, Alpha. Patrols reported nothing unusual."
Then his eyes shifted toward me.
Curiosity flashed across his face.
"And who is this?"
For a brief moment, Kael was silent.
Then he said something that made my heart skip.
"She's staying here."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"That's… new."
His gaze moved between the two of us.
Then he leaned slightly closer to Kael and spoke quietly.
"The pack is going to talk."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"Let them."
Lucas studied me again, this time more carefully.
His eyes softened a little.
"Well," he said with a faint smile, "welcome to Blackwood Pack."
"Thank you," I replied nervously.
Kael started walking again.
"Lucas," he said over his shoulder.
"Yes, Alpha?"
"Prepare a room for her."
Lucas blinked.
"In the guest wing?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
He glanced briefly at me.
"My floor."
Lucas stopped walking.
For the first time since meeting him, the Beta looked completely shocked.
"Your… floor?"
Kael didn't explain further.
He simply continued toward the pack house entrance.
I followed him, confused.
Was I really going to stay that close to him?
Inside the pack house, the atmosphere felt warm and welcoming. Large wooden beams stretched across the high ceiling, and a huge stone fireplace burned gently at the center of the main hall.
Several pack members were gathered there.
Their conversations immediately stopped when they saw Kael.
But when their eyes landed on me, surprise spread through the room.
Kael ignored the reactions and continued walking toward the staircase.
I hurried after him.
The stairs led to the second floor, then the third.
By the time we reached the top level, my legs were starting to ache.
"This floor is only for you?" I asked quietly.
"Yes."
The hallway was quiet and luxurious compared to the lower levels.
Large windows overlooked the forest outside the compound.
Kael stopped in front of a wooden door.
"This will be your room."
He pushed it open.
The room inside was beautiful.
A large bed stood near the center, covered in soft dark blankets. A tall window allowed moonlight to spill across the wooden floor.
There was even a small balcony.
I stepped inside slowly, stunned.
"This is… for me?"
Kael leaned casually against the doorway.
"Yes."
"But why?" I asked again.
"You saved me from humiliation, but you don't owe me anything."
His silver eyes watched me carefully.
"You're not here because I owe you."
"Then why?"
For a moment, Kael didn't answer.
The silence stretched between us.
Then he finally spoke.
"Because something about you doesn't make sense."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
He stepped into the room slowly.
The air seemed to grow heavier with each step he took.
"When I arrived at Nightfall Pack," he said quietly, "I felt something strange."
My heart began beating faster.
"What kind of strange?"
Kael stopped just a few feet away from me.
"A bond."
My breath caught.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
"The mate bond only happens once."
"That's what everyone believes," Kael replied.
His gaze locked onto mine.
"But when I stood near you… my wolf reacted."
A chill ran down my spine.
"You're saying…"
"I'm saying," he interrupted calmly, "that something about you is different."
The room felt suddenly smaller.
"What if you're wrong?" I asked.
Kael studied me for a long moment.
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I'm never wrong."
I didn't know whether that should comfort me or terrify me.
But before I could say anything else, a loud knock sounded on the door.
Lucas stepped inside.
"Alpha," he said.
"There's… a problem."
Kael's expression hardened instantly.
"What kind of problem?"
Lucas hesitated.
Then he said the words that made my stomach drop.
"Someone from Nightfall Pack just arrived at our gates."
Kael's silver eyes darkened.
"And?"
Lucas looked straight at me.
"They're asking for her."