Chapter 13

The forest loomed around us like an ancient sentinel, its thick canopy casting long shadows across our path. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, pine needles, and something else—something primal that raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Despite Kael’s confidence, the oppressive silence between us felt like a harbinger of what lay ahead. Alpha Primo’s name echoed in my mind, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

Kael moved with practiced ease, every step deliberate as if the very ground obeyed him. I struggled to keep pace, the adrenaline from the fight slowly ebbing away and leaving me with nothing but exhaustion. My body was sore from the tension, and my mind raced with questions I was too afraid to ask.

“Where are we going?” I finally mustered, my voice sounding small in the vastness of the night.

Kael glanced over his shoulder, his sharp eyes catching mine. “There’s a safe house not far from here. One of my own. Primo doesn’t know about it.”

Safe. The word felt hollow, but I clung to it, desperate for any semblance of normalcy. I nodded, not wanting to burden him with my growing anxiety. I had to stay strong, for my sake—and for the child’s.

As we pushed deeper into the forest, my mind wandered back to the two wolves he’d killed. I hadn’t asked about them, nor did I want to know more, but the gruesome memory refused to leave me. The way their bodies had fallen, the life draining from their eyes—it was all too real. Too brutal.

Kael must’ve sensed my unease because he slowed his pace slightly, falling into step beside me. “You’ve been through a lot,” he said softly. “It’s okay to be scared.”

“I’m not scared,” I lied, trying to summon a bit of strength in my voice. But even I didn’t believe it.

He looked at me then, his dark eyes searching my face. “You’re brave, Luna, but you don’t have to be invincible. Not with me.”

I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. There was something about the way he said my name—Luna—that made me both uneasy and comforted at the same time. It felt foreign, yet familiar, like a title I was meant to carry but didn’t yet understand.

After a few moments, he broke the silence again. “When we get to the safe house, we’ll regroup. There are others—trusted allies—who will help us. I’ll explain everything then.”

“Others?” I repeated, alarmed. “Who are they?”

“Friends,” he said simply. “You’re not alone in this. But they’ll want to meet you.”

I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Kael had been the only one I’d trusted so far, and now the idea of more people—more wolves—being involved unsettled me. But I nodded, knowing I had little choice.

We walked in silence for what felt like hours, my legs growing heavy with every step. Kael’s presence was comforting, but the weight of what was happening pressed down on me. What had my life become? Just weeks ago, I had been living quietly, waiting for my baby to be born, hoping for peace. Now, I was on the run from wolves, with a man I barely knew protecting me from an Alpha I didn’t understand.

The sharp snap of a twig broke the stillness, and I jumped, my heart pounding in my chest. Kael’s head whipped around instantly, his body tensing as he scanned the darkened forest. “Stay close,” he whispered, his voice low and urgent.

Before I could respond, a rustling sound came from the trees ahead. My breath caught in my throat, fear flooding my veins. Kael stepped in front of me, his hand raised in a gesture of silence.

The rustling grew louder, closer, and I braced myself for whatever was coming. Then, without warning, a figure emerged from the trees—a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He moved with the same predatory grace as Kael, his expression calm but alert.

Kael relaxed instantly, lowering his hand. “Elias,” he greeted the man with a nod.

Elias nodded back, his eyes flicking to me with interest. “She’s with you then?”

Kael nodded. “Luna, this is Elias. He’s one of the few we can trust.”

I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. “H-hello.”

Elias’s gaze softened slightly, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. You’re safe with us.”

Safe. Again, that word. But there was something in the way Elias said it that made me believe him, even if just a little.

“We need to move quickly,” Elias said, turning back to Kael. “There have been sightings of Primo’s scouts nearby. He’s closing in.”

Kael’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. “Then we need to get her to the safe house now.”

Elias nodded, his expression serious. “I’ll lead the way. It’s just up ahead.”

With that, he turned and began walking, Kael and I following close behind. The urgency in the air was palpable, every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig sending a jolt of fear through me. I could feel the danger closing in, like a storm gathering on the horizon.

We moved quickly, the forest thinning as we approached a small, nondescript cabin hidden among the trees. It was simple and unassuming, but to me, it looked like a sanctuary. Elias pushed open the door, and we hurried inside.

The cabin was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of wood and earth. It was sparsely furnished, but it was warm, and for the first time in days, I felt a glimmer of relief. Kael shut the door behind us, locking it securely before turning to Elias.

“We’ll need to prepare,” Kael said, his voice low. “Primo won’t stop.”

Elias nodded, his expression grim. “We’re ready.”

I sat down on the worn couch, my body aching with exhaustion. But as I looked at Kael and Elias—two wolves, two protectors—I felt something else. Hope.

For the first time in days, I believed that maybe, just maybe, we had a chance. And as I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the gentle flutter of life within me, I knew that no matter what came next, I would fight with everything I had to protect my child.

Because this wasn’t just about survival anymore. This was about the future.