By the time Elara got back to Shadowfen territory, the moon was already high.
Her chest was still tight.
Not from running.
From him.
Kael.
Even thinking his name felt strange, like it had settled somewhere deep inside her without permission.
She slowed down as she approached the clearing. The pack was still gathered, some already back in human form, others shifting. The air was tense. Too tense.
The moment she stepped into the light, all eyes turned to her.
And just like that, the feeling returned.
Small.
Watched.
Judged.
"Where have you been?" the Alpha's voice cut through the silence.
Firm.
Elara lowered her head slightly. "At the border. Searching."
"For this long?"
She did not answer immediately.
That was a mistake.
A low murmur spread through the pack.
"She crossed too far."
"She always causes trouble."
"She thinks she is different."
Elara clenched her jaw.
"I asked you a question," the Alpha said.
She forced herself to speak. "I lost the trail."
It was not entirely a lie.
The Alpha stepped closer, his presence pressing down on her like weight. Even in human form, his authority filled the space.
"Look at me."
She did.
His eyes were sharp. Calculating.
"Did you see anything?"
For a second, Kael's image flashed in her mind.
Dark fur.
Cold eyes.
That voice.
Her heart skipped.
"No," she said.
Another mistake.
The Alpha studied her again.
Analyzing.
"You are lying."
The words landed quietly.
Elara's chest tightened.
"I am not," she replied, her voice low.
Silence.
Then suddenly-,
"On your knees."
The command hit her instantly.
Strong.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Or at least, it should have been.
Her body reacted, dropping halfway, but it stopped again.
Just like before.
A pause.
A very dangerous pause.
The entire clearing went still.
This time, there was no whispering.
Only shock.
The Alpha's expression darkened.
"You resist me again?"
Elara's heart pounded.
"I am trying," she said honestly.
But she was not.
And she knew it.
Something inside her refused to bend.
Something stronger than fear.
Stronger than instinct.
For a second, it felt like everything might break.
Then the Alpha stepped back.
"Enough."
The pressure lifted instantly.
Elara inhaled sharply, steadying herself.
"You will be dealt with later," he said coldly. "Leave."
She did not wait.
She turned and walked away quickly, ignoring the stares, the whispers, the tension that followed her like a shadow.
She did not go far.
Just beyond the main clearing, where the trees grew thicker and the noise faded.
Only then did she stop.
Her breathing slowed, but her mind did not.
Everything felt wrong.
The command.
Her reaction.
That pain earlier.
And him.
Kael.
She closed her eyes briefly.
Why did it feel like I already knew him?
Why did his presence feel… familiar?
A soft rustle pulled her attention back.
"Elara."
She turned quickly.
It was Mira.
One of the few who did not treat her like she did not belong.
Mira crossed her arms, looking at her carefully.
"You are acting strange," she said.
Elara almost laughed.
"Only now?"
Mira did not smile.
"No. Tonight is different."
Elara looked away.
"I am fine."
"You are not."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Mira stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"The Alpha noticed."
"I know."
"He will not ignore it this time."
Elara swallowed.
"I know."
Mira hesitated, then asked quietly, "What happened out there?"
For a moment, Elara thought about telling her.
About the border.
About Kael.
About that strange, painful pull in her chest.
But something stopped her.
"I found nothing," she said.
Mira watched her.
Observing.
Then she sighed.
"You should be careful," she said. "Things are changing."
Elara felt it too.
She just did not understand how.
Later that night, when the pack had settled and the forest grew quiet again, Elara lay awake.
Sleep would not come.
Every time she tried to rest, he came to her mind.
Heard his voice.
Felt that pull.
Persistent.
She placed a hand over her heart.
"What is wrong with me…" she whispered.
Far away, a howl echoed through the night.
Not from Shadowfen.
From Lunaris territory.
Her body reacted instantly.
Not fear, nor anger
Something else.
Something she could not explain.
Her eyes opened slowly.
And for the first time, a thought crossed her mind that made no sense at all.
She wanted to go back.