A Claim Revealed

The howls pierced the darkness, each one closer than the last. Caleb paced his cabin, holding the knife tightly in his palm. His heart raced as he attempted to control his breathing. The allure of the woodland had dissipated, replaced with a pervasive sense of danger. Something was coming. No—someone.

The first knock at the door was a low, deliberate thud. Caleb froze, every muscle in his body becoming tight. He looked at the door, dread twisting in his stomach. Then came another, harder knock, followed by a deep voice that pierced the silence like a blade.

"Caleb. "Open the door.

The voice was calm, commanding, and clearly unknown. Caleb tightened his hold on the knife. He took a step closer to the door but stopped short, his heart pounding in his ears.

"Who are you?" He called, his voice harsh and wavering.

The response was quick. "We are not here to hurt you. But we need to speak. Now."

"We?" Caleb's chest constricted. The significance of the plural was not lost on him. Whoever was outside was not alone.

"Open the door, Caleb," the voice repeated, firmer this time. "You don't want us breaking it down."

The threat was not subtle, nor was it hostile. It was a promise. Caleb growled beneath his breath, his thoughts whirling. He could feel a huge, persistent presence outside. Whoever they were, they were not human. He could feel their raw and carnivorous energy, pressing against the cabin like a storm.

Caleb summoned his last resolve and wrenched the door open, holding the knife low but ready. The image that met him took the breath out of his lungs.

Two men stood on his porch, their towering figures highlighted by the moonlight. The one on the left had dark hair and golden eyes that gleamed with quiet intensity. He emanated authority, his posture calm yet firm. The other man, somewhat shorter but no less intimidating, had wild auburn hair and piercing green eyes that glowed with restless intensity. They were both striking, commanding the area around them with a confidence that made Caleb nervous.

"Who the hell are you?" Caleb demanded, his voice more composed than he felt.

The dark-haired man—the one who had spoken earlier—stepped forward, his attention fixed on Caleb. "I am Lucian Vale. "This is my brother, Tobias." He hesitated, his gaze narrowing slightly. "And you already know why we're here."

Caleb's grasp on the knife weakened for a second. He shook his head, his defenses raised. "I do not know anything about you. Or why are you here?"

Tobias let out a harsh laugh, tinged with irritation. "Don't act dumb, scentless. You've felt it, right? The pull. "The connection."

The term "scentless" struck Caleb like a slap. His jaw hardened, and his wolf bristled at the insult. "What the hell do you know about me?"

"Enough," Lucian said, his voice measured but forceful. "We've been looking for you, Caleb. "You are our mate."

Caleb felt as if the world was tilting under him. He glanced at them, disbelief and wrath swirling inside him. "Your… what?"

Lucian's gaze did not waver. "You are our match. Fated. Chosen."

Caleb stepped back and shook his head. "No. No way. "You have the wrong person."

Tobias hissed softly, his green eyes flashing. "Do you think we'd come this far for the wrong person? Caleb, we know what you are. "What you mean to us."

"I don't mean anything to you!" Caleb snapped, the knife quivering in his grip. "I am no one. "Just leave me alone."

Lucian took another step closer, his actions cautious and deliberate, as if trying not to shock a scared animal. "You're not no one," he remarked gently. "You are ours." Whether you want to believe it or not, you've felt the connection. We are here to defend you, Caleb. To claim what is ours."

The words sent shivers down Caleb's spine. His wolf shifted uncomfortably, conflicted. He despised how much he wanted to trust them, how the pull within him seemed to grow stronger in their presence. But he couldn't believe it. He couldn't trust them.

"I don't need protection," he answered, his voice harsh. "And I don't need you."

Tobias' snarl grew, but Lucian lifted his hand to silence him. "You might not think you need us now," Lucian continued, his tone unwavering. "But the threat you face is quite serious. The woodland did not call to you by mistake. And the howls you heard tonight? They weren't simply wolves.

Caleb tensed. "What do you mean?"

Lucian's gold eyes clouded. "Caleb, you are being hunted. And not just with the Moonshadow Pack. There are individuals who understand who you are. "What you can do."

The words hit Caleb like a blow in the gut. He attempted to digest them, but his thoughts were racing. Hunted. Again. Always. He felt the weight of everything push down on him, and the walls of his small hut became too close.

"Why should I believe you?" he said, barely above a whisper.

Lucian's stare softened just slightly. "Because you already know we are telling the truth." You can feel it, Caleb. That link is something you cannot ignore. It is real. "And it is unbreakable."

Caleb faltered briefly. The bond. He despised that term, and how it made his chest ache. He wanted to scream, run away, or do anything other than stand there and face the truth.

Tobias advanced, his emerald eyes burning. "You can fight it as much as you want, but nothing will change. "We are not leaving without you."

"Is that a threat?" Caleb inquired, his voice harsh.

Tobias grinned, his wolf barely restrained. "It's a promise."

Before Caleb could react, the sound of a faraway howl broke the tense silence. It was closer than before, and it was not alone. The brothers tensed, their gaze drawn to the trees beyond the hut.

"They're here," Lucian replied quietly.

"Who?" Caleb demanded as his heart raced.

Lucian faced him, his golden eyes blazing. "The ones after you. Stay behind us. "No matter what."

Caleb's protest died in his throat as the screams intensified and the shadows outside shifted ominously. Another strong and intentional knock echoed around the room, causing the cabin door to quiver. Whoever was outside wouldn't wait for an invitation.

Lucian and Tobias moved in front of Caleb, their powerful presence filling the room. Tobias cracked his knuckles, a crazy grin forming on his face. "Time to show you why you'll want us around, scentless."