Chapter 2

Lucas refused to explain what Dylan had said or how he had responded, saying only that I would understand soon. Dad was already asleep when we got home, so we went straight to bed.

I woke up surprised the next morning when I realized Gabriel hadn't called me for our usual dawn run. Sunlight was already streaming through my window—a rare luxury. I stretched, feeling the pull in my muscles from yesterday's training, then slipped into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie before heading downstairs.

Halfway down the staircase, I froze at the sound of hushed voices. Gabriel and Lucas were talking in the kitchen, their tones serious and low.

"Dad, she's onto us." Lucas's voice dropped to a whisper.

"What makes you think that?" Gabriel kept his voice low.

"Dylan cornered us after the bonfire last night. Said we should get her to Moon Shadow and stay put. Like, don't even think about coming back here."

My heart hammered against my ribs. Dylan's weird warning suddenly made sense.

Gabriel let out a heavy breath. "Gotta give it to the kid. He's nothing like his old man, especially since Tara passed."

"Yeah, but Aria's getting suspicious. I don't think she actually knows what's up with the Alpha. But she's definitely been feeling off about him."

"I'll give her the whole rundown once we're at Jace's place," Gabriel said. "Can't talk freely here—walls have ears."

I backed up the stairs, then stomped down loudly like I was just arriving. When I walked into the kitchen, Gabriel and Lucas looked suspiciously casual, coffee mugs in hand.

"Hey there, sleepyhead." Gabriel's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Crash okay?"

"Yeah, fine." I poured myself some coffee. "What, no brutal five a.m. workout today? Are you feeling alright?"

Gabriel snorted. "Even drill sergeants get days off. Besides, you've got packing to do. We're rolling out at the crack of dawn tomorrow."

I sat down and sipped my coffee, acting like I hadn't just eavesdropped on their whole conversation.

Back in my bedroom, I pulled out my largest duffel bag and began methodically folding clothes into it. Not just a few outfits—almost everything I owned. The practicality of Gabriel's instructions was clear now: we weren't planning a short visit.

In a smaller bag, I carefully placed my most precious possessions: my sketchbook, a few books, the silver bracelet that Isabella, Gabriel's late wife, had given me before she died. I felt a strange certainty that I wouldn't be returning to this cabin—the only home I'd known for ten years.

As I packed, memories flooded back. Gabriel teaching me to track in the forest. Lucas showing me how to throw a punch without breaking my thumb. The nights around the firepit where Gabriel would tell stories of the ancient wolf packs.

I paused, running my fingers over the wolf-paw birthmark on my left wrist. It was strange how a human like me had ended up in a world of werewolves. Sometimes I wondered if there was some deeper meaning to it, or if it was just cruel irony—a human with a wolf mark who could never shift.

When I came downstairs again, I found Gabriel on the phone in the kitchen. I sat quietly at the table, waiting for him to finish.

"That's awesome, thank you. We should roll in tomorrow evening, if all goes well." His voice was relieved.

When he hung up, he turned to me with a smile. "That was your grandmother Whitman. She's eager to see all of us."

"Mom's parents are still at Moon Shadow?" I asked.

Gabriel nodded. "Yes. They've already arranged everything with Alpha Jace. You all packed??"

"Almost done," I confirmed. "Just have a few more things to sort through."

"Good." He squeezed my shoulder. "Stick around the house today. We've got a long drive ahead."

I caught the hidden message: Don't go anywhere today. I nodded, understanding more than he realized.

Back in my room, boredom set in quickly. I put on my wireless headphones and scrolled through my music app. As a familiar song began to play, I closed my eyes, letting myself drift into memories.

Ten years ago. The night that changed everything.

I was seven years old, hiding in a cabinet as hunters broke into our home. Through the crack in the door, I watched my parents fall, their bodies crumpling under silver bullets. I bit my hand to keep from screaming, tasting copper as my teeth broke skin.

After what felt like hours, the shooting stopped. Heavy footsteps approached my hiding spot. When the cabinet door opened, I stared up into the amber eyes of a massive man with battle scars across his face.

"You're safe now, little one," Gabriel had said, his voice surprisingly gentle for such a fierce warrior. "They're gone."

Behind him stood a teenage boy—Lucas—his eyes wide with surprise at finding a human child.

"Dad, she's human," he'd whispered.

Gabriel had nodded. "Yeah. And she's got nobody left."

Some in the pack had opposed taking in a human child, but Gabriel stood firm. "Those hunters took her family just like they've taken from us. She stays. End of discussion."

My music suddenly cut out, interrupted by sounds from downstairs—sharp knocking at our front door. I pulled off my headphones, listening intently.

Gabriel answered the door with surprising speed. From my position at the top of the stairs, I could see Alpha Warren standing on our porch, flanked by two warriors. His massive frame filled the doorway, his expression severe.

"Gabriel," he said, voice cold. "Thought I'd drop by. See how your... travel plans are coming along."

The air crackled with tension as Gabriel invited him in, his posture calm but alert. I knew the signs—he was ready to fight if necessary.

"What's with the sudden road trip to Moon Shadow?" Warren asked, pacing our living room.

"Just catching up with old friends," Gabriel replied evenly. "Been too long since I've seen Jace."

Warren's eyes swept the cabin, clearly searching for something—or someone. For me. I shrank back into the shadows of the upstairs hallway.

"And taking your... adopted stray with you?" The way he said it made my skin crawl.

Lucas appeared at the bottom of the stairs, positioning himself protectively between Warren's line of sight and where I stood. "We go as a family," he said firmly.

Warren studied them both before nodding. "I'll send some guys to escort you to the border tomorrow. For protection."

"We can manage," Gabriel said.

"I insist." Warren's smile didn't reach his eyes. "We'll be here at nine to see you off."

After Warren left, Gabriel closed the door and locked it—something he rarely did. He and Lucas exchanged a worried look that confirmed my fears. Something was very wrong.

Dinner that night was tense. Gabriel placed our food on the table, then sat down with an expression that told me he'd made a decision.

"Aria," he said finally, "there's stuff you need to know."

The moment I'd been waiting for had arrived. I set down my fork and gave him my full attention.