Chapter 185

Fiona

Turn around or run?

Neither seems like a good option, but whatever made the noise is behind me. It could be someone from Ethan’s pack, or it could be an animal hunting me. I’d honestly rather someone from Ethan’s pack find me because at least I would probably survive that encounter.

A bear or even a wolf, I couldn’t get away from.

And if I don’t turn around, I’ll never know.

Taking a deep breath, I straighten up and turn, praying to anyone listening that there is a person standing behind me. Even if it is a person, would I be safe or would I need to run?

I prepare myself for the possibility, pulling every bit of courage I have into my body as I turn. Until I see the gold eyes shining in the darkness. My body locks up, my breath catching in my chest, and my mind reeling.

Gold eyes.

Wolf.

Lycan.

I can’t move. No matter how my mind screams at me to move, to run, I can’t.

Not even as the wolf emerges from the shadows, as it creeps forward silently, or as it bares its teeth. The moon shines against the wolf’s sandy blonde fur which is much lighter than Ethan’s dark fur. Does that mean something?

No, probably not.

I stare at the wolf as it takes a few more steps closer. It doesn’t attack yet, which is good because I’d never be able to outrun him… her… it? I don’t know, but when the wolf stops moving forward, I have the time to wonder if I know this wolf. Could it be Ryan?

Hope sparks in my chest at the thought, and I take a deep breath, stuttering through the fear, “R-Ryan?”

Immediately, the wolf growls. The dark sound releases whatever has my feet sticking to the ground, and I stumble back. My stomach drops, my heart speeds up, and I bite my tongue. It clearly didn’t like me talking to it.

Then, I gasp and move slowly backward as it stalks forward. I watch the wolf lift its nose and sniff the air, but it clearly doesn’t like what it smells because it growls again and pins its eyes on me.

I wanted this to be Ryan, but Ryan wouldn’t treat me like this. He would’ve changed back to his human body and probably chewed me out for sneaking away in the middle of the night, something I dearly wish was happening right now.

Confused and wary eyes track my movements until I fall back into a tree and nearly fall over. Then the wolf is in front of me, sniffing.

“You’re n-not Ryan, are you?” I ask, swallowing the fear clawing at my throat. I curl my arms around my torso, hoping that I can at least protect myself a little bit if it attacks. But it doesn’t attack. Instead, the wolf shakes its head, answering me.

He’s not Ryan. I knew that, but the confirmation has my stomach cramping in response.

“Are you going to hurt me?”

Again, the wolf shakes his head, and I release a heavy breath and slump back against the tree trunk. My legs collapse beneath me, and I slide down, sitting on the ground.

“Are you part of Ethan’s pack?”

I hold my breath until he finally nods. Relief sinks into me, and I sigh, smiling. I know not everyone in Ethan’s pack will be happy about me, but this wolf already said he wouldn’t hurt me, so I allow myself to relax for a moment.

“Are you out for a midnight stroll, Mr. Wolf?” I ask, wrapping my arms around my knees and studying the large animal. He looks even more massive from down here.

This time, the wolf doesn’t answer. He just takes several steps backward, and before I can ask where he’s going, his body begins to change and contort. It bends and snaps, shifting from four legs to two legs. Fur disappears and skin replaces it. A long nose shrinks down and moves, forming a human face.

Blonde hair forms on top of the man’s head, and I let my eyes trail down his body. He’s tall, muscular, and looks like he’d be incredibly good at fighting with the way he holds himself.

“Who are you, and what are you doing on Silverclaw Pack Land?” He demands, glaring down at me. “Trespassing into another Pack’s territory is punishable by imprisonment and in some cases, death.”

“Wh-what? I thought you were one of Ethan’s men,” I choke out, scrambling away. I move around the tree and then peek at the man threatening me.

“What is your connection to my Alpha?”

“Connection? Um, I’m Fiona. Ethan is my… we’re mates.”

The man’s eyes spark gold, and his nose wrinkles for a second before recognition falls over his expression.

“Why are you here? How are you here?” He asks, his eyes raking over me as if trying to figure out whether I came with someone or showed up on my own.

“Ryan brought me because I want to help heal Ethan,” I answer honestly. I believe he’d know if I was lying, so there’s no point. “Who are you?”

The man steps back, motioning me forward. I hesitate for a moment but eventually move forward. If he wanted to hurt me, he’d have done so by now.

“I’m Laxus, head Gamma and personal guard of Alpha Montgomery. You shouldn’t be out here this late, especially without protection,” Laxus says suddenly, surprising me. “I’ll take you back to—”

“No, I have to find the Moonlight Fire Lily. Without it, I can’t heal Ethan, and he’ll die. I can’t go back yet,” I tell the man, feeling like a broken record. Why is everyone trying to keep me from doing what I need to do?

Laxus hesitates, watching me with a slightly softer glint to his eyes before he speaks again, “I should still get you back to safety. We can’t have you running around and getting hurt.”

“Then stay with me,” I counter, grabbing his arm. “Stay out here with me and help me save Ethan. You can keep me safe, and I can continue searching for the plants I need to make the antidote. I won’t stop until I find this flower, even if I have to come back out tomorrow and the next night, and the night after that.”

The man’s body stiffens, and he crosses his arms over his chest.

“I won’t go back, and if you take me, I’ll just find a way to get out again. It would be faster and safer if you just help me. So what do you say?”

“Ethan was right.”

“What?”

“You’re determined. I’ll give you that,” Laxus mutters, shaking his head. He then lifts his eyes and looks directly at me, “My duty is to train warriors and protect the Alpha.” I nod, not sure where exactly he’s going with this as he continues, “Finding this flower will help Ethan, and protecting you is now part of my duties, so if you’re determined to stay, I will be by your side.”