The path to Kaelen’s quarters wound through the thick woods on the outskirts of the village, far enough away that it gave him the isolation he preferred. As the Alpha of Stormveil Hollow, Kaelen valued his privacy and often retreated here when the burdens of leadership grew heavy. I had always found it ironic—he could be surrounded by his pack, yet somehow he seemed more at home alone with his thoughts.
I reached the stone doorway, the scent of pine and damp earth mingling with Kaelen’s scent. Familiar. Steady. A comfort I hadn’t realized I needed until now.
Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Kaelen was sitting at his table, pouring over a map of our territory, no doubt planning the next patrol routes. His sharp blue eyes lifted as I entered, and the moment he saw me, his brow furrowed in concern.
“Zerra?” he asked, standing as I approached. “What happened?”
He always knew. Kaelen could read me better than anyone, better than Draven ever could.
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, taking a breath to steady myself. I had to be calm. I had to be smart. There was no room for emotion now.
“I need your help,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “It’s about Draven.”
Kaelen’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening at the mention of Draven’s name. He had never liked him—he had made that clear from the start. Kaelen was fiercely protective of me, even before I left for those two years. He never trusted Draven, never thought him worthy of me. And now, he had been proven right.
“What did he do?” Kaelen asked, stepping closer. His tone was sharp, but there was an undercurrent of anger beneath it, a tension in his posture that hadn’t been there before.
“He’s been with Ravenna,” I said, the words bitter on my tongue. “They’re planning to take control of the packs. Together.”
For a moment, Kaelen didn’t move. His eyes locked on mine, the fury in them unmistakable. “You’re sure?” he asked, though I knew he didn’t doubt me. Kaelen trusted me implicitly.
“I heard them talking,” I replied, my voice cold and steady. “Ravenna plans to make him Alpha, and she’ll be his Luna. They’re going to unite Stormveil Hollow with Shadefall Vale, using our packs as pawns for their power.”