I undressed slowly, feeling the weight of the past few days lift from my shoulders as I let my clothes fall to the ground. The water was warm as I slipped in, enveloping me in its soothing embrace.
But the peace didn’t last long. A rustling noise broke through the quiet, pulling me from my reverie. My eyes snapped open, my senses suddenly on high alert. I scanned the surrounding trees, searching for the source of the noise, but saw nothing.
“Who’s there?” I called out, my voice firm despite the fear creeping up my spine. There was no response, only the sound of the forest around me.
I cursed under my breath, realizing how vulnerable I was. Ever since I had returned to the past, I hadn’t been able to connect with my wolf, Naiah. It was as if she had vanished, leaving me without my powers, without the heightened senses that had once been second nature to me.
Whoever—or whatever—was out there, I couldn’t let them see me like this, defenseless and exposed.
But as I stayed there, my gaze darting around the trees, I realized something else. I hadn’t just lost Naiah. I had lost a part of myself. My senses were dulled, my connection to the world around me weakened. And without my wolf, I was powerless.
I hurriedly dressed, the damp fabric clinging to my skin as I hastily pulled my clothes over my still-wet body. The eerie feeling from earlier lingered, prickling at the back of my mind. Every muscle in my body remained tense as I carefully scanned the area one last time, ensuring there were no lurking shadows.
The minute I was back within the safe confines of the pack, I knew I needed a plan. The reality of my situation hit me harder than ever. This time, I couldn’t rely solely on my strength or intuition. I had to outmaneuver Paige, protect my sister Emery, and ultimately, secure my future. The stakes were higher than they had ever been, and the only way to tip the scales in my favor was to find powerful allies.
One name immediately came to mind: Alpha King Shiloh Callahan. He was the most formidable ruler in the realm, commanding respect and fear in equal measure. His influence was unmatched, and if I could earn his support, my path to reclaiming my pack and breaking free from Rennon would be significantly smoother.