Luna Everleigh's POV
***
The tension hit its peak the moment we reached the heart of the village.
A man was waiting for us.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark eyes that held none of the warmth Rhydian's did. His posture was rigid, his muscles coiled with restrained aggression. The way his gaze flicked over me? Like he was assessing a problem that needed to be eliminated.
Kael.
I didn't need an introduction to know who he was.
"I see the human is still here," Kael said, his voice a low rumble of disapproval.
Rhydian's expression remained unreadable. "She's not just a human."
Kael's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a snarl, but close enough. "That remains to be seen."
I stiffened. "I'm standing right here, you know."
His dark gaze flicked to mine, sharp as a blade. "That's precisely the problem."
A muscle in Rhydian's jaw ticked. "Enough, Kael."
Kael exhaled sharply, but didn't argue. Instead, he took a step closer, his presence a tangible force pressing against me. "You don't belong here," he said, quiet but firm. "And this pack? They know it."
I swallowed hard.
A murmur drifted through the gathered wolves. Low. Distrustful.
She's dangerous.She's not one of us.She shouldn't be here.
I clenched my fists, the weight of their rejection settling heavy on my chest.
I wasn't stupid. I knew I was an outsider.
But hearing it—feeling it—was another thing entirely.
Kael leaned in slightly, his voice just above a whisper. "There are those who see you as a threat, Luna." His dark eyes gleamed. "And threats don't last long here."
A chill ran down my spine.
Before I could respond, before I could process the meaning behind his words, I heard it—
A hushed conversation, just beyond the reach of the flickering firelight.
"She won't survive long.""Someone will take care of it.""It's only a matter of time."
My breath caught.
They weren't just talking about removing me.
They were talking about killing me.
And Rhydian?
He might be the only thing standing between me and the wolves who wanted me dead.
—
(To be continued…)