Desmond couldn't shake Elias' words.
"Doesn't mean they won't tear your throat out if they decide you're a problem."
The way he said it—it wasn't just a warning. It was a fact.
But that only made Desmond more curious.
If the werewolves weren't his allies, then why did one save him?
The Edge of the Woods
The next day, Desmond found himself near the La Push border.
He hadn't planned on coming here, but his feet carried him toward the towering trees almost on their own. Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was stupidity.
Probably both.
He didn't step past the boundary. He knew better than that.
But he felt something.
A presence.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He wasn't alone.
A low growl rumbled from deep within the forest.
Desmond turned his head slowly, eyes scanning the treeline. Then, out of the shadows, they appeared.
Two massive wolves.
Their eyes locked onto him—one golden, one a deep, piercing brown. They didn't move. They just watched.
Desmond's breath slowed. His pulse pounded in his ears.
They weren't attacking. But they weren't welcoming, either.
And then, he heard it.
"He's awake now…"
A voice. But not spoken.
It was inside his head.
His eyes widened, snapping between the wolves.
"Not yet. We wait."
The golden-eyed wolf flicked its ears, then stepped back, vanishing into the trees. The second wolf lingered a moment longer before following.
And just like that, they were gone.
Desmond exhaled a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
They knew him.
They were waiting.
For what?
Unwanted Answers
Desmond had questions—a thousand of them.
So when he met Elias later that night, he didn't hold back.
"I saw them," he said, arms crossed.
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Saw who?"
"The wolves."
Elias didn't look surprised. "And?"
Desmond narrowed his eyes. "They were waiting for me. One of them—" He hesitated. "They spoke to me. But not out loud."
Elias' jaw clenched. "You're sure?"
Desmond nodded. "They said, 'He's awake now.' What does that mean?"
Elias ran a hand down his face, muttering something under his breath. Then, finally, he said, "It means they know what you are."
Desmond felt a chill run down his spine.
"What I am?"
Elias didn't answer right away. When he did, his voice was low.
"The wolves don't just patrol the land, Desmond. They guard something."
Desmond frowned. "Guard what?"
Elias looked at him then—really looked at him.
"You."