The early morning light filtered from the tall trees outside straight through the windows, casting long, dappled shadows across the room. Adeline Argent stood in the midst of it all, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings of the Heathcliff Pack's territory. It had been only a few hours since she'd arrived, and already, she could feel the weight of the world pressing on her shoulders. The scent of pine and earth mixed with the underlying, unmistakable scent of werewolves—sharp, wild, and intoxicating.
She remembered Derrick telling her he was going to be in the study and decided not to go disturb him.
She thought about Derrick again.
She had expected her life to change when she'd met Derrick Heathcliff, but this? This was more than she had ever imagined. The pack was like a living, breathing entity—its presence everywhere, its influence inescapable. For the first time in her life, Adeline felt as if she were a part of something bigger than herself. But as the sun rose higher, she found herself torn between awe and fear.
Adeline had never been a stranger to the supernatural, not with the strange dreams she'd been having, but actually stepping into this world, living in it—was different. The idea that Derrick, the man she was beginning to care for, was an alpha werewolf, had initially felt like something out of a dream. Now, it was her reality.
But the reality was starkly different from the romanticism of the idea. There was a tension in the air. The other wolves, though not unfriendly, seemed to regard her with curiosity and caution. As the only human among them, she was an anomaly. And though they respected Derrick's authority, there was something cold in the way they watched her every move.
Out of curiosity, she stepped out of the room and walked through the dense woods, following the narrow dirt path that led to the main packhouse. The place looked more like a lodge than the imposing fortress she had imagined. But as she drew closer, she noticed the security in every detail: the reinforced doors, the high fences, the eyes that watched her from behind closed windows. Everything in this place was designed for protection—for the pack and its alpha.
As she stepped through the door of the packhouse, the sense of being an outsider only grew stronger. The large, open foyer was filled with murmurs of conversation. The pack members, a mix of men and women, were going about their business, preparing for the day ahead. It was clear that their world was vastly different from hers. They moved with a confidence, an ease that spoke of power—of a life lived in tune with the wild. Adeline, in contrast, felt like a lost lamb in the middle of a pack of wolves.
"Morning, Adeline," a voice called out. She turned to find a young man, whom she guessed was Derrick's younger brother grinning at her. His black hair was wild, his eyes bright with curiosity. He was undeniably handsome, but there was something unsettling about the way he looked at her. It wasn't the way Derrick did—it wasn't soft or full of concern. No, this was a look of someone who wanted to understand her in a way she didn't quite trust.
"Morning," Adeline replied, offering him a tight smile. Her gaze flickered upstairs to Derrick, who stood by the stairs, watching her with those piercing, steady eyes that made her heart race.As the howls of the wolves echoed through the trees, Adeline stood frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest. Something was coming. Something that would change everything. Would she find Derrick before it was too late? Or would the darkness that had been waiting for her all these years finally catch up to her?
"I'll show you around," Silas continued, stepping forward. "You're new here. It'll help if you get to know everyone."
Adeline hesitated. There was something about Silas's enthusiasm that felt forced. She nodded reluctantly, following him as he led her through the packhouse.
As they moved through the halls, Silas spoke of the pack, of the roles each wolf had within it, and of how Derrick had been raised to lead. His words seemed rehearsed, as if he were trying to sell her an image of a perfectly harmonious world. But Adeline's intuition told her something wasn't right. There were gaps in his story, things left unsaid, and she couldn't shake the feeling that his smile was just a mask for something else.
"You'll see soon enough," he said cryptically as they passed a room filled with old portraits of past alphas. "This is the legacy, the history Derrick carries on."
Adeline nodded absently, trying to focus on his words, but her mind kept wandering. Her thoughts drifted to Derrick, who hadn't really come to check on her since she woke up. She had wanted to ask him more about the pack's history, about his brother, but there was an unease in her chest, a sensation that something was off.
"Is Derrick… is he always so serious?" Adeline finally asked, breaking the silence between her and Silas.
Silas laughed, but it was short, almost dismissive. "Oh, Derrick's not 'serious.' He's just… cautious. He has his reasons."
"Reasons?" Adeline repeated, feeling her pulse quicken. "What do you mean?"
"You'll understand soon enough," Silas said with a knowing look. "Derrick has a lot on his shoulders. Being the alpha isn't easy, especially with some of the challenges we're facing."
Adeline's mind raced. What challenges? She had no idea what he was referring to, but she sensed that there was more to the pack than Derrick had told her.
She let the conversation die, but her curiosity grew with every step they took. As the day unfolded, she experienced more of the pack's unique dynamic. She saw the wolves sparring in the training area, their raw strength and agility on full display. The women—strong, confident—worked alongside the men, their roles clearly defined. There was a sense of unity here, a sense of purpose that made Adeline feel small, fragile in comparison.
At midday, she sat alone in the packhouse, watching the pack go about their business. Derrick hadn't come to find her. He hadn't asked her how she was feeling, hadn't explained anything further. It was as if he was deliberately keeping his distance.
She was still trying to process everything—the werewolves, the alpha bond, the weight of the responsibility Derrick carried. But all the while, a part of her kept asking: Where do I fit into all this? Was she truly meant to be a part of this world, or was she simply a passing moment in Derrick's life?
Later in the afternoon, as the sun began to set, Derrick finally approached her. His expression was unreadable, his gaze steady but distant.
"Adeline," he began, his voice low, "I know this has been a lot for you to take in."
"It has," she admitted softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't know what to make of all of this."
Derrick stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "I never meant for you to feel out of place," he said, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. "This is my world, and I thought it would be easy to bring you into it. But it's not. It's complicated."
Adeline's heart raced at his touch, but she held herself steady, meeting his gaze. "I know you have your reasons," she said, her voice steady, though her mind was a swirl of confusion. "But I need to understand what's happening. What is going on here, Derrick? What challenges are you facing?"
Derrick's jaw tightened. He seemed to hesitate, but then he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are wolves in the pack who don't agree with the way I lead. They don't want peace. They want power, and they'll stop at nothing to get it."
The words hit her like a thunderclap. "What does that mean for me?" she asked, her pulse quickening.
"It means," Derrick said, his voice darkening, "that danger is coming. And I will protect you, Adeline. No matter the cost."
Adeline's heart raced, but a part of her was filled with dread. The love she felt for Derrick was undeniable, but so was the fear. She was not just a bystander in this world—she was now a part of it, and it was a world that was anything but simple.
And as Derrick's gaze locked with hers, Adeline knew her life was about to change forever.