Chapter 2: A Dangerous Secret

That was until Kaelan changed her life for ever and everything she knew of her old self just came crashing down around her. The more she fell in love with him the more danger he presented to her. But, as she learned to love her hunter then Anya discovered that the realm of werewolves became deeper still — and ultimately more complex than even she will ever have dreamed.

Kaelan explained how the werewolves had been hunted like animals, despised and hated by humanity. The hunters, he referred to a group of people who were paid bounties to find the werewolves and kill them. There were no stories for small children about men with axe and spear hunting down Kaelan, because those men were all too real.

Anya figured out that she was in love with Kaelan so she tried harder to protect him. She started gathering all the information she could find on the hunters as well. Further investigation revealed they were a part of an SS-like brotherhood of the underworld.

What they did was barbaric and cruel,They would stop at nothing to get what they wanted.

One day in July, out of nowhere, came a puzzling cypher from an unknown source to Anya. Said that Kaelan was dangerous to her, so she butted out. Things Kaelan did that even Anya couldn't imagine.

Anya was terrified. She also knew that the hunters would one day hunt Kaelan, so she prayed for his safety and life. She also confronted Kaelan about the message, but he waved it away as someone playing. He said that he could look after himself and there was nothing she need worry for him.

Anya felt somewhat uneasy, and no matter how much Kaelan attempted to comfort her, She already knew what she needed to do — what she must do was put that white-hot fury out on the battlefield to keep him from harm. Anya and Kaelan became jittery over the weeks. Anya silently urged him to take care of himself with the quilt threatening to strangle her, wishing she had remained out.

One night, while Anya was asleep she hears some noise. In bed, she awakened — heart pounding By a silent sound without. She walked over to the window on her tiptoes, past scattered pages of notes that looked like they'd floated down onto the floor.

Only once the moon was well in the sky did she and medical staff notice to see something under her window. THE CROSSBOW HUNTERThe hunter aimed his crossbow at her window. Ice flooded Anya's veins, and she froze. She realized she needed to do something, but was then mostly paralyzed with fear.

Just as it looked like the hunter was about to fire, something burst from that darkness…. It was Kaelan. He lunged and swatted the crossbow from his hands. Two shadows wrassled in the moon beams. In horror Anya watched Kaelan struggle in a fight for his life.

Kaelan finally is able to kill the hunter. A hunter ran away from him, the rifle was forced to drop. Any exhaled, she felt relieved, but knew it was just the start. And the hunters would not rest easy. She realized that she needed to be very cautious with Kaelan from now on.

Here's the continuation:

Anya had realized that the further she kept digging about Kaelan, the more layer of lies and secrets there were. What she would come to find out, was that Kaelan wasn't just any werewolf; but the male also of a dominating pack with closer morals.

She got to know more about his family, his mum, dad and sisters. Except for one: Ryker

He paused a moment, knowing for as long as he could remember but Kaelan was blood brothers to Ryker who was an ebony ebon skinned werewolf almost too ruthless and no less cunning; rumored only for the promise of true violence mostly in alleged brutal manner-outs.

Anya's heart sank. Were Kaelan and Ryker related in a way that caused her to suffer?

She disclosed what she had found to Kaelan and he was his same evasive self.

Matching his gaze with fury he spoke, "Ryker is my blood… however I am not sorry for any of the things that he did.

Anya wasn't convinced. She knew that he was hiding something from her.

She was about to pressure him further when a loud knock sounded on the door.

It was Lena, Kaelan's sister.

"Kaelan, I need to talk to you," Lena' voice was shrill.

Kaelan's expression darkened. "What's wrong?"

"It's Ryker," Lena replied. "He's escaped from prison."

Anya's heart skipped a beat. Ryker was loose?

"What does this mean?" she asked.

Kaelan looked into her eyes. "It means we're in danger."

Lena nodded. And if those driving are maniacs, Ryker will literally do whatever it takes to get the toy and cut everything in their way.

Anya felt a cold shiver go up her spine. It was Kaelan she had to protect.

But when they were plotting their assault on Ryker, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kaelan was keeping something from her.

Has he been complicit in Ryker's sins and offenses?

Or was he feigning to rescue her only?

As the stakes increased, Anya knew she still had to choose:

Endangered faith, Kaelan trust and lost.

Or ditch him and save itself.

It was a choice that would alter her life forever.

As Anya grappled with her own indecisiveness, Kaelan channelled that not-quite-right feeling. He had fierce eyes and he took her hand

his eyes burning with intensity.

But as they prepared for battle, Anya's phone buzzed with an anonymous text:

"Meet me at the old warehouse at midnight. Come alone."

The message sent shivers down her spine.

Who was this mysterious sender?

And what did they want from her?

Anya hesitated, unsure whether to confide in Kaelan or go solo.

As midnight approached, Anya made her decision.

She snuck out of the pack's hideout, her heart racing with anticipation and fear.

The old warehouse loomed before her, its shadows ominous.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness.

It was Ryker.

"You're quite the little rebel, aren't you?" Ryker sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.

Anya stood tall, her heart pounding. "What do you want?"

Ryker chuckled. "I want Kaelan. And you're going to help me get him."

Anya's blood ran cold. She knew she had to protect Kaelan at all costs.

But as Ryker's grip tightened around her wrist, Anya realized she was trapped.

The stakes had never been higher.

Would she escape Ryker's clutches?

Or would she become his pawn in a deadly game?

I promise you, Anya," he whispered. I can keep you from Ryker and the hunters. We'll face this together."

Anya's heart wavered. What Kaelan was doing was saying, "Trust me," but she couldn't.

"Again, twice," Lana was very direct with this. "Kaelan, we need to stop Ryker. We can't just let him destroy everything.

Kaelan nodded, his voice a straight line. "You're right. You guys, gather around we have to make a plan.

Anya had the time to think about this since they were poring over plans, and it struck her as she said, though there was no turning back now. She had to believe Kaelan and the pack.

Moments later while they geared up to face depressingly familiar odds, a text pinged on anya's phone from an unrecognized number:

"Midnight, the old warehouse. Come alone."

A chill ran through her at the message.

Who is the mysterious sender.

What did they need her for anyway?

Then she split on whether or not to trust Kaelan.

By the time midnight rolled around, Anya had made up her mind.

With her heart thundering in her body, she slunk out of the pack lair.

The old warehouse was a dark glory.

Suddenly, a dark shadow emerged from the darkness.

It was Ryker.

Oh, ho, ho-hoo —look at our little maverick. Ryker growled, his eyes sharp with a seething malevolence.

"Derrick!". Any was on her feet, heart pounding. "What do you want?"

Ryker chuckled. "I want Kaelan. ""And you have tracked me down to help you find him.

Anya's blood ran cold. Keeping Kaelan safe was all she cared about.

Anya only had time to realize she was pinned when Ryker's hand closed around her wrist.

No, these were the highest stakes ever.

Is there anywhere she can hide from Ryker?

Or his puppet in treacherous play?