Chapter 25: the unraveling

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Unraveling

The words Kieran had spoken echoed in Ava's mind long after he had disappeared into the shadows. The pact. An ancient bond that she was now tied to. Her stomach twisted with dread as she thought about it. She had never asked for this-never asked to be caught up in the world of werewolves and dark magic. And now, the very thing that had chosen her, the Bloodstone, had linked her to something far more dangerous than she could have imagined.

Damien said nothing as they headed back to the center of the pack, his typical calm replaced with something dark. His steps were heavy, more deliberate, and Ava could feel the tension seeping from him. She wanted to say something-anything-to break the suffocating silence, but the weight of Kieran's words hung between them like an insurmountable wall.

"What do we do now?" Ava finally asked, soft but steady.

Damien didn't answer him straightaway. Instead, he just kept walking, his expression unreadable. Ava could feel the storm brewing within him, the same storm she had felt when they first met, when everything was so much simpler. Back then, all they had to worry about was the pack and their survival. Now, it was something far more complicated.

He stopped in his tracks as they neared the heart of the pack's camp, and Ava almost ran into him. His eyes flicked toward her, his jaw tightening. "We prepare. But we need to be smart about this. Kieran may have his own agenda, but we can't let him control this. We'll need answers, and we'll need to find out more about this pact before anyone else makes a move.

Ava nodded, her mind whirling. "What exactly is this pact? And why does it matter so much?"

Damien's gaze hardened as he looked over his shoulder, scanning the surrounding area as though someone might be watching. "It's an ancient covenant," he began, his voice low and grim. "One that ties the wolves to something beyond our world. A pact with forces we don't fully understand. The Bloodstone is the key to that pact. Whoever controls it can control the wolves—can control us. And it's been hidden for centuries, locked away. Now, somehow, you've become part of it."

A chill ran down Ava's spine, her fingers instinctively brushing the Bloodstone that was tucked beneath her jacket. The warmth had been comforting until now, but it felt like a dead weight. It wasn't just a symbol of power anymore; it was a symbol of being entangled in something so much greater than herself.

Why me?" she whispered, more to herself than to Damien. "Why did it choose me?"

Damien's gaze softened slightly, his protective nature slipping through the cracks of his hardened exterior. "I don't know, Ava. But I do know this-whatever it is, it's not your fault. You're not to blame for this.

"But I have it now," Ava replied, her voice rising slightly. "I'm the one who holds the key to this pact. What happens if I can't control it? What if I can't stop it?"

Damien moved closer to her, his hands resting lightly on her shoulders. "You are not alone in this," he said firmly. "We'll figure it out together. But first, we need to learn more. We need to find out what Kieran meant by the pact awakening. We have to make sure we're ready.

Ava looked into his eyes and saw the resolve there. It was that strong, silent determination she had seen whenever he'd protected the pack, whenever he had stood tall and proud before enemies, without flinching. She wasn't used to leaning on anybody, but in that moment, it seemed as if she had little choice. If Damien so firmly believed in her, well, maybe she could actually believe in herself.

But the questions remained. The Bloodstone. The pact. Kieran's cryptic words. There were so many unknowns swirling around them, threatening to overwhelm her.

"We'll need help," she said quietly, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. "There has to be someone who knows about the pact, someone who can help us understand it."

Damien nodded, his expression still dark. "I agree. I have a few leads. There's a pack elder who might know more. But we need to tread carefully. If Kieran's involved, others will be too. There are forces in play that we can't even begin to understand.

Slowly, Ava exhaled, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never wanted to be a part of this world, never asked for the dangers it brought. But now, there was no turning back. Whatever the pact was, whatever it meant for her and Damien, they had to face it head-on.

"Let's go then," Ava said, firm with determination. "Let's find those answers.

Damien nodded, his eyes lingering on hers a fraction of a second longer than necessary, a silent understanding passing between them. As they started to walk toward the elder's dwelling, Ava felt a new sense of purpose begin to take root inside her. The fear was still there, buried deep within her, but so was the determination. She would not let this dictate her life. She would fight for control. She would fight for Damien. Most of all, she would fight to find out the truth.

As they neared the elder's home, the shadows seemed to lengthen, and the weight of what was to come pressed harder against her chest. The pack might have been her sanctuary, but now it felt more like the eye of a storm. Whatever answers lay ahead, Ava knew this much: the past was catching up to them, and they had no choice but to face it.