Moving Forward

The morning air smelled of sunshine and dew, the forest sparkling with patches of light from above. Kael and Nova moved steadily through the underbrush, their footsteps muffled by the damp earth. The wind carried upon it the faint calls of birds waking to the day, and the chattering of squirrels off in the distance. Despite the serenity of the forest, Nova's thoughts were far from calm.

As the hours stretched on, the silence between them grew heavier, tugging at her already restless mind. Finally, she broke it. "Kael," she ventured, glancing at his back. "Why do we stay on foot? Wouldn't a car be faster? Or running as wolves?"

Kael glanced over his shoulder, his narrowing his eyes slightly in amusement. "You think it's that simple?"

Nova shrugged. "I mean, yeah? Cars exist for a reason. And I've seen how fast you can run as a wolf. It seems like we're taking the scenic route."

Kael let out a quiet chuckle, his pace never faltering. "It's not that simple. For one, our wolves are too large to go unnoticed. Around here, if anyone caught sight of us, they'd assume we were something out of a nightmare."

Nova frowned. "Okay, fair point. But what about a car? Wouldn't that solve some of our problems?"

Kael slowed slightly, his expression turning more serious. "Appearing in society too often has its own risks. The more we interact with humans, the more likely they are to notice things they shouldn't."

"Like what?" she asked, tilting her head.

He stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "Like the fact that we don't age like they do."

Nova blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

Kael shrugged, "Werewolves don't age like humans. Our lives are… long. Very long. It's one of the things that makes us stand out."

"How long are we talking?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kael paused, his tone casual but somewhat flat. "Centuries, if we're careful. Our wolves keep us strong, resilient. But it's also one of the things that makes us easy to identify. Humans may be blind to a lot of things, but they notice when someone looks the same at fifty as they did at twenty."

Nova's stomach churned as she processed his words. "So...my family would have noticed eventually." It wasn't a question so much as a statement of fact. She never would have been able to stay with her family. While their deaths had been tragic, her ending with them would never have been a happily ever after kind of scenario.

Kael nodded, his expression softening. "They would have. Maybe not at first, but by the time you hit your thirties or forties, it would have been obvious. And with the way technology keeps advancing—facial recognition, DNA databases—it's harder than ever to stay unnoticed."

She swallowed hard, the weight of his words settling over her like a lead blanket. "So, what then? Would I have had to leave? Fake my own death?"

"It's likely," Kael admitted. "Our kind has always lived on the fringes, staying just out of reach. It's easier that way. Safer. Of course, you are an exception Nova, because werewolves almost never abandon their young."

Nova turned away, her arms wrapping around herself. She'd already lost her family in the most horrific way imaginable, but now it seemed even if that hadn't happened, she would have lost them eventually. The thought left her feeling hollow.

Kael's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, steady and grounding. "That's one of the ways the Shadowmarks find us. They look for inconsistencies—people who don't age, who disappear and reappear under different names. It's not just us, either. There are others out there who live longer than humans, but we're one of the easiest to spot."

Nova frowned, her mind racing. "Others? Like what?"

Kael hesitated, then shook his head. "That's a whole new can of worms I'd rather not open right now."

She scowled but didn't push further. Instead, she focused on the world around them, the rhythm of their footsteps, the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. The silence stretched between them once more, but it wasn't the oppressive weight it had been before.

After a while, she asked, "Do you think we'll ever figure out where I came from? Who my real parents were?"

Kael sighed, his gaze distant. "I've been thinking about that. But I'll be honest, Nova—it doesn't add up. The way you were abandoned, the lack of any traceable clues… it feels deliberate."

"Deliberate?" she echoed, her brow furrowing.

Kael nodded. "It's almost like they didn't want anyone finding you. It raises many questions. Who were they? Why did they leave you? And why didn't they come back?"

Nova's stomach twisted. "Do you think they're still alive?"

"I don't know," Kael admitted. "But if they are, they're either hiding for a reason or…" He trailed off, the implication hanging heavy in the air.

She swallowed hard, her throat tight. "So, what do we do? How do we figure it out?"

Kael's jaw tightened. "We can't take the direct route. Walking into a hospital and getting your DNA tested isn't an option. With the manner of your parents' deaths, that kind of inquiry would raise red flags. If the authorities connected you to the attack, the Shadowmarks would know in an instant."

Nova shivered at the thought. "So we just… wait?"

"For now, yes," Kael said. "We find somewhere safe, somewhere we can regroup and start looking into this without drawing attention. It's not ideal, but it's the only option."

"Do you have a place in mind?" she asked hesitantly.

Kael's lips curved into a faint smile. "I might. It's not perfect, but it's better than wandering aimlessly."

Nova nodded, though her unease lingered, the uncertainty of their situation gnawing at her.

As the day wore on, the forest around them grew denser, the trees towering overhead like silent sentinels. The air grew cooler, the shadows lengthening as the sun dipped lower. Nova's legs ached from the constant movement, but she didn't complain. The physical strain was a welcome distraction from the chaos in her mind.

When they finally stopped to rest, Kael found a secluded spot nestled against a cluster of old, moss-covered boulders. The air was cool, and the sounds of the forest softened to a distant murmur. As Nova sat down, the tension of the day eased from her shoulders.

Kael settled beside her, his movements fluid and deliberate. Without a word, he reached out, his hand gently circling her wrist as he tugged her closer. She didn't resist, letting him draw her into his arms. His warmth enveloped her, and she sighed softly, her cheek resting against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat was soothing, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.

"You're quiet tonight," he murmured, his voice low and comforting. His fingers moved to comb through her hair, untangling the knots the day had left behind.

Nova closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "Just thinking," she replied softly. "It's been… a lot."

Kael hummed in agreement, his hand trailing down to rest at the small of her back. "I know," he said. "But you don't have to carry it all by yourself."

"I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I have you."

His arms tightened around her slightly, as though her words had struck something deep within him. For a moment, he didn't speak, his lips pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. The simple gesture sent warmth flooding through her, and she tilted her face up to meet his gaze.

Kael's eyes softened as they locked onto hers. "You've been through so much in such a short time," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And yet, here you are—with more strength than you thought you ever had."

Nova smiled faintly, her hand reaching up to trace the sharp line of his jaw. "I wouldn't have made it this far without you."

Kael caught her hand in his, pressing his lips to her palm. "You give me too much credit," he murmured, his tone self-deprecating. "I've just been lucky enough to be by your side."

She shook her head, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. "It's not luck. It's fate."

Kael's lips quirked into a small smile, but his eyes held a flicker of uncertainty. "Fate has a funny way of working," he said quietly, his hand brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"Maybe," Nova admitted, "but it brought us together. That has to mean something."

Kael leaned down, his forehead resting against hers. The closeness of him, the warmth of his breath mingling with hers, made her heart flutter. "It means everything," he said softly, his voice a quiet vow.

Their lips met in a kiss that was slow and unhurried, a gentle exploration that spoke of trust and connection. Nova melted into him as the rest of the world faded away. Kael's hands roamed her back, pulling her closer as though he couldn't stand even the smallest distance between them.

When they finally broke apart, their foreheads remained pressed together, their breathing mingling in the cool night air.

"I love you," Kael said, his voice low and steady.

Nova nodded, her fingers brushing over his cheek. "I love you too," she echoed, trying to hide the tears trickling down her face.

Kael's lips brushed hers again, a fleeting touch that sent a shiver down her spine. He settled back, pulling her with him so that she was cradled against his chest. His arms encircled her, protective and comforting, and for the first time in days, Nova felt truly safe.

The stars above sparkled faintly, like distant sentinals in the heavans. Nova's eyes grew heavy as Kael's fingers traced lazy patterns on her back, his quiet presence lulling her into a peaceful sleep.