The moment Elara stepped inside the Sanctuary, she felt it.
A pulse in the air. A weight pressing against her chest.
The stone walls were ancient, worn by time but unyielding. Torches flickered along the corridors, casting elongated shadows that made the place feel alive. The scent of old magic and wild earth clung to the air.
She had expected something… modern. Instead, the Sanctuary felt like a relic of an era long before hers.
Kieran walked ahead, his posture tense but controlled. Lucien stayed beside her, his usual smirk replaced by something more guarded.
At the end of the long corridor, a massive iron door stood closed. Symbols were carved into the metal—runes she didn't recognize but somehow felt in her bones.
Kieran lifted a hand, pressing his palm against the center of the door.
The runes flared to life.
A deep, guttural sound echoed through the space as the iron groaned, then shifted, unlocking itself.
Elara swallowed hard. "That's… normal?"
Lucien chuckled. "Not really. But it's dramatic as hell."
Kieran ignored him and stepped inside. "Come on."
Elara hesitated before following.
Inside, the Sanctuary opened into a massive hall, its ceilings high, the walls lined with bookshelves, weapons, and ancient artifacts. Wolves—shifters—stood in clusters, talking in hushed voices. Some turned, sensing their arrival.
And then they saw her.
Silence fell over the room.
Elara tensed as golden and silver eyes locked onto her. She felt their curiosity. Their suspicion.
A tall woman stepped forward, her long auburn hair braided over her shoulder. Her gaze was sharp, assessing.
"Kieran," she said smoothly. "You brought home a stray?"
Elara bristled, but before she could snap back, Kieran spoke.
"She's not a stray, Rhea. She's the reason we're here."
Rhea's eyes flickered to Elara. "Is that so?"
Lucien grinned. "Oh, trust me, you're going to love this story."
Elara clenched her fists. She hated being talked about like she wasn't standing right there.
"I can speak for myself," she said coldly.
Rhea raised a brow. "Then by all means, speak."
Elara lifted her chin. "I don't know what I am. But something is hunting me. And if you know anything about it, I need answers."
Rhea studied her for a long moment. Then she turned to Kieran.
"You trust her?"
"Yes."
Lucien sighed dramatically. "Debatable."
Elara shot him a glare.
Rhea exhaled. "Then she stays. But if she's a danger to us—"
"She won't be," Kieran said firmly.
Rhea's gaze lingered on him before she nodded.
"Fine." She turned back to Elara. "Then let's find out what you really are."
A strange feeling curled in Elara's stomach.
Because deep down, she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.