Secret in The Shadows

Chapter 8: Secrets in the Shadows

The morning sun streamed through my window, painting my room in soft gold. My muscles throbbed, a constant reminder of last night's brutal training. Every breath seemed to pull at the cut on my shoulder, and my ribs ached from Kade's relentless strikes.

But none of that mattered.

I had stood my ground. I had landed hits. For the first time since arriving at this pack, I felt like I belonged — like I could become stronger.

I dragged myself out of bed and changed into fresh clothes, wincing as I tugged a clean shirt over my injured shoulder. I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself — not when Kade was expecting me at training again.

As I stepped outside, the cool morning air bit at my skin. The pack's territory stretched before me — wide, open fields that led into dense forests. Warriors were already sparring in the distance, their grunts and growls filling the air.

I spotted Kade near the training grounds, sharpening his blade. His expression was calm, focused — nothing like the smug warrior I had fought last night.

"You're late," he muttered without looking up.

"I needed sleep," I shot back. "Not everyone has endless energy like you."

Kade chuckled dryly. "Then you'd better toughen up."

He sheathed his blade and turned to face me. His sharp red eyes locked onto mine, serious and intense.

"Today's lesson isn't about fighting," he said. "It's about control."

"Control?" I frowned. "I thought I was learning to fight."

"You are," Kade said. "But strength means nothing if you can't control it."

He gestured for me to follow him, leading me away from the training grounds and deeper into the forest. The air grew cooler as we walked, shadows stretching across the path. Birds rustled in the trees, and dry leaves crunched beneath our boots.

"Where are we going?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

"You'll see," Kade said. "But first... tell me something."

His voice had shifted — softer now, almost cautious.

"Why do you push yourself so hard?" he asked. "You could've left the pack weeks ago, but you stayed. Why?"

I swallowed hard, unsure how to answer. Memories flashed through my mind — the whispers from my old pack, the cold stares, the way my father had looked at me like I was worthless.

"Because I have no choice," I muttered. "If I'm not strong... I'm nothing."

Kade stopped walking, turning to face me. His gaze wasn't cold this time — it was... understanding.

"You're wrong," he said quietly. "Strength doesn't define your worth. Your choices do."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Kade raised a hand.

"You'll see what I mean," he said, starting down the path again.

We reached a rocky clearing hidden deep in the forest. Large boulders circled the space, their jagged edges sharp and uneven. At the center stood a fallen tree, split down the middle like it had been struck by lightning.

"This is where you'll train today," Kade said.

I stared at the uneven terrain. "How am I supposed to train here?"

"Balance," Kade replied. "If you can fight here — where the ground is unstable and the footing is unpredictable — you'll learn to control your movements better."

He motioned for me to stand on the fallen tree.

"You want me to fight... on that?" I asked incredulously.

Kade smirked. "Unless you're too scared."

I climbed onto the thick log, my boots wobbling on the uneven surface. My heart pounded as I tried to find my footing.

Kade stepped onto the other end of the log with ease, his posture perfectly balanced.

"Your stance is too stiff," he said. "Relax your knees."

I adjusted, bending my knees slightly. The log felt less shaky now, but my muscles still tensed with each slight movement.

"Good," Kade said. "Now... defend yourself."

He lunged.

I barely dodged his first strike, stumbling backward as his fist shot past my shoulder. The log shifted beneath me, and I flailed to regain my balance.

"Stay focused!" Kade barked.

I steadied myself just in time to block his next attack. His foot swept toward my ankle, and I jumped back — too far. My boots slipped, and I toppled off the log, landing hard on the rocky ground below.

"Again," Kade called.

Gritting my teeth, I climbed back up.

For the next hour, we fought on that narrow log. Each time I lost my balance, Kade knocked me off. Each time I stumbled, he pushed harder. My arms ached, my legs screamed for rest, but I refused to stop.

Finally, on what must've been my twentieth attempt, I caught his wrist mid-strike. Using his momentum, I twisted his arm and shoved him backward.

Kade's eyes widened in surprise as his foot slipped — and he toppled off the log.

I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

"Not bad," Kade muttered, brushing dirt from his shirt. "You're learning."

I climbed down, wiping sweat from my forehead. "You know... you're not as impossible to beat as you think."

Kade chuckled. "Don't get cocky."

His smile faded, and his gaze shifted toward the trees. His eyes narrowed, sharp and alert.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Someone's watching us," he said quietly.

I followed his gaze. At first, I saw nothing but darkened trees and tangled branches. But then... a shadow moved — quick and silent.

"Who is that?" I whispered.

"I don't know," Kade said, his voice low. "But they've been following us for a while."

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

"Stay close," Kade murmured, stepping in front of me. "If they attack... you run."

"I'm not running," I shot back.

"You will," Kade growled. "No arguments."

I clenched my fists, but before I could say anything else, the shadow shifted again — closer this time. My heart pounded in my chest.

Who was out there... and what did they want?

The figure moved again, this time stepping closer. My pulse quickened as I tried to make out their shape. They were tall, cloaked in a dark hood, and their face was hidden in the shadows.

"Who's there?" Kade called out, his voice hard and commanding.

The figure didn't answer. Instead, they stepped closer — slow and deliberate.

"Stay behind me," Kade muttered. His stance shifted, muscles tensing as he prepared for a fight.

But before I could respond, the hooded figure reached up and slowly pulled back their hood.

I froze.

It wasn't a stranger — it was a woman. Her long silver hair cascaded down her back, and her piercing blue eyes glowed faintly under the shadows. There was something familiar about her, something unsettling.

"You..." Kade's voice faltered. His fists tightened. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm not here to fight," the woman said calmly. Her voice was smooth yet sharp, like a blade hidden beneath silk. "I've come to warn you."

"Warn us?" I asked, stepping forward despite Kade's outstretched arm blocking me. "About what?"

The woman's gaze shifted to me, and for a moment, I felt like her eyes could see straight through me.

"There are enemies moving in the shadows," she said softly. "Ones who won't hesitate to destroy this pack."

"Who?" Kade demanded. "What enemies?"

The woman hesitated. "Rogues," she said. "But not just any rogues... they're working for someone powerful. Someone who's hunting you."

Her words sent a chill down my spine.

"Hunting me?" I asked. "Why?"

The woman's gaze darkened. "Because of what you are."

"What I am?" My heart pounded harder now. "I'm nothing special."

"You're more powerful than you realize," the woman said. "And they know it."

"That's enough," Kade growled. "You expect us to believe you just showed up to help?"

The woman's gaze hardened. "Believe me or not — I don't care. But if you don't start preparing now, people will die."

With that, she turned and disappeared into the trees, vanishing like smoke.

For a long moment, neither Kade nor I spoke.

"What just happened?" I asked finally.

"I don't know," Kade muttered. "But she's right about one thing... something's coming."

His gaze drifted back toward the path where the woman had disappeared, his face grim.

"Come on," he said, his voice low. "We need to tell the Alpha."

We hurried back to the pack's main grounds. The Alpha's house stood at the heart of the territory — a towering stone structure surrounded by guards. Kade led me inside without a word, his face tense.

The Alpha, a tall man with broad shoulders and graying hair, was pacing in his office when we arrived. His sharp amber eyes landed on us immediately.

"You both look like hell," Alpha Marcus grunted. "What happened?"

"There's trouble," Kade said without hesitation. "Rogues are gathering — and they're after Aria."

The Alpha's expression hardened. His gaze shifted to me, sharp and questioning.

"Why would they target her?" he asked.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But that woman said I'm... powerful. That they're hunting me because of what I am."

The Alpha studied me for a long moment. "And you believe her?"

"I don't know what to believe," I confessed. "But she seemed serious. And if she's right, we're all in danger."

The Alpha's jaw clenched. "Kade," he said firmly. "Double the patrols. I want guards stationed at every entrance to the pack grounds. No one comes in or out without my approval."

Kade nodded. "I'll handle it."

"And Aria," Alpha Marcus said, his gaze narrowing. "From now on, you don't go anywhere alone. If those rogues are after you, we can't risk them getting close."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"Go," the Alpha ordered. "And be careful."

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I sat by my window, staring out at the darkened forest. Shadows flickered between the trees, and every rustling branch made my heart race.

Why would rogues be after me? I wasn't strong. I wasn't special. I was just... me.

But the memory of that woman's cold blue eyes wouldn't leave my mind.

"You're more powerful than you realize," she had said.

I didn't know what she meant — but I was starting to understand one thing.

I couldn't run from this.

If I wanted to survive, I had to be ready to fight.

And this time... I wouldn't back down.