The Storm Approaches

Chapter 9: The Storm Approaches

The morning air was heavy with tension. Even the usual sounds of the pack — warriors training, pups playing, wolves howling in the distance — seemed quieter. As I walked through the camp, I noticed the patrols were thicker than usual. Warriors in wolf form paced the borders, their sharp eyes scanning the treeline.

Kade found me near the training grounds, his face hard and serious.

"You're late," he muttered.

"I didn't know we were training today," I shot back.

"We don't have time for excuses," Kade said firmly. "If those rogues show up, you need to be ready."

I clenched my fists. "I'm trying."

"You need to do more than try."

His words stung, but I knew he was right. Whatever was coming... it wasn't going to be easy.

"Come on," Kade said, turning away. "Today's lesson is different."

I followed him deeper into the woods, past the rocky clearing where we had trained before. This time, Kade stopped at a steep cliffside. Large boulders jutted from the earth, their jagged edges sharp and unforgiving. Below, a narrow stream flowed swiftly over slippery stones.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Your next challenge," Kade replied.

"You can't be serious." I gestured at the uneven terrain. "One wrong step, and I'll fall."

"That's the point," Kade said. "Out there" — he gestured to the forest beyond — "you won't get to fight on even ground. You'll need to adapt... or you'll die."

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting.

"You're not leaving until you can fight me up here without falling," Kade warned. "Now get moving."

I climbed up the rocky slope, my boots scraping against the rough stone. Each step felt unsteady, the loose gravel shifting beneath me. By the time I reached the top, my heart was pounding.

"Ready?" Kade called from below.

"No," I muttered — but he was already climbing up after me.

The moment Kade reached the top, he attacked.

I barely dodged his fist as it shot toward my ribs. I stepped back too quickly, my foot slipping on the loose stone. I lost my balance, stumbling toward the edge of the cliff.

"Focus!" Kade barked.

I dropped low, steadying myself before Kade could land his next strike. When he lunged again, I twisted away, stepping carefully across the uneven ground.

"Good," Kade muttered. "But you're still hesitating."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm not—"

Before I could finish, Kade's leg shot out, sweeping toward my feet. I jumped to the side, but the edge of the cliff crumbled beneath me. My heel slipped, and I gasped as I tipped backward — but at the last second, I grabbed onto a jagged rock.

"Pull yourself up!" Kade called, but his voice wasn't panicked. He was watching me closely, waiting to see what I'd do.

I gritted my teeth and pulled, forcing my body up inch by inch until I was back on solid ground. My arms burned, and my breath came in ragged gasps, but I didn't stop.

When Kade attacked again, I didn't back away. Instead, I lunged first.

I ducked low and swept my arm upward, knocking Kade's fist away before driving my elbow into his chest. He staggered back, his boots skidding on the rocky ground.

"Better," Kade muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

We kept going — attack after attack, block after block — until I could barely stand. My legs ached, my arms felt like lead, and my breath came in sharp gasps. But I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

Finally, Kade stepped back, lowering his fists.

"That's enough," he said. "For now."

I sank to my knees, too exhausted to argue. Sweat trickled down my face, and my entire body throbbed with pain.

"Not bad," Kade said after a moment. "You're improving."

"Is that... your way of saying I'm not completely hopeless?" I panted.

Kade chuckled softly. "Something like that."

His smile faded, and his gaze turned serious.

"You need to understand something," he said quietly. "Those rogues aren't just random enemies. If they're working for someone powerful... they'll know how to hunt. How to kill. If you're not prepared—"

"I will be," I said firmly.

Kade studied me for a moment, then nodded.

"Good," he said. "Because I don't plan on losing you."

---

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I lay awake in my room, staring at the ceiling. The woman's warning echoed in my mind. "They're hunting you because of what you are."

But what was I?

I wasn't strong like Kade. I wasn't fast like the other warriors. I wasn't important.

Then why are they after me?

Frustrated, I sat up and stared out my window. The forest stretched out in the distance, dark and endless.

Then I saw something move.

A shadow slipped between the trees — fast and silent. My heart leapt to my throat.

Was it a rogue?

I grabbed a jacket and quietly slipped out the door. The cool night air bit at my skin as I crept toward the tree line. My breath came fast, my steps light.

The shadow moved again — closer this time.

"Who's there?" I whispered.

No answer.

I took another step forward — and suddenly, something lunged from the darkness.

A figure shot toward me, their face hidden beneath a hood. I stumbled back, but before I could scream, a hand grabbed my arm.

"Aria!"

Kade's voice cut through the night, and a second later, he appeared beside me. He grabbed the hooded figure and threw them to the ground.

The stranger rolled, snarling like a wild animal. For a brief second, I saw their face — twisted and angry, their eyes glowing faintly yellow.

"Rogue," Kade spat.

The rogue sprang to his feet and bolted back into the forest.

"Get back to the house," Kade ordered. "Now."

"But—"

"Now!"

I didn't argue. I turned and ran, my heart hammering in my chest.

When I reached the house, I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath. My fingers tr

embled, and cold fear curled in my stomach.

They're here.

The rogues weren't just coming.

They had already arrived.

Kade burst through the door moments after me, slamming it shut behind him. His chest heaved as he locked the door, then turned to face me.

"Are you hurt?" His voice was sharp, but his eyes betrayed his concern.

I shook my head, still breathless. "No... but that rogue... he was watching me."

"Yeah," Kade muttered darkly. "And that means they know exactly where you are."

He stalked across the room, pulling back the curtain just enough to peek outside. His expression was tense, his muscles rigid like a spring ready to snap.

"I need to tell the Alpha," he said. "We can't afford to wait."

"I'm coming with you," I said immediately.

Kade shook his head. "No. You're staying here."

"I'm not just going to hide," I argued. "If they're after me, I need to know what's going on!"

"That's exactly why you can't come," Kade snapped. "You're their target, Aria. If they realize you're out in the open, you'll make it easier for them."

"But—"

"No." His voice softened. "I know you're scared... but I need you to trust me."

His words stopped me cold. I was scared — terrified, actually — but I knew Kade wasn't just trying to protect me. He was fighting to keep the whole pack safe, too.

"Fine," I muttered. "But promise me you'll come back."

"I promise."

With that, Kade grabbed his jacket and disappeared into the night.

Minutes turned to hours. I paced the room, checking the windows every few minutes. Each gust of wind sounded like footsteps. Every creak of the floor made me jump.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I went to the kitchen, hoping some water would calm my nerves.

As I filled a glass, a faint noise reached my ears — a soft scratching sound.

Was that... from the back door?

My pulse quickened. Slowly, I crept to the door, careful not to make a sound. I pressed my ear against the wood, holding my breath.

The scratching sound came again... followed by a low growl.

My heart raced.

They're here.

I stumbled back, trying to remember where Kade kept the emergency weapons. The knives — they were in the drawer near the sink. I grabbed one, clutching it tightly in my trembling fingers.

Think, Aria... think.

The growling grew louder, and then — BANG!

The back door shook violently. I staggered away as the rogue slammed into the door again, this time splintering the wood.

"Help!" I screamed. "Somebody help!"

The door burst open, and the rogue lunged inside.

His face was twisted with rage — matted hair, jagged scars, and glowing yellow eyes that locked directly onto me.

I stumbled back, raising the knife in a shaking hand.

"Stay back!" I warned, but my voice was barely steady.

The rogue grinned, baring sharp, yellowed teeth. "I've been looking for you," he growled.

He lunged.

I slashed out with the knife, nicking his arm. The rogue roared in pain, but he didn't stop. He grabbed my wrist and twisted it hard. The knife clattered to the floor.

"Let me go!" I shouted, kicking at his legs.

The rogue sneered. "Not tonight, little girl."

Before I could scream again, a blur of movement shot through the room.

CRASH!

Kade tackled the rogue, slamming him to the ground with a bone-crunching thud.

"Get away from her!" Kade roared, shifting halfway into his wolf form. His claws extended, his eyes blazing gold.

The rogue snarled and lashed out, raking his claws across Kade's arm. Blood splattered across the floor, but Kade barely flinched. With one swift punch, Kade knocked the rogue unconscious.

I collapsed to my knees, gasping for breath.

"You okay?" Kade asked, his voice rough.

I nodded shakily. "I think so... but you're bleeding!"

Kade glanced down at his arm, where crimson streaks dripped from the gashes. "It's nothing," he muttered. "We need to get out of here before more of them show up."

Minutes later, we were at Alpha Marcus's house. The room was tense — warriors lined the walls, and the Alpha's expression was grim.

"Two rogues within our borders in one night," Alpha Marcus growled. "This isn't random."

"They're after Aria," Kade said firmly. "We can't leave her unprotected."

The Alpha's gaze shifted to me, his eyes dark and serious.

"We need to figure out why they want you," he said. "What makes you so important?"

"I don't know," I said helplessly. "I'm not strong... or special... I'm just—"

"You're not just anything," Kade interrupted.

I looked at him, startled by the fierce way he said it. His gaze held mine, steady and sure.

"Whatever they think you are," Kade said quietly, "we're not going to let them take you."

The Alpha nodded in agreement. "From now on, you'll stay in the main house. There will be guards on you at all times."

"But what if that's not enough?" I asked.

"Then we fight," Alpha Marcus said darkly. "And we don't stop until every last one of those rogues is dead."

Later that night, I lay in one of the guest rooms in the Alpha's house. My body was exhausted, but my mind refused to rest.

Why me?

That question haunted me, spinning over and over in my thoughts.

The rogues knew something I didn't — something dangerous.

I didn't know what secrets my past held... but I knew one thing for sure.

I wouldn't let them win.