Secret in the shadows

Chapter 10: Secrets in the Shadows

The morning sun barely warmed the air when I woke. Despite my exhaustion from the night before, sleep had been impossible. My mind kept replaying the rogue's twisted grin and the sharp pain in my wrist when he grabbed me. Even now, my arm throbbed faintly.

I stared at the ceiling, listening to the muffled voices outside my room. Guards paced the hall, their heavy footsteps a constant reminder that I wasn't safe — not yet.

Why are they after me?

That question wouldn't leave my mind. There had to be a reason... something important enough for rogues to risk sneaking into pack territory.

A knock sounded at the door, making me jump.

"It's me," Kade's voice called.

I hurried to open it. Kade stood there, freshly showered and dressed in a dark t-shirt and jeans. His arm was bandaged from the fight last night, but he didn't seem to care.

"You okay?" he asked, his sharp gaze sweeping over me.

"Yeah..." I paused. "No. Not really."

Kade's expression softened, and he stepped inside. "You're safe now."

"For how long?" I muttered, crossing my arms. "You said it yourself — the rogues know where I am now. What's stopping them from trying again?"

Kade hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "That's what we're trying to figure out," he said. "The patrols are doubled, and Alpha Marcus has trackers searching the borders. If they come back, they won't make it far."

I wanted to believe him, but the fear still lingered. "But why me?" I asked. "What do they want?"

"I don't know," Kade admitted. "But we'll find out."

His confidence should have been reassuring, but doubt still gnawed at me.

---

Later that afternoon, Alpha Marcus called a meeting in his office.

I sat on a leather chair while Kade stood beside me like a personal bodyguard. The room smelled like old books and leather, and a large map of the pack's territory covered the wall behind the Alpha's desk.

"We questioned the rogue," Alpha Marcus said, his voice grim. "He didn't tell us much... but he did say one thing before he passed out."

My stomach tightened. "What did he say?"

The Alpha's gaze locked on mine.

"He called you the Lost One."

"The... what?" I repeated, confused.

"The Lost One," Alpha Marcus said. "That's all he said. But whatever it means... it's important."

I shook my head. "I've never heard that before."

"I have," Kade said suddenly.

Everyone turned to him.

"It's an old legend," Kade explained. "I thought it was just a story — something the elders used to tell when I was a kid."

"What legend?" I asked.

Kade crossed his arms. "The Lost One was supposed to be someone special... someone tied to an ancient bloodline. The story says this person is powerful — more powerful than even an Alpha — but their power is hidden until the right moment."

"Powerful?" I repeated, nearly laughing. "I'm not powerful."

Kade didn't smile. "Maybe not yet."

"You think she's some kind of chosen one?" Alpha Marcus asked skeptically.

"I don't know," Kade admitted. "But the rogues clearly believe she is."

The Alpha tapped his fingers on his desk. "We need answers," he said. "I'll send scouts to search for anyone who knows more about this 'Lost One.'"

"Meanwhile," Kade added, "I'm not leaving Aria's side."

---

For the next few days, life felt like a prison.

I couldn't go anywhere alone — not even to the kitchen. Kade stuck to me like glue, his sharp eyes scanning every shadow.

At night, I barely slept. Every creak of the floor made me jolt awake, heart pounding. I knew the guards were outside my door... but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

On the fourth day, I finally snapped.

"I can't stay locked inside forever!" I argued, pacing my room.

"You're not safe out there," Kade reminded me.

"But I'm not safe in here either!" I shot back. "Those rogues already got inside once!"

Kade sighed heavily. "I know this is hard... but I can't lose you."

His voice was quieter now, and when I looked at him, I realized there was something deeper beneath his frustration — worry.

"Please," Kade said. "Just hang on a little longer."

I sighed in defeat. "Fine."

---

That night, I woke to a cold breeze on my face.

My window was open.

My breath caught in my throat. I swore I'd locked it before bed.

I crept out of bed and slowly reached for the window. The night air chilled my skin as I peered outside.

A shadow shifted near the trees.

My blood turned cold.

They're here.

I turned to run for the door — but before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.

"Don't fight," a deep voice growled in my ear.

I thrashed wildly, twisting and kicking, but the rogue's grip tightened.

"Let her go!"

Kade's furious roar shook the room, and a blur of movement shot past me.

The rogue grunted in pain as Kade tackled him to the floor. I stumbled back, gasping for air.

"Get behind me!" Kade ordered.

I obeyed without question, watching in terror as the two men fought. The rogue slashed out, claws raking across Kade's side. Kade snarled and shifted halfway, his fangs and claws extending as he pinned the rogue down.

"Who sent you?" Kade growled. "Why are you after her?"

The rogue grinned wickedly, blood trickling from his mouth. "The Lost One won't stay hidden forever," he rasped. "He's coming for her... and when he finds her... she'll die."

With a sickening crack, the rogue twisted his own neck before Kade could stop him. His lifeless body went limp.

"No," Kade muttered, standing slowly. "No, no, no..."

"What did he mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Who's coming for me?"

Kade turned, his face grim. "I don't know," he said. "But whoever it is... they won't stop."

I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself.

Somewhere out there, someone dangerous wanted me dead — and the worst part was...

I still didn't know why.

The room felt colder than before, like the air itself had absorbed the rogue's chilling words.

"He's coming for her..."

Those words echoed in my mind, gnawing at my thoughts like sharp claws.

Kade stood frozen, staring at the rogue's lifeless body. His breathing was ragged, and blood still dripped from the claw marks across his side.

"We need to get out of here," Kade said finally. "Now."

He grabbed my arm, his fingers tense but gentle.

"But—" I stammered. "Shouldn't we tell Alpha Marcus? He needs to know what the rogue said!"

"We will," Kade promised, "but this house isn't safe anymore." He glanced at the broken window. "If one of them made it inside, more could be close."

He was right. I swallowed hard and nodded.

---

The walk through the darkened halls was nerve-wracking. Every shadow felt like a threat. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure anyone nearby could hear it.

Two guards stood by the front door, their faces grim.

"Don't leave her side," Kade ordered them. "I'll be right back."

"Wait," I said, grabbing his arm. "Where are you going?"

"I have to tell the Alpha what happened." Kade's eyes locked onto mine. "Stay with these guards. Don't go anywhere."

I didn't want him to leave, but I knew he had no choice.

"I'll be back," he promised again. Then he was gone, disappearing down the hall.

---

Minutes dragged by like hours.

I stood near the guards, shifting nervously from foot to foot. The house was eerily quiet, too quiet for comfort.

CRACK!

The sound came from somewhere outside — like a branch snapping underfoot.

"Did you hear that?" I whispered.

One of the guards nodded, moving to peek through the window.

"It's probably just a patrol," he muttered.

But when he turned back, his face was pale.

"Get back!" he barked, drawing his knife.

The second guard barely had time to react before the front door exploded inward.

Two rogues rushed inside, their eyes glowing yellow and their teeth bared in vicious snarls.

"Aria, run!" one of the guards shouted.

I stumbled back, but one of the rogues grabbed my arm. His grip was like iron, fingers biting into my skin.

"Let me go!" I screamed, twisting and kicking.

The second guard tackled the rogue holding me, forcing him back. The two men crashed to the floor, snarling and grappling like wild animals.

The second rogue lunged toward me.

I turned and bolted down the hallway, heart racing. Behind me, I heard the guards fighting — grunts of pain, growls, and the sickening sound of fists meeting flesh.

Where do I go?

I dashed upstairs, my mind spinning. I needed somewhere to hide — somewhere safe.

The study!

I remembered the heavy oak desk in the Alpha's study — big enough to crawl under. I sprinted inside and dove beneath it, curling into a ball.

Footsteps thundered up the stairs.

The rogue's voice was low and mocking. "You can't hide forever..."

I pressed my hand over my mouth to keep from gasping.

The rogue's footsteps grew closer. The floor creaked as he walked into the room.

"Come out," he snarled. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Please... please... please...

Suddenly, a deafening snarl erupted from the doorway.

Kade.

The rogue yelped in surprise, but his cry was cut short as Kade slammed into him with brutal force. The rogue hit the wall so hard the plaster cracked.

"Don't touch her!" Kade roared, his voice distorted by his half-shifted form.

The rogue tried to crawl away, but Kade grabbed him and drove his fist into the rogue's face. Blood sprayed across the floor.

I scrambled out from under the desk, heart pounding. "Kade!"

He turned, his face still twisted with rage, his golden eyes glowing fiercely. His breathing was heavy, and blood smeared his knuckles.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"I... I think so."

The rogue groaned weakly.

Kade grabbed him by the collar, dragging him to his feet. "Tell me who sent you," he growled. "Or I'll rip your throat out right now."

The rogue coughed, spitting blood onto the floor. His face twisted into a crooked smile.

"He's coming," the rogue rasped. "The Blood Alpha... he's coming for her."

Before Kade could question him further, the rogue's body convulsed violently. His eyes rolled back, and a dark foam dripped from his mouth.

"He poisoned himself," Kade muttered darkly, letting the body drop to the floor.

"The Blood Alpha..." I whispered. "Who is that?"

Kade's face darkened. "I don't know," he said. "But if someone like that wants you..."

His fingers brushed against mine, and I realized his hand was trembling slightly.

"We'll find out," he promised. "And whatever he's planning... we'll stop him."

I clung to his words, but deep down, fear still

gnawed at me.

Whoever the Blood Alpha was, one thing was clear:

He wasn't just after me.

He wanted me dead.