Finding a wounded human

The battle was over, the last of the Blood Moon rogues having retreated or lay defeated at the feet of the Nightshade Pack's warriors. Kieran stood at the edge of the cliff, staring out at the churning waters below. The moon's reflection shimmered on the surface, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. His thoughts were a maelstrom of fury and frustration. The rogue attacks were becoming too frequent, and the pressure from his pack to find a Luna was unrelenting. Tonight's skirmish was just another reminder of the challenges stacking up against him.

Behind him, Lucas and Garrick stood in respectful silence, waiting for their Alpha to give the next command. Kieran's eyes remained fixed on the water, searching for answers that he knew wouldn't be found in its depths. He clenched his fists, feeling the cool night air against his skin as his wolf, Fenrir, growled softly in his mind.

"I can't keep doing this," Kieran muttered, more to himself than to his Beta and Gamma. The constant fighting, the demands, the endless expectations—it was all weighing on him.

As he turned away from the cliff's edge, ready to leave the scene of the battle behind, a sharp scent suddenly hit his nose, cutting through the usual smells of the forest and the lingering stench of rogue blood. It was iron-rich, potent, but distinctly human—a scent that had no place in his pack's territory.

Kieran froze, his senses going on high alert. "Do you smell that?" he asked, his voice low and edged with suspicion.

Lucas and Garrick exchanged glances before sniffing the air. Lucas's eyes narrowed, and Garrick frowned, both of them recognizing the unusual scent.

"It's human," Garrick confirmed, his tone filled with concern. "But why would a human be out here, and in this condition?"

Kieran's wolf, Fenrir, growled again, this time with a hint of intrigue. She's different, Fenrir noted, his voice echoing in Kieran's mind. She's beautiful, even like this.

Kieran's eyes widened in surprise. Fenrir was notorious for his ruthless nature and indifference toward others, especially humans. Never had he shown interest in anyone's appearance, let alone complimented a woman. For Fenrir to take notice meant something was amiss.

Following the scent, Kieran moved through the trees with a predatory grace, his steps silent and deliberate. The smell grew stronger, leading him to a clearing near the cliff's edge. There, sprawled on the ground, lay an unconscious girl, her body battered and broken, her clothes torn and soaked in blood. The moonlight cast a faint glow over her, highlighting the mess of her tangled hair and the bruises marring her pale skin.

Kieran's breath hitched as he took in the sight before him. She was covered in scars, fresh wounds mingling with old, and the dirt and grime clung to her like a second skin. Yet beneath all the blood and filth, there was something striking about her—a fragile beauty that made Fenrir's comment ring true.

"What the hell happened to her?" Lucas muttered, stepping closer but keeping a wary distance. "Do you think she's a trap?"

Kieran's mind raced, battling between the urge to protect his pack and the inexplicable pull he felt toward the girl. It wasn't just curiosity or pity; it was something stronger, something primal that he couldn't quite place. He could sense no threat from her, only pain and suffering etched into every inch of her small frame.

Fenrir growled, low and protective, a side of him Kieran hadn't seen before. She's hurt. We can't leave her like this.

Kieran's jaw tightened as he fought against his own instincts. This could very well be a trap orchestrated by the Blood Moon Pack, a way to infiltrate his territory under the guise of a wounded human. But as he looked closer at the girl's scars and the haunted expression that lingered even in unconsciousness, he felt a flicker of anger stir within him—anger at whoever had done this to her.

"Alpha, we need to be careful," Lucas warned, his hand resting on the hilt of his knife. "She could be dangerous."

Kieran ignored him, his focus solely on the girl. Without another word, he crouched down and gently scooped her up into his arms. She was surprisingly light, her body limp against his chest as he cradled her close. The scent of her blood filled his senses, but beneath it, he caught a faint trace of something else—something that called to him in a way he couldn't understand.

"Kieran, are you sure about this?" Garrick asked, concern lacing his voice as he watched his Alpha's unexpected actions.

"I don't know why," Kieran admitted, his voice gruff and tinged with confusion. "But I can't just leave her here. She's not a threat, not like this. And if she's connected to the Blood Moon Pack, I need to find out how."

Lucas and Garrick exchanged uneasy glances, but they knew better than to question their Alpha when he made up his mind. With the girl cradled securely in his arms, Kieran turned away from the cliff, his strides purposeful as he made his way back toward the pack house.

"We're taking her to the healer," Kieran ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. "She needs to be treated immediately."

As they walked, Kieran could feel the weight of the girl against him, her shallow breaths barely audible. His mind raced with questions—Who was she? How had she ended up in Nightshade territory? And why, of all people, did he feel compelled to protect her?

Fenrir stirred again, his voice soft and thoughtful. She's not our mate, but there's something… familiar. We need to keep her safe.

Kieran didn't respond, but the determination in his steps only grew stronger. Whatever the reasons, he couldn't shake the feeling that this girl was important—that saving her was not just an act of mercy, but a decision that would alter the course of his life and his pack's future.

As they reached the pack healer's house, Kieran pushed open the door with his shoulder, stepping inside with a resolute expression. The healer, an elderly wolf named Agnes, looked up in surprise as Kieran laid the girl gently on one of the cots.

"Alpha, what is—" Agnes began, but Kieran cut her off with a curt nod.

"She's hurt badly. Do whatever you can to save her," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "I'll deal with the rest."

Agnes nodded, already moving to gather supplies as Lucas and Garrick lingered near the doorway, still on edge. Kieran stayed by the girl's side, his eyes fixed on her pale face as Agnes worked quickly and efficiently.

He didn't know who she was or why she had ended up on his pack's land, but he was certain of one thing—he would find out, and no matter the cost, he would protect her. Whether it was a twist of fate or simply his wolf's instincts, Kieran couldn't deny the connection he felt. And as the girl's breathing steadied under Agnes's care, he silently vowed to uncover the truth behind the mysterious human who had wandered into his world.