Eyes in The Dark II

Kael gestured toward a log bench. "You can sit, if you'd like."

She sat.

He remained standing, arms folded. His gaze scanned the pack.

"There's always someone watching," he said quietly.

"Watching me?" she asked.

"Watching us."

Selene met his eyes. "Should I be worried?"

Kael looked at her for a long moment. "I should be the one asking you that."

Before she could respond, a sharp whistle cut through the air. A man stepped forward from the crowd and lifted a long wooden staff. It was carved with symbols and topped with silver.

The music stopped.

"Tonight, we light the moonfire for strength," the man said loudly. "For peace. For the bonds we protect."

Everyone grew still.

The man lowered his staff and dipped it into the fire. Flames danced along its length, then dimmed to a blue glow.

He turned and held it toward Kael.

Kael took it without hesitation and stepped into the center of the circle.

"For BloodMoon," he said. "For unity. For the ones we've lost and the ones who remain."

He thrust the staff into the fire. The flames roared higher, turning blue for a brief moment before settling into gold again.

The crowd howled in response, voices echoing into the trees.

Selene didn't move. But something inside her stirred.

It was raw. Powerful.

Not the mate bond. Something else.

Belonging.

It scared her.

The celebration began again. People laughed. Drums beat in the background. Food was passed around.

Kael returned to her side. "You're quiet."

"I'm watching."

"Do you always watch from the shadows?"

She met his gaze. "Someone has to."

He leaned a little closer. "And if I told you the shadows here belong to me?"

Selene didn't blink. "Then I'd say you need better lighting."

Kael laughed softly. The sound was deep and unexpected.

"I forgot how sharp rogues are," he said.

"I'm not just a rogue," she replied.

He gave her a long look. "No. You're not."

Selene stood. "I need air."

Kael didn't stop her. But she felt his eyes follow her as she slipped between the trees.

She walked until the fire faded behind her and the forest wrapped around her like a cloak.

She reached for her crystal again.

"Reporting in," she whispered. "Alpha is getting close. Mission is progressing."

The crystal buzzed once in response.

Then she heard it.

A crack.

A snap.

Footsteps.

Not Kael's.

She turned fast and crouched low. Her blade was in her hand in seconds.

But when the figure stepped into view, it wasn't a threat.

It was a boy. No older than twelve.

He froze when he saw her, his hands raised.

"Don't hurt me," he said.

Selene lowered the blade. "Why are you following me?"

"I wasn't. I just wanted to see the moonfire from the ridge."

He looked nervous. Not lying.

"Go back," she said. "Before someone notices you're gone."

He nodded fast and ran off.

Selene stayed where she was, blade still in hand.

Because someone had been following her.

And it hadn't been that boy.