Chapter 14 Chapter 14

Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Chapter 14

Nova’s POV

Alaric woke me before dawn, his hand gentle on my shoulder, voice low and rough with exhaustion.
“Get up. We’re going out.”

I blinked, still half-lost in sleep. “Now?”

“Yeah.” He was already dressed, boots on, coat hanging open, knife strapped to his belt. He looked restless, like the walls of the cabin had become a cage. “I need to clear my head. You need air too. Come with me.”

I sat up and rubbed my eyes. Without another word I pulled on my boots, threw one of his old shirts over my tunic, and grabbed a cloak. He waited by the door, watching me. When I was ready he took my hand, fingers lacing tightly through mine, and pulled me out into the cold morning air.

The settlement was still mostly dark. A few cabin windows glowed faintly. Guards moved like shadows along the ridge. We slipped past the outer line without anyone stopping us. Alaric gave one nod to the sentry on duty. The man nodded back but said nothing.

We walked east, past the last houses and deeper into the trees. The forest smelled of damp earth and pine, the air sharp enough to burn my lungs with every breath. He didn’t speak at first. He just held my hand, grip firm like he needed the anchor.

After nearly a mile he slowed and glanced over at me.
“Run with me?”

I nodded.

We started slow, then picked up speed. Our feet hit the dirt path in rhythm. Breath came quicker. Wind whipped across my face. His hand slipped from mine as we ran side by side, matching each other stride for stride. Branches whipped past. Leaves crunched beneath our boots.

Inside me, Alia stirred, suddenly awake and eager.
Finally, she said. Let me out. Let me run.

The pull grew stronger. Bones hummed. Skin prickled with the coming shift.

I looked at Alaric. He caught my eye and gave one short nod.

We shifted mid-stride.

Fur rippled over skin. Bones rearranged with familiar pops. I dropped to four paws, silver-grey coat gleaming, the old scar still cutting over my left eye. Beside me, Alaric became a massive black wolf, green eyes glowing in the darkness. He was bigger, stronger. He bumped my shoulder once, playful but protective.

We ran harder now. Wolves. Truly free. The forest blurred around us. Paws pounded the earth. Alia took over more fully, instincts sharp. Every scent hit me like a wave — pine, distant deer, faint smoke, and Alaric’s scent strongest of all. Pine, heat, and something deeply, undeniably him.

He runs like he owns the ground, Alia said with clear approval. I like it.

I felt myself grin inside, tongue lolling, wind tearing past my ears.

Alaric pulled ahead slightly, glanced back with bright eyes, and chuffed once — a playful challenge.

I pushed harder, caught up, and nipped lightly at his flank. He growled low, not angry at all. Happy. Playful.

We ran until my legs burned and my lungs screamed for mercy. He slowed first, jogging to a stop in a small clearing where moonlight spilled through the trees, painting the grass silver.

We shifted back. Human again. Breathing hard. Sweat slick on our skin. Our clothes were half-torn from the violent change.

I bent over, hands on my knees, laughing breathlessly. The run had burned away some of the fear, if only for a moment.

Alaric laughed too — low and real. The first genuine laugh I had heard from him in days. It warmed something deep in my chest.

He stepped close, hands settling on my waist, and pulled me against him. I could feel his heartbeat racing, strong and alive. We stood there, breathing each other in. Sweat on his skin. Pine in his hair. My hands on his chest. His hands firm on my hips.

He leaned down and kissed me. Slow at first. Soft. Then deeper. His tongue brushed mine. I made a small sound in the back of my throat. He groaned low, hands sliding up my back, pressing me closer.

I kissed him back harder, hungrier. Fingers threading into his hair, tugging. He backed me up against a tree. Rough bark scraped my back. His body was warm and solid against mine. His mouth moved to my neck, teeth grazing, breath hot.

I arched into him, feeling him hard against my hip. Want flooded through me. I wanted more. Wanted everything.

Alia whispered inside, urgent. Take him. Claim him. Now.

I pulled back, forehead pressed to his, both of us breathing ragged.
“Not here,” I whispered, voice shaky. “Not like this. Not when we’re both running from everything.”

He nodded, chest still heaving. “I know.”

He kissed me once more — quick, firm, full of promise.

“Come on. Let’s head back.”

We started walking, hand in hand, slower now. The forest felt quieter around us. Moon high. Stars bright overhead.

Then I heard it.

A low rumble in the distance. Like thunder, but wrong. Not weather.

Alaric froze. His head snapped toward the sound.

Another rumble. Closer.

Then a horn — sharp, urgent, cutting through the night from the settlement.

His grip on my hand tightened almost painfully. “That’s an attack.”

My stomach dropped like a stone.

He looked at me, eyes wide with alarm. “Run.”

We ran.

Faster than before. Trees blurred. Branches snapped. Breath burned in my lungs. The bond pulled sharp between us, panicked, his fear bleeding straight into me.

Alia snarled inside. Faster. Protect him.

The settlement lights came into view. Torches flared everywhere. People were running. Shouts echoed. Steel clashed in the distance.

We burst through the treeline.

Warriors were already forming defensive lines. Arrows nocked. Kael stood on the ridge, yelling orders.

Alaric pulled me behind him instantly, knife drawn, body shielding mine.

I looked past him.

The eastern ridge was lit up with torches. Too many. Moving fast toward us.

Silverfang.

They were here.

And they were not stopping.

Alaric’s hand found mine again and squeezed hard.

“Stay behind me,” he said, voice rough with tension.

I nodded, heart hammering against my ribs.

The first howl rolled across the clearing, long and vicious.

Then the fighting started.

And everything went loud.