Chapter 96 Home Doesn’t Mean Safe
Sable’s POV
The moment I stepped out of the SUV, the air hit different.
It wrapped around me like it recognized me
.
My wolf surged forward, stronger than she had been in weeks, stretching beneath my skin like she was waking up from a long, restless sleep.
Home, she whispered again.
I didn’t answer.
Because home wasn’t supposed to feel like this.
The pack house stood exactly the same, large, sturdy, and carved into the edge of the forest like it belonged there more than anything else. Nothing had changed.
The front doors opened before we could even reach them.
My breath caught.
“Mom…”
She didn’t hesitate.
She ran to me, pulling me into her arms so tightly it almost knocked the air out of my lungs. I clung to her just as hard, burying my face into her shoulder like I was a child again.
“You’re alive,” she whispered, voice shaking. “Oh my baby, you’re alive.”
“I’m okay,” I murmured, even though my throat felt tight. “I’m okay.”
She pulled back just enough to look at me, hands framing my face like she needed to make sure I was real.
“You look thin,” she said immediately. “And tired. And...”
“Mom,” I laughed softly. “I’m fine.”
“Mm,” she hummed, clearly not convinced.
Another presence stepped forward.
“Sable.”
I turned.
Kier’s mother stood there, elegant and composed, but her eyes were soft in a way I hadn’t seen since I was younger. Since before everything changed.
Before I left.
She reached for me, pulling me into a hug that was just as warm but more controlled.
“It’s good to have you home,” she said gently.
The word home hit again.
I swallowed. “It’s good to see you.”
She pulled back, studying me carefully. Then her gaze flicked briefly to Kier, something unreadable passing between them.
“You made it back safely,” she said.
“I said I would,” Kier replied.
A shadow passed over her expression, but she smoothed it quickly. “Your fathers are out on patrol,” she said. “They picked up a rogue trail earlier this morning.”
Jaxon straightened. “Close?”
“Too close,” she replied.
Kier’s entire demeanor shifted.
I felt it instantly.
The Alpha in him.
“I’ll go,” he said.
I blinked. “Kier..,”
He turned to me, already pulling his shirt over his head. “I need to make sure it’s nothing serious.”
“We just got here,” I said, my chest tightening.
“And I’ll come right back,” he promised.
Jaxon was already moving, stripping down with him. “We’ll check it out and be right back.”
My stomach twisted.
Kier stepped in front of me, hands cupping my face. “Hey.”
“I don’t like this,” I admitted.
His gaze softened. “I know. But this is what we do.”
That didn’t make it better.
He leaned down, pressing his forehead briefly to mine. “Stay here. With them. I’ll be back before you know it.”
I nodded, even though everything in me wanted to tell him not to go.
He pulled back, then without another word, he shifted.
The change was fast, bones snapping, body stretching, and fur replacing skin.
The massive black wolf that stood where Kier had been let out a low, powerful breath.
Jaxon followed beside him, his own wolf just as strong.
They didn’t hesitate.
They took off into the forest, disappearing between the trees like shadows.
And just like that he was gone.
“Come,” my mom said gently, resting a hand on my back. “Let’s get you settled.”
I let them guide me inside.
The pack house smelled the same, wood smoke, earth, something familiar and grounding. My chest tightened as memories flickered through my mind. A life I had walked away from.
They led me upstairs, past rooms I hadn’t seen in years, until we reached one I knew without needing to look.
It was Kier’s room and it hadn’t changed much.
“You can rest here,” his mother said. “You need it.”
“I’m okay,” I started.
“You’re resting,” my mom cut in firmly.
I smiled faintly. “Yes, ma’am.”
They lingered for a moment longer, fussing in quiet ways, before finally leaving me alone.
I sat on the edge of the bed, exhaling slowly.
Everything felt… off.
Too much at once.
I lay back, staring at the ceiling.
“I’m just going to close my eyes for a minute,” I murmured.
My wolf stirred, uneasy.
But exhaustion pulled me under before I could question it.
The dream started soft. Me and Kier were back in the woods, younger, faster, stronger. Running side by side, the wind cutting through us.
“You’re not keeping up,” he teased.
“I’m letting you think you’re winning,” I shot back.
He grinned, that same grin that always got under my skin.
Then—
The forest shifted.
Darkened.
The air turned sharp.
I stopped.
“Kier?” I called.
He was ahead of me now.
Too far.
Turning back toward me.
And then something lunged from the shadows.
I screamed.
“KIER!”
My eyes snapped open.
My heart was racing, breath coming fast and uneven.
For a second, I didn’t know where I was.
Then the scent hit me.
Wolves.
My body went still.
Slowly, I sat up.
And that’s when I saw them.
Warriors.
Lining the room.
Blocking the door.
Watching me.
My stomach dropped.
One of them stepped forward.
“By order of the council,” he said coldly, “you are to come with us.”
My pulse thundered in my ears.
Kier wasn’t here.
And suddenly—
I knew.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
This was a setup.