Chapter Forty Eight
Damien’s POV
We escorted Eve back to the pack house, Damon stayed close on her left while I flanked her right. My wolf was on edge, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger.
Eve’s words echoed in my mind. I’ve got power, and I need to learn to harness it.
I glanced at her as we stepped into the pack house, the firelight from the hearth casting flickering shadows across her face. She was acting strong, as the faint tremor in her hand didn’t escape my notice. She was shaken, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
“Eve.” I said as we reached the privacy of the study, with Damon guiding Eve to the couch.
She folded her arms, her gaze meeting mine, “I know what you’re going to say, Damien. But I can’t keep pretending this isn’t happening.”
I leaned against the desk, running a hand through my hair. “I’m not asking you to pretend. I’m asking you to be cautious. Whoever—or whatever—that thing was, it’s powerful. You felt it, didn’t you?”
Eve nodded slowly, her voice quieter now. “Yes, and it’s tied to me somehow. I can’t just sit back and let it keep hunting me and kill those who are dear to me. It has caused the death of how many, two? three?”
I pushed off the desk, my jaw tightening at her words. “Eve, this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about you. That thing is targeting you because of who you are. If you rush into this without understanding your power, it could cost you your life and ours.”
Damon, who had been unusually quiet, stepped in. “He’s not wrong, Eve. We’re not saying don’t fight. Hell, you’re braver than half the pack combined. But this is a game of strategy, not brute force.”
Eve’s shoulders slumped slightly, though her defiance didn’t waver. “And what do you suggest I do? Sit around while more people die? While that thing grows stronger?”
“No,” I said firmly. “We meet with Elder Thorne to know more on our enemies. We should make him aware of current developments.” he continued.
Eve tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied me. “Elder Thorne? Do you really think he’ll give us any useful information? He’s always been cryptic, even when lives are on the line.”
“He has his reasons,” I replied, keeping my tone steady. “And if anyone knows the truth about the Moon Goddess’s lineage—or what’s hunting you—it’s him. We can’t afford to leave any stone unturned.”
Damon leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Eve, he’s not wrong. Thorne’s been around longer than anyone else in the pack. If there’s a piece of this puzzle we’re missing, he’ll have it. And if he doesn’t want to share…” Damon’s wolf glinted in his eyes as he growled. “We’ll make him.”
Eve exhaled sharply, “Fine. We’ll meet with him, but if he starts talking in riddles again, I’m not wasting my time.”
“You won’t have to,” I assured her. “Damon and I will handle him. Your focus should be on regaining your strength and preparing for what’s to come.”
Eve hesitated, then gave a curt nod. “Alright. When do we leave?”
“Tomorrow,” Damon said. “First light. The sooner we get answers, the better.”
Eve stood, her resolve hardening. “Good. Because I’m done being in the dark.”
As she left the study, her steps more determined than before, Damon let out a low whistle. “She’s a fighter, I’ll give her that.”
“She is,” I agreed, my voice quieter now that we were alone. “But she’s also carrying more than she should. We need to be ready, Damon. It's interesting whatever that thing is has not killed us yet, and it's just a matter of time.”
Damon’s expression turned serious as he leaned against the back of the couch, his arms crossed. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that too. It had a chance to take one of us out tonight—hell, maybe all of us—but it didn’t. It’s like it’s toying with her.”
I nodded, pacing to the window and gazing out into the dark forest. My wolf growled low in my chest, uneasy at the thought. “It’s deliberate. It’s not just about killing her; it’s about breaking her spirit first. Whatever this thing is, it’s smart, Damon.
Eve’s not just any wolf. She’s connected to the Moon Goddess herself. If someone knows that, if they’re targeting her specifically, then this could be about power, revenge, maybe even a challenge to the Goddess’s authority.” I said.
Damon clenched his fists, his wolf flashing in his eyes again. “If that’s true, we’re dealing with more than a monster in the woods.”
“And Eve is the key,” I said grimly. “Which means we have to protect her at all costs.”
Damon stepped closer, his tone shifting into something darker. “You know what this means, right? If Elder Thorne doesn’t give us what we need, we might have to look elsewhere. We might even have to step outside the pack’s borders.”
My jaw tightened at the thought. Leaving the pack meant stepping into dangerous, uncharted territory, but if it meant finding answers, it might be our only option. “We’ll cross that bridge if we have to. For now, we focus on Elder Thorne and what he knows. If he’s hiding something, we’ll get it out of him—one way or another.”
Damon nodded, his wolf practically vibrating with pent-up energy. “And Eve?”
“We keep her close,” I said firmly. “She’s strong, but she cannot face it alone.” I allowed a faint smile to tug at my lips. “She can hate it all she wants, as long as she’s safe.”
After a moment, Damon spoke, his voice low. “Whatever this thing is, Damien, we’ll tear it apart. For her.”
“For her,” I agreed, a vow solidifying in my chest. “And for us.”