Chapter 64 Luca
The forest had always felt alive at night but tonight it felt like it was holding its breath. Rafe was ahead telepathically nudging me with subtle warnings. I didn’t need him to tell me. The hairs on my neck stood on end, my wolf in me twisting impatiently against restraint. The scent of danger was thick, but I didn’t know yet where it came from or what shape it would take.
Then I saw a flash of movement. My body reacted before my mind even caught up. I leapt, dodging a clawed swipe that could have ended me in an instant. The rogue wolf lunged again, teeth bared, and eyes glowing with feral hunger.
Rafe’s voice was loud in my head. Watch its left flank, Luca. It’s distracted by your scent.
I shifted my weight, pivoting as the rogue lunged once more and could feel the pull beneath my skin, my wolf scratching to break free. If I shifted now, I’d gain speed and strength but exposure could cost me everything.
I dodged again, twisting around a tree and narrowly avoiding a second attack. I knew I had to control it, had to stay human long even though every fiber of my being wanted to take over. But I held my jaw and forced myself back.
The rogue wolf snarled circling me like a predator testing prey. As I caught the silvered edge glinting in its collar, I realized the hunter had trained it and was orchestrating this.
Rafe’s thought reached me again, insistent. You can’t shift here.
I gritted my teeth and sprang sideways, landing heavily on a mossy root. My mind raced, calculating angles, and escape routes. The forest blurred around me and for a moment I almost lost control. My wolf growled, deep and low, hunger and frustration mixing into a dangerous thing.
I lunged, grabbing the rogue by its collar and twisting. It yipped and its teeth grazed my arm. Pain bloomed but I ignored it. One sharp elbow jab, and the wolf stumbled back, landing awkwardly in the underbrush. I didn’t wait. I sprinted, dragging it toward the trapper’s line Rafe had scouted.
In the blink of an eye, it was contained, snarling and struggling against the cage we’d set. My breath came in ragged bursts, sweat stinging my eyes, muscles trembling from the adrenaline surge.
You okay? Rafe’s voice was calm. You’re bleeding.
I checked quickly. A shallow gash across my side. I’m fine, it’ll heal. I replied, though even I could feel the ache.
I moved back toward the edge of the forest and when I finally emerged near the old clearing, I saw Lila waiting, arms crossed and brows raised in that familiar, impatient way. “You’re late,” she said flatly. “And you look like hell. Did you actually fight a bear or something?”
I forced a laugh, brushing off her comment. “Always so dramatic.”
Lila’s eyes narrowed. “Cut it out, Luca. I can see that you’re bleeding. Don’t even think about hiding it from me.”
I held up a hand, palm forward. “It’s nothing serious. Just a scratch and I can handle it.”
She stepped closer, clearly unconvinced, and jabbed a finger at my side. “You’re not handling anything if you’re lying to me. I can tell.”
I sighed, knowing this wasn’t going to end quietly. Lila had always had a way of seeing through me. “I said I’m fine. Really.”
She didn’t move. “No. You’re not fine. And don’t think you can intimidate me. Now tell me what happened, or I’m dragging you to the pack doctor myself.”
I rubbed my temples, willing patience into existence. “It was a rogue wolf. The hunter sent it and that’s all you need to know.”
Lila’s eyes narrowed further. “All I need to know is that you’re not telling me everything. And I’m not letting it go.”
I shook my head, suppressing the sharp edge of my wolf’s irritation. Lila didn’t understand yet that even the smallest detail could put her at risk. “You don’t need to know. Just trust me.”
Lila crossed her arms again, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips despite the anger in her eyes. “Trust you? After disappearing into the forest and coming back looking like a mess? Nope, not happening.”
I groaned inwardly. Sometimes dealing with Lila was harder than facing a rogue wolf. “I’m telling you, it’s nothing that can’t be managed.”
Her gaze didn’t soften. “You think I’m buying that? You’re not invincible. You’re reckless and you don’t get to lie to me.”
I clenched my jaw. “I didn’t lie.”
Lila huffed, clearly unimpressed. “You’re human enough to bleed, Luca, and if you don’t admit you got hurt, I’m going to make you.”
Her stubbornness made my lips twitch. “You’d really do that?”
“Wouldn’t hesitate,” she said, her tone almost playful beneath the edge. “You’re lucky I like you enough not to tear your head off. But don’t think I won’t call you out when you’re being stupid.”
I allowed a small grin. “Noted. I’ll try to behave.”
She smirked, satisfied with the admission, though I knew it was temporary. Lila never let anything go. “You better and don’t even think about going anywhere without letting someone know next time. I’m watching, Luca.”
I rubbed my side subtly. “Noted, Lieutenant Lila.”
She rolled her eyes but there was a faint twitch in her lips that told me she was secretly relieved I’d made it back. “Don’t ever make me worry like that again.”
I nodded, exhaustion threading through every muscle. “I’ll try.”
Rafe’s voice pulsed in my head again. Close call. You need to heal fast and watch yourself.
I nodded internally. The night’s danger hadn’t ended, but at least I’d survived and more importantly, I’d kept it hidden where it mattered. The hunter was out there and the rogue wolf had been contained, but we were still standing and still a step ahead, even if barely.
And sometimes, in this life, that was enough.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
Okay, you guys, this one had me on the edge of my seat. Luca barely making it through that forest confrontation? I wanted you to feel it—the fear and adrenaline. And yes, Lila’s sass and stubbornness is fully in play—someone had to keep him grounded (and honest). This chapter is all about survival and the messy human side of being a werewolf. Comment below if you’re team “Lila knows best”? 💥