Chapter 192 192

Chapter 192 192
Alyna was worried to the point where she could barely breathe properly.

Hours had passed since Asher left for Xander’s territory, yet no one had returned with any information. The uncertainty was slowly eating her alive.

The hideout where the women and children were sheltered was deep within the woods, hidden carefully between thick cliffs and ancient trees. It was a place known only to trusted members of the pack. From outside, it looked like nothing more than abandoned rocks covered in vines.

Still, Alyna did not feel safe.

Not anymore.

The air itself felt heavy with danger.

Several women tried to remain calm for the sake of the children, but the fear in their eyes was impossible to hide. Supplies were limited, and they were managing carefully with whatever food and water they had brought in haste.

No one complained.

Everyone understood the seriousness of the situation.

Leo slept peacefully beside Alyna, completely unaware of the chaos surrounding them. His tiny hand rested against her arm while he breathed softly in his sleep.

Looking at him made Alyna’s chest tighten painfully.

She gently brushed his hair away from his forehead and stared at him for a long moment.

Her son trusted her completely.

And yet she felt utterly helpless.

The entire day passed in agonizing silence.

Again and again, Alyna walked toward the small opening near the entrance of the hideout, hoping to spot familiar faces approaching through the woods.

But no one came.

Not Asher.

Not Ryan.

Not even a messenger.

Every passing hour only worsened the anxiety clawing inside her.

Her mind continuously imagined terrible possibilities.

What if Sarmon attacked Asher too?

What if Xander’s pack had completely fallen?

What if this was the beginning of the vision she feared most?

Alyna shut her eyes tightly.

No.

She could not think like that.

She had to remain calm for Leo.

Still, her instincts screamed at her to leave this place immediately and search for Asher herself.

Every fiber inside her wanted to run toward him.

But she remembered his words clearly.

Protect Leo.

Listen to me at least this one time.

That was the only reason she remained.

Night eventually covered the forest in darkness.

One by one, exhaustion forced the others into sleep. The children rested close to their mothers while guards remained stationed quietly near the entrance.

But Alyna could not sleep at all.

She sat awake beside Leo, staring blankly into the darkness while unease twisted violently inside her chest.

Then suddenly—

A sound.

A footstep.

Very faint.

But unmistakable.

Alyna immediately froze.

Her wolf Vivi stirred alertly inside her.

Someone was outside.

At first, hope flashed inside her mind.

Perhaps it was Asher.

Or Ryan.

Maybe they finally came with news.

Carefully, Alyna stood up without waking Leo and slowly slipped outside the hideout.

Cold night air brushed against her skin as she followed the sound deeper between the trees.

The forest was eerily quiet.

Too quiet.

Then she saw him.

A man stood between the shadows beneath the moonlight.

The moment Alyna looked at him, fear immediately settled inside her.

He was unfamiliar.

Completely alien to their land.

Tall and intimidating, with dark clothing stained from travel and battle. His presence alone carried something terrifyingly unnatural.

His eyes locked onto hers instantly.

Alyna instinctively stepped backward.

Every instinct screamed that coming outside had been a mistake.

The stranger calmly took one step closer.

“Don’t run.”

His voice was low and assertive, carrying quiet danger.

Alyna stumbled slightly.

Something about him felt wrong.

Not like ordinary wolves.

Not like anyone she had ever met before.

Her heart began pounding violently.

The man continued staring at her carefully, almost as if he had finally found something precious after a long search.

“You’re the one I’ve been searching for.”

Confusion flashed across Alyna’s face immediately.

“What?”

“You misunderstood,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “I think you have the wrong person.”

Fear crawled under her skin now.

Without waiting further, Alyna immediately turned to run back toward the hideout.

But before she could move more than a few steps, the man appeared directly in front of her, blocking her path effortlessly.

Alyna gasped softly and stepped back again.

The stranger’s expression darkened slightly.

“If you don’t listen to me,” he said calmly, “I’ll kill everyone inside that hideout.”

Alyna’s blood turned cold instantly.

Her eyes widened in horror.

Leo.

The women.

The children.

Every protective instinct inside her exploded violently.

She stared at him speechlessly, trying to understand why he was targeting her specifically.

Why her?

Who was this man?

And how did he even find this hidden place?

The stranger slowly tilted his head while observing her reaction.

“Yes,” he said quietly, almost as though confirming something to himself. “It really is you.”

Alyna’s breathing became uneven.

For the first time in a long while…

She truly felt danger standing directly before her.