Chapter 52 The Hunt Begins

Chapter 52 The Hunt Begins
The forest still felt heavy even after Morgana disappeared, like her presence hadn’t fully left. Zoe stood quietly, staring at the space where the mist had vanished. Her body was still, but inside— Everything was shifting, her power, her thoughts, her past and now… her purpose.
“Zoe.” Zack’s voice pulled her back. She blinked, her silver eyes softening slightly as she turned toward him. “I’m okay,” she said before he could ask. Zack didn’t look convinced. “You don’t look okay.” Zoe let out a quiet breath. “I don’t feel… normal.” James snorted lightly. “Yeah, no kidding.” Zoe shot him a look. “Not helping.” He raised his hands.
“Just stating facts.” Despite everything, Zoe almost smiled. Zack stepped closer again, lowering his voice. “What she said… about the hybrid… about you hiding him.” Zoe stiffened slightly. “I heard it.” Zack studied her. “Do you remember anything?” Zoe hesitated. Fragments flickered again in her mind, fire, chains, a heartbeat that wasn’t human… or wolf and her own voice— “I won’t let them kill him.”
Zoe swallowed. “…No. Not clearly.” Zack’s jaw tightened “But something’s there.” Zoe nodded slowly. “It feels like… It’s buried. Not gone.” James frowned. “So, what now? We wait for the psycho witch to show up again?” Zoe shook her head. “No.” Her voice was firm now. “Not if we found him first.” That got everyone’s attention.

Zack crossed his arms. “You don’t even know who ‘him’ is.” Zoe met his gaze. “But I know I hid him.” James tilted his head. “And that helps us… How?” Zoe closed her eyes. “I think… I can feel it.” The moment she said it, the air shifted slightly. Zack stiffened. “You’re connected to him?” Zoe opened her eyes again. “I don’t know. But when she mentioned him… something pulled.”
Zack didn’t like that, not one bit. “That sounds like a trap.” Zoe stepped closer. “Or a clue.” Their eyes locked, and neither is backing down. James groaned. “Okay, before you two start a dominance stare-down, can we focus?” Zoe sighed softly. “He’s right.” Zack raised a brow. “That’s a first,” James smirked. “Don’t get used to it.”

Zoe ignored them both. “We don’t have time to sit and wait. If Morgana gets to him first—” “She breaks the barrier,” Zack finished grimly. “And then we’re all screwed,” Lucas added. Zoe nodded. “So, we move first. Zack ran a hand through his hair. “Even if we agree… where do we start?” Zoe hesitated. Then— “I think I need to go back.” Zack’s head snapped up. “Back where?” Zoe’s voice lowered. “Red Water.”

James blinked. “…Of course it’s Red Water.” Zack’s expression darkened. “No.” Zoe frowned. “No?” “You’re not going there alone.” Zoe crossed her arms. “I wasn’t planning to.” 

“Good,” Zack said. “Because I’m coming with you.” Zoe hesitated, then nodded. “Fine.” James pointed between them. “And I’m coming too.” Zoe raised a brow. “Why?” James scoffed. “Because you two together are a disaster waiting to happen.”

Zack growled, and James smirked. Zoe rolled her eyes. “Fine. You’re coming.” Within the hour, they were moving fast, with no delays and hesitation in sight. Zack had already given orders—double patrols, heightened security, and no one leaving or entering without clearance. If Morgana tried anything again, they would be ready.

The journey to the Red Water Pack was tense; the sky remained unnaturally dim, even as morning approached. Zoe sat in silence again, but this time, her eyes were focused and determined. Zack glanced at her. “Are you sure about this?” Zoe didn’t look at him. “No.” Zack huffed a quiet breath. “Honest. I like that.” Zoe finally glanced his way. “I don’t have a choice.” Zack nodded slowly. “Then we figure it out together.”

Zoe didn’t respond, but she didn’t disagree either by the time they reached Red Water territory. The air changed; it was warmer and familiar, and Zoe’s chest tightened. “Home…” she whispered. Lucas smiled slightly. “Took you long enough.” Zoe shot him a look. “Don’t start.”

The moment they crossed the border— A powerful presence surged toward them, fast and protective. Zack tensed instantly. “What the—” Before he could react, a figure appeared in front of them: Alpha Jacob. His eyes locked onto Zoe, and relief washed over his face instantly. “Zoe.” She didn’t hesitate; she ran straight into him. Jacob caught her easily, holding her tightly. “You’re safe,” he murmured.

Zoe closed her eyes briefly. “I’m okay.” Jacob pulled back slightly, scanning her face. “You don’t look okay.” Zoe laughed softly. “Why does everyone keep saying that?” Lucas snorted. “Because it’s true.” Jacob’s gaze shifted to Zack. “What are you doing here?” Zack stepped forward calmly. “I’m here for Zoe.” Jacob didn’t look impressed. “I can see that.” Tension crackled instantly.
Zoe sighed. “Can we not do this right now?” Jacob looked back at her. “What’s going on?” Zoe’s expression turned serious.

“Morgana.” That was all it took. Jacob’s entire demeanour shifted. “Explain.” Minutes later, they were inside the pack house. Zoe explained everything: the witch, the hybrid, the memories, the power, and Jacob didn’t interrupt once.

But by the end, His expression was grim. “This is bigger than we thought.” Zack nodded. “She’s after something ancient.” Jacob looked at Zoe. “And you’re the key.” Zoe exhaled slowly. “Apparently.” Jacob stood. “Then we don’t wait.” Zoe blinked. “What?” Jacob’s eyes were sharp now. “We hunt him.” Zack frowned. “You don’t even know where he is.” Jacob looked at Zoe. “She does.”

Zoe froze. “I told you—I’m not sure.” Jacob stepped closer. “You don’t need to be sure. You need to trust it.” Zoe hesitated, her instincts…that pull…it was still there, faint but real. Celeste stirred. He’s right. Zoe swallowed. “I can try.” Jacob nodded. “That’s enough.” They moved quickly again. This time— Into the deeper parts of Red Water territory, somewhere Zoe hadn’t been before, the air grew colder and heavier.

Familiar in a way that made her uneasy, Zoe slowed. “…This way.” Zack and Jacob exchanged a glance, then followed. They reached it just before sunset, a cave hidden deep within the forest. It was old and sealed up, as if forgotten. Zoe stopped at the entrance; her heart started pounding. “I’ve been here before…” Zack stepped beside her. “Are you sure?” Zoe nodded slowly. “This must be why I have always felt like Red Water felt familiar and always felt like home”, Zoe said to Jacob. Jacob looked at her, then back to the cave. “I can feel it.” Jacob’s voice was low. 

Zoe stepped forward. Her hand lifted, and the barrier shimmered, silver in colour, ancient but powerful. Zack’s breath caught “…You did this.” Zoe whispered. “I think so.” The ground trembled slightly, a low sound echoed from within the cave, not a growl, not a voice, something else, something… alive. Lucas took a step back. “Yeah… I don’t like that.”

Zack didn’t move. “Whatever’s in there… It’s not normal.” Zoe’s eyes glowed faintly again. “I know.” Her voice was steady, but her heart raced because deep down—She already knew. Zoe turned to them. “This is it.” Jacob nodded. “Then we end this.” Zack stepped closer to her. “Together.” Zoe looked at both, then back at the cave, at the truth she had buried, at the past she had forgotten, at the danger that could destroy everything. Her chest rose slowly. “I’m ready,” and with that, Zoe stepped forward. The barrier rippled and began to open