Chapter 7: The Enforcers
The three men standing on her porch looked like they'd stepped out of a nightmare. Each was tall and broad-shouldered, wearing dark suits that did nothing to hide the predatory way they moved. But it was their eyes that made Sophia's breath catch—pale, cold, and utterly inhuman.
"Dr. Reeves." The one in the center spoke, his voice carrying authority that made her instinctively want to step back. "I'm David Brennan, Pack Historian and Enforcer. These are my colleagues, Nathan Cross and Derek Vale."
Kai stepped out from behind them, his expression tense with barely controlled frustration. "Sophia, they insisted on speaking with you before tonight."
"May we come in?" David asked, though his tone suggested it wasn't really a question.
Sophia found herself nodding, stepping back to let them enter. The three enforcers moved into her living room with fluid grace, taking in every detail with sharp, assessing gazes.
"Protective instincts already manifesting, Kai?" Nathan observed, mockery in his voice. He was the youngest, with dark hair and a cruel smile. "How touching."
"Leave it alone, Nathan," Kai warned, positioning himself deliberately between them and Sophia.
Margaret appeared in the doorway, her face carefully neutral. "Gentlemen. This is unexpected."
"Is it?" Derek spoke, his voice gravelly and scarred. A jagged line ran from his left temple to his jaw. "Alpha Marcus wants to ensure our potential Guardian understands the stakes."
"Sit down, Dr. Reeves," David commanded, settling into her armchair as if he owned it.
Sophia remained standing, her medical training kicking in as she assessed each threat. "I prefer to stand."
Nathan laughed, a sound like breaking glass. "She thinks she has choices. How adorable."
"Dr. Reeves," David cut through the mockery, "what has Margaret told you about the consequences of failure?"
"That some would prefer I didn't survive the trials."
"Some?" Derek leaned forward, scarred face twisting. "The majority of our pack sees you as contamination, Dr. Reeves. A virus that could destroy everything we've built."
"Then why allow the trials at all?"
"Because your bloodline carries power," David replied. "Power that could benefit our pack, if properly harnessed."
The word 'harnessed' sent chills down Sophia's spine. "I'm not a tool to be used."
"Aren't you?" Nathan stood, moving closer with predatory grace. "You're in our territory now. Our laws govern your very existence."
Kai stepped forward, a warning growl rumbling from his chest. "Back off, Nathan."
"Or what?" Nathan's pupils dilated, becoming distinctly non-human. "You'll challenge me? For her?"
The tension ratcheted up dangerously. Sophia could smell something wild and musky—the scent of predators preparing for violence.
"Enough." David's voice cracked like a whip, and both younger enforcers reluctantly settled back. "Dr. Reeves, tonight you enter the preserve. Twenty thousand acres of wilderness where five of our hunters will track you like prey."
"What exactly constitutes being caught?"
"If they get close enough to touch you, you fail," Derek said with obvious relish. "No weapons, no backup, no rescue if things go wrong."
David pulled out a small device. "Emergency beacon. Using it means automatic failure, but it might save your life."
"And if I survive the night?"
"Then tomorrow we test your courage," Nathan said eagerly. "We have a pack member going feral—Jake Morrison. If you can't heal him..." He shrugged. "Well, we'll have to put him down. And you'll have failed trial number two."
The casual discussion of ending someone's life made Sophia's stomach churn.
David stood, the others following. "Sunset is in three hours. We'll collect you then."
As they moved toward the door, Nathan paused beside her. "One final warning, Doctor. Pack law forbids any assistance once you're in those woods. If lover boy over there tries to help you, you both die."
After they left, the house felt suffocating. Kai immediately moved to Sophia's side, his jaw tight with suppressed rage.
"I should have torn Nathan's throat out," he muttered.
"That wouldn't have helped anyone." Sophia touched his arm, feeling the tension coiled in his muscles. "Tell me about the preserve. What am I really facing out there?"
Kai's expression grew grim. "Dense forest, rough terrain, plenty of places to hide if you're smart about it. But Sophia..." He turned to face her fully. "Five wolves hunting in coordinated formation—that's not just a test. That's a death sentence for most humans."
"Good thing I'm not most humans," she said, surprised by the steadiness in her own voice.
Margaret joined them, her expression troubled. "There's something else you should know. The hunting party isn't random. Marcus chose them specifically."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning at least two of them want you dead regardless of the trial's outcome," Kai said bluntly. "They'll push the boundaries of what constitutes 'capture.'"
Sophia absorbed this, feeling a strange calm settling over her. "Then I guess I better not let them catch me."
As the afternoon shadows lengthened, she realized something had shifted inside her. The fear was still there, but it was tempered by something else—a growing certainty that she was exactly where she needed to be.
"I should prepare," she said, heading toward the stairs. "And figure out how to stay alive until sunrise."
Kai caught her hand as she passed. "Sophia... be careful out there. I can't help you once it begins."
The pain in his voice nearly broke her heart. "I know. But I'm not the same woman who arrived in Millbrook a few days ago. Whatever happens tonight, I'll face it."
As she climbed the stairs, she could hear Kai pacing downstairs, his frustration and worry palpable. In a few hours, she'd be alone in the dark forest with creatures that wanted her dead.
But for the first time since learning the truth about Millbrook, she felt ready for what was coming.
The sun was setting, and her real life was about to begin.