Chapter 14 Survival
ARYA
Silver Creek Pack’s territory was marked by an iron gate flanked by two stone wolves. It swung open as we approached, guards waving us through with recognition.
Bardon must have called ahead.
The pack house itself was smaller than Jaime’s, but warmer somehow. Made of stone and timber, with warm light spilling from every window. It looked lived-in. Loved. Like a home, not a showcase.
A figure stood on the front steps, tall and broad-shouldered. As we parked and climbed out, he approached with an easy confidence.
“Luna Arya. Beta Ryker.” His voice was deep, welcoming. “I’m Alpha Cyrus. Welcome to Silver Creek.”
He was older than Jaime, maybe mid-forties, with silver streaking through his dark hair and kind eyes that crinkled at the corners.
“Just Arya,” I said, extending my hand. “I’m not… I’m not a Luna anymore.”
“You’ll always be a Luna.” His handshake was firm but gentle. “It’s not a title that can be taken away, only one you can choose to set down.” He looked between us. “Come inside. You must be exhausted.”
The interior of the pack house was exactly as warm as the exterior promised. Wooden floors covered with thick rugs, comfortable furniture, family photos covering every available surface.
It was a home and you can instantly tell people actually lived in it. Created memories.
“Rooms are ready on the second floor,” Marcus said, leading us up a wide staircase. “Adjoining, if you prefer, or separate. Whatever makes you comfortable.”
“Separate,” I said quickly, then felt my face flush. “We’re not… I mean, Ryker is…”
“A friend,” Ryker finished smoothly, though something flickered in his eyes. “A very good friend.”
Cyrus just nodded, no judgment in his expression. “Second and third doors on the left. Bathrooms are stocked, and there’s a lock on the inside of each door. You’re safe here.”
That last part made my throat tight. Safe. When was the last time I’d felt truly safe?
“Thank you,” I managed.
“Get some rest. We’ll talk in the morning.” He paused at the top of the stairs. “And Arya? Whatever you’re running from? It doesn’t define you. Remember that.”
Then he was gone, leaving Ryker and me standing in the hallway.
“He seems nice,” I said.
“He is. I’ve met him before at inter-pack conferences. Good man. Fair Alpha.” Ryker gestured to the doors. “You want to talk, or…?”
“I think I need to sleep. Or try to.” I looked at him, this man who’d given up everything for me. “Ryker, I—”
“Don’t.” He stepped closer, cupping my face gently. “Don’t thank me. Don’t apologize. Just… rest. We’ll figure everything else out tomorrow.”
He pressed a kiss to my forehead, lingering just a moment longer than necessary, then retreated to his room.
I stood in the hallway for a long moment before entering mine.
The room was simple but comfortable. A large bed with a thick quilt, a dresser, a window overlooking the pack grounds. My bags had already been brought up, sitting neatly by the closet.
I should unpack. Maybe shower and try to do something productive. I wasn’t really sure where to start from, or what I’m even going to do.
Instead, I sat on the edge of the bed and finally let myself cry.
My shoulders shook as I sobbed, until my chest ached and my throat was raw, releasing five years of pain and disappointment and betrayal.
Grieving not just my marriage, but the person I’d tried so hard to be. The Luna who smiled through everything. Who made herself small. Who believed that if she just tried hard enough, loved hard enough, she’d be enough.
That woman was gone. And I didn’t know who would take her place.
Eventually, the tears stopped. I was empty, wrung out, but somehow lighter. Like I’d purged something toxic.
I showered, letting the hot water wash away the last remnants of my old life. Then I crawled into bed wearing one of Ryker’s t-shirts he’d lent me, too exhausted to dig through my bags.
Sleep should have come easily. But every time I closed my eyes, I saw Jaime’s face. Heard Elira’s laugh. Felt the weight of pack judgment pressing down on me.
Around 3 a.m., my phone buzzed.
I should have ignored it. Should have turned it off hours ago.
Instead, I looked. It was a single message.
Unknown number.
The amulet’s suppression is weakening. Your wolf is closer to the surface than ever before. Be prepared. When she emerges, everything will change.
I sat up, heart pounding, hand flying to my chest where my grandmother’s amulet rested.
I’d worn it for seventeen years without question. My grandmother had said never to take it off, and I never had.
But what if it wasn’t just jewelry?
What if it was something more?
I pulled it out from under the shirt, examining it in the moonlight streaming through the window. The silver was intricately carved with symbols I’d never bothered to decipher. At the center was a moonstone that seemed to glow with an inner light.
As I stared at it, the stone pulsed. Once. Twice.
I tilted it to the side, wanting to see more of it from a different angle when I felt something deep inside me stir.
My wolf.
For the first time in my life, I felt her. Her presence was like a shadow moving just out of sight.
‘Arya,’ a voice whispered in my mind. ‘Arya, I’m here. I’ve always been here.’
Tears sprang to my eyes. “Lean?”
I didn’t know how I knew her name. But I did. My wolf was Lean, and she’d been trapped inside me my entire life.
‘Soon,’ the voice promised. ‘Soon I’ll be free. And we’ll show them all who we really are.’
The stone pulsed once more, then went dark.
I sat there for a long time, my mind reeling.
I had a wolf. I had always had a wolf. She’d just been suppressed by the amulet.
But why? Why would my grandmother do that?
Unless… unless she was protecting me from something. Someone.
My phone buzzed again.
Don’t take off the amulet yet. You’re not ready for what will happen when you do. But soon.
I wanted to throw the phone across the room. Wanted to demand answers from whoever was sending these cryptic messages. It was different people. I didn’t know which was Bardon.
Not getting any clearer answers. I turned it off, shoved it in the nightstand drawer, and burrowed under the covers.
Tomorrow. I’d deal with everything. Tonight, I just needed to survive.