Chapter 6

The next morning, the sunlight peeking through the canopy of the tall trees woke her up. She heard the chirping birds and also the sounds from somewhere nearby. Someone was calling for something. She couldn't hear properly with her human hearing, but it seemed there must be humans nearby.

Kian would be able to hear the voices with his heightened senses clearly. Then, deciding to wake him up, she turned to her side, where Kian was sleeping, only to find his spot empty.

Kiara glanced around, fear washing over her. She jumped up, panic settling in her chest as she set out to find Kian. Her nose lifted into the air, trying to inhale as she had seen the other wolves often do but came up with nothing. It was a habit she picked up but took a few seconds to realize she couldn't smell him like he could her.

She walked around the camp area, not straying too far. Maybe he went hunting for something. He couldn’t have gone too far. There were no signs of struggle around the camping area, so she decided he was safe.

Dry leaves scrunched under her boots as she scanned the woods for a sign. She didn’t have to look too far. She spotted him a few feet from her. Her companion was already looking in the direction of the voices, hiding in the thick bushes that led further into the woods.

If she listened harder, she could hear the squeal of children among other sounds she didn’t recognize. Kian’s eyes were narrowed, face screwed in concentration. She watched him for a few minutes before going to him.

“What are you looking at?” she asked, seeing only the line of trees ahead of her.

Startled by her sudden appearance Kian growled at her. "We didn't realize this last night, but we are near a human town. I just saw a few humans.” He frowned. “They were carrying something. I was just waiting for you to wake up, so we can enter their lands and observe things."

"But you said they were dangerous…." Another growl cut her off.

"They're dangerous, but their senses aren't heightened as ours. To our advantage, we don't look any different from them physically. So we will be safe as long as they don't realize who we are." With a final glance toward the woods, he dragged her back to their location.

“Have you seen humans before today?” she asked curiously.

"Three years ago, a couple stumbled into our pack lands. I saw them being dragged away, but that's all." He hurried to pack their things.

“No one came looking for them?”

He shook his head. "I don't think so. According to the files in Konrad's office, our pack lands, along with a few others, are marked as native tribes by the human government. So they cannot trespass our territory. It's marked off as dangerous to humans."

"Oh." That was news, and it was the most information she’d received about humans in all her life.

“Now, listen to me carefully. We will enter the town but won’t interact with any humans. If possible, we will avoid them at all costs. Keep your eyes and voice down. If they even suspect who we are, they will kill us before your father can.”

She nodded in response and helped Kian to gather their belongings.

After a quick breakfast from whatever food was left from their supplies, they started their journey toward the town. The journey took an hour and a half because she couldn't walk faster. She was no match to a wolf in strides. However, Kian slowed down to match her speed, bringing a small smile to her lips.

He was always sweet with her, taking care of her and never asking for anything in return. Whenever she found herself in trouble, he was there for her before she even called for him. She wouldn't be alive if he weren't there to protect her. Kiara felt like she owed her life to him and didn't know if she would ever be able to repay that debt.

“We’re here,” he announced, breaking her train of thoughts.

Her eyes immediately landed on the narrow opening that lead to a big, wide road. It was so different from the cobbled stone path she was used to. This was black and looked so smooth. She looked at him in question. There was no sight of anyone or any huts yet. Kian looked equally perplexed.

Did human pack lands look like this?

She wanted to ask him this question but held her tongue.

“This is the entrance road of the town. We will come across more people once we enter,” he whispered as if reading her thoughts. His smile that followed was assuring. “Don’t worry. Just stay by my side. I’ll protect you.”

Kiara nodded. Humans sounded far less scary than her father. She smiled at him and took his hand in hers before they both started their walk toward the new adventure together.

***

Kiara was slightly trembling as she dressed in human clothing, which Kian stole from someone’s backyard. It was hard but they managed. Their furs made them stick out like a sore thumb, and she appreciated Kian’s quick thinking.

He asked her to wait while he ventured into the human town alone, returning after an hour with a bundle of clothes that looked soft, even softer to touch, and smelled nice. Together, they made their way into the town.

It took a while for Kian to settle his wolf because every sight of a human made him growl, and Kiara tried hard to calm him down or cover for his hostile behavior. But after many attempts, finally, his wolf went silent, yet on edge and on the lookout for a possible threat.

As soon as his wolf settled, they started observing the new things around them. The human town was so different from that of her pack. There were no wooden cabins or huts in sight. Their homes were built with something studier with tall roofs. Her eyes were wide as she took everything in.

It was a small town with several houses situated closely, buzzing with activities. If not for the difference in their homes or the noisy, big metal carriage-like things on the road, it would have looked just like their village back home.

The first thing that caught Kiara's eyes was a mother running behind a little girl with a comb in one hand and some strange-looking clips in the second. The girl was laughing wholeheartedly, but her mother seemed furious.

“Stop running!” she heard the mother yell after the little girl who couldn’t be a day older than five.

Kiara’s face scrunched in worry. Was she going to punish the child for disobeying her?

Kian's grip on her hand tightened as she waited. Fear gripped her chest when the mother dragged the laughing child inside their home, locking the door behind them. She wanted to run to the house to check on the child, but Kian held her back with a shake of his head.

They kept walking only to pause when the open window of the same house came into view. Kian paused along with her. They looked through the window at the corner of the house and saw mother was tickling the girl, their voices echoing around the room.

Wasn't she angry at the girl? So why are they laughing now?

The mother kissed her daughter's nose and cheeks before combing her hair. Their small exchange stirred something within Kiara. She wondered if her mother would have done the same if she had been alive. For the first time, she felt the loss of her mother.

Kian put a hand on her shoulder as if he understood. She swallowed the invisible lump that formed in her throat.

After spending a few more minutes observing the pair, they made their way for the next stop. They were currently in Hillford, and to reach Doveport, they needed to cross a few more towns. At least, that was what she understood from Kian's short conversation with an elderly human they met on the road.

It would take almost three days to reach there, but they didn't have an option. Human towns were safer than the woods. The different scents teasing their nostrils was a great change. Kian said it was kinda messing with his senses and causing his wolf to be restless.

As they walked through the town, trying to look less noticeable, several heads turned their way, but they didn't linger. They went back to whatever they were doing before, and the werewolves breathed in relief.

There were several shops in this area, including those that sold food. Kiara's eyes were wide. There were no shops that sold food in her pack. Instead, they all cooked their own food. During the pack gatherings, the wolves who didn't accompany the hunting party would come together to cook for the entire pack.

Their eyes landed on a pair of young couples sitting at one of the wooden stools beside the food cart. The man brought some food in a tray and began to feed the girl first before eating his portion. She blinked, cocking her head to the side.

“What are they doing?” she asked no one in particular.

That was weird. They never saw a man eating after the woman. In the pack, the females always fed the men and children first and ate only the leftovers. Most of all, they never shared food. When Kiara turned to look at Kian, his brows were knitted in confusion. Both said nothing and proceeded with their trip.

Humans are definitely weird.

They came across several things that didn't make sense to Kiara. The humans were loud and chatty. The sound of their laughter echoed around them. They ignored the calls of the merchants who waved their products at them. Kian tensed when someone so much as moved in their direction, so she quickly led him away, walking briskly and ducking her head.

The busy streets faded to give way to the quiet streets lined with homes. The air was fresh and crisp with a pleasant feeling. The weather was clear, and Kiara took several deep breaths, relishing it.

Some humans were out and about going on with their daily lives. She paused briefly to see an old man flirting with his neighbor, leaning over the fence that separated their homes. Wouldn’t their mates be angry if they heard them talking like this?

If something like this happened in her pack, it would end up with the wolves challenging each other. She could picture that vividly. She shook her head to observe them more.

While it looked so odd, she couldn't help but listen in on their exchange. The woman laughed at something the man said, and it was clear they were having a good time. Kiara laughed before realizing the old man was now looking at her. She gave him a little smile, and he winked at her in return.

Kian growled low in his throat before dragging her away from them. The more they went, the more they realized how different the humans were. They were nothing like the evil they were portrayed as. Maybe that would change once they learned their true identity.

She couldn't help but wonder how lively their town was. They all looked so nice and were kind to each other. Maybe they'd be able to blend in without rousing suspicion. When the night came, they had managed to leave the town and enter the woods.

They munched on the leftover dried meat, rationing it so it would last for a few more days, as she stared into the night sky. The moon was beautiful as ever, no matter what form she took. There were only a few stars scattered around her tonight, but the night was calm and pleasant, nonetheless.

Beside her, Kian was calm. He hadn’t said more than a few words all day. She could only imagine how hard it must have been for his wolf.

"Do you want to shift?" she asked. "Perhaps the wolf would be more at peace in his true form."

Kian shook his head, seemingly distracted by some stray thought.

Kiara nibbled at her lip. “Wanna spar?" She leaned closer. It had been a while since they sparred, but good sparring would take his mind off anything, and Kian could never say no to that.

As expected, the wolf perked up, and she saw the excitement flashing in his eyes. He jumped to his feet. "Why not? Can't wait to kick your ass."

"In your dreams, old man." She stood, cracking her joints, and shrugged off her fur coat with a smug grin.

They took a stance a few feet away on the spacious ground between the trees, circling each other, both eying for an opening. Kiara attacked first. Kian easily dodged the attack, punching at her.

She blocked the punch aimed for her ribs, slightly turning her body to the left to avoid the hit. That brought him closer to her, and she used it to her advantage. She elbowed him, causing him to grunt, and before he could step away, she kicked at his shin.

Kian growled, but she used the same leg to hook it under his knee, bringing him to a kneeling position before hitting his solar plexus. Kian fell on his back, panting as he stared at her.

Kiara climbed on top of him. "Distraction can get you killed, wolf," she growled, mimicking him, and he laughed out loud.

His eyes narrowed briefly, and that was all the warning she had before he flipped their position, pinning her hands above the ground. She thrashed under him, but the position left her vulnerable and exposed. Kian growled at her face, and she bared her neck instinctively.

"Same goes to you, wolf," he snarled. "Don't be so quick to rejoice. An enemy would never let you savor your victory as long as he breathed." His hot breath fanned her neck, erupting goosebumps all over her body.

"You're not an enemy, though," she said, her voice coming out like a breathy whisper.

Something stirred inside Kiara, and he pulled back, their gazes locking. His unruly hair fell over his eyes, and she blinked, unable to look away.

Suddenly, he cleared his throat, releasing her hands to stand, and extended a hand toward her. "Not bad," he said. "I'll give you an extra portion of meat if you beat me in the next round."

Kiara scoffed, taking his hand to climb to her feet. “Oh, it’s on, old man.”