Before I could even react, a sudden gust of another powder rippled through the air, sweeping over the poisoned one. The dark powder dispersed instantly, dissolving into nothing as if it had never been there.
I sucked in a breath, my lungs relieved by the impending threat. My eyes darted around, searching for where it came from. and then I saw him.
A man stood a few feet away, his presence stood out effortlessly. He had dark brown hair that framed his sharp handsome features and warm honey-colored eyes that looked around the battlefield. It was annoyingly perfect and he didn’t come alone.
Behind him, warriors clad in dark, intricate armor moved swiftly, their movements precise as they restrained the Kota fighters.
The Kota warriors were quickly tied up with strange, glowing chains that pulsed with energy. I narrowed my eyes at the man as he walked towards me in a causal manner. He stopped close enough that I could feel his strong presence. He tilted his head slightly and smiled slightly.
“I can see why they are after you.” His voice was smooth, deep, and way too confident for my liking.
“And are you?”
“Terran hasn’t told you yet.”
Then it clicked. He was the Alpha to the territory we were heading to.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself. My name is Sage. I am the alpha of the White Wings pack.”
Sage extended a hand toward me. “Come on.”
I hesitated for a moment before placing my hand in his. I felt some kind of warmth flow through me when our hands touched. That’s strange.
With little effort, he pulled me up to my feet. My legs still felt weak, but I managed to steady myself.
“Thank you… for coming in time to save us,”I said, looking into his eyes. His warm, golden eyes looked at me for a moment before he smiled slightly. "I don't like unnecessary violence." I couldn't help but keep looking at him. There was something about the way he stood - strong, calm, and confident, but not trying to show off. His presence was different, almost… calming.
Terran and the others were helped up, and I felt very relieved.
Sage placed a steadying hand on my back and my heart couldn’t stop beating rapidly. Keep it together Zeph.
\----
We each got a warm cup of tea, and the nice smell filled the room. Holding the warm cup helped calm me down after everything we'd been through. The room was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Everyone was just exhausted and still trying to process everything that had happened - the fight, and the bear death experiment.
Then, the door opened, and both Terran and Sage stepped inside.
Sage’s honey-colored eyes swept over us before he spoke. “Terran has told me everything I need to know.” His gaze landed on me. “Rest assured, Zeph. You are safe here in my pack.”
I met his eyes, searching for any sign of doubt. “Do you believe the rumors?”
He tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk forming. “I don’t follow rumors. "I follow logic and reasoning.” His voice was calm yet firm. “And in my pack, people get punished for spreading rumors.”
At that, Ashral let out a low chuckle. “I like him already.”
I smiled a little. "That's good to know."
Sage took a few steps closer, his attention focused solely on me now.
"That being said," he said quietly, "I'd like to get to know you personally." But before I could answer, I sensed a change in the atmosphere. Someone was feeling jealous.
Before I could even react, Terran stepped between us, gently pushing me aside. His face was hard to read, but I could feel how tense he was. “ She is only here for you to keep her safe," Terran said calmly but firmly. "I'll be coming back for her."
Sage raised his hands slightly in mock surrender, his smirk deepening. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of interfering.” But before he turned to leave, his gaze flickered back to me, and he gave me a small, knowing smile.
Something fluttered in my stomach. Oh, no.
As soon as the door closed behind Sage, Terran led me out of the room and turned to me. “I don’t trust him completely.”
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. “Why not? "He’s a trusted alpha, isn’t he?”
Terran sighed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s not the point.”
I smirked. “You’re jealous.”
He scoffed, looking away. “No, I’m not.”
“You so are,” I teased. “Come on, Terran." What is it? You think he’s like Vixxen?”
Terran shook his head. “No, he’s just… different.” He hesitated, then sighed. “Look, Sage can be the flirty type." I don’t want you to get too close to him.”
I rolled my eyes playfully. “Right. Not jealous at all.”
“I’m not,” he insisted, though his tone wasn’t convincing.
I smiled but didn’t push him further. Instead, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. He was stiff for a moment before he relaxed, hugging me back.
After a long moment, he pulled away. “Take care of yourself, Zeph.”
“You too,” I said softly.
With one final glance, Terran turned and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the lingering warmth of his embrace.
“You look… familiar.”
I turned to see Sage standing nearby, his honey-colored eyes studying me with quiet intensity.
I frowned slightly. “I don’t think we’ve ever met before.”
He didn’t argue, just tilted his head as if trying to place me. Then, as I walked past him, his scent hit me—a mixture of cedarwood, crisp mountain air, and something uniquely him. My steps faltered for just a second, my senses momentarily overwhelmed.
I shook it off quickly and kept moving.
\---
Deep within the dungeons of the White Wings pack, Sage stood before the restrained Kota warriors. The dim torches flickered, casting long shadows across the cold stone walls. His warriors had done a thorough job securing them—thick chains laced with wolfsbane restrained their limbs, ensuring they were too weak to shift or resist.
Sage paced in front of them, his usually calm demeanor edged with something much darker. “You attacked close to pack members,” he began, his voice smooth but laced with danger. “That was your first mistake.”
One of the restrained warriors sneered but said nothing.
Sage leaned closer. “Your second mistake? Underestimating me.”
With a flick of his wrist, one of his warriors tightened the restraints. The captive wolf let out a choked grunt, the wolfsbane seeping into his bloodstream, burning like acid.
“I’m a patient man,” Sage continued. “But not when it comes to traitors and spies.”
The room was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing and strained grunts of pain. Finally, one of the warriors broke. “We were tipped off.” His voice was rough, barely above a whisper.
Sage narrowed his eyes. “By whom?”
The warrior hesitated, clearly terrified of what might happen if he answered.
Sage nodded to his warrior, who yanked the restraints even tighter. The captive howled in agony before finally gasping out, “Someone… from Terran’s pack.”
Sage’s jaw clenched. A spy.
His mind worked quickly. Someone from Terran’s pack had leaked Zeph’s movements to the Kota pack. That meant there was a traitor in their midst that wanted to get rid of her.
Sage straightened, his expression unreadable. “Who?”
The warrior let out a shaky breath. “We don’t know… we just got the message.”
Someone in Terran’s pack was conspiring with the Kota pack.
And he was going to find out who.