Chapter 21 Chapter 21
Zander’s POV
The first wolf crossed Leonidas' border at dawn.
By sunset...
There were twelve of them.
I leaned against the wooden railing outside the pack house after following Leonidas' home, watching the last orange streaks of sunlight fade behind the forest. The air felt different tonight–thicker, heavier, like a storm gathering just beyond the mountains.
And the worst part?
The storm wasn’t made of thunder.
It was made of Alphas.
A scout jogged across the courtyard toward me, breathing hard.
"Zander".
I didn’t move.
"How many now?"
He ran a hand through his sweat-damp hair.
"Three packs confirmed near the western forest".
My jaw tightened.
"And the rogues?"
"More than usual".
Of course there were.
Rogues always followed chaos like vultures.
I pushed away from the railing and stretched my arms over my head.
"This is getting ridiculous".
The scout looked uneasy.
"What do we do?"
Before I could answer, a deep growl echoed from behind us. Leonidas stepped out of the pack house.
His golden eyes swept across the courtyard, sharp and alert. Even after hours of tension, he still looked like he was ready to tear someone apart.
Honestly, I wouldn’t blame him.
"Report", he said.
The scout straightened immediately.
"Three foreign packs near the western ridge. Two more were spotted near the southern river this afternoon".
Leonidas’ expression darkened.
"Are they advancing?"
"Not yet".
Which meant they were waiting. Watching.
Waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
My gaze drifted toward the forest again.
"They’re not attacking", I said.
Leonidas looked at me.
"They’re circling".
The realization hung heavy in the air. Like wolves around wounded prey.
Except the prey this time...
Was inside our pack house.
Upstairs.
Sleeping.
Or at least trying to.
Sable.
The girl who had somehow turned our quiet territory into the center of a supernatural disaster.
I rubbed the back of my neck.
"You know", I muttered, "two days ago the biggest problem we had was rogues stealing chickens".
Leonidas didn’t look amused.
"They’re here because of her".
"Obviously".
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Have the patrols doubled".
"They already are".
"And the border?"
"Watched".
"Good".
The scout hurried off to relay the orders.
Silence fell between Leonidas and me for a moment.
The courtyard had grown quiet as the pack settled into uneasy night patrols.
Finally, I spoke.
"You felt it too, didn’t you?"
Leonidas’ jaw tightened.
"Yes".
Every wolf had felt it.
The moment Sable’s power exploded in the courtyard earlier. The moment every wolf across the region had started howling like lunatics.
That wasn’t normal.
That was a signal.
And now every Alpha within miles was sniffing around our borders.
I sighed.
"You realize this is only the beginning".
Leonidas’ gaze moved toward the upper floor of the pack house. Toward Sable’s room.
"I know".
I followed his gaze.
"Is she awake yet?"
"No".
"How long has she been out?"
"Since the courtyard".
I whistled softly.
"That’s.. not great".
"No".
I crossed my arms.
"You think her body’s rejecting the power?"
"Or adjusting to it".
Neither option made me feel better. Another wolf approached us cautiously.
One of the night guards.
"Alpha".
Leonidas turned.
"What is it?"
The guard hesitated.
"There’s movement near the eastern border".
My stomach tightened.
"Another pack?"
The guard shook his head slowly.
"No".
Leonidas frowned.
"What do you mean ‘no’?"
The guard swallowed.
"It’s just one wolf".
I exchanged a glance with Leonidas.
One wolf?
That didn’t make sense.
"No pack?" I asked.
"No".
"Rogues?"
"Doesn’t smell like rogues".
Leonidas’ voice turned colder.
"Then what does it smell like?"
The guard hesitated again.
"Alpha".
"Yes?"
"The forest went quiet when he arrived".
A chill slid down my spine.
That was not normal. Even the strongest Alphas didn’t silence the forest.
Animals always moved.
Birds always made noise.
Unless something truly terrifying showed up.
Leonidas’ wolf pushed close to the surface.
I could see it in his eyes.
"Where is he now?"
"Standing at the border".
"And?"
"He hasn’t crossed".
Which meant he was waiting also to see what we will do.
Leonidas started toward the forest immediately.
I followed.
The night air had grown colder as we moved through the trees.
The patrol wolves stepped aside respectfully as Leonidas passed.
None of them looked relaxed.
Everyone could feel it.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
We reached the border within minutes.
Two guards stood near the treeline, staring into the darkness.
Leonidas stepped forward.
"Where?"
One of the guards pointed silently.
I followed his finger.
And then I saw him.
A tall figure stood just beyond the invisible border of our territory.
Completely still.
The moonlight spilled across his shoulders, revealing dark clothing and broad, powerful posture.
He didn’t look nervous and he didn’t look aggressive either just stood there.
Watching.
Leonidas’ voice cut through the silence.
"You’re standing on my border".
The man smiled faintly.
"I noticed".
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
I narrowed my eyes.
"You lost or something?"
His gaze flicked toward me briefly.
Sharp. Evaluating.
Then it returned to Leonidas.
"I’m not here to fight".
Leonidas didn’t relax.
"Then why are you here?"
The stranger tilted his head slightly.
"Because something in your territory belongs to me".
My eyebrows shot up.
Well.
That didn’t sound good.
Leonidas’ growl rumbled low in his chest.
"You’re mistaken".
The stranger chuckled softly.
"I rarely am".
The forest seemed to grow even quieter around us.
Leonidas took another step forward.
"State your name".
The man didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, his eyes moved past us.
Toward the pack house.
Toward the window on the second floor.
Sable’s room.
My stomach twisted.
"Hey", I snapped. "Eyes up here".
The stranger’s gaze slowly returned to us.
And then he smiled.
Not friendly.
Not hostile.
Just certain.
"She’s awake".
My heart skipped.
"What?"
Before anyone could react–
A sudden burst of silver light flashed from the pack house behind us.
Leonidas spun around instantly.
I did too.
The light exploded through the window upstairs.
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
The stranger’s voice drifted calmly through the darkness behind us.
"I told you".
My pulse hammered in my chest.
And then–
Sable’s voice echoed across the territory.
Soft. Terrified.
"Someone’s here".