Chapter 30 Chapter 30
Sabrina’s POV
The meeting ended, and everyone’s eyes were on me.
Mira, Garrick, Marcus, Elena—all the core members. They were waiting for my reaction.
Stillwater Pack. My old home. The place I had escaped from.
I clenched my fists under the table. I couldn't show any weakness. I couldn't let them see that I was afraid. I was a warrior of Exile’s Rest now. I was someone Kael trusted. I had to prove I was worthy of that trust.
"I’ll go," I said, my voice steady. "I’ll get the mission done."
Kael turned his head slightly toward me. "Good," he said.
People began to scatter. Teresa patted my shoulder. "You can do this."
Mira walked up to me. "Meet at 06:00 tomorrow morning. Have your gear ready."
I walked out of the hall. The night wind was cool against my face, taking some of the tension with it.
Back at the cabin, Abigail was already asleep. I stepped lightly as I walked inside. In the dim light, I started packing my gear.
Tactical vest. Flashlight. Knife. Bandages. Glock 19. Tactical boots, gloves, knee pads.
"Mommy?"
It was Abigail. She was awake, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Sweetie," I walked over. "Did I wake you?"
"No." She looked at the gear on the bed, a worried look on her small face. "Are you leaving again?"
I knelt down to eye level with her. "Yes. But I’ll be back. I promise."
Her eyes turned red. "You said that last time. Then you came back hurt. You had cuts all over your face."
My heart tightened. "This time is different."
"How?"
"Because..." I brushed her hair back. "Because Mommy is stronger now. And smarter."
Abigail hugged her doll tight. It was a worn-out rag doll with brown hair and a blue dress. I had bought it at a thrift store, and she cherished it.
She looked at the doll, then back at me.
"Mommy," she said. "Take her."
"What?"
"Take Rosie." She handed the doll to me. "She’ll protect you."
"Sweetie, this is your favorite."
"That’s why she’ll protect you." Abigail was dead serious. "She’s brave. Just like you."
I took the doll. "Thank you, baby." I pulled her into a hug. "I’ll take good care of Rosie."
"Take care of yourself, too," Abigail said, her small hands gripping my shirt. "Promise me."
"I promise."
She let out a breath and leaned into my arms.
"Mommy," she whispered. "Tell me a story."
I tucked her back into bed and sat by her side.
"Once upon a time," I began, "there was a little girl who lived in the forest. Her name was... Luna. She was like the moon. Luna was very kind, and she took care of all the forest animals every day."
"Were there bunnies?"
"Yes. And deer. And foxes. And bears."
Abigail smiled. "I like bears."
"One day," I continued, "Luna got lost in the woods. It got dark, and she was scared. Then, a big wolf appeared."
"Was he a bad guy?"
"Luna thought so at first. But..." I paused. "The wolf didn't hurt her. Instead, he showed her the way home."
"Why?"
"Because the wolf recognized Luna," I said. "He knew she was kind. He knew she was worth protecting."
"Then what happened?"
"Then Luna and the big wolf became friends. Every time Luna went into the forest, the wolf watched over her. Even if she couldn't see him, even from far away, he was always there, protecting her."
Abigail’s breathing slowed. She was fast asleep.
I kissed her forehead, tucked Rosie into my vest pocket, and turned off the light.
But I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned, my mind a mess.
Stillwater Pack. I was going back tomorrow.
What if I ran into people I used to know? What if I saw my brother, Ethan?
We grew up together. He taught me how to climb trees and how to swim. He taught me how to survive in the pack. But at the Rejection Ceremony, he just watched me be humiliated. He said nothing. He did nothing.
If I see him tomorrow, what am I supposed to say? What am I supposed to do?
And the others. The ones who used to be nice to me. The ones who used to call me Luna.
I hate Derek. I hate Scarlett. They betrayed me. They hurt me.
But what about the others? They were just following the Alpha’s orders.
Could I really pull the trigger on them?
I rolled over and stared at the ceiling. Moonlight drifted through the window, casting shadows above me.
Kael.
His face suddenly flashed in my mind. That cold, sharp face. Those eyes that saw everything even though they were covered.
He must know I’m Derek’s former Luna. He knows Derek is allied with Dorian. Is he sending me on this mission to test me?
My heart began to race. Anxiety crawled through my chest like an insect. No. I had to ask him. I had to be sure.
I sat up and checked on Abigail. She was out cold.
I got out of bed, threw on a black sweatshirt and jeans, and pushed open the door.
The camp was quiet at night. I could only hear the footsteps of the guards and the crackling of a distant bonfire.
Kael’s cabin was on the very edge of the camp. It was small and isolated.
I reached his door and stopped. There was light in the window. He was still awake. I raised my hand to knock.
But I froze.
What was I doing? Coming to Kael’s place in the middle of the night? This was crazy.
And what if he grabbed me by the throat again? He nearly choked the life out of me last time.
I felt a surge of fear. I wanted to turn back and just forget this.
But my head was full of him. The way he looked last time I was here. Shirtless. Lean muscle. Covered in scars.
Standing in the dark. Cold. Wild. But with a hint of... sadness?
Stay or go? Ask or stay silent?
I bit my lip, torn.
Suddenly, there was a sound from inside the room.
I went stiff.
Footsteps. They were light, but I heard them.
He knew I was here.
Crap.
I turned to run.
"Wait."
Kael’s voice stopped me. Calm. Deep. Commanding.
My feet felt like they were nailed to the ground. I couldn't move.
The door opened.
Kael stood there.
He was only wearing black trousers. His chest was bare, showing off his hard muscles. The moonlight hit him, turning his messy black hair silver. His eyes were covered by the black cloth, but I could feel his "gaze" locked onto me.
My heart felt like it was going to explode.
He stepped out. One step, two, three. Getting closer.
I caught his scent—pine and frost.
I wanted to step back, but my legs wouldn't listen.
He stopped right in front of me. So close I could feel the heat radiating off his body.
I looked up at him.
My breath hitched. My heart skipped. My thoughts were a total blur.
He just stood there, perfectly still.
Watching me in silence.