Chapter 245 Whispers in the Woods

Chapter 245 Whispers in the Woods
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Silver Moon Estate's back gardens as Elena walked beside Kane, watching Elva dart through the tall grass in pursuit of Moon. The silver-gray wolf playfully dodged the girl's attempts to catch him, always staying just out of reach but close enough to keep her engaged.

"She has so much energy today," Elena said, smiling as Elva's laughter filled the air. Her expression turned serious as she glanced at Kane. "I haven't been able to sense Nora at all today. It's strange—lately I can only feel her presence when we're..." She trailed off, a flush creeping up her neck.

Kane raised an eyebrow. "When we're intimate," he finished for her, his voice low. "Like yesterday."

Elena nodded, wrapping her arms around herself despite the warm afternoon. "It's frustrating. We've been reconnected for months now, but it feels like she's slipping away again."

"Would you like to try connecting with her now?" Kane asked, stopping beneath the shade of a massive oak tree. Shadow, his black wolf, sat attentively nearby, golden eyes scanning the perimeter. "I could help."

Elena hesitated, then nodded. "It's worth a shot."

Standing in the dappled sunlight, Elena closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Kane moved behind her, his hands gently resting on her shoulders. She focused inward, searching for that familiar presence.

"Nora?" she called silently, reaching into that space within herself where her wolf should be.

Minutes passed. Elena's face tensed with concentration. Kane remained still, lending his strength through his touch. Finally, Elena's eyes snapped open, tears of frustration gathering.

"Nothing. I can feel she's there, somewhere inside me, but it's like she's hiding." Elena's voice cracked. "She's definitely still a part of me, but she's avoiding me somehow. I don't understand."

A tear slid down her cheek as she turned to face Kane. "What if I can never fully shift again? What if our connection remains broken?"

Kane wiped away her tear with his thumb, his expression troubled. "I've never heard of this happening before—not with wolves who've already reestablished an initial connection. Something else must be interfering."

"Could it be because we were separated for so long?" Elena asked, desperation creeping into her voice. "Three years is a long time for a wolf to be extracted."

Kane shook his head. "That wouldn't explain why you've been able to feel her sometimes but not others. You've had moments of connection for months now."

"Then maybe it's related to what happened on Mermaid Island?" Elena suggested. "The ritual there was powerful, and we still don't fully understand what it did."

"That's possible," Kane admitted. "We should talk to Isadora. She has more knowledge about these mystical connections than anyone else I know."

Before Elena could respond, both wolves suddenly tensed, their ears pricking forward and bodies rigid with alertness. Shadow and Moon turned in unison toward the forest boundary, low growls rumbling from their throats.

"Elva!" Elena called sharply. "Come here, sweetie. Right now!"

The little girl looked up, sensing the change in atmosphere, and immediately ran to Elena's side. Kane stepped forward, his posture shifting to one of protection as he scented the air.

"What is it?" Elena whispered, pulling Elva close.

"A scent that shouldn't be on our territory," Kane muttered, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the tree line. The wolves moved forward cautiously, hackles raised.

Shadow turned briefly, his golden eyes meeting Kane's. Though no words were spoken aloud, Elena could tell they were communicating. Kane's jaw tightened.

"What did he say?" she asked.

"He said to protect my mate and cub," Kane translated grimly. Without another word, both wolves shot forward, disappearing into the forest's edge.

"We need to move. Now." Kane's voice took on the unmistakable resonance of an Alpha command. "All of you, back to the main house immediately. Stay together."

"What's happening?" Elena asked, lifting Elva into her arms.

"I'm going to alert the security team," Kane said, already pulling out his phone. "Get Elva inside and stay there until I come for you."

Elena didn't waste time arguing. She hurried toward the mansion, Elva clinging tightly to her neck. The child's body trembled against hers.

In the main hall of the estate, Elena set Elva down on a plush bench, kneeling before her. "It's okay, sweetie. The wolves are just checking something in the forest. Nothing to worry about."

"They're scared," Elva whispered, her eyes wide. "The wolves are scared of the bear people."

Elena froze. "Bear people? Did you hear the wolves say that?"

Elva nodded solemnly. "Moon told Shadow they smell like bears but walk like people."

Before Elena could process this revelation, Kane strode into the hall, his face a mask of controlled tension.

"The security team is sweeping the perimeter," he announced. "It might just be unauthorized trespassers on Silver Moon territory."

"Elva says the wolves mentioned bear people," Elena said quietly.

Kane's entire demeanor changed—his shoulders stiffened and his eyes flashed with golden light. He knelt beside Elva, keeping his voice gentle despite the tension radiating from him.

"You understood what the wolves were saying to each other, little one?"

Elva nodded. "Don't the wolves talk to you too?"

Kane exchanged a significant look with Elena before turning back to Elva. "Yes, they do. You're very special to understand them."

As Kane stood, Elena noticed how his hand unconsciously moved to the scar on his wrist.

If bear shifters were truly encroaching on Silver Moon territory, they had every reason to be afraid.