Chapter 126: No Turning Back

AARON He straightened, his expression serious. 'The elders sent us," he said. 'They want you to return to Lunaville. They're worried about you." I snorted. 'Worried? Since when do they worry about me?" The leader didn't answer. He glanced at Helena, narrowing his eyes. 'And who is this?" he asked. 'She doesn't smell like one of us." 'She's with me," I said sharply. 'That's all you need to know." The leader frowned. 'The elders won't like this," he said. 'They won't like it at all." 'I don't care what the elders like," I snapped. 'I'm not going back, and neither is she. Now get out of here. I would not like to lose my patience." It was already wearing thin. The leader paused, glancing at the other wolves. I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. He didn't want to defy me, but he also didn't want to go back empty-handed. I could feel the tension building, the other wolves shifting nervously. 'Alpha," he said slowly, 'we have our orders." I bared my teeth. 'And I have mine. Now go." 'Alpha," the leader said again, sounding more desperate now. 'Please, come back with us. We want to keep you safe." I glared at him. 'You think attacking us is keeping me safe? You're fools. Go back to Lunaville. Tell the elders I'm fine. Tell them I'll return when I'm ready." The wolves hesitated, looking at each other. They didn't know what to do. But I didn't have time for this. I needed to get Helena out of here. I turned to her, my eyes softening. 'Are you okay?" I asked. She nodded, but I could see the fear in her eyes. It made my blood boil even more. I looked back at the wolves. 'Leave. Now." The leader hesitated, then nodded. 'As you wish, Alpha," he said. 'But this isn't over. The elders will want answers." 'Let them come find me themselves," I growled. As they disappeared into the trees, I relaxed slightly. Our cover was blown now. So much for surprising them later. But we were safe. And we were together. That was all that mattered. For now. 'Did they hurt you?" I asked, my voice softer now. My eyes dropped to her ankle, and they darkened. Blood was seeping out of the wound, and she winced. 'Can you walk?" I said, my voice dejected. She nodded, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I reached out, grabbing her arm gently. 'I'm sorry," I said. 'I should have been more careful." She shook her head. 'It's not your fault," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She was limping. 'I just... I didn't know what to do." 'It's okay," I said. 'You did fine. Come on, let's get back to camp." I probably needed to teach her how to defend herself in situations like that. But I wouldn't allow it to happen again. As we walked back, I couldn't help but think about what the leader had said. The elders would want answers, and they wouldn't stop until they got them. We were running out of time. Our cover was blown, and now we had to figure out our next move. I glanced at Helena, walking beside me. She was trying to be brave, but I could see the fear in her eyes. I reached out, taking her hand. 'We'll figure this out." I said quietly. She nodded, gripping my arm. I hated this, but I had no choice. There was no turning back now. As we made our way back to camp, I couldn't shake off the dread that settled in my chest. The encounter with the wolves had been too close, and it was clear they weren't going to give up easily. The pack elders wouldn't be pleased to hear that I had defied them, and I knew there would be consequences. But right now, all I cared about was keeping Helena safe. Helena and I walked back to the camp, with me helping her walk, and my emotions all over the place. I was relieved that she was safe, angry at the wolves who dared to attack, and frustrated at the whole damn situation. We should have been more prepared. They had sensed Helena wasn't one of our own. Or at least, she wasn't a werewolf from Lunaville. Her disguise, the potion Luna gave her, masked her human scent, but it wasn't enough to make her smell one of them. Wolves could always tell when someone didn't belong. As much as I liked it, I didn't want them using that ability now. Luna was waiting when we got back, her face a mix of relief and worry. She had been waiting in ambush, in case the wolves got too near. 'What the hell happened?" she demanded, marching towards us. Her eyes quickly scanned Helena for any signs of injury. Helena looked down, guilt spreading across her face. 'I... I'm sorry," she murmured. 'I just wanted some fresh air. I didn't think…" 'You didn't think." Luna cut in, her tone sharp and not relenting. 'If you'd stayed in your tent, they wouldn't have come after you." 'They knew I wasn't part of them….they knew.." She said softly. 'Even with the potion, they could tell I was different." 'That's exactly the point," Luna replied, her voice softer now but still firm. 'We're in their territory, Helena. They're on high alert, and any outsider is seen as a threat." I clenched my fists, trying to keep my anger in check. 'They were out of line," I said, my voice low tense. 'She wasn't posing any threat to them, and they still went for her." Luna turned to me, her expression a mixture of understanding and concern. 'They sensed she wasn't one of them," she said. 'Even if they think she's a werewolf, they know she's not a Lunavillian. They could smell it…sense it. And now that they've seen that, they'll be prepared. Our cover's been blown." I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. 'Yeah," I muttered. 'They'll be ready for us next time. But so will we."