Chapter 119: We were been Watched

AARON 'We should tell Helena," I suggested, but Luna shook her head. 'No," she said firmly. 'Not yet. She's already dealing with enough. We don't need to scare her more." 'She deserves to know," I pressed, frustration building. 'She's involved now, whether we like it or not." Luna sighed, her shoulders dropping. 'I know," she admitted. 'But let's wait until we know more. We're not even sure it's Dorian. It could be another wolf. Someone just… observing." 'Observing?" I echoed, disbelief in my voice. 'Why would anyone just observe us?" Luna shrugged, doubt flickering in her eyes. 'Maybe they want to see if we're really coming back," she suggested. 'Or maybe they're just… curious." Wolves don't just observe. They follow. They hunt. And if one of them was at the cabin, it wasn't out of curiosity. 'We need to stay at alert," I said, my voice firm. 'If Dorian's out there, he's not just watching. He's planning. And if it's a wolf that's observing, then our cover's been blown." Luna nodded, a determined look in her eyes. She knew I was right. Wolves don't do anything without a reason. 'Let's just go." We continued walking, the silence between us heavy. Each step brought us closer to LunaVille…and possibly closer to Dorian. I kept glancing over my shoulder, expecting to see eyes watching us from the shadows. 'Aaron," Luna said quietly, breaking the silence. 'We've faced worse. We'll get through this." I nodded, but the dread in my chest wouldn't go away. 'I hope you're right," I replied softly. She touched my arm, her grip firm. 'I am," she insisted. 'But we have to stay strong. For Helena. For each other." I tried to smile, but it felt forced. 'For Helena," I repeated, and Luna nodded. We walked on, the only sound the crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant call of a bird. The sun was setting, casting long shadows on the ground. We needed to find a place to camp soon, but I felt exposed out here in the open. I felt like someone was coming. Luna seemed to have sensed my unease. 'There's a clearing up ahead," she said. 'We can set up camp there." I nodded, relieved. My muscles were sore from the day's trek, and my mind was heavy with thoughts. Rest might help us think more clearly, make a plan. We reached the clearing, and Helena started gathering wood for a fire. She'd been quiet all day, but I could see determination in her eyes. She was tougher than she looked. She'd need all that strength if we were going to make it. I walked closer to her, hugging her from behind. She stiffened at my touch, but relaxed almost immediately. 'Are you okay?" I whispered, pulling her closer. She exhaled, touching my arm. 'Yeah. My mind's just been racing. But I'm ready." She whirled around, her big brown eyes piercing straight into mine. Those eyes always made my heart skip, and I never wanted to stop staring at them. 'You are one brave woman." I smiled, kissing her forehead. 'I learn from the best." We set up camp, and I kept my ears open, listening for any sound, any hint of danger. The forest around us was too quiet. I couldn't shake the feeling we were being watched. I glanced at Luna, who met my eyes and nodded. She felt it, too. We weren't alone. And whoever—or whatever—was out there wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted. I hoped we'd be ready when the time came. The fire crackled, sending sparks into the night sky. I sat close, feeling the warmth. Helena sat across from me, the firelight on her face. She looked up, caught my eye, and smiled a little. I smiled back, but my mind was still on the marked wolf. Part of me wanted to tell her, to warn her, but to also reassure her that she'll be safe with me. But Luna's words echoed in my mind: 'Not yet." So, I kept quiet. For now. But I knew soon, we'd have to face whatever was out there. And when we did, I hoped we were ready. ********************************************** THE WOLF. The call came in the middle of the night. The wolf was deep in the forest, alone, letting the darkness wrap around him like a second skin. The familiar tug of the moon pulled at him, but he resisted the urge to howl. He had a duty, a responsibility to his pack and to Aaron, his alpha. The wolf's ears perked up as he heard the faint sound of paws on the forest floor, approaching quickly. It was a young messenger wolf, panting as he ran up to him. "The elders have summoned you," the messenger said between breaths. "They need you to lead the troops to find Alpha Aaron." The wolf nodded, understanding the urgency. He knew this day would come. Without a word, he took off, his powerful legs propelling him through the forest at a speed only a seasoned human hunter could maintain. The trees blurred past him, the wind whistling in his ears as he made his way back to Lunaville. He knew this was important…no, it was crucial. Aaron had been missing for too long, and the pack was restless, uneasy. They needed their alpha, their leader, back home where he belonged. The elders' circle was already filled when he arrived. The large clearing in the center of Lunaville was illuminated in pale moonlight, casting long shadows on the ground. The air was thick with tension, every wolf in the pack aware of the gravity of the situation. The elders stood in a semi-circle, their fur reflecting the moonlight, eyes glowing with a mixture of anger and concern. At the center was Elder Miriam, a female senior elder known for her sharp tongue and fierce loyalty to the pack. She was pacing, her eyes narrowed, her tail flicking back and forth. Elder Miriam was one of the most respected and high-ranking elders in Lunaville. She was a strong and fierce wolf, known for her sharp eyes and even sharper tongue. Her fur had been a deep shade of gray, with silver streaks that showed her age and wisdom. Despite being older, she always stood tall and proud, her posture upright, commanding attention and respect from everyone around her.