Chapter 11
Chapter 011
Two days have passed.
I was recovering well. My wounds are healing now thanks to the Pack’s doctor’s efforts.
Unlike other wolves,I had no wolf so my healing isn’t magical. Unfortunately.
Theo would be taking me home. To the Pack house.
Where he lives with other pack members.
I feel so nervous just thinking about it.
The Packland is so huge. Staying here at the Pack infirmary,I could sense how powerful Shadowclaw Pack is.
When the doctor came to check my vitals. I swallowed.
“Thank you doctor for looking after me”
Coldly. She raised her head. “Not like I had a choice,Kaia p>
Her attitude surprised me.
“Did I do something wrong, doctor p>
She smiled. Not reaching her eyes for sure.
“No. You didn’t do anything wrong. And it’s not my place to judge p>
She turned to leave. Stopped,turned to me.
“The Alpha will be here to pick you up soon. I will send the nurse in to help you get dressed up”
“Sure. Thank you, Doctor Maggie” I muttered.
She didn’t answer. Then, she left.
Leaving me to wonder what I’ve done wrong this time.
During the ride to the Packhouse.
Theo’s men kept glancing at me like I was some cursed relic they shouldn’t have touched.
Even without my wolf,I could sense it -Sharp,ordered,the kind of presence that comes from dominant wolves. Trained to obey one voice;his.
When the villa came into view, I understood why the Shadowclaw Pack had an immense reputation across the
country.
Stone walls. Iron gates. Carved with runes.
It wasn’t built just for defense–It was a statement.
“The Shadowclaw Pack,” one of the guards muttered, almost to himself. “No one steps here uninvited p>
I knew that was meant for me. They were reminding me of my status.
An invited stray.
The car stopped.
A large crowd gathered outside.
Watching as I stepped out of the car.
It was Silvermoon all over again.
My stomach shifted when I saw their eyes on me.
Curious. Judgmental. Murmurs.
Theo came down, walking ahead, not looking back. His presence seemed to shift the very air around him.
When the doors opened, I caught murmurs:
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“Who is she p>
“She smells wrong p>
“She’s human–no, not quite p>
“Why did the Alpha bring a stranger over p>
“I bet she’s bad luck. Look at her”
I kept my chin up, hiding the tremor in my legs.
Theo stopped and gestured for me to follow.
“You’ll stay in the guest wing until you’re healed p>
“I’m fine p>
“You’re bleeding through your bandages,” he said evenly. “That’s not fine p>
Stops.
We were about to enter the villa when some men stopped us at the entrance.
A man approached–average, amber–eyed, his posture sharp enough to cut glass.
His aura screamed Elder.
“Alpha,” he said, bowing slightly before flicking his gaze toward me. “You brought a stranger inside the inner gates? ”
“She saved my life,” Theo said simply.
The man’s brow lifted. “And now you’re saving hers. You’ve gone soft p>
Theo didn’t even blink. “I’d call it even p>
The man turned to me. “Name p>
“Kaia,” I said.
He studied me, nostrils flaring. “You smell like an Outcast. Exile. But… different p>
Every muscle in my body went rigid.
Theo’s tone darkened. “That’s enough, Elder Marcus p>
True to my instincts. He’s an Elder.
A curious elder at that.
Elder Marcus didn’t apologize–but he stepped back, curiosity simmering beneath his calm.
“Cahead, Alpha” Marcus smirked.“Your guest must be tired. It’s a long ride afterall”
Theo didn’t answer. He led me away.
Away from the Pack members‘ watchful eyes.
I sighed.
Feeling better to be away from everyone.
Later that night, I stood by the window of the chamber Theo assigned me.
Outside, I could hear the murmurs: guards whispering, servants gossiping, their voices laced with distrust.
“She’s trouble, why would Alpha Theo bring a stray over to the Pack? Did we forget the rules”
“Whatever she’s running from will follow her here. Shadowclaw don’t shelter problems”
“Exactly. This is the problem” One guard replied
“I heard the Alpha thinks she’s his problem” I heard one maid muttered,her voice low.
“No,” another guard said. “It’s our problem. The last thing this pack needs is another ghost in human skin p>
The words hit like a silver blade.
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Chapter 011 Ghost.
That’s what I was–haunting the very people who tried to help me.
Crawling over them like dark shadows.
I tightened my hand over the bandage on my shoulder, feeling the pulse beneath.
I should leave. Tonight.
But then I remembered the way Theo’s eyes softened, just once, when he said: You’re safe here.
And for reasons I couldn’t leave, my legs wouldn’t move.
Maybe. For some reason, I will be safe here.
With or without the Pack Members‘ judgement.
And they are right. Right to ask questions. Raise brows about me.
Same thing I should have done when Draven brought Liora home that night.
But,I didn’t.
I trusted Draven too much.
He took advantage of it. Betrayed and cast me out.
I wouldn’t blame them for asking questions.
I wish I’d done the same back then.
That night, I dreamed of fire. Of the Silvermoon crest burning, of Liora’s laughter echoing through smoke.
It felt so real watching the Silvermoon Pack burn to the ground.
I shouldn’t care if Silvermoon burns. But somehow, the dream stuck with me.
When I woke, someone was standing by the door.
“Theo p>
No answer. Just a flicker of movement–fast, deliberate. The scent of ash and moonbane.
An assassin’s scent.
Before I could call out, the figure lunged–dagger flashing silver.
The last thing I saw was the blade’s reflection in my eyes… before a hand caught it midair.
Theo’s voice, low and furious.
“Did you think you could touch her in my house p>
I opened my eyes to warmth–rough hands pressing against my skin, steady as the earth.
For a moment I thought I was dreaming again.
Then came the voice.
“Breathe, Kaia p>
Theo.
My eyes fluttered open to the flicker of torchlight. His arm was wrapped in bloodied cloth; the assassin’s blade had grazed him while he shielded me.
“You’re hurt,” I rasped.
He didn’t answer–just looked at me with that unnerving steadiness, the kind that felt like it saw straight through my defenses.
“Worry about yourself. My men took care of the rest p>
I tried to sit up, but pain lanced through my side. “I’m not fragile p>
He gave a faint, humorless smile. “You’re alive because I didn’t listen when you said that last time p>
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For a heartbeat, the air between us felt… dangerous. Too close.
Too something.
I broke the air between us.
“Who was that?” I asked.
Theo stands straight.
“It’s nothing you should worry about,Kaia. Focus on getting better. I will handle the rest”
My eyes flashed. “Why not? Someone just attacked me. Why wouldn’t I worry p>
“Because they weren’t here for you.” Theo said.“They had a mission and got the wrong target”
Theo turned casually. He looks like he had been expecting the attack.
Great. Wrong target.
I could’ve sworn the assassins came for me.
Theo looks at me. Muttering. “Duty calls,Kaia. Later p>
Then he left before I had a chance to ask more questions.
I heard from Draven that Shadowclaw Pack was a very powerful and formidable Pack.
What’s going on with the Pack?
I hope my arrival hasn’t jinxed their pack.
I would hate myself if that were the case.
I managed to rest up after Theo left.
Hours later, when I stood up for a walk in my chambers. I caught faint voices from the hall.
I shouldn’t have listened–but years of survival had taught me that eavesdropping often kept you alive.
“Why’s she still here?” one guard muttered. “She’s bad luck p>
“She saved him,” another said.
“Or led the assassin here p>
Their words hit harder than any wound.
Then came Marcus’s voice–low, clipped, the one they all obeyed.
“The Alpha made his choice. But I don’t trust her. No wolf survives that long in the wild without help p>
Help.
If only they knew.
I returned to my bed.
Pressing my face into the pillow, blinking back the sting in my eyes.
I’d been hated before–This is a reminder of how my own pack members in Silvermoon hated me.
Not while my heart betrayed me by caring what they thought of me.
I don’t blame them. Still,I can’t help it.
Later that night, Theo entered my chamber again.
He looked tired–blood cleaned, shirt changed, but his shoulders carried the same weight as before.
“You heard them,” he said quietly.
I froze. “I wasn’t p>
“It’s fine.” He stepped closer, his voice softening. “They’ve lost too much to trust easily p>
“And you p>
He hesitated. Just long enough for my chest to tighten.
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“I don’t know yet,” he said. “But I want to. Trust me, I don’t blame you for any of this. It’s just protocols”
The honesty of it undid me more than any accusation could have.
He moved to the table where a small bowl of crushed herbs sat. “You made this p>
I nodded. “Moonwort and sage. It’ll draw out the poison from the blade p>
Theo smiled faintly. “Even now, you heal the ones who doubt you p>
“That’s what I do,” I murmured. “Heal what’s broken… even when it hates me for it p>
For a moment, silence stretched–thick, charged.
Then Theo reached out, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my cheek. “Don’t worry about it, Kaia. I won‘
t let anything happen to you. Not under my watch”
These words felt like a lie, but I wanted to believe them.
When Theo left, I finally let my eyes close. But sleep didn’t come easy.
Because under the medicines and blood, I smelled something new–something familiar.
The assassin’s blade had been coated with a rare venom. One used only by the Silvermoon Pack.
My pack.
And as I stared into the darkness, realisation clawed up my throat.
They hadn’t just cast me out.
They were still hunting me.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.