Did she just shove my hand away and run?

I froze in my place, recalling what had just happened.

One moment, I was busy cutting some wood near my cabin.

Suddenly, I felt a surge of unease I couldn't explain.

I felt my very soul being pulled.

Then I found myself looking in her direction.

She was riding a horse, her long black hair moving up and down with the motion.

Drawn to her like a magnet, my eyes were lost in her beauty, tracing every small detail as she looked at me.

Suddenly, she fell from the horse.

I was certain I felt her pain the moment she hit the tree trunk!

Without thinking, I threw the axe aside and ran toward her.

But when I stretched my arm to help her up,

she shoved my hand away and left!

...

What's that?

A sound in the forest pulled me out of my thoughts.

Then i saw a shadow sprinting behind her-something was following her.

I had lived alone long enough to recognize danger when it crept this close.

And I know that scent.

The aggressive scent of wolves on the hunt.

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed in my head:

SAVE HER...

Who... who is there?

MOVE... the voice demanded.

It came from inside me!...

...Could it be my wolf? It can't be.

No matter how hard I tried, the wolf inside me had never awakened.

I can't explain what that voice is, but there is no time for that.

If she is in danger, I have to do something.

So i started running.

But my speed is nothing compared to her horse-or to the wolves behind her.

I can hear it, the growl of a wolf stalking its prey, ready to strike.

Even this far behind, somehow I can hear it.

SAVE HERE...

The strange voice repeated inside my head, sharper this time.

And with it, I felt my muscles pulse, thickening with raw, unfamiliar power.

I have to reach her.

I have to make sure she's safe.

My legs propelled me forward at a speed I didn't think was possible.

Then a sharp scream rang out-it was hers.

A roar ripped from my chest in response.

"Noooooo!"

My voice echoed through the trees as my speed doubled.

Some how, i could feel her...

Why do I feel her fear?

When did she start meaning this much to me?

Not used to the unnatural speed, a large branch flashed in front of me.

So fast there was no time to dodge.

I instinctively took cover behind my shoulder, crashing through it as the branch exploded into splinters.

And just beyond it, I finally arrived.

She was there, lying on the ground.

Her horse lay dead beside her, claw marks torn deep across its body.

In front of her two wolves stood coiled and tense, their eyes locked on me after my dramatic entrance.

One of them was bigger and stronger, with claws marks in one blind eye.

Logic screamed that I can't win.

That I should run.

That this isn't my fight.

But seeing the fear in her eyes made my veins burn with rage.

My usual calm was replaced by a fury I had never known.

"Stay away from her," I shouted.

Then one of the wolves lunged at me, claws flashing.

My body reacted on its own, and I leaned aside just in time-the claws missed me by a hair.

The wind of its strike grazed my skin.

I found myself off balance and nearly fell, but as I stumbled, my hand closed around a heavy branch on the ground.

As the wolf returned with another attack, I pushed myself upright, swinging the branch with everything I had.

The branch shattered against its jaw, sending the wolf crashing into a tree.

But the other wolf attacked me from behind.

I screamed, pain tearing through my shoulder as its fangs sank deep into my flesh.

Desperately, I tried to shake the wolf off my back.

Then I saw her looking at me-worry and rage replacing the fear in her eyes as she moved, running straight toward me, bones shifting, claws ripping into the earth.

She transformed mid-stride.

For a heartbeat, I forgot the fight.

She could have run.

She should have run.

Her wolf was fast and strong enough to escape this place.

So why wasn't she running?

Why was she charging straight at me?

But the wolf I had smashed with the trunk wasn't finished.

It lunged at her before she could help me.

The impact sent her crashing to the ground.

And the wolf slammed down on top of her, fangs glistening and dripping with saliva, hovering just inches from her neck, a low growl rumbling from his throat.

As i saw that something inside me snapped.

A faint silver gleam flashed across my vision.

With a roar, I twisted the wolf biting my shoulder-

ripping it off me and slamming it into the ground.

I didn't feel its fangs tearing into my arm,

didn't feel its claws raking across my skin as it fought back.

None of it mattered.

Blinded by rage,

my fists crashed into its ribs again and again-

and at the edge of my vision, she was fighting the other wolf.

Who is this man?

Why did he follow me, and why is he risking his life like that to help me?

Questions I couldn't explain as I felt the wolf inside me take over with rage.

But on my way to him, the other wolf lunged at me, and I fell aside with him.

And then, I was surprised by my own strength.

Being the daughter of the alpha, I was always safe.

That was my first fight, and I was winning.

It was... very exciting.

My wolf form was special. Rare. Something they called the Black Wolf.

I had never understood how special I was... until today.

In my rage, my power was overwhelming. The wolf attacking me had no chance.

In a few seconds, it was gravely wounded and running away.

Then I looked to the side.

The mysterious man who was trying to help me-he was on the ground, full of blood, on top of a dead wolf.

"Hey... are you okay?" I asked as i transformed back to my human form.

No answer...

He was alive, but unconscious.

It must be because he lost too much blood.

His body was full of bites and claw marks.

Under him, the wolf lay dead, with shattered ribs and broken bones.

Did he do all that in his human form?!

That was hard to believe!

I took my time bandaging him up and taking care of his wounds.

But then I heard them...

A pack of angry wolves,

growling as they slowly appeared between the trees.

Two? No. Four, or maybe more.

The wounded wolf who fought with me was behind them.

I shouldn't have let him escape.

Looking around in fear,

Black wolf or not, I can't fight them all.

I glanced at my mysterious hero.

He should be safe. I already stopped his bleeding,

And they are hunting me, not him.

So I left him and started running in the direction of my village,

And I could hear them after me.

Winning that fight made me more confident.

I can do this...

I dashed between the trees, trying to lose them.

Come on, just a few more miles and I will reach the border of my village.

They can't follow me there.

Suddenly, I heard more wolves.

No... I'm surrounded.

Two more wolves appeared from the sides,

They just ran next to me.

But they didn't attack!

Suddenly, I stopped.

There was a man standing in front of me, cutting off my path.

with three more wolves behind him.

I knew that man... It's Ray the Red Fang,

Alpha of the Red Moon Tribe.

Trying to catch my breath, I yelled at him,

"What do you want? Are you trying to start a war with us again?"

Ray smiled.

"Little princess, the war never stopped."

He started walking toward me.

"But if you want, you can stop the war forever."

I stiffened.

"Me? What do you mean?"

"First, I have to apologize. We are sorry. We didn't mean to scare you.

We just had to be sure the rumors were true."

"Rumors?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"

"We heard that the alpha of the Thunderhowl Tribe has a rare breed.

That behind your beautiful, innocent face...

you hide the legendary Black Wolf."

He looked at me coldly.

"To be honest, my first thought was to kill you."

But my son changed my mind.

Suddenly, I felt another presence behind me.

With a soft touch on my shoulder,

my skin shivered... When did he get there?

He was a handsome young man, trying to cover my shoulder with a tall, soft robe.

Then he whispered in my ears,

"Don't worry, I will not let anyone hurt you, nor force you into a marriage you don't want."

I stepped away, confused, looking at him with eyes full of questions.

"I know they want to force you into marriage" he said "and I also know what it's like to feel alone in this world."

He had a reassuring smile on his face, walking around me slowly.

I could feel his eyes studying me carefully.

Then he continued,

"I felt alone knowing that I'm the only Black Wolf in this world, but when I learned about you, I felt it was fate."

Before I could object, he grabbed my hand.

"Go back to your village now. You are free to do whatever you want,

but I humbly ask you for a chance.

Let us know each other better."

I stared at him, trying to understand what he just said.

He grabbed my hand and continued, "For more than twenty years, people thought the Black Wolf bloodline was lost forever.

And now there are two of us.

Maybe it's not a coincidence.

Maybe we were meant to be together.

Just think about it."

Then he gently kissed my hand and left.

And they all followed him.

I found myself alone in the forest, speechless.

What was all that about?

I felt the soft material of the well-made robe hugging my body.

Compared to Jax, this young man is surely an upgrade, bit i wonder what his true intentions are...

And on my way to the village, my mind kept drifting to that mysterious man who fought a wolf with his bare hands for me.

But i didnt know that Jax had his spies watching from afar the whole time...

___

A while later, in Draven's house, Jax was listening to his spy,

"Yes sir, I'm sure. The son of Ray, Alpha of the Red Moon Tribe. And they are waiting for her decision."

Jax stood, anger clear on his face, his fist clenched tight, "And that strange man-are you sure she was alone with him in the forest, personally tending to his wounds?"

The spy answered "Yes sir."

Jax clenched his teeth and said in a deep, frightening voice, "Bring him to me."

I didn't sleep that day.

I spent the night talking with Samar about everything that happened.

She sat next to me on my bed, listening to every word with wide eyes.

"Nora, this is crazy," She laughed and added, "Let's put the three potential grooms in a line and choose one together."

"Samar! This is not funny," I said. "It can really start a war with the Red Moon tribe again."

Her face turned serious.

"You know," she said slowly, "no matter what you do or who you choose, this can end badly.

You must tell your father."

I looked at the floor, thinking for a long moment,

"My father already has enough problems because of me and Draven.

Besides, I need to know who that mysterious man is, he was badly wound fighting that wolf for me"

Then i looked at Samar and continued, "Are you sure your husband can find out all about him? It's been hours since we sent him, and he hasn't returned."

Samar smiled.

"Oh, don't worry about William. He will be back soon with every dark secret about your mysterious man."

Not long after, William returned, panting, his eyes full of worry.

"I went to the place you told me about," he said, "but I wasn't the only one looking for him. Others were there before me."

I felt my chest tighten.

"Others? I don't understand."

"Jax's men," William continued. "I followed them. They dragged him to Jax's house.

And I heard voices inside."

"What voices?" Samar shouted. "William, talk! What's going on?"

William hesitated, then said quietly,

"I think he's being interrogated. Jax suspects a relationship between him and Nora."

I was consumed by anger. Jax... again. When will I finally get him out of my life?

I stood up and ran.

I could hear Samar and William shouting behind me, telling me to stop, to wait, to talk first.

But I couldn't.

How did Jax know about him?

Rage mixed with fear inside me as I ran down the road toward Draven's house.

Suddenly, William pulled me off the road and whispered, "Wait."

I was about to shout, but he and Samar stopped me, pointing ahead, signaling me to stay quiet.

I looked up.

It was Draven... and Jax.

They were coming toward us.

We quickly hid behind the trees, our bodies frozen, our breaths silent.

From where we stood, we could hear their voices-low, sharp, and filled with anger.

"What does this mean?" Draven said.

"She's not only planning a marriage with Ray's son...

She's also seeing a man from the common people?...

And Steve knows nothing about this?"

Samar looked at me with fear in her eyes as she whispered,

"Nora... how did they know about Ray's offer to marry you to his son?"

I couldn't answer.

My mind was spinning.

Everything was happening too fast, all at once.

William spoke quickly, "I'll try to delay them.

You need to go now.

Go talk to your father before they twist the story."

I couldn't think.

I could barely hear William at all.

All I could think about was the mysterious man-the one who helped me in the forest.

What did they do to him?

My worry for him drowned out everything else.

Suddenly, I found myself running the other way, toward Draven's house.

Samar and William ran after me.

This was my chance.

Draven and Jax were not home.

I had to help him.

As I got closer to the house, I felt it again.

His scent hit me hard.

The wolf inside me grew restless and tense.

The moment I reached the house, I forced my way inside.

I didn't search.

I didn't need to.

I could feel him.

I knew exactly where he was.

The basement.

I ran toward it.

Samar and William followed, calling my name, telling me to wait.

I ignored them and rushed down the stairs.

I could feel his pain.

He was hurting-right now.

When I reached him, tears fell on their own.

He was chained to the ceiling.

His body was covered in wounds and marks of torture. All because of me.

And still... he looked at me and smiled.

"I knew you were coming," he said softly.

"I could feel you."

I ran to him and started breaking the chains, my hands shaking.

"I'm sorry," I kept saying. "I'm so sorry."

At that moment, Samar and William reached us.

As soon as the last chain fell, his body collapsed against my shoulder.

Samar and William helped me hold him, and together we got him out of Draven's house.

We moved quickly, heading toward the forest.

As we walked, William suddenly frowned, his eyes fixed on him.

"Did anyone notice that?" he said.

"I'm sure some of his wounds are gone."

Samar looked closer.

"I don't know... but he's definitely not bleeding anymore."

I looked at him, worried.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He smiled softly.

"I feel better," he said. "Much better since I saw you."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks.

I looked away, glancing at Samar and William.

William stared at him carefully.

"This kind of healing speed," he said slowly, "i never seen anything like it."

Then he asked, "who are you? Could it be... are you a Black Wolf too?"

He let out a quiet laugh, then winced as pain stopped him.

"My name is Max," he said.

"And no... I'm not a black wolf."

We listened in silence as he continued.

"Im from a far away village across the sea called the ancient moon. Many years ago my tribe cast me out," he said.

"Because i... i failed to awaken the wolf inside me.

They told me I was just a normal human, raised by mistake among them."

"Max..." I said softly. "You should rest. Don't talk too much."

He looked at me, then gently moved his hand from William's shoulder.

He straightened up... and started walking on his own.

"Don't worry," he said with a small smile.

"I really feel better now."

At the same time, inside Steve's house, the argument was intense.

Draven and Jax were standing in front of Steve, their voices rising.

Steve couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Draven," Steve said sharply, "what you're saying is impossible.

That is not my daughter's behavior. That's not who Nora is."

Draven snapped back, his anger clear.

"So now we're lying?

Call your daughter here. Let her say that to my face."

Steve looked at Draven with cold fury.

"I won't allow this talk to cause another split between us," he said firmly.

"But I suggest you take your son and leave. Now."

Draven opened his mouth to argue, but Steve continued,

"I'll speak to you after I talk to my daughter and arrange with her an appointment for her marriage to Jax."

Draven's eyes darkened.

"No," he said harshly. "Tomorrow.

Jax and Nora's wedding will be tomorrow.

I won't let you leave this open without a clear date again."

Steve slammed his hand on the table.

The loud sound cut Draven off before he could say another word.

"You won't let me?" Steve repeated slowly, his voice dangerous.

"Don't forget yourself, Draven.

I am the Alpha here."

For a moment, Draven said nothing.

He swallowed his rage with effort, grabbed his son, and turned to leave.

As he walked away, he spoke in a low voice, teeth clenched:

"Not for long."