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The enemy

Dan's POV

I can’t get her out of my mind. The girl from the woods. The girl from Shadowwood pack. The enemy.

I’ve seen her before, of course. In school, in town, in the news. She’s Elena Stormfang, the daughter of the rival alpha. The heiress of the dark and dangerous clan that lurks in the shadows of the forest.

But this is different. She’s by herself, exposed, frightened. Her golden eyes dart around, looking for an escape or a threat. Her chestnut hair falls over her face, hiding her expression. Her slender body tenses, ready to run or fight.

I feel something when I see her. Something I can’t explain. Something I shouldn’t feel.

I breathe in the earthy, musky scent of the Silverwood forest. The air is cool, hinting at autumn. I stand among the tall trees, feeling their rough bark like old skin. The sun filters through the leaves, making light and shadow on the ground. It’s a world of twilight, where the sun barely reaches the forest floor.

I walk on a carpet of leaves, crunching under my feet. They are crimson, amber, and gold – the colors of summer’s end. The breeze touches my hair and skin, and the smell of soil and decay fills my nose. It’s a perfume that is only Silverwood.

I hear a creek in the distance, babbling with the wind and the leaves. The forest is alive with sounds – an owl, squirrels, birds. I feel at home here, with my pack and my land. I know every secret and path in these woods. It’s a world of beauty and danger, where the moon glows and the shadows hide threats.

In Meadowville, our town in the wilderness, the werewolves have a community and an understanding. We survive in a world that may not accept us.

But we can’t forget Elena’s pack, our rivals beyond Silverwood. Their presence is a shadow over us, a reminder of a past of conflicts and battles. We coexist, but we don’t trust each other. The tension is always there, waiting for a spark.

In this werewolf world, I find solace and identity. Silverwood and its secrets are in my soul, and every time I explore its depths, I feel the wildness in me – the same wildness that runs through my pack.

I look around and see my pack members. My family.

There’s Luna, the kind-hearted and perceptive healer of the pack. She’s always caring for the wounded or sick, using her natural gifts and herbal remedies.

There’s James, the mischievous and reckless omega who often gets into amusing predicaments. He’s always looking for fun or trouble, depending on my perspective. Orion is daring, fearless, and always seeking new challenges and thrills, and there’s Marcus, my loyal and witty best friend who serves as my beta. He’s always by my side, ready to offer advice or crack a joke. They're all brothers I always wanted especially ever since Talon. Shaking my head, I sigh. Talon's not important, I say to myself.

As we walk through the town square, James' words linger in the air like a taunting echo. "Hey, Dan," he calls out, intentionally disrupting the tranquility of the moment. I pause for a moment, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed. My mind races with conflicting thoughts as I try to maintain my composure.

"Why'd you let that Shadowwood chick go?" James prods, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

I take a deep breath, struggling to find the right words to defend my decision. "What did you want me to do? Kill her?" My voice is steady, but my heart pounds in my chest, the weight of my choice heavy on my mind.

"She's a Shadowwood, Dan," James retorts with a nonchalant shrug. "They're our enemies."

I clench my fists, feeling the surge of anger rise within me. "She's not a threat, James," I respond, trying to keep my tone measured. "She's just a kid. Seventeen years old, still in high school."

"So?" James challenges, refusing to back down. "She's still a Shadowwood."

I force myself to keep walking, resisting the urge to lash out in frustration. Arguing with James will only lead to more tension, and I can't afford that right now. My pack needs stability, not discord.

"Well, as the alpha, my job is to prevent unnecessary wars too," I explain, attempting to maintain my calm demeanor. "She didn't pose any danger to us or our territory. She was just lost and curious."

James snorts dismissively and rolls his eyes, clearly not satisfied with my response. "Lost and curious? More like spying and scheming."

I grit my teeth, feeling the turmoil building inside me. I don't want to justify my actions to him. He wouldn't understand the conflict I felt when I saw her in the woods. She was terrified, and my instincts as a protector kicked in. I couldn't let my pack make things worse for her.

As we continue walking, my mind drifts back to the moment I decided to let her go. I can't help but wonder if I'll see her again, and what I'll do if I do. The uncertainty gnaws at me, but I know I made the right decision for my pack.

But James doesn't know when to stop. He keeps pushing, trying to provoke me further. I feel a growl building in my throat, a warning to him to back off. He doesn't heed it.

I finally reach the grill, where the scent of cooking meat fills the air, and the pack gathers around, waiting for me to feed them. My role as leader and provider takes precedence over my conflicts. I try to focus on the task at hand, flipping the meat over with a sense of purpose.

Yet, even as I try to immerse myself in the responsibilities of being alpha, James mutters something under his breath. My ears catch the faint words, and my patience wears thin.

"Enough," I snap at him, my eyes narrowing with a flash of intensity. The rest of the pack glances at me, sensing the tension in the air.

Marcus and Orion, ever loyal, take their places beside me, offering quiet support. They trust my judgment as the alpha, understanding the complexities of my decisions.

But James, he's always the instigator, always looking for an opportunity to taunt me. I fight the urge to let my emotions get the better of me and remain steadfast in my resolve.

In the end, the pack's unity is what matters, and I won't let anyone, not even James, jeopardize that.

Marcus gets it’s about Elena so he just smiles, while Orion playfully punches James and the rest of the pack just continues talking. They know better than to mess with me when I’m in a bad mood. Especially when it comes to her.

I check the meat again and see that it’s done. I start serving it to the younger werewolves and the others who are hungry. They thank me and dig in, enjoying the food.

I smile and watch them eat. I love my pack. I love taking care of them, providing for them, protecting them.

I see the young ones playing and laughing. They remind me of her.

Her.

The girl from the Shadowwood pack.

Elena.

I’ve seen her play with the young ones too. In school and town, she’s always kind and gentle with them. She loves them like they’re her own.

She loves kids.

So do I.

I’m nineteen years old, but I want to start a family soon. My bloodline. My legacy.

Maybe that’s something we have in common.

But I can’t think about that. I can’t think about her.

She’s a Shadowwood. She’s an enemy.

She’s not for me.

I pretend like I don’t know her when I see her in the woods. When I check her necklace and see her name engraved on it.

Elena.

I let her go without a word.

But I can’t forget her face.

Her golden eyes.

Her chestnut hair.

Her slender body.

Her scared and curious expression.

She haunts me.

She tempts me.

She confuses me.

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