When Amara Voss moves to the secluded mountain town of Blackwood, she's seeking a fresh start and a chance to heal. But the quiet town holds dark secrets, and her world is turned upside down when she encounters Lachlan Dane-a mysterious man with piercing eyes and a dangerous edge. Lachlan belongs to the Blackwood pack, a hidden community of werewolves sworn to protect their own. Drawn to Amara in ways he cannot explain, Lachlan risks exposing his pack's existence for the woman who stirs something primal within him. But Amara's presence in Blackwood is no coincidence. She is tied to an ancient prophecy that could save the pack-or doom them all. As tensions rise between humans and werewolves, Amara must navigate a world of forbidden love, deadly loyalties, and a truth that could change everything she thought she knew about herself. Caught in a battle between two worlds, Amara faces an impossible choice: betray her own kind or sacrifice the man who has become her everything. In Caught in Between, love is a dangerous game, and the stakes are higher than ever.
Chapter 1 1
The rain fell in a steady rhythm, drumming against the windshield of Amara Voss's old station wagon. She squinted through the blur of water, trying to read the weathered wooden sign at the side of the road. Blackwood, it read, in letters so faint they were nearly swallowed by the encroaching moss. Beneath it, another sign hung crookedly, as if barely holding on: Population: 1,452.
The road twisted sharply, forcing Amara to slow down even more. Her knuckles whitened against the steering wheel as her tires slid slightly on the slick asphalt. She muttered a curse under her breath. Moving to this remote town might have seemed like a good idea a month ago, but right now, in the middle of a storm, it felt like a mistake.
The GPS had long since lost signal, leaving her with nothing but printed directions she'd hastily scrawled on the back of a receipt. It wasn't as if she had much of a choice-she needed the job. And after everything that had happened in the city... Blackwood seemed like a place to disappear.
The headlights of her car cut through the dense fog that clung to the trees. Towering pines lined the road, their branches heavy with rain. The air was thick with the scent of earth and wet leaves, and an unsettling quiet had settled over everything, broken only by the hum of her engine and the occasional crack of thunder.
As she rounded another curve, she saw it: the faint glow of lights in the distance. Relief washed over her, though it was tinged with unease. Blackwood was exactly as the online listing had described-quaint, isolated, and utterly forgotten by time. The main street was a stretch of old brick buildings, their storefronts illuminated by dim, flickering bulbs.
Amara parked outside the only place that seemed remotely lively-a small diner with a neon sign that read The Hollow. She killed the engine and sat for a moment, watching the rain slide down the windows. The prospect of stepping into a strange town soaked to the bone wasn't appealing, but hunger outweighed her discomfort.
Inside, the diner was warm and smelled of coffee and fried food. A handful of people sat scattered among the booths, their conversations low and murmured. The waitress behind the counter looked up, her bright red hair standing out against the muted tones of the room.
"Evening," the waitress said, her voice tinged with curiosity. "You're not from around here."
Amara shook the rain from her jacket and offered a polite smile. "Just moved in today. I'm Amara. I'll be working at the veterinary clinic."
The waitress arched a brow. "You're Dr. Voss?"
"Yes... well, just Amara is fine."
The woman let out a small laugh and extended a hand. "I'm Maggie. Welcome to Blackwood, Amara. Not much happens here, but you'll get used to it."
Amara took the offered hand, noting the strength of Maggie's grip. "Thanks. I guess I'll be seeing you around."
"Oh, you'll see everyone around," Maggie replied with a smirk. "Small town, you know."
Amara slid onto a stool at the counter and ordered a coffee and a sandwich. As Maggie moved to prepare her order, Amara felt the weight of a dozen eyes on her. She glanced around subtly, catching snippets of hushed conversations and curious stares.
"New girl, huh?"
The voice came from her right. Amara turned to find a man sitting at the far end of the counter, his arms resting casually on the surface. He was tall, with a lean frame, tousled dark hair, and a rugged face that looked like it had seen its share of fights. His eyes, though, were what caught her attention-pale gray, almost silver, and uncomfortably piercing.
"Just moved in," she replied, keeping her tone light.
"Brave of you," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
She raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. "Blackwood isn't exactly... welcoming to strangers."
Before she could respond, Maggie returned with her coffee and sandwich, sliding them across the counter with practiced ease.
"Don't mind him," Maggie said, shooting the man a look. "Lachlan likes to scare the new folks. It's a bad habit."
Lachlan chuckled and held up his hands in mock surrender. "Just being honest."
Amara took a sip of her coffee, the warmth spreading through her chest. "Well, thanks for the warning, I guess."
Lachlan didn't reply, but his smirk didn't fade.
As the evening wore on, Amara couldn't shake the feeling that something about Blackwood was... off. It wasn't just the storm or the isolated location. It was the way people watched her, the undercurrent of tension in their glances. And then there was Lachlan, who had moved to a booth in the corner but continued to watch her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.
When she finally left the diner, the rain had slowed to a drizzle. The air was cool and sharp, carrying the faint scent of pine and something else she couldn't quite place. She stepped out onto the street, pulling her jacket tight against the chill.
"Amara."
The voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned to find Lachlan standing a few feet away, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket.
"Be careful out here," he said, his tone low but serious.
"Is that another warning?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Just... advice," he replied, his gaze flickering to the woods that loomed at the edge of town. "Things aren't always what they seem."
Before she could press him further, he turned and disappeared into the shadows.
Amara stood there for a moment, her heart pounding. She had come to Blackwood looking for peace and a fresh start. But as she glanced toward the dark, silent forest, she couldn't shake the feeling that she had stepped into something far more dangerous than she'd ever imagined.
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