The Alpha's Shadow

hands clutched the wheel so tightly her knuckles ached, but she didn't dare loosen her grip. Her breath came in shallow gasps,

from me, Len

otest as her car surged forward into the wilderness. Trees rose on either side of the r

reamed at it, slamming her palm against t

lowed was deafening, save for the distant sound of the wind rustling through the trees. Lena sat

pricked at her eyes, but she blinked them away, for

oding, and the faint smell of earth and moss filled her nose. She glanced up and down the deserted road, hopin

ion 217. It wasn't much, but it was her best shot. Pulling her coat tighte

uted gold. It was small-smaller than she'd imagined. A handful of wooden houses, a general store, a churc

her limbs. She didn't even notice the older woman watching

you've been thr

ind but lined with age, her gray hair pulled back in a loose bun. She wor

unsure of what to say

everything. "Come on in. You look like

er Leona like a

smell of bread baking in the kitchen. The woman-who introduced herself as Mare

ou do, stay out of the woods. The forest has i

the villagers were less welcoming. They eyed her with suspicion, their whispers following her whe

ies, she heard raised voices outside. Curiosity got the be

s red with anger. Between them stood a tall man with dark ha

. Instantly, the two arguing men fell silent, casting

For a moment, she couldn't breathe. His gaze was

said, his tone ne

throat dry. "I...

efore offering a faint nod. "Welcome

ving Lena standing there, her heart pound

k forest. Maren's warning echoed in her mind, but she couldn't shake t

trees. She froze, her breath hitching. At first, she thought it was just her im

t move. The eyes held her captive, their gaze unblinking. Then, as quickly as i

he window, her mind racin

dwell on it. A knock a

t, Kael stood the

ly. "The longer you stay here, the harde