Chapter 384

Ava’s POV

I whirled around, heart leaping into my throat.

Beta Owen stood on the stairs behind me, his expression unreadable in the dim light. “I—I was looking for Alpha Kenneth,” I stammered. “I finished the festival proposals and wanted to show him.”

Owen’s eyes narrowed. “This area is restricted. Especially tonight.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“You need to leave. Now.” His voice was low but commanding.

I nodded quickly and moved to step around him.

He walked with me as we left that place. When we got upstairs, I still couldn’t hold back my curiosity.

“What is that place?” I asked.

Owen’s jaw tightened. “That’s not something you need to concern yourself with.”

“I heard growling,” I pressed. “It sounded like wolves.”

He sighed. “That’s the interrogation chamber, Ava. It’s fully shielded to prevent captives from sending messages through pack bonds or mind links.”

“Captives?”

“This isn’t your business,” Owen said sharply. “Alpha Kenneth has been nothing but generous allowing you to stay here, but there are boundaries.”

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment. “I was just trying to find Kenneth.”

“Alpha Kenneth is dealing with pack security matters. If you need something, come to me first.” Owen’s expression softened slightly. “Look, I know you’re trying to help, but stay away from that basement.”

“I understand,” I mumbled, though my mind was racing with questions.

I decided to treat this as a small incident and not dig deeper into it. After all, I was living happily here.

Days passed quickly. Before I knew it, I had been staying here for a month. The pack members who had initially viewed me with suspicion now greeted me warmly. Children ran up to hug me whenever I visited the community center. Even the elders nodded respectfully when I passed.

It was late afternoon, and I was helping some of the younger pack members decorate the community hall for an upcoming event.

“Miss Ava, look!” Ellie bounded up to me, her pigtails bouncing with each step. She proudly held up a somewhat lopsided paper flower. “I made it all by myself!”

“It’s beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, genuinely impressed. “Let’s hang it right here where everyone can see it.”

As I lifted her up to reach the hook, I caught sight of Kenneth watching us from the doorway.

Our eyes met, and he smiled.

“You’re good with them,” he said later as we walked back to the pack house. “The children adore you.”

“Children are easy,” I replied. “They don’t judge you based on what you are or where you came from.”

“Neither do I,” Kenneth said quietly. “You’ve become invaluable here, Ava. The pack has never been so peaceful.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Thank you for taking it.”

The past month with Kenneth had been confusing. He was always the perfect gentleman. He was attentive and respectful, and he never crossed any boundaries. Yet sometimes I caught him looking at me with an intensity that made my breath catch.

The morning air was crisp as I joined the patrol team at the territory border. After the council meeting’s report about drug-smuggling rogues, Kenneth had increased security everywhere. Today, I was accompanying a gamma warrior and his squad to check the eastern perimeter.

“Morning, Miss Flynn,” Ben the gamma in charge, greeted me. “Ready for your first border patrol?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, zipping up my jacket against the chill.

Just as Ben began explaining the route, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

I pulled it out to see a message from Eleanor.

“Joseph’s in the hospital. Critical condition. Come back ASAP.”

My heart stopped. Joseph? Hospital? Critical condition? The words blurred together as my mind raced through terrible scenarios. Despite everything that had happened between us, the thought of him hurt or dying sent a wave of nausea through me.

“Miss Flynn? Are you okay?” Ben asked.

Before I could answer, another warrior came running toward us, panic clear on his face.

“We’re under attack!” he shouted. “Rogues, at least twenty of them, breached the northern border. They’re heading straight for the residential area!”

Ben immediately shifted into command mode. “Rally the warriors. Set up a defensive perimeter around the pack house and community center.”

“They’re targeting the daycare center,” the warrior added breathlessly. “Some of them are already inside.”

The daycare center. Where Ellie and at least fifteen other children were right now.

My blood ran cold. “We need to get to those kids now!”

“Miss Flynn, you should head back to the pack house where it’s safe,” Ben said firmly. “You’re wolfless. This is too dangerous.”

I ignored him, already running toward the daycare center. “Alert Alpha Kenneth immediately!” I called over my shoulder.

The closer I got to the daycare, the more chaotic the scene became. Pack members were fleeing in all directions. Warriors in wolf form were fighting with massive, ragged-looking rogues. Blood stained the grass in several spots.

When I reached the daycare building, the front door had been smashed in. I could hear children crying inside. Without hesitation, I slipped through the broken door.

The main playroom was a mess. Toys were scattered everywhere, and furniture was overturned. Most of the children had been evacuated, but as I moved deeper into the building, I heard a small whimper from the reading corner.

There, curled under a table, was Ellie, eyes wide with terror. A massive gray wolf with matted fur was walking toward her with its teeth showing.

“Hey!” I shouted, grabbing a broken chair leg. “Over here!”

The wolf turned, yellow eyes locking onto me. It growled, taking a step in my direction.

Ellie sobbed louder. “Miss Ava, I’m scared!”

The rogue wolf jumped at me. In that moment, I knew the chair leg wouldn’t be enough. I did the only thing I could do, the thing I’d promised myself I would never do in front of others.

I raised my hand and whispered the magic words I had learned.A pale blue light flowed from my fingertips, creating a barrier between me and the wolf. When it hit the barrier, the rogue yelped in pain and was thrown backward.

“Ellie, run!” I shouted. “Find somewhere to hide, now!”

As the child scrambled away, I kept the barrier up, my hand shaking with the effort. The rogue wolf walked in circles, looking for a way past my magic.

I was so focused on the wolf in front of me that I didn’t notice the second one coming from behind until it was almost too late. I felt its presence just as it jumped. Its powerful jaws were aimed at my neck.

I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain.

Instead, a loud roar shook the room, followed by the sound of bodies hitting each other and a sharp yelp of pain.

When I opened my eyes, a massive black wolf stood between me and my attacker. It was easily the largest wolf I’d ever seen. Its shoulders came up past my waist, and its coat was completely black.

The rogue that had tried to attack me was lying still on the floor, its neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

The black wolf turned slightly, moving protectively in front of me. Something about the way it stood, the way it carried itself, felt familiar.

It was Kenneth.