Chapter 276

I crossed the village that morning in silence, the air alive with sound, and wherever I went, whispers followed as my attempts to win them over came to nothing. “Really trust him?” a wolf muttered as I passed. “I mean, after everything…” another chimed in.

My chest cramped. How heavier their words were compared to everything to do with the pack. I halted near the training grounds, faked interest in some equipment, but my ears remained attuned to the murmurs. “It is only a matter of time before he screws up again,” a deep, incisive voice said.

Lila’s voice cut in, sharp and defensive. “He’s changed. Some of you need to let the past stay there.” Her defense of me cut through my chest in a mix of gratitude and guilt. I clenched my fists as resolution formed in me. They might not yet believe in me, but I would make them see.

Later that afternoon, I took a patrol along the northern border. All seemed well except for a nervousness seeping into some of the younger ones. One argument, about a path taken being worse, just would not stop. “I’m telling you, the northern trail is safer!” snarled the young wolf, growling and showing his teeth. “And I’m telling you, it’s slow!” the other wolf spat back. “We wasted half a day using that route!”

“Enough!” I barked, stepping between them. Their ears flattened as they turned toward me. I kept my voice level but firm. “We are a team, not enemies. If we are fighting out here, what do we do when we come upon a real threat?” A murmur: “We wouldn’t be fighting if he wasn’t trying to impress anyone.”

I loosened the tension and stepped back to cool things down. “We’re taking the northern trail, but if it’s slower, I’ll make sure we make up for lost time. Square?” The younger wolves exchanged looks and then nodded grudgingly. “Fine,” one growled. I threw a glance at those passing us on their way to taking up patrol; a hint of respect in my eyes, which wasn’t much, but was good enough to get things rolling.

By the time we entered the village, Lila moved to walk beside me, a hint of a smile on her face. “I heard about the patrol. You did good.” “Thanks,” I said, scratching behind my neck. “Just doing my job.” She didn’t back off, and then and there, I remembered how she had stood up for me that very day. Then I glanced sideways to find some of the wolves watching us as if their faces asked if this really could be occurring.

I got to my feet and went back toward my quarters, where a folded paper was tucked under the door. The handwriting was new to me; the message anything but: “Be careful who you trust. Lila’s intentions aren’t as pure as you think.”

I dropped down to the edge of my bed and stared blankly at the note when it slipped through my fingers and settled onto my lap. Who gave me that? And for what? I remembered Lila’s loyalty, her heart of gold; yet, wasn’t it this easy that people trusted me, and once again the shadowy doubt crept into my mind. The dark flickering beyond my window made all these thoughts drop, freeze, holding its breath.

Wearied, I went to my quarters, the weariness resting upon my shoulders. It was a long day, and all I desired was a moment of quiet. My eyes reread the words and I felt a chill in the room. My chest went tight, and a feeling was already welling up my spine. I did not know the writing or the message well enough, thus leaving too many things open. Who would send this and why pick on Lila? I flung myself onto the edge of the bed, fingers instinctively clenching the note tightly.

Everything seemed to come to life as remembered in a jumble: flashes of Lila fighting for me in front of the pack, her soothing smile and friendly words all not pretense after all? Then, of course, were those moments I had brushed aside: how she would always hesitate in answering any question, speaking little about her past, and how many times she would stop and stare into the borders during patrol. It was then that my head started turning, trying to put together those fragments which made little sense previously.

A shrill noise outside the window jerked me back. In an instant, I was out of bed and to the window, my heart racing. Below, the faint silhouette of a wolf cut across the edge of the training grounds, disappearing into the night. I flung open the door, stepped out into the cooling air of the night. “Who’s there?” I yelled, firm while the edge carried uncertainty. It was met with silence.

I clutched the note in my fist and looked around. For the most part, the village was silent, lanterns casting warm lighting onto empty pathways, but that darkness beyond seemed alive, almost as if watching me, just waiting for my guard to go down. I went back inside my room and slammed the door. I sat again and stared at the note. My head was a mess of thoughts.

A knock on the door startled me. “Rowan?” Lila’s soft voice came from beyond it, muffled but clear. I hesitated, my hold on the paper tightening. “What is it?” “Just wanted to check on you,” she said, her tone light but cautious. “I noticed you seemed…distracted today.” My heart racing, could she know? Was it possible she had something to do with this?

“It’s okay,” I said, trying to infuse my voice with some boldness. “I’m just tired.” A pause, then her soft reply: “Alright. Goodnight, Rowan.” I didn’t answer, only listened to the sound of her feet going into the hall. Now the note felt heavier in my hand, the message loud in my head. “Be careful who you trust.”