Chapter 16
Ian stood up in one smooth motion, his eyes scanning the tree line with sharp precision.
I followed his gaze, but I saw nothing—just the usual rustling branches and falling leaves.
“Ian?” I asked, my voice unsteady.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he sniffed the air, his jaw tightening. The easy warmth he had shown moments ago was gone. Now, he looked like a predator on edge.
“Someone’s been following us,” he muttered, low and dangerous.
I stood too, nerves crawling under my skin.
“Who would—?”
But before I could finish the question, he stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. His eyes glowed faintly, a clear sign that his wolf was close to the surface.
“I’ll take you home,” he said, not offering it as a suggestion.
The walk was quick, tense. Ian barely spoke, but his hand stayed wrapped around mine, grounding me. Reassuring me.
When we reached my house, he scanned the surroundings again before finally turning to me.
“Stay inside tonight,” he said. “Lock every door and window. Don’t open the door for anyone—not even me—unless I call you first.”
That sent a chill through me. “Ian, what’s going on?”
“There’s someone in the territory who doesn’t belong. Rogue? Spy? I don’t know yet. But they’re watching you.”
I blinked, heart pounding. “Why me?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “But I swear on my life, Ava, they won’t touch you.”
Then he cupped my face gently, as if trying to memorize the shape of it. “I’ll come back when I know it’s safe.”
And just like that, he was gone, disappearing into the night with silent footsteps and burning purpose.
I did what he said—locked everything, pulled the curtains, and sat on the floor with my arms wrapped around my knees.
It was strange. A week ago, my life was silent and lonely.
Now, it felt like I was part of something… huge. Dangerous. Unknown.
And the worst part?
Some small, secret part of me didn’t want to run from it.
Some part of me wanted to stand right beside Ian—no matter what came next.