Chapter 8- Rumours of Silver
By the time they returned to Blackridge Territory, the forest felt different.
Not safer.
Just quieter.
The patrols had doubled since they left. Wolves moved along the tree line with careful precision, their attention focused outward rather than inward.
The pack had shifted fully into defense mode.
Emily walked beside Jay toward the center of camp, her mind replaying the moment on the ridge again and again.
Silver.
The Bloodfang wolf had recognized something instantly.
And judging by the reaction of the warriors around them...
It meant something important.
"Jay."
He looked down at her immediately.
"Yes."
"What did he mean?"
Jay didn't answer right away.
Instead, he kept walking until they reached the edge of the training grounds where fewer wolves were passing.
Then he stopped.
The torchlight flickered across his face, illuminating the tight line of his jaw.
"You heard the word he used."
Emily nodded slowly.
"Silver."
Jay studied her carefully.
"Yes."
She folded her arms.
"I'm guessing that's not a compliment."
His lips twitched slightly.
"Actually... it might be."
Emily waited.
Jay sighed.
"There are certain bloodlines among wolves that appear rarely."
Emily frowned.
"Okay."
"Most packs never see one in their lifetime."
Her stomach twisted.
"Jay."
His gaze held hers.
"Silver wolves are one of those bloodlines."
Emily blinked.
"That sounds like a story wolves tell pups."
Jay shook his head slightly.
"It's older than that."
Emily looked away toward the trees.
Her mind drifted back to the moment on the training grounds.
The strange energy under her skin.
The shimmer she thought she saw.
"You think that's me."
Jay didn't answer immediately.
"That Bloodfang scout recognized something in your scent from across a ridge."
Emily laughed nervously.
"That could mean anything."
"Yes."
"But you don't think it does."
Jay's silence was enough.
Emily ran a hand through her hair.
"This is insane."
Her wolf stirred.
Not in disagreement.
Jay stepped closer.
"If Bloodfang believes you're silver, they'll come back."
Emily looked up sharply.
"Because they want to recruit me?"
Jay's expression darkened.
"No."
The word landed heavily.
"They'll try to take you."
The forest suddenly felt much colder.
Emily's pulse quickened.
"Why?"
Jay's eyes flicked toward the dark tree line.
"Because silver wolves can change the balance of power between packs."
Emily swallowed.
"That sounds like something that starts wars."
Jay met her gaze again.
"Yes."
The bond between them flared.
Protective.
Fierce.
Jay reached out, brushing his fingers lightly against her arm.
"They'll have to go through me first."
Emily stared at him.
For the first time since arriving in Blackridge, the reality of what the bond meant truly settled in.
Jay wasn't just protecting her because she was his mate.
He was preparing to fight a war for her.
And somehow...
Her wolf liked that idea far more than it should have.