Chapter 19-Hunting The Enemy
The forest east of Blackridge was quieter than usual.
Emily noticed it the moment they crossed the outer patrol line.
Normally the wilderness beyond the territory hummed with life-birds shifting through branches, small animals darting through undergrowth, the steady whisper of wind through pine needles. But tonight the forest felt tense.
Watching.
Waiting.
Jay moved ahead of the group with the silent confidence of a wolf who had hunted through these woods his entire life. Rowan followed just behind him, while three Blackridge warriors spread out along the flanks to watch the surrounding terrain.
Emily walked beside Owen near the center of the formation.
Her senses felt sharper than ever.
She could hear every step on the forest floor.
Every branch shifting in the wind.
Every heartbeat around her.
The silver energy inside her had been restless all evening.
Not wild.
Just awake.
Like her wolf understood something important was about to happen.
Owen glanced sideways at her.
"You're quiet."
Emily gave him a look.
"You're usually the quiet one."
"That's because Liam talks too much."
Emily almost smiled.
But the tension in her chest kept her from fully relaxing.
"Do you think this is a trap?" she asked.
Owen snorted softly.
"Of course it is."
Emily sighed.
"Great."
Ahead of them, Jay suddenly raised a hand.
The entire group stopped instantly.
Emily's wolf sharpened its attention.
Something was wrong.
Jay crouched slightly, studying the ground near a cluster of rocks. Rowan moved closer while the other warriors fanned outward to secure the area.
"What is it?" Emily asked quietly.
Jay pointed to the dirt.
Footprints.
Fresh.
Several sets.
"Bloodfang patrol," Rowan murmured.
Emily crouched beside them.
Her enhanced senses picked up the scent almost immediately.
Wolves.
At least six.
And...
Her breath caught.
"Marcus."
Jay looked at her sharply.
"You smell him?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
The scent was faint but unmistakable.
Something dark and powerful threaded through it.
Different from the other Bloodfang wolves.
Older.
More dangerous.
Jay's expression hardened.
"He's close."
Emily felt her pulse quicken.
The enemy Alpha wasn't just watching the territory anymore.
He was nearby.
Jay stood slowly.
"We move carefully from here."
Rowan nodded.
"Scouts ahead."
Two Blackridge warriors shifted instantly into wolf form and disappeared into the trees.
Emily watched them go.
Then glanced toward Jay.
"You didn't bring the whole pack."
"No."
"Why?"
Jay met her gaze.
"Because Marcus expects that."
Emily frowned.
"So this is... what? A reconnaissance mission?"
"Partly."
She tilted her head.
"And the other part?"
Jay's eyes darkened slightly.
"If the opportunity appears..."
Emily blinked.
"You're planning to kill him tonight."
Jay didn't answer.
But he didn't deny it either.
The group moved deeper into the forest.
The terrain grew rougher as they approached the old quarry Rowan had mentioned earlier-a wide rocky basin where stone had once been carved from the hillside decades ago.
Now the area was mostly abandoned.
Which made it perfect for an enemy camp.
Jay slowed again as they neared the ridge overlooking the quarry.
Everyone crouched low.
From the shadows between the trees, Emily could see the faint glow of firelight below.
Bloodfang.
At least ten wolves moved through the clearing.
Some stood guard near the edges.
Others sat near the fire.
Emily scanned the camp.
Then her wolf went still.
There.
Near the center of the clearing.
A tall man stood beside the flames, speaking quietly to two warriors.
Even from a distance, his presence felt unmistakable.
Marcus Vale.
Emily felt the silver energy inside her stir sharply.
Jay noticed immediately.
"That's him."
Emily nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus turned slightly.
Even from the ridge above the quarry, Emily felt his gaze sweep across the forest.
Searching.
Her wolf bristled.
"He knows we're here," she whispered.
Jay's expression didn't change.
"Of course he does."
Rowan glanced between them.
"So what's the plan?"
Jay studied the camp carefully.
"We watch."
Emily frowned.
"That's it?"
"For now."
She opened her mouth to argue.
Then stopped.
Marcus was moving again.
He stepped closer to the firelight.
And looked directly toward the ridge.
Toward them.
Even though they were hidden in the trees.
Marcus smiled.
Emily felt a chill slide down her spine.
"He sees us."
Jay's wolf surged beneath his skin.
"Yes."
Marcus raised his voice.
"Emily Vale."
The sound carried clearly through the quiet forest.
Emily froze.
Marcus chuckled softly.
"You can stop hiding now."
Jay stepped forward instantly.
But Emily placed a hand on his arm.
"Wait."
Marcus continued.
"I've been looking forward to meeting you."
Jay's voice dropped dangerously low.
"Stay behind me."
Emily ignored that.
Instead, she stepped out from the trees.
Rowan swore under his breath.
Jay grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing?"
Emily met his gaze.
"He wants me."
Jay's eyes flashed.
"That's exactly why you shouldn't walk into his camp."
Emily smiled faintly.
"I'm not walking into his camp."
She looked back toward the quarry.
Marcus was still standing beside the fire.
Watching.
Waiting.
Emily's wolf rose beneath her skin.
Silver energy flickered along her fingers.
"I'm bringing the fight to him."