MARK OF THE FORSAKEN

Liana's boots moved smoothly on the forest floor as she followed Ryker through the thick forest. The air was wet, filled with the scent of grass and earth, but every sound seemed faster than before. She couldn't shake the unease mixing in her stomach. The world outside her isolated cabin felt too large, too unpredictable. And yet, here she was, walking behind an Alpha she barely trusted, his big and large shoulders tight as he checked their surroundings.

"Stay close," Ryker said, looking over his shoulder.

Liana got angry at the command but held back an irritable reply. She didn't need his reminders; she could handle herself. At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

As they walked, she couldn't help but notice how the air around Ryker seemed tensed. It was soft, like the sound of tension before trouble started. And then there were the strange feelings she'd been having since they'd left her cabin, she had been having a deep feeling in her chest that grew stronger the closer she was to him. She shook her head, trying to dismiss it as nerves, but the feeling remained, unsettling her.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked, breaking the heavy silence between them.

Ryker paused, checking the trees ahead before answering. "There's a safe path that leads to my territory. If we move quickly, we'll reach it by nightfall."

"Safe?" Liana raised an eyebrow. "You're not exactly convincing me here."

Ryker's lips moved in a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Safer than staying put. Rogues have been active in this area lately."

Liana's stomach tightened. "Rogues?"

"Wolves without a pack," Ryker explained, his tone grim. "Some are just outcasts trying to survive. Others… not so much. They'll attack anything that moves."

Liana swallowed the words hard but nodded. The forest, which once felt like her safe haven, suddenly seemed more dangerous.

As the hours went on, Liana found herself growing increasingly aware of Ryker's presence. The way he moved—silent and purposeful—reminded her of a predator. Yet there was something else, something almost identical. She caught herself glancing at him more than she liked, her eyes moving on the sharp lines of his jaw and the determined set of his mouth.

"What?" he asked, catching her gaze.

"Nothing," she said quickly, looking away.

Ryker didn't press forward, but she could feel his curiosity. It annoyed her. He didn't deserve her trust, not yet.

The pull in her chest grew stronger, like an invisible thread connecting them. She hated it. She didn't want to feel tied to him—or anyone. But the feelings wouldn't let her go.

As dusk began to fall, they paused near a stream to rest. Ryker sneaked by the water, his reflection moving as he splashed his face. For a moment, he looked… human. Tired.

"You don't seem like the kind of Alpha who takes breaks," Liana said, keeping her tone light and simple.

Ryker let out a short laugh, though there was no humor in it. "An Alpha who doesn't rest won't last long."

She studied him, curious despite herself. "Must be hard. Leading a pack, dealing with curses…"

"It's harder than you think," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "Every decision, every failure—it all comes back to me. People look to me for answers I don't always have."

Liana blinked, caught off guard by his honesty. For a moment, he didn't seem like the hard-to-laugh type of Alpha who'd barged into her life. He seemed… vulnerable.

But before she could respond, a low growl sounded through the trees.

Ryker was on his feet instantly, his posture rigid. Liana's heart pounded as she checked the darkening forest.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"Stay behind me," Ryker ordered with his voice firm.

Before she could argue, a figure stumbled out of the shadows—a wolf, its fur scattered and rugged, its eyes wild with pain.

"Rogue," Ryker muttered, his posture shifting to one of readiness.

The rogue wolf collapsed to the ground, its breaths tired. Liana's first instinct was to step back, but something about the wolf's tortured look held her in place.

"Help…" the wolf said with its voice barely audible.

Liana froze. Wolves didn't usually speak in their animal form. She glanced at Ryker, whose expression had darkened.

"Who did this to you?" Ryker asked, stepping closer but keeping his distance.

"Enemies… inside," the rogue mentioned. Its body trembled violently, as though fighting off some invisible force.

Liana's mark began to burn faintly, the feeling crawling up her arm. She held onto it, her breath shaking.

"What does he mean?" she asked with her voice shaking.

Ryker didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened as he crawled beside the rogue. "What enemies? Who sent you?"

But the rogue didn't respond. With a final, shaking breath, it went silent.

Liana stared at the lifeless body, her mind racing. The rogue's secret words, the burning feelings in her mark—it was all too much.

"What did he mean?" she asked again, her voice rising. "Enemies inside your pack? What aren't you telling me?"

Ryker stood slowly, his expression unreadable. "I don't know. But I intend to find out."

Liana narrowed her eyes. "You're hiding something. I can feel it."

Ryker turned to face her fully, his gaze sharp. "You're not the only one with secrets, Liana. But if you want answers, you'll have to trust me."

Trust. The word made her laugh. "Trust isn't something I give freely, Ryker."

"And yet, here you are," he said, his tone quiet but straight.

Before she could respond, a soft rustling of leaves caught their attention. Both of them turned, their eyes checking the forest.

In the small light, a pair of glowing eyes appeared in the distance. A wolf stood half hidden among the trees, its dark fur blending with the shadows. It didn't move, didn't growl. It simply watched.

Ryker tensed, his body moved like a spring. "Stay here," he whispered.

He took a step forward, but the wolf disappeared, he checked through the forest and it seems nothing ever stayed there.

"Who was that?" Liana asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ryker's expression was harsh. "I don't know."

But the tension in his voice told her otherwise.

As the forest grew silent once more, Liana couldn't forget the feeling that they were being watched. The rogue's warning continued playing in her mind, and her mark still burned a bit, a constant reminder that her life was no longer her own.

"Let's keep moving," Ryker said, his tone not tolerating any argument.

Liana answered, even when her heart was filled with unease. She didn't trust Ryker, wasn't sure about the journey, and certainly didn't trust herself. But one thing was clear to her, whatever was going to happen from this new found relationship would change everything.