---- My heart sank. "Where to? Is anywhere safe anymore?" "T've already made arrangements," he said." There's a secret route that can take you to a more distant safe zone. But you have to leave tonight." I hesitated. This could be a trap, but the sincerity in Kaelen's eyes didn't seem feigned. More importantly, Orion's reaction to him... blood ties wouldn't lie. "I need to go back and get some things, tell Rhea." He nodded. "I'll wait for you at the village entrance. We must leave before dark." Just as I was about to turn, he suddenly said, " Sera, is he... is he okay?" "He's very healthy," I answered softly. "Strong, smart, and he has your eyes." He smiled, and for that moment, he looked like the Kaelen of old, the man I had loved. It made my ---- heart ache again. "Thank you for protecting him," he said sincerely. I nodded and turned to leave, my heart a whirl of emotions. Back inside, Rhea and Lina were waiting anxiously. "It was him!" Lina asked, surprised. "Really the Nightfang Alpha?" "It's Kaelen," I confirmed, quickly packing essentials. "Lyra's people have found us. We have to leave immediately." Rhea didn't question, immediately helping me pack. "I've been dreading this day. Good thing we have a backup plan." Just then, the village alarm bell suddenly rang! "What's going on?" Lina ran to the window. "Oh gods! The village entrance is on fire!" ---- I rushed to the window, fear chilling me to the bone - the village entrance was indeed ablaze, people scattering in panic, and in the firelight, several dark figures were moving towards us. Their movements weren't human, more like beasts. But not entirely wolves either - twisted, deformed, as if in a half-shifted state. "They're here!" I grabbed Orion, my heart thundering. "We have to use the back door!" Rhea pulled open a trapdoor in the floor. "This leads to the back mountain. Kaelen designed this escape route. Quick!"