Chapter 4 The Stranger

The village was tense in the days following the rogue attack. The pack had suffered losses, and the warriors were on high alert. But for Sienna, something had changed.

She had felt it during the fight-the power, the strength of her wolf. It had been buried deep inside her, hidden beneath years of self-doubt and rejection. Now, it was as though it had awakened.

But not everyone saw her strength as a good thing. The whispers had started again, this time with a different tone.

"She's not like us," someone murmured as she passed.

"She's dangerous."

Even her mother seemed wary, though she tried to hide it.

Sienna retreated to the forest once more, seeking solace among the trees. She needed time to think, to process what had happened.

It was there, at the edge of the woods, that she saw him.

The stranger stood tall and imposing, his dark hair falling over his eyes. He was dressed in black, blending into the shadows, but his presence was unmistakable. His gaze locked onto hers, and she felt a chill run through her.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steady despite her racing heart.

The stranger smiled, a slow, predatory smile that didn't reach his eyes. "A friend," he said smoothly. "Or perhaps... an ally."

Sienna narrowed her eyes. "I don't need an ally."

"Don't you?" the stranger said, stepping closer. "I saw you during the battle. That strength you displayed-it's not normal, is it?"

She stiffened. "What do you want?"

"I want to help you," he said simply. "You're different, Sienna. You don't belong here, not among wolves who can't see your worth."

His words hit a nerve, and she clenched her fists. "I don't need your help."

The stranger tilted his head, his smile never wavering. "We'll see."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the forest, leaving Sienna alone with her thoughts