Page 13 of The Cursed Wolf King

I gripped the branch tighter, bracing myself, but it didn’t help. Every inch of me was picking up on his emotions, his instincts, even his confusion, as if they were seeping through the air between us, demanding I pay attention. My skin tingled, my pulse quickening, and the completeness of it was unsettling. In the past, I’d felt flickers of emotions from Heraclids through the pack bond—loose drops of ideas, feelings, minimal at best.

This, however, wasconsuming. Invasive. Impossible to shut out. The force of it wrapped around me, and I felt exposed, wondering if he could sense my own thoughts just as clearly.

The intensity made me hold my breath, a thrill sparking through me even as I tried to control it. What kind of wolf was he, to make me feel this way? I’d never had another’s feelings settle over me like this, real as my own heartbeat. And it was then, with his gaze locked on to mine, that I realized how dangerous it was to be here. Not because of the threat he posed—but because of the way he made me feel. I couldn’t lose sight of why I was there.

He is my way out.

Carefully, I shifted my weight, the branch swayingslightly beneath me. His ears twitched at the sound, head snapping upwards. Our eyes met through the lattice of leaves, and a jolt shot through me. It was as if he could see straight into my soul, peeling back layers I’d long kept hidden. For a heartbeat, I forgot to breathe.

I couldn’t let myself be drawn in.

The power radiating from him was palpable—even from this distance, it pressed against my senses like a tangible force. If I could harness that, perhaps I could finally break the chains holding me captive within the Heraclid pack.

He circled the tree again, more agitated. The soft whines had ceased, replaced by a low rumble that vibrated through the air. He wanted me to come down. Whether it was out of curiosity or something more primal, I couldn’t tell.

I considered my options.

Approaching him directly was a risk. I knew nothing of his temperament beyond the glimpses the visions had granted me. But staying hidden wouldn’t get me any closer to my goal. I needed to make contact, to find a way to gain his trust—or at least his interest.

“Looking for something?” I called down, keeping my tone light but edged with confidence.

He froze, head tilted upwards. The force of his stare sent a shiver coursing through me, but I held firm. I wouldn’t show weakness.

“You’ve been following me,” I continued. “Or perhaps I’ve been following you.” A half-truth, but it might pique his curiosity.

He huffed, a cloud of breath visible in the cool night air. To my surprise, he stepped back. His muscles tensed, and in a fluid motion, thewolf began to shift.

I watched, transfixed, as fur gave way to skin, limbs reshaping until a man stood where the wolf had been moments before. He was tall—taller than I’d remembered even—with dark hair that fell in tousled waves around a face etched with strength and something else. Something guarded.

“Who are you?” His voice was deep, resonant, carrying easily to where I sat above, and it cast a shudder through me. Heat ran through my veins and I felt lightheaded. Not good when sitting precariously in a tree while the man who can decide your fate awaits your reply below.

I offered a faint smile. “Just a traveler passing through.”

“These lands aren’t safe for wanderers.”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance despite the quickening of my pulse. “I’ve found that nowhere is truly safe.”

He seemed to consider this. “You’re on Orion territory.”

“These are Heraclid lands.” I glanced around deliberately.

“These aremylands,” he rumbled, the sound making my collarbone vibrate, and I caught my breath.

So the man of my visions was from Orion.TheOrion that Grayson so hated. Somehow many pieces fell into place. “The lines seem blurred to me.”

A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You should come down.”

“Perhaps I like the view from up here.”

“Or perhaps you’re hiding.”

“From you?” I arched an eyebrow. “Should I be?”

He took a step closer to the tree. “That depends on your intentions.”

This was it—the opening I needed. “Maybe I’m seeking an alliance,” I said carefully. “A mutual benefit.”

He crossed his arms, muscles flexing subtly. “What could you possibly offer the Orion pack?”

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