Page 31 of Fated Wolf's Redemption

“We think he’s experimenting on mutants. Enhancing them, and we think they’ve come up from the Deep Below. There may be a crack, and it may still be open…”

“I know what he’s doing. And I’m telling you to stay away.”

His voice carries no anger, just finality.

But I don’t back down. “If you know, then tell me why. Tell me why I’m supposed to abandon this when wolves are going missing. When something is bleeding into our world, possibly poisoning the earth, which could affect the birthrate.”

There’s a long pause, and then… “Because Cain used to work for someone I thought was long dead. A human we once trusted. He betrayed us. He opened the door.”

“What door?” I ask, heart pounding.

“The one that our kind sealed during the War of Mists. The one that should never have been open again.”

My breath catches. The War of Mists isn’t just a myth—it’s one of the oldest, most closely guarded Windrider histories. A tale of another realm bleeding into this one. Creatures that didn’t belong in sunlight or shadow. And a gate closed with blood and sacrifice.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because once you know, you can’t unknow. And if Cain finds you, he won’t kill you. He’ll use you.”

The connection begins to falter.

Then he’s gone. The wind falls silent.

I sit back, hands numb against the soil, stomach tight. My father has never ordered me to stand down before. Never invoked the Windwoven bond with that kind of force, which means he’s terrified.

But fear doesn’t change what’s happening. It doesn’t bring Max back. It doesn’t stop Cain. And it sure as hell doesn’t stop the voice in my gut telling me I was meant to find this.

I rise, brushing dirt from my knees, and make my way back toward the lodge. Lucas is standing on the porch now, talking with Ryder. His eyes find mine across the clearing, sharp and sure, and I know instantly—he’d follow me if I asked. He’d burn the world down if I said the word, which is exactly why I can’t take him with me.

This isn’t his burden. Not yet. I nod casually and slip back to my room.

I have packed my bag by the time the moon rises. Light. Essentials only. I leave a note—just two lines:

Had to follow the wind. Don’t come after me.

—S

I step outside into the stillness. The wolves are quiet tonight. Even the trees feel like they’re watching. I head for the eastern ridge, where the path curves down toward Ash Creek. My boots are silent against the rock. My breath is steady. The farther I walk, the more the wind rises.

CHAPTER 9

LUCAS

As my eyes take in her note, a deep stillness settles over me, yet turmoil brews beneath the surface.

Had to follow the wind. Don’t come after me.

Does Sophia truly think that a few hastily written words can keep me away? After everything we've faced side by side, everything we know, the intense emotions that have bound us together? That is complete and utter bullshit. There’s a small part of me that thinks I should respect her wishes, but another part is pulling me to chase after her, knowing I can’t let go so easily.

Ryder's still at the lodge, half-talking with Isabella, but he sees the shift in my expression and strides over. "What happened?"

I hold out the note. His eyes scan it fast. His jaw tightens.

"She went to Ash Creek. Alone," I say.

Isabella curses under her breath. Ryder scrubs a hand down his face. "How long has she been gone?"

I don’t answer. I’m already moving. I storm through the lodge, down the corridor to my room, grabbing my field pack, tactical gear and a spare gun. I don’t stop to change. I don’t eat. I just run. Out the door, through the courtyard, across the training field.

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