Chapter 36: A Crime?!
Kaya
I take another cautious step as I round the packhouse, careful to move quietly, avoiding any unnecessary noise that might draw unwanted attention.
The crisp night air soothes my nerves, unraveling the tight knots of anxiety in my chest. Out here, beneath the open sky, I can finally breathe again.
Maybe it’s the pine trees.
Their scent lingers in the cool air, fresh and grounding. It reminds me of Alpha Magnus—of the way he smells like pine, bark, and spice. I wonder if his skin has simply absorbed the scent of the forest... or if it’s the forest that has absorbed the scent of him.
I shake off the ridiculous thought and press forward, keeping to the shadows as I quietly observe my surroundings.
To my left, a group of men sit on the porch, engrossed in a game of poker. Glasses of amber liquor glint under the moonlight as they drink, groaning in frustration or bursting into laughter at their wins and losses. They seem at ease, absorbed in their own little world.
To my right, a fire crackles, casting a warm glow over a small gathering. A man with a thick black beard and short, curly hair strums a guitar—badly. The tanned, chubby girl beside him playfully mocks his skill, adjusting her singing to match his off-key notes.
The others around the fire chuckle, tossing good-natured jeers in the guitarist’s direction. The atmosphere is light, easy, filled with quiet joy.
A pang of something sharp grips my chest.
It looks nice. It looks... comforting.
Back in Dark Wood, such leisurely activities were strictly forbidden. Not by Damien, but by Camilla, who despised the sight of wolves from different ranks mingling without purpose. Idleness irritated her; she was always urging others to be useful.