“Okay,” Autumn finally said, opening her eyes again. “I’ll stay. For a while. But I’m not promising anything.”
Jacob’s smile widened, revealing a neat row of teeth. A glint of happiness flickered in his eyes, though he tried to hide it.
“That’s more than enough,” he said, extending his hand. “Come, I’ll introduce you to the others.”
Autumn hesitated for a moment before taking Jacob’s hand. The touch of their skin sent a strange warmth, like a gentle electric current that spread from her fingertips to her entire body. The bond she had feared for years felt different from what she had imagined.
Jacob’s pack lived in a secluded valley, surrounded by dense forest and towering mountains.
Unlike Autumn’s expectations of wild and dangerous wolf packs, their settlement seemed like a small, peaceful community. A few wooden houses were scattered among the trees, built in harmony with the surrounding nature.
When they arrived, several members of the pack were gathered in the center area. A few young children played tag, while the adults chatted casually. All activity came to a halt when they noticed their Alpha and a stranger.
"Everyone," Jacob said in a calm but authoritative voice, "this is Autumn. She'll be staying with us for a while."
Autumn felt curious eyes on her. Her old instincts screamed for her to flee, but she held herself together, trying to stand her ground. She would not show weakness.
A woman with long, blonde hair stepped forward. Her smile was warm, but Autumn could sense the wariness beneath her friendliness.
"Welcome, Autumn. I'm Elena, the Beta of this pack," she said, extending her hand. "It's nice to finally meet you. Jacob has told me a lot."
Autumn looked at Jacob questioningly. "Have you told me about me?"
Jacob scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I sensed your presence in our territory a few weeks ago. As Alpha, I can sense other wolves near my pack."
"She's been obsessed with finding you ever since," Elena added with a teasing smile, earning a warning glare from Jacob.
"I was just... curious," Jacob corrected. “It’s unusual for a lone wolf to venture so close to the pack’s territory.”
Autumn still wasn’t entirely convinced, but she decided not to dwell on it for now. “So where am I sleeping tonight?”
“You can use the guest cabin,” Jacob replied. “It’s by the creek. It’s private enough, but still within reach of the pack if you need anything.”
Autumn nodded, grateful that at least she didn’t have to share space with the rest of the pack. Solitude had been her companion for years, and she wasn’t ready to let it go just yet.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I appreciate that.”
Elena patted Autumn’s shoulder gently. “Come on, I’ll walk you there. You must be tired after the long journey.”
Autumn followed Elena down the small path that led to the eastern part of the settlement. They walked in silence, but Autumn could feel Elena’s eyes darting in her direction every now and then, full of judgment.
“You don’t have to worry,” Elena said finally, breaking the silence. “Jacob is a good Alpha. He’s not like…” Elena paused, as if searching for the right word, “…the Alphas you may have met before.”
Autumn clenched her fists unconsciously. “I’ve heard that phrase before.”
Elena smiled bitterly. “I understand your disbelief. I used to be like you a lone wolf afraid of the pack.”
This piqued Autumn’s interest. She turned to Elena with curious eyes. “How did you end up here?”
"Jacob saved me from being attacked by another pack," Elena answered, her eyes wandering back to the past. "I was badly injured, almost dead. He not only healed me, but he gave me a choice stay or leave after I recovered. He never forced pack bonding on me."
They arrived at a small cabin near a stream, just as Jacob had described. The simple wooden structure looked cozy with large windows overlooking the forest.
"This is your place," Elena said, opening the door. "There's everything you need inside food, clean clothes, and toiletries. If you need anything, just call. In this pack, we can all hear each other."
Autumn stepped inside, surveying the simple yet warm interior of the cabin. A bed with clean sheets, a small wooden table, a rocking chair by the window, and a small fireplace on the side of the room.
"Thank you," Autumn said sincerely.
Elena nodded. “Get some rest. There’s a bonfire tomorrow night a kind of full moon tradition. We’ll all gather around, share stories and food. We hope you’ll join us, but there’s no pressure.”
After Elena left, Autumn sat on the edge of her bed, feeling the weariness she’d been suppressing for so long begin to surface. For the first time in years, she was in a safe place, with a comfortable bed and the promise of a warm meal.
But thoughts of Jacob kept haunting her. The way his intense gaze was, the way his scent made her feel both safe and wary, and the bond that was slowly forming between them something she had avoided at all costs.
Autumn walked to the window, gazing at the darkening sky. The moon was almost full, visible through the clouds, reminding her of the time of her transformation that was coming. As a lone wolf, the time of transformation was always her most vulnerable. Without her pack to protect her, she had to be extra vigilant for danger.
"It's only temporary," she whispered to herself. "I'll just stay until the full moon passes."
That night, Autumn slept more soundly than she remembered in years.
Morning came with sunlight streaming through the cottage window. Autumn woke up feeling strange a mix of alertness and comfort. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was.
A soft knock on the door brought her to her senses.
"Who?" she asked, her voice still hoarse from sleep.
"It's Maya," a young girl's voice answered from behind the door. "I brought you breakfast!"
Autumn cautiously opened the door to find a teenage girl of about fourteen standing with a bright smile, carrying a tray of food that smelled delicious.
"Alpha Jacob asked me to deliver this," Maya said, holding out the tray. "He said you might want to have breakfast alone on your first day here."