Zoya’s P.O.V
They were large, almost half my size and they came in various colors of grays and reds and gold. There were four of them in total and they immediately went to work on Ezra’s silent command.
They sniffed around the perimeter of the cabin, their ears perked, and their bodies tensed with readiness.
I watched from the doorway as they combed the area, my heart pounding with anticipation.
Ezra's commanding voice led his wolves in their inspection, and with each passing moment, my fear began to ebb away.
His pack was skilled and loyal, and I trusted that they would protect us with their lives if necessary. And even Ezra himself joined in the search.
Outside, the forest echoed with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant howls, and I knew that Ezra and his pack were combing through every inch of the woods, searching for any signs of intruders.
I could feel the tension in the air, a palpable mix of concern and determination as they scoured the surroundings.
My heart skipped a beat every time I heard a twig snap or bush rustle, my imagination running wild with thoughts of what could be lurking beyond the safety of the cabin walls.
I wanted nothing more than to be out there with Ezra, to be by his side and help protect our home, but I knew that it was safer for me to remain inside where it was more difficult for anyone to get to me.
Besides, I had my unborn child to consider. I wasn't only keeping myself safe; I was also protecting my child.
Finally, the silence was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps.
My heart leaped in my chest as the door swung open, and Ezra stepped inside, flanked by some of his pack members.
I waited as he turned to the wolves and whatever communication they had…it had to be via some magical bond because I didn’t hear Silas talking, but if felt like the four wolves were actually listening to him.
After a few more minutes, the wolves turned and left, their strides powerful as they took off in a run before disappearing into the woods and finally, Ezra and I were alone in the room.
The relief on his face was evident as he met my eyes, and he wasted no time pulling me into a reassuring embrace. "We didn't find anything," he told me. "You're alright. Our baby is safe."
He gently cupped my face in his hands, his touch bringing a sense of comfort amidst the turmoil in my mind.
"Zoya, I don't want you to be alone here," he said softly. "Come stay with me at the packhouse. I'll feel much better knowing you're safe with us."
The thought of moving in with him brought a mix of emotions, but the idea of being under his protection was undeniably appealing.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling torn between the familiarity of my cabin and the safety of being with Ezra and his pack.
But as I weighed my options, the pack definitely sounded like a better place than this isolated cabin in the middle of nowhere…right?
"All right," I finally whispered, knowing deep down that it was the right decision. "I'll stay with you from now on."
Ezra's face lit up with a mixture of relief and joy, his amber eyes reflecting the love he held for me.
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, his touch sending shivers of affection through my body. It was comforting, like a homecoming after being away for too long.
As I nestled my head against his chest, I could feel the steady rhythm of his heart, synchronizing with mine.
The familiar scent of the forest, a blend of pine, earth, and the hint of wolf musk, filled my senses, and I couldn't help but inhale deeply, drawing him closer.
The tension that had been coiled in my shoulders since my unsettling encounter earlier began to dissipate, replaced by a sense of belonging.
With him, I felt protected and loved, and all my worries seemed to fade into the background.
The soft rustle of leaves outside and the distant hoot of an owl seemed to echo our newfound intimacy.
As Alpha, he had an entire pack to protect, but in this embrace, I knew I was his priority too.
A smile tugged at my lips as I glanced up at him, meeting his gaze with unwavering trust.
It felt like the pieces of my life were finally falling into place, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly content.
"I love you," he whispered, his voice tender and sincere.
The words sent a surge of warmth through me, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. "I love you too, Ezra," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Ezra," I said after a while, "do you think it was Silas or his men who were watching me? Or was I just being paranoid?"
"I don't think so, love.” He squeezed me tighter. “And you’re definitely not paranoid. However…it wasn’t him. I would've sensed him if it was Silas."
His words were reassuring, but I couldn't shake off the lingering unease. I pulled away and looked him in the eyes. "Then who could it have been? What if they come back?"
Ezra sighed. "I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to be stressed." He placed a hand on my abdomen. "It's bad for the baby… but you still deserve to know, especially since it concerns your safety…"
"I scented something from around the house that wasn’t familiar, so I went looking but I wasn’t able to find anything," he told me. "If it was Silas then I could have scented him, but he didn’t smell anything like that."
“Then what was it?” I asked, my brows furrowed in confusion.
“I don’t know.” His voice was distant as he spoke. "Whatever it was, it had a weird putrid scent, unlike a wolf."