Chapter 2

The scent of pine needles and earth permeated the crisp morning air as Kade led his young protégé through the dense forest. The boy, barely fourteen, trailed behind him, his steps uncertain but eager. Kade paused, turning to face the young wolf shifter.

“Remember, Truitt, tracking isn’t just about following a scent,” Kade instructed, his voice low and steady. “It’s about reading the environment around you. Notice the broken twigs, the disturbed leaves. Every little detail tells a story.”

Truitt nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration. The boy was intelligent and driven. Kade had no doubt he’d grow up to be a great enforcer. “But what if I lose the scent, Alpha Kade?”

“Trust your instincts. Let your wolf guide you. With practice, you’ll learn to pick up the trail again.”

The boy’s determination brought a flicker of a smile to Kade’s usually stoic face. He remembered being that age, so eager to prove himself, to master the ways of the wolf.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, a sudden commotion shattered the quiet atmosphere. The unmistakable crackle of magic, followed by a dull thud, sent a jolt through Kade’s body. His instincts surged to life, a primal protectiveness taking hold. A sudden disturbance rippled through the forest. Kade’s head snapped up, his senses on high alert. The air crackled with an unfamiliar energy, setting his nerves on edge.

“Truitt, head back to town,” Kade ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Find Luna Nightshade and tell her to meet me at my mother’s house. Go, now!”

The boy hesitated for a moment before sprinting away, his form blurring as he shifted into his wolf. Kade wasted no time, his powerful legs carrying him swiftly through the underbrush toward the source of the disruption.

As he neared a small clearing, Kade’s heart stopped. There, lying motionless on the forest floor was a woman he’d recognize anywhere. Celeste. His Celeste. After years of searching, of desperately trying to find any trace of her, she came back to him.

Kade dropped to his knees beside her, his hands trembling as he checked her vital signs. Her pulse was steady, but there was something strange about her condition. A faint glow emanated from her skin, hinting at magical interference. As if handling the most precious cargo, Kade lifted Celeste into his arms. Her body radiated a subtle warmth, the signature of her unique magic, and it sent a shiver down his spine. He marveled at the way she fit perfectly against him as if she were always meant to be there.

As he carried her to his truck, memories of their shared past flooded his mind. Celeste, as a vibrant and curious child, always eager to explore the hidden wonders of Whispering Pines. Celeste as a stunning teenager, her emerald eyes sparkling with mischief and stealing his heart with every smile. The pain of losing her when he was only sixteen had almost killed him. Then the years of dead ends and sealed records broke him, but now, by some twist of fate, she had come home.

After settling Celeste in the passenger seat, Kade climbed behind the wheel, his mind racing. Should he tell her about their past when she woke up? He’d waited years for her, he didn’t want to waste any more time. But he didn’t know how injured she might be. He had to let her feel better before getting into their mate bond with her.

The drive back to town was a blur, Kade’s thoughts consumed by the female next to him. As he pulled up to his mother’s house, he spotted the older woman waiting at the door, her expression a mix of worry and anticipation.

“Kade, what happened? Is that...”

Kade nodded, lifting Celeste from the truck. “It’s her, Mom. It’s Celeste.”

His mom sprang into action, directing Kade to lay Celeste on the guest room bed and then bustling about to gather herbal remedies. The sound of a car outside announced Luna’s arrival, and soon the two women were huddled together, whispering about Celeste’s return and what it might mean for their community.

“She’s finally back,” Luna murmured, her eyes shining with excitement. “Her magic, it’s stronger than anyone’s in town. With Celeste here, we’ll be able to face any challenge that comes our way.”

Elsie chuckled, casting a knowing glance at Kade pacing beside the bed. “And maybe now my son can stop living like a hermit and rejoin society. The only woman he’s ever wanted is right here in front of him.”

Kade frowned, crossing his arms over his broad chest. “I haven’t been living like a hermit, Mom.”

Elsie rolled her eyes, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “Oh, please. We’ve all tried to set you up with every eligible woman in town, but you’ve never shown an ounce of interest. You’ve had three of the shortest dates in history. Face it, Kade, you’ve been waiting for Celeste all this time.”

Luna laughed, patting Kade on the shoulder. “Well, if Celeste is your mate, you better be ready to fight off the men who will be vying for her attention. A powerful witch like her won’t go unnoticed.”

A low growl rumbled in Kade’s chest at the thought of anyone else trying to romance Celeste. She was his, and he would make sure everyone knew it. But first, he needed to focus on her recovery.

As the women continued their preparations, Kade kept a watchful eye on Celeste, noticing subtle changes in her aura as she began to stir. Fragments of memories spilled from her lips, whispers of moments they had shared, each one intensifying the conflict within him. How much should he reveal? How much could she handle in her vulnerable state?

Slowly, Celeste’s eyes fluttered open, her emerald gaze locking with Kade’s worried one. Confusion clouded her features, and Kade’s heart ached to see her so lost, so uncertain.

“Where...where am I?” Celeste asked, her voice hoarse and filled with confusion.