Stuck with the enemy

I was trying to keep my head straight, trying not to let Derek or Leo invade my thoughts. But that was easier said than done. Ever since Jacob came back, life felt more hopeful. It wasn't that anything was different, but I'd felt like maybe-just maybe-things could go back to the way they were.

A week had passed since Jacob started at the café, and tonight we were on our usual walk home, talking about everything and nothing, just like old times. The idea of taking back our parents' house was becoming more real by the day. It felt like a small glimmer of hope that could finally anchor us.

"We've been saving for years, you know," I said, kicking a pebble down the sidewalk. "Aras and I haven't talked about it much, but the goal has always been the same: to get the house back." I looked at Jacob, feeling the familiar ache that always hit me when I thought about it. "It's still there, standing empty. They rented it out after we were gone, and I guess the Alpha's council thought it would just stay that way."

Jacob looked over at me, his face thoughtful. "You're not alone in this, Deniz. You know I'm here for anything you and Aras need." He paused, his tone turning a bit lighter. "And once we get that house, you know I'll have to move in too, right? Can't break up the family, after all."

I laughed, nudging his arm. "Please. It wouldn't be home without you. We'll need you to give the place some life, keep it feeling like our own."

He smiled, and I felt that familiar warmth, the comfort of knowing that no matter what, Jacob was family.

But I could tell Jacob was also holding back. He looked away for a second, like he was wrestling with something, and finally turned to face me.

"Deniz... you said it was the Alpha's council who took the house," he began cautiously.

"Yeah," I said, surprised at the sudden shift in his tone. "At least, that's what we were told. There were... debts. But I didn't even know my parents had debts."

He sighed, rubbing his neck. "It's not the whole council, Deniz. It's one person who pushed for it. That house wasn't taken just because of debts. It was Derek."

I froze. "What are you talking about?"

Jacob hesitated, but his eyes were steady. "I found out, while I was away. Derek went to the council and convinced them to seize it. Ten years ago, he was a kid, but he was the one who made sure the decision was made. Whatever 'debts' they claim existed... that was his doing."

A strange heat rose in me, my pulse roaring in my ears. "Why would he do that?" I whispered, clenching my fists.

Jacob shook his head, his expression unreadable. "You tell me. It sounds like Derek's got his own reasons. But don't ever think that what happened to your family was just... bad luck. He wanted it that way."

I felt like I'd been punched. All this time, the one person who had claimed to hate me because I wasn't good enough for him and called me an outcast, had been the one to tear my family's memory apart.

As I was deeply buried in this tough my phone buzzed, breaking the silence. I glanced down, expecting it to be Aras or maybe Alya checking in.

Instead, the message was from an unknown number. My heart froze as I read the words on the screen:

"Some dangers are best left alone. Don't dig deeper, Deniz."

A shiver crawled down my spine, my pulse quickening. I showed Jacob the message, my voice a shaky whisper. "Do you think... someone's been watching us?"

He read the message, his brows knitting in worry. "Could be just someone trying to mess with you," he said slowly, his gaze shifting out toward the street, scanning for movement.

I nodded, but I couldn't shake the feeling that someone really was watching. It felt like eyes were on me, hidden somewhere in the shadows. Glancing toward the café, I caught a glimpse of a figure lurking near a streetlamp, half-hidden in the dark. The figure noticed me staring and slipped out of sight.

"Deniz?" Jacob's voice pulled me back, concern etched across his face.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine," I replied, trying to steady myself. "It's probably nothing. Just someone messing around."

But as I said it, I couldn't shake the image of the shadowy figure or the message. Somehow, deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.

---

We finally made it home. Jacob, with that usual thoughtful expression, looked at me carefully before saying, "I'll head out for some night training. Do you think you'll be okay alone for a few hours?" His gaze lingered, concerned. He knew Aras was out of town for a conference and wouldn't be back until tomorrow.

I took a deep breath, nodding more for myself than for him. "I'm fine, Jacob. It's just a message from some bored troublemaker." I tried to sound certain, though my voice betrayed me. He studied me, then finally nodded, grabbing his gear and heading for the door. But just as he was about to leave, he turned back and said, "Text me if you need anything." He sounded sincere-like he wouldn't hesitate to come back.

As the door closed, the silence felt both comforting and unsettling. The house was dark, the only light coming from a dim lamp in the corner of the living room. I settled onto the couch, pulling a blanket around me, sinking into the silence. The low hum of the fridge was the only sound, a steady reminder that I was alone.

I reached for my phone, only to feel it vibrate in my hand. Another message. My heart jumped. The screen glowed in the darkness as I opened the text:

"That Alpha is dangerous. Stay away from him!"

The words sent a chill through me. First, I'm told not to dig into the past. Now, I'm being warned about someone? And all of that has something to do with Alpha Derek. The messages weren't helping-I was only more curious, more determined. Who would care enough to send these?

Just as I was about to respond, Derya, my wolf, stirred in my mind, her voice deep and warning. "Deniz, don't. You can't respond. Whoever this is, they have their own agenda."

"I'm done with this game, Derya. We're left with nothing but secrets, and I need answers," I shot back.

"This could make things worse, you know that. Ignoring it might be the safer option." Derya's tone was as firm as it was protective, her instincts on high alert.

But I'd had enough of waiting. My hands were trembling slightly, but I didn't hesitate. I opened the message, typing back quickly.

"Who are you?"

My fingers hovered over the screen, hesitant for only a second before I hit Send. I watched the message disappear, and with it, any last hope of turning back.

The room seemed darker, colder now. Derya's unease was there in the back of my mind, but I could feel her relent just a little, realizing I wasn't giving up on this.