SECRETS OF NIGHTSHADE PACK

Akira's pov.

A voice echoed in my mind, stronger this time. “You are chosen, Akira.”

“Chosen for what?” I demanded, but the voice didn’t answer.

The glow intensified, and suddenly, I was surrounded by light. My body felt weightless as if I were floating.

Although I was no longer in the cave when the light finally faded, I stood in an open field under the full moon in a vast I knew it couldn’t be night yet.

Suddenly a tall, imposing, and undeniably powerful figure emerged from the distance, the man’s golden eyes locked onto mine.

“Who are you?” I called out, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

He stopped a few feet away, his expression unreadable.

“That shouldn't be the real question, you need to ask yourself, Akira, who are you?”

Who am I?

I tried to understand his question as his words sent a chill down my spine. My breath caught in my throat as I stood still contemplating his questions.

The cold wind of air struck against my face causing distraction as I made my way through the dimly lit streets of the border town.

All I could see was a stench of alcohol and smoke filled the air, but I was already used to it.

Becoming a rogue wasn't about comfort; survival was mostly their focus; you must fight to stay alive.

I swiftly pulled my hood over my face and I ducked into a tavern. The place was crowded, voices blending into a chaotic hum.

The pain in my abdomen made me crave food. Hunger was part of my struggle.

The rejection with the pain in my heart made my stomach growl, reminding me it had been over a day since my last meal. I could feel the horrific pain making me unrest.

“What can I do now?” I whispered to myself, I needed a moment to warm up and maybe steal a loaf of bread from the kitchen when no one was looking, this is the only way I can sort myself out.

A man was sitting in the far corner; I scanned the room, and my eyes landed on him. His dark hair fell over piercing eyes that seemed to scan every soul in the room.

His presence was magnetic, his aura commanding, I couldn't look away.

“You've to be careful where you stare,” A gruff voice snapped beside me.

I blinked when I realized the bartender was glaring at me; in hesitation, I walked close to him. “Sorry,” I muttered, my voice barely audible.

I turned back toward the corner, but the man was gone. My pulse quickened, why did it feel like he was still watching me?

I shook off the unease and moved towards the back of the tavern. My head brushed against a loaf of bread which left me unattended on the counter.

Just as my finger curled around it, a deep voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Aren't you taught that stealing is a bad habit, and you want to get caught in it?”.

I froze; the voice was smooth, yet it held an edge that made my race; slowly, I turned.

It was him.

“I wasn't stealing,” I quickly said, clutching the bread behind my back.

He raised one of his dark eyebrows. “Really? Then what do you call it?”

“It's called surviving,” I snapped before I could stop myself. “You, too, can give it a try.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips. “Fair enough I don't do that”. He leaned closer with his eyes locking onto mine. “But survival comes at a cost, rogue”.

My breath hitched. How did he even know I'm a rogue? Something is fishy here.

“I don't know what you're talking about,” I said, stepping backward; I needed to hide myself because I would be in danger if anyone found out I was a rogue.

He straightened, his gaze never leaving mine. “Of course you don't”.

Before I could reply, he reached into his pocket and tossed a coin onto the counter. “That's for the bread; use it and sort yourself.” He said.

I stared at him, confused. “Why would you do that?”.

“Because you intrigue me, and I believe you deserve the best,” he simply replied.

His answer left me more unsettled than I cared to admit. I didn’t like being noticed, especially not by someone as dangerous as him.

“Let me figure this out” I paused for a while, wiggling my fingers. “What do you want from me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“Nothing… yet,” he said, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

Before I could press him further, the tavern door burst open, and a group of men stormed in. Their eyes scanned the room, landing on me almost immediately.

“A Rogue!” One of them barked. “We’ve been looking for you”.

I felt the blood drain on my face. None of them could be recognized by me, I wondered what would have triggered their curiosity, but the hostility in their eyes was clear.

“And so what's your problem with that?” the mysterious man asked, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous edge.

“Don't worry about that, I can handle it” I lied, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my chest.

He chuckled, low and dark. “I don't doubt it but let me help”.

Before I could refuse, he stepped forward, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room.

“Stay back and don't come close, she is under my protection,” he said with his voice cold and unyielding.

“That’s not none of our business. We don't care to know who you are, but you see her. She’s a rogue, and rogues have no protection.” The men hesitated, clearly intimidated, but their leader stepped forward.

“Is that so?” The man beside me smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You’re playing with hell”

Before anyone could react, he moved with confidence, approaching them. In the blink of an eye, he swiftly pinned the leader against the wall, his hand around the man’s throat.

“One more chance, I suggest you reconsider or you face your doom,” he said, his voice low and deadly.

The tension in the room was so thick it was silent and suffocating. The men exchanged nervous glances before backing away.

“We’ll be back,” the leader spat as the mysterious man released him.

“I’ll be waiting,” he replied, his tone casual as if he wasn’t just threatening someone’s life.

The men left, and the tavern slowly returned to its usual noise. I stood frozen, unsure of what had just happened.