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"I've spent eight years studying wolves," Maya continued, undeterred by the tension crackling between the brothers. "But nothing in my research prepared me for... this." She wavedthe pamphlet. "People who turn into wolves? Rebellions? Pack traditions? It's like discovering a parallel society has existed alongside humanity this entire time."

The awe in her voice made Kieran pause. There was no fear there now—only fascination. The scientist in her had completely overridden her survival instincts in pursuit of understanding.

There was only one question burning in Kieran's mind now.Where do they go from here?

SEVEN

MAYA

Maya clutched the pamphlet tighter between her fingers. This paper was evidence of everything her scientific mind had been piecing together these past few weeks. The crescent moon symbol glinted in the cabin's dim light, mocking her previous understanding of the natural world.

"You can keep avoiding the subject," she said, tapping the pamphlet against her palm, "but this right here confirms what I saw on my footage. Wolf shifters. An entire secret society living alongside humans." Her heart raced as she locked eyes with Kieran. "You cannot deny it any longer."

The brothers exchanged loaded side glances. Malcolm leaned casually against the counter while Kieran's jaw flexed, the scar along his temple whitening as his face tightened.

"Look," Maya continued, her scientist's instinct for classification kicking in, "I'm already here against my will. You've already confirmed you were supposed to 'eliminate' me." She made air quotes with her fingers. "So what's the point of keeping secrets now?"

"She's got you there, brother," Malcolm said with a roguish grin.

Kieran shot his brother a withering glare that would have made most people cower. Maya noticed how the silver flecks in his blue eyes seemed to catch the light, almost glowing with an inner fire. Was that part of his wolf nature?

"These pack hierarchies," Maya pressed on, scanning the rebellion literature, "they're fascinating. There are parallels to what I've observed in natural wolf populations, but this is more... complex." She looked up. "It's like evolution took a completely different path."

Kieran stepped closer to her, and Maya felt her breath hitch. Despite the danger he represented, her body responded to his proximity with a traitorously electric awareness.

"What you've stumbled into," he said, his voice lowering to a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through her, "is a world that's existed in secret for centuries. For good reason."

"And what reason would that be?" Maya challenged, refusing to back down even as he towered over her.

"Humans have a habit of destroying what they don't understand," he replied, reaching out to trace the edge of the pamphlet with one finger, deliberately brushing against her hand.

The touch sent warmth cascading up her arm. Maya swallowed hard, fighting to maintain her scientific detachment.

"So there really is a civil rights movement happening among wolf shifters?" she asked, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Against what, exactly? What are these 'outdated traditions'?"

Malcolm snorted. "Where to start? Arranged matings, territory laws, human segregation policies?—"

"Malcolm," Kieran growled in warning.

"What? She's already here. She's already seen the pamphlet." Malcolm gestured expansively. "Besides, it's not like you're planning to follow through with the Council's elimination order, or we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

Maya's brain whirred with new information. "Arranged matings? Human segregation? Your society sounds positively medieval."

"Our ways have kept us safe for centuries," Kieran countered, moving closer still until Maya could feel the heat radiating from his body. "But yes, some traditions need... reconsideration."

The intensity in his gaze made her wonder if there was more to his words than simple politics.

"Well," Malcolm said, pushing away from the counter and breaking the tension, "I should get going. Let you two sort out... whatever this is." He winked at Maya. "Don't let my brother intimidate you. His bark is worse than his bite."

"Debatable," Maya muttered, earning a rare flash of amusement in Kieran's eyes.

"I'll walk my brother out," Kieran said abruptly, his deep voice reverberating through Maya's chest.

The door soon clicked shut behind them, and Maya's heart thundered. Freedom beckoned just steps away. The logical part of her brain screamed to make a break for it—dash into the woods and use her hiking experience to lose them.

But the scientist in her...

"Evidence," she whispered, her eyes darting around the sparse cabin. "I need more evidence."