Chapter 19: The Quiet Watcher (Sabine's POV)

The hunt had been quick, a rabbit darting across the clearing and into my sights. My aim had been true, and I was able to make a clean kill. As I crouched over the small creature, its warmth still seeping into my hands, a part of me was satisfied. But that satisfaction didn't last long. No matter how I tried to focus on the moment, my mind kept drifting back to the conversation with Owen, and how everything felt like it was spiraling into something I wasn't ready for.

I stood up, wiping my hands on the grass, the warmth of the rabbit still lingering. I wasn't sure if it was the kill or the growing frustration inside me that had me wanting to flee, but the need for space grew stronger. I needed to clear my head, get away from the weight of everything—the constant watchfulness of Owen and Cole, the pressure of being someone's mate, and the world they wanted to pull me into.

Without a word, I left the rabbit behind and made my way toward the nearby lake, the scent of fresh water calling to me. I wasn't in the mood to return to the cabin, where I could feel their presence lurking at the edges of my awareness. Instead, I focused on the cool breeze rustling through the trees and the faint sound of water in the distance. The lake would give me the solitude I needed.

As I reached the shore, I peeled off my jacket and stood on the edge of the water, gazing at the dark ripples that seemed to stretch endlessly before me. The surface was calm, the water mirroring the sky above, but the peacefulness of the scene couldn't shake the restlessness swirling in my chest.

I lowered myself to my knees, dipping my hands into the cool water, trying to wash off the blood from my hands and arms. The chill of the water sent a shiver through me, but I welcomed it. I needed something cold to cut through the heat of the anger and confusion building inside me.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the coolness seep into my skin. The world around me felt still, peaceful even. It was the quiet I had longed for, the freedom of being alone, if only for a few minutes.

But that peace was shattered by the soft, almost imperceptible sound of branches snapping in the distance.

I froze, my eyes snapping open. I didn't need to shift to know who it was. I could feel him. I could feel Cole. His presence was like a shadow in the trees, too close for comfort, but just far enough away that he thought I wouldn't notice.

He had heard my conversation with Owen. Of course, he had. The pack alpha, never too far behind, always watching, always listening. My stomach churned, a sick sense of dread creeping up my spine. He had heard me say I wasn't ready for any of this. He knew how I felt—how conflicted I was—and yet, he didn't leave me alone. Neither he nor Owen did.

He's watching you, San said in my mind, her voice calm but tinged with concern. He's always watching, waiting for you to make your decision.

I gritted my teeth, fighting the urge to let my wolf rise. I know. And I'm tired of it.

You're not trapped, Sabine. Don't let them make you feel that way.

I took a deep breath, pushing down the rising tide of frustration. I didn't want to be some prize for them to fight over. I didn't want to be anything other than myself, just Sabine—free, untethered.

I stood up from the water, wiping my hands on my pants. But I knew I couldn't just leave. If I tried to walk away, Cole would find me, and it wouldn't take long for him to make it clear he wasn't going to let me go. Not when I was so close to being claimed, not when he was so sure that I belonged to him.

With a sigh, I turned and faced the trees, knowing I had no choice but to deal with this confrontation, no matter how much I wanted to escape it.

A few moments passed, and I could feel the heavy weight of Cole's eyes on me. The tension in the air was thick with unspoken words. I wasn't sure if he knew I had sensed him, or if he was still waiting for me to make the first move.

Finally, I spoke, my voice a quiet challenge. "You don't have to follow me, Cole. I'm not going anywhere."

There was a long pause before I heard the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, and then, as if from nowhere, Cole emerged from the shadows. His tall figure stepped into the clearing, his eyes locked onto mine with that familiar intensity. His wolf, Hawk, stood behind him, the ever-watchful presence that never left his side.

"You don't have to run from us," Cole said, his voice low, almost soothing, but there was an edge to it that I couldn't ignore. "You don't have to keep testing the limits. We're both here for you."

I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to keep my composure. "You're here because you heard my conversation with Owen, aren't you? You're here because I dared to say I needed space."

"I'm here because I'm worried about you, Sabine." His gaze softened for a moment, but it quickly hardened again. "You think you can just run, that you can keep hiding, but you're not alone anymore. Not like you were before. And neither Owen nor I can let you just slip away."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I'm not yours to control, Cole. Not you. Not Owen. I'm still me."

His eyes narrowed, his wolf growling softly beneath the surface. "That's where you're wrong. You are ours. You don't get to walk away from that. You don't get to run, Sabine."

I stepped back, my heart racing. "I didn't ask for any of this," I shot back, my voice trembling with the weight of my words. "I didn't ask for you, for Owen, for any of it. And I sure as hell didn't ask to be a pawn in whatever game you and your pack are playing."

Cole didn't flinch. His expression remained unreadable, though his fists clenched at his sides. "You're not a pawn, Sabine. You're my mate. And that means something."

I shook my head, the words catching in my throat. "I don't know if I'm ready for that. Not yet."

He took a step toward me, his presence filling the space between us, but I didn't back down. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much his words affected me. I had to stay strong. I had to keep my distance.

"I'm not asking for you to decide now," he said softly, his voice still full of that raw, aching desire. "But don't keep running. You'll have to face us eventually. We both need you, Sabine."

His words hung in the air like a promise, but I didn't know if I could trust it. I didn't know if I could trust either of them.

The silence stretched between us, heavy and uncertain. Finally, I turned and walked away, not looking back. I had said what I needed to say.

But I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

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