Chapter 5: Wolves in the Woods

Soon it was time for the autumn hunt.

The whole town buzzed with excitement—horses groomed, bows strung, the scent of woodsmoke in the air. I could hardly wait. Finally, something fun.

A big procession left City Hall for the woods.

We rode out at dawn, the forest alive with color. I felt the old thrill return, the rush of freedom I’d missed so much.

Of course, I saw the shining couple. Lately, Lena’s dad had been promoted, Lena was the star of every event, her reputation soaring.

They were the talk of the town—Maple Heights’ golden couple. I tried not to care, but it was impossible to ignore.

The girls who used to mock her were nowhere to be seen. I asked and learned they’d all had a string of bad luck.

Whispers of broken engagements, lost fortunes, mysterious illnesses. I couldn’t help but wonder if the system was cleaning house.

Like background extras, no one cared.

They faded into the scenery, forgotten as quickly as they’d appeared. It was the Lena Morales show, and everyone else was just a bit player.

Now everyone praised the perfect match, and I was tired of hearing it.

I rolled my eyes at the endless compliments, the fawning admirers. It was exhausting, pretending not to care.

I love horseback riding and archery most.

There’s nothing like the wind in your hair, the thrill of the chase. I saddled up, bow in hand, ready to lose myself in the hunt.

At the signal, everyone rode into the forest to hunt.

The woods were alive with excitement—shouts, laughter, the thunder of hooves. I felt alive, for the first time in ages.

I was in riding gear, bow in hand, arrows flying fast.

I lost track of time, lost in the rhythm of the hunt. Every shot was a small victory, every gallop a taste of freedom.

Then I ran into Jackson, wandering along on horseback.

He looked lost, but I knew better. Jackson never did anything by accident.

“Mayor?”

I called out, reining in beside him. He grinned, tipping his hat.

I hadn’t finished greeting him when my mind buzzed again.

That familiar static, a warning sign. I tensed, scanning the trees.

[Lena Morales used the “Wolf Attack” item on you]

Of course. The story couldn’t let me have one moment of peace.

Relentless. Always trying to get rid of me.

I gripped my bow tighter, ready for whatever came next.

I immediately gripped my weapon and looked at the supposedly harmless Jackson.

He looked back, eyebrows raised. “What’s wrong?” I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak.

“Mayor, did you bring backup?”

He looked confused, but I wasn’t taking any chances.

He just blinked at me.

He shrugged, still playing dumb. I rolled my eyes, focusing on the sounds around us.

Forget it.

I’d have to handle this myself.

Sure enough, within minutes, wolves circled us, snarling, their teeth bared.

The pack came out of nowhere—eyes glowing, jaws snapping. My heart raced, but I held my ground.

My palms were slick as I shot in every direction.

I moved on instinct, firing arrow after arrow. The wolves closed in, but I refused to back down.

“Hey—watch out!”

I shouted, hoping Jackson would take me seriously. To my surprise, he did.

I’d just shouted when Jackson whipped out a crossbow and took down a wolf in one shot—his skills were unreal.

He moved fast, deadly accurate. I stared, stunned. Who knew? Maybe I’d underestimated him after all.

With a wave, a squad of shadows appeared, and in no time, the wolves were gone.

His backup emerged from the trees, efficient and silent. The danger passed as quickly as it had come.

Everything went quiet.

The forest stilled, the only sound our ragged breathing. I lowered my bow, heart still racing.

I felt like I was seeing him for the first time.

He wasn’t just the party boy, the joker. There was steel beneath the charm, a strength I hadn’t noticed before.

I’d always heard Julian say he was good at playing dumb, but I’d never expected him to be a secret badass.

I grinned, shaking my head. “You’ve been holding out on me, Mayor.”

“Mayor, you’re full of surprises.”

He just winked, feigning innocence. “Don’t believe everything you hear.”

But I saw the pride in his eyes. He liked keeping me guessing.

A few minutes later, Lena and Julian showed up.

They burst into the clearing, breathless and wide-eyed. I saw the disappointment flicker across Lena’s face when she realized we were both unharmed.

Probably couldn’t wait to see if I’d been torn apart.

She looked me up and down, searching for wounds. I smiled, unbothered.

When she saw us unharmed, her face showed open shock, then she gritted her teeth and put on a calm face.

She recovered quickly, plastering on a serene smile. But I saw the frustration simmering beneath the surface.

Trying to get rid of me again and again.

I was tired of playing defense. It was time to push back.

I wasn’t having it.

I marched up to her, bow in hand, ready to make my point.

I stepped up and slapped her, my hand gripping the bow so tight it bled.

The crack echoed through the trees. Lena staggered back, shock written all over her face. My hand throbbed, but I didn’t care.

Lena covered her face and stepped back, shocked, tears in her eyes, about to collapse, supported by Julian.

He caught her, his face a mask of concern. I felt a pang of jealousy, but pushed it aside.

My heart clenched again.

The pain was sharp, but I refused to let it show. I’d come too far to back down now.

Then I heard her pitiful, tearful voice, “To hit someone right away—what reason do you have?”

She played the victim perfectly, tears streaming down her cheeks. The crowd watched, waiting for my response.

I yanked Julian’s hand away from her.

I pulled him back, forcing him to look at me. I wanted him to see the truth, to choose a side.

Pulled her over and shoved her into the pile of dead wolves, my voice cold as ice.

She landed with a thud, blood and dirt smearing her dress. I stared her down, daring her to fight back.

“The woods are dangerous. If Lena gets mauled by wolves, it’s not a surprise.”

My voice was steady, emotionless. I wanted her to know I wasn’t afraid anymore.

Covered in blood and filth, Lena’s eyes turned vicious, almost wild as she lunged at me.

She snapped, lunged at me. I just stepped aside.

Jackson, who’d been watching with folded arms, spun his bow and knocked her to her knees.

He moved fast, pinning her in place. I shot him a grateful look.

I laughed and nudged Jackson forward, speaking righteously.

“Mayor, she tried to attack you. That’s a crime.”

He grinned, playing along. “I’ll make a note of it.”

Julian stepped up and bowed to Jackson.

He moved stiffly, every gesture controlled. I saw the conflict in his eyes.

“Mayor, though Lena was at fault, Autumn struck first. Please judge fairly.”

He spoke with the weight of tradition, of duty. I wondered if he even believed his own words. Probably not.

He then pulled Lena up.

She clung to him, her face a mask of misery. I looked away, unwilling to watch.

She looked a mess—clothes dirty, hair tangled.

For once, the heroine didn’t look perfect. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

In the book, the heroine was supposed to shine at the autumn hunt. Why target me instead?

The story was off-script, and I didn’t know what would happen next. It was terrifying and thrilling all at once.

Why so much hate?

I didn’t have an answer. Maybe some stories just need a villain.

We returned to camp.

The ride back was silent, tension crackling in the air. I kept my head high, refusing to show weakness.

The wolf attack couldn’t be traced—it was the system, leaving no evidence.

I knew better than to look for proof. The system was too clever, too careful. But I made a mental note to watch my back.

But the mayor’s office heard about it, and the old guard ordered us to kneel outside for an hour.

It was meant as a punishment, a show of authority. I gritted my teeth, determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

Jackson brought me knee pads.

He winked, slipping them to me under his coat. I shot him a grateful smile.

I didn’t care.

Let them see me kneel—I’d survived worse. I focused on the future, on the fight ahead.

In this game, the Whitmore family was already fading. The old guard’s power wouldn’t last.

I could feel the shift—power moving, alliances breaking. The Whitmores were on borrowed time.

We’d gathered evidence of the Whitmores’ crimes for seven years, but one key piece was missing. I thought we’d made a mistake, but after seeing the heroine, I knew.

The missing piece was the story itself—the system, the script that kept us all in line. I wondered if we’d ever find a way out.

We’d never find it.

It was never meant for us. The story would give it to the heroine, just in time for her big moment.

That piece was left for them, proof of their alliance and struggle for power.

I made peace with it, in a way. Some battles aren’t meant to be won.

The Whitmores’ fall was coming.

I watched the house of cards tremble, ready to collapse. I wondered what would rise in its place.

I didn’t expect Julian to kneel beside Lena.

He moved slowly, every motion deliberate. I saw the pride in his posture, the pain in his eyes.

Lena was thrilled, acting pitiful, then glanced at me to show off.

She couldn’t resist, even now. I refused to react, staring straight ahead.

I looked away.

I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. I focused on the horizon, on the promise of something better.

Julian had always been proud, never bowing to anyone.

It was one of the things I admired most about him. Seeing him kneel now felt like a betrayal, a loss I couldn’t explain.

The only time he ever knelt was for me.

I remembered the day, years ago, when he’d knelt for me—risked everything to protect me from the old guard. It was a moment I’d never forget.

Back then, the Carter family was on the ropes, the old guard at their strongest, and I hadn’t learned the ropes, offending them at City Hall.

I’d spoken out of turn, challenged their authority. They wanted to make an example of me, to put the Carters in their place.

They wanted to punish me, just to humiliate the Carters.

I’d never felt so small, so powerless. But Julian refused to let them win.

But he begged for me and knelt.

He’d come running, no coat, breathless and desperate. He knelt in the freezing mud, his pride forgotten.

He came in a rush, no coat, in the freezing cold, his straight back and bruised knees burned into my memory.

I watched him shiver, his face set with determination. It was the bravest thing I’d ever seen.

Now all his kindness was for someone else.

He’d given it all to Lena, leaving me out in the cold. I felt the loss like a physical ache.

This kneeling was to show everyone how close they were.

It was a performance, a message to the world. I saw through it, but it still hurt.

My heart froze bit by bit.

Every kindness, every memory, turned to ice inside me. I wondered if I’d ever thaw.

Then shattered, finally buried by the harsh autumn and winter.

I let go, finally, of the hope that had kept me going. No more waiting. It was time to write my own story.

“Why is it so cold?”

I whispered the words, breath fogging in the air. No one answered.

Actually, only a few minutes had passed when Jackson came, felt my icy hand, and pulled me up, taking me to his office.

He didn’t say a word, just wrapped his coat around me and led me inside. Warmth, finally. I let him, too tired to protest.

“Mayor, the old guard said...”

The clerk started to protest, but Jackson silenced him with a look. I smiled, grateful for the rescue.

He shot a look, and the clerk fell silent. He started fussing, wanting the doctor to check me.

He hovered, fussing over me, calling for tea and blankets. I let him, soaking in the warmth.

I walked with him, step by step.

Each step felt lighter, the weight of the past slipping away. I wondered if this was what freedom felt like.

Never looked back.

I made a promise to myself—no more looking back, no more regrets. The future was waiting, and I was ready to meet it.