The Chosen One •

18

🐺 Kun 🐺

Jacob leaned against the kitchen counter of my cabin, sipping on a bottle of water while eyeing me curiously. The cabin was quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint crackle of the fire in the corner and the occasional creak of the old wood floors. I hadn't been here in two days, and judging by Jacob's expression, he wasn't about to let that slide.

"You've been off the grid, man," he said, raising a brow. "Where the hell were you? I even swung by your room at the pack house, and your parents said you left without a word."

I leaned back in the chair at the table, resting my forearms on my thighs. "Had to handle something personal," I said simply, knowing that wouldn't be enough for him.

Jacob smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Personal, huh? Don't tell me... You were with Isabel."

His smirk widened when I didn't respond immediately, and he let out a low laugh. "Oh, so it was Isabel. You could've at least brought me along to see Tara. I'm sure she's missed me."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small laugh that escaped. "Tara would've thrown you out the second you showed up. She's been busy."

"Busy? Or avoiding me because she knows she'll fall for my charm again?" Jacob quipped, his grin turning mischievous.

I shook my head, but the laugh faded as my thoughts wandered back to Isabel.

Jacob must have noticed the shift in my demeanor because his smirk dropped, replaced by a more serious expression. "Alright, man. What's going on? You're too quiet. Something's bothering you."

I hesitated, my jaw tightening. I trusted Jacob—he was more than my beta-in-training; he was my best friend. But this? This wasn't something I could say out loud, not even here.

Mind link, I told him, my voice firm in his head. And you have to swear you'll never tell anyone—not Tara, not even your parents. No one.

Jacob's brows furrowed as he straightened up. You're scaring me, Kun. But fine. I swear. Now tell me what's going on.

Taking a deep breath, I let the truth unfold in his mind. Images and thoughts of Isabel, of what I'd discovered about her—her father, her lineage, the hybrid connection the rogues were after. I let him feel the weight of it, the complexity of it all, and then I cut the link.

Jacob blinked, his face a mix of shock and disbelief as he stared at me. "Holy—Kun, are you serious?"

I nodded once, my expression hard. "Dead serious. That's why you can't tell anyone. If the wrong person finds out—"

"I get it," Jacob interrupted, holding up a hand. "I won't say a word, but... damn. That's a lot, man. And you're sure it's her?"

"Yeah," I said quietly. "It all fits. But she doesn't even know the full story yet. She's still trying to process the pieces she does know."

Jacob let out a low whistle, running a hand through his hair. "And the rogues... They're hunting for her. To use her."

"Exactly," I said, my voice tightening. "Which is why we can't let this get out. If my father or the council knew, they might see her as a threat."

Jacob met my gaze, his expression serious. "And you don't?"

"No," I said firmly. "She's not a threat. She's..." I paused, struggling to find the right words. "She's trying to figure out who she is. She didn't ask for any of this."

Jacob studied me for a moment before nodding. "Alright. I've got your back, Kun. Whatever happens, we'll figure this out."

I exhaled, some of the tension leaving my shoulders. "Thanks, man."