Chapter 4 4

As the night falls, the rogue wolves on their trail are relentless and the forest seem to close in around them. Amelia, Killian, and their warriors move as fast as they can through the trees. Every sound-the snapping of the twigs, the rustling of leaves- all seem amplified. Its as if the forest itself is warning them of the looming danger that lurks beyond their sight. Though Amelia couldn't see them, she could feel their presence, pressing in from all sides.

Killian leads the way, his movement is fluid and confident as if the chaotic terrain posed no threat to him. His senses are sharp and alert to the slightest shift in their surroundings. Behind them, Amelia could sense the growing anxiety of her warriors. They are unfamiliar with the rogues territory and far from the safety of their lands, unlike Killian's warriors who are used to the terrain and the battles.

"How many?" Amelia ask quietly, moving up towards Killian's side.

He looks at her, his eyes piercing as he sniffs the air. "At least two dozen. Maybe more."

Her heart sink. Two dozen rogue wolves? There numbers are intimidating but she can't afford to let fear overtake her. She needs to stay focused.

"We can't keep running forever," she muttered.

"We don't need to." Killian's voice is calm, as if he has already calculated their next move. "There's a cave about a mile ahead. Narrow entrances, easily defensible. We take a stand there!"

Amelia frowns. "Are you suggesting we enter into a cave and get trapped?"

Killian shoots her a sharp look. "No."

"I'm saying we turn the tables. They are hunting us now, but if we play it well, they will become the hunted."

"Lead the way" Amelia says to Killian.

Killian smirks and picks up the pace, cutting through the trees with such a graceful skill weaving his size and strength around the trees. He seem to enjoy every bit of everything happening. Amelia is following, her breathing in short bursts.

The howls behind them growing louder, and the wolves closing fast on them.

Within minutes, they reach the entrance of the caves-an opening of an unequal cut is carved into the side of a rocky hill. The mouth of the cave is narrow, barely wide enough for two wolves to enter side by side-a perfect site for an ambush.

"Inside, quickly," Killian urged. Amelia signal to her men to follow.

Amelia's heart pounds in her chest as they enter, it is dark, cold and dampy inside. The walls are slippery with moisture and the air is thick with the scent of earth and stone.

But there is something else-something that takes her a moment to realize.

Blood.

Her eyes scan the cave, searching for the source of the smell, but Killian grabs her arm, pulling her deeper into the shadows.

"Stay quiet," he whispers. His voice can barely be heard over the pounding of her heart.

She nods as she signals for her men to spread out along the walls. They move silently, their weapons drawn, their eyes fixed on the cave entrance. Amelia hears the approaching footsteps- now heavy and fast. The rogues were almost upon them.

Killian crouch beside her, his silver eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. "When they come, don't hesitate," he whispers. "They won't show mercy, and neither should you."

Amelia's tightens her grip on her blade. She had fought rogues before, but never in such a confined space, and never with the stakes this high. Her father's face flashes in her mind, followed by the memory of the bodies in the deep narrow valley. She swallows hard, pushing the fear aside. This wasn't the time for doubt.

The first rogue appears at the cave's entrance, his large frame blocking out the light. He sniffs the air, for their scent. Then, with a snarl, he charges forward, his claws stretched forward.

Amelia moves fast, her blade slicing through the air. The rogue barely having time to react before her sword finds its mark as it slashes across his chest. He howled in pain, collapsing to the ground in the pool of his own blood.

There is no time to celebrate the kill. More rogues follow, pouring into the cave with wild growls. Amelia and Killian's warriors meet them head-on, steel clashing against claws as the battle breaks around them.

The cave soon become a frenzy of violence- mid-attack wolves-shifting, bodies slamming into the stone walls with bone-crushing force. Amelia fights with everything she has, her sword flashing in the dim light as she struck down rogue after rogue. But the numbers were overwhelming, and for every wolf they fell, more seem to take their place.

Amelia spin, blocking an attack from a rogue who leap at her from the side. His claws scrapes against her armour, but she managed to shove him back, plunging her blade into his side. The rogue let out a harsh scream before falling limp at her feet.

Breathing heavily, Amelia scan the cave for Killian. He is in the thick of the fight, moving with deadly precision, his silver eyes alight with the thrill of battle. Though surrounded by enemies, he seemed untouchable, his movements swift and brutal.

But then she sees it-a blur of motion in the corner of her vision. Killian is too focused on the wolves in front of him to notice a rogue, larger than the others, charging toward Killian's back.

Without thinking, Amelia dashed forward, her heart pounding in her chest. The rogue was too fast and she is not going to make it in time.

Just as the rogue reaches for Killian, its claws naked, Amelia lets out a fierce cry and hurled her blade. The sword, spinning through the air, buries itself inside the rogue's body. He howls in pain, crashing to the ground, mere inches from Killian.

Killian turned, his eyes wide with surprise, seeing the fallen wolf and then looks at Amelia.

For a moment, their eyes lock, and something unspoken passed between them. Gratitude? Respect? She couldn't tell. The fight is far from over and there's no time to dwell on it.

The rogues keep coming, their numbers seemingly endless. The tide of the battle begins to turn as the minutes drag on. One after the other, the rogues fall, their bodies littering the cave floor.

Finally, after what looked like an eternity, the last rogue collapse. His body thudding to the ground with a sickening thud. The cave falls into silence, interrupted only by the laboured breathing of Amelia and her warriors.

She stands there panting as her sword drips with blood. Her muscles ache and her vision get blurred from exhaustion. But they survived.

Killian steps over to her, his chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. His silver eyes gleam with something she has not seen before-admiration.

"You fought well," he said, his voice low and rough.

"This isn't over," Amelia says with a hard look, as she wipes the blood from her blade. "Not until we find out who's behind all of these."

Killian nods, his expression serious. "We move at dawn. The answers you seek are closer than you think."

They made camp near a small stream. Amelia sits by the fire, still and quiet, staring at the fire while wearing a blank face. Several chains of thought running on her mind. The more time she spends with Killian, the more confused she is. No doubt, he is dangerous, but there is something else-something that pulls at her in ways she didn't want to acknowledge.

"You're distracted," Killian speaks from across the fire, his eyes watching her closely.

Amelia stiffens. "I'm fine."

"Are you?" He leans forward slightly. "You've been on edge since after the battle. Is it me, or something else?"

She didn't answer, her mind too tangled with conflicting emotions. Her loyalty to her pack, her determination to uncover the truth, the battle and the undeniable pull she feels toward Killian-it is all too much.

Before she can respond, a rustling sound came from the trees again. This time, a figure emerged- someone familiar.

"Killian," the man said, stepping into the light of the fire. He is lean, with sharp features and a cautious-of-danger expression.

"Thorne," Killian greets him, his tone is neutral.

Amelia tensed, eyeing the newcomer suspiciously. "Who is this?"

"A friend," Killian replied. "Thorne, this is Amelia."

Thorne's gaze turn to her, then back to Killian. "You're moving faster than I expected. But there's a problem."

Killian stood. "What is it?"

Thorne hesitated, glancing at Amelia. "There's someone in her pack... someone close to her planning to betray her."

Amelia's is shocked. "What? Who?"

Thorne shakes his head. "I don't know who exactly. But it's someone close. Be careful."

The air grows thick with tension as Amelia process the warning. Someone in her pack is plotting against her-someone she trusts.

Killian turns to her, his face unreadable. "I told you not to trust anyone too easily."

Amelia's mind races. Can it be Darius? One of her warriors? Her friends? The thought send chills to her bones and goose bumps to her skin.

Before she can ask more, Thorne disappears back into the shadows, leaving them alone by the fire.

"Get some rest," Killian says quietly. "We have a long way to go tomorrow."

Amelia nods numbly, her thoughts still spinning. Betrayal is closing in on all sides, and the truth fills more elusive than ever.