Chapter 5 5

The tension in Amelia's pack is reaching a breaking point. With Amelia gone, every decision Darius makes only seem to tear the pack apart the more.

Rumours begin to circulate that perhaps Darius has a hand in their Alpha's death. Though none dared speak about it, the suspicion is on everyone's minds.

Darius stands at the centre of the pack's territory as his most trusted warriors gather around him. He paces back and forth, frustration clearly written on his face.

"We can no longer wait" he growls. "Amelia has made her choice to side with Killian.

We must act!

"It is the legacy of the pack that any member of the pack who sides with a rogue becomes an outcast and cease to enjoy the privileges of belonging in the pack and such must be hunted down at all cost! Let it be known that Amelia is now a rogue and must be hunted down."

One of the warriors, named Bram, pauses before he speaks-"But she's still our Alpha's daughter."

"Amelia's gone rogue. Right now, hunting down Amelia is the task at hand.

Bram's face tightens but he does not argue further. The doubt is creeping in, even among those loyal to Darius. They follow him because of the respect for their Alpha, but now the cracks in his leadership are obvious.

With the absence of Amelia, the pack is divided, and members of the pack unsure of where to place their trust.

As the meeting brakes apart, Darius retreats to his quarters, the truth, hunting him while the guilt builds.

He knows what he had done, the choices he made and now, there is no turning back.

If Amelia returns, everything he once fought for will be revealed. The only option left is to secure an alliance with another rogue faction damning the consequences-one powerful enough to ensure he remains in control.

At his desk, he pulls out a weathered map. His finger trace a route through the forest leading to a hidden rogue camp. Its a dangerous gamble, one he has to take. This will be over soon, he assures himself, trying to bury the growing guilt.

Meanwhile, deep into the rogues' territory, Amelia, Killian and their warriors arrive at a rogues' stronghold. One hidden deep within the heart of the forest.

The stronghold is nothing like Amelia had imagined. The wolves here are brutal, their eyes cold and horrifying. Their power is evident in every step they take. This is not just a gathering of outcasts-its an army.

"Stay close!" Killian whispers as they enter the compound.

Amelia's heart pounds as they move through their camp. She could feel the eyes on her, watching, assessing. She is not one of them, and they know it. But Killian seemed at ease, navigating the camp with confidence. It is clear that it's not his first time there-and that he holds some kind of power over the wolves.

As they reach the central building, a group of rogue leaders aawais them. One of them, a tall, scarred wolf with piercing eyes, stepped forward. "Killian," the man calls out with his masculine baritone voice, his voice. "I didn't think you'd show your face here again."

Killian's expression is hard and unreadable. "I am not here to discuss the past, Marcus. We have business!"

Amelia feels the tension between them, but before she could fully grasp what is happening, Marcus's gaze shifted to her. "And who's this? Another one of your toys?"

Amelia's fists clenched, but Killian raised a hand, stopping her from responding. "She's with me. That's all you need to know."

Marcus sneers, but he does not press further. "What returns you here Killian?"

As the meeting continues, Amelia suspects that there is something more than meets the eye. The way Killian and Marcus interacts, the tension in the air-its not just about territory or power. There is history here, something that Killian is not telling her yet. And as Marcus speaks, Amelia see glimpses of Killian's past-things he had done, alliances he had broken, betrayals that ran deep.

"You think you can stroll in here and demand favours?" Marcus spat. "You burned too many bridges, Killian."

Killian's voice is cold and devoid of emotion. "I'm not here for favours but for information. And if you want to survive what's coming, you'll provide it."

Amelia's stomach turns. This is not the man she travelled with. It's someone else-someone far more dangerous than she had imagined. And for the first time, she begins to doubt whether she made the right choice aligning with him.

As the meeting ends, they leave the camp into the darkness. Amelia's mind racing, trying to process everything she saw and heard. But this is not the time for doubt, or questioning.

After a few hours of travel, Killian stops, his eyes scanning the area. "We're not alone."

Before Amelia reacts, a rogue wolf lunges from the shadows, aiming at her. She barely dodges the wolf's claws, leaving her arm scratched as she rolls to the side. Killian does not move to help.

Her heart races as she confronts the wolf. She sees the bloodlust in his eyes and the hunger for violence. But she's not moved. Something appear to have shifted in her, bringing the warrior out of her.

The wolf attacks again, but this time, Amelia ducks to escape its swing, landing a hard punch to its ribs.

The wolf staggers, and she follows up with a swift kick to his legs, which crashes him to the ground. Without hesitation, she pins him, her heart pounding.

Killian watches with approval in his eyes.

Amelia stands, breathing hard. Inside of her, things are not the same. She is not the same rejected and timid Omega who left her pack days ago. She is growing stronger and more confident.

As they continue their journey, Killian breaks the silence. "There is one thing you need to know, Amelia. Someone in your pack is the key to unlocking the truth about your father's death."

"Who is it?"

Killian does not answer at first. His eyes scanning the horizon.

"I don't know. But one thing I know is this-Darius is not to be trusted."

Though warned before now, the statement hits differently this time.

Killian raises a hand to signal a halt.

"What's the matter?"

Killian does not answer. His silver eyes are fixed on something in the distance.

A sharp rustling sound comes from the trees behind them. A figure leaps out of the shadows towards her with an unnatural speed.

Amelia's heart pounds in her chest at the sight of the intruder, her hand instinctively drawing her sword at the same time to cut through the rogue.

The rogue grabs her hand mid-air and holds her by the neck, lifting her off her feet. Killian charges at the rogue, landing a blow on the rogue.