Chapter 8 7: The chase

"Alpha. An important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said as Darius stepped into the castle.

"Important scroll?" Darius muttered, snatching it from his hands.

His eyes scanned the parchment. The more he read, the darker his expression grew.

Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric's chest. "Deny it."

Cedric kept pace beside him. "This is the third time you've rejected the park leaders. They're determined to hold the ritual here this year."

"Deny the fucking scroll!" Darius snarled. His voice echoed through the hall. "I don't want those heartless beings in my kingdom!"

He stormed upstairs. Servants cowered in fear, stepping out of his path.

Only one dared to follow him.

Lady Miriam.

"I don't want to hear it, Miriam," he snapped, not bothering to turn around.

"If you keep denying them, they'll sanction you," she warned. "You don't want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?"

"Let them come." He whirled to face her, his eyes blazing. "I'm ready for whatever fight this brings."

"You can't win a fight against the park leaders." Her voice was sharp, unwavering. "They will retaliate, and you won't win."

Darius clenched his fists, but before he could protest, she grabbed his face, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"Look," she said, her tone softer but firm. "We've built this for ourselves. We've spent years preparing, shaping this kingdom, setting our plans in motion. You won't ruin that. You can't."

He breathed heavily, nostrils flaring.

"So now," Miriam continued, "you'll go downstairs, tell your Beta to deliver a positive message, and start preparing to welcome the clans."

Silence stretched between them.

Darius's jaw ticked. His rage simmered just beneath the surface.

But he didn't argue.

---

"I see you're determined to deny me access to her today, Dylia," Scarlet sneered.

"You have no business with her," the healer replied firmly.

"Who says so?" Scarlet scoffed. "I want to see the wench who stole my man!"

Her voice rose, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Lena pulled the curtain aside, stepping out. "What's going on?"

Scarlet's eyes gleamed with malice. "Here she is. The traitor's daughter."

Lena barely spared her a glance. "I see there's no issue here. I'll be going back inside."

Scarlet lunged, grabbing her wrist and yanking her forward.

"How dare you?" Scarlet hissed. "How dare you ignore me?"

"Scarlet, she is your Luna-show respect!" Dylia scolded.

Scarlet's entire body stiffened at the word. Then, her fury exploded.

"I was supposed to be in her place!" she shrieked. "She stole my Alpha, my beloved! She will suffer the consequences!"

Her hand shot up to slap Lena-

But Milicent stepped in front of her.

The slap landed hard on Milicent's face instead.

"You slave!" Scarlet spat. She struck Milicent again, this time kicking her down. "How dare you defy me with your presence?"

Lena's blood boiled.

Before she could think, her hand flew-

A sharp crack echoed as her palm met Scarlet's cheek.

The entire room fell silent.

Scarlet staggered, her face turning red where she'd been struck. Even Lena was momentarily stunned. She had never raised a hand to anyone before.

She had always been on the receiving end.

Scarlet trembled with rage, clutching her cheek.

"You'll regret this," she hissed. "Alpha Darius will hear about this, you bitch!"

Lena ignored her. She turned, grabbed Milicent's hand, and pulled her toward the exit.

Just as they stepped outside, Milicent suddenly stopped.

Lena paused, letting go of her hand.

Then, to her shock, Milicent dropped to her knees.

"I'm sorry, Luna," she whispered. "I failed to protect you."

Lena stared, taken aback. She rushed forward, grasping Milicent's arms and lifting her to her feet.

"You protected me," Lena said softly. "I should be the one apologizing. Because of me, you were beaten and humiliated."

Milicent shook her head. "It doesn't change the fact that you saved me, Luna."

"Luna?" A voice cut through the air, drawing their attention.

A man sneered, pointing at her.

"Look. It's Kara Voss."

---

"The devil's daughter!"

"That evil woman made my life hell!"

"That wicked traitor gave birth to you? No wonder you're this daring!"

One insult after another rained down on Lena.

Hands hurled stones, scraps, whatever they could find.

Milicent grabbed her wrist. "Run with me!"

They bolted, weaving through the narrow streets, the furious mob on their heels.

Their breath came in ragged gasps as they turned a corner. Milicent yanked Lena into a narrow alley, pressing her against the cold wall.

The angry voices thundered past them, growing fainter by the second.

Silence.

Milicent exhaled. "Stay here. I'll check if the roads are clear."

Lena nodded, still catching her breath.

Milicent disappeared into the street.

Minutes passed.

When she returned-

Lena was gone.

---

Lena stood before the gate, gripping Milicent's pass in her hand. She had been staring at it since she left the castle.

She stole it when Milicent wasn't looking.

Her heart pounded as she stepped forward, quickening her pace. No hood to conceal her face-she kept her head low instead.

She reached the gate.

A guard extended his palm. Without hesitation, she placed the stolen pass in his hand.

He inspected it. Nodded.

Relief flooded her chest as she walked past.

Then-

"You're no slave."

The guard's voice cut through the air, sharp and certain.

Lena froze.

His gaze dropped to her ankles. No cuff. No mark of servitude.

She ran.

A burst of speed, her feet pounding against the ground.

Shouts erupted behind her, but she didn't stop.

She dove into the forest, branches clawing at her skin.

The guards halted at the tree line.

One scoffed. "Let her go. Just another clueless human. She has no idea what awaits her in there."

-

Lena didn't stop.

She ran deeper into the forest, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The cold night air bit at her skin, her bare feet scraping against rocks and fallen branches.

Her legs ached, but she didn't dare slow down.

She had no idea where she was going.

All she knew was that she needed to get as far away from the Shadow Fang Pack as possible.

The trees stretched high above her, their twisted branches blocking the moonlight. Shadows lurked in every direction, whispering threats she couldn't see.

A howl echoed through the forest.

Lena's heart clenched.

Wolves.

Not the kind she was used to. Not the ones that lived within pack borders, obeying laws and orders.

These were wild. Feral.

Rogues

Something rustled behind her.

She whirled around. Nothing.

But the air shifted.

Something was watching her.

Panic surged through her veins. She forced her legs to move faster, dodging trees, leaping over roots, pushing deeper into the unknown.

Then-

A growl.

Low. Close.

Lena's body froze before her mind could catch up.

She turned slowly.

Glowing yellow eyes stared back at her from the darkness.

Not one pair.

Several.

The shadows moved, and figures stepped forward-massive wolves, larger than any she had ever seen. Their fur bristled, their sharp teeth gleaming under the sliver of moonlight that pierced through the trees.

She was surrounded.

Lena took a step back, but her heel caught on a root.

She stumbled.

A snarl ripped through the night as the wolves lunged.

She barely had time to scream.