Chapter 7 The Hunt

Lila's POV

"Lila, you can't run forever."

Cyrus's icy, frightening voice reverberated over the woodland. My legs burned with each step as I staggered through the trees, my heart pounding. Behind me, I could hear the wolves growling louder as they got closer.

I had no idea where I was heading. I simply had to keep going. For my child. For me.

The moonlight was hardly visible through the dense canopy above the gloomy jungle. Branches rubbed across my face and arms, but I continued. I was unable to stop.

"Lila!" Now that I could hear Cyrus's voice, I could also hear paws tapping the floor.

He was there, in his enormous wolf form, dark and menacing, with flaming red eyes, as I looked over my shoulder. I knew I couldn't keep up with him as he was closing in on me.

I lost my way and plunged into the undergrowth as panic swept through me. I breathed in quick, terrified gasps as I crept through the dirt. I thought Cyrus could hear how loudly my heart was beating.

I pressed myself up against the hard bark of a big tree and hid behind it. I held my stomach, attempting to stop my breathing, my hands shaking.

The snarls of the wolves filled the air as they came to a stop close by. Cyrus's voice was deep and menacing as he shifted back into his human form.

"Seek her out," he said. "She couldn't have gone very far."

I prayed they wouldn't discover me when I closed my eyes. However, I was aware that it would happen eventually.

A hand suddenly clamped over my lips, and I almost let out a scream. With my eyes wide with terror, I turned to see a familiar set of emerald eyes looking back at me.

Kael.

He signaled me to keep quiet by putting a finger to his lips. With my heart still pounding, I nodded, and he withdrew his hand gradually.

"Follow me," he said in a barely discernible whisper.

I paused. I wasn't sure whether I could trust him after everything that had transpired. However, what option did I have?

I moved as stealthily as I could, following him through the brush. Kael moved through the trees with ease, as if he knew the jungle well.

Finally, we came to a halt in a tiny clearing that was obscured by dense plants. With a solemn gaze, Kael turned to face me.

He said, "Lila, what are you doing out here?" "Are you aware of the danger it poses?"

My anxiety gave way to rage as I gazed at him. "Kael, what do you care about? All this time, you have been deceiving me. For whom are you actually employed? Cyrus? or another individual?

With a groan, he combed through his hair. "Lila, it's complicated. I'm not your adversary, though. I'm attempting to keep you safe.

"Keep me safe?" I yelled. "From whom? I seem to be the object of everyone's desire, my life, my lineage, my baby. I'm not even sure who I can trust these days.

Kael's face became softer. "I understand, Lila. Yes, I do. However, you can't do this by yourself. Allow me to assist you.

I wanted to think he was real. Yes, I did. But trust was difficult for me after what I had experienced.

"What makes you worthy of my trust?" My voice trembled as I asked.

"Because I know what it's like to be used," he said when he paused. to play a role in another person's game. Lila, I don't want that for you or for your child.

I gazed at him, looking for any hint of dishonesty in his eyes. All I saw, though, was sincerity.

"All right," I responded at last. "But I will never forgive you if you betray me."

He gave a nod. "I don't think you will."

Kael led the way as we hurried through the woodland. I didn't challenge him because he seemed to know where he was heading. Too afraid and too exhausted to think rationally.

We arrived at a tiny cabin tucked away in the woods after what seemed like hours. It appeared secure despite being dilapidated and aged.

Kael pushed open the door and said, "We can sleep here tonight."

Although the interior smelled of mildew and was dusty, it was still preferable to being outside. My legs gave up under me as I fell onto a flimsy chair. I gladly gulped the bottle of water that Kael brought me.

"Thank you," I murmured in a raspy voice.

He sat down opposite me and nodded. "We must decide what to do next. Cyrus won't let you go easy, and Cyrus won't give up until he finds you.

With a sigh, I combed through my disheveled hair. "I'm not even sure where to begin. There is always someone chasing me. All I want is to protect my child.

Kael's face became softer. "I understand, Lila. And I'll help you as much as I can. However, we must approach this with intelligence.

With a glimmer of hope, I nodded. Perhaps, just possibly, I wasn't as isolated as I had assumed.

I slept on the floor that night and gazed up at the shattered ceiling. My body was tired, but my mind was racing. Outside, I could hear Kael patrolling the area.

I tried to calm my mind by closing my eyes. But it was difficult to fall asleep.

All of a sudden, I heard footsteps outside, followed by a deep growl. I sat up, my eyes wide with panic, and my heart pounding.

"Kael?" With a trembling voice, I whispered.

Kael entered with a sour expression as the door creaked open.

"We must leave," he declared. "Now."

With a knot in my stomach, I questioned, "What's wrong?"

"Cyrus is here," he replied quietly. "And he's not by himself."

The sound of snarls and growls followed us as we hurried into the woodland. Even though my legs hurt, I forced myself to keep moving forward by concentrating on one foot at a time.

Kael took the lead, moving with accuracy and speed. However, the wolves were closing in on us regardless of how quickly we ran.

Kael abruptly stopped and dragged me behind a big tree.

His voice was frantic as he repeated, "Stay here." "I'll guide them out."

"No!" With my heart thumping, I took hold of his arm. "You can't abandon me."

His eyes were determined as he gazed at me. "Lila, I'll be back for you. I swear.

He gave me a short, frantic kiss before I could protest, and then he fled into the forest, howling to ward off the wolves.

I pushed myself up against the tree, breathing in quick, frantic puffs. The sound of the wolves' growls receding into the distance could be heard as they pursued Kael.

Then, however, I heard a deep, ominous growl coming from behind me.

My heart was in my throat when I turned to see Cyrus standing there, his eyes gleaming in the darkness.

"Lila, did you really think you could get away from me?" he said in a mocking, icy tone.

My hands shaking, I took a step back. "Don't come near me."

His lips curled into a ruthless smile as he took a step closer. "Lila, you are mine. That baby is, too.

A dark figure appears out of the forest, obstructing Cyrus's path as he lunges at me. With my heart racing, I look up to see Kian standing there with enraged eyes. His voice is full of anger as he says, "You'll have to go through me first."