chapter 3

CELLA'S POV

"Don't let go," the voice came out again, but this time it was strained.

“My eyes flew open. I couldn’t see who it was. Only a hand stretched out, keeping me from slipping.”

I looked down, and all I saw was darkness beneath, and my heart sank as I swallowed hard.

My fingers slipped, just a little, and the fear had its way up my spine as I gasped, trying to hold on harder.

“I can’t—” My voice broke. “I’m slipping!”

“You’re not,” the voice replied almost immediately, and this time there was no hesitation. “I’ve got you.”

The grip on my hand tightened, and for a moment, I just hung there, shaking and breathing hard.

I didn't know who it was.

I didn't know why I was being saved.

Hell, I had no idea if I was being led back to my slaughter as uneasiness washed over me.

A howl was heard from the other side of the cliff as I heard a soft grunt from the person holding me. In that instant, a sudden surge pulsed through my body and it was as if the person had a newfound strength as he pulled me up with just one of his hands.

The world tipped as he pulled me up, my body hitting the ground hard. I gasped and coughed, trying to catch my breath. I scrambled back a little, my heart still pounding, until I hit a rock. That was when I finally looked up.

He was crouched a few steps away, one hand on the ground, one knee bent, like pulling me up hadn’t even tired him. His dark hair fell into his eyes, wet with mist and sweat. When he looked up at me, I froze.

His eyes weren’t silver like the others. They were dark and sharp, and something about them made my instincts both scream and calm at the same time as his aura was hard for me to read.

“You’re safe,” he said, his voice low and steady. “For now.”

Another howl came from the cliff behind us.

He stood up quickly and stepped in front of me, blocking the cliff and the forest beyond. He moved naturally, like he already knew what to do.

“Can you stand?” he asked without looking back.

“I… I think so,” I said, my legs still shaking.

“Good,” he said, jaw tight. “If they’re tracking you, we don’t have much time.”

"Time?" I said as my words sounded choked out.

His eyes glowed faintly as the moon reflected its light on them and then… something strange happened.

A warmth spread through my chest, deep in my heart, and flowed through my whole body. It was like fire and ice at the same time, hot and sharp but also calming. My skin tingled, and I felt a pull— like something invisible was tying me to him.

It wasn’t just a feeling. It was a pull I couldn’t fight, a force that wrapped around my soul. My body wanted to move toward him, my mind wanted to trust him, even though part of me was still scared.

My limbs refused to move.

My thoughts were scattered but Sable's claws pierced my skin as I felt her heart beat faster.

"He is ours," she growled.

So this was the bond I had dreamt of?

It felt strange… powerful…

Before I could finish, I saw him crouch, and the next moment, he had scooped me up and hidden me behind a tree without me even noticing as the loudest howls and barking of dogs I had heard all night sounded way too close.

"What--"

"Be quiet," he said as he quickly placed his hand over my mouth.

His eyes burned into mine and I saw them clearly-- they were amber.

I could feel his heartbeat, hear the faintest sounds in the forest, even smell the night air like it was sharper than ever. The pull got stronger, deeper, like magic running through my veins forcing me to swallow hard.

My eyes wandered as they took in every inch of his face like they were trying to memorize it. I saw his lips part a few times but no words came out.

The silence between us was deafening as we stole glances at each other for what seemed like a lifetime.

“Stay here,” he said suddenly, his voice low and commanding, making me startled. He stepped out from behind the tree, moving like he knew exactly what he was doing. Before I could even think, he was back.

“We have to go. Now,” he said firmly with an urgent tone.

"To where?" I questioned.

"If you want to live you need to stick with me," he replied as he picked up his bag that had been lying on the damp floor before heading away.

I didn't think much as I hurried my steps behind him. My thoughts ran wild.

"We need him to protect us," Sable said.

"You trust him already?" I whispered.

"Yes, he is our mate."

I scoffed at Sable's words because they were silly. My mother had trusted my father because he was her mate, but he cast her aside and got married to that vile and evil witch.

So maybe I, too, might suffer that fate, as I was born with her curse. I let out a soft chuckle as I stole a glance at the stranger in front of me who walked with so much confidence.

"He might be an alpha," Sable said. "His aura is overwhelming."

His aura was unreadable and that was one of the things that scared the shit out of me. I had no idea who he was and stupid me, I didn't ask for a name.

Might as well be following him to my doom.

After what felt like forever, we finally came to the city gates. It was bigger than the one my pack had-- as I had ever seen it up close. The sigil was a wolf's paw in silver root.

A gasp suddenly left my body as my body stiffened.

He turned to look at me like he felt the cold that had run through my body. "Is something wrong?"

I tried to speak but the words couldn't find a way to breathe. Instead, I quickly flew my hands over my mouth to stop the next gasp from coming out.

I might have been locked inside the castle walls, but one thing I did do was read, and I knew that Silverroot and my pack were sworn enemies.

"Nobody is going to know you are from Shadowfen, trust me," the stranger said with a smile. "Mostly when you are with me."

"With you?"

"Come on," he urged me.

I tried to stay rooted in the place I stood but Sable pushed me forward as we walked into the gates to see a bustling market that was filled with people buying and selling.

A swirl of happiness filled my heart as we walked through-- I was actually amongst people.

"Simpleton, you came back early," a voice came out from one of the sellers.

"The fool's back," another voice muttered.

"Hope you don't get scolded this time," one called out.

I turned around trying to find who they were all talking to. No one deserved to be treated with such hurtful words.

The stranger led me into a pub. As we stepped inside, several heads turned, their eyes stuck on the stranger. He didn’t flinch, just placed his bag on a table, and motioned for me to sit.

"Don't say a word," he commanded as he was still talking. Three men dressed in armor barged in, and their eyes moved to him. I heard him grunt before letting out a heavy sigh. "Sit."

He walked to the men and I saw a smile plastered on his face.

"Gentlemen," he greeted.

"Heard a simpleton runs this joint," one said.

"Yes... Yes," he stuttered with his head lowered to the ground.

"What's he doing?" Sable asked.

“A simpleton?” another spat. “Not allowed to own a business.”

"Yes, but the alpha..."

"You dare drag our alpha into your lies, Omega?" The third cut in, drawing his sword out.

Omega?

Is he an omega?