15. Blood and Betrayal

The metallic scent of blood still hangs in the air as Shadow and I leave the clearing. There’s no time for explanations or to tend to our wounds; safety is a fragile illusion right now. Shadow’s body is tense, alert, as if he’s expecting an attack from the shadows at any moment.

“What happened?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

“Caleb wasn’t alone.” Shadow doesn’t look at me, his eyes locked on the path ahead. “He had allies. Someone from the pack is helping him.”

The thought of betrayal from someone close to him knocks the breath out of me. I don’t know much about lycans and their hierarchies, but I know loyalty is sacred.

“Who?”

“I don’t know yet. But I will find out.” There’s a hardness in his tone I’ve never heard before—a promise of retribution that sends a chill down my spine.

We walk in silence for a while, the forest growing thicker and darker around us. Every snapping branch, every whisper of wind sets my heart racing.

Eventually, we reach a small cabin hidden among the trees. The wood is weathered by time, but there’s a sense of shelter in it. Shadow pushes the door open and guides me inside.

“We’ll be safe here for now,” he says, closing the door behind him.

Inside, the tension is thick, almost tangible. Shadow moves through the space with a contained energy, cleaning his wounds with quick, careless motions.

“Let me help you,” I offer, grabbing a clean cloth and dipping it into a small bowl of water.

He looks at me, his golden eyes glowing under the dim light. There’s something in his gaze—a mix of exhaustion, distrust, and something else… something I can’t quite name.

“It’s not necessary,” he finally says, but he doesn’t move when I approach.

Carefully, I press the cloth against a deep wound on his side. Shadow doesn’t flinch, but I can feel his muscles tense beneath my touch.

“You don’t have to do everything alone,” I say, my voice soft but steady.

He laughs—a dry, humorless sound.

“I’ve been alone my whole life. This isn’t any different.”

His words hit me like a blow. I want to tell him he’s not alone, that I’m here—but something holds me back. Maybe it’s everything we’ve been through. Maybe it’s the fear he won’t believe me.

As I clean another wound, Shadow finally breaks the silence.

“What happened in the forest?”

I tell him everything—about Isolde and the ritual, about the spirit of the oath and the price I paid to free him. His expression shifts as I speak, moving from surprise to anger, and finally to relief.

“You took a huge risk,” he says, his voice low but intense.

“I would’ve done anything for you.”

My words seem to catch him off guard. For a moment, his eyes meet mine, and time seems to stand still. There’s something between us—something unspoken but powerful.

But before I can say anything more, Shadow looks away.

“I don’t deserve that.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, a pang in my chest.

“My world is dark. Dangerous. There’s no place in it for someone like you.”

“I don’t care.”

Shadow shakes his head, as if battling something inside himself.

“You should.”

The conversation halts when a noise outside the cabin puts us on alert. Shadow moves like a predator, placing himself between me and the door.

“Stay here,” he orders, his voice a sharp whisper.

“No, I’m coming with you.”

“Eve, no.”

“I’m not going to sit back while you risk your life.”

Our eyes meet again, and this time, there’s no room for doubt. Finally, Shadow gives a low grunt and nods.

We step outside together, the cold night air hitting us like a reminder that we’re still alive. The forest is eerily quiet, but there’s a feeling in the air—a tension that makes my skin crawl.

Shadow moves carefully, his senses heightened, and I stay close behind.

Then we see him.

A figure emerges from the shadows, tall and lean, barely visible under the moonlight. It’s Caleb. But he’s not alone.

At his side stands a woman with reddish hair and eyes that burn like fire. There’s something about her that sets my nerves on edge—an energy around her that feels like darkness given form.

“Shadow, it’s been a while,” Caleb says, his voice laced with mockery.

“What do you want?” Shadow responds, his tone low and dangerous.

“I just wanted to talk.” Caleb smiles, but there’s nothing kind in it. “After all, we’re family, aren’t we?”

“We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, I think we do.” Caleb’s eyes drift to me, and a chill races down my spine. “The human, for example.”

Shadow steps forward, his stance protective.

“Leave her out of this.”

“I can’t do that, brother.” Caleb’s smile widens. “She’s the key to everything. Don’t you see?”

Before I can process his words, the woman beside him steps forward.

“Who is she?” I ask, my voice trembling.

“Her name is Mara,” Caleb answers. “And she’s far more dangerous than she looks.”

Mara stares at me, her eyes glowing with curiosity and malice.

“So this is the human who’s caused all the trouble. I must say, I expected more.”

Anger flares within me, but before I can respond, Shadow takes another step forward.

“If you hurt her, you’ll regret it.”

“Oh, I don’t plan to hurt her… yet.” Mara smiles, revealing teeth far too sharp to be human.

The tension between us is electric, and I know we’re standing on the edge of something big. The fight isn’t over—and the danger we face is greater than we imagined.

But I won’t back down.

Not now.

Not ever.