17. Threads of Betrayal

The night feels endless. I lie on the makeshift mattress, surrounded by the ever-present scent of forest that seems to cling to Shadow wherever he goes. Outside, I hear his footsteps over dry leaves—measured, deliberate, always alert for the faintest sign of danger. I can’t sleep. Not when every shadow cast on the walls reminds me that Caleb and Mara could be lurking nearby.

My thoughts swirl like a storm. Every fragment of what Shadow told me seems to fit into a puzzle I still can’t quite see. Caleb wants power—but why is he so obsessed with Shadow? And why does he insist that I’m the trigger for all of this?

A sound outside startles me. I sit up fast, my heart thundering in my ears. Before I can decide whether to open the door or stay put, it swings open with force. Shadow storms in like a hurricane, his face grim, his eyes glowing like burning embers.

“What is it?” I ask, leaping to my feet.

“Someone was here.”

“What?” My voice comes out louder than I intended.

“I found a trail. Footprints. Not Caleb’s, not Mara’s. Someone else is involved.”

The knot in my stomach tightens. Shadow shuts the door behind him and strides toward me, his expression clouded with worry.

“This isn’t a coincidence, Eve. I can’t ignore the fact that this has to do with you.”

“With me?” I repeat, my voice trembling.

“Ever since you came into my life, everything’s changed. Caleb would never have made such a reckless move if it weren’t for you.”

His tone isn’t accusing, but the words hit me like a slap.

“So this is my fault?” I ask, stepping back, crossing my arms tightly over my chest.

“I didn’t say that.”

“No, but you’re implying it.” The heat in my cheeks rises with every word. I’m angry—but beneath the anger lies something deeper: fear.

Shadow runs a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated.

“I’m not blaming you, Eve. What I’m saying is… there’s something about you they want.”

“Something about me? Like what?”

“I don’t know.” His voice softens, and for a moment, he meets my gaze with a mixture of guilt and tenderness. “But I’ll find out.”

“I’m not some damn riddle to be solved, Shadow. I’m not a thing.”

He sighs and steps closer, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders.

“That’s not what I meant. It’s just… I couldn’t bear to lose you.”

His words undo me. All the anger evaporates, replaced by something far more dangerous—the feeling that I’m completely bound to him, even though I know this connection might be our undoing.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say, my voice soft now.

Shadow watches me with that piercing intensity that makes me feel like he’s seeing into my soul.

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

……..

The next morning, Shadow decides it’s time to act. We can’t stay locked in the cabin, waiting for Caleb to make his next move.

“We’re going to need allies,” he says, studying a weathered map spread across the table.

“Allies? Who can we trust?”

Shadow lifts his eyes to mine, filled with unwavering determination.

“There are still some in the pack loyal to me. But convincing them won’t be easy. Caleb has sown doubt in everyone.”

“So how do you plan to do it?”

“With the truth.” His answer is simple, but the weight behind it is anything but.

He gathers a few essentials, and before I can object, he insists I stay at the cabin.

“It’s safer this way,” he says, adjusting the knife strapped to his belt.

“Safer for who?” I retort, arms crossed.

“For you.”

“I’m not staying here, waiting like a prisoner.”

“You’re not a prisoner.”

“Then stop treating me like one.”

Shadow stares at me for a long moment, and for a second, I think he’s going to argue. But instead, he exhales slowly and nods.

“Fine. But stay close to me.”

…...

The path to the place where his potential allies wait is long and treacherous. The trees grow darker here, the air heavy, as if the forest itself knows something dangerous is unfolding.

We reach a clearing where a small group of lycans stands waiting—three in total, two men and one woman. All wear serious expressions and eyes that assess our every movement.

“Shadow.”

The largest of the men, a scarred lycan with chestnut hair, steps forward.

“What are you doing here?”

“I need your help, Garret.”

Garret folds his arms, eyes narrowing with distrust.

“Why should I help you?”

“Because Caleb is destroying everything it means to be lycan. He’s tearing the pack apart, putting everyone at risk.”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“Everything. If we don’t act, Caleb will take control—and you know as well as I do, he doesn’t have limits.”

Garret studies Shadow for a long moment before turning his gaze to me.

“And her? What’s she doing here?”

Before Shadow can speak, I take a step forward.

“I’m here because I’m in danger too. Caleb wants something from me, and if we don’t stop him, it won’t just be me at risk—it’ll be everyone Shadow’s trying to protect.”

My words seem to land. Garret glances at the other two lycans. None of them speak, but their expressions suggest they’re considering what we’ve said.

Finally, Garret nods.

“All right. But if we’re going to do this, you need to be ready, Shadow. Caleb won’t stop at anything.”

“I know.”

Garret extends his hand, and Shadow takes it.

“Then let’s fight.”

As the two seal their pact, I can’t help the flutter of hope—and dread—that rises inside me. We’re forging an alliance. But this is only the beginning of a battle that promises to be more dangerous than we ever imagined.