Three

Chapter 3 

Leena's Pov 

“Come out now or you're going to get killed.” I froze. There was another person here, there were two. And from the tone of his voice, I was surely going to get killed if I didn't come out. I gulped, rethinking my life choices but at this moment, I truly had no choice but to come out, so I did just that. 

And immediately I did, I found myself knocked back, my back hitting the wooden wall of the small hut, a groan escaping my lips at the impact. 

“Who are you? Why are you here? Who sent you here?” The questions came rapid-fire, each one sharper than the last. I struggled to catch my breath, the pain in my back making it hard to focus. My eyes darted between the two figures before me, the one who had killed those people after me and the one who had threatened to kill me if I didn't come out, whose cold, calculating gaze pinned me in place.

"I… I'm just passing through." I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, "I needed a place to stay and throw off the people that were sent after me. No one sent me, I'm telling the truth.”

The one who was holding me by the neck snorted, crossing his arms over his chest, "Passing through our territory? Convenient excuse. You know who we are, don’t you?"

My silence betrayed me. I wasn’t about to confirm what I’d overheard earlier, but my hesitation gave me away. The other one took a step closer, his grin widening.

"See, Avin? She does know who we are. And yet, here she is, trespassing like it’s no big deal. Suspicious, isn’t it?"

"I’m not a threat.” I said quickly, ignoring the name that the one strangling me had just called and trying to keep the feeling in between my legs at bay, also trying to keep the panic out of my voice, "I didn’t mean to intrude. I…"

"Enough." Avin's voice cut through the air like a blade. He stepped forward, towering over me, his eyes glinting in the dim light, "You're hiding something. Speak, or we’ll find out for ourselves."

My heart raced. I couldn’t reveal the truth, "I... I just need to get to the human city," I said, trying to sound firm, "That’s all. Once I’m there, I’ll be out of your way."

Avin’s gaze narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might push further. But then the one strangling me spoke up, his tone mocking.

"Running away, are we? How noble. So, tell us, little runaway, what are you so desperate to escape from?" The one strangling me asked and then released his grip on me. I coughed, holding my neck as I stared at them. 

I opened my mouth to reply, but no words came. The truth lodged itself in my throat, a lump of fear and guilt I couldn’t swallow. Avin watched me, his expression unreadable, while the other one smirk only grew.

"You’re pathetic.” Avin said finally, his voice low and cold, "You think you can just walk away from whatever mess you’ve made? People like you don’t survive long in the human city. You’ll be dead in a week, especially when they find out that you're a werewolf."

His words stung more than I cared to admit, but I refused to let him see it, "It’s my choice." I said, forcing steel into my voice, "You don’t get to decide for me."

Avin's eyes darkened, "Then stop wasting our time and leave this place."

"Fine." I turned on my heel, my heart pounding as I moved toward the door.

But before I could take another step, the other one's voice stopped me, "Hold on. You’re not seriously letting her leave, are you, Avin? She’s practically gift-wrapped for the assassins. They’ll be all over her before she even makes it to the border."

"That’s her problem, Kevin. Not ours.”  Avin said coldly.

So his name was Kevin.

Kevin chuckled, shaking his head, "You’re no fun, brother. But you’re right about one thing, she is hiding something. So, how about this?" He moved closer, his grin turning predatory, "We escort her to the city. That way, if she’s lying, we’ll know. And if she’s telling the truth, well... we’ll make sure she actually gets there alive."

Avin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. Instead, his gaze shifted back to me, sharp and unyielding, "What’s it going to be? Walk out there alone and die, or come with us and prove you’re not full of lies?"

I hesitated, my mind racing. I didn’t want their help, I didn’t trust them. But he was right. If I left on my own, I wouldn’t make it far.

But why were they so ready to accept me? They didn't know me nor did they know why I was being pursued and it looked like they didn't care about the reason why. Or did they find out that I am a guardian and I have a guardian wolf? No… That can't be possible, the news wouldn't have spread this far and the people who came after me were dead, they didn't say a word about why they were pursuing me before they died. 

However, I had no choice. If they were willing to let me follow them, then it was a win for me. They would be able to protect me while on the road, so yes, this was the thing I should consider.” 

"Fine." I said through gritted teeth, "But let’s get one thing straight: I don’t trust either of you, and I don’t need your pity."

Kevin laughed, clapping his hands together, "Wow, she has courage. Oh well, this is going to be fun. Welcome to the pack, little runaway."

Avin said nothing, his expression unreadable as he turned and strode toward the door, "Let’s go, we are leaving now.” He said curtly.

As I followed them into the night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d just made a deal with the devils.