Chapter 5

Just as the three of them were about to bolt, I had no choice but to speak up. "Please tell me you haven't forgotten what roams the edges of the Forbidden Grounds at night."

They turned back, hesitation flickering across their faces. They clearly didn't feel great about leaving me here alone.

But who would stay behind with me?

I tried to reason with them. "Running down there like this won't help anyone. One wrong step and you'll get yourselves killed."

But for some reason, my good intentions only set them off. Something dark flickered in their eyes—like they'd just remembered something bitter—and their faces went cold again, just like they'd been lately.

Kael glared at me, rain streaming down his face. "Aurora, this is exactly who you are now. Cold. Heartless. We actually hesitated—wondered if leaving you alone here was a bad idea. But you? You'd let Lilith die and not blink. You're jealous of her, and you're trying to stop us from saving her."

Orion wiped the rain from his eyes, his voice flat and tired. "Aurora, don't say things that'll make this worse. Even if you secretly wish something would happen to Lilith, maybe just... don't say it out loud?"

Zephyr let out a sharp scoff. "We'd rather die on that road than let Lilith spend one more second scared and alone."

And with that, they turned and started charging down the slope again.

I knew I couldn't talk them out of it. So I started looking for another way out. Soon enough, I found an old, beat-up motorcycle tucked in the corner of the cabin—left behind by one of the guards.

I wheeled it out under the eaves and was about to climb on when the sound of the engine brought them running back.

Kael slammed his hand down on the handlebars. "Give us the bike."

I stared back, cold. "I found it."

Orion stepped up and pried my fingers off the grip. "Aurora, for crying out loud—can you not be selfish for once?"

His voice had that condescending edge. "Lilith is down there waiting for us. You'll be fine if you just stay put in the cabin. Don't do this. Don't make us lose respect for you."

Zephyr was already swinging onto the back seat. "Stop wasting time. Lilith comes first."

The bike could only hold three at most. Kael took the driver's seat. Orion squeezed in the middle. Zephyr behind him. Filled to the brim.

Kael kicked the engine to life. Just before he peeled out, he shot me one quick glance over his shoulder. "Aurora. Don't wander off. Once we've got Lilith settled, we'll send someone back for you. Just behave, alright?"

The motorcycle tore off down the muddy path, swallowed by the rain and the dark within seconds.

I stood there under the eaves, watching them disappear.

Twenty years of childhood bond—gone. Just like that.

A deafening roar tore through the night from deep inside the Forbidden Grounds. Then a massive shadow wolf burst out of the trees.

Its blood-red eyes locked onto me. Hungry. Ready.

I pulled the dagger from my belt and braced myself.

Right as the beast lunged—an Alpha presence slammed into the air like a tidal wave. Suffocating. Absolute.

The shadow wolf let out a pitiful whimper, pinned flat to the ground by pure bloodline dominance.

A tall figure stepped out of the darkness. Broad shoulders. Dark robes. He walked straight toward me.

I tucked my dagger away and threw myself into his arms. "Jax. You're finally here."