Fraction

Leonard

I followed my beta down the narrow path, my senses straining for any trace of her. The closer we got, the more I realized we were at the very edges of the rogues territory. I couldn’t stop the unease crawling up my spine.

How had Allene even made it this far? How had she ended up here, in the heart of their land, I ordered my men to spread out, searching every corner of the area. My gut twisted with every passing second.

I moved quickly, my eyes scanning every tree, every flicker of movement. And then, finally, I saw her, relief surged through me, but it was short-lived. For some reason, when I called out to her, she couldn’t hear me. My constant shouting was totally useless. Allene suddenly started running.

Her movements were fast to follow, but I refused to lose her. I was still chasing after her, when suddenly arrows whizzed past my ears. I dove to the side, my body hitting the dirt hard. The sharp tang of blood burned my nose. My breath came short and jagged. I saw the markings on the arrows, and instantly realized that they were from a rival pack.

Damn it, this had been planned. That attack was coordinated. They started shooting more, but I dodged each and every one of them, and kept on running after her.

Allene didn’t slow down one bit, so I had to run harder, my muscles screaming, and lungs burning.

I didn’t realize how far we’d gone until the path opened up, and in front of me stood a massive, imposing mansion. I skidded to a stop, chest heaving, my eyes searching for any possible danger. My mind raced. Was this another trap? She stopped running too at that point.

“Allene… stop. Just stop this nonsense,” I growled, my voice low but shaking with anger.

She turned to face me, eyes unflinching. “Leonardo… you need to leave now. Stop following me.”

My annoyance skyrocketed. “Leave? I don’t think so. You belong to me, Allene. And you’re coming back with me, whether you like it or not.”

Her expression didn’t falter. But before she could say anything else, loud footsteps echoed from the mansion. My eyes darted to the source, my brows raised instinctively.

“I don’t think so, she is not going anywhere with you.” a calm, commanding voice said. I froze. The blood in my veins turned to ice. That voice… I knew it way too well.

It belonged to Draven. My uncle. He was standing there, tall, unyielding, I had never hated anyone as much, as I hated my uncle.

“Draven…” I spat the name, fury igniting like wildfire. “How… How dare you interfere? How dare you come between me and my woman?!”

He didn’t move an inch, and didn't react to my rage. Instead, his eyes flicked toward Allene, and then back at me, calm and unshakable.

“She is my wife, so you’d better watch your words. She’s no longer your woman.” he said, flatly and final.

The words hit me like a physical blow. My knees went weak for a fraction of a second. “What… what did you just say?” My voice cracked, disbelief and fury battling for control.

“She is my wife,” he repeated, slower this time, leaving no room for misunderstanding. “And no one has the right to take her from me.”

I felt my world tilt, my rage twisting into confusion, betrayal, and the sharp sting of helplessness.

Draven’s smirk was infuriatingly casual, and every ounce of restraint I had started slipping. My teeth ground together as I took a step forward, but she… Allene… she just looked at me, with disdain.

“You…” I growled, voice low, dangerous. “…you really think you can just!”