8: The chase

Cedric announced that an important scroll had arrived from the Dark Towers just as Darius stepped into the castle. "Alpha, an important scroll has arrived from the Dark Towers," Cedric said.

Darius muttered the words back with a hint of annoyance. "Important scroll?" He snatched the parchment from Cedric's hands without waiting for permission.

His eyes scanned the lines of text, and the more he read, the darker his expression grew. A storm was building behind his calm exterior.

Without a second thought, he shoved the scroll against Cedric's chest and gave a single command. "Deny it."

Cedric kept pace beside him as Darius walked deeper into the hall. "This is the third time you have rejected the park leaders, Alpha. They are determined to hold the ritual here this year."

Darius snarled his response, his voice echoing off the stone walls. "Deny the fucking scroll. I do not want those heartless beings in my kingdom."

He stormed up the staircase, his boots heavy against each step. Servants cowered in fear and stepped out of his path, pressing themselves against the walls to avoid his wrath.

Only one person dared to follow him. Lady Miriam walked up the stairs without hesitation, her skirts brushing the stone.

Darius did not bother to turn around when he spoke. "I do not want to hear it, Miriam."

She warned him anyway, her voice calm but firm. "If you keep denying them, they will sanction you. You do not want the wrath of all the clans against you, do you?"

He whirled to face her, and his eyes blazed with defiance. "Let them come. I am ready for whatever fight this brings."

Her voice sharpened, losing all patience. "You cannot win a fight against the park leaders. They will retaliate, and you will not win."

Darius clenched his fists, and his breath came hard through his nose. But before he could protest, she stepped forward and grabbed his face, forcing him to meet her gaze.

"Look," she said, her tone softer but still unyielding. "We have built this for ourselves. We have spent years preparing, shaping this kingdom, setting our plans in motion. You will not ruin that. You cannot."

He breathed heavily, his nostrils flaring, but he did not interrupt.

"So now," Miriam continued, "you will go downstairs. You will tell your Beta to deliver a positive message. And you will start preparing to welcome the clans."

Silence stretched between them like a held breath. Darius's jaw ticked, and his rage simmered just beneath the surface. But he did not argue.

Scarlet sneered at the healer who stood in her way. "I see you are determined to deny me access to her today, Dylia."

Dylia replied without backing down. "You have no business with her, Scarlet."

Scarlet scoffed loudly, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. "Who says so? I want to see the wench who stole my man."

At that moment, Lena pulled the curtain aside and stepped out of the healing room. "What is going on here?"

Scarlet's eyes gleamed with malice as she pointed a finger. "Here she is. The traitor's daughter."

Lena barely spared her a glance. "I see there is no issue here. I will be going back inside."

She turned to leave, but Scarlet lunged forward and grabbed her wrist, yanking her back. "How dare you?" Scarlet hissed. "How dare you ignore me?"

Dylia stepped forward and raised her voice. "Scarlet, she is your Luna. Show respect."

Scarlet's entire body stiffened at the word. Then her fury exploded like a fire catching wind. "I was supposed to be in her place," she shrieked. "She stole my Alpha, my beloved. She will suffer the consequences."

Her hand shot up to slap Lena across the face. But Milicent stepped in front of her at the last second, and the slap landed hard on Milicent's cheek instead.

Scarlet spat with disgust. "You slave." She struck Milicent again, this time harder, and then kicked her down to the floor. "How dare you defy me with your presence?"

Lena's blood boiled. Before she could think, her hand flew forward, and a sharp crack echoed through the room as her palm met Scarlet's cheek. The entire room fell silent. Scarlet staggered backward, her face turning red where she had been struck. Even Lena was momentarily stunned. She had never raised a hand to anyone before. She had always been on the receiving end.

Scarlet trembled with rage, clutching her cheek with both hands. "You will regret this," she hissed. "Alpha Darius will hear about this, you bitch."

Lena ignored her. She turned, grabbed Milicent's hand, and pulled her toward the exit.

They stepped outside into the cool air, but Milicent suddenly stopped. Lena paused and let go of her hand. Then, to her shock, Milicent dropped to her knees on the cold stone.

"I am sorry, Luna," she whispered. "I failed to protect you."

Lena stared, taken aback by the gesture. She rushed forward, grasped Milicent's arms, and lifted her back to her feet. "You protected me," Lena said softly. "I should be the one apologizing. Because of me, you were beaten and humiliated."

Milicent shook her head firmly. "It does not change the fact that you saved me, Luna."

A voice cut through the air, drawing their attention. A man stood nearby, sneering as he pointed at Lena. "Look. It is Kara Voss."

The insults came like rain. "The devil's daughter," someone shouted. "That evil woman made my life hell," another voice cried out. "That wicked traitor gave birth to you? No wonder you are this daring," a third person added.

One insult after another rained down on Lena. Hands hurled stones and scraps and whatever else the mob could find. Milicent grabbed Lena's wrist and pulled her forward. "Run with me," she said.

They bolted through the narrow streets, weaving between buildings as the furious mob chased after them. Their breath came in ragged gasps as they turned a corner. Milicent yanked Lena into a narrow alley and pressed her against the cold wall. The angry voices thundered past them and grew fainter with every second until finally, there was silence.

Milicent exhaled deeply. "Stay here. I will check if the roads are clear."

Lena nodded, still catching her breath. Milicent disappeared into the street. Minutes passed. When Milicent returned, Lena was gone.

Lena stood before the gate with Milicent's pass clutched in her hand. She had been staring at it since she left the castle. She had stolen it when Milicent was not looking. Her heart pounded as she stepped forward, quickening her pace. She wore no hood to conceal her face, so she kept her head low instead.

She reached the gate, and a guard extended his palm. Without hesitation, she placed the stolen pass in his hand. He inspected it for a long moment. Then he nodded. Relief flooded her chest as she walked past.

Then the guard spoke again. "You are no slave." His voice cut through the air, sharp and certain. Lena froze in place. His gaze dropped to her ankles. There was no cuff. No mark of servitude.

She ran. A burst of speed sent her feet pounding against the ground. Shouts erupted behind her, but she did not stop. She dove into the forest, and branches clawed at her skin as she pushed through the undergrowth. The guards halted at the tree line. One of them scoffed and waved a hand. "Let her go. She is just another clueless human. She has no idea what awaits her in there."

Lena did not stop running. She ran deeper into the forest, and her breath came in ragged gasps. The cold night air bit at her skin, and her bare feet scraped against rocks and fallen branches. Her legs ached, but she did not dare slow down. She had no idea where she was going. All she knew was that she needed to get as far away from the Shadow Fang Pack as possible.

The trees stretched high above her, their twisted branches blocking the moonlight. Shadows lurked in every direction, whispering threats she could not see. A howl echoed through the forest. Lena's heart clenched with fear. Wolves. Not the kind she was used to, not the ones that lived within pack borders and obeyed laws and orders. These were wild and feral. Rogues.

Something rustled behind her. She whirled around, but there was nothing there. Still, the air had shifted. Something was watching her. Panic surged through her veins. She forced her legs to move faster, dodging trees and leaping over roots as she pushed deeper into the unknown.

Then she heard a growl. It was low and close. Lena's body froze before her mind could catch up. She turned slowly. Glowing yellow eyes stared back at her from the darkness. There was not just one pair, but several. The shadows moved, and figures stepped forward. Massive wolves, larger than any she had ever seen, emerged from the gloom. Their fur bristled, and their sharp teeth gleamed under the sliver of moonlight that pierced through the trees.

She was surrounded. Lena took a step back, but her heel caught on a root. She stumbled. A snarl ripped through the night as the wolves lunged. She barely had time to scream.