Chapter 38: The Confrontation Anna POV

Through the gaps in the cabin walls, the moon's dim light filtered in, forming lengthy shadows that moved with each flicker of the dying embers in the hearth. I hadn't even slept. After Lucas's discoveries and the Alpha's menacing visit, my thoughts were even more entangled with mistrust and fear. We could no longer stay here.

Lucas paced, his words barely heard above the creak of the wooden floor. "We have to leave before the sun rises."

I swallowed hard and nodded. "And where do we go? If we are caught..." The words stayed thick in the air, but my voice drifted off.

Lucas knelt next to me and touched my hand. "We'll work it out. But staying here? That is not a possibility." His eyes were so furiously burning that my chest constricted. "Believe me, Anna. Only this once."

I paused. I couldn't ignore the urgency in his tone, but trusting him was like going into a storm with no way out. I took a deep breath and nodded once again. "All right. Let's leave."

Every squeak of the floors beneath our boots made my heart skip a beat as we moved quickly but carefully. Lucas led the way out the back entrance, avoiding the main road that led to the Alpha's chambers, and motioned for me to follow. Every sound, including the faraway cry of a wolf and the rustle of leaves, made me tense. The air was sharp and cold.

Lucas looked back at me and mumbled, "Stay low." Only his piercing eyes were visible through his scarfed face, scanning the darkness like a creature on the prowl. "And stay near."

The damp ground muted our footsteps as we walked through the small lanes between the houses. The pack was either asleep or oblivious to our presence, and the settlement was strangely quiet. I couldn't help but look over my shoulder, wondering if the Alpha might appear from the shadows.

"How far is it?" My voice was just above a breath when I asked.

Lucas pointed toward the far tree line. "We're safe once we get past the guards."

"What if we're not?"

"Then we'll fight," he stated clearly in a calm voice.

We had nearly reached the village's edge when the quiet was broken by a deep voice.

"Just stop there!"

I paused, my heart hammering in my chest when a huge figure emerged from the darkness. It was Kane, the strong guard who had been watching me warily ever since I arrived. His keen eyes narrowed in recognition as they darted between Lucas and me.

With his hand on the hilt of his blade, Kane snarled, "You two shouldn't be out here. Where do you intend going?"

Lucas moved forward and used his body to protect me. "We're heading out," he declared firmly. "Kane, stand down."

Kane roared with laughter. "Heading out? At this hour? I don't think so." His lips curled into a sneer as his eyes remained fixed on me. "I was aware that something was strange about you. You've now included this stranger in it. The Alpha will be interested in knowing about this."

Lucas's voice was low and menacing as he pushed, "Kane, don't do this. Leave us alone, and nobody has to suffer harm."

Kane wasn't paying attention, though. The sound of his loud whistle rang across the silent air. Other guards soon followed, their eyes shining with distrust and hostility.

Lucas snarled and grabbed my hand, saying, "Run." However, before we could get more than a few paces, Kane sprang forward, grabbing Lucas with his enormous arms and throwing him to the ground. Another guard grabbed me and pinned my arms behind my back, causing me to cry out in shock.

"Leave me alone!" I screamed as I fought his hold. However, it was useless. They were too well-prepared and too strong.

Lucas fought like a monster, moving quickly and accurately, but the sheer number of guards was too much for even him to handle. He was overcome in a matter of seconds, and Kane pushed him to his knees while pulling his arms behind his back.

With a firm and icy tone, Kane ordered, "Take them to the dungeon."

Beneath the Alpha's rooms lay a damp, gloomy pit known as the dungeon. Only one flickering torch on the wall gave light, and the air was heavy with the smell of mildew and rot. The huge iron door was slammed behind us as the guards pushed us inside. In the quiet, the sound of the lock rotating acted as a somber reminder of our situation.

I sagged against the wall, my body shaking from fear and tiredness. Lucas sat next to me, his face covered but his eyes awake and piercing.

"This is all your fault," I yelled, my voice quivering with fury. "If you hadn't demanded to go..."

His tone was calm but serious as he interrupted, "We'd still be caught. Kane had us covered from the beginning. Remaining would simply have postponed the inevitable."

I clenched my hands and looked at him. "What comes next? We're confined. By morning, the Alpha will have us put to death."

Lucas leaned forward and looked straight into my eyes. "I will not allow that to happen. I swear to you."

"I don't care about your promises," I yelled. "Since we first met, you haven't done anything but lie."

With a groan, he ran a hand over his unkempt hair. "You're right. I told a lie. But not all of it."

I refused to look into his eyes and crossed my arms. "Oh, really? Then, Lucas, be honest with me. Why have you come here?"

He was quiet for a minute, his jaw clenched. Then, with a cool and low voice, he spoke.

"I already told you that I am not from Nightshade. I was on a job there, to track you down and kill you."

His words took my breath away like a physical hit. My thoughts were racing as I gazed at him.

I replied, my voice just above a whisper, "Of course you were."

His voice was regretful. "I was sent by my pack. They most likely were aware of your power and true nature. They saw you as a danger."

I put my trembling hands against the chilly stone wall behind me. "But, here you are. When you had the chance, why didn't you kill me?"

Lucas drew closer, his voice barely audible, and his eyes softened. "Because I knew as soon as I laid eyes on you. Anna, you are my fated mate. Even if it meant losing everything, I couldn't harm you."

His statements were too much to handle, so I shook my head. "No. You're telling lies. This is merely another ruse."

"It's the truth," he stated in a determined tone. "Don't you feel it too? The connection? The link?"

My heart thumped in my chest as I turned my head away. That unexplainable bond that bound us together was something I could sense. But I couldn't afford to put my trust in him. Not right now. Never.

The only sound echoing through the dungeon was the distant drip of water, and the quiet between us was heavy with strain. I tried to still my breathing by closing my eyes, but his words continued to etch themselves into my mind.

The quiet was broken by Lucas's quiet but determined voice. "Anna, I'll get us out of here. Whatever it takes."

I stayed silent because my thoughts were too hazy with uncertainty and anxiety. However, a tiny part of me privately hoped to believe him.

We both froze as we heard footsteps upstairs. Morning was on its way, and our fate would follow.