Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE ALPHA'S BETRAYAL: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

November 15th Talia is dead. I found her body by the river this morning. Her white hair was matted with blood. Her pale eyes stared at nothing. There were claw marks across her throat. They found her. The hunters found her. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. I just knelt beside her and took the diamond knife she always carried. I was lucky it was the only thing they didn't take. The blade is beautiful. It glows with a soft blue light, like light trapped in a crystal. Talia told me it was made for the ritual. Made for what I have to do. "If anything happens to me," she had said, "you'll know what to do with it." Now I do. My hands shook as I read. Poor Talia. She had tried to help Mia, and it had cost her everything. November 16th Ares is gone. I went to our meeting place in the woods, but he wasn't there. I waited all day, but he never came. Did he run? Did he betray us? I don't know anymore. I called his name, but only the wind answered. Everything is falling apart. Talia i

"Everything is hopeless," I said, running my hand through my hair. But my mind was elsewhere. "I'm tired of everyone dictating how my life goes. I feel so lost and frustrated." Carlos stood by the door, watching me with those warm eyes that always made my heart skip. He was beautiful — strong shoulders, gentle hands, and eyes that held nothing but love when he looked at me. I moved closer to him, drawn by the comfort he always gave me. "I'm so lucky to have you in my life," I whispered, wrapping my hands around his neck. "You are the only thing that makes sense." He pressed his forehead against mine. "I'm the lucky one," he said softly. We stared into each other's eyes. In that moment, everything else faded away — the hunters, the journal, the fear and anxiety that followed me everywhere. There was only Carlos and the way he made me feel safe. He leaned down and kissed me, rough and desperate. I kissed him back just as hard, pouring all my fear and frustration into the connection

Horses. I stayed still, listening. The sound was faint, coming from far away. Horses, they were moving fast. Their hooves struck the ground in the distance, steady, sharp, getting closer. My heart started beating faster. I got out of bed and went to the window, pulling back the curtain slightly. The courtyard below was dark and empty, but I could hear the horses getting closer. I panicked. The hunters? Maybe just travelers, I told myself. But I knew it wasn't travelers. Not at this hour. My throat began to itch. I coughed hard, trying not to panic. The smoke was already slipping through the cracks of the door, rising fast. "Help!" I shouted, running to the door and banging on it with both fists. "Help me!" I grabbed the handle and pulled. I pulled harder, hitting my shoulder against the wood. It was stuck. The smoke was stronger and thick now. I could barely see across the room. My chest burned. "Help!" I screamed again, pounding frantically on the door. From the other side,

We rode deeper into the woods, far from the burning inn and the hunters who had tracked us down. The trees grew thicker around us, their branches reaching out. I could still smell smoke in my hair, still feel the heat on my skin. My heart was still racing from the chase. Every sound made me jump. Every shadow looked like a hunter ready to attack. "How much further?" Carlos asked, his voice tight with worry. "Not far," Ares said, guiding his horse through the narrow path. The trees closed in around us. I had never been this deep in the woods before. The moonlight barely reached through the thick canopy above. Everything felt strange. Finally, we reached a small clearing. In the center stood a tiny cabin. Inside, the house was small, just one room with a narrow bed, a table, and a stone fireplace that hadn’t been lit. Dust danced in the air. Carlos stepped in first, checking every corner. Rowan followed. "This is where you live?" I asked. Ares nodded. "It's not much, but

The forest was quiet again, like nothing had happened. We walked in silence after the wolves disappeared. None of us spoke about what had just happened. We were all too tired, too shaken. My legs felt heavy with each step, and I could see the exhaustion in everyone's faces. But inside, my mind was racing. The wolves had been afraid of me. They sensed something that made them run. Fear twisted in my stomach. If the wolves could sense it, if they reacted that way, it meant the potion had already worn off. The hunters would be able to find me soon. "Carlos," I said quietly, grabbing his arm. "The wolves. They smelled me. That means this necklace is practically useless." He looked at me with tired eyes. "It was probably something else." "But what if it's not?" I whispered. "What if the hunters are already following our scent?" Carlos stopped walking and turned to face me. He put his hands on my shoulders, his touch warm and steady. "Don't think about that now," he said softly. "We'