Chapter 3：The Attack

Cynthia’s POV

As the first rays of morning sunlight stream into my room, I groan.

The pain of being rejected last night had left my whole body sore. Liam had offered to walk me back to my room, but I declined. If he's about to marry Elena, I think it's best to keep my distance from him.

I know I should feel happy now – I’m eighteen today. After the Beta Inauguration Ceremony, I'll officially become the Beta of the Blood Moon Pack.

It's all in the past now. I encourage myself. Today is a new day, and I'm going to be the best Beta I can be.

Morning dew kisses my ankles as I near the top of the hill, where Liam is already waiting. He’s dressed in an Alpha’s traditional attire, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him look more handsome.

“I’m sorry there’s not more of a ceremony for you,” Liam says with a wry smile as I approach. “Normally there would be, but I need to appoint you quickly. You ready?”

He catches my eye. I blush and look away. “Born ready.”

“Good.” He folds his hands behind his back. “Do you swear to uphold your duties as Beta, keep true to our sacred teachings, defend the Blood Moon pack with your life, and honor Moon Goddess above all else?”

“I do,” I say reverently.  

“Then I, Alpha Liam Hawthorn of the Blood Moon pack, accept you, Beta-in-line Cynthia Rose of the Blood Moon Pack, as my Beta.” Liam bows his head. “Congratulations, Beta.”

A strange sense of responsibility flows through me. “Thank you.”

“Are you ready for your first job as Beta?” He looks almost embarrassed to ask. “We're going to pick up Elena to confirm the wedding venue.”

Yeah, wedding. 

I feel my heart sink, just a bit.

“Of course, Alpha,” I agree with all the false bluster I can summon. I have bigger duties, don't I?

The entrance to the Darkfang pack lies near the mountaintops. It's where Elena and I often stroll. But it's my first time here with Liam, and silence hangs heavily between us.

Forget losing him as a lover. I’m scared I’ve lost him as a friend, too. I miss him already. 

“Cynthia!” Elena waves at me from nearby. She dashes towards us excitedly.

She hugs me tightly, then pauses, stepping back. She looks Liam up and down. "You must be Liam Hawthorn, the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, right? Cynthia mentioned you. You know, we're best friends." Elena winks at me.

I awkwardly purse my lips. Clearly, Elena believes I don't love Liam. She hasn’t questioned me about it at all since I denied it last night. 

Liam nods solemnly. “That’s me.” 

Elena extends a hand. “Pleasure to see you,” she says with a slight smile.

“Pleasure to see you too,” he says, returning the handshake, and–Goddess, is he blushing? I can’t bear to watch.

Elena and I walk to the second car in the line, where there’s already a chauffeur ready with the partition rolled up. I trust that he knows he needs to take us back to the Blood Moon pack. As soon as we close the door, the car starts to rumble along the cliffside road.

“So, how are you feeling?” I ask Elena nervously.

“Oh, you know,” she laughs. “He’s not my mate, but I think he’ll be okay. There are worse husbands.”

He could be my husband.

It’s not Elena’s fault, though. 

Just as I’m about to answer, a sharp thump hits the car.

Then another.

Then the car rolls to a stop.

Elena frowns. “What’s going on–”

A scream of agony cuts her off, then frantic thudding against the partition, then a terrible ripping sound. My stomach curdles. Being the former Beta's daughter, I’m well familiar with the sound of flesh being cut. I remember it from when the cruel, despicable rogues killed my father. 

“Was that…” Elena starts to tremble.

I suck in a deep breath. “I think so. Those filthy rogues attacked us. We need to get out of this car right now.”

She nods. I twist open the door, and we step out onto the cliff road, looking around. There’s no one in sight. We creep around to the front of the car.

The chauffeur’s dead body is slumped over in the front seat. 

“RUN!” Liam shouts at us.

I look around to see Liam and at least a dozen more pack members engaged in vicious, deadly combat. This cliff edge on such a slim mountain road–now I understand why the rogues have chosen this spot for an ambush.

My senses start to elevate. Adrenaline pumps through my veins. Before I can start to look for an exit, a blur of motion catches my eye. Something large thuds into Elena, hurling her toward the cliff’s edge.

“Not so pretty now, huh?” The rogue smirks as he drags her closer and closer to the edge.

“Elena!” I shout. 

I swiftly shifted into a wolf, charging towards the attacker targeting Elena, and began fiercely battling. Teeth and claws gleams, fur flying in tufts. The rogue and I roll on the grass, blood spattering into the air. I don’t know whose it is. With a powerful punch, I finally send him tumbling over the edge of the cliff.

“HELP!” A shrill scream cuts through the air.

I catch sight of another rogue cornering Elena at the edge of the cliff. I freeze. Across the battlefield, I see Liam, equally alerted by her, sweating profusely and dripping blood.

“Save your Luna!” Liam shouts, already disengaging and running towards her. 

At the same time, I sprint towards Elena. Saving my Luna, that's my duty!

I make it to her first, tackling him towards the edge and pushing Elena a safe distance away. The rogue sinks his claws into me, forcing us together. He laughs wickedly. 

“You’re dead,” he snarls in my ear.

I snap my jaws up and tear out a vicious chunk of flesh. “You’d be so lucky.” 

Suddenly, a sharp pain stabs through my abdomen, sending me flying backwards.

“Ha ha ha…” the rogue’s crazed laughter echoes around.

Distantly above, I could see Liam and Elena rushing to the edge of the cliff. They reached out their hands to me, but it was too late. I was already falling.

“CYNTHIA!” Liam and Elena’s shouts floated through the air. 

My body accelerates into a steep descent...