Two

 

Ember’s POV

A shot rang out followed by a thud causing me to scream weakly as I turned to watch Ella fall down.

 

"Run, don't look back, or they will get you!" Ella cried out in pain, unable to move or make a run for it. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I forced them back. Taking a deep breath and not daring to look back in such a dire situation.

 

“You catch that bitch, KILL HER!”

 

 I was terrified, especially since I was heavily pregnant. I didn't want to be in this situation— it was almost too much to bear.

 What if my child ends up dying? What if I never get to hold it in my arms? The thought tore at me as I ran, knowing they wouldn't stop until they had me.

 

They chased me through the thick jungle, branches tearing at my skin, my breathing growing more ragged with each painful gasp. 

Ella's words echoed in my mind: Brandon really wanted me gone? He really wanted me to die? It seemed impossible.

 

 The Brandon I loved would do anything to protect me, but he was angry because he believed I killed his beloved father.

 

I was sure if I could explain the entire situation to him, there was a chance he’d understand and calm down. But as I ran, it felt like forever, and suddenly I had to come to an abrupt stop—I had reached a cliff. I looked down at the raging river below; there was no way I could swim.

 

I clutched my stomach, turning back to see the wolves walking towards me, baring their teeth, ready to kill. “I didn't do it…” I whispered, tears rolling down my face. I tried to step back but hesitated because of the cliff. “I didn't do it!” I cried out louder, hoping someone—anyone—would hear me. But they closed in, like hunters after their prey, and they weren’t going to back away anytime soon.

 

“It doesn't matter if you didn't do it, Ember, your fate is already sealed,” a voice suddenly through the link. I turned toward the sound and saw Brandon, spinning a small silver pistol in his hands, his expression wicked. “You're pregnant, Ember—should you really be running around like this?”

 

I moved to run when he said, “Stop right there, Nova! There is no running from your sin; you'd have to pay for your crime,” He growled, sounding so bloodthirsty that I felt fear trickle down my spine.

 

“HOW FAST CAN YOU RUN FROM ME?” His voice rang once again through the link. 

 

I could feel it…His Rage!

 

His Hate!

 

“Brandon…” I called his name. He flashed a small smile that made my skin crawl as he slowly walked toward me. I took a step back, careful of the cliff. 

 

“Brandon, you have to believe me—I could never do something like that. I'm not evil, and I'm not capable of killing your father.”

 

“He cared about me more than you know, and I would never do anything to hurt him,” I pleaded, desperate for him to believe me at that moment.

 

"We know you didn't do it, November. No need to try to explain yourself," a voice said from the shadows. I turned toward it and saw Emily coming from the thick forest, an evil smile on her face as she tilted her head to the side.

 

 "You are sweet, kind Ember, after all. Anyone who thinks you're capable of murder is stupid," she added. I was relieved, happy to know that at least someone trusted me.

 

"If that's the case, then please, let's just go home. I don't feel so good, and I’m so tired. Let's find out who did this together." But instead of agreement, Emily burst out laughing, and Brandon let out a small chuckle. 

 

They both stared at me like I was some kind of comedian who had just cracked the biggest joke known to humanity.

 

"There is no home for you, Ember, because you will die here," Emily said, and Brandon cocked the gun, making me jump in fear. I was confused, terrified. What was going on? 

 

"You still don't get it, do you?" Emily sneered. "Well, I don't expect you to—you have always been so stupid, so trusting and naive. We knew you weren't the one who killed the Alpha because we did it. We planned everything." My heart pounded in my chest as her words sunk in. What were they talking about? 

 

"Brandon and I have been in love with each other since we were young. Society might see us as siblings, but it doesn't matter—we're not related anyway," Emily continued, taking a deep breath as if trying to control her anger. "We decided to wait until Father passed away—he was old, after all—so we could be together. 

 

But then he brought you into the picture, the daughter of his late best friend he wants his son to marry, how disgusting" she spat, her voice filled with anger. "Why the heck was he forcing you to marry the man I love? You were my best friend; you should have said no!

 

"How would I have known?" I cried, tears brimming in my eyes. "How could I have known about your relationship when you never told me anything? How was I supposed to know you two were together?”

 

“ You were my best friend—we’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. How could I have known when you kept it all a secret?" My voice trembled. I still couldn't believe it, Brandon and Emily were lovers?

 

"It doesn't matter anymore," Emily said coldly. "We got rid of that annoying old man and framed you for it. He was old anyway—he should have died long ago. 

 

We were going to let the council take care of you, but since you have proven to be insufferable, we will have to do it ourselves." Brandon raised the gun, pointing it directly at me. My heart raced with fear as I looked between them.

 

"You are not the only one who’s pregnant, Ember," Emily said, placing her hand over her stomach. "I am too, and for my baby to be born safely, you and your baby need to be gone." 

 

I couldn't believe it, the betrayal cutting deeper than any wound. These were the people who meant the most to me, and just like that, they had turned on me. How could they be so cruel? How could they do this to me?

 

"Goodbye, Ember," Brandon said, his voice cold as he aimed the gun at me.

 

 "The bullet in this gun is laced with wolfsbane, so it should do the job." He paused, a wicked glint in his eyes. 

 

"Tell my father hello when you see him in hell." 

 

“Please Brandon, your child is innocent”

 

“That BASTARD can never be mine, you Slut!” His accusation rang out, followed by a loud bang, and in hope, my eyes widened in shock.

 

I stared at him in shock, tears streaming down my face as I struggled to comprehend the betrayal.

 

Instinctively, my hands went to my belly, as if trying to shield my child.

 

“Brandon?” I screamed as my foot lost its holding before it gave way for my body to fall backward into the water.

 

Death…I could almost taste it.

 

The pain in my chest was too much, though I couldn't tell if it was from the bullet or the betrayal.

 

 As I started sinking into the water, my mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. Why did this happen to me? 

 

Why did the two people I trusted most betray me like this? My fiancé and my best friend.

 

What kind of mother would I be if I didn't bring it into this world before dying a miserable death? I prayed to any god that might hear me—if I could just get one last chance to live for the sake of my child, I would do everything in my power to make sure those who betrayed me pay for their sins. I would see to it that they are punished severely.

 

"If I could get one more chance to live, I wouldn't spare any of them—not a single one. I just wanted to live for my child’s sake and punish those who dared to harm us.

 

 I just needed a second chance at life. It was as if my prayers were answered by a supreme being when I felt a strong hand grab my arm from above the water and start pulling me to the surface. 

 

At that moment, I was barely conscious, but as soon as that hand touched me, I began to feel strange. My wolf stirred within me as if she was about to burst out at any moment. 

 

It felt strange, yet familiar. She had been like this before, but I couldn’t remember when. And just as I was about to lose consciousness completely, my wolf whispered one last word, shocking me:

 

‘Mate…’