chapter 6

The cool breeze did little to calm the storm raging inside me as I stood outside the pack's territory. Drake’s words echoed in my mind, a mix of dread and confusion. I was to leave with him at dawn for the Wolves’ Capital. My mind denying this was because I was his mate, the feeling of insecurities made me question his sincerity.

But that wasn’t the only thing on my mind. There was the familiar smell of someone I feared more than anyone. With each passing second, as he drew nearer, my heart pounded hard in my chest. Leo had summoned me here under the guise of an urgent matter, but I knew better than to trust his intentions.

"You're late," Leo growled, his expression as cold and sharp as the blade he twirled absently in his hand.

"it took me a while to get here" I signed, glaring at him.

He chuckled, clicking his tongue as he watched me with sheer amusement.

"You seem to have grown bolder."

I lowered my head, fear gripping me at the thought of him locking me up in the dungeon.

"Was it because of the Lycan King? Did he promise to save you from me? Heh, nobody can save you from me, Ember, not even the goddess herself." His deep voice echoed eerily into my soul as he suddenly wrapped his hand around my neck, his nails elongating into claws and bruising me. Tears flowed freely down my face as I trembled violently.

"I'm sorry, brother, please forgive me." I fell to my knees, ignoring the sharp scratch from my sudden movement.

He sighed, walking around me. His claws retracted, and his light red eyes faded.

"I hate it when you look this miserable, Sister. How could you look so miserable when I’m not yet done with you? It’s disappointing," he said, a smirk on his face.

Behind him, a figure stepped forward, and my heart sank. It was Lily, her wrists bound and her face streaked with tears.

"Leo, no," I signed frantically, my breath catching in my throat.

His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Ah, little sister," he said mockingly, crouching to meet my gaze. "I’ve been far too patient with you. But now, you leave me no choice. why did you have to ask the Lycan King to take you with him, huh! isn't it only fair if you get punished for ruining my plan?"

Lily whimpered as Leo grabbed her hair, forcing her to her knees. My body went cold as he pressed the blade against her throat.

"Please stop...What do you want?" I signed, my hands trembling.

Leo’s grin widened. "That’s more like it. Now listen carefully because I won't repeat myself." He leaned closer, his voice a venomous whisper. "You’re going to kill Drake and bring me the Ruler’s Ring. You have one year. Fail, and Lily dies."

I stared at him in disbelief, my mind reeling. The Ruler’s Ring? The ancient artifact that symbolized the Lycan king’s ultimate power? It was said to be unbreakable, indestructible, and bound only to the Lycan king it chose—or its next heir. Stealing it would be suicide.

"You’re insane," I signed, my fingers clumsy with panic.

"Insane?" Leo laughed, a hollow, chilling sound. "Perhaps. But I’ve learned something about survival—it’s all about leverage. And you, dear sister, have always been so... emotional when it comes to Lily."

"This is madness! You want to kill the young heir to the mighty throne. Do you think the Lycans will sit back and watch you? They will wipe this pack off the map, including the neighboring packs. It will be a massacre," I signed desperately, my breathing hitching.

Leo’s cackling laughter rang in the silence of the night.

"You don’t get to lecture me!" Leo growled loudly. I trembled alongside the trees in the forest.

Tears stung my eyes as I looked at Lily. Her wide, fearful gaze locked onto mine, silently begging me not to comply.

"Don’t do it, Ember, he's going to kill me anyway," she choked out, her voice trembling. "It’s not worth it—"

Leo tightened his grip on her hair, silencing her with a sharp jerk.

"It’s her life or his, Ember," he sneered. "Make your choice."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as rage and despair warred within me. There was no way out of this. If I refused, Lily would die. If I agreed, I would have to betray the one man who had shown me even a glimmer of safety—Drake—and end up going down in history as the woman responsible for the death of countless wolves. But still, I couldn’t sit back and let Leo kill Lily.

"I’ll do it," I signed reluctantly, my shoulders sagging under the weight of my decision.

"Good girl," Leo said, releasing Lily with a shove. She fell to the ground, gasping, but I couldn’t even rush to her side. My entire body felt numb.

As Leo disappeared into the shadows, his menacing laughter lingered in the air. Lily crawled toward me, her hands trembling as she clutched my arm.

"You can’t do this," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Drake... he’ll find out. He’ll kill you."

"Then I’ll make sure he doesn’t," I signed, my resolve hardening. "I’ll protect you, Lily. No matter what it takes."

----

The night felt endless as I returned to my room, my heart weighed down by guilt and uncertainty. But as I pushed open the door, I froze. Drake was there, standing by the window, his silhouette framed by the moonlight.

"Where have you been?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with suspicion.

"I—" My hands faltered mid-sign as his piercing gaze turned toward me, catching the slight tremble in my fingers.

"You’ve been crying," he observed, stepping closer. "Why?"

I shook my head quickly, avoiding his gaze, but he caught my chin, tilting it upward.

"Don’t lie to me," he growled, his tone soft yet commanding.

The warmth of his touch burned against my skin, and for a fleeting moment, I wanted to tell him everything—to lay my burdens at his feet and trust that he could protect me. But Leo’s threat echoed in my mind.

"It’s nothing," I signed, pulling away from him.

Drake’s eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. "You’re hiding something," he said reaching for my shoulder.

"I’m not," I insisted, my hands trembling with the effort to keep my composure, I pulled away again.

He watched me in silence, his gaze penetrating. "You’re a terrible liar, Ember," he said finally, stepping back. "But I’ll let it go—for now."

Relief flooded me as he turned away, but it was short-lived.

"Remember this," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Whatever it is you’re hiding, it will come to light. I hate lies and betrayal. I have never forgiven those who lied to me and never will."

His words hung heavy in the room as he disappeared into the night, leaving me alone with the suffocating weight of my secrets.

I fell to my knees, which had turned to jelly the moment I saw Drake. I clutched the dagger wrapped in a piece of driftwood, fresh tears streaming down my face.

"I'm sorry, Drake. I'm really, really sorry."

____

The next morning, we set out for the Wolves’ Capital, the tension between us so strong. Drake was distant, his usually sharp gaze clouded with suspicion. But as we rode through the dense forest, I couldn’t help but feel the pull of his presence—a magnetic force that both terrified and comforted me.

We were seated in the back seat of his black jeep with only the bald man, whom I figured was his beta, driving us. My thoughts were all over the place as I tried to figure out how to deal with the task given to me, but his presence was just too overwhelming for me to concentrate. His scent filled my nostrils, and his intent gaze never left me.

It felt weirdly comforting to have him looking at me like I was all he could see, but the thought of betraying him in the end made me want to gag at the same time.

"Why are you so quiet?" he asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Me? Quiet? He’s the one giving me all that attitude, and here he is accusing me of being quiet.

I glanced at him, unsure how to respond.

"I’m not used to this... submissive side of you," he said, his tone teasing but laced with curiosity. "It doesn’t suit you."

"Maybe I’m just tired," I signed, hoping he’d drop the subject.

But he didn’t.

"You’re not just tired," he said, his gaze sharp. "You’re scared. Do I make you feel uncomfortable?"

I wanted to respond, but before I could, I felt his hand around my waist as he pulled me into his embrace.

"Never mind, you’re mine!" I gasped loudly as I felt sparks ignite where our skin touched.

I basked greedily in his scent, my hand instinctively wrapping around him. Compared to him, I felt tiny, safe in his arms. He was huge like a bear, and his body was so soft, even softer than my pillow.

We enjoyed each other’s company in silence. I felt heavy bags under my eyes as my consciousness began to give way to sleep.

Then the air shifted.

A low growl rumbled through the forest, and shadows began to stir.

The first car in the Lycan King’s convoy was thrown toward a huge nearby tree.

"Stop the car!" Drake’s howl echoed loudly. It was like none I had ever heard before, so loud that I swear even the trees along the path bowed and gave way.

So this was the Lycan King’s howl?

His beta instantly stepped on the brake, and without waiting for the car to stop, Drake opened the door and jumped out.

He looked back at us, his eyes glowing crimson red with dangerous intensity.

"Stay in the car with Ember," he commanded, his voice a low snarl.

His beta nodded.

"Okay, Luna, I’m tasked with your safety," he said, smiling at me.

Wait, what?

We’re in a state of emergency, and he’s smiling? Is he sick in the brain?

"Aren’t you scared for your Alpha?" I signed, hoping he would understand me.

He gave me a wild grin and nodded toward the window where the fight was about to start.

And as the first set of yellow glowing eyes emerged from the darkness, I gasped loudly, instantly covering my mouth as my eyes opened wide like the size of a saucepan.

"Skinwalkers!"