Chapter 35

LEAH

My eyes flew open when I felt a sudden hit from behind the car, without hesitation I looked back and saw no one, Dante's car was ahead of us. Don't ask me why we are in different cars. I honestly don't know how to explain it.

“It's just a bump on the road” Hans looked at me from the rear window and I nodded but deep within I had a gut feeling that it wasn't just a bump on the road

I couldn't bring myself to go back to sleep even if there was nothing like that happening again. The journey was surprisingly long, I wanted to get out of the car as fast as… Something hit the car harder this time and my head was falling front before I could even stop it.

My head hits the headboard of the front sit, and the car suddenly halt in an abrupt way

“Hans what the hell is…" The door suddenly pulled open and without thinking I pulled the dagger that was resting in the pocket of my dress.

Rogues surround the car, not one not to and now both doors were open. I stabbed him in the eyes and looked in front, but there was no sign of Dante's vehicle.

What in the world? They were right there.

“I'll be right…"

“Sit your ass down on that chair Hans, you are not signing yourself up for death under my command at any cost!” I snapped at him.

“We need to get out of here”

“And we will!” The front window suddenly shattered, “... On second thoughts, move out!” Thanks to the goddess, my dress was light.

We both moved out of car and with our back against each other we were surrounded by ten rogues and a man who rested on a tree like there leader of sort

“What do you want?” I hissed while looking at him, knowing that the surrounding rogues moved like they were waiting for some kind of order from him.

“Your crown”

“What?!” He barked off the tree and walked towards me.

“You heard me right, Queen. We want the crown, or you die trying to protect it” The crown belonged to Queen Iris, Dante's mother.

It was worth more than anyone could think of and the crown in the wrong hands was trouble and there was no way I was giving them, especially not knowing whether they were working with Victor or not

“No”

“Attack” A tear on my dress caught my attention, and I was fighting without thinking.

I barely ducked the first swipe of claws, feeling the whoosh of air parting over my head. I hit the ground hard, rolling once, twice, before springing to my feet, twin daggers flashing in my hands. Five rogue wolves circled me like vultures, eyes glinting with bloodlust. Their forms shifted between half-shifted beasts and men, making them faster, more unpredictable.

I didn’t wait for them to attack. Waiting would get me killed.

The first one lunged, a wolf with yellowed teeth and a scar slashing through his eye. I moved, letting his momentum carry him past me, and drove a dagger up under his ribs. He howled before crumpling at my feet.

No time to breathe.

Another rogue came from behind, but I caught the glint of his claws in the corner of my eye. I dropped low and kicked his knees out from under him. As he stumbled, I slashed across his throat in one smooth, practiced arc. Blood splattered across my forearm, warm and sticky.

Across the clearing, I saw Hans, goddess. Hans was fighting like a demon, blades moving as he held off five more wolves, his shirt torn and streaked with red. He grunted as one of the rogues slammed into his side, but he recovered fast, shoving his sword through the rogue’s gut without hesitation.

Focus, Leah. Focus.

A snarl tore me back to the present. The third wolf had shifted fully now, a monstrous form of snarling teeth and sinew. He barreled into me before I could react, and we hit the dirt hard. Pain exploded in my ribs. His claws scrambled for my throat, but I gritted my teeth and slammed my forehead into his snout. The crunch of bone and yelp of pain gave me the opening I needed.

I shoved my dagger under his chin, driving it up into his brain. His body convulsed once, then went still.

Three down. Two left, where the hell was Dante?

My heart raced as I stared at the wolves before me, they hesitated now, circling warily. I was breathing hard, sweat dripping down my spine, my arms trembling with the effort to stay steady. Every inch of me hurts. But giving in wasn’t an option. Not when death was the alternative.

The taller one moved to the left, trying to draw me unbalanced, while the shorter rogue darted in low, aiming for my stomach. I let instinct take over, dancing back just enough for him to overextend, then I twisted and drove a dagger deep into his side. He shrieked, falling to his knees.

Before I could yank the blade free, the last rogue slammed into me, sending me sprawling. My daggers flew from my hands, lost in the dirt.

Shit.

He pinned me, claws digging into my shoulders. I fought, clawing, kicking, teeth bared. His breath was hot and foul against my face as he snarled, forcing my head back, exposing my throat.

“You're dead, little queen,” he hissed.

“Not today,” I spat.

From the ground beside me, my hand found a jagged rock. I gripped it tight and smashed it into the side of his head. Once. Twice. Blood spattered. He howled, reeling, and I didn’t hesitate, I scrambled upright, grabbed one of my fallen daggers, and rammed it into his chest with every ounce of strength I had left.

He collapsed at my feet, twitching once before going still.

I staggered back, chest heaving, scanning the field.

Hans stood not far from me, covered in blood, two dead wolves at his feet, the others fleeing into the trees. He turned to me, eyes wild, before relief crashed over his features.

“You alright?” he panted.

I nodded, barely able to find my voice. “I'm fine.”

Hans reached me in three strides, steadying me before my knees gave out. I leaned against him for half a second before pushing away, refusing to look weak.

I heard a sudden sound towards the damaged car, and both our heads snapped to Dante's vehicle. Relief washed over me, but I hated that their leader managed to escape my wrath.

Dante ran towards me with a worried look in his eyes

“Where the hell have you been?” I yelled at him before I realized blood all over his knuckles, he was in a fight as well.

“I'm so sorry, but I'm here now” he murmured against my hair. “You're safe now. I'm here.”

“Do I look like I'm not safe to you?” He chuckled before placing a kiss on my head and looking towards Hans, who was leaning against the tree.

He wasn't injured, he was simply tired, which I understand.

“But what the hell happened? Your knuckles…"

“It was planned, we noticed your car wasn't behind, and before we could turn they were everywhere, obviously they weren't an issue. Ken is dead unfortunately” He mentioned his driver and my heart skipped a beat.

Poor ken

“Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get out of here before more trouble comes our way” Hans mentioned and we both agreed with him before heading towards the car

While Hans was so focused on the road, I had changed my dress in the back sit with Dante giving him orders not to look back at any cost, or he will die

We got to Sun City Pack not long after, and I realized why truly it was named that, the sun felt like my skin was going to get fried any moment from now

“Are you ready?” Dante asked as the car came to a halt, and we were in the middle of a whole line up of staff from the alpha's chambers and the rulers of the pack as well.

Regardless of our skin being covered with a bit of blood, I nod my head, and he steps out of the car. Hans opened the door beside me before Dante took my hand and I could see the horrifying looks on the people before us which made me want to laugh, but I remained composed.

“Your majesties” The Alpha and Luna bowed along with everyone else before they raised their heads, “... Welcome to Sun City, but I'm sorry to ask, is all well?” Their Alpha asked, looking at the dried blood on our skin.

“Owen you know the outside is never too safe for royals but that aside is everyone else here?” Dante and I stepped into the house and I immediately memorized.

“Yes your majesty, everyone is here. I'm sure you're tired, Hannah here will escort you to your chambers”

“Very well” I chipped in before Dante could think if talking about politics

We needed rest and a good bath