CHAPTER TWENTYMacro’s POVMy heartache still lingers, but I can't let it consume me. Nathan stands by my side as I gather the remaining pack members. The dimly lit room serves as a constant reminder of the losses we've suffered, the sacrifices made for our cause. I clear my throat, my voice filled with a mix of grief and resilience."My brothers and sisters," I begin, my voice steady yet heavy with emotion. "We stand here today, united by the bonds of loyalty and the fire in our hearts. Our pack has endured great losses, and the pain we feel runs deep. But we cannot allow our grief to paralyze us."I sweep my eyes across the room, meeting the gazes of each pack member, searching for a flicker of determination. "Michael's betrayal has wounded us, but we will not be defined by it. We will rise above the ashes and rebuild what was scattered by our enemies. We owe it to those we've lost, to Chloe and our unborn child, and to ourselves."A murmur of agreement ripples through the room, a s
Macro’s POV The question hung in the air, and for a moment, the weight of it threatened to suffocate me. Michael's betrayal was a wound that still bled fresh, a painful reminder of the fragility of trust. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before addressing the crowd. "Yes, it is true," I replied, my voice firm yet tinged with sadness. "Michael has chosen a different path, one that aligns with our enemies. But let me assure you, we will uncover the truth behind his actions. We will get to the bottom of it." A ripple of unease passed through the pack, their gazes filled with concern. It was understandable. Michael had been a trusted friend, a loyal member of our pack. His betrayal had shaken us all to the core. But now was not the time for panic or doubt. We needed to remain focused, united in our pursuit of justice. "Our priority right now is to stay strong and unified," I continued, my voice steady. "We cannot let this betrayal divide us. We must trust in the bonds we have for
Scarlett’s POVI watched in surprise as the pack member burst into the room, his words hanging in the air like a thunderclap. Michael had been caught. It was an unexpected twist of events, and my mind struggled to comprehend the sudden turn of fate.Macro's eyes met mine, and I saw a mix of determination and urgency reflected in his gaze. Without hesitation, he leaned in and pressed a tender kiss on my lips, a silent reassurance of his love and his unwavering commitment to our pack."I will be back, Scarlett," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "Stay strong and know that I carry your strength with me."Before I could respond, Macro swiftly turned and dashed out of the room, leaving me behind with a whirlwind of worry and concern swirling within me. The door closed with a resounding thud, and I was left alone, the weight of the moment pressing upon my shoulders.Sitting on the edge of the bed, I clasped my hands together, my thoughts racing in a flurry. Questions flooded my min
Marco’s POVThe room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Michael's smug grin remained, but he refused to answer. It was as if he reveled in the power his silence held, the power to unnerve me.Gritting my teeth, I motioned to my men, my loyal pack members who stood beside me. We had to leave this place, to ensure that justice was served and our pack could heal. Michael's betrayal had caused deep wounds, and we needed to tend to them before they festered further.As we prepared to move Michael, his defiance remained unwavering. He refused to speak, his eyes locked with mine, as if daring me to break under the weight of his silence. But I would not falter. I had to show strength and resolve, not just for myself but for the entire pack."Enough of this," I declared, my voice commanding. "We will take him back to the pack. It's time to face the consequences of your actions, Michael."My men sprang into action, securing Michael and preparing him for transport. I could f
Marco’s POV It was Michael. The shock of seeing him in this moment, his betrayal still fresh in my mind, sent a surge of conflicting emotions through me. "Michael," I muttered, my voice laced with bitterness and disbelief. "Why?" Michael's grip tightened on Swiftclaw's wrist, his expression pained yet resolute. "Enough blood has been shed," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "Let him live, Swiftclaw. Let him tell the tale of our strength, and let it be a warning to anyone who dares to challenge us again." Swiftclaw's eyes narrowed, his primal instincts warring with Michael's command. He begrudgingly released his grip on his sword, stepping back with a low growl. The transformed Alpha regarded me with a mixture of disdain and curiosity, as if weighing the decision to grant me a second chance. Michael turned to face me, his features etched with a melancholic sorrow. "Marco, thread carefully," he warned, his voice laden with the weight of our history. "We will rebuild, we will ri
Scarlett’s POV My husband, Marco, lay on the ground, blood seeping from his wounds. A surge of anguish swept through me, threatening to engulf my entire being. I rushed to his side, dropping to my knees beside him. "Marco!" I cried, my voice trembling with desperation. "What happened? Who did this to you?" His eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting mine. Pain etched across his face, but there was a flicker of relief in his eyes as he saw me by his side. "Scarlett," he whispered, his voice strained. "It was Michael... and Swiftclaw. They turned against us." My hands shook as I reached out to touch his battered face, tears streaming down my cheeks. "We have to get you help," I pleaded, my voice filled with urgency. Marco weakly nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, but we must be careful. They won't let us seek help easily. They're still out there, Scarlett, and they won't rest until they've destroyed everything we built." Determination surged within me as I realized the
Marco’s POVMy gaze shifted to Rylan, my expression a mix of empathy and authority. "Rylan, I understand your desire for immediate retaliation," I replied, my voice steady. "But we must consider the long game. Rushing in without a solid plan could put us at a greater disadvantage."Rylan's brows furrowed in frustration, his voice edged with defiance. "But Marco, we can't let them think they can harm our leader without consequences. We must defend our honor and strike back!"I softened my eyes, my voice gentle yet resolute. "I share your sentiment, Rylan. No one wants justice more than I do," I said, my gaze shifting to Scarlett briefly before returning to Rylan. "But vengeance without a clear strategy will only lead to further harm. We must be calculated and precise in our actions."My words hung in the air, the room filled with a tense silence. The pack warriors exchanged glances, torn between their loyalty to me and their burning desire for immediate retribution.In that moment, Sca
Marco’s POVAs we held each other tightly, seeking solace in our embrace, a soft knock interrupted our intimate moment. I reluctantly pulled away from Scarlett, wiping away the last traces of tears from my cheeks. With a nod, I gave the guard permission to enter.The guard stepped into the room, his eyes filled with determination. "Alpha Marco, Beta Scarlett," he greeted respectfully. "I bring urgent news. Our scouts have uncovered several leads that could potentially lead us to the hidden base of Swift Claw."A surge of anticipation coursed through my veins, replacing the heaviness in my heart. "Tell me everything," I commanded, my voice steady, the weight of responsibility settling upon my shoulders once again.The guard proceeded to outline the findings, detailing the possible locations and the level of risk involved in each potential lead. Scarlett stood by my side, her unwavering support tangible in the room, as we absorbed the information."These leads are promising, Marco," she
Marco’s POVSwiftclaw laughed loudly in the passage, making fun of us. "Oh, Marco," he said, "is this your killer team? How cute. But you're too slow."I looked at Sage and Dave. They were ready to fight, having heard Swiftclaw's insults. We nodded at each other, knowing we had to work together to defeat the traitor.Swiftclaw didn't waste time. He suddenly moved very fast, surprising us. He hit Sage and Dave hard, and they fell to the ground.It seemed like Swiftclaw became one with the shadows, moving so fast that we couldn't see him clearly. He hit Sage and Dave with strong and precise punches, clearly having the advantage.Sage and Dave, although strong, were caught off guard by Swiftclaw's fast attack. They tried to get up but couldn't defend themselves before Swiftclaw attacked again.I watched in horror as Swiftclaw hit them repeatedly, his punches were strong and accurate. Sage and Dave tried to fight back, but Swiftclaw was too fast and skilled.As I watched the battle, I kne
Marco's POVBut it was too late. A spear, gleaming malevolently in the dim light, pierced through Michael's back and emerged crimson-soaked from his chest. The force of the blow was enough to send him crashing to the ground, the impact causing a sickening thud that reverberated in the stillness of the moment."WTF!!!" I exclaimed in sheer shock and disbelief, my voice echoing through the passage.I staggered to my feet, my eyes wide with horror as I witnessed Michael writhing on the ground, blood gushing from his wound in a torrent. His face contorted with agony, and he struggled to breathe, his life slipping away before my eyes.My gaze snapped upward, seeking the source of this sudden attitude by Swiftclaw to him. And there, with blood-soaked hands and a malevolent grin that sent shivers down my spine, stood Swiftclaw. His eyes gleamed with triumph, and he let out a chilling, mocking laugh as he looked down at Michael."You thought I would give you the Kingdom, Michael?" Swiftclaw t
Scarlett’s POVMy heart aced as Sage and I moved toward the exit, leaving behind the chaotic scene of the battle between Marco and his men. My mind was a whirlwind of fear, concern for Marco's safety, and the urgency of our escape. I glanced back over my shoulder, my eyes locked onto Marco, who was still locked in the fierce struggle with Swiftclaw.Then, a shadow loomed at the doorway, and my breath caught in my throat. Who could it be at this crucial moment, blocking our way to safety? My thoughts raced, trying to identify the person."Leaving so soon?" The voice sent shivers down my spine. I turned to see a sinister figure with an evil grin, lurking in the dimly lit passage. My heart pounded in my chest as I struggled to make out the intruder's features.Sudden relief washed over me as the person stepped into the light, revealing himself to be Michael. My anxiety shifted to anger. What was he doing here, now of all times? And why did he look so menacing, holding that large, dangero
Marco’s POVMy heart was beating fast, and I was breathing hard as I watched Swiftclaw coming toward me, looking really angry. I couldn't see a way out of this, and I tried really hard to think of a solution."Wait, Swiftclaw!" I said nervously, my voice shaky with fear. "Let's talk about this. Whatever's bothering you, we can find a way to fix it without fighting."Swiftclaw growled angrily but stopped for a moment, seeming to think about what I had said. The air was really tense, and I was thinking quickly. I couldn't mess up."I don't feel like talking, Marco," Swiftclaw said angrily. "You've gone too far, and now you'll pay for it."I was panicking, trying to figure out how to get out of being frozen with fear. I couldn't let fear take over; I needed to stay calm and focused."Swiftclaw, please, listen to me," I continued, my voice shaking but determined. "I didn't mean to upset you, but whatever happened, we can fix it. We're friends, right? Friends don't hurt each other like thi
Scarlett’s POV Before Swiftclaw could finish speaking, a spooky mist started oozing from the altar where Scarlett was tied up. It looked like a creepy snake, coiling around Swiftclaw, its dark tendrils moving towards him as he struggled. The room felt weird, like there was some strange power in the mist, and it got scarier by the second. Swiftclaw got really scared and started shouting as he turned into a big, scary wolf. He tried to fight off the dark mist, biting at it, which wanted to swallow him up. Scarlett was no longer in mortal danger, and she suddenly felt full of energy and determination. She knew she couldn't miss this chance. Her heart raced, and her hands were slippery with blood as she twisted and turned, trying to get free from the cold, unkind chains that held her down. Scarlett used all her strength to pull, and her wrists hurt as the chains cut into her skin, but she didn't give up. Her life depended on this moment, and she wouldn't let it slip away. The room got
Scarlett’s POVMy heart ached as I struggled to process what was happening. "Elara, what is going on? Why are you here in that robe? We were supposed to be against Swiftclaw, weren't we?"Elara's lips quivered, and she seemed on the verge of saying something, but before she could respond, Swiftclaw's cold, mocking voice cut through the tension. "You think Elara was with you all these years, Scarlett? How naive. She has always been with me... throughout. I used her to get you where I wanted you to be."The shock of Swiftclaw's revelation hit me like a physical blow. I had trusted Elara with my life, and now it seemed that trust had been horribly misplaced. Betrayal stung in my chest, and I felt tears stream down my face. "Elara... How could you?" I whispered, my voice trembling with hurt.Elara's gaze fell to the floor, and she seemed unable to meet my eyes. "I had no choice, Scarlett," she finally replied, her voice filled with anguish. "Swiftclaw... he had something that could destro
Scarlett’s POVEverything went crazy for me, and I felt like I was falling into a dark hole. It hurt a lot, and I was scared and confused. It was all mixed up like a loud, crazy song in my head. I couldn't understand what was happening, and I really wanted to call out to Marco to make sure he was okay, but I couldn't even talk.Slowly, like waking up from a bad dream, I started to notice where I was. The feeling of numbness started going away, and I felt a tingly feeling that told me I was waking up. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt really heavy, like there were invisible chains on them.I blinked a few times and started to figure out what was happening. I was tied up on something that looked like a scary table, with weird skulls all over it. Each skull had a creepy story, and the table itself was made of black stone with spooky symbols that glowed a little.The room around me was kinda dark, but there was a strange green light coming from the walls. The air smelled really bad,
Marco’s POVScarlett and I turned slowly, feeling scared in our hearts. It was Swiftclaw, looking at us with heavy eyes and a strange grin on his lips. Michael was beside him, smiling wickedly.Swiftclaw laughed in a mean way. "I knew you wouldn't go far, Marco. Love is a thing people always do." He laughed more, enjoying the scared feeling.I held Scarlett's hand tight, thinking hard. We were stuck, and Swiftclaw had us where he wanted. I had to find a way out, for both of us."Why, Swiftclaw?" I asked, my voice shaky and angry. "What do you want?"Swiftclaw grinned more and walked around us like a predator playing with its food. "Isn't it clear, Marco? I want power, and Scarlett here," he pointed at her, "has the key to it."Scarlett looked scared and confused. "What does he mean, Marco?"I clenched my teeth, trying to figure a way out. "It's a long story, Scarlett. Right now, we need to escape."Swiftclaw stopped laughing and got closer to me. "Oh, Marco, you always protected her,
Scarlett’s POVSwiftclaw had a creepy smile on his face, and I was nibbling on my tasteless food reluctantly. The room felt tense, and I couldn't help but feel that something bad was happening.I wanted to know more about how Swiftclaw knew Elara. It didn't seem like he should know her name, but he brought it up like it was important. I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to ask, "Swiftclaw, how do you know Elara? Who told you about her?" My heart raced as I waited for his answer.Swiftclaw looked at me with dark eyes and leaned closer. He spoke in a low, scary voice, "Oh, Scarlett, there's so much you don't know. You'll find out in time." His words sent shivers down my spine.I couldn't let him avoid my question, so I demanded, "Tell me now. How do you know about Elara?"Swiftclaw laughed, which made me feel even more uneasy. "Humans are easy to figure out," he taunted. "But I'll tell you a bit more. Your husband, Marco, was captured and brought here earlier. We tried to get