Scarlett's POVThe King's eyes softened, and he looked at Elara, taking a moment to consider my request. "You speak truly highly of her," he said with a smile. "Such devotion should be rewarded. Elara, do you wish to accompany Scarlett and take care of her in the palace?"Elara bowed her head slightly, her voice sincere. "Your Majesty, it would be an honor to continue serving and supporting Scarlett. I vowed to protect her, and I intend to keep that promise."The King nodded approvingly. "Very well, then. You may stay with her. But know that your presence comes with the responsibility to ensure her well-being," he said, his gaze shifting to me. "And, Scarlett, you shall have the best care available to you. The maidens assigned to you will be chosen for their skill and compassion. They will be dedicated to your comfort and safety.""Thank you, Your Majesty," I replied gratefully. "Your generosity knows no bounds."As the King's guards led us to the appointed chamber, I couldn't help bu
Marco’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest as Sage and I followed the faint footprints deeper into the dark forest. The eerie silence around us only heightened my senses, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The moonlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting a pale glow on the forest floor, but the shadows seemed to dance and shift, playing tricks on our eyes."Sage, keep your guard up," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "We don't know what we're dealing with here."He nodded, his eyes darting around as we continued to trace the footprints.As we followed the trail, I relied on my wolf sense to sniff the air, trying to catch any familiar scents. But something was off. The smell I expected to find—the scent of the old woman—seemed to have vanished."Sage, do you smell anything?" I asked, trying not to let my worry show.He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, using his own wolf senses to scan the area. "No, Marco. I don't smell anything. It's l
Marco’s POVThe adrenaline coursed through my veins as I crouched in the thicket, my senses on high alert. The forest was still, and for a moment, I allowed myself to hope that I had successfully eluded the pursuing pack. But I knew better than to let my guard down. The danger was far from over.Breathing as quietly as I could, I carefully peered through the leaves, scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. The forest canopy above me swayed gently in the breeze, and the rustling of leaves made it difficult to discern any other sounds. I strained my ears, listening for the telltale growls or footsteps that would signal the return of the wolves.Minutes passed like hours, and my muscles began to ache from the tension of remaining still. The forest seemed to hold its breath, and the silence was unnerving. Had they given up the chase? Or were they lying in wait, biding their time for the right moment to strike?Suddenly, a voice pierced the silence, and my heart skipped a beat.
Marco’s POVMy heart pounded in my chest as I listened to the old woman's words. It was overwhelming to learn that there was a prophecy about me, and the fate of the forest rested on my shoulders. I couldn't understand why Swiftclaw would have access to the forest in the first place and why they were so determined to capture me."I've been at her hut days back," I interjected, feeling a sense of urgency. "She did explain some of this to me, but I didn't grasp the full extent of it. I didn't realize the danger I was in or the implications of this prophecy."The King's eyes narrowed, and he regarded me with concern and curiosity. "Why didn't you come to me sooner, Marco? We could have worked together to face this threat.""I... I wasn’t sure," I admitted, lowering my gaze. "I didn't know who to trust. The old woman was the only one who seemed to understand, and she was trying to protect me. I didn't want to put anyone else in danger."The old woman placed a comforting hand on my shoulde
Scarlett's POV"Scarlett, please, let me explain," the familiar voice pleaded, and my heart skipped another beat. It was him—Michael, my husband's closest friend and confidant who betrayed us to Swiftclaw. His eyes were filled with sorrow and regret, and his hands trembled slightly as he held them up in a gesture of surrender.Anger mingled with the relief of seeing a familiar face, and I couldn't contain the rush of emotions. "Explain? Explain what?" I spat, my voice wavering with a mix of anger and heartache. "You disappeared without a trace, leaving no word for anyone, not even for me, your friend! And now, after all this time, you show up here, unannounced, without warning? Why should I listen to anything you have to say?"Michael took a hesitant step forward, and I instinctively retreated, my back pressed against the wall. "I know I owe you an explanation, Scarlett," he said, his voice heavy with remorse. "But please, give me a chance to make amends, to make things right."Elara
Scarlett's POVI was overwhelmed with a raw pain in my heart as I gazed at Michael. His tear-streaked face mirrored the anguish he felt. Though my emotions were intense, I knew I couldn't let them cloud the gravity of his betrayal. I took a deep breath, attempting to steady my voice, which was laden with sorrow and anger. "Do you truly comprehend the magnitude of your actions, Michael?" I inquired, my gaze unwavering. "Your betrayal led to Swiftclaw attacking us, and as a result, Marco's father—the alpha of our pack—was killed. Now, Marco has been thrust into leadership, a burden he never sought. Furthermore, Swiftclaw took me, kidnapping me and tearing me away from the man I love. I haven't seen Marco in weeks, and it's because of you." Michael's face contorted with pain, but I refused to look away. I believed he needed to understand the consequences of his actions—the shattered lives he left behind. "Swiftclaw's attack has left our pack weakened and vulnerable," I continued. "Our m
Scarlett's POVElara sighed, furrowing her brow in thought. "To be honest, Scarlett, I have no idea how he found you," she replied with a thousand wit. "Perhaps he's just incredibly lucky and stumbled upon your scent by chance while wandering the wilderness, or maybe he hired mystical tracking hounds to track you."Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn't help but crack a small smile through my tears. "Mystical tracking hounds? You have quite the imagination, Elara," I said, a hint of amusement in my voice.Elara chuckled softly. "Well, a bit of humor never hurts when dealing with these painful situations," she said. "But in all seriousness, since he once worked with Swiftclaw, we really need to be careful. It's possible he has some inside knowledge or connections that could be used against us.""I know," I replied, my expression growing more serious. "We can't afford to underestimate him or the danger he poses to us and the pack."Elara nodded. "Exactly. That's why I'll do so
Scarlett's POVThe maid shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Lady Scarlett," she replied. "I've only heard bits and pieces of conversations. But if you need any more help or information, please feel free to ask."Elara thanked the maid for her help with a warm smile. "You've been most kind," she said. "We truly appreciate it."As the maid left the room, Scarlett turned to Elara, her eyes shining with hope. "So, it seems Michael's presence hasn't gone unnoticed," she said.Elara nodded, her expression serious. "Indeed," she replied. "We should continue gathering information discreetly. The more we know, the better prepared we'll be to face whatever challenges lie ahead."Scarlett's mind raced with possibilities, and she felt a renewed sense of determination. "I won't rest until we find out everything about him," she said.Elara placed a reassuring hand on Scarlett's shoulder. "We will, Scarlett," she said. "We'll uncover the truth. Now you need to eat, you need strength for you and your un
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