Marco’s POVSage's expression mirrored my concern. "It's like they were hit with something unexpected. But what could have caused this?"My mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. It didn't make sense for an enemy camp to be in such a state of disarray. Swiftclaw had always been known for their vigilance and readiness.As we continued to move through the camp, my gaze landed on a group of soldiers, their expressions vacant and their movements sluggish. Bottles and tankards lay strewn around them, evidence of a night of revelry. The realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. They were drunk, incapacitated by their own celebration."Why would they let their guard down like this?" I mused aloud, my voice tinged with disbelief.Sage's eyes narrowed in agreement. "It's unlike them.”Gently, we passed the incapacitated soldiers, their snores and mumbled words echoing in the stillness. Our steps were careful and deliberate as we moved toward the cage that held Scarlett captive.
Marco’s POV "Northern Ridge," he gasped, his words a fractured admission. "They've taken her to the Northern Ridge.""Look at me," I commanded, my voice firm but devoid of the anger that had fueled me moments ago. His gaze locked onto mine, a mixture of defiance and vulnerability swimming in his eyes. "I don't relish doing this, but I need to find her. Scarlett's safety is my priority."His lips trembled, his face a canvas of agony and trepidation. "I understand," he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "But even if I tell you, they'll kill me for betraying them."I leaned in, my expression a blend of urgency and sincerity. "Listen carefully," I began, my words measured and deliberate. "You've seen the kind of person I am. I won't let my men harm you if you cooperate. We're not like Swiftclaw's forces. We're better than that."He hesitated, his breath hitching as if caught between two conflicting decisions. "I don't even know if they've told me the truth about where they took h
Marco’s POV"Our first step is to head to the Northern Ridge," I replied, my mind already formulating the plan. "But before we do, we should send scouts to Thane's camp."Sage raised an eyebrow, curiosity evident in his expression. "Thane? What does he have to do with this?""Thane has been tracking Swiftclaw's movements," I explained. "If anyone knows more about the Northern Ridge and its defenses, it would be him. We need to gather as much information as possible before we make our move."Sage nodded in agreement, his logic aligning with my own. "It's a sound plan. Thane might have insights that could give us an advantage.""We can't afford to leave any stone unturned," I said, determination resonating in my voice. "Our priority is rescuing Scarlett, and we'll do whatever it takes to achieve that."Sage's eyes gleamed with a mix of resolve and anticipation. "Then let's get to it. I'll coordinate the scouts to head to Thane's camp.""Thank you, Sage," I said, my appreciation genuine.
Scarlett’s POVI woke up when I heard a gentle knock on my chamber door. I rubbed my eyes and stretched, trying to shake off the sleep that still clung to me. It took a moment for me to fully comprehend that I was back in the waking world. Who could be looking for me at this time? In a sleepy voice, I asked, "Who is it?"A voice I recognized immediately came from the other side of the door. "It's me, Your Grace."A spark of familiarity ignited within me. The guard speaking was my personal guard. As his words registered in my half-awake mind, a small smile formed at the corners of my mouth.I responded, my voice still heavy with sleep, "Please come in."The door creaked open, revealing him in the doorway. He was dressed in his usual attire, his armor and his weapon fastened to his side. His dark hair framed a face that carried an air of determination and respect. As he stepped forward, our eyes briefly met, conveying a silent understanding that words couldn't capture."I'm sorry for di
Scarlett’s POV"But Elara," I began hesitantly, my fingers unconsciously finding their way to the delicate swell of my belly, "Michael has always been skilled with his words. He can twist them like vines, winding his way into people's thoughts."Elara's expression softened, empathy shimmering in her gaze. "I know you're concerned, Scarlett. And you're right, Michael does have a way with words. But remember, the King isn't just anyone. He's a ruler who's navigated through countless negotiations, intrigues, and schemes. He's honed his ability to see beyond the surface."She reached out, her hand lightly resting on mine, offering comfort in her touch. "You may not have spent as much time around the King as I have, but I've seen him in action. He's perceptive, shrewd, and he knows when someone is trying to manipulate him."I nodded, absorbing her words. The thought of the King being a seasoned player in the world of power dynamics was both comforting and intimidating. "But Michael has alw
Scarlett’s POVI looked directly at Michael, and it felt like time slowed down for a moment. His eyes seemed really sincere, in a way I hadn't seen from him before. It was so different from the times he had tricked me. All sorts of feelings swirled inside me, like a big storm of emotions. I couldn't hold back the strong mix of hurt and anger that I felt. My voice was soft, barely louder than a whisper, as I spoke up and faced him. The hurt from what he had done was just too real to ignore."You were like a brother to Marco, and you betrayed us? How could you?" The words escaped my lips, laden with the weight of betrayal that cut deep into my heart. Marco, my beloved husband, had shared an unbreakable bond with Michael – a bond I had thought was unshakable, until the truth unraveled before me.His gaze dropped to the ground, and a heavy cloak of shame seemed to shroud him. His voice was tinged with remorse as he admitted, "I messed up. I let my desires lead me astray, and in doing so,
Scarlett’s POVMichael took a deep breath, his eyes holding a haunted intensity. "It all stems from a lineage deeply entwined with dark magic and an ancient pact," he began, his voice low and measured, as if each word carried a heavy burden. "Long ago, Swiftclaw's ancestors made a pact with a malevolent entity, a dark God that granted them power beyond mortal understanding. They were werewolves, but not ordinary ones. They were bestowed with unnatural strength, speed, and a connection to the shadows themselves."As he spoke, Michael's words painted a vivid picture of a family consumed by a sinister legacy."Throughout their family's history, each new generation had a strong leader, like a powerful wolf, who was very determined," Michael explained. He sounded really sad and burdened when he spoke. I couldn't look away from him, and I felt a mix of worry and curiosity."This Swiftclaw is the most recent leader from that family, and he not only got their physical strength but also the su
Scarlett’s POV "Your Majesty, I understand that this plan might sound incredibly dangerous, but Michael has a point. Swiftclaw's power comes from that hidden place, and if we can disrupt his connection to it, we might have a real chance to defeat him." Scarlett's eyes met the King's, her determination shining through. "We can't just keep running from him. It's time we take a stand and fight back."The King's brow furrowed with concern, his gaze shifting between Scarlett and Michael. "But how can we be certain that attacking that place will actually weaken Swiftclaw? What if it only makes him more powerful?"Michael leaned forward, his expression earnest. "Your Majesty, I understand your concerns, but I've studied Swiftclaw's dark magic extensively. The source of his power is deeply intertwined with that place. By breaking his connection to it, we'll disrupt the flow of energy he draws upon. It won't make him stronger; it'll make him vulnerable." As Scarlett leaned against the cha
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