(Soren)The camp was a flurry of activity as I made my way back, my mind still reeling from the encounter with King Arlo and Hilda. My heart ached with the knowledge that Hilda was caught in the middle of a power struggle, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for being dragged into it. As I approached the edge of the camp, I saw Cerelia waiting for me, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Where have you been?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest. "King Arlo summoned me," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm as I explained my absence. "He wanted to talk about Hilda." Cerelia's eyes flashed with anger. "Hilda again? What does she have to do with us?" "Nothing," I said firmly. " King Arlo's just paranoid. He thought I was trying to take her back." Cerelia's expression softened slightly, but her eyes still held a hint of doubt. "And are you?" "No," I said, shaking my head. "Hilda and I are over. I'm with you now, Cerelia." She studied me for a moment before nodd
(Hilda)The days following that night by the fire were filled with a newfound sense of purpose. I immersed myself in training and the pack's daily activities, striving to carve out my place among them. Arlo was often nearby, his presence a steadying force, but it was Percy who seemed to occupy my thoughts more and more. His quiet strength and understanding gaze became my anchor, a comforting presence that eased the turmoil inside me. It wasn't long before others noticed the growing closeness between Percy and me. Whispers followed us as we moved through the camp, and I couldn't ignore the glances exchanged by the warriors. The tension was palpable, an undercurrent that grew stronger with each passing day. One afternoon, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over the camp, Arlo approached me during a break in training. His expression was guarded, his eyes darker than usual. "Hilda, can we talk?" he asked, his voice strained. "Of course," I replied, sensing the
(Hilda) Percy stepped back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Arlo, it's not what it looks like. We were just talking." "Talking?" Arlo spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It didn't look like just talking to me." I stepped between them, my heart racing. "Arlo, please. Don't do this." Arlo's gaze shifted to me, his expression a mix of hurt and fury. "Hilda, I won't stand by and watch you grow closer to him. You belong to me." His words sent a shockwave through me, a stark reminder of the possessive nature that lay beneath his calm exterior. I reached out, my voice pleading. "Arlo, I chose you. But you have to trust me."I had to get him to believe me.He stared at me for a long moment, then turned and walked away, his shoulders tense with suppressed emotion. I watched him go, a heavy weight settling in my chest. Percy placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch gentle. "Are you okay?" I nodded, though I felt anything but. "I will be. This is just... a lot to handle." "W
(Soren)The camp was shrouded in the early morning mist when I awoke, the remnants of a restless night lingering in my mind. The fire from the previous night had long since died down, and a heavy sense of anticipation hung in the air. As I made my way through the camp, I found Cerelia waiting for me, her eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and worry. "We need to talk," she said, her voice low but firm. "Privately." I nodded, leading her to a secluded spot away from the main camp. Once we were alone, she turned to face me, her expression serious. "Soren, we need to discuss Hilda," she began, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We can't ignore the fact that she holds valuable information. If we're going to challenge King Arlo, we need every advantage we can get." I hesitated, the thought of involving Hilda stirring a mix of emotions within me. "Cerelia, I don't know if that's a good idea. Hilda's already caught in the middle of this mess. Dragging her deeper into our plan
(Hilda)The next morning, the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room. I lay next to Arlo, his arm draped possessively over me, his breathing steady and calm. Last night's intense emotions had given way to a quiet intimacy, and for a moment, I felt a sense of peace. But I knew I couldn't linger in bed forever; there was a whole new world outside these walls waiting for me. Carefully, I slipped out from under Arlo's arm, trying not to wake him. I dressed quickly and quietly, taking a moment to watch him sleep before stepping out into the hallway. The pack house was already bustling with activity. Members of Arlo's pack moved through the halls, their eyes widening in respect and curiosity as they saw me. I made my way to the main hall, where the smell of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee wafted through the air. A few pack members were seated at the long wooden tables, enjoying their breakfast. They greeted me warmly, their smiles genuine.
(Soren)I moved through the dense forest, each step careful and calculated. The early morning mist clung to the ground, adding an eerie quality to the already tense atmosphere. Cerelia's words from our conversation replayed in my mind, her insistence on involving Hilda leaving a bitter taste. Yet, as much as I hated to admit it, she had a point. I tried to mind link her but to no avail.We needed Hilda's inside knowledge. But that meant finding someone loyal to King Arlo, someone who could be bribed or convinced to carry a message to her. I didn't have to search long. The snap of a twig alerted me to the presence of another in the woods. I crouched low, moving stealthily towards the sound. As I peered through the underbrush, I saw him—one of King Arlo's men, a scout named Rolf. He was younger, probably not much older than Elias, and his nervous glances around the forest told me he was still green.I waited, watching as Rolf settled against a tree, his hand resting on the hilt of his
(Hilda) The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled light across the garden where I found Nixie working among the flowers. The vibrant colors of the blooms seemed almost to mock the unease that gnawed at me. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I was about to have. “Nixie,” I called gently, trying to keep my voice steady. She looked up, her surprise giving way to a warm smile. “Oh, Hilda! Good morning. What brings you here?” “I was hoping to talk to you about something,” I said, my heart racing a bit. “Is now a good time?” “Of course,” she replied, setting aside her gardening tools and brushing her hands on her apron. “What’s on your mind?” We walked to a shaded bench under an old oak tree. I could hear the faint buzz of bees and the distant sound of laughter from the pack house, but my focus was solely on Nixie. Once seated, I gathered my thoughts, trying to find the right words. “I overheard you talking yesterday,” I began, my voice trem
(Soren)The night was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth as I made my way through the forest, my steps muffled by the dense undergrowth. The moonlight filtered through the canopy, casting a silvery glow on the path ahead. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, a gnawing unease that had only grown since Hilda’s departure.Her absence had left a void, a chasm of regret and unanswered questions. My betrayal had been a desperate act, driven by forces I could barely comprehend at the time. But now, as the truth began to unravel, I realized that my actions had set off a chain of events far more sinister than I could have imagined.It had started with whispers, rumors of disappearances that didn’t add up. I didn’t feel right about King Arlo from the beginning, and not just because of his claim over Hilda. It took some investigating, but I uncovered some real information. I decided to investigate further while I waited for Hilda’s response to my message. Mat
(Hilda)We heard the screams first. And we felt it when the ground shook. It started as a rumble, but quickly grew. Soren’s head snapped up, his body tense. Without a word, we both rushed to the door, throwing it open and jumping outside. The ground beneath our feet shook so much we had to grab onto the side of the cabin for support. The scene outside was chaos. Pack members from Soren’s pack and Arlo’s were running to the clearing. Their faces were full of fear, and it made a chill run down my spine. “What the hell is going on?” I asked. “Nothing good.” “Soren!” A voice called out, and I turned to see one of the scouts sprinting towards us, his face pale. “It’s Cerelia and Arlo! They’re in the clearing, you need to come quick!” I made eye contact with Soren and we shared the same panicked, confused expression. Cerelia and Arlo… together? What could possibly have brought them to the clearing together, after everything? Soren didn’t hesitate. He grabbed my hand and pulled me int
(Cerelia)I had felt him coming, in the forest. I knew there was nothing I could do to stop him. I thought he was there for Hilda. But then he came for me. Soren’s words echoed in my mind as Arlo carried me. “Lilith is controlling Arlo. She’s dangerous, more dangerous than any of us realized. You have to be careful, Cerelia.” I had listened to him then. Carefully. I took in every word, every warning. I had prepared for it, too. Soren’s plan was to hide, to get Hilda and run. But I knew I needed to protect myself. And now, as Arlo carried me through the forest, his grip tight and unyielding, I knew it was time to act. The clearing appeared before us, bathed in an unnatural, cold light. Lilith appeared out of the forest and the shadows, and the sight of her made me nauseous. Her eyes were sharp, glinting like a predator as she locked onto mine. I felt her power ripple through the air, dark and frightening. But I was ready. Arlo’s hold on me tightened as if sensing my intentions. “C
(Hilda)Morning came, and with it, the memory of the previous night. What we had done was horrible, undeniable, and fierce. It was betrayal. And it was all I could think about. I couldn’t meet his eyes as I pulled on my clothes, each movement filled with regret. I couldn’t get Cerelia’s hurting face out of my head. Soren had betrayed her. And I had betrayed Arlo. “You can’t just walk out,” Soren said, his voice raw from the night’s yelling. I paused but didn’t turn around. “You’re one to talk,” I said with a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve done the same.” Soren was silent, and that spoke louder than words. I packed my things as quickly as I could, then moved towards the door.“Hilda,” Soren stopped me. His tone was softer, but still laced with that stubborn edge. “What we did… what we’ve done… it’s wrong. But it doesn’t change the danger we’re in.” I turned to face him, and I let my emotions take control. I let myself be angry. Although most of my anger was toward myself. I had b
(Arlo)I moved silently through the shadows. Every step felt heavy, burdened by the weight of the deal I’d made. It wasn’t as if I’d had a choice, but it felt wrong nonetheless. Cerelia’s trail was easy to follow. Her scent lingered in the air, mixed with the salt of fresh tears. She was upset, and she was alone. That made her vulnerable. I watched her storm away from the cabin. I heard her cry about Soren’s betrayal. It broke me, too. Soren’s betrayal was Hilda’s betrayal. But I didn’t blame her. Not entirely. She was his captive. She would do what she had to in order to stay alive. It was my job to keep her safe. I would keep her safe. I had made a deal, and now I had to follow through. The clearing ahead was bathed in light, and I saw her, standing by the edge of the trees. Her back was to me and she didn’t hear me approach, lost in her own thoughts and grief. I felt guilty. This wasn’t the first time I’d given someone over to my mother, and I doubted it would be the las
(Cerelia)The forest was alive with the sounds of the night, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart. I moved swiftly, tracking Soren’s scent. It was faint but unmistakable, leading me deeper into the woods. My mind raced with thoughts of what I might find—of what I feared. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. The air was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the sense of dread that hung over me like a dark cloud. I had to find Soren, had to confront him about what I knew—what I felt deep in my bones. Finally, I saw it: a small cabin nestled in the clearing, light seeping through the cracks of the wooden structure. My breath caught in my throat as I approached, every step weighted with the knowledge that nothing would be the same after this. I reached the door and hesitated, hand hovering over the worn wood. I could hear muffled voices inside—Soren’s low, rumbling tone and a softer, feminine voice I recognized too wel
(Arlo)The forest blurred around me as I raced through it, my heart pounding with anger and fear. Hilda had been taken by Soren, and I was frantic. Losing her was unimaginable. I had to get her back. Every breath was a struggle as I pushed myself through the underbrush. Hilda’s face, filled with pain and confusion, haunted me. I needed to find her, to prove I was the one who truly cared, that Soren was the real threat. I needed to save her. The scent trail was faint but unmistakable. I pushed harder, my muscles screaming in protest as I forced myself to move faster. The trees whipped past me, their branches clawing at my skin, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was finding Hilda before it was too late. Then, a voice cut through the chaos in my mind—it was my mother’s voice, cold and commanding. “Arlo, stop,” she ordered. I skidded to a halt, the shock of her voice hitting me like a slap. My mother’s presence in my mind was as imposing as ever. Her words felt like icy fingers
(Hilda)My lips still tingled from Soren's kiss, a mix of anger and desire swirling inside me. The small cabin felt like it was closing in, making everything even more intense. "I can't stay here," I said, my voice shaking. "You can't decide what's best for me." Soren's eyes were filled with determination and something else I couldn't name. "I won't let you get hurt," he said firmly. "Not by Arlo, not by anyone." "You don't get it," I snapped. "This isn't about Arlo. It's about you controlling me, thinking you know what's best." His jaw clenched. "Hilda, you don't understand the danger. Arlo is hiding something that could destroy us all." "Then let me decide!" I shouted. "I'm not a pawn in your game, Soren. I can take care of myself." He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "I won't lose you," he said in a low growl. "Not like this." His intensity made my heart pound with fear and something else—something I didn't want to admit. "You have to let me go," I whispered
(Soren)Dragging Hilda through the forest, I couldn't shake the image of her standing between me and Arlo, the look of betrayal on her face cutting deeper than any wound. My grip on her wrist was firm, my pace unyielding. The forest was thick with tension, every rustle of leaves a remainder of the chaos we had just left behind. I knew I had crossed a line by taking her, but there was no turning back now. She had to understand the danger she was in, even if it meant risking everything.The hidden cabin came into view, a small, unassuming structure nestled deep in the woods. I pushed the door open and pulled Hilda inside, releasing her wrist as she stumbled away from me. The cabin was quiet, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. It was a place of secrets and shadows, much like the feelings I had buried deep for far too long."What are you doing, Soren?" Hilda's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. Her eyes flashed with anger, and something else. Betrayal, maybe. It t
(Hilda)The morning sun gently woke me from a dreamless sleep. As my eyes fluttered open, they settled on Arlo standing beside the bed. His smile was soft, his eyes radiating a possessive love so deep it seemed to reach into my very soul. “Good morning, love,” he whispered, his voice a soothing melody that made my heart flutter. I returned his smile, a warmth spreading through my chest that had nothing to do with the sunlight. “Good morning, Arlo,” I replied, sitting up slowly. Arlo extended his hand to me. “Come with me,” he said, his voice a soft invitation. We walked together out past the pack to the riverbank. He was quiet as we walked, but his hand gripped mine tightly. When we reached the river he stopped, his face etched with a pain I had never seen before. “Hilda,” Arlo began, his voice low. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago.” “Arlo…” I said, looking up into his eyes. “What is it?” But the sound of rustling leav