(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)The early morning sun cast long shadows over the garden as I tended to the flowers. The simple act of nurturing life provided a small respite from the constant worry that had settled in my heart ever since hearing Nixie's ominous conversation. Each petal, each bloom, was a reminder of the fragile beauty of life, and a much-needed distraction from the uncertainties surrounding Arlo and his past mates.My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. I turned to see Rolf, one of Arlo’s scouts, making his way toward me. His usually confident stride seemed hesitant, his eyes darting around nervously. My heart quickened, sensing something was amiss.“Hilda,” Rolf greeted, his voice unusually tight. “I have a message for you.”“A message?” I asked, wiping my hands on my apron and straightening up. “From whom?”Rolf glanced around again before leaning in closer. “It’s from Alpha Soren. He wants to meet you. Says it’s important.”The mention of Soren’s name sent a j
(Hilda)Soren's words echoed in my mind as I hurried back to the pack house, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger. His warning reverberated within me, the implications too horrifying to fully grasp. As I approached the grand building, the reality of my situation began to sink in, and panic clawed at my chest.I needed answers, and I needed them now. My thoughts raced as I made my way through the corridors, each step a battle against the rising tide of dread. I had to confront Arlo, to see if there was any truth to Soren’s allegations. If he was involved in something as dark and twisted as Soren claimed, then I needed to know.As I neared Arlo’s study, I heard voices. His voice and another, unfamiliar but dripping with the same sinister undertones. I stopped, pressing myself against the wall, straining to hear their conversation.“She’s proving to be quite the challenge,” Arlo was saying, his tone devoid of the warmth he usually reserved for me. “But it’s only a matter of tim
(Hilda)As I walked back to the pack house, the weight of the ancient book in my hands, I felt a gnawing uncertainty. Soren’s words echoed in my mind, yet a part of me resisted believing them. Could Arlo really be as monstrous as he seemed? Or was Soren's story driven by his own agenda? The duality of the situation left me in turmoil.Arriving back, I was greeted by one of Arlo’s sentinels. “Alpha King Arlo has requested your presence in the garden,” he said, his voice betraying no emotion. I nodded, hiding my apprehension.The garden was breathtaking, a serene haven filled with fragrant blossoms and soft, ambient lighting. Arlo stood at the center, a table set for two beside a small, sparkling fountain. As I approached, his face lit up with a warm smile."Hilda," he said, extending his hand. "I’ve planned something special for us tonight."The gesture was romantic, almost too perfect. My heart ached with confusion. Could someone capable of such evil also show such tenderness? I force