Chapter 4: The Dark Forest

I flee from the throne room as fast as I can. I can't imagine being in Jacob's presence. Last night was a lie. All the things he said to me were lies after he had warmed another woman's bed and got her pregnant. The pain in my chest is killing me. I want to claw my heart out. 

My feet lead me to the pack's inn. Sylvia is the only one I have at this moment. Everyone sees me as the devil. I bang on her door and notice the surprise on her face when she sees it's me, like a deer caught in headlights. Her bump is visible under the loose garment she put on. 

She quickly recovers and pulls me inside her room, locking the door behind her. Sylvia wipes my tears away, but they are dropping. There's nothing that can stop the hole drilling into my heart. 

"He betrayed me," I say, and she doesn't ask me how. In fact, she doesn't look shocked. It's funny how just last night she was assuring me otherwise. 

"Goodness, you knew!" I gasp slightly, feeling betrayal prick my heart like a sharp needle. 

"I didn't—" She starts, but I cut her off, flying to my feet. 

"You knew. You knew he had another woman and yet you did not tell me." Sylvia fumbles with her hand in her laps and she refuses to meet my gaze. "How could you? You let me believe in some stupid fantasy that nothing had changed after the time away."

Silence spreads over the room. I thought Sylvia will comfort me and help me get through, but I realise I'm all alone, and I'm the last person to know about it. 

It's a moment of weakness, but I hear myself ask. "Who is she?" 

Sylvia's head shoots up, and she works her jaw several times, but still can't get the words out. I see she will not help, and so I steer on my feet to leave. It's useless being in here. 

"Rose!" 

She calls and I stop dead in my tracks. I do not turn to face her as I wait for what she has to say. 

Sylvia walks up to me. "Your family first. The Blood Moon pack intends to take their revenge. The bells are ringing nonstop."

I do not want to listen, but she grabs my wrist and calls me to my senses. Jacob can wait, but in less than twenty-four hours, my former pack will be in great danger. I have to save them first before anything else.

"Rose, listen to me. I should have told you, but I didn't know how to." She makes me face her completely and look her in the eye. "I have a plan to save your family."

Curious, I asked. "What do you suggest?" 

She looked around her and came closer to me. Sylvia whispered in my ears and to my hearing alone. "Warn them to run." 

"That's impossible. Jacob has commanded the Blood Moon army to set out already. We are too late." 

Sylvia tugs my wrists. "No, not that way." 

She pulls me over to her bed and sets me down at her side. I'm wondering what is so top secret she can't just say it out loud or all at once. Why keep me waiting?

"Sylvia, you are scaring me. What exactly do you mean?"

"The witch, Isador. They say you can always find her in the dark forest." I start to shake my head because there's no way I can do that, but she grips my shoulders so I can see reason. "Rose, think about your father and brother. Isador can help you warn them before the army gets there."

"It's dangerous, Sylvia," I say, because surely she knows wolves and witches do not mix. 

"This is a matter of life and death." 

We share a look that says it all. Mine are pleading with her because she could have just said anything else. If I'm caught with the witch, the alpha will behead me. Jacob will raise his sword against because what she insists I do is forbidden.

"I'll wait for you here. Go now and bring good news." 

I nod and stand, still looking dazed because of what I have to do. Sylvia leads me to the door and bids me farewell. Once I'm out of her room, I quicken my steps. Jacob will be with the army. Our chamber will be empty. I must pack supplies and some money just in case. 

I reach and grab a hobo bag, shoving an extra dress inside it. The fents go in last. I will need the spare clothes for the shift. I can't be seen walking stark naked in the forest. 

Just as I'm about to leave, I jam Jacob at the door. He walks inside and I step back with my eyes widened like dinner plates. 

"Jacob." I whisper.

"What do you think you are you doing?" He arches his brows together, accessing the hobo bag. 

My mind tries to come up with an excuse, but I've got nothing. I can't tell him I'm on my way to warn my family about his plans. I decide to play it in the safest way I can. 

Taking in a deep breath, I grit. "Get out of my way." 

The tone of my voice shocks him and he sees I'm no longer the Rose he used to know. Our relationship can never be the same. First, it's killing my family. Now he has another woman he intends to replace me with in seven days. 

Jacob has nothing to say to me. I see his jaw clench repeatedly, but he steps aside and gives me the respect. It's the least he can do. I cross him, and his hand catches my elbow. 

He pauses for a moment. I feel the heat of his body next to mine and even though I'm furious at him, my body is still weak to resist him. 

Jacob says, "You are still the only woman that owns my heart."

I snap my neck towards him and pin him with an icy glare. "That didn't occur to you before you fucked another woman?"

"Maybe you should've made yourself useful and gave me an heir, then." He spits, fuming with anger.

I hiss and pull my hand away, storming out of our chamber. I can't believe he's the same man I gave my heart to. The tears are there, but I can't give in to them. I must be strong to save my family first. 

I set out for the dark forest by day, running with my wolf, and at sunset, I arrive. The forest holds magical forces that suppress the strength of my wolf. When I shift back, I change into the spare clothes I came with. 

I don't exactly know how to find Isador. Sylvia only said she'll be somewhere within this forest. It's getting dark and I can't be here for long. I must find her and take my leave. 

Five minutes later, I feel someone behind me. I turn and find a strange woman scrutinising me. She's beautiful and beneath her both eyes, she drew a line with earth. 

"Your heart is beating too fast, Luna Rose," she says. 

I'm shocked to see she knows who I am. 

"Isador?" I ask, and the witch nods. 

She says again, coming closer. "I've waited for you for a long time. It's been years since I saw you come here through my crystals. Let me guess, you need my help." 

Everything about this place and this woman gives me the creeps. There's magic around me and I'm well aware I stand no chance if danger is near. 

"Ye-Yes." I stammer, feeling uneasy as this woman in a dark regalia took another step forward. "I'm in dire need of your help, Isador."

The witch flashes a saccharine smile. "It will be my pleasure to help you."

I almost frown because it's sounding too easy. Relief floods me. I can finally save my brother and father. Time is running out. 

"Thank you so much. This—"

She chuckles. "Not so fast, Luna Rose."

My heart beats faster and dread swells in the pit of my stomach. My face flattens as I wait for it to come. 

"There are rules to my magic. I'll grant two of your wishes if you give me something in return."

I press my lips into a thin line as I say, "What do you want?"

"You came to me, so I'll help you first before you return it. Do we have a deal?"

I'm paralysed at the spot. The look she gives me is something I should fear. 

What can this witch possibly want from me? And why does she intend to keep it a secret until I'm in her debt?