BLOOD AND BETRAYAL

Zoe POV

The odor of blood was everywhere, smelling accordingly. It was thick and suffocating I almost choked, settling in the air, on my skin, and on the tored remnants of my battle wears. The agonizing and painful cries of my packmates sounds through the burning village, their suffering hitting me like a dagger. This wasn’t a mere damage; it was a slaughter.

I held my grip on my dagger, my hands dripping with blood some of it mine, some not mine. My body was soaked and injured, but I had no time to dwell on the pain,not now. My heart raced so fast as I surveyed the spoiles surrounding me. My people were falling rapidly and dangerously. The warriors I had trained with, the elders who had offered wisdom to us, the children who once played safely in our land all brutally killed like fowls.

Then I spotted him.

Lucien.

My uncle stood at the edge of the battlefield, his silver hair shinning in the moonlight, wearing a cold, mocking smirk all over. Anger and disbelief twisted in my stomach like a lullaby. He was the one behind this. The man my father had trusted wholeheartedly. The family I had once known. Now, he merely observed our destruction with delight and happiness.

I stumbled forward, my vision blending together with ease. My father, Alpha Zade, was still engaged in battle fighting brutally, his colossal wolf form tearing through the rogues like a storm. He was wounded and bleeding all through, yet he fought on with ease fast and furious. He was the most powerful Alpha in history, leader of the Bloodmoon Pack. But even he was beginning to get old. No one could fight indefinitely like him.

"Zoe, run!" His commanding voice soared above the chaos, but I was paralyzed with fear.

I refused to run.

This was my pack. My home. My family. I couldn’t abandon them not yet,not ever.

I charged at the nearest rogue, driving my dagger into his throat. He yelled and collapsed, but another took his place. I swing, slicing through flesh, tearing away from claws, my wolf pushing me to fight and survive. But there were too many of them, coming at me from every direction like shadows in the darkness.

A sharp pain shot through my side. I gasped, turning as warm blood rushed from my wound. Before I could react, another rogue’s claws brushed my arm, sending me to my knees. I struggled to breathe. My vision blurred.

That’s when I heard it.

A deep, pained growl. My father.

I turned just in time to see Lucien towering over him, a silver blade plunged into his chest. Time slowed. My father's golden eyes, once gleaming with strength and wisdom, locked onto mine. Blood pouring from his lips as he fought to speak.

"Survive," he breathed. "Live… and reclaim what is yours."

A scream erupted from my throat as he collapsed, lifeless, his blood pooling beneath him. My father the most formidable and most feared Alpha the world had ever known was gone.

A hand dragged me up by my hair, dragging me to my feet. Pain ran through my skull as Lucien's icy and cold voice rang in my ears.

"What a waste," he said, brushing my chin to meet his chilling and annoying gaze. "You could’ve been extraordinary, Zoe. But now, you die like the rest."

His blade rose, shining in the moonlight. I braced for my end.

Then there was a flash of movement.

"Run!"

My mother’s voice pierced through as she threw herself in front of me. The blade intended for me plunged deep into her chest. I watched in horror, helpless, as she gasped, holding the wound, her dark eyes filled with both agony and love.

"Go," she choked, pushing me away. "Live but don't leave."

I wanted to stay. I wanted to fight. But my body turned against me, my legs stumbling backwards as my wolf howled within me. My mother fell, her body joining the ever-growing pile of the dead,alas she was gone.

And then I ran.

I ran through the burning ruins of my home, through the blood, bodies, and shattered dreams. My lungs burned, my wounds screamed, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.

Because I wasn’t just fleeing for my life.

I was fleeing for vengeance.

***

The wind blew as I raced through the forest, my breaths coming in short gasps, my vision fading away gradually. My body was consumed by pain deep cuts stung my skin, and my side was drenched in blood,too many blood. Each step sent waves of agony and pain through me, but I couldn't afford to stop. Stopping meant I would die.

The rogues were so close behind, their screams tearing blaring the night’s stillness and calmness. I could hear them crashing through the filed, closing the gap. They were eager to complete their mission to eradicate and destroy the remaining members of the Bloodmoon Pack.

Branches brushed against my face as I pressed on, my wolf struggling within me. She felt so weak. The poison from my injuries was spreading, sipping my strength and preventing me from shifting. I wanted to fight back, to hold my ground firmly, but my body was failing me gradually gradually.

I tumbled and fell to my knees on the dried hot ground, desperately gasping at the earth as I gasped for air. The scent of dirt and rain mingled with the metallic and offensive odor of my blood. I had never felt so weak or so close to death in my entire life.

The sound of their spice steps drew nearer and clearer.

I forced myself upright, my legs shaking beneath me. I had to keep moving,to keep running until I survive.

Then I saw it a clearing.

The dense trees parted, revealing a vast stretch of land, where the scary gates of another pack’s territory layed ahead. The Nightfang Pack. Known to be one of the most formidable and ruthless packs around.

Panic flooded my chest. I couldn’t outrun the rogues, but entering Nightfang territory posed just as much risk. Their Alpha, Damon Blackwell, was infamous an unyielding and cruel leader. If his wolves discovered me, they’d kill me without hesitation.

But I had no alternatives.

I ran forward, my vision blurring. Each step threatened to bring my legs to collapse, yet I pressed on, ignoring the searing pain in my ribs. Just a bit further.

A terrifying shout erupted behind me.

Before I could react to it, something hit into me from behind, sending me crashing to the ground. I cried out as claws tore down my back wholeheartedly. A rogue moved over me, fangs bared and Sharp, breath hot against my skin like what the furk.

"End of the line, little princess," he growled.

I struggled, reaching for my dagger if I could take it, but he was too quick. His hand closed in my throat, tightening, cutting off my air bit by bit. As black spots danced and hover around in my vision, I fell beneath his grip, my lungs screaming for a breath and help.

No. Not like this.

I couldn’t die here. I wouldn’t let it happen,not ever.

Just as I felt consciousness slipping away, a deafening scream pierced the night.

Then chaos erupted.

The weight left me in a rush without thinking. A sickening and yet dangerous sounds echoed, followed by a strangled agony. I gasped for air as I staggered backward, eyes wide open.

The rogue who had been on me was now headless.

Standing over his lifeless form was a giant black wolf.

My breath caught.

Damon Blackwell.

I recognized him even before he shifted. His presence was overwhelming and alarming, his sheer big size enough to intimidate even the bravest warriors in the world. His fur was so dark as midnight, and his golden eyes blazed like molten hot fire as they fixed on me deliberately.

I should have felt relief at the rogue's demise,that he is gone. Yet, the way Damon gazed at me as if he were trying to destroy my very essence sent chills down my body.

I was barely clinging to consciousness, my body hanging by a thread, but one thing was clear.

I had narrowly escaped death, only to find myself in a far more perilous situation….