20 BETRAYAL AND PARKNESS BETRAYAL AND DARKNESS VALERIA Really ? I thought I heard you murmuring something , she approached me with suspicion .
No , I was just thinking out loud .
Did you manage to sort things out with your boyfriend ? I descended the steps and found her sitting on the last one , suddenly bursting into tears .
Between sobs , she confessed her struggles with her mate and her parents being the Alphas daughter wasnt easy Dont be like that .
Theres got to be a solution .
Dont you have anyone who supports you ? Maybe a sister ? No ! Why are you asking me if I have a sister?! she snapped , lifting her gaze defensively .
I mean … Sorry , I didnt mean to be rude .
All of this has me really nervous .
And no , I dont have a sister or anyone else .
I nodded , though her reaction felt strangely defensive for such a simple question .
Oh no , its way too late ! My parents will kill me , and the King must be furious searching for you ! Lets go , lets go now ! She shifted from distress to panic , grabbing my hand and practically dragging me back toward the woods at a near Wait this isnt the way I came from , I protested , slowing my steps as I noticed we were heading in the opposite direction , This is a shortcut ! I came this way , she insisted , but she kept pushing forward through the dark underbrush .
I stumbled several times over roots due to the poor lighting and the speed we were moving .
Something felt wrong For starters how did she know I was at the Goddesss altar ? The pieces werent fitting together , and as I looked up , I spotted a raven flying overhead , weaving between the branches .
Its caw was sharp nothing like when it guided me to the temple before .
It felt more like a warning .
Stop .
Wait a minute … I said stop ! I yanked my arm back , halting in a clearing where the trees thinned .
What is it now ? she turned , clearly frustrated .
Where are you taking me ? This isnt the way back to the pack , is it ? I feel like were heading somewhere else .
I stared at her , alert , scanning the area around me and already planning my escape .
Why would I take you somewhere else ? Stop with the paranoia ! Come on , I dont have time for your nonsense ! She reached for me again , but I stepped back .
Frustration and irritation flashed across her face .
I had already seen betrayal up close and it was obvious this girl was leading me into danger .
20 BETRAYAL AND DARKNES Without thinking twice , I shifted into my small wolf form and bolted into the dark forest .
The moonlight barely filtered through the thick foliage , offering minimal visibility , yet I ran blindly , hoping the shadows would conceal me .
The ravens I need to find them .
I focused on the thought , praying they would guide me back to Aldric .
But the sound of paws behind me made my heart race faster She was chasing me .
1 focused entirely on escaping , leaping over roots , pushing through thorny bushes despite the sharp stings on my legs .
But Adele was stronger .
The daughter of an Alpha .
She caught up quickly , and before I knew it , her jaws sank painfully into my hind leg .
Aaaggt ! I howled as she dragged me back with force , slamming my body hard against a tree .
1 whimpered , feeling my spine crack dangerously .
You just had to resist , huh ? Damn it ! All you had to do was follow me and stop making things complicated ! The gray she wolf snarled from a few feet away .
Why are you doing this ? What do you want from me ? 1 demanded , struggling to get back on my feet .
I had always found it strange that , despite my weaknesses , could hear wolves in my mind and respond to their pack messages .
You need to come with me … Its where the relic the King is looking for is kept .
You can retrieve it and be a hero ! she spat , lying poorly .
I dont want to be a hero ! If you know where it is , go get it yourself ! I finally stood , snapping back with anger and preparing to run again .
But she lunged at me .
Of course , I fought back like a wild animal .
I wasnt going to let myself be captured .
We rolled through the grass , her claws raking my sides while I bit down hard on her fur , raking her body with my own claws .
But once again , she overpowered me .
I found myself pinned against a tree , belly up , her massive form pressing on my chest with a paw digging into my throat , cutting off my air .
I hated how small and weak this wolf form of mine was .
It was the only shape I could shift into fragile and helpless .
They never said you had to arrive in one piece anyway ! 2/3 20 BETRAYAL AND DARKNESSY Her furious thoughts echoed in my mind as she bared her teeth , saliva dripping onto my fur .
She was going for my throat .
If they wanted me alive , she was doing a terrible job showing it .
I struggled desperately , baring my own canines , twisting to snap at her .
Pain radiated from my neck where her claws dug in , but just as I thought she would end me Adele froze .
Her head snapped up , her eyes shifting from bloodthirsty red to sheer panic .
I felt her entire body trembling , her paw loosening against my throat .
What could possibly terrify her so much ? My pulse raced faster when I noticed she wasnt even looking at me anymore but past me .
Something behind the tree .
Something I couldnt see .
Her whole body trembled as she backed away , growling weakly .
She hesitated for a moment , glancing from me to whatever loomed in the shadows then bolted , vanishing int the darkness like a spirit fleeing a demon .
And I had the sinking feeling that a demon was exactly what was behind me .
When I finally managed to push myself upright , turning shakily- The massive black shadow towering over me wasnt just darkness .
It was something else .
Something that made every hair on my body stand on end .
Tonight , it truly felt like my last .