Chapter 91 Trapped in His Shadow

Chapter 91 Trapped in His Shadow
The biting night air brushed against Michelle's pale skin through the gaps in the wooden planks. She held her body still, pressing her chest as hard as she could until her breathing was barely audible.

Beside her, for once, the troubled human seemed to realize the gravity of their situation. Rachel clamped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide in the darkness.

Outside, the sound of heavy footsteps crunched against dry twigs, then faded away, swallowed by the night wind.

Michelle exhaled slowly, letting the tension in her ribs loosen slightly. She leaned against the hollow wall, the rickety barrier that connected the equipment storage area to the old barn next door. The scent of rust, dust, and rotting straw filled her lungs.

She knew they couldn't hide in the same place much longer. Sylas's tracker wolves would soon be on their trail.

If she were to move alone, things would be much easier. Her body might be injured, but her survival instincts were unmatched. However, her plans were ruined by the strain of breathing next to her.

"Ugh, just why the heck did I bring her out?"

It seemed like it wasn't too late to dump Rachel here. Leave her amidst a pile of old coffins and let her serve as bait. But something in Michelle's chest throbbed with pain.

Could she bear the guilt if Sylas wiped her from this world? Just complicating Rachel in her escape was enough to gnaw at her conscience, even though logically, it was Rachel's own madness that had dragged her to this godforsaken place.

"What are you looking at, bitch?" Rachel hissed, her sharp voice tearing through the silence.

Michelle rolled her eyes, her patience nearly breaking.

"Hey, you..." Michelle leaned in, staring straight into Rachel's trembling pupils. "Try to follow me as close as you can and don't you dare turn away."

Rachel snorted, raising her chin haughtily despite the cold shivering all over her. "You pretentious bitch. Don't tell me what to do."

Michelle squeezed her eyes shut, her jaw clenched tightly, swallowing the curse that had risen to the back of her throat. Her fingers clenched until her nails turned white. If not for guilt and the memory of the villagers who had once cared for her, she swore she wouldn't have bothered carrying this delusional burden.

Michelle turned her back. She took slow steps, absorbing the sound of her feet scraping against the dirt floor like a hunting cat. She crept toward the large barn door, squinting, and peered through the rusty iron keyhole.

Outside, there was only darkness. She saw no silhouettes. Her nose didn't pick up any pheromones or the aura of strange wolves around her. Safe.

Her trembling fingers reached for the door latch. With extreme caution, she turned the lock. There was no loud click. Slowly, her palm pressed against the rough wooden surface, ready to push it open, except—

Bang!

"Huh."

Michelle let out a loud gasp. The large door jolted open not by her pushing, but by being pulled open with brutal force. The hinges screamed loudly. The night air slammed into Michelle's face, bringing with it a large silhouette that obscured the moonlight.

"So you're here."

The deep, cold baritone voice made Michelle's blood freeze in her veins.

Michelle swallowed, saliva that tasted like shattered glass. "Shax..."

"You... truly have a unique ability, hm? Hiding your aura and scent. I can't even smell you from this close."

Michelle's heart raced, pounding against her ribs as if it wanted to jump out of her chest. Her mind raced frantically, calculating distances, nooks, and crannies, calculating how she should escape from this monster before her.

Meanwhile, Rachel, who had initially been cowering behind a pile of wooden boxes, slowly extended her neck. When her eyes caught the man's silhouette, her pale face instantly brightened. "Shax?"

Shax stood in the doorway, his figure towering. He only glanced at Rachel briefly, before his golden eyes locked onto Michelle again. The woman in front of her had lowered her center of gravity, assuming a horse stance with one fist clenched in front of her chest, clearly in combat mode.

Shax chuckled softly. A laugh that didn't reach his eyes. "Seriously? You're trying... to attack me? With wrists that thin?"

"Why not?" Michelle clenched her jaw. She spoke through gritted teeth. "I'm free to try. Who knows, right?"

"Tch. Just because you killed that rogue, you think you can do the same to me?"

Before Michelle could reply, the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard from behind her.

"Shax! I missed you! I knew you'd come get me after that bitch dragged me away!"

Rachel ran past Michelle and immediately clung to Shax's strong arm. Her face rubbed against his bicep with a maniacal smile.

The touch made Shax let out a low growl that vibrated the air. His eyes never looked away from Michelle. "What are you doing... still letting her talk?"

He swung his free hand. A hard, precise blow landed right on the back of Rachel's neck.

Thud.

Rachel's groan was instantly swallowed. Her body collapsed, falling face-first to the ground, unconscious.

"This is why you won't make it," Shax said coldly, stepping over Rachel. "You're... too soft."

Those words ignited something inside Michelle. She clenched her fists tighter. She bit the inside of her cheek, taking a deep breath that shook her chest.

"Even after I told you that Skai was in danger with Sylas... you're still loyal to your damn brother, huh?" Michelle's voice cracked.

Shax's steps halted. His brows furrowed sharply. "Who said that?"

"I know without anyone saying it!" Michelle retorted, her voice hoarse, holding back the sobs that threatened to break free. From the way you're cornering me right now, I know you're just going to hand me over to that damn Alpha. You're willing to sacrifice your own child for your disgusting position!"

Shax turned his head to the side, letting out a harsh scoff. The air around them suddenly shifted. An invisible, suffocating wave exploded from his body, the pure, unadulterated aura of dominance.

The pressure slammed into Michelle like an iron wall. Her knees buckled slightly. Her muscles paralyzed, freezing her in place no matter how hard she screamed at her brain to run. She was trapped in his gravity.

And in that moment of utter helplessness, her defenses crumbled. Tears betrayed her, sliding silently down her dirty cheeks.

Shax stepped forward, agonizingly slow, letting his aura lock down every inch of Michelle's movement. Soon, he was right in front of her. The tip of his heavy boot brushed against her bare, dirt-caked toes.

A burning sensation sparked from that slight touch, traveling rapidly up her veins. But instead of warming her, it sent icy shivers down her spine. Fighting the crushing weight of his aura, Michelle forced her head up, her neck stiffening in stubborn refusal to bow before him.

Her tear-filled eyes stared straight ahead, challenging the depths of his golden irises.

He stared down at the tears streaking her cheeks. His Adam's apple bobbed once. Slowly, he parted his lips.

"Who said I was fucking loyal to my brother?"