Chapter 60 60

Chapter 60 60


Rhea’s POV

Preparations for the Lunar Festival were still in full swing.

The yard behind the pack house buzzed with movement and noise. Pack members moving about as they did their assigned tasks.

Damian, Lucien, Noah and the rest of the guard brigade had left at first light for some training session into the woods. I woke up to an empty bed and a signed note from Lucien.

I didn't feel the familiar soreness so I assumed he let me sleep when he came by and opted for marking every inch of my skin instead.

Lillian and I had been assigned to help in the yard today, and judging by the towering pile of logs stacked near the tree line, there was still a lot to be done.

Our task was simple enough though move the logs into a makeshift circle that would serve as one of the ceremonial fire pits during the festival.

It sounded simple but was exhausting. Sweat had begun to bead at my temples as we dragged another log into place, our hands brushing as we adjusted it.

Lillian stepped back, hands on her hips, surveying our work with a satisfied nod.

“It’s finally starting to look right.” she said, eyes bright.

“Just needs a few more.” She added. I wiped my palms against my trousers and exhaled slowly.

Despite the fatigue, there was something calming about being useful. It made me feel actually connected to the pack as a whole.

As we rounded the circle, Lillian suddenly leaned closer, her voice dropping to barely above a whisper.

“Hey… since we’ve got a little time, what do you say we take a quick tour?” she said wiggling her eye brows.

I blinked at her. “A tour?”

“Yeah.” she said, grinning. “A tour of the city.”

I hesitated. “Is that… allowed?” I asked.

I hadn’t left the pack house grounds since the day I arrived. The twins practically never let me out of their sight, and on the rare occasions they did, I was still within the walls, surrounded by wolves, watched over, guarded.

“The City is huge Lillian." I said carefully. “And it’s full of… everything.”

"And by everything, you mean...witches, fae, demons, vampires. I know but we won’t be looking for trouble. Just a little sight seeing. Come on. Aren’t you tired of seeing the same faces everyday? I thought you'd jump at the chance for an adventure.”

She nudged me with her elbow when I didn't answer. “Besides, today might be our last chance. The twins are busy, everyone’s distracted, and the city’s practically throwing a festival of its own which means we can slip past unnoticed. If we don’t go now, we probably won’t get another opportunity.”

I glanced toward the pack house. It was getting tiring seeing the same walls everyday.

“Okay.” I said softly. “But I need to grab a hoodie first.”

Lillian beamed.

“Great. I’ll wait for you at the back exit.”

I hadn’t made it far down the corridor when a sharp impact slammed into my shoulder. I stumbled a step and turned just in time to see Alicia lowering her arm, her lips curled in something between a smirk and a sneer.

“Watch where you’re going bitch.” she said coldly.

“You ran into me." I replied.

She stepped closer, clearly trying to provoke a reaction out of me.

"Funny, because you always manage to be in my way."

I held her gaze for a moment, long enough to let her know I saw exactly what she was doing, then I turned and walked past her. Denying her the satisfaction of getting a reaction out of me. One she gets to spin into a tale she can bother the twins with.

She didn't stop though.

“You can pretend all you want, Rhea. Everyone knows you don’t belong here.”

I just rolled my eyes and kept walking. Inside my room, I reached for my phone and wallet, slipping them into my pocket, just in case.

I wanted a way to reach Lucien. Or Damien.

I shrugged on a black hoodie, then paused briefly in front of the mirror. The girl staring back at me looked… different. I pulled the hood up and headed for the back exit, where Lillian was already waiting with excitement practically vibrating off her as she finally bounced from one foot to the other.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Yeah." I said.

Lillian’s grin widened like she’d just won something. She took my hand and tugged me toward the back path, keeping low as we slipped past the last row of storage sheds.

Two guards stood near the outer gate, deep in conversation.

Lillian slowed, lifted a finger to her lips, and crouched. I followed her lead, my heart beginning to pound.

We waited.

One guard shifted, yawning as he stretched. The other glanced toward the woods, then back at him.

“After tonight, I’m drinking till I forget my own name.” he said.

“Same here man." the other laughed.

That was our opening.

Lillian darted forward first, light on her feet. I followed suit, boots barely making a sound as we slipped through the open side gate and into the woods.

We didn’t stop running until the sounds of the pack faded completely and then the noise hit us like a wave.

Music thumped through the air, drums and strings accompanied by vocalised hymns. Lanterns glowed overhead, strung from building to building, casting warm golden light over a packed street overflowing with bodies.

Laughter rang out everywhere. People danced in loose circles, spinning and swaying without care. Vendors shouted over one another, calling out drinks, roasted meats, sweet pastries dusted with sugar.

For a second I forgot how to breathe.

Lillian laughed, throwing her arms wide. “See? Worth it.”

I couldn’t help smiling.

For the first time since arriving, I felt completely normal.

Lillian was mid-story about sneaking into the woods as a child, when she suddenly stumbled. Her drink flew from her hand, splashing dark red liquid down the front of someone’s coat.

“Oh! Oh my gods, I’m so sorry!” she gasped, hands already reaching out to help clean the mess.

“I wasn’t looking, I swear-"

The man slowly looked up and his eyes were pale. Too pale. His skin was smooth, unnaturally so, and when his lips curled, it wasn’t into a smile. It was into a sneer.

“Watch where you’re going,” he said coolly. Then his gaze flicked over Lillian. “Mutt.” he added.

A Vampire.

Lillian stiffened beside me, her apology dying on her lips. Around us, a few people slowed. I stepped forward before I could stop myself, placing myself slightly in front of her.

“She apologized.” I said. “It was an accident.”

The vampire’s eyes slid to me, clearly amused.

“Was it?” he asked. His smile widened just enough to show the faintest hint of fang. “You wolves get clumsier every year.”

"Try not to run into another innocent bystander." He finished before scoffing and walking away.

"I think that's enough exploring, don't you think?"

Lillian just nodded in response her eyes down cast. I let out a sigh and patted her on the shoulder and we began the walk back.