Chapter 19

The two women led us through the dimly lit corridors, their faces expressionless as they moved with practiced silence. Anna stayed close to me, her fingers brushing mine as if she needed reassurance. I couldn’t blame her. Every step felt like a trap waiting to spring.

“Where’s Lily?” I whispered, breaking the oppressive quiet.

“She’s already waiting with the others,” one of the women replied curtly.

I nodded, trying to focus on the promise of freedom ahead. Finally, I’d get to see Lily, to make sure she was safe. To leave this nightmare behind.

At the edge of the corridor, they handed us dark cloaks. The fabric felt heavy, almost suffocating, but I was grateful for the cover. The meeting hall roared with muffled voices in the distance, and I realized that most of the beasts were gathered there. It was the perfect distraction.

“Put these on,” one woman ordered. “Keep your heads down, and don’t stop moving.”

We did as we were told, pulling the hoods low over our faces. My heart raced as we moved through shadowed halls, the cold stone floors biting at my feet. Every sound felt amplified—the creak of a door, the faint shuffle of feet.

Finally, we stepped outside into the cool night air. Relief swept through me like a tidal wave as I spotted Lily among the others. She looked up, her face lighting with a fragile smile as she rushed to hug me.

“You made it,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

I held her tight, unable to speak.

Jordan, stood at the front of the group. He addressed everyone in a low, firm voice. “We move quietly, slowly. Follow me, and stay together. If we’re caught, there’s no second chance.”

I could see the fear in everyone’s eyes as they nodded. We moved as one, the only sounds the rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of dirt underfoot. Every shadow felt like it held a predator, every breeze carried the possibility of being discovered.

When we finally emerged into the open forest, a collective sigh of relief rippled through the group. The trees stretched endlessly around us, their dark shapes casting long shadows in the moonlight.

“Let’s rest here,” Jordan said, motioning for us to gather around a small fire one of his men had built.  "But we cannot sleep here its too risky,we will have to make camp somewhere further from this place."

The warmth of the fire did little to soothe the tension in my chest. I overheard Jordan speaking with a few others about where to go next, and I couldn’t keep quiet.

“I know a place,” I said, my voice louder than I intended.

All eyes turned to me, and I felt the weight of their stares. “My old camp,” I explained, swallowing hard. “They always took in anyone who needed help. I know how to get there.”

Jordan studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright,everyone. Let’s move.”

It was nearly midnight when we reached the camp. My heart pounded as I saw the familiar gates, unchanged despite everything. Memories flooded back—both good and bad—but I pushed them aside.

The man at the gate, Lucia, squinted at me before recognition dawned. His eyes widened, and without a word, he opened the gate.

Inside, whispers filled the air like an approaching storm. Faces I hadn’t seen in what felt like lifetimes stared at me with a mix of shock, anger, and disbelief.

Then Amarah appeared.

She was tall, her presence commanding, with the same sharp features as her sister, Armani. Her expression twisted with rage the moment she saw me.

“Elizabeth.”

The single word dripped with venom, and before I could respond, her hand cracked across my face. Pain flared, but I didn’t flinch.

“The only reason I’m letting you stay,” she said, her voice low and shaking with anger, “is because you brought these people to safety. But don’t think for a second that I’ve forgiven you.”

I opened my mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.  I could feel her rage and anger.

“You got Armani killed,” she spat. “You disappeared without a word. You have no place here.”

The whispers grew louder, the stares sharper. My chest tightened, shame and guilt clawing at me.

Lily placed a hand on my arm. “It’ll be alright,” she murmured, her voice steady.

I nodded, though I didn’t believe her.

That night, I lay on the ground, the weight of everything pressing down on me. Amarah’s words. The whispers. The memories. Sleep came in fitful bursts, and when it finally claimed me, it didn’t last.

\----

A voice woke me.

'I told you don’t test me, Elizabeth.'

It was Damon. His voice slithered into my mind like a shadow, cold and unmistakable. My eyes snapped open, panic surging through me.

“He’s here,” I whispered, shaking Anna awake. “Get up. We have to go.”

She groaned, confused, but something in my voice made her listen.

“Wake everyone,” I urged, my heart hammering.

The camp stirred in confusion, people muttering as they gathered their belongings. But it was too late.

When we stepped outside, my heart dropped.

The massacre had already begun.

Wolves, their massive forms glinting in the pale moonlight, tore through the camp like demons unleashed. Bodies littered the ground, torn and mangled, blood soaking the dirt. A man screamed as a wolf dragged him into the shadows, his cries cut off with a sickening crunch.

Lily’s hand found mine, gripping tight. Her eyes were wide with terror, tears streaming down her face.

“Run,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the chaos.

The Alpha stepped into view, and the world seemed to hold its breath.

He was a vision of raw, terrifying power. His muscles rippled beneath his blood-streaked skin, his obsidian-black eyes glinting with savage delight. Blood dripped from his hands, staining the ground at his feet.

I watched, frozen, as he grabbed a warrior by the throat, his razor-sharp nails sinking deep. With a single, brutal motion, he ripped the man’s heart from his chest. Blood sprayed, painting his already scarlet-covered body. He turned his gaze to me, and I felt the air leave my lungs.

“Run!” I screamed at Anna and Lily.

But before they could move, he was there. His speed was inhuman, his hands closing around their necks. Blood trickled from where his nails pressed into their skin.

“Look what you’ve done now, Elizabeth,” he said, his voice calm, almost amused. “Let’s make a deal.”

Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head. “Please. Don’t hurt them. I’ll do anything.”

He tilted his head, his dark eyes gleaming. “Anything?”

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“Your life for theirs,” he said, his smirk widening. “Come with me, and I’ll let them go.”

I hesitated, my heart pounding.

“Elizabeth,” Lily choked out, her voice barely audible.

“I’ll come with you,” I said quickly, the words spilling out. “Just let them go.”

He released Lily, who fell to the ground, gasping for air. But his grip on Anna tightened.

“For a lesson,” he said, his voice chilling. “Because you didn’t heed my warning.”

Before I could react, he twisted, and Anna’s neck snapped. Blood spurted as he tore it open, her body crumpling to the ground.

“No!” I screamed, falling to my knees.

Lily’s screams echoed in the distance as Damon grabbed me, throwing me over his shoulder like I weighed nothing. I hit his back with my fists, screaming and sobbing.

“You promised!” I cried, my voice hoarse.

He didn’t answer. The last thing I heard before darkness consumed me was Lily’s broken cries fading into the night.