Chapter 81 By the lake
River
I press my lips against Aloria’s forehead, the warmth of her skin grounding me for just a moment before I must step into the storm brewing outside. “Stay safe,” I murmur, my heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty that hangs between us. The walls of the pack house feel like they’re closing in, and I can’t help but wish I could take her with me. But today, her strength will have to shine from afar. “Kellan will stay with you.”
Aloria nods, her eyes fierce and unwavering, a fire ignited within them. “I’ll be here, waiting for you to return,” she replies, her voice steady, but I can hear the tremor of worry beneath it. “I know this is important to you, but I have a bad feeling, so promise me you first objektive is to stay safe.”
“I will,” I promise. I know she’s ready to face whatever comes next, but I can’t shake the feeling that I’m leaving her vulnerable. As I step back, the distance between us feels like an eternity.
With a final glance back, I step out of the pack house, the cool air hitting me like a splash of icy water. Only a few of my most trusted warriors flank me, their expressions set with grim resolve. Each of them has trained for this moment, but I can see the flicker of uncertainty in their eyes too. The forest looms ahead, dark and foreboding, but we’re not here to cower in fear. We’re here to fight for our future.
I let out my wolf as we shift, letting his paws eat up the distance faster than any human could have done.
As we move through the trees, the sounds of the forest fill the air… the rustle of leaves, the distant call of a bird. I can feel the weight of my ancestors pressing down on me, their expectations mingling with my own. Each step feels heavy with the knowledge of what lies ahead. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re walking into a trap, but Aloria’s unwavering belief in our cause fuels my determination. We will not back down.
Time seems to stretch as we navigate the familiar paths, the scent of pine thick in the air. With every footfall, I mentally prepare myself for the confrontation to come, replaying Aloria’s words in my mind. ‘He’s cunning, River,’ she had warned. ‘Don’t underestimate him.’
As we draw closer to the old mill pond, the sunlight filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It’s a place of memories for me… of laughter and carefree days spent with my friends as you kid and teen, before everything changed. But today, it’s more like a battlefield, and I can’t let nostalgia cloud my judgment.
The pond appears, its surface shimmering under the sunlight, a stark contrast to the tension building within me. Standing at the edge is the figure I had honestly not expected, I have only seen hi. Once but I instantly recognize him… the prince of Eldoria.
His posture is relaxed, but there's a predatory glint in his eyes that makes my skin crawl. The very man Aloria had told me she despised, the one her uncle had hoped she would marry. He stands tall and confident, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, and I feel a surge of anger rise within me…. He hurt my mate and I am not a forgiving type, not when it come to things like that.
“Alpha River, I presume,” he calls, his voice smooth like silk but hiding a blade beneath. “I see you’ve come to parley. How noble of you.”
I step forward, keeping my posture straight and unwavering. “I’m here for a conversation, my Prince. But let’s be clear… This is not a negotiation.”
“Let’s walk,” he motions towards the edge of the lake. “Just you and me… to talk.”
I nod, and tell my warriors to stay by the soldiers that has accompanied the prince.
“So what do you want, little Alpha?” The prince says as soon as we are out of earshot of the others.”
“The so-called king you speak for has stolen the throne from his brother, and we demand the return of the rightful king to the castle and to power.” I tell him.
The prince’s laughter rings out, echoing off the water, a sound that sends a chill down my spine. “You truly believe that the king would entertain your demands? That he would negotiate with a pack of wolves? How quaint.” His condescension drips from every word.
I grit my teeth, anger boiling beneath the surface. “Then why are you here? Why did your father send you if not to discuss terms?” I try to keep my voice steady, but I can feel the tension in my muscles, ready to spring into action if needed.
He takes a leisurely step closer, his eyes glinting with amusement. “To kill you, of course.” His smile widens, and I see a flash of something dark and cruel behind it.
Before I can react, he lunges forward, and I barely have time to process the danger before something sharp presses against my chest. A jolt of electricity surges through me, and I crumple to the ground, my limbs locking up, the world around me spinning as I gasp for breath. I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning, the pain radiating through my body, rendering me helpless.
The prince’s laughter rings in my ears, a mocking symphony as I struggle to regain control. I hear the distant shouts of my warriors, their voices mingling with the rising panic in my chest, but they feel like echoes of a dream, fading away as darkness begins to creep in. My vision blurs, and I can feel the earth beneath me, cool and unyielding. The last thing I see before everything threatens to go black is the prince’s cruel smile, a victor relishing in his conquest.