CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Elena's pov

I was completely chilled by the eerie wail that reverberated through the trees. It was something much worse than a rogue. Something was approaching, and I could sense it in the pit of my stomach.

Stephen's voice was strained as his eyes jerked to Selene. "What is that?"

Selene's gaze scanned the treeline as her demeanor hardened. "It has started. They are present.

Fear swept through me, and my heart thumped in my chest. "Who is present? What is going on?

Selene's voice was steady but urgent, and her eyes grew icy. "The old ones I told you about." They are awakening. And they’ve discovered us.”

Stephen’s fists compressed; his voice filled with wrath. “We’re not ready for this. We barely survived Darius.”

With a harsh tone, Selene answered, "We don't have a choice." They're not going to wait. We must take action immediately.

Leila, who was still standing next to us, gave a low growl. "What do they want?"

Selene's voice grew a little softer as her gaze shifted to me. "The kid. The child has always been the focus.

My palm automatically went to my tummy as I felt a chilling wave of anxiety sweep over me. "They can't take the baby away from us."

There was resolve in Stephen's voice. "They won't. Not as long as I'm still alive.

Selene nodded, but her face was serious. "Fighting Darius or the rogues isn't like this. We are not quite as powerful as the ancient ones. However, we possess something that they do not.

Stephen arched his eyebrow in a doubtful tone. "And what is that?"

A faint spark glowed in Selene's eyes. "Unity. Hope." The packs.

Leila's voice was harsh as she crossed her arms. "Until the packs witness the danger for themselves, they will not band together."

Selene stated plainly, "Then we show them." "We bring them here." We help them comprehend the stakes.

With a voice full of exasperation, Stephen shook his head. "How can we persuade them? We have already been abandoned by the packs.

Selene took a step forward, her tone steady yet firm. They'll pay attention to me. They must.

With my heart thumping, I looked at Stephen. "Are they trustworthy?"

His eyes were full with doubt as he sighed. "We have no other option."

Selene stared at me and her eyes softened. "Elena, I am aware of your fear. However, you underestimate your strength. Together, you and the child have the ability to make all the difference.

With terror still gnawing at me, I took a deep breath. "What if our strength is insufficient?"

Stephen's voice remained steady as his palm closed around mine. "We are. And collectively, we will confront this.

Another howl, closer and more threatening, rang out through the trees before anybody could react. My blood became icy.

Selene's voice was strained as she said, "They're coming." "We must relocate."

With anxiety pulsing through her body, Leila transformed into a wolf. The boundaries must be secured.

Stephen gave a hard-faced nod. "Take the patrols and strengthen the barriers, Leila. Don't let anything to pass.

With a grunt of assent, Leila vanished into the forest, her wolf a blur of movement.

Selene turned to face me, eagerness shining in her eyes. Elena, you must get to safety. The pack house lacks enough security. They will target you initially.

Fear clawed at my chest as my heart raced. "Where should I go?"

With a firm voice, Stephen stated, "There is a hidden chamber beneath the pack house." "There, you'll be safe."

I paused, a thousand fears racing through my head. "I don't want to part from you."

Stephen cradled my face in his palms and his gaze softened. "I'll follow closely behind you. However, I must first ensure the safety of the pack.

Even though the worry was still bothering me, I nodded. "Assure me you'll return."

His voice was full of resolve as his lips touched my forehead. "I swear."

With sympathetic eyes, Selene put a hand on my shoulder. "We'll keep you safe. However, we must move swiftly.

With worry and uncertainty weighing heavily on my heart, I reluctantly followed Selene into the pack house. The hidden chamber was deep underground, hiding concealed beneath layers of stone. In times of conflict, it was intended to shield the pack's most defenseless members.

As we arrived to the chamber's door, Selene said, "Stay here." "I'll be on guard."

I nodded as I entered, my hands shaking. The air was heavy with tension, and the chamber was dark and frigid. I could sense the intensity of the battle, the peril, and the threat that hung over us all outside.

I also detested being helpless.

A massive boom rang out from above, and then there were growls and snarls. My heart jumped up and down.

Selene remarked in a tight voice, "They're here."

My body shaking with terror, I hurried to the door. "What's going on?"

Selene looked at me, her eyes glowing dimly. "The old ones. They have crossed the boundaries.

My blood froze. "What are we going to do?"

Selene spoke steadily, but there was desperation in her gaze. "We battle."

Before I could answer, the ground underneath us trembled with a thunderous roar. The realization that the struggle had begun made my heart race.

"Remain inside," Selene ordered in a stern voice. "Remain hidden no matter what happens."

Despite all of my instincts telling me to run, fight, and aid, I nodded. But for the sake of the future and the kid, I felt I had to remain here.

Selene pivoted, tensing as she got ready to go. However, the ground trembled once again, more fiercely, before she could get outdoors. There was a loud crash and then the sound of wood splintering throughout the pack house.

With tightness in her voice, Selene muttered, "They're inside."

When I understood what she meant, I stopped, my heart pounding. The pack house has been breached by the ancient ones. They were pursuing me.

I said, "Selene," as panic swept through me. "What are we going to do?"

Her eyes glowed with resolve as she turned to face me. "We battle."

However, a tall, commanding figure emerged in the doorway as she was finishing her sentence. I knew him, and my blood froze.

Darius wasn't the one.

It was terrible.

I knew with a heavy heart that this was the real enemy as the figure moved forward, his eyes glimmering with an evil power. He was also present for the child.