Chapter 487: Crimson Echoes.
Chapter 487: Crimson Echoes.
(Third Person's POV)
The cavern opened up like a wound in the earth—wide, circular, and pulsing with an unnatural glow. Red crystals jutted from the walls and ceiling, their light flickering like slow heartbeats. Shadows stretched and curled across the stone floor, moving even when no one did.
Taylor stumbled forward as the ground steadied beneath her feet, Theresa gripping her arm to keep her upright. The violent separation still rang in her ears—dark energy tearing through the group, voices swallowed, corridors shifting like living things. Now, only Theresa stood beside her.
And Odette. She stood at the center of the cavern as if she owned it, long black hair falling over her shoulders, expression serene. The red light reflected in her eyes, giving them a glassy, almost inhuman sheen. She didn’t look tired, didn’t look angry. She looked… satisfied.
“Well,” Odette said lightly, clapping her hands once, the sound echoing unnaturally. “That went beautifully.”
Taylor’s jaw tightened. “You planned this.”
Odette tilted her head. “Of course I did.”
Theresa stepped forward, placing herself slightly in front of Taylor. “Where are the others?”
Odette smiled, slow and deliberate. “Scattered and busy surviving, I assure you. No one is coming to save you.”
Taylor’s chest tightened at the thought of Killian, Brian, Alec—alone, facing whatever nightmare this cave held for them. She forced her hands into fists, grounding herself.
“You wanted me,” she said, meeting Odette’s gaze. “Here I am.”
“Yes,” Odette replied, her tone almost fond. “You always have been the point.”
Theresa scoffed. “You used Dylan. You used Marcus. You used everyone. For what? Some twisted vendetta?”
Odette’s eyes flickered, the calm cracking for a heartbeat. “Vendetta is such an ugly word.”
“Then explain it,” Taylor snapped. “Explain why you’ve been hunting me like an animal since the beginning.”
Odette walked closer, her footsteps echoing on stone. Each step felt deliberate, measured. The crystals brightened as she moved, as if responding to her presence.
“I never intended to work with Dylan,” she said, voice smooth. “He was useful, yes. Angry, malleable, desperate for validation. Men like him always are. But he was never more than a pawn.”
Taylor felt a chill crawl up her spine. “Then why pretend?”
“Because you needed enemies you could understand,” Odette replied. “Jealous ex. Rival pack. Power-hungry Alpha. Simple stories for simple minds. While you all focused on him, I built something far more elegant.”
Theresa’s eyes narrowed. “And that something is killing Taylor.”
Odette’s smile widened. “Exactly.”
The word hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.
Taylor swallowed. “Why me?”
Odette studied her for a long moment, as if deciding how much truth to offer.
“Because you are proof that love is weakness,” she said finally. “Because you are proof that fate can be broken. And because every time you choose Killian, you spit in the face of everything the world has taught me and I hate you. You are a reminder of your weak sister Odelia.”
Theresa blinked. “What? What do you mean?”
Odette’s fingers flexed, shadows gathering around them. “Odelia was a foolish, weak and naive girl. Thinking she was going to win me on her side by flaunting all the wealth her family had..”
She laughed softly, but there was no humor in it. “Truly foolish, she dersved what she got. And you are a stinging reminder of her.”
Her gaze burned into Taylor. “I hate you just as much as I hate how weak your sister was..”
Taylor felt her stomach twist. “That’s why you hate me? You killed my sister”
“Yes,” Odette said simply. “And because I wanted to see if breaking you would finally prove me right.”
Theresa snarled. “You’re insane.”
“Of course I am,” Odette replied calmly. “Sane people don’t change the world.”
Without warning, the shadows around her exploded outward. They surged across the cavern like living things, slamming into Theresa and throwing her back. Taylor barely managed to catch her before she hit the wall.
“Theresa!” Taylor shouted.
“I’m fine,” Theresa groaned, pushing herself up. “Don’t get distracted.”
Odette sighed. “You two are tiresome when you’re united.”
She raised her hand, and a spear of dark energy formed, crackling and pulsing. It shot toward Taylor, who barely dodged, the blast scorching the stone where she had stood.
Theresa shifted instantly, her wolf surging beneath her skin. Her eyes flashed, and her claws extended as she lunged for Odette. Odette twisted, grabbing Theresa mid-air and slamming her into the ground with terrifying strength.
“Theresa!” Taylor screamed.
Odette held Theresa down, pressing a foot against her chest. “You’re loyal and admirable but foolish and naive as expected.”
She looked up at Taylor, eyes glinting. “You, on the other hand, are the real problem.”
Taylor felt something in her snap. She shifted partially, power surging through her veins, her wolf roaring in fury. The crystals around them pulsed brighter, responding to the spike in energy.
“Get away from her!” Taylor shouted, launching herself forward.
She collided with Odette, knocking her back. Odette released Theresa and stumbled, then laughed, genuine delight in her expression.
“There it is,” Odette murmured. “The girl who defied a goddess.”
They clashed again, claws and shadows meeting. Odette’s movements were fluid, precise, calculated. Taylor fought on instinct, anger and fear and guilt all fueling her.
“You think killing me will prove something?” Taylor snapped, slashing at Odette’s arm.
Odette twisted, the wound healing almost instantly. “It will prove that love always loses.”
Taylor’s chest tightened. “You don’t know that.”
“I know it,” Odette insisted, voice rising for the first time. She flung a wave of darkness that sent Theresa flying again. Taylor roared, rage exploding through her.
"I'll never let you win Odetta! I will avenge my sister.”