The Pain of Betrayal
Lilieth
Marching next to the others makes me feel better about the decision.
The day has arrived, and it's finally happening. Today will decide whether or not all our efforts and sacrifices were actually worth it, and honestly, I'm fraught with nerves. I can barely breathe without feeling tingles of nervousness traveling up and down my spine.
I woke up extra early so I wouldn't come across anyone telling me what I have to do. I got dressed and joined the early group. Nobody looked twice at me. As everyone gathered and we got into position, I saw Cadeon move to the front of the line, where he joined Draven's side. He didn't search the crowd for me. In fact, I felt invisible to the point of wondering if I was here at all.
Maybe I was just imagining things.
But the motivating speech was given, and now, we're on the way. Some of us are in wolf form while the rest are armed and marching. We go on foot. We'll be meeting in the middle, meaning the attack won't be in the southern territory, nor close to their borders.
The sky is overcast and it smells like rain. The humidity is high, and it doesn't take too long for me to feel wet underneath my clothes. Even my hair is sticking to the nape of my neck.
We march for about three hours, stopping only for a sip of water. Though I'm tired, I feel great. There are so many people—including the supporting fighters from the other packs—that I can't spot a familiar face. I'm standing among strangers, and it's a little unnerving.
"Attention!"
We get into position again, but this time, I'm surrounded by different people, and these Gammas are actually familiar to me. I see them around Draven all the time.
For a few moments, nothing happens, but the sight of them makes me wonder if something's going on. I'm not left wondering for long, though, because each Gamma on either side of me grabs my arm, and I'm carried away from the marching line.
"Hey!" I exclaim, digging my heels into the ground. "Stop! What are you doing!?"
My yelling garners some attention from the fighters, and they slow to a stop. I'm still struggling against the Gammas when Draven approaches us, and standing right next to him is Cadeon.
"Lilieth," Draven sighs once he's close to me, "you were given a chance to back away from this. But, since you insist, we'll intervene for you."
I frown. What?
"It's alright, everyone," he says to the people who have stopped to stare. "Go on. This is a small family matter."
They continue, and I'm just so shocked I can't say a word anymore. I meet Cadeon's eyes and betrayal just burns through me. How could he do this to me? This is what he was planning all along?
With Draven of all people?
"You'll be taken to a safe place," Draven explains. "You won't join this fight, not in your condition. What are you trying to do, strip us all of our honor? I wouldn't have had a problem if you weren't pregnant, I'd like to make that known—I know you're a good fighter. But you've done your part, and you've proven your point."
"I can't believe you," I spit. "I can't believe either of you!"
"It's for the best," Draven remarks. "Everyone agrees."
I look away from him. "Cadeon."
He ignores me.
"You can take her now," Draven says, eyeing me with sympathy even though he's smiling. "Make sure she doesn't outsmart you. Don't underestimate her."
I clench my jaw and glare at Cadeon as tears run down my face. He turns away before I'm even out of sight, and Draven waves at me before following.
I can't believe them.
The will to fight leaves my body. I just let the Gammas take me to wherever the hell it is we're going. I don't question them, and I don't try to escape. Eventually, the tears dry up, and I'm left with nothing but this hollow feeling deep inside of me.
This was his plan all along. I should've known something was wrong.
He wouldn't just let it go.
Not Cadeon. He's never done that before.
It takes me about an hour to realize that the walk is familiar to me. I recognize this path—I was here before. Of course, that confuses me because I couldn't have been here. How could that be?
But when I see the cabin from a distance, I realize that I was right.
This is the safe place they spoke of.
The cabin that Cadeon's family owns.
It was pretty far from their territory, so it makes sense that we're not so far away from it. He truly planned this behind my back the whole time. When I saw him talking to Draven some days ago, I had a feeling something was up.
I would never have guessed that this was it, though.
When we reach it, the Gammas ask me to stay inside before locking me in. I don't bang on the door or make a scene. For some reason, I'm too exhausted.
I head toward the couch in front of the fireplace and throw myself on it.
The cabin is pretty cold, but I can manage with some blankets. Cadeon isn't here to start a fire and I doubt that the Gammas will do it. I could probably do it, but I don't have the strength to. The fight's probably starting right now, and I'm not there.
That means I'll only figure out what happens later on.
What if someone dies?
I close my eyes as waves of anguish crash into me. I can't stand not knowing—it's torture. I was just trying to help, and I didn't want to stay away from anyone. Why couldn't they understand that? Why?
I'm crushed. I can't believe we got to this point.
About two hours pass, and none of the Gammas come inside. I decide I'm too nervous to lie down, so I stand up and start pacing the floor. Even if I tried to escape to make it there, I'd likely get lost because I'm not familiar with this forest. It's over—I won't join the fight.
That thought depresses me.
I move to the window. It's just starting to rain—the last time, it rained too. In fact, a storm was raging outside. I remember the time we spent here so well. I was still in denial about my feelings for him, and now here I am, carrying his child. Our child, I should say.
I continue peering out the window, hoping to spot the Gammas. One is standing just by the door, but I don't know where the other one is. Sighing, I decide to head into the living room and start that fire. If I don't do something, I'll go crazy with worry. I need water for some tea. The cupboards are still stocked.
When will they take me back, I wonder? Do they know? Maybe I should have asked that.
I'm fanning the flames with a piece of light wood when I hear a thud that echoes through the cabin. I snap my head in the direction of the door, wondering if what I heard was truly a thud or thunder.
I hold my breath, hoping to hear more. When I hear the sound of light groaning, I know something is wrong.
I left my weapons in the kitchen, so I run toward it and grab the knife. Right as my hand tightens around the handle, the door bursts open, the sound making my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. The door is practically swinging off its hinges, and to my horror, two people walk inside the cabin, both of them wet from head to toe.
Petra, and fucking Wenton.