In the Darkness of Fear

Emerald's POV

I sat in my room with the silence enveloping me like a thick blanket. I could hear the gentle rustle of the trees outside as the cool evening air filtered in through the broken window.

My thoughts were jumbled a mixture of confusion over the odd tension that seemed to have settled in the air around me and worry for Caden. It wasn't quite right. Then I heard it. I felt a chill of panic go through my chest as the alarm bells shrill unmistakable sound rang out through the still night.

For a brief moment, my body froze, my heart pounding and blood dripping from my face. Only a few times in my life had I heard the bell, but each time, it served as a reminder that danger was approaching. As I got up, my legs trembled with apprehension, and my heartbeat quickened.

My thoughts were racing, so I whispered to myself What's happening? With a growl of warning my wolf Lena came out. With a steady tone and a hint of urgency, she said, “Stay calm, Emerald. This is something serious.”

I tried not to show it, but my voice was trembling a little as I asked, “What is it? What's happening out there?”

The pack next door, Lena, snarled softly, her tone brimming with contempt. They have made the decision to attack. They're attacking. They always act in this way when they detect weakness. At the words, my stomach dropped.

The fear that I had been suppressing all day returned tightening my throat and filling my chest. Caden had to be out there I knew. He would not tolerate his pack being attacked because he was the Alpha.

Immediately I started thinking about him. “What if something happened to him?”

Lena cut in her voice firmer now, but there was still a trace of concern. “Don't worry, Emerald. You have to remain indoors. You must stay in this room.”

I started my voice catching in terror “But Caden—”

I didn't want to say it at all. My chest constricted with fear at the idea of him fighting out there.

Lena said, “He's strong,” in a softer tone that gave me a comforting reminder. “You have to believe him. He will keep this pack safe. And he'll get back to you.”

Trying to force the fear back down I swallowed hard. Yes, Lena was correct. I had to have faith in him. However, the sense of powerlessness tore at me. It was not enough for me to watch him fight. I couldn't.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my reverie. My heart pounded as I froze. My throat constricted as I breathed. I initially assumed it was Caden, but I knew it couldn't be him.

After a brief moment of hesitation, I moved toward the door and reached for the handle. Everything felt heavier and slower because of the fear in my chest. Eyes darting over the two guards in the hallway I opened the door gingerly.

They had serious intent expressions. Standing taller than the other with a rigid stance one of them had the quiet intensity of a fighter in his eyes.

“Alpha Caden sent us,” the taller guard said right away in a firm but low voice. “Miss we are here to take care of you. We've received instructions to keep you indoors.”

I was spared the trouble of asking who the miss was. I couldn't speak until I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“What's happening?” I tried to sound calm, but my voice was tremulous, showing my fear.

With a grim expression on his face, the second guard spoke. “There was an attack by a nearby pack. The defense is being led by Alpha Caden as they have breached the outer boundaries. Our goal is to ensure your safety.”

The mention of Caden made my heart thump in my chest. I couldn't get the idea that something might happen to him out of my head, so I instantly thought of the worst-case scenario, picturing him fending off attackers while in peril.

I muttered “Caden” while my heart was thumping so loudly that I could hardly hear myself.

With a tight nod, the taller guard noticed the concern in my eyes. “Miss, he's very strong. He will ensure the safety of the pack. However, you have to remain here safe from danger.”

The uneasiness persisted even after I nodded. “I prefer not to remain here. I want to be out there with him.”

The second guard shook his head. “No miss. Stay inside, please. The outside environment is unsafe.”

I felt the weight of their words descends upon me as I forcefully swallowed. I was aware that they were correct. I couldn't do anything outside. I wasn't a combatant. I couldn't keep anyone safe.

However, Caden was out there, and I had to have faith that he would survive this. He had to. I paused, my voice cracking, but I persisted. “Please. Make sure he's alright.”

My throat tightened as the words became too heavy to release. My thoughts were frantic and desperate and my mind was racing with pictures of him.

The guards looked at each other but neither spoke. Not that they had to. They were aware of what I was requesting and the only assurance they could give me was the unspoken assurance in their eyes that they would do everything within their power to protect me.

The first guard's voice was steady and unflinching as he said, “We’ll make sure of it, miss. It has been mandated that we remain with you until the threat has subsided.”

I nodded once more in an attempt to ignore the thoughts and concentrate on the here and now. Not because I didn't trust them but rather because I couldn't get rid of the sense of powerlessness that pervaded my innermost thoughts.

As if anticipating danger at any moment the two guards took a step back and stood at attention just outside my door. I stared at them for a while but the fear that was twisting my stomach would not go away. It felt like I was suffocating just thinking about what might happen to Caden. What if he was in trouble and there was nothing I could do to help him?

I put my hand to my chest in an attempt to calm the panic that was about to overwhelm me and to steady my breathing.

Once more, Lena spoke softly in my mind, her tone firm but gentle. “Emerald you have to have faith. Caden has strength. He is the Alpha. He will come back to you.”

I closed my eyes and nodded to myself attempting to calm my racing mind. It was the guard's opinion. Nothing I could do was possible. I had to remain here, be careful, and have faith that Caden would come back.

But I couldn't shake the sensation that something was going to change as I stood there in my room's silence. A change was imminent. Keeping quiet I prayed that Caden would be a

lright when he returned.

He promised to come back to me no matter what.