75- The Blood Trail
POV Lunara Grimwald:
I moved toward the front door. As I passed him, he caught my arm, forcing me to look at him.
"Did you like the books?" he whispered.
My heart skipped a beat, and my body flushed under his touch, dampening my panties. His scent made me dizzy.
I must have been losing my mind—it was the only explanation.
"I loved them. Thank you," I squeaked.
"I’ll bring more, as soon as I can."
I was trying, using every bit of strength I had, to make it mean nothing. But the she-wolf inside me purred like a bitch in heat—content and pleased. She had been that way ever since he ripped out Bogdan’s heart in front of everyone, just for us.
"Thank you," I gasped.
He inhaled, nostrils flaring as he scented me. His pupils dilated, swallowing the silver around them. An archaic smile spread across his lips the moment he caught the sharp scent of my arousal.
Heat rushed through me again, but this time it was pure shame. I yanked my arm free from his grasp and hurried out of the house, walking as fast and firmly as I could.
God, if my animal side didn’t get itself under control, I was going to lose my mind.
A cold shower. That was exactly what I needed.
...
I woke with a gasp, bolting upright on the soft mattress, my breathing heavy. My hair clung to the back of my sweaty neck, and my eyes were wide open.
I blinked, trying to adjust to the room that had been part of my routine for weeks now. Sitting up, I curled against the headboard, drew my knees to my chest, and rested my chin on them, feeling the tears slide down my face.
It wasn’t real—it was just a vivid dream. I chanted the words in my mind, trying to convince myself.
My skin was cold as ice, pale, and trembling. I pressed my shaking fingers hard against the sheets and swallowed a deep sob.
My gaze drifted to the window, where the orange hue of dusk painted the sky. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to erase the haunting dream, but I couldn’t. The image of Elowen—her throat being slit by one of Alessio’s males—hit me again. They had kept her in the forest and killed her right in front of me, as punishment for running away from him and hiding in Eldoria.
Another sob escaped my throat, shaking my shoulders.
I was a terrible older sister. Elowen was out there somewhere, in danger, while I couldn’t do a damn thing to protect her. Her transformation was closer than ever, and with it, her scent growing stronger, more tempting. She was alone and unprotected. They would find her sooner or later.
I dragged myself out of bed and walked to the window, staring at the trees ahead. They looked exactly the same as in my dream—so vivid it frightened me.
What if it wasn’t a dream? What if it was a vision? What if they really had my sister, and my sixth sense was trying to warn me?
I brought my thumb to my lips, gnawing at the nail nervously.
I had to find Elowen—I couldn’t wait any longer. And what about her heat? How would she handle it without the herbs? Our stolen supply was gone. They would smell her—not as strongly, since she wasn’t a fully transformed wolf yet—but they would still catch it.
I needed to find a way to track her, to bring her back to Eldoria soon. As long as Elowen remained unprotected, I would never be at peace. Alessio knew she was my only weakness and would use her against me without hesitation.
I shut my eyes and drew a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart that thundered in my ears. When I opened them again, I noticed how the tall pine branches swayed in the wind—and all the control I thought I had slipped away.
It was just like in the dream. Exactly like that damned dream.
I had to look for her, to find my sister somehow. Even if it meant flooding the forest with my blood, marking the territory with my scent. Alessio’s wolves already knew where I was—it wouldn’t make any difference to them, but for Elowen, it might.
I turned and ran out of the room, my heart still roaring inside my chest. I leapt down the stairs, skipping steps, not caring about the noise.
Nicoleta wasn’t home. Neither were my “babysitters,” better known as Anton and Andrei. I was alone. It had to be a divine sign.
I didn’t think twice before pushing the front door open with all my strength. I ran outside, dodging the stone path to avoid being seen.
I just wanted to check, to leave a trace, and come back before they noticed. Elowen was clever—she would find me.
Twigs cracked beneath my bare feet as I ran toward the edge of the territory. The moon was nearing its peak, and the colors of the sky were fading into pure darkness.
I brushed my fingertips against the rough tree trunks as I ran. The leaves scratched at my skin, but I ignored everything I felt, keeping my breathing steady and calm—before Edric could sense my panic.
The cold breeze was a welcome contrast, drying the sweat on my face and neck.
As I neared the border, the pungent scent of death hit me. The rotting heads exuded a putrid odor, and the buzzing of flies around them made my stomach twist.
I stepped aside, avoiding one of them, refusing to look too closely. Its eyes were white, the flesh eaten away by animals, and a viscous liquid dripped down the bamboo stake that held it upright.
If I had eaten anything recently, I would’ve thrown it all up right there.
Edric had quite the… acidic sense of humor.
He wasn’t an alpha like the ones I had known, but that didn’t mean he was any less psychopathic—perhaps even more. I had never seen my father, Kellan, or Alessio wield severed heads and turn them into a border wall. They killed and ordered burials. Simple as that.
I stopped halfway through, bracing my hands on my knees and bending forward.
This was no longer Eldoria’s territory. It was part of the forest—where Elowen could easily be wandering, lost and alone.
I glanced down at my clothes, cursing myself for not changing before running out like a lunatic. I was wearing a silk pajama set, cream-colored. Not more revealing than the nightgowns I wore to bathe, but it didn’t hide much either.
I flared my nostrils, trying to pick up scents, but the stench of the decomposing heads was so overwhelming I couldn’t smell anything else.
Straightening up, I extended my fangs and brought my thumb to my mouth, breaking the skin. A drop of blood welled up. I stepped closer to a tree and smeared it against the bark, ignoring the sting of pain.