Betrayal in the Ranks
The group’s progress through the forest was slow and arduous. The magic traps set by Eira had grown more intricate, the air thick with her manipulations. Shadows danced unnaturally among the trees, and the faint hum of energy seemed to vibrate against their bones.
Jamie crouched near a suspicious patch of earth, her sharp gray eyes scanning the ground. “Wait,” she said, holding up a hand. “There’s something here.”
The group froze. A glimmer of light caught their attention, faint but unmistakable—a shimmering rune etched into the dirt. As the team backed away, the rune flared suddenly, emitting a pulse of energy that threw them off their feet.
Draven recovered first, his claws extending instinctively as he growled low in his throat. “This was meant for us,” he snarled, his amber eyes darting to the others. His gaze landed on Alaric, sharp with accusation. “And you knew we’d be here. Care to explain?”
Alaric rose to his feet, dusting off his cloak, his golden eyes narrowing. “You’re seriously accusing me? If I wanted to betray you, I wouldn’t be here digging through her traps.”
Draven’s wolf surged forward, his frame tensing as he stepped closer. “You spent years at their side. How do we know you’re not still working for them?”
Alaric didn’t flinch, his calm demeanor betraying only a trace of anger. “Because I left them. I chose this—chose to help Isla find her children. And I’d think twice before accusing someone who’s risking their life to undo this mess.”
“Enough!” Isla’s voice cut through the heated exchange, sharp and commanding. She stepped between the two, her silver eyes blazing. “We don’t have time for this. If we waste energy fighting each other, they’ve already won. Save it for the ones who actually deserve it.”
Draven’s jaw tightened, but he held his ground, his claws retracting reluctantly. “You’re lucky she’s here to protect you,” he muttered, his voice low but laced with venom.
Alaric’s expression remained impassive, though his golden eyes glinted with suppressed irritation. “Keep your suspicions, Draven. Just don’t let them slow us down.”
The group continued through the forest, the tension between Draven and Alaric simmering just below the surface. Isla’s heart ached with frustration as she pressed forward, her focus locked on the path ahead. Every step brought them closer to her children—or so she hoped. But with the cracks in their alliance growing wider, she wondered how long they could hold together before everything shattered.
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