The Escape
The guards burst into the main hall of the stronghold, their faces pale and frantic. “She’s gone!” one shouted, his voice trembling. “Seraphine’s escaped!”
His words cut through the air like a blade, freezing everyone in place. Then chaos erupted. Wolves surged into action, barking orders and scrambling to sound the alarm. The pounding of boots against stone echoed through the halls, the panic tangible as news spread like wildfire: Seraphine’s cell was empty, her crescent mark faintly glowing on the wall as if mocking their efforts. Worse still, Kael’s scent was mingled with hers, his own cell door left swinging open like an accusation.
Draven strode in moments later, his coat splattered with blood from the battlefield, his amber eyes blazing with fury. The room fell into a hushed silence, the weight of his anger pressing down like a storm ready to break. “How?” he demanded, his voice low and dangerous, each syllable laced with venom. “How did she escape under your watch?”
The guards exchanged panicked looks before one stammered, “She… she faked it, Alpha. She collapsed in her cell, trembling like she couldn’t even move. We brought in Micah to check her—she begged for help—”
Draven’s growl deepened, his voice cutting through like a blade. “And?”
The guard’s face paled further. “She grabbed Micah. Held a blade to her throat. She said… she said if we raised the alarm, she’d kill her. We didn’t know what to do—”
Draven’s growl rumbled through the air, low and guttural. He slammed his fist into the nearest wall, the stone cracking under the force. Dust rained down as the pack flinched. “Find her!” he roared, his voice vibrating with fury. “Search every inch of this stronghold, the territory, the borders—everything. If anyone dies because of her, I’ll make sure the last thing she sees is my claws.”
Isla stepped forward, her face pale but steady, her voice a calm counterpoint to the chaos. “Draven—”
He turned to her sharply, his eyes colder than she had ever seen. “You spared her, Isla,” he said, his tone like a blade slicing through the air. “If her betrayal costs lives, how will you feel then?”
His words struck like a physical blow, but Isla stood firm, her silver eyes meeting his fiery gaze without wavering. “I’ll bear it,” she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil. “She’s my sister.”
Draven’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides as his wolf growled, barely restrained. For a moment, the tension between them held the room hostage, the pack watching with bated breath.
Finally, Draven turned away, his tone dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Pray that doesn’t come true.”
