Beneath the Full Moon

Shadows of Betrayal

Stranger’s pov:

She had no idea. No idea what was really at stake, no idea what she was walking into—and no idea that I was leading her straight to her doom.

I watched her as she ran back to the ruins, determination burning in her every movement. She was fierce, stubborn, and loyal—qualities that, under any other circumstances, I might have admired. But admiration wouldn’t save Darian. Not this time.

I clenched my fists at my sides, the familiar weight of guilt already settling deep in my gut. This wasn’t what I wanted. None of this was what I wanted. But Kael’s grip was tightening, and the only way to loosen it—the only way to keep Darian alive—was to hand her over.

She doesn’t know the full picture, I reminded myself harshly, as if the justification could erase the sting of betrayal. She thinks this is about her. About revenge. But it’s bigger than that.

The wind stirred through the trees, whispering like ghosts of my own conscience. I had stood beside Kael once, long ago, before I realized just how far the Alpha would go to maintain his rule. But by the time I saw the truth, it was too late—I was in too deep, and Darian was already tangled in the mess.

And now… now this girl was the only bargaining chip left.

When she returned from the ruins, satchel slung over her shoulder and eyes flashing with raw resolve, I almost faltered. Almost.

“Let’s go,” she said simply, her tone brooking no argument.

I nodded, falling into step beside her as we moved north, deeper into the forest’s maw. Each step was a countdown. Each glance from her, filled with wary trust, was a dagger twisting deeper into my ribs.

We walked in silence at first, her breath ragged but steady, her eyes scanning every shadow. I could tell her mind was racing, strategizing, planning. She thought she could fight her way out of this. Brave, but foolish.

After a while, she broke the silence. “How much farther?”

I hesitated. “Not far now. Just a little deeper into their territory.”

She didn’t question me. That made it worse.

By dusk, the woods thickened, the sky bleeding red through a canopy of tangled branches. The air grew colder, heavier, as if the forest itself knew what was coming. My gut twisted painfully. It was time.

I slowed my steps, letting her move just ahead of me, my eyes darting to the darkening path behind us. The sound of distant howls reached my ears, faint but unmistakable. Kael’s hunters were closing in.

“Stop,” I said quietly. “We should rest here for a moment. Gather our strength.”

She turned to look at me, sweat streaking her temple, eyes wary but grateful for the brief pause. “Fine. Just a minute.”

She knelt by a tree, rummaging in her bag for water. Her guard was down.

I stared at her, my heart pounding like a drum. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, to fight for her instead. But Darian’s face—bloody, beaten, desperate—flashed through my mind, louder than any guilt.

I stepped forward slowly, every muscle tense, every breath ragged. “Listen,” I said, my voice tight. “There’s something you should know.”

She looked up, eyes narrowing. “What is it?”

I hesitated for one terrible second. One second where I could have told her the truth. But instead, I moved fast—grabbing her shoulder and spinning her around as my blade flashed.

She cried out, twisting away too late as the blade grazed her side, not deep enough to kill but enough to slice flesh. Blood welled instantly, dark and thick. She staggered to her feet, eyes wide with shock and betrayal.

“You—” she gasped, clutching her side, pain and fury mingling in her voice. “Why?”

I stepped back, blade trembling in my hand, my face like stone though my insides felt like they were shattering. “I had no choice,” I said quietly. “They have Darian. I won’t let him die for you.”

Her eyes blazed with betrayal and heartbreak. “So you’d hand me over? Like I’m nothing?”

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet her gaze. “Better one life than two.”

Her breathing was ragged now, her blood dripping onto the forest floor—leaving a clear, unmistakable trail. That had been the plan. The wound, the scent—it would draw Kael straight to her.

She backed away, pressing her palm hard to her side, her face pale but furious. “You bastard. You think Kael’s going to keep his word? You think sacrificing me will save Darian?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Deep down, I knew she was right. Kael didn’t honor deals. But I couldn’t let myself believe that—not now. It was too late to turn back.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “You’ll understand one day.”

She stumbled toward the trees, her legs shaky but her resolve unbroken. Even now, bleeding and betrayed, she wasn’t giving up.

I wanted to believe that maybe—just maybe—she’d make it out of this alive. But I knew better.

Kael was coming.

And this time, there would be no mercy.

I turned, disappearing into the shadows, my chest tight with guilt and dread. Behind me, her breathing grew fainter, her footsteps slower. She was losing blood fast—just as I had intended.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking, even as her ragged whisper echoed behind me, raw with pain and fury.

“I will never forgive you.”

Neither would I.

But as I melted into the shadows, one final, chilling thought crept in—a realization I couldn’t shake:

Even after everything… I wasn’t sure I’d done the right thing.

And somewhere, deep in the forest, the first howl of Kael split the night—closer than I had dared to hope.

It was done.