Shadows In the Dark
587 Words
Liam didn’t let go of Silas immediately. His grip remained tight, muscles coiled with barely restrained fury.
“What do you mean, something is coming?” he demanded.
Silas gave a breathy chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “I mean, you’re too busy playing king of this little town to see the real threat.” His dark eyes flicked to Aria. “And you? You have no idea what you’ve walked into.”
Aria swallowed, but she refused to back down. “Then why don’t you enlighten me?”
Silas leaned in slightly, his smirk returning. “Because you wouldn’t believe me if I did.”
Liam shoved him back against the wall one last time before releasing him. Silas rolled his shoulders, dusting off his jacket like it was all a joke to him.
“You’re wasting time here,” Liam said coldly. “If Elena’s in danger and you know something, you’re going to tell me. Now.”
Silas exhaled. For a moment, he almost looked… tired.
“Look,” he said, “I was with Elena last night. She was asking questions. Same kind as your journalist friend here.” He jerked his chin toward Aria. “About the disappearances. About the woods. About what really happens in this town when the sun goes down.”
Aria’s skin prickled.
“And?” Liam pressed.
“And,” Silas continued, “I told her to leave it alone. She didn’t listen.”
Something cold coiled in Aria’s stomach.
Silas’ eyes darkened. “She was scared. Said someone had been following her.”
Silence.
Then Ronan, who had been quiet until now, muttered, “Shit.”
Liam’s expression turned deadly. “Who?”
Silas hesitated. Then he said the last name Aria expected.
“I think it was one of yours.”
Liam’s entire body went still.
Aria’s heart thudded. “Wait, you’re saying someone from the pack is behind this?”
“I’m saying,” Silas said, voice low, “that the enemy isn’t always outside the gates.”
A sharp gust of wind rattled the mill’s broken windows, sending a whisper through the dark.
Liam didn’t move. But Aria saw it, the tightening of his jaw, the flicker of uncertainty in his storm-gray eyes.
Because if Silas was right, the real danger wasn’t in the forest.
It was already inside the pack.
The air outside the mill was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, but beneath it, Aria swore she could still smell the faint metallic tang of blood.
Liam hadn’t said a word since they left Silas behind. He moved like a predator, his steps sharp, his muscles tense.
Aria kept pace beside him, Ronan a few steps behind.
“You believe him,” she said finally.
Liam’s jaw tightened. “I don’t trust Silas. But I don’t think he’s lying.”
Aria exhaled, rubbing her arms. “So what now? If Elena’s still alive, she’s running out of time.”
Ronan whistled lowly. “She’s got a point.”
Liam shot him a glare. “I don’t need you to tell me that.”
Ronan smirked but didn’t push it further.
They reached Liam’s black Jeep parked at the edge of the woods. Without hesitation, he unlocked it and got in.
“Get in,” he ordered.
Aria hesitated. “Where are we going?”
Liam turned his head toward her, eyes dark. “To find out who in my pack has been keeping secrets.”
- Writer
