Fate betrayal

CHAPTER9

Chapter 9: An Uncomfortable Partnership

Killian pov

Except for the crunch of leaves under my feet, the woodland was unnaturally quiet. Like a live wire, the tension in the air was evident. Killian marched forward on my left, his wide shoulders stiff, his mouth knotted with resolve. Darius was a little behind me on my right, staring at me like a shadow I couldn't get rid of.

In a sarcastic tone, Darius drewled, "How poetic." "This delightful collaboration was forced upon me, the supposed betrayer, the Moonshine Alpha, and the so-called cursed Luna."

Killian yelled, "Shut up, Darius," in a sharp, low voice.

Darius shot back, a sneer pulling at his lips, "Touchy." Let's not pretend, however, that this isn't ironic. Is a rogue assault uniting us? As if it were destiny.

I chose to ignore them and concentrate on the subtle blood odor that permeated the air. The rogues had struck with savagery and accuracy, attacking both groups at the same time. This was no accident. This mayhem had been planned by someone, and we were directly into their trap.

Killian stopped suddenly and held out a hand to indicate stillness. His keen eyes examined the area in front of him. "They're near," he whispered.

I took a deep breath and smelled the harsh smell of stray wolves. Adrenaline flooded my body, and my heart raced.

"Remain behind me," Killian said in a stern voice.

I snapped back at his tone, "I can fight."

"You'll follow my instructions," he said, his defensive tendencies kicking in.

Darius moved closer before I could counter, his black eyes glimmering with an unreadable substance. "Killian, don't undervalue her. Despite her frail appearance, she can easily hold her own.

Their mutual hostility was a palpable force, and the tension between them was oppressive.

"Enough," I growled. "You can't waste our time with your posturing. Let's concentrate on the outlaws.

Killian nodded, indicating that we should go, but his lips formed a narrow line.

The underbrush rustled quietly under our feet as we slipped between the trees. With every stride, the little noises of growls and snarls were more audible to me.

It was a battlefield in the clearing ahead. The howls of the wolves reverberated through the night as they collided in a flurry of fur and jaws. The ground was smeared with blood, and the air was heavy with the smell of anger and terror.

With the authority of an Alpha, Killian said, "Spread out."

He transformed effortlessly into a huge, black, power-radiating wolf. He jumped into the battle without thinking, cutting into the closest outlaw with deadly accuracy.

Then Darius moved, his silver-gray wolf equally commanding. He gave me one more look before launching himself into combat, his moves quick and strategic.

I held onto the blade at my side, still in human shape. Even if I wasn't as powerful as they were, I could compete. That had been guaranteed by my training.

With its yellow eyes shining with ill intent, a rogue sprang at me. I ducked under its strike and stabbed it in the side. With a cry, it fell to the ground, and I quickly moved on to the next danger.

All around us, a frantic and relentless war raged. Even throughout the altercation, however, I couldn't deny the underlying undertone of something sinister—a presence that was unmistakable yet observing us.

Despite their hostility, Killian and Darius moved nearly in unison as they battled like warriors. I briefly pondered what they would accomplish if they weren't always at odds.

I turned just in time to see Darius crash into a rogue that had surged at me from behind, his teeth cracking with lethal accuracy. His skin was streaked with blood as he transformed back into a human and gazed at me with such passion that I gasped.

"You're careless," he replied quietly. "That will result in your death."

Despite my heart thumping in my chest, I fired out, "I don't need your concern."

A loud howl shattered the silence before he could respond. The rogues halted, whipping their heads toward the direction of the noise.

I had never seen a wolf like the one that sprang out of the shadows. It was enormous, with eyes that glowed an odd crimson and fur that was completely black. An unearthly force appeared to flow through the air surrounding it.

Killian snarled and took a defensive stride ahead of me. "That rogue is not your typical one."

The thing changed, revealing a man as its shape melted away. His features were keen, his smile unnerving, and he was tall and slim. His aura was dark and threatening, and his presence was oppressive.

"What a heartwarming demonstration of solidarity," he said in a mockingly smooth voice. The Moonshine, the Golden Claw, and their common Luna. How charming.

"Who are you?" Killian growled in his voice and commanded.

The guy grinned more broadly. "You may call me Ezekiel for the time being, but I go by many names. To put it mildly, I have a stake in your little... triangle.

My blood froze. He seemed uncannily familiar, as if he had just walked out of one of my worst nightmares.

"What are you looking for?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

For a brief time, I thought Ezekiel could see right into my soul as his eyes met mine.

He responded in a chilly tone, "I want what was promised to me." However, little wolf, you've been interfering and examining things that are better left unsaid. Tonight, it comes to an end.

When he held out a hand, the surrounding shadows seemed to spring to life, writhing and twisting like living things.

Tension ablaze in his body, Killian took a step forward. "If you believe we'll allow you to hurt her—"

"Do harm to her?" The sound of Ezekiel's laughter was unsettling. You don't understand, Alpha. I'm not aiming for her. You are.

Killian was engulfed in a stifling wave of darkness before any of us could respond.

"Killian!" I let out a cry, but he was completely engulfed by the darkness, leaving only nothingness behind.

Ezekiel grinned more broadly. "Let's test your strength without your guardian."

To be continued...