Chapter 16:The Betrayal Within
941 Words
“They have already entered the pack.”
Lyra stared at the guardian.
“What do you mean?”
The creature didn't answer.
Another howl echoed through the underground chamber.
This one was closer.
Kael's expression hardened.
“We're leaving. Now.”
He grabbed Lyra's hand and started toward the passage.
Maya followed closely behind them.
Elara remained beside the throne.
“Wait.”
Kael stopped.
“What?”
Elara looked toward the creature.
“If you take Lyra back upstairs, they'll find her.”
Kael's eyes narrowed.
“Then where do you suggest we go?”
“There's another way out.”
“Where?”
Elara pointed toward the far wall.
“Behind the throne.”
Kael looked at the stone wall.
“You're sure?”
“I've used it before.”
Lyra looked at her.
“When?”
Elara hesitated.
“Years ago.”
Before Lyra could ask more, a loud crash came from somewhere above them.
Maya flinched.
“They're inside.”
Kael's grip tightened around Lyra's hand.
“Show us the way.”
Elara moved toward the throne.
The guardian stepped aside.
Elara pressed her palm against one of the stones.
Nothing happened.
She pressed another.
Still nothing.
“Come on.”
Her voice became tense.
“What are you doing?” Kael asked.
“It should be here.”
She tried another stone.
A click sounded.
The wall shifted.
A narrow opening appeared.
Kael pushed Lyra through first.
“Go.”
Lyra entered.
Maya followed.
Kael stayed behind until Elara stepped through.
The guardian remained in the chamber.
Lyra looked back.
“Aren't you coming?”
It stared at her.
“I cannot leave.”
“Why?”
“This is my duty.”
Lyra didn't understand.
But before she could ask anything else, the stone door began closing.
“Wait!”
The creature's golden eyes remained fixed on her.
“Remember who you are.”
The door shut.
Lyra stood frozen.
Kael touched her shoulder.
“Come on.”
She nodded reluctantly.
They moved through the narrow passage.
It was dark and damp.
Maya walked close behind Lyra.
“How long is this tunnel?”
Elara answered from ahead.
“Not long.”
A few minutes later, they reached another door.
Elara opened it carefully.
They stepped into the forest.
Lyra recognized the place immediately.
They were behind the pack's eastern boundary.
Kael looked around.
“No guards.”
“Exactly,” Elara said.
Kael turned toward her.
“What does that mean?”
“It means whoever opened the gates wanted this area unprotected.”
Lyra's stomach tightened.
“Why would someone do that?”
“Because they knew you would be here.”
Kael's expression darkened.
“Someone knew about the underground chamber.”
Elara nodded.
“Someone inside the pack.”
Maya looked frightened.
“Who?”
“We don't know yet.”
A branch snapped behind them.
Everyone turned.
Kael immediately moved Lyra behind him.
“Show yourself.”
Nothing.
He shifted slightly.
“I'm not asking again.”
A figure stepped from between the trees.
A pack warrior.
Kael relaxed slightly.
“You.”
The warrior bowed.
“Alpha.”
“What are you doing out here?”
“The eastern patrol was attacked.”
Kael's eyes narrowed.
“When?”
“Not long ago.”
“Who attacked them?”
“We don't know.”
Kael studied him.
“Where are the other warriors?”
The man hesitated.
“They're waiting near the boundary.”
“Take us there.”
The warrior nodded.
Then he looked at Lyra.
His eyes lingered on her for a second too long.
Lyra noticed.
“So you know who I am.”
The warrior looked away.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I've heard the rumors.”
Kael stepped closer to him.
“What rumors?”
The warrior swallowed.
“That the Alpha's mate is Moonborn.”
Silence.
Kael's expression became cold.
“Who told you that?”
The warrior didn't answer.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
“I asked you a question.”
Before the warrior could respond, a howl came from deeper in the forest.
The man suddenly reached for his weapon.
Kael drew his claws.
“Don't.”
The warrior froze.
Lyra's heart began pounding.
Something wasn't right.
The warrior wasn't looking toward the forest.
He was looking at Kael.
Then his hand moved.
A silver blade flashed.
Kael pushed Lyra aside just as the warrior lunged.
The blade missed Kael's chest by inches.
He grabbed the warrior and slammed him against a tree.
“Who sent you?”
The warrior struggled.
“No one.”
Kael tightened his grip.
“Try again.”
The warrior smiled.
“You're already too late.”
Kael's eyes hardened.
“Too late for what?”
The warrior looked past him.
Straight at Lyra.
“The gates are open.”
Lyra felt a chill run through her.
Then horns sounded in the distance.
One.
Two.
Three.
Kael released the warrior.
His face changed.
“That isn't our signal.”
Elara looked toward the pack.
“They've started the attack.”
Maya grabbed Lyra's hand.
“Lyra…”
Kael turned toward the distant lights.
Then he looked at Lyra.
“Stay with me.”
She nodded.
But before they could move, a familiar voice echoed through the trees.
“Kael.”
He froze.
Lyra recognized the voice too.
It was the High Seer.
She stepped out of the darkness.
Her face was pale.
And she was holding a bloodstained silver dagger.
“Don't trust anyone.”
She looked directly at Lyra.
“Not even me.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD