CROWN OF CLAWS

Chapter three:THE BETRYAL

I waited.And waited.

My heart was beating so hard I thought it would come out of my throat.Then it hit me.

She didn’t bring any guards.

"Dimitri! DIMITRI!!"

I screamed across the training grounds.He turned around, confused. "What’s wrong, Princess?""My parents. They’re in danger.""The Alpha and Luna? What happened? Where are they?""The southern border! Hurry!"

Dimitri’s face went serious. "I’ll send men now. You go back to the packhouse. I’ll send guards for you and the prince."Lucien.

My little brother.I ran. My chest hurt. My wolf wasn’t awake yet so I was still weak.

Halfway there my mother’s voice hit my mind, broken and scared.

"Amara. They’re coming for you. Protect your brother."My heart broke.I ran up the stairs, pushing past maids who tried to stop me.

I burst into Lucien’s room.

He was on his bed reading. He looked up. "Amara? What’s..."

"Mom and Dad are in danger. We have to go. Now."

He just stared so I grabbed his hand and pulled him.

The living hall was wrong. Too quiet.

And there was blood. Everywhere.

Guards. Maids. Lying in blood.

The smell made me sick.Then the ground shook.

A huge grey wolf with a scar across his face slammed into us. Me and Lucien went flying. My back hit the floor and pain shot through me.Then my mother came.White wolf. Eyes full of rage. She crashed into the grey wolf. Blood was flying everywhere.

"Amara! Take Lucien and run! NOW!"I didn’t think. I grabbed Lucien and ran to the back door.

That’s when I saw my father.Big black wolf. Fighting another black wolf.But it was Uncle Darius.Why was he fighting Dad? Why wasn’t he fighting the rogues?

Then pain shot through my chest.The bond.

The bond with my mother was breaking.

I looked back.

My mother had shifted back. She was on her knees, bleeding.The grey wolf was in front of her.

"MOTHER NOOOO!"

His claws went into her chest.He pulled her heart out.And stomped on it.Again and again until it was nothing.My father roared. But it was too late.I felt the bond snap.Gone.

He fell to his knees for one second.And Darius struck.Claws to his throat.Ripping.My father fell. His eyes stayed open.And with that, the second bond inside me disappeared.No...No.This can't be happening.My breathing became uneven as I shook my headover and over.

"M-Mother?" I whispered.Nothing.I quickly tried to mind-link her.Mother...?No response."Dad?" I tried again.Nothing."No... no... answer me... please..."

I took a step toward them, my legs shaking so badly I could barely stand.

"Mother, get up..." My voice broke. "You said... you said no one could hurt you as long as you were still breathing."

Tears streamed down my face.

"You promised me..."

I looked at my father.

"Dad... please... tell Mom to get up. Please..." I tried to mind-link them again.Nothing.It was gone.Both of them were gone."No..." I whispered, shaking my head. "No... you're lying... this isn't real..."

I rubbed my eyes hard, hoping everything in front of me would disappear."Wake up... please wake up..."They didn't move."MOTHER!" I screamed.

"FATHER!"My voice echoed through the packhouse, but neither of them answered.For the first time in my life...I was completely alone.

"WHY?!" I yelled, shaking. "WHY UNCLE DARIUS?! WHY KILL THEM?! WHY WORK WITH THE ENEMY?! WHY BETRAY US?!"

He looked at me and smiled.

"Family? I took what was mine."

"He was your brother! He loved you!"

"Shut up, you little b***h. He took everything from me. The pack. The title. Their love. Her love. So now I take everything he loved. Starting with his life."

"Don’t call her that!" Lucien stepped in front of me. "You’re evil!"

Darius looked down at him. "And who are you?"

"I’m the future Alpha of this pack."

Darius laughed.

"Is that so? Then tell me, little prince.

Where are you gonna rule from?