Chapter 2: Banished and Betrayal
943 Words
Amara’s POV
Like tiny blades, the cold pricked my skin. The peaceful woods behind Lichen land were a far cry from the cursed forest. The air was heavier. False. Strange patterns twisted the trees, as though ancient hands had bent, frozen, and burned them.
I clutched my injured arm as I staggered through the darkness. Before the light burst from me, one of the rogues had cut my shoulder, but I had escaped unharmed. I couldn't comprehend what had transpired. My wolf remained silent. I felt as though something inside of me was attempting to wake up, but was unable to do so.
Each breath was painful.
I went down on my knees. My hands were shaking. I was so exhausted.
I looked at the gloomy heavens. Through my tears, the stars became blurry.
"Why won't you communicate with me?" I said. "Why do you refuse to come out?"
Not a word.
There is nothing within. Don't growl. Don't whisper. Nothing except emptiness.
I fell next to a crooked tree's roots. Like poison, the chill crept into my limbs. I lost my vision. Before everything went dark, I believed I saw the moon blinking red.
I had no idea that Rowan was pacing his room like a wolf in a cage back in Lichen Pack. He hadn't slept. His chest felt like it was being torn apart, and his head thumped.
He growled at his reflection, "Say something." "Why won't you communicate with me?"
However, his wolf remained quiet.
His bond with his wolf had been weakening ever since I crossed the border. His other half seems to have disappeared. Not dead, but inaccessible.
The stone cracked when he threw his fist into the wall.
Lilith's voice came gently from behind and said, "Alpha." Wearing white, she entered with her hands on her stomach.
His eyes flashed with wrath as he turned to face her. "What are you looking for?"
She faked a little grin at him. "You've been dealing with stress. I believe you ought to be aware... I believe I am pregnant.
He stopped.
"What?"
She remarked, "I missed my last cycle." "And I think the puppy is yours after... our time together." Rowan recoiled as if she had struck him.
"That isn't feasible."
"You didn't turn me away," she said. "The bond took root, even though you may have chosen to sleep with me out of duty."
Breathing heavily, he turned away.
She approached him from behind and put her arms around his back.
Together, we can be powerful. She is not necessary for you. She was nothing.
However, Rowan wasn't thinking about Lilith. I was the target of them.
And for the first time since he turned me down, he experienced regret, which he was reluctant to acknowledge.
I woke up to the sensation of powerful arms raising me.
I saw a stranger when my eyes opened, hazy. A man., tall. Rough mandible. His brow was touched by dark hair. Eyes like fire and shadows.
"Remain motionless," he said. "A lot of blood has been lost by you."
"Who are you?" I could hardly speak, so I whispered.
"My name is Kian. Obsidian Pack warrior.
I yelled out as I tried to move, but my shoulder started to hurt.
His voice was soothing and deep as he whispered, "Shhh... you're safe now."
Holding me as if I were weightless, he put something around my arm and lifted me once more.
"Why are you assisting me?" I looked up at him and inquired.
He hesitated. "Because I had an emotion." I felt like I was drawn here by the stars themselves.
I was unaware of his meaning, but it didn't matter to me. I was worn out. Feeble. After being cold all his life, the warmth of his chest felt peaceful.
I said, "Don't let them take me back."
"I won't," he declared. "I promise it."
I observed how the trees appeared to move away from him as he carried me through the terrible woodland. The fog broke up in his wake.
This dude was who?
And why did I never feel as secure in Rowan's embrace as I felt in his?
Kian gently placed me next to a black vine-lined stone border. "It was the boundary of Obsidian Pack territory," he continued. My agony had lessened somewhat, but I could hardly sit up.
He said, "Once I call the healer, we'll enter." But first, take a nap. Simply take a breath.
Still attempting to make sense of it all, I nodded.
Then it did.
The atmosphere surrounding me shifted.
A whisper rode the wind, and the ground shook a little.
"I own you." I sprang to my feet. "What was that?"
Kian's look grew strained. "What did you hear?"
Did you not hear it? Slowly, he shook his head.
However, I did. Once more. "You... belong to me." Around the edge, the shadows grew deeper. A serpentine coil of frigid fog ascended from the ground.
Then I caught sight of her.
Not physically, but mentally.
A woman with ash-like skin, dark robes flowing in smoke, and empty eyes. Although her mouth remained still, I could hear her voice inside of me.
"Both the Priestess and I awaken."
"No," I exclaimed. "Remain away!"
Kian was kneeling next to me. "Amara? What's the matter?
"She's awake," I said. "She's observing me."
"Who?"
My voice trembled as I looked at him.
"The Hollow Witch."
Suddenly, a gust of wind caused the fog to rupture, and far below the cursed country...
A long-forgotten jail broke down.
It was dark when the chains snapped.
She opened her eyes, the Hollow Witch.
She also smiled.
- Writer
