Chapter 4: The Blackthorn Triplets Return
1207 Words
The body beneath the trees changed everything.
The Blood Moon celebration had become a crime scene.
Warriors moved through the courtyard, checking every entrance while frightened pack members were escorted inside. The music had stopped completely. Only the crackle of the bonfire and the hurried footsteps of guards remained.
Elena stood beside Maya, staring at the forest.
She couldn't stop thinking about the silver mark carved into the dead woman's chest.
It looked exactly like hers.
“Stay close to me,” Maya whispered.
Elena nodded.
Across the courtyard, Roman was speaking with Alpha Marcus.
Riven was examining the dead warrior.
Rafael stood near the forest entrance, his attention fixed on the darkness between the trees.
All three looked different now.
Less like guests.
More like soldiers.
Elena understood why.
They hadn't come to Shadow Creek simply for a celebration.
They had come because something was happening in the kingdom.
Something serious.
Maya squeezed her arm.
“You're staring.”
“At what?”
“The triplets.”
“I am not.”
“You've been looking at Roman for almost a minute.”
Elena immediately looked away.
“I was looking at the forest.”
“Roman is not a forest.”
“Thank you, Maya.”
“You're welcome.”
Elena tried not to smile.
Then Roman approached.
His expression was serious.
“Your Alpha wants everyone inside.”
Elena frowned.
“Why?”
“We're searching the area.”
“Are you leaving?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Elena looked at him.
“Why not?”
Roman glanced at his brothers.
“Because whoever did this may still be nearby.”
Riven walked toward them.
“We found another body.”
Maya's face paled.
“Another?”
Riven nodded.
“A warrior. About two hundred yards from the eastern trail.”
Elena's stomach tightened.
“Was there a mark?”
Riven looked at her.
“Yes.”
The silver crescent.
Again.
Elena touched her collarbone.
The skin beneath her fingers was still warm.
“Who are these people?” she whispered.
“We don't know,” Riven said.
“Then why did the dying warrior call me silver-blooded?”
Nobody answered.
That silence frightened Elena more than any explanation could have.
Rafael finally approached.
“We should take her to the main house.”
Elena looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because you're the obvious target.”
“I don't know that.”
Rafael's eyes hardened.
“They attacked a gathering where the three of us were present.”
“That doesn't mean they came for me.”
“The warrior pointed at you.”
Elena opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Rafael softened slightly.
“I know you don't want to hear it.”
“Then don't tell me what I want to hear. Tell me what you actually know.”
He studied her.
“We know someone killed four people tonight.”
Roman added, “We know they left the same symbol on the victims.”
Riven continued, “And we know someone recognized a mark on your body that nobody in this pack should know exists.”
Elena's pulse quickened.
“Then what do you think I am?”
The brothers exchanged a look.
Roman answered.
“We don't know.”
That honesty unsettled her.
At least they weren't pretending.
A sudden howl sounded from the forest.
Every warrior turned.
Rafael's wolf surfaced instantly in his eyes.
“Stay here.”
He and several warriors ran toward the trees.
Roman followed.
Riven hesitated.
“Stay with her.”
Elena stared after them.
She hated the way they kept telling her to stay behind.
But she hated the fear in her stomach more.
Something was coming.
She could feel it.
Then the forest exploded with movement.
Three figures rushed through the trees.
Warriors shouted.
Weapons were drawn.
Elena grabbed Maya and pulled her behind the stone wall.
A black-clad attacker leaped over the barrier.
Maya screamed.
Elena shoved her aside.
The attacker swung a blade.
Elena raised her arm instinctively.
The blade stopped inches from her skin.
The attacker stared at her.
Then his eyes widened.
“It's her.”
Elena froze.
The man reached for her.
Before he could touch her, Rafael slammed into him.
The attacker hit the ground hard.
Rafael shifted partially, his claws extending as he pinned the man down.
“Who sent you?”
The man laughed.
His eyes moved toward Elena.
“The Queen is waiting.”
Rafael's expression changed.
“What queen?”
The assassin bit down.
Rafael tried to stop him.
Too late.
The man's body went limp.
Elena stared.
“The Queen?”
Rafael stood slowly.
He looked at Roman.
Roman had heard him too.
Riven's face was unreadable.
“Take Elena inside,” Roman said.
“No.”
Elena stepped forward.
“I'm not going anywhere until someone tells me what's happening.”
Roman looked at her.
“You heard him.”
“Yes.”
“He mentioned a queen.”
“And?”
“We don't know what it means.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“You keep saying that.”
“Because it's true.”
“Then find out.”
Roman stared at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“You're right.”
That surprised her.
He turned toward the royal guards.
“Secure the packhouse. Nobody leaves.”
Riven immediately began issuing orders.
Rafael remained beside Elena.
She glanced at him.
“You don't have to stand there.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you?”
“Because I want to.”
Elena looked away.
She didn't know what to do with that answer.
The attack had ended almost as quickly as it began.
But the fear remained.
A few minutes later, a royal horn sounded from the road.
Everyone turned.
Three black SUVs rolled through the gates.
The same vehicles Elena had seen when the triplets arrived.
Except now she understood something.
They hadn't been ordinary visitors.
The Blackthorn triplets had returned to Shadow Creek because their kingdom was already facing danger.
And judging by the armed warriors stepping out behind them, the danger was much closer than Elena had realized.
A silver-haired man approached Roman.
“Alpha.”
Roman nodded.
“Report.”
The warrior lowered his voice.
“We found something.”
“What?”
“The attacks weren't random.”
Riven stepped closer.
“Go on.”
The warrior glanced at Elena.
His expression changed.
“They found a list.”
Roman's eyes narrowed.
“What kind of list?”
“Names.”
“How many?”
“Twenty-seven.”
Elena felt cold.
“Who are they?”
The warrior swallowed.
“Women.”
Rafael's jaw tightened.
“From different packs?”
“Yes.”
Riven asked, “What's the connection?”
The warrior looked directly at Elena.
“They all have the same bloodline.”
Elena's heart began pounding.
Roman stepped forward.
“What bloodline?”
The warrior hesitated.
Then he answered.
“The bloodline of the First Wolf Queen.”
Elena's hand moved instinctively to her collarbone.
The silver mark burned.
And somewhere deep inside her, that strange voice whispered again.
They found us.
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