Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 13. The shadows of war..

The Nightshade Packhouse was on high alert by the time Amara, Darius, and Maya returned. The tension was palpable as pack members moved swiftly to fortify their defenses, their faces set in grim determination. The news of Killian’s planned attack had spread quickly, and now, the pack was bracing itself for the coming storm.

Darius led the way back into the main hall, his jaw clenched, his eyes still blazing with the intensity of their recent encounter. Amara followed closely behind, her body aching and her leg throbbing, but she pushed the pain aside. She couldn’t afford to focus on it now. She could still hear Killian’s voice in her head, his mocking tone, the dangerous glint in his eyes. His words had sent a chill down her spine—“I want her alive.” There was something deeper behind his intent, something she hadn’t quite understood yet.

As soon as they stepped into the hall, Helena rushed over, her sharp eyes taking in Amara’s state. “What happened?” she demanded, her tone clipped as she looked between Darius and Maya. “You were supposed to be resting, not sneaking off into enemy territory!”

Amara winced, knowing Helena had every right to be angry. “I’m sorry, Helena,” she began, her voice strained. “It was my decision. I thought we could find out more about Killian’s plans.”

Darius shot her a look that was equal parts frustration and concern. “We don’t have time to argue about that now,” he said, his voice firm. “Killian knows we’re onto him, and he’s planning to push through the western ridge tonight. We need to prepare.”

Helena’s expression hardened, but she nodded, turning to bark orders at the nearby wolves. “Double the patrols on the west side!” she commanded. “And get the traps ready. If they cross our borders, we’ll make them regret it.”

The pack sprang into action, moving with a sense of purpose and urgency. Amara watched them, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and resolve. She had put them all in danger, but they were ready to fight. And she would stand with them.

Darius turned to her, his eyes narrowing. “We need to talk,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Now.”

Amara nodded, following him as he led her into a quieter corner of the packhouse, away from the frantic preparations. He stopped and faced her, his expression a storm of emotions—anger, worry, and something deeper, something she couldn’t quite read.

“What were you thinking?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with intensity. “You could have been killed, Amara. Or worse, taken back by him.”

Amara’s throat tightened, and she met his gaze, her own eyes filled with a mixture of defiance and regret.

“I had to do something,” she said softly. “I couldn’t just sit here while everyone else was out there risking their lives. I wanted to help.”

Darius sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I understand that,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “But you need to trust me to protect you. To protect all of us.”

Before Amara could respond, the door to the packhouse swung open with a loud bang, and a scout rushed in, his face pale and his breathing heavy. “Alpha!” he called, his voice trembling. “They’re here. Killian’s wolves are at the western ridge.”

The room fell silent, and a chill ran through Amara. Darius’s eyes darkened, his face hardening into a mask of determination. “Everyone, to your positions,” he commanded. “We hold the line.”

The pack sprang into motion, grabbing weapons and shifting into their wolf forms as they prepared to defend their home. Amara’s heart raced as she watched them, a cold dread settling in her stomach. She knew this was going to be a brutal fight. And Killian was coming for her.

Darius turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers. “Stay close to me,” he said, his voice low but firm. “No matter what happens.”

Amara nodded, her throat tight. She didn’t dare tell him how scared she was, how the fear clawed at her insides every time she thought about what Killian might do. She had already brought enough trouble to the Nightshade Pack. But she knew that tonight would bring secrets to light, whether she was ready for it or not.

The pack assembled at the ridge, crouching behind trees and rocks, their eyes locked on the shadowy forest ahead. The sounds of the night filled the air—rustling leaves, distant growls, the faint howling of wolves. Amara's skin prickled with tension. She could feel Killian’s presence even before she saw him, a dark energy that seemed to creep through the trees.

And then, he emerged.

Killian stepped out from the cover of the woods, his tall figure bathed in the silver light of the moon. His dark hair framed his rugged face, and his stormy gray eyes locked onto Amara with a burning intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. He remained in his human form, his lips curving into a predatory smile that made Amara’s blood run cold. Around him, his wolves moved like shadows, their eyes glowing in the darkness.

“Amara,” Killian called out, his voice carrying smoothly through the night. “You can’t hide forever. Come back to where you belong.”

Darius stepped forward, a low growl rumbling in his throat. His posture was defensive, his body ready to shift at any moment. “She’s not going anywhere,” he said sharply. “Leave now, Killian, or we’ll make you.”

Killian’s smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement. “Still playing the noble Alpha, aren’t you, Darius?” he mocked. “But tell me—do you even know who you’re protecting?”

A murmur rippled through the Nightshade wolves, a ripple of confusion and unease. Darius’s expression tightened, his eyes narrowing. “What are you trying to say, Killian?” he demanded. “This isn’t about the past. This is about your obsession. Let her go.”

Killian let out a low, mocking laugh. “Obsession?” he repeated, tilting his head slightly. “You think this is just about wanting her back as my mate? Oh, there’s more to it than that.” His eyes flicked to Amara, and for a moment, they blazed with something dark and menacing. “Much more.”

Amara’s breath caught in her throat. She could feel the pack’s eyes on her, the weight of their curiosity and suspicion. She had never spoken of the darkest parts of her past—of what had really happened when she was still with the Blood Moon Pack. But Killian knew. And he was about to rip open those old wounds.

“Why don’t you tell them, Amara?” Killian continued, his tone turning almost sing-song. “Tell them why you were living in that dungeon back in my pack. Tell them why you’ve been running for so long.”

A chill ran down Amara’s spine. She could see where this was going, and she wasn’t ready. Not like this. Darius turned to look at her, his eyes filled with a mix of confusion and concern. “Amara?” he asked, his voice low but insistent. “What is he talking about?”

Amara’s mouth went dry. She had never told Darius the full story—had never dared to. She’d been trying to bury her past, to start over, but now it was catching up to her with brutal speed. She could feel the panic rising in her chest, but she forced herself to stay calm, to think.

“Don’t listen to him,” she said, her voice trembling but steady. “He’s trying to manipulate you, to turn you against me.”

Killian’s smile twisted into something colder, more dangerous. “Oh, come now, Amara,” he drawled. “Is that really all you have to say? After everything that happened? After what you did?”

A tense silence settled over the clearing. Amara could see the way the other wolves were looking at her now—curious, uncertain. She could feel the doubt creeping in, and she knew she had to say something. But Killian’s next words stopped her cold.

“Tell them,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, venomous hiss. “Tell them about Marcus. Tell them what you did to my brother.”

Amara’s blood froze, her heart slamming against her ribs. She hadn’t expected him to go there, not now. She hadn’t told anyone the full truth about Marcus. About how, during the height of the pack war, she had been cornered, forced to make a mistake that had haunted her every day since.

Darius’s expression darkened, his gaze snapping back to Killian. “Enough of this!” he growled. “You’re trying to twist things. She’s not responsible for whatever happened to your brother.”

Killian’s eyes blazed with fury. “Isn’t she?” he shot back, his voice laced with bitterness. “Ask her. Ask her why she was locked up in that dungeon for months. Ask her why she’s been running, hiding like a coward.”

Amara felt the world closing in on her, the weight of her secrets pressing down like a vice. She could see the suspicion in the eyes of the Nightshade wolves, their trust in her shaken by Killian’s words. She had to say something—had to give them some reason to believe in her.

“Darius, please,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “There’s more to it, but you have to trust me. I’ll explain everything, just… not like this.”

Darius’s eyes searched hers, his face a mask of conflict. She could see the questions swirling in his mind, but he nodded slowly, his voice low and steady. “I trust you, Amara,” he said. “But we’ll deal with this later. Right now, we have a battle to win.”