Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 8. A pack on edge..

The Nightshade wolves remained on high alert, their hackles raised, their eyes scanning the forest for any sign of further attack. But as the moments passed and the danger faded, they slowly began to relax, their tense postures easing.

Darius shifted back into his human form, his breath heavy and labored, his body battered and bruised. He dropped to his knees beside Amara, his hands gently cradling her face, his eyes filled with worry. “Amara, are you alright?”

She nodded weakly, her vision blurring with tears. “I… I think so. My leg…”

Darius’s gaze dropped to her leg, his expression darkening as he saw the blood. “We need to get you back to the packhouse,” he said urgently. “You need medical attention.”

Amara nodded, her body trembling with shock and pain. She could feel the adrenaline wearing off, the reality of what had just happened crashing down on her like a tidal wave. She had almost lost him—almost lost herself.

As Darius lifted her into his arms, carrying her back toward the safety of the packhouse, she couldn’t help but glance back at the forest, her heart heavy with dread. Killian wasn’t done with them. He wouldn’t stop until he had her back, no matter the cost.

And she knew, deep down, that this was only the beginning.

The Nightshade Packhouse was buzzing with tension. The atmosphere was thick, heavy with the aftermath of the confrontation with Killian and his Blood Moon wolves. Whispers of war and vengeance flitted through the halls, mingling with the anxious footsteps of pack members moving swiftly in and out of the main gathering area. Their expressions were tight, their eyes darting around as if expecting another attack at any moment. The air was charged with a kind of dread that settled deep in the bones, like the ominous calm before a storm.

Upstairs, in a small room with a single bed, Amara lay with her leg bandaged tightly from the bite she had sustained. The pain had dulled to a deep, throbbing ache, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil inside her. She stared at the ceiling, her mind unable to escape the harrowing events of the fight. She saw flashes of fur and fangs, heard the echoes of snarls and yelps, and felt the burn of Killian’s eyes as they bore into her, his obsession as dangerous as ever.

Darius sat beside her, his face lined with exhaustion. He hadn’t left her side since the moment he’d carried her back from the clearing. His hands rested on his knees, his posture tense, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and anger. He watched over her like a sentinel, protective and vigilant.

“Amara,” he said softly, breaking the silence that had settled in the room. “How are you feeling?”

Amara turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. She felt the weight of his concern and tried to muster a reassuring smile. “I’m alright,” she murmured. “Just… tired.”

Darius nodded, his expression softening a fraction, though the tension in his shoulders remained. “You were incredibly brave out there,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “But you should have stayed back. Killian was trying to draw you in, to use you to get to me.”

“I know,” Amara whispered, her eyes lowering in shame. “I just… I didn’t want to see you get hurt. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”

A sigh escaped Darius, his eyes softening further. He reached out and took her hand, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. “I understand,” he said. “But you can’t put yourself in danger like that again. Not for me. I can handle him, but I can’t risk losing you.”

Amara looked down at their joined hands, her heart tightening. She knew he was right, but the guilt of being the cause of so much conflict gnawed at her. She had tried so hard to escape her past, to start anew, but it seemed Killian’s shadow was always just a step behind.

A knock sounded at the door, and Helena, the pack healer, stepped inside. Helena was a tall, commanding presence with a shock of silver hair pulled back into a neat bun and sharp, penetrating amber eyes that could make anyone think twice about lying. She had already tended to Amara’s wounds earlier, stitching her leg with expert hands and a no-nonsense attitude.

“Alpha,” Helena said, nodding to Darius, her voice low and serious. “The council is gathered. We need to discuss what comes next.”

Darius’s eyes hardened, the softness he’d shown Amara replaced with the steely determination of an Alpha. He glanced back at Amara, his gaze lingering with reluctant concern. “Will you be alright if I leave for a while?”

Amara nodded, offering him a small, fragile smile. “I’ll be fine,” she replied softly. “You should go. The pack needs you.”

Darius hesitated, his hand tightening around hers for a moment as if reluctant to let go. Finally, he gave a small nod and released her. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised, his voice firm but gentle.

As he and Helena left the room, closing the door behind them, Amara was left in the quiet once more. She could hear the distant murmur of voices downstairs—the pack’s council in heated discussion. The tension was palpable, even from here, and she knew that everything that was happening was because of her. Because Killian wouldn’t let her go. She closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her guilt pressing down on her chest.

She shifted on the bed, wincing as pain flared up her leg. She felt restless, useless. Everyone else was out there, preparing for whatever came next, and she was lying here, helpless. She had to move, to do something, anything. Slowly, she pushed herself up, ignoring the way her muscles screamed in protest. She managed to swing her legs over the side of the bed, her hands gripping the mattress as she tried to steady herself.

“You’re not thinking of wandering around, are you?”

Amara looked up, startled to see Maya standing in the doorway. Maya, with her warm brown eyes and friendly demeanor, had been one of the few in the pack who made Amara feel somewhat at ease. She stood with her arms crossed, a bemused smile playing at her lips.

“Maya,” Amara breathed, trying to compose herself. “I thought you were downstairs with the others.”

Maya chuckled, stepping into the room. “I was, but I wanted to check on you. And it’s a good thing I did because it looks like you’re planning something reckless.”

Amara sighed, slumping slightly. “I just… I don’t want to be useless,” she confessed, her voice tinged with frustration. “Everyone’s out there, risking their lives, and I’m just… sitting here.”

Maya’s expression softened. She moved to Amara’s side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’re not useless,” she said firmly. “You’re healing, and that’s important. If you push yourself too hard, you could end up getting worse. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen.”

Amara looked away, her eyes dropping to her hands. “It doesn’t feel like I’m helping,” she whispered.

“Maybe not in the way you’d like,” Maya admitted, “but you’re stronger than you think. The pack sees it, and so does Darius.”

Amara’s eyes flicked up at the mention of his name. “He’s been… kind,” she said softly. “More than I deserve.”

“Don’t say that,” Maya said quickly, her voice taking on a sharper edge. “You didn’t ask for any of this, and you certainly don’t deserve to feel like a burden. If anything, Killian is the one who deserves our wrath, not you.”

The mention of Killian sent a shiver through Amara, and her gaze fell back to her bandaged leg. “He won’t stop,” she said quietly. “Not until he gets what he wants.”

“Then we’ll make sure he doesn’t get it,” Maya said, her tone fierce. “You’re one of us now, and we protect our own.”

Before Amara could respond, the door opened again, and Helena strode in, her expression still stern but with a touch of sympathy in her eyes. “How are you feeling, Amara?” she asked, her gaze moving to the bandages on her leg.

Amara forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Better, I think,” she replied. “Thank you for everything, Helena.”

Helena nodded curtly, her sharp eyes appraising. “Keep off that leg as much as you can. You’ll heal faster if you do.” She then turned to Maya, her brows drawing together. “Maya, you’re needed in the main hall. The scouts have returned with news.”

Maya’s expression grew serious, and she glanced back at Amara. “Get some rest, okay?” she said softly. “And don’t do anything crazy.”

Amara nodded, watching as Maya left the room. Helena lingered a moment longer, her gaze softening slightly. “Darius is a good Alpha,” she said quietly. “And he cares about you more than you might realize. Let him help you, Amara.”

With that, Helena left, closing the door behind her, leaving Amara alone with her thoughts once more.