Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 2. A place to heal..

Amara’s world drifted between consciousness and darkness. Her body was weak and battered, her mind clouded with exhaustion and fear. She was vaguely aware of movement—strong arms carrying her, the scent of pine and earth surrounding her. She wanted to open her eyes, to understand where she was, but the fatigue pulled her deeper into its grasp.

When she finally managed to open her eyes, she found herself lying on a soft bed. Her entire body ached, but it wasn’t the cold, hard stone of the dungeon floor. She blinked slowly, trying to make sense of her surroundings. The room was warm, filled with the soft glow of a lantern. She could smell herbs—mint, lavender, and something else she couldn’t quite place.

Panic flared in her chest as memories rushed back—the forest, the fall, the strange wolves. Her breath quickened, and she tried to sit up, but pain shot through her side, forcing a gasp from her lips.

“Easy,” a calm, soothing voice said from beside her. “You’re safe here.”

She turned her head slowly, wincing at the pain in her neck. A woman sat by her bedside, her expression kind and gentle. She had silver hair braided over one shoulder and wore a simple dress. Her hands were steady as she held a cloth soaked in water.

“Where… am I?” Amara croaked, her throat dry and raw. She felt the room sway slightly as she tried to focus.

“You’re in the Nightshade Pack,” the woman replied, her voice soft but firm. “I’m Helena, the pack healer. You’ve been hurt badly, but we’re taking care of you.”

Nightshade Pack. The name sent a jolt of fear through Amara. She remembered crossing the border, the strangers with fierce eyes. She had no idea if this pack was any safer than the one she had left.

“Why…?” Amara began, her voice barely above a whisper, her confusion overwhelming her. “Why are you helping me?”

Helena’s eyes softened, and she placed a gentle hand on Amara’s arm. “Because our Alpha ordered it. He found you on our land, hurt and alone. He told us to make sure you were safe and to help you heal.”

Amara’s heart pounded. The Alpha—the man with the piercing blue eyes who had looked at her like she was something precious. She remembered that moment vividly—the way he had stared at her, and the strange, undeniable pull she had felt. She had heard of imprinting before, how a wolf could find their mate in an instant, bound by an unbreakable bond. But why would an Alpha, of all people, imprint on someone like her?

The door to the room creaked open, and she instinctively flinched, bracing herself for what might come. A large, familiar figure filled the doorway. Darius, the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. His presence seemed to fill the entire room. He was tall, his broad shoulders squared, his intense blue eyes locked onto her. His expression softened as he saw her awake.

“How is she?” he asked, his voice deep, though there was a note of concern in it.

“She’s awake, but still very weak,” Helena replied, her gaze flicking between them. “She needs rest and time to heal. Whatever she’s been through… it’s taken a toll.”

Darius nodded, his gaze never leaving Amara’s. She felt a strange warmth in her chest, but also fear. She had trusted before, and it had nearly destroyed her.

“Thank you, Helena,” Darius said quietly. “Can you give us a moment?”

Helena hesitated, then gave a small nod and stood, squeezing Amara’s hand gently before leaving the room. The door clicked shut behind her, and Amara was left alone with the imposing Alpha.

Silence filled the space between them, thick with tension and unspoken questions. Darius took a step closer, his eyes scanning her face, taking in every bruise, every cut. His expression hardened, but his eyes remained gentle.

“You don’t have to be afraid,” he said, his voice steady. “I promised I wouldn’t let anyone hurt you, and I meant it.”

Amara wanted to believe him. There was something in his voice that was sincere, something that spoke to a part of her that had almost forgotten what kindness felt like. But she couldn’t forget the pain that had come from trusting the wrong Alpha.

“Why…?” she finally asked, her voice trembling. “Why would you help me? You don’t even know who I am.”

Darius’s expression remained calm, but his eyes flickered with something deep and intense. “I know enough. I know you’re hurt, and I know someone did this to you. I know you’ve been through something terrible. And I know I felt something when I saw you—something I can’t ignore.”

Amara’s heart pounded in her chest. “You… felt something?”

Darius took another step closer, his gaze unwavering. “I imprinted on you, Amara. The moment I saw you, I knew you were meant to be protected. I don’t know your story yet, but I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to tell it. All I want right now is to keep you safe.”

His words struck something deep within her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted to trust him, wanted to believe that maybe there was a chance for something different. But the memories were still fresh, still raw, and they flashed before her eyes like cruel reminders.

[Flashback: The Dungeon]

She was back in the cold, dark cell of the Blood Moon Pack’s dungeon. The stone walls were damp, and the air was thick with the scent of mold and iron. Chains dug into her wrists, heavy and unforgiving, and she couldn’t stop shivering despite the numbing cold.

The door creaked open, and she flinched, her eyes wide with fear. Killian entered, his face a mask of fury and grief. She barely recognized him anymore. This wasn’t the Alpha who had once looked at her with warmth and affection. This was a man consumed by rage.

“Do you think I’m a fool, Amara?” he spat, his voice dripping with venom. “Do you think I’d ever believe your lies? That you killed Marcus by accident?”

Her heart ached at his words, and she shook her head, her voice barely more than a whisper. “It wasn’t—Killian, please, it wasn’t like that. He—he tried to—”

“Silence!” he roared, his hand striking her face with a brutal force. The pain exploded through her cheek, and she tasted blood. “You don’t get to speak. You don’t get to make excuses. You took my brother from me, and you will pay for it.”

Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the blood. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but the chains held her down, and she was too weak. She had loved him once, believed he could see her for who she was. But all she saw in his eyes now was hatred.

“I didn’t… I didn’t mean to…” she whispered, her voice broken.

“Shut up,” Killian snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. “I’ll make sure you regret every second of your worthless life.”

[End Flashback]

Amara gasped, her body jolting back to the present. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, her chest heaving with the effort to breathe. She could still feel the sting of his slap, the crushing weight of his hatred.

Darius watched her, his eyes filled with concern. He could see the pain she was in, even now. He took a step closer, but kept his distance, not wanting to overwhelm her.

“What’s your name?” His voice was as gentle as possible.

“Amara.” She muttered.

“Amara,” he said softly, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I don’t know what he did to you, but I promise you… you’re safe now. You don’t have to face this alone anymore.”

She met his gaze, her breath still shaky. “I… I don’t know if I can trust you,” she admitted, her voice trembling. “I’ve trusted before… and it almost killed me.”

Darius’s expression softened, and he nodded. “I understand. And I’m not asking you to trust me right away. I know I have to earn it. But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. I want to help you heal, Amara. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make you feel safe again.”

His words washed over her like a balm on an open wound. She didn’t know if she could believe him, but for now, she was too tired to keep fighting. She nodded slightly, her eyes heavy with tears and exhaustion.

“Rest,” Darius said gently. “We can talk more when you’re ready. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”

He turned to leave, but not before giving her one last, lingering look—one that spoke of promises and hope, of a future she could barely dare to dream of.

As he closed the door behind him, Amara closed her eyes, letting out a shaky breath. She didn’t know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, she felt a flicker of something she thought she’d lost forever. Hope..