Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 3. Shadows of past..

Amara drifted in and out of sleep, her body too exhausted to remain fully awake, but her mind too troubled to find peace. Each time she closed her eyes, the darkness pulled her back to the dungeon, to the cold stone walls, and Killian’s furious face. She would wake with a start, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps, her heart pounding in her chest. The cycle repeated over and over until she no longer knew how long she’d been lying there in the unfamiliar room of the Nightshade Pack.

Eventually, she fell into a deeper, more restful sleep, and when she woke again, it was to the warmth of sunlight streaming through the window. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves outside. She blinked, her vision adjusting to the brightness. For a moment, she allowed herself to just breathe, to soak in the warmth, trying to convince herself that she was truly safe.

But then the memories came rushing back, and her chest tightened. She turned her head slightly, expecting to see Darius or perhaps Helena, but instead, she saw a tray on the bedside table—a bowl of steaming broth, a cup of water, and a small loaf of bread. Her stomach twisted with hunger, reminding her how long it had been since she’d eaten anything substantial.

She reached for the water first, her hands trembling, but as she lifted the cup to her lips, the door creaked open. Her entire body tensed, and she nearly dropped the cup, her heart lurching in her chest.

“Easy, it’s just me,” came a calm, familiar voice.

Amara’s eyes darted to the doorway, and there stood Darius, his large frame filling the entrance. He wasn’t wearing his usual commanding expression; instead, his blue eyes were softer, filled with concern. He carried a small bundle of fresh bandages in one hand, and his presence, while intimidating, didn’t carry the threat she feared.

She watched him cautiously, her grip tightening around the cup. “You… came back,” she managed to say, her voice still raspy.

Darius nodded, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. “I told you I would,” he replied gently. “And I meant it.”

He crossed the room slowly, not wanting to startle her. She watched his every move, her body still tensed, ready to flee or fight if she had to. When he reached her bedside, he set the bandages down and took a step back, giving her space.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, his eyes searching hers for any sign of improvement or distress.

Amara hesitated. She didn’t know how to answer that. Physically, she was better than she’d been when he found her, but mentally… she was still trapped in the past, in the fear that gripped her every waking moment. She took a sip of the water, her eyes never leaving his.

“Better,” she said finally, her voice barely a whisper. “But… I’m still… afraid.”

Darius nodded, his expression understanding. “I don’t blame you,” he said softly. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through. But I want you to know that no one here will hurt you. I won’t let them.”

Amara’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. She wanted to believe him, but she had trusted before and paid dearly for it. “Why?” she asked again, echoing her question from before. “Why would you help me? You don’t even know me.”

Darius sat down on a chair beside her bed, his posture relaxed but his eyes serious. “I told you—I imprinted on you. That means something to me, even if it doesn’t to you. I’m not asking for anything in return, Amara. I just… I want to see you safe. I want to help you heal.”

She studied him for a moment, searching his face for any sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity and a quiet determination. He was different from Killian. Where Killian had been quick to anger, to claim, Darius was patient, careful. It was confusing, unsettling even, but it was also… comforting.

“Tell me about yourself,” he continued, breaking the silence. “Not about your past—unless you want to. Just… who are you, Amara?”

Amara blinked, caught off guard by the question. She wasn’t used to being asked about herself, about her wants or dreams. She had been defined by what she lacked—her wolf, her strength, her place in the pack. But who was she beyond all that? She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

“I don’t… I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. “I’ve spent so long being told what I am—what I’m not—that I never thought about who I wanted to be.”

Darius nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I understand that,” he said softly. “It’s hard to see yourself when others try to define you. But you’re here now. You have a chance to figure that out, if you want to.”

His words were simple, but they struck a chord deep within her. She felt a warmth spread through her chest, a small ember of hope reigniting. Maybe he was right. Maybe she could find herself again—find out who she was meant to be.

As they sat in silence, the door opened again, and Helena stepped in, carrying a bowl of fresh herbs. She smiled warmly at Amara, then turned her attention to Darius.

“She needs to rest and eat,” Helena said, a playful hint of sternness in her voice. “She won’t heal properly if she’s too busy answering all your questions, Alpha.”

Darius chuckled softly, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, raising his hands in mock surrender. “I’ll leave you to your work.”

He stood, but before he left, he turned back to Amara, his gaze holding hers. “If you need anything, you let Helena know, okay? And if you feel up to it, we can talk more later.”

Amara nodded slowly, still processing everything that had just happened. As Darius left, closing the door behind him, Helena moved closer and began tending to her wounds, dabbing them with a soothing balm made from the herbs.

“He means well,” Helena said after a moment, her voice gentle. “Darius is a good man. He’s not like the others.”

Amara listened, feeling the sting of the balm but also the relief it brought. “I don’t know if I can trust him,” she whispered. “I’ve been burned before.”

Helena gave her a sympathetic smile. “Trust takes time, child. And no one here expects you to trust us right away. But I’ve known Darius a long time, and I’ve seen the kind of leader he is. He cares deeply for those under his protection. And it seems… you’re one of them now.”

The words were comforting, but Amara still felt a lingering doubt. Could she truly trust him? Could she trust anyone after what she had been through?

[Flashback: The Promise]

Amara’s mind drifted again, back to a different time, a different place. She was standing in a small clearing, the moon casting a soft glow over the trees. She could see Killian, his strong figure silhouetted against the night sky. His eyes were softer then, his face filled with warmth as he reached for her hand.

“I know it’s unexpected,” he had said, his voice gentle. “But I’ve chosen you, Amara. I see something in you that no one else does. You could be my Luna.”

Amara had felt her heart swell with a mixture of fear and hope. She had been so used to being invisible, to being nothing. But here he was, the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, offering her a place by his side. She had thought maybe, just maybe, she could finally be more than what others saw.

“I… I don’t know if I’m worthy,” she had whispered, her voice trembling. “I’m wolfless. Everyone says—”

“I don’t care what they say,” Killian had interrupted, his eyes fierce. “You have a strength inside you, Amara. I see it. And I’ll protect you. I promise.”

She had wanted so badly to believe him, to believe in the possibility of love and acceptance. She had let herself fall into his embrace, hoping it would be the start of something beautiful.

But that promise had turned to ashes. And she had been the one burned.

[End Flashback]

Amara blinked, her eyes focusing again on Helena’s kind face. The healer was wrapping a fresh bandage around her arm, humming softly to herself. The warmth of the room, the gentle hum, the softness of the bed—it was all so different from the cold, harsh reality she had known.

She realized then that she wanted to believe in something different, something better. Maybe Darius was right. Maybe she could start to find herself again. It wouldn’t be easy, and she wasn’t sure how to begin, but she knew one thing: she didn’t want to be a prisoner of her past anymore.

“Helena,” she said softly, her voice stronger than before. “Thank you. For everything.”

Helena smiled warmly. “You’re welcome, dear. You just focus on getting better. The rest will come in time.”

As Amara settled back against the pillows, she let herself imagine, just for a moment, what it might be like to truly be free. To heal. To find herself again. She wasn’t there yet, but maybe—just maybe—she was on her way.