Wolves of Betrayal

Chapter : 4. Fragile beginning..

Amara’s days in the Nightshade Pack blurred together in a haze of pain, rest, and cautious recovery. The more time she spent in the pack house, the more she noticed the stark contrast between the Nightshade Pack and the Blood Moon Pack. Here, she wasn’t shunned or ridiculed. She wasn’t ignored as if she didn’t matter. She wasn’t nothing.

Instead, she found herself under the watchful eyes of the pack members who, although curious and cautious, did not show hostility. Helena checked on her regularly, bringing her meals and changing her bandages with a motherly tenderness. Other pack members would pass by, nodding in acknowledgment or offering small smiles. She was a stranger, but they didn’t treat her like a threat.

And then there was Darius.

He was always around, whether sitting silently in the corner of her room or discussing pack matters just outside her door. Whenever he wasn’t present, Amara could feel his absence, like a missing anchor in the storm of her mind. She didn’t understand the bond that seemed to pull her toward him. It wasn’t like the fated mate bond she’d heard about, nor was it the twisted possessiveness she’d experienced with Killian. It was something else, something gentler, like a soft whisper at the back of her mind reminding her that she wasn’t alone.

One morning, after a particularly restful night, Amara woke up to the scent of fresh flowers. Sunlight poured in through the window, warming her face. She stretched her sore muscles, wincing slightly, but for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn’t feel the weight of dread pressing down on her chest.

Helena arrived a few minutes later, her usual kind smile lighting up her face. “Good morning, dear,” she said, setting a tray of food on the bedside table. “How are you feeling today?”

“Better,” Amara replied, her voice steadier. “Thank you… for everything.”

Helena’s smile widened. “You’re looking much better. I think a bit of fresh air would do you some good. Would you like to go outside for a while?”

The thought of leaving the safety of her room made Amara’s heart skip a beat. The idea of open spaces, of being seen, brought back memories of her life before. She hesitated, glancing down at her hands, but then she remembered Darius’s words—*I want to help you heal.*

“Yes,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I’d like that.”

Helena’s eyes sparkled with approval. “Good. I’ll let Alpha Darius know.”

Amara’s heart fluttered at the mention of his name. She didn’t understand why his presence brought her both comfort and confusion. There was something about him that was different—something that stirred a longing deep within her, a longing she had buried long ago.

A few minutes later, Darius appeared at her door, his expression softening when he saw her sitting up. “You’re looking stronger today,” he said, his voice warm.

Amara nodded, feeling a slight blush creep into her cheeks. “I… I think I’m ready to go outside.”

Darius’s lips curved into a small smile. “I think that’s a great idea. The garden’s beautiful this time of year. Would you like me to escort you?”

She hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Yes, please.”

Darius offered his arm, and she took it, feeling a strange mix of apprehension and comfort in the simple act of touching him. As they walked through the pack house, Amara’s eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings. It was a large, welcoming place, filled with natural light and the scent of pine and herbs. Pack members nodded respectfully to Darius, and their curious eyes lingered on her, but there was no malice in their gazes—only genuine interest.

They stepped outside, and Amara was immediately struck by the beauty of the garden. It was a lush, expansive space filled with blooming flowers of every color, tall trees that provided ample shade, and winding paths that led to hidden nooks. She hadn’t seen anything like it in so long that she nearly forgot how to breathe. She could feel the sun on her skin, the gentle breeze ruffling her hair. For a moment, it felt like a dream.

“It’s… beautiful,” she murmured, her voice filled with awe.

Darius watched her with a soft smile. “I thought you might like it,” he said. “There’s a bench over there if you’d like to sit and rest.”

They walked over to a wooden bench tucked beneath a flowering tree, and Amara sat down carefully, her body still weak but her spirit feeling a bit lighter. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh scent of flowers and earth. It was a small moment of peace that she hadn’t realized she needed so badly.

Darius sat beside her, a comfortable distance away, not crowding her space. He seemed to understand that she needed time to adjust, to feel safe. “You can come out here whenever you want,” he said softly. “It’s a good place to think… or to just breathe.”

Amara nodded, her eyes still closed. “Thank you… for this,” she whispered. “For everything.”

Darius watched her, his gaze gentle. “You don’t have to thank me, Amara. I just want you to feel safe. To heal.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him, searching his face for any hint of ulterior motives, but all she saw was sincerity. “Why do you care so much?” she asked quietly, her voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief.

Darius took a deep breath, his blue eyes thoughtful. “I wish I had a simple answer,” he said slowly. “But the truth is… I don’t know. When I saw you, something inside me told me that you needed help. That you needed… someone.”

Amara’s heart skipped a beat. She wasn’t used to hearing such honesty from an Alpha. She had grown accustomed to leaders who spoke with authority and power, not vulnerability. It made her feel strangely… seen.

“I’ve been on my own for so long,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know how to let someone in.”

Darius nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “That’s okay. You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Just take it one day at a time. And if you need space, I’ll give it to you. But if you need someone to talk to… I’m here.”

His words were like a balm to her soul, soothing the raw wounds left by her past. She didn’t know why, but she found herself wanting to trust him, wanting to believe that maybe, just maybe, she could find something different here.

They sat in silence for a while, the sounds of the garden surrounding them. Birds chirped overhead, and the leaves rustled in the breeze. It was a peaceful, almost magical moment, and for the first time in weeks, Amara allowed herself to relax.

But peace was fleeting, and her mind drifted back to a time she wanted to forget. She could still hear Marcus’s voice, taunting her, his eyes filled with hatred.

[Flashback: The Nightmare]

“You think you can take my brother away from me?” he had hissed, cornering her in the forest. “You’re nothing but a worthless omega. You don’t deserve him.”

She had tried to reason with him, to explain that she never wanted to come between them, but he wouldn’t listen. His jealousy and rage had blinded him, and when he lunged at her, she had acted out of pure instinct, pushing him away with all the strength she had against a nearby tree.

The next thing she knew, he was lying on the ground, his body still, his eyes empty. She had killed him. She hadn’t meant to, but it didn’t matter. Killian had found them, and all he saw was his dead brother and the woman he had once loved standing over him.

[End Flashback]

Amara’s breath hitched, and she felt herself starting to spiral. Her hands trembled, and she wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold herself together.

Darius noticed immediately. “Amara,” he said softly, his voice like an anchor in the storm. “You’re safe. You’re here with me. Breathe.”

His words cut through the panic, and she focused on his voice, on the steady rhythm of his breath. She tried to match it, inhaling slowly, exhaling carefully. Gradually, the tension in her chest eased, and the garden came back into focus.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, ashamed of her weakness. “I just… I can’t stop it sometimes. The memories.”

Darius’s eyes were filled with understanding. “You don’t have to apologize. You’ve been through something traumatic. It’s not something you can just forget. But you don’t have to face it alone.”

Amara looked at him, her eyes searching his. “Why are you so patient with me?”

Darius’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “Because I see a strength in you, Amara. A strength that’s worth waiting for. And I think… you’re stronger than you realize.”

His words settled over her like a warm blanket, comforting and reassuring. She didn’t know if she believed him, but maybe, just maybe, she could learn to see herself the way he did.

They sat there for a while longer, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. For the first time, Amara allowed herself to believe

that healing was possible—that maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to rebuild her life. And with Darius by her side, she felt a tiny spark of hope that had been buried for far too long.