Emma POV
As I returned to my apartment after grabbing coffee with Melody, Inara's voice echoed within my mind, providing a sense of comfort and strength that I desperately needed. The morning had been a relentless onslaught, the constant sound of my own thoughts drowning out everything else. I tried to ignore Clay's presence, to drown out the sight of him with Liz, but the pain persisted, like a sharp ache in my chest. I yearned for an easier solution, questioning why the moon goddess would subject me to such torment. Inara whimpered in my mind, her sympathy merging with my own anguish.
Lost in contemplation, I gazed out of my window at the world outside, torn between conflicting emotions. The sunlight cast a warm glow on the buildings, contrasting the turmoil within me. I grappled with the weight of my choices, uncertain of how to navigate this complicated situation.
The need for support and solace grew stronger within me, urging me to confide in someone. My brother, the one I trusted the most, came to mind. As I prepared to reach out to him, my phone buzzed, interrupting my train of thought. I picked it up, feeling the vibration against my fingertips, and saw that it was a message from Ryan.
Reading his words, I absorbed the gravity of the situation. Ryan's pack had been tracking the hunters, and they had discovered the hunters' current location. The information revealed their intention to breach the werewolf realm, a mere few hours away from where I stood. The news struck me with disbelief, as I had thought that entrance was sealed off. However, it seemed that the hunters had somehow obtained the means to break through the protective seal.
Recalling the extensive measures my family had taken in sealing off most entrances to our realm, a mix of potent magic and the assistance of witches, I understood the necessity for this safeguard. The hunters had proven themselves to be cunning adversaries, unwilling to entertain the concept of peace. Their relentless pursuit threatened the safety of those residing in our realm.
My phone buzzed once again, this time with a photo. As I anxiously opened the message, my heart seemed to cease its rhythm. The photo revealed Clay, confirming the suspicions that had been gnawing at my insides. It felt as if a dagger had pierced my chest, the pain intensifying with undeniable proof.
With a trembling hand, I clicked on Ryan's number, urgency prompting me to call him immediately. He answered promptly, the sound of his voice calming my racing thoughts. I wasted no time in getting to the point, desperate for information.
"The hunters, where are they now?" I asked, my voice filled with urgency.
"My pack warriors are on their trail," Ryan responded. "It appears they are heading towards the entrance."
A surge of determination coursed through me as Inara's voice resonated in my mind. We had to act swiftly to prevent our mate from crossing over.
"We have to stop him," Inara insisted , her voice filled with urgency. As I listened to her, I took a deep breath, the scent of anticipation filling my nostrils as I tried to steady myself.
"I would like to assist," I said to Ryan. "Are you going to be going as well?"
"Yes," Ryan replied, his voice firm. "The hunters have been a great threat to my pack. I am to oversee that they are handled swiftly."
"Please bring me with you," I pleaded, my voice filled with desperation. Ryan hesitated for a moment, the silence hanging heavy over the phone. But he did not decline me. "Be ready in fifteen. It would be an honor to have you assist our pack. Thank you," he said, his words laced with gratitude.
As I hung up the phone, a sense of unease settled upon me. I knew I had to keep this mission a secret from my family. The thought of their disapproval weighed heavily on my shoulders. I couldn't let Clay, my mate, hurt my kind. Nor could I allow for him to be hurt. Our lives were intertwined, whether I liked it or not, and I had to keep him safe.
Ryan arrived swiftly, the sound of his car engine rumbling as he pulled up. I climbed into the car, the leather seats cool against my skin. "I need all the information you have gathered on the hunters," I said to him. He nodded, his eyes focused on the road ahead as we sped towards our destination.
"Clay seems to be working under a man named Skade," Ryan began, his voice filled with a mix of concern and anger. "We had our suspicions about Clay since he came to this area, but we never once caught him with the hunters until today."
"I know the name Skade," I sighed, my voice filled with both bitterness and fear. Skade was known for his cruelty, his actions leaving a trail of death and destruction. Rumors had it that he worked with the rogues and played both sides. Could Clay really be involved with him?
"Emma, is Clay your mate?" Ryan's question caught me off guard.
I sighed, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. "He is," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
"He has no clue, does he?" Ryan asked, his voice filled with understanding.
I shook my head, the weight of my secret burdening me. "No, he doesn't. I know he is our enemy, but I still must protect him. I hope you can understand," I said.
"I will link the warriors from my pack that are ahead of us to only capture, not kill," Ryan said, his voice filled with caution. I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, knowing that Clay, my mate, was involved with a dangerous crowd. The sight of the world passing by outside the window seemed distant and blurred, as if it mirrored my own confusion.
"Clay may be a hunter, but I can't shake the feeling that he's different," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The sound of my own doubts echoed in my ears, drowning out the noise of the road beneath us.
Ryan shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and resignation. "They recruit with lies," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "It's like a cult, impossible to escape from. They have contracts, binding themselves to the cause. And if anyone tries to leave, they're killed."
"They portray us as soulless beasts," he continued, his voice tinged with anger. "But it's the ones in charge of the hunters who are using us, exploiting our abilities for their own gain."
I listened intently, the weight of the revelation settling deep within me.
"We've captured a few hunters," Ryan revealed, his voice heavy with regret. "We don't wish for their deaths, for we live amongst humans as a pack in this world. We've tried to reason with them, to free them from the shackles of brainwashing, but they were too far gone."
"We need to find a way to expose them," I said. "They're becoming a greater threat with each passing day. My brother mentioned they're delving into the werewolf realm, using unknown weapons. I fear for what the future holds."
Ryan nodded. "Many of us have tried to expose them," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "But their base remains elusive, and proving their true intentions is a challenge. The hunters, the ones who see us as the evil, they need to witness the truth with their own eyes."
A sense of purpose washed over me, mingling with the fear and uncertainty. It felt as if the moon goddess herself had guided me to this moment, as if my struggles and hardships were meant to lead me here. "Maybe this is my purpose," I mused aloud. "Maybe this is why my mate is a hunter.”
The familiar voice of my brother, Noah, echoed in my mind. "Your silence tells me something's wrong," he said.
I sighed, knowing he could sense my unease through our telepathic link. "I'm okay, Noah. I'll tell you everything soon," I replied, my words tinged with apprehension.
The car ride continued in silence, hours passing by in a blur. Finally, we arrived at a building, its imposing presence looming before us. "My pack warriors stopped here," Ryan informed me, his voice cutting through the stillness.
"The hunters are close. The entrance, as you know, is in the woods about a mile from here." I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "We stick together," Ryan stated firmly, his eyes locking with mine. I could sense his protective nature, his responsibility towards me for allowing me to join them on this dangerous mission.
Suddenly, a warrior sprinted towards us, his presence commanding attention. He looked at me with reverence, addressing me as the Lycan princess. I offered him a warm smile before he turned to Ryan. "Two factions of hunters are working together," he revealed. "Another car joined Skade's team, all the hunters wearing masks, making it impossible to identify them. They had two wolf captives, and one group of mixed hunters has already entered the entrance. We were too late to intervene."
Panic surged through me. "I'll lead some of the warriors into the werewolf realm now," Ryan declared.
Ryan looked at me, his eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "Emma, I have not used this entrance before. Is there a reason it was sealed?"
I nodded my head, the movement barely perceptible. "There is a training academy for the kingdom and surrounding packs not far past the entrance," I replied. "It houses werewolves in training, some of them not even eighteen yet. For their protection, the entrance was sealed."
As Ryan processed my words, a low growl rumbled in his chest. "We need to move quickly then, if hunters are moving near those who can't even shift," he growled.
I knew that when I alerted my family to all that was happening, I would make sure Ryan and his pack received the recognition they deserved. They were standing up not just for their pack, but for our kind as a whole.
We moved through the forest, the rustling of leaves under our feet blending with the distant sounds of birdsong. I had been well-trained to stay undetected, and the forest seemed to envelop us in its protective embrace. As we grew closer to the entrance, our eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of danger. Spotting a group of hunters, we knew we had to be cautious. But the size of the entrance provided us with an advantage, making it easier for us to slip past unnoticed. Some of Ryan's warriors would still need to act as a distraction, drawing the hunters away and allowing us a brief window of opportunity to enter the werewolf realm.
As we pressed forward through the entrance, the scent of damp earth mingled with the crisp scent of pine, filling my nostrils. But amidst the natural aromas, Clay's distinct scent hit me like a wave. Inara, always eager and impulsive, tried to push forward, but I had to hold her back, reminding her of the need for caution.
The air was thick with tension, as if the forest itself held its breath. As we approached the academy, the blaring of alarms pierced the silence, their shrill sound signaling an imminent attack. A mix of adrenaline and fear coursed through my veins, heightening my senses.
"Emma, you're back in our realm," my brother's voice resonated in my mind. I should have known he would sense my return. "I'll explain everything later, Noah," I replied through our telepathic link. "Right now, I need you to alert Mom and Dad. The entrance closest to the training academy has been breached by hunters.”
"On it, stay safe Emma," Noah said reassuringly. The words of my brother filled me with a surge of confidence, making this task a bit easier. Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked a section of the academy, sending flames shooting up into the air. The acrid smell of smoke filled my nostrils. The sound of terrified screams pierced through the chaos, intensifying the sense of urgency.
Anger surged through my veins, fueling my determination. This school It was a sanctuary for the kingdom's young warriors, innocent pups who were now under attack. The hunters were not sparing anyone, not even the innocent ones. Could this really be the person I was destined to be with? Could I ever accept the love of someone capable of hurting the innocent?
"No, Emma, our mate can't be evil," Inara pleaded desperately, her voice filled with conviction. "He is not the one behind this, I can feel it. We have to find him, we have to stop him." Her words resonated with me, urging me to act swiftly. Without a moment's hesitation, I bolted into the academy, diving into the madness that unfolded before me. The sights of Ryan and his warriors joining the fight fueled my determination even further. I had to aid them, and I had to find my mate. I needed to confront him.