Amara’s smile grew cruel as she stepped aside, watching them advance. “I won’t lay a finger on the boy. But them?” She gestured toward the beasts. “They’re not under my control.”
“NO!” I screamed, thrashing wildly. “You can’t do this! Call them off, Amara! Please!”
She waved a hand dismissively and turned her back to me, walking away like she was done with the show. “Goodnight, Marian. Try not to scream too much—it won’t help.”
“Amara! Please! Stop! Don’t leave!” My voice shattered as it rose—but she didn’t look back.
The wolves circled my baby now. Saliva dripped from their bared teeth, eyes gleaming like coals, steps slow and deliberate as they closed in. My heart tried to break free from my chest.
“Leave him alone!” I screamed, my voice hoarse and wild. “Get AWAY from him!”
But they didn’t care. A chilling snarl rang out.
The baby’s cry tore through the air—sharp, terrified.
And then… silence.
A crack—wet and final.
My mind split.
I could no longer scream. I could no longer breathe.
My baby. My son.
Gone.
My senses blurred. The world around me dimmed, spinning without sound. Where his cries once filled the air, there was now only a terrible silence that clawed into my skull. And then, cruelly, the ropes that had held me so tightly gave way.
I plummeted to the earth.
I landed hard, the wind knocked from my lungs. Shaking, I raised my head, eyes locking on what remained of the tiny form once filled with life.
The wolves turned.
They saw me now.
Their hunger remained.
Tears streaked down my face as I whispered to the sky, voice ragged and broken, “Moon Goddess… why have you turned away from me?”
Then they attacked.
And everything dissolved—
Into cold, eternal dark.
The beta warrior pushed himself through the thick underbrush, lungs burning with each rapid breath. As the lights of the pack's camp came into view, he slowed, scanning the area frantically for any sign of the Alpha. But before he could go any farther, several of Rydan’s guards caught sight of him.
“What are you doing back here?” one of them demanded, eyebrows furrowed. “Weren’t you assigned to watch Marian?”
Another snorted, arms crossed. “Why bother? It’s not like she can go anywhere. She’s securely tied up, and there’s no way off these lands.”