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Chapter 19: Moonless Night
Thunder cracked above as Liana ran through the dark forest. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking her clothes and washing away her tracks. The herbs Talia had given her to hide her scent were working, but the storm made it hard to see where she was going.
"I have to keep moving," she whispered to herself, pushing wet hair from her face. Her heart felt like it was breaking with each step away from the pack lands—away from the triplets. The image of Alpha Thorne's thoughts haunted her. The girl must be removed before the final trial.
Lightning flashed, showing a steep path down a rocky hill. As Liana carefully made her way down, her foot slipped on the wet stones. She fell down, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through her ankle.
"No, not now," she groaned, trying to stand. It wasn't broken, but it was definitely twisted.
Thunder boomed again, closer this time. But there was another sound too—footsteps. Someone was following her. Liana dragged herself behind a big rock, holding her breath.
The footsteps grew louder, then stopped.
"I know you're there, Liana." Jace's words cut through the storm. "Your herbs might hide your scent, but I know how you think."
She stayed silent, hoping he'd move on.
"I'm not leaving without you," he called out. "So you can either come out, or I'll sit here in the rain all night. Your choice."
Liana closed her eyes, fighting tears. "Go away, Jace. Please."
He appeared around the rock, his hair plastered to his face, eyes blazing in the darkness.
"Not happening."
"You don't understand," she said, trying to move away. "Your father is planning to—"
"I know." His voice was hard. "I've suspected for weeks. That's why I've been watching his talks."
Liana stared at him. "You knew? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was trying to protect you," Jace knelt beside her, noticing her injury. "You're hurt."
"It doesn't matter. I have to get away from here—from all of you. Talia had a vision. If you stay with me, one of you will die."
Jace's jaw tightened. "I'm not afraid of some vision."
"You should be!" Lightning highlighted the tears on her face. "I can't lose any of you. Don't you understand? I'd rather be alone forever than watch one of you die because of me."
The rain grew heavy. Jace looked around at the darkening trees.
"We need protection. There's a cave not far from here. Can you walk?"
Before she could answer, he scooped her up in his arms.
"Put me down," she protested.
"Not a chance, sunshine." His usual smirk was gone, replaced by purpose. "I followed you for days before I 'found' you the first time. I'm not losing you again."
The cave was small but dry. Jace set Liana down gently, then used his lighter to ignite some dry twigs he found inside.
"Why did you really follow me that first time?" Liana asked quietly as warmth from the small fire started to fill the cave.
Jace was quiet for a moment. "I kept thinking about you. A girl with golden-brown eyes I'd never met. It drove me crazy, so I started looking."
"You never told me that."
"Yeah, well, 'I stalked you because of my dreams' didn't seem like the best way to win you over."
His attempt at humor fell flat. Liana tried to smile but winced as she moved her ankle. Jace moved closer to examine it.
"It's growing. Here," he tore a strip from his shirt and began wrapping her ankle. His gentleness surprised her. This wasn't the wild, careless Jace everyone knew. His fingers moved with care, and his thoughts—which she could now hear clearly—were focused only on helping her.
I can't lose her. Not now. Not ever.
"Jace, I—"
A low growl from outside cut her off. Both froze.
"Rogues," Jace whispered, standing slowly. "At least five of them."
Liana tried to stand but fell back. "They followed us here."
"Stay behind me." Jace moved toward the cave opening, his body tense and ready to shift.
The first rogue appeared—a massive wolf with matted gray fur and sparkling yellow eyes. Then another. And another. They formed a half-circle outside the cave, trapping them.
"Can you shift?" Jace asked without turning.
"I'm too weak," Liana revealed. The pain and exhaustion had drained her.
One of the rogues stepped forward, changing into a human form—a woman with wild red hair and scars across her face.
"The Alpha's pet and the Silverblood," she hissed. "Darius will be pleased."
Jace growled. "You're not taking her anywhere."
The woman laughed. "Look around, pup. You're outnumbered."
Something stirred inside Liana—an old power she'd felt only glimpses of before. Selene's voice whispered in her mind: Your blood holds command. Use it.
Liana struggled to her feet, ignoring the pain.
"Liana, what are you—" Jace started.
"STOP!" she yelled at the rogues, her voice unnaturally powerful.
To everyone's surprise, the rogues froze in place. The woman's eyes opened in shock.
For a moment, Liana felt victory.
Then, without notice, pain exploded in her head. She screamed, falling to her knees as blood trickled from her nose. The spell over the rogues broke. They advanced, growling.
Jace leapt forward, shifting mid-air into his wolf form—a sleek, dark brown creature with eyes that glowed green in the darkness. He charged the nearest rogue, tearing into its shoulder.
Through her pain, Liana watched in fear as Jace fought against impossible odds. He was tough, but there were too many. A big black rogue slammed into him, sending him crashing against the cave wall. Jace slumped to the ground, unmoving.
"NO!" Liana screamed, trying to crawl toward him.
The rogues closed in. This was it. They were going to die here, all because she tried to run away.
"ENOUGH!"
A deep voice boomed from outside the cave. The rogues immediately backed away, heads bowed in submission.
A tall person stepped into the firelight. Liana's blood turned cold. She'd never seen him before, but somehow, she knew exactly who he was.
"Darius," she whispered.
The rogue Alpha looked nothing like she'd imagined. He was handsome in a harsh way, with dark eyes that held ages of pain. The scar across his face did nothing to lessen his commanding presence.
"Hello, niece," he said, his voice strangely gentle.
Liana's mind raced. "How did you find me?"
"I've been watching you for weeks," Darius knelt before her, examining her bleeding nose with worry. "You tried to use the Silverblood order, didn't you? Without proper training, it could kill you."
"Stay away from her!" Jace groaned, struggling to awareness.
Darius ignored him. "You're in danger, Liana. Not from me—from those you think protect you. Thorne plans to use you to increase his power, then discard you once he's done."
"Why should I believe you?" Liana demanded.
"Because I'm the only one who truly understands what you are." Darius held out his hand. "Come with me freely, and I'll spare your friend. I can teach you to control your skills, to never feel that pain again."
"Don't listen to him," Jace warned, trying to stand but failing.
Darius's face hardened. "The answer is simple. Come with me now, or watch him die. My rogues are hungry, and I won't hold them back a second time."
Liana looked from Darius to Jace, who was badly hurt but still trying to protect her. The rogues growled, inching closer to Jace's vulnerable form.
"What's it going to be, niece?" Darius asked. "His life or your freedom?"
Rain continued to pour outside as lightning illuminated the cave opening. Liana had never felt more stuck, or more alone.
She took a deep breath and made her choice.
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