Chapter 18
Astrid's POV
With my decision made, there was no time to easte. And besides, the day was getting darker. It was time I stopped being so passive and took matters into my own hands. It seemed like I was always running away when things got tough but this was an opportunity to get my life back on track. To take control of my life.
"You're the best thing to ever happen to me, you know that right?" I asked Sheena.
"Well, you would be lost without me either way." She chuckled.
I picked up my drawing book, its worn cover a familiar comfort in my hands. Then, I turned and walked back towards the dilapidated building that had served as my room for less than a night. Taking in the building, I laughed. I should have thrown something in Mary's face when she told me this was where I was going to be living. But it was too late for that now.
Inside, I gathered the few clothes that were still in decent condition, folding them carefully and placing them in a small bag. There wasn't much to salvage, but I took what I could, clinging to the remnants of my old life as I prepared to step into the new.
As I made my way back towards the main pack grounds, a prickling sensation ran down my spine. Sheena's senses were heightened, her awareness stretching out, picking up on the slightest disturbances in the surrounding environment.
"We're being watched, Astrid," she warned, her voice sharp and urgent in my mind. "Someone's out there, lurking in the shadows, monitoring our movements."
My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline surging through my veins. I scanned the surrounding trees, my eyes straining to look through the darkness, but I saw nothing. The forest was silent, still, and deceptively peaceful.
I forced myself to take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing pulse. Whoever was watching me hadn't made a move yet, so I couldn't afford to panic. Panicking would make them alert at the fact that I knew I was being watched. I needed to stay alert, to trust Sheena's instincts, and to get out of this isolated area as quickly as possible.
Pretending that I had no idea I was being watched and followed, I continued my walk, my steps measured and deliberate. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to ignore the prickling feeling I felt.
Where I was, was a secluded part of the pack grounds, far from the bustling activity of the main settlement. If something were to happen here, no one would know. Not even Kaeleen.
My pace quickened as I neared the edge of the forest. It would be better if I could get there quickly. If there were eyes around then I could avoid these people.
Suddenly, figures emerged from the shadows, blocking my path from all sides. They were six in number, their eyes glowing with an eerie intensity in the fading light. I recognized them instantly. They were guards, enforcers of Leon's will, loyal to the pack and ruthless in their obedience.
"What do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly but firm.
They said nothing, their faces impassive, their bodies tense and ready for action. They simply stared at me, their silence more menacing than any words could have been.
Then, without warning, they attacked.
I knew I was outnumbered, outmatched. There were at least six of them, all bigger and stronger than me. But I couldn't back down. I had to fight, to protect myself.
With a surge of adrenaline, I shifted, letting Sheena take control. My bones cracked and twisted as she took over.
Sheena roared, her voice echoing through the forest, a challenge to our attackers. We lunged forward, claws extended, teeth bared, ready to defend ourselves with every ounce of strength we possessed.
But it wasn't enough.
The guards were well-trained, experienced fighters. They moved with a coordinated precision, surrounding us, cutting off our escape routes. They were relentless, their attacks coming from all directions, overwhelming our defenses.
We fought with everything we had, biting, clawing, and snarling, but we were weakening. Our energy was fading, our body was battered and bruised. The guards were too strong, too many.
Finally, a blow landed, a crushing force that sent us sprawling to the ground. We tried to get up, to continue the fight, but our legs wouldn't obey. Our vision blurred, our head swam, and darkness began to creep in at the edges of our awareness.
As I felt myself losing consciousness, I thought of Kaeleen. He would think I didn't want to meet him but he was wrong. I was on my way already.
Then, everything went black.
I woke up with a gasp, my head throbbing, my body aching. I was lying on a soft surface, my senses disoriented, my mind struggling to make sense of my surroundings.
I blinked, trying to focus my blurry vision. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with a heavy, musky scent that made my stomach churn. It was a large room, lavishly decorated with expensive furniture and ornate artwork. But there was something unsettling about it, something that made my skin crawl.
As my vision cleared, I realized where I was.
I was in Leon's room.
My heart leaped into my throat, panic seizing me. How had I gotten here? What had happened?
I tried to sit up, but my body protested, every muscle screaming in pain. I was sore, bruised, and utterly exhausted.
Just then, the door opened, and Leon walked in.
He was wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, his muscular chest bare, his dark hair damp from a recent shower. He looked powerful, intimidating, and utterly devoid of emotion.
His eyes met mine, and a flicker of something unreadable passed across his face. It wasn't anger, or sadness, or even surprise. It was something colder, something darker.
He stared at me for a long moment, his silence more terrifying than any threat. Then, a slow, cruel smile spread across his lips.
"Welcome back, Astrid," he said, his voice low and menacing. "I've been expecting you."
The fuck?