Chapter 144
Gina’s POV
narrowed my eyes as I approached the guard, standing tall despite being several inches shorter than him.
“Excuse me,” I said, my voice low but commanding. “Where are you keeping the survivor from the villages near Phantom
Island?”
The guard’s eyes widened slightly. “I’m not authorized to-
“I’m Gina Blackwood,” I cut him off sharply. “My brother is Alpha Nathan. I’m pretty sure I have the necessary permissions.”
I felt restless and suspicious. Nathan had been acting strange lately–those secret meetings, the hushed conversations that stopped whenever I entered a room.
Something wasn’t right about these supposed attacks from the Western Territory!
As Alpha’s sister, it’s my responsibility to learn the truth. If Nathan wouldn’t tell me what was really happening, especially regarding Rachel, I’d find out myself.
“Looking for something, Miss Blackwood?”
I spun around to find Henry Smith watching me with curious eyes. I’d seen him around the castle before–one of the refugees from the border villages. He was about my age, with sandy brown hair and alert hazel eyes.
“Not your concern,” I replied curtly, turning back to the guard.
“I could help,” Henry persisted, stepping closer. “I know where they’re keeping the survivors.”
I hesitated, studying his face for deception. Finding none, I dismissed the guard with a nod and turned my full attention to
Henry.
“Sounds good,” I said. “But…I’m going to head back for a bit.”
Later that afternoon, I was in my room packing a small bag when Henry knocked on my open door.
“What map are you looking at, Miss Blackwood?” he asked, nodding toward the parchment I was studying.
“Nothing important,” I quickly shoved it into my bag. “And just call me Gina. I don’t need all that formal nonsense.”
Henry smiled but didn’t acknowledge my request. “Why not stay here? You’ll have King Jason’s protection.”
I snorted. “Protection? More like imprisonment. My brother has forbidden anyone from leaving, but I’m not going to sit around while villages are being attacked. By the way, I want to ask why not stay here with Maya in the castle as well.”
And while Rachel might be out there somewhere, I added silently.
“Maya is safe in Emerald City,” Henry said, his eyes flashing with something I couldn’t quite identify. “But I need to find our parents. She agrees it’s the right decision.”
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Chapter 144
I studied him more carefully. “This journey will be dangerous. Do you realize how much risk you’re taking? The chances of finding them are slim.”
“Yes. But if the Alpha’s sister isn’t afraid, I shouldn’t be either, he replied with a confident smile.
“It’s not the same…” I muttered.
I’d been trained in combat since childhood, while Henry was just a regular pack member. But he knew the Western Territory terrain, which could be valuable.
I can be more useful at the Western border than behind Emerald City’s walls, I reasoned. I can help the packs being
attacked.
“I’m leaving tonight, I told him abruptly. “There’s a supply convoy heading to the outposts near the border. If you’re serious about finding your parents, meet me by the west gate at sunset.
Henry’s eyes widened. “But Alpha Nathan-”
“My brother doesn’t control me,” I snapped. “Are you coming or not?”
Henry nodded, determination hardening his features. “I’ll be there.”
Henry arrived on time at sunset. The supply truck jostled as we hit another bump in the road. I bit back a curse as my head knocked against the wooden crate beside me.
Henry and I were hidden among boxes of food and medical supplies, our only light coming from thin cracks in the truck’s paneling.
If someone had told me a week ago that I’d be hiding in a supply truck with a regular wolf heading to the dangerous Western border, I’d have thought they were insane, I mused.
Suddenly, the truck lurched violently, throwing me against Henry.
“What was that?” I whispered, immediately alert.
“Not sure. I think we hit something,” Henry replied, his voice tense.
The truck came to an abrupt stop. We heard the driver’s door open and slam shut, followed by foots gravel. Then… silence. A heavy, unnatural silence that made my skin prickle.
crunching on
“Something’s wrong,” Henry whispered. The scent of unfamiliar wolves drifted through the cracks.
“Stay here. I’ll check,” he said, carefully moving toward the back doors.
“Be careful,” I warned. “This doesn’t feel like coincidence. We’re near Dylan’s Western Territory, and considering the supplies we’re carrying, this could be an ambush.”
Henry peered through a small gap. “I don’t see the driver anywhere. But I smell strange wolves.”
My wolf thrashed restlessly inside me, instinct screaming danger. This is no random accident on these roads, my suspicion deepened.
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Clave
Chapter 145
