As Roderic advanced, his presence menacing like an impending storm, Luna's heart raced. She cast a quick peek at Kaden, who had his jaw tightly clenched and his eyes flashing. They found themselves encircled and imprisoned by a wolf whose unwavering allegiance to Darian matched his abhorrence towards anyone who ventured to oppose the Alpha.
With hardly a sound, Kaden muttered beneath his breath, "Run."
But Luna knew running wasn't an option. Roderic had already seen them together, and even if they escaped, it would only delay the inevitable. Darian would come for her, and the pack would believe the worst.
"You thought you could sneak around, conspiring in the shadows like the coward you are," Roderic sneered, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Now your rebellion dies before it even starts."
Luna squared her shoulders, forcing herself to stay calm. She couldn't let fear paralyze her now. Roderic thrived on weakness, and if she faltered, he would use it against her.
"What rebellion?" she said, her voice cold and steady. "I don't know what you think you saw, but you're wrong."
Roderic's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with malice. "I've seen enough. Darian won't need much more to tear you apart, Luna. You've been planning this for a long time, haven't you? Plotting with Kaden behind the pack's back."
"You're wrong," Kaden interjected, his voice sharp. He stepped forward, his gaze locking with Roderic's. "Luna's not part of this. She's done nothing to deserve your accusations."
"Oh, but you are guilty," Roderic snapped, his voice dripping with contempt. "And now you've dragged her into your mess. How noble of you."
Luna's heart pounded, her mind racing for a way out. She had to defuse the situation before it spiraled out of control, but Roderic was like a wolf circling its prey, waiting for the moment to strike.
"You think Darian cares about the truth?" Roderic continued, his voice rising. "He wants blood. He wants to squash any threat to his power, and you've just handed him the perfect excuse."
The weight of Roderic's words settled heavily on Luna's shoulders. He was right, in a way. Darian didn't need proof to act. The mere hint of rebellion would be enough to seal her fate. The Alpha had been growing more unstable with each passing day, and with two pack members already dead, he was on edge, ready to lash out at the slightest provocation.
Kaden stepped closer to Luna, his voice low but urgent. "We need to leave. Now."
Luna's stomach churned. She had always known the danger of aligning herself with Kaden, but now, it felt more real than ever. If they stayed, they would be hunted down, and there would be no chance to explain themselves. But running would only confirm their guilt in Darian's eyes.
Roderic took another step forward, his claws digging into the earth. "You're not going anywhere."
Before Luna could respond, Kaden moved like lightning, his body a blur of motion as he lunged at Roderic. The two wolves collided with a savage force, snarls filling the air as they grappled in the darkness. Kaden's strength was undeniable, but Roderic was just as fierce, his loyalty to Darian fueling his every strike.
Luna's heart leaped into her throat as she watched the brutal fight unfold. Every instinct screamed at her to run, to flee into the safety of the forest, but she couldn't leave Kaden behind. Not after everything.
Just as Roderic gained the upper hand, pinning Kaden to the ground with his claws poised to strike, Luna acted. Without thinking, she leaped forward, her teeth bared, and slammed into Roderic with all her strength. The force of the impact sent him tumbling, giving Kaden the chance to scramble to his feet.
Roderic growled in fury, his eyes blazing with hatred as he rose from the dirt. "You'll pay for that."
But before he could move, Kaden was at his side again, striking with precision and speed. This time, Kaden's claws tore through Roderic's side, and the loyalist yelped in pain, staggering back. Blood matted his fur, and his breath came in ragged gasps.
"You should've stayed out of this, Roderic," Kaden said, his voice cold. "Now you've made your choice."
Roderic's face twisted into a snarl, but there was fear in his eyes now. He knew he was outmatched, and his loyalty to Darian wouldn't save him from Kaden's wrath. But even in his weakened state, Roderic's resolve didn't waver.
"You think you've won?" Roderic spat, blood dripping from his mouth. "Darian will come for you. Both of you. You can't hide forever."
Kaden stepped closer, his claws still dripping with Roderic's blood. "Let him come."
For a moment, it seemed like Kaden would strike the killing blow, but then Luna spoke, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "No. Let him go."
Kaden hesitated, his eyes narrowing as he looked at her. "He'll tell Darian everything. You know that."
"I know," Luna said, her voice calm but firm. "But killing him won't solve anything. It'll only make things worse. We need to be smarter than that."
Roderic coughed, blood splattering on the ground as he struggled to stay upright. His gaze flickered between them, and for the first time, Luna saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He was scared, but his loyalty to Darian still burned strong.
"You're a fool if you think this ends here," Roderic rasped. "Darian won't rest until you're both dead."
"Then let him try," Kaden growled. But he didn't move. Instead, he stepped back, his eyes never leaving Roderic. "Get out of here. And don't come back."
Roderic hesitated for a split second, then turned and fled into the trees, his figure disappearing into the shadows. Luna watched him go, her heart still racing. She knew this was far from over. Roderic would run straight to Darian, and the Alpha would come for them with all the fury he could muster.
As the forest grew quiet once more, Kaden turned to Luna, his expression grim. "You know what this means, don't you?"
Luna nodded, the weight of their situation pressing down on her. "We don't have much time. Darian will be hunting us by sunrise."
Kaden's eyes gleamed with determination. "Then we need to move fast. If we're going to survive, we have to be ahead of him. Far ahead."
Luna's mind whirled. Everything had changed in an instant. Roderic would bring Darian's wrath down upon them, and the pack would be caught in the crossfire. But there was no turning back now. They had chosen their path, and they would have to face whatever came next together.
Just as Luna and Kaden prepared to flee, a low, menacing growl echoed from the trees. From the darkness, more wolves emerged Darian's loyalists, led by none other than Darian himself.
Darian stepped forward, his eyes glowing with rage. "Going somewhere, Luna?"