Helen POV
Standing at the training grounds with my heart thumping in my chest, I saw the moon hanging high in the sky, illuminating the trees in a silvery radiance. My strength was increasing every day as my covert training sessions with Aldric grew more rigorous. But along with that strength also a growing terror. Serena and Marcus were watching me, I knew. I felt like they were watching me, waiting for me to make a mistake.
I was unable to concede defeat. No, I wouldn't.
I noticed something moving out of the corner of my eye as I was practicing switching between my human and wolf forms. A beat skipped in my heart. Were they the ones? Were they now observing me? I spun around and rapidly scanned the tree line, but all I saw were shadows. I was still plagued by the sensation that someone was following me.
I felt a chill go down my spine and said to myself, "I have to be more careful." "They're always watching."
I had been warned by Aldric to remain hidden and not to tell anyone about my training. But it was getting difficult to hide. I felt more powerful and more like they were noticing the more I trained.
I clenched my hands and said, "I won't let them stop me." "I'll figure out how to keep Scott safe... as well as me.
Scott, meantime, had been fidgety. Something wasn't quite right, as he was beginning to realize. Although he had always had faith in Marcus, his Beta, there had been some little discrepancies lately.
Marcus stayed by his side no matter what, yet his allegiance felt... away. Marcus occasionally gave off the impression that he was trying too hard to be helpful—almost as though he was concealing something.
I stood back and watched Scott and Serena converse by the packhouse. She was trying to get into his head as she leaned in close, her voice as sweet as honey.
"You know, Scott," Serena stated in a gentle yet deceptive tone. "I think Helen is hiding something from you."
Scott crossed his arms and scowled. "What topic are you discussing?"
With feigned concern shining in her eyes, Serena said, "I've seen her sneaking around." She frequently vanishes into the forest. Who can say what she is planning? She might be preparing something. She cannot be trusted.
Although Scott's attitude tightened, I could still see hints of doubt flitting through his eyes. Part of him was beginning to believe Serena when she attempted to indoctrinate him against me.
"She has been aloof lately," Scott said quietly. "However, I'm not sure if I think she's capable of anything like that."
Serena smiled sweetly at him and shrugged. Just... Scott, keep a watch on her. For the benefit of the group.
I listened while clenching my teeth and ducking behind the woods. Serena was attempting to make Scott dislike me. Should she be successful, I would forfeit the one opportunity I had to alert him to the true threat—Marcus.
I heard something I wasn't intended to hear on my way back from training later that evening. I had a gut feeling to stay hidden as Marcus and Serena were speaking softly close to the pack's boundary.
Marcus stated, "We're running out of time," in an acerbic and irritated tone. "Scott is becoming a little suspicious."
Grinning, Serena leaned against a tree. "He has no misgivings about us. Helen is being doubted by him, as we had intended. She will be the ideal scapegoat whenever we take action.
I was shivering while I listened. They had me framed. All of their actions, including the manipulation and rumors, were intended to give Scott the impression that I was the one scheming against him.
When are we going to attack?Serena enquired, her voice brimming with anticipation.
"Quickly," Marcus answered. "Really soon." The rogues are prepared. We shall take ownership of the pack once Scott moves aside.
I sealed my lips to contain a gasp. I had underestimated how near they were to acting. I was going to be used as a scapegoat when they overthrew Scott.
I had to caution him. Before it was too late, I had to be honest with Scott. However, just as I turned to flee towards the packhouse, a twig broke beneath my foot.
Marcus looked around the trees, his head snapping up and his eyes narrowing.
What did that consist of?With a hiss, Serena peered around.
I froze in position, holding my breath. I was game over if they noticed me.
Marcus told one of the rogues who had been standing close, "Go check it out."
With a pounding heart, I silently and swiftly retreated more into the darkness, hoping they wouldn't discover me. This was not the time to let them catch me.
I ran until I reached the halfway point of the packhouse. I had to alert Scott, tell him what I'd heard. But just as I was getting closer to the forest's edge, my leg started to hurt rather badly. I staggered and glanced down to discover a rogue's trap—a wire that was coiled around my ankle and piercing my flesh.
I was seized from behind by powerful arms before I could break away. Marcus.
Marcus snarled, his hold tightening as I fought against him, "Going somewhere, Helen?"
"Leave me behind!I yelled, attempting to kick him, but to no avail. I was too weak from training and the terror that was coursing through me; he was too strong.
Marcus gave a chilly laugh. "You truly believed that you could move stealthily without us noticing? It's not as smart as you think you are.
Beside him, Serena emerged, her grin contorted with gratification. It appears that we have discovered a small spy.
As soon as I recognized what was going on, panic shot through me. They were moving me away, far away from Scott and the pack. I made an attempt to fight, but Marcus and his rogues pulled me closer to the rogue camp and more into the forest.
Marcus said to me in a whisper, "Helen, you shouldve stayed weak." "At this point, you're just an issue I have to handle."
I was tossed into a small, dark cell at the rogue camp, and fear tore at my chest. The door forcefully closed, enclosing me within chilly iron bars. There was no way out of the situation I was in.
Marcus sneered, "Enjoy your stay," as he and Serena left, leaving me in the dark.
I had no power. Captured. Scott was also unaware of what was going on.
One thought kept coming to me as I sat there in the dark, my heart racing: I had to get away. I had to alert Scott. However, how?
I wasn't sure how long I could survive in this place. And worse, I knew Marcus was planning to use me—against Scott, against the pack. I had to get out. But the question was: how?