Helen's POV
I was helpless. Anger was shining in the rogues' eyes as they closed in. I prepared for the worst as Scott abruptly sprang forward. In a matter of seconds, he was between me and the rogues as his snarl boomed across the clearing.
"Back off!" Scott let out a low, menacing howl.
The rogues paused, looking at one another. Even though Scott appeared to be torn, they knew better than to defy an Alpha.
My leg ached from the fall, and I fought to stand. "Scott..." I began, but he didn't look at me, and my voice was faint. He was totally preoccupied with the rogues.
Scott attacked without saying another word. With a single blow, he overwhelmed the first rogue, his wolf quick and his motions accurate. When the others realized they couldn't compete with him, they withdrew and vanished into the forest.
Scott turned to me with a stern expression after they had left. He asked in a chilly tone, "Are you okay?"
With a constricted throat, I nodded. "I yes, I'm fine."
He inhaled deeply while continuing to look away from me. "What happened?" He seemed to be trying to control his emotions by clipping his voice.
The gap between us was more painful to me than my wounds. "It's a long story," I said as I glanced at the floor.
Scott's face remained stern. "Helen, I need answers. "Now."
I hobbled up to a downed tree and took a seat, attempting to collect my thoughts. "Marcus is behind this," I muttered. "He and Serena have been scheming to harm you. They have been collaborating with the rogues.
Scott narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms. "You're saying Marcus betrayed me?"
"Yes!" I almost yelled. "I overheard them conversing. Scott, they want to take you down. They may have been organizing it for weeks.
Scott's mouth clenched. His annoyance was evident as he paced ahead of me. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
I muttered, "I tried," as his allegations still burned. However, you refused to listen. You've been aloof and didn't have faith in me.
Anger flared in his eyes, but it wasn't at me. "Helen, this is serious. The entire pack is in danger if what you're saying is accurate.
"I know!" Despite my leg's protests, I got up. "I've been training and observing them for that reason. I needed evidence, but Marcus caught me and tossed me into that rogue camp before I could alert you."
With his hands balled into fists, Scott turned his head away. He muttered, "I don't know what to believe anymore."
His remarks were like a kick to the stomach. My voice broke as I continued, "You don't trust me."
Scott's eyes were conflicted as he looked at me. "Trust isn't the issue. It's...difficult."
"It's not complicated, Scott!" Feeling my frustration erupt, I snapped. "I've been risking my life to protect this pack, to protect you, and you're acting like I'm the enemy!"
He started to reply, but before he could finish, a howl rang out from the trees.
Both of us froze.
Marcus was standing in the center of a gang of rogues back at the rogue camp, his face contorted with rage. He spat out, "Helen escaped," and began to pace wildly. "She's probably already told Scott everything."
The renegade took a step forward. "What do we do now?"
Marcus's eyes gleamed with venom and he stopped pacing. "We launch an assault. "Tonight."
The rogues' eyes glowed with anticipation as they muttered in agreement.
Another rogue noted, "But we don't have enough forces," "Scott's pack is strong."
Marcus grinned. "It's not necessary for us to defeat them all at once. All we must do is sufficiently weaken them. The pack will turn against Scott once they no longer believe he is a capable leader. And I'll be prepared to assume control."
With a ruthless grin, Serena emerged from the darkness. "You're sure this will work?"
Marcus gave a nod. "For weeks, I've been showing doubt in Scott's mind. He won't know who to trust by the time we're done."
Serena's eyes shone brightly. "All right. Let's get this done."
Marcus held out his hand, telling the rogues to get ready. "By the time the sun rises, Blueblood Pack will be ours."
The howl reverberated through the air, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Scott's face turned white.
He whispered as he looked around the trees, "That's the warning call," "The pack is under attack."
My heart pounded. "It's Marcus," I mentioned, holding his arm. "He's leading the rogues."
Scott's expression stiffened. He said, "Stay here," and turned to face the group.
I stopped him by grabbing his hand. "No! I will accompany you. I can assist.
For an instant, he paused, his gaze meeting mine. At last, he murmured, "Fine," in a low voice. "But stay close."
The noises of warfare became louder with each step as we ran into the woodland together. Chaos awaited us as we approached the boundary of the pack's domain. The sound of rogues' snarls and growls filled the air as they engaged Scott's troops in combat.
Scott's attitude was stern as his eyes scanned the area. "We're outnumbered," he whispered.
I suppressed the surge of fear that hit me. I said, "We can still win," attempting to seem more courageous than I was. "We just have to take down Marcus."
With a resolute, dark gaze, Scott nodded. "I'll track him down. You...remain secure."
Scott transformed into a wolf and charged into the battle before I could react.
He vanished into the fight, and I stood there for a while. Worry tore up my heart, but I couldn't just watch helplessly. I needed to locate Marcus.
As I made my way through the trees, I stayed in the shadows and looked for him. Despite the noises of fighting all around me, I maintained my concentration. This had to be over. for the group. For Scott.
Then I suddenly saw him, Marcus, standing at the edge of the clearing, smiling cruelly as he led the rogues.
It made my blood boil. This was the man who had attempted to ruin everything we had created and had deceived us all.
With my fists clenched, I took a step forward. "Marcus!" I cried out.
When he turned to face me, his smile faded. "Helen," he remarked in a mockingly worried tone. "I didn't expect you to survive."
I responded, "I know what you've done," my voice trembling with rage. "And I'm going to stop you."
Marcus laughed. "You? Stop me? Don't be so dumb, Helen. You never had the strength to oppose me."
Even though his words hurt, I forced myself to ignore them. "Perhaps not earlier. But I've changed as a person."
The rogues around Marcus stiffened before he could reply. Scott was standing behind them when they turned.
He had anger in his dark eyes.
Marcus grinned. "All right, all right. It appears that the Alpha has finally decided to appear.
Scott remained silent. His wolf was on the surface, and he simply growled.
Marcus put up his hands in a gesture of simulated submission. "What's wrong, Scott? No longer sure whom to trust?
I could see the hesitancy in Scott's eyes as they briefly looked at me. He wasn't entirely convinced by me. Not quite yet.
"Scott," I whispered as I moved in his direction. "It is accurate. I'm telling you the truth. Marcus deceived you. He has always collaborated with the rogues.
Scott's eyes narrowed, but Marcus sprang at him before he could react.
In that split second, I saw the truth in Scott's eyes. He finally understood. But it was too late. Marcus was already upon him, and the battle for the pack had truly begun.