Flora stood frozen, her heart pounding as the words repeated in her mind: "You were never meant to know the truth."
Bianca's voice still echoed in the clearing, sharp and venomous, and the cryptic message lingered like a storm cloud. Flora's knees weakened, but she steadied herself against a tree, her breath shallow. She needed answers, but nothing in Bianca's expression had betrayed a willingness to explain.
Tears pricked Flora's eyes, but she blinked them away. Her emotions couldn't win, not now. She forced herself to replay the scene—Bianca's sudden appearance, her unsettling calm, and the venom lacing her every word. Flora clenched her fists. If Bianca thought fear would silence her, she was wrong.
An hour earlier, Flora had been on edge as she walked into the forest. The dim light of dawn barely illuminated her path, and every rustle in the bushes sent shivers down her spine. Maxwell had sent her a message the night before, telling her to meet him at this exact spot. He hadn't said why, but his words had been urgent.
When she reached the clearing, she stopped short. Maxwell wasn't there. Instead, Bianca leaned casually against a tree, her expression unreadable.
"You're early," Bianca said, her tone light but her smile sharp.
Flora's instincts screamed at her to run, but she forced her voice to stay steady. "Where's Maxwell?"
Bianca shrugged, stepping closer. "He's not coming. I wanted to talk to you—just us."
Flora's muscles tensed. "What's this about?"
Bianca tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, Flora. Always so suspicious. Can't a girl have a heart-to-heart with her packmate?"
"Cut the act," Flora snapped. "What do you want?"
Bianca's smile vanished. "Fine. If you're so eager for the truth, here it is." She took another step forward, her eyes gleaming with a predatory light. "You're playing a game you don't understand, and if you're not careful, it'll destroy you."
Flora didn't back down. "Is that a threat?"
Bianca's laugh was cold. "A warning. You have no idea what's really going on, but trust me, you're better off staying ignorant."
Flora's fists clenched at her sides. "Why don't you enlighten me, then?"
Bianca stepped even closer, until their faces were inches apart. "Because some truths aren't meant for you," she whispered. "You were never meant to know the truth, Flora. Remember that."
Now, Flora was left with more questions than answers. She pushed herself away from the tree and began walking back toward the lodge, her mind racing. Maxwell had to know something—he wouldn't have sent her to that clearing without a reason. But why had he stayed away?
As Flora entered the lodge, the warm light inside felt jarring against her stormy thoughts. The common room was lively with pack members chatting and laughing, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging within her.
Luke spotted her and waved her over, his ever-present smile faltering as he saw her expression. "Flora, what happened?"
She sat beside him, her shoulders slumping. "It's Bianca. She's hiding something—something big. And Maxwell… he wasn't there. She was waiting for me instead."
Luke frowned. "What did she say?"
Flora recounted the encounter, her voice trembling with frustration. By the time she finished, Luke's jaw was tight, his carefree demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.
"This doesn't add up," he said. "Why would Maxwell send you there and not show up?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Flora replied. "But Bianca's warning—she sounded like she knew something about the vampires, or maybe even the pack. I don't know what to believe anymore."
Luke leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Then we'll find out. Together. Maxwell's been acting strange, and if Bianca's involved, we can't let this slide."
Flora nodded, grateful for his support. But even as she agreed, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that confronting Maxwell might lead to answers she wasn't ready to face.
Later that evening, Flora sat alone in her room, replaying every interaction she'd had with Maxwell and Bianca over the past few weeks. Her trust in Maxwell had always been unwavering, but now, doubt crept in like a shadow.
The knock on her door startled her. She opened it to find Seraphina, her expression unreadable.
"We need to talk," Seraphina said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.
Flora closed the door and turned to face her. "What is it?"
"Bianca," Seraphina said bluntly. "I saw her leaving the forest this morning. She looked… off. What happened?"
Flora hesitated but decided to tell Seraphina everything. By the time she finished, Seraphina's sharp gaze had darkened.
"I knew she was trouble," Seraphina muttered. "She's been too close to the council lately, asking questions she shouldn't. And now this?"
"What do you mean?" Flora asked.
Seraphina crossed her arms. "I don't have proof, but I've been watching her. She's up to something, and if she's targeting you, it's because you're a threat to her plans."
Flora's stomach churned. "What should I do?"
Seraphina's gaze softened, just enough to reveal a flicker of concern. "Stay vigilant. And don't trust anyone—not Maxwell, not even me—until you're sure of their loyalty."
Her words sent a chill through Flora, but she nodded. "I will."
Hours later, Flora found herself wandering the lodge's dimly lit halls, unable to sleep. Her footsteps echoed softly as she made her way to the training grounds, hoping the familiar routine would quiet her mind.
The clearing was empty, the moon casting eerie shadows on the ground. Flora took a deep breath and began practicing the defensive moves Seraphina had drilled into her.
The sound of footsteps made her pause. She turned, expecting to see Seraphina or Luke. But it was Maxwell.
"Flora," he said, his voice low and cautious.
She straightened, her heart pounding. "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to see you," he said, stepping closer. "I heard what happened with Bianca."
Flora's eyes narrowed. "Why weren't you there this morning? You sent me to that clearing, and she was waiting for me instead."
Maxwell hesitated, guilt flashing across his face. "I didn't know she'd be there. I swear."
"Then why did you send me?" Flora demanded.
Maxwell's gaze dropped. "Because I thought you'd be safer away from the lodge. I was wrong, and I'm sorry."
His apology felt genuine, but Flora wasn't ready to let him off the hook. "What aren't you telling me, Maxwell?