Chapter Ten: Into the Darkness
Nora's POV
The night air crisp against my skin as I stepped outside, pulling my robe tighter around me.
Behind me, the packhouse was quiet, its as if everyone had suddenly gone into a deep sleep.
I walked out of the pack because I needed space.
Needed to think.
But, Keal's kiss still lingers in my mind.
Killian's anger was still fresh in my mind as well.
The overwhelming pull of the mate bond I had spent so long trying to ignore.
It was all too much.
I sighed, tilting my head back, eyes tracing the stars. "Why did the Goddess choose this for me?" I whispered.
There was no answer.
Just the rustling of the wind through the trees.
Then, softly—
Lara's voice stirred in my mind.
You're not alone.
I exhaled. "I feel like I am. I just hope everything will just go smoothly."
" But You're not". Lara's voice echoed through my mind, as if there was a flick of hope in her voice.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of her presence.
I had pushed her away for days—ever since the fight with Alex. I blamed her for what happened. But deep down, I knew.
It wasn't just her.
I had lost control, too. Alex deserves what happened, even though I know I hated the Alpha's, at that point I felt a bit hurt when she said those words.
"Lara… what do I do?" I asked quietly. "I'm just so confused. Do you think I'm overdoing it?".
"Maybe it's time," she murmured. "Maybe it's time you give them a chance. Especially Killian."
My brows furrowed. "Why? He treats me like property. He likes taking control."
Lara hesitated.
Then, softly—
"That Because he doesn't know how to love."
I gripped the edges of my robe.
I hated Killian's control, his possessiveness, and the way he expected me to submit. But… was it cruelty?
Or was it all he knew how to do?
Unlike keal who treats me with kindness, Killian is just a total dick.
I shook my head, pushing the thought away. "I don't know, Lara. I just… I don't know. This is so hard to decide, with the bond connecting us I just can't tell my feelings any longer" I whisper the last one.
"You don't have to decide right now. " Her voice was gentle. "Just think about it".
I nodded. Even though I wasn't sure if I could.
Then—
A sound.
Rustling.
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. As I try to listen.
My head snapped to the left, eyes narrowing at the dark woods.
The sound was faint—barely there. A shift of branches, a crunch of leaves, something just out of sight.
I scanned the area, pulse quickening.
Nothing.
I exhaled. Probably just the wind.
Or maybe a rabbit or a bush animal I guess.
Shaking my head, I turned back toward the house.
Then—
I heard it again.
At first I thought it was just a normal sound but this time.
Closer.
I stopped, breath catching.
I wasn't alone.
The scent in the air shifted—subtle, but wrong.
Something unfamiliar.
A chill ran down my spine.
Slowly, I turned, my heart hammering.
But the path behind me was empty.
The night was still.
Too still.
I swallowed hard. Get back inside.
I forced my legs to move.
But the moment I took a step—
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
I gasped, stumbling back.
The man stood directly in my path, face hidden beneath a dark mask.
Tall. Silent. Unmoving.
Lara snarled in my mind, her fury rising. I could feel her almost trying to take control in case.
Danger.
I took another step back, my body tensing. "Who are you?"
He didn't answer.
I clenched my fists. "If this is some kind of joke— Or if this is one if the Alpha's prank or ways of revenge"
Then—
He lunged.
I barely had time to react before he was on me.
I dodged, heart pounding, my wolf's instincts kicking in. Lara surged forward, her presence flooding through me like fire.
Fight.
I did.
I swung my leg, aiming for his ribs—but he was fast.
Too fast.
He dodged effortlessly, his movements sharp, controlled.
I barely blocked his next attack before he struck again, his speed unnatural.
This wasn't a rogue.
This wasn't some random attacker.
This man was trained.
It almost reminds me of Alex or could this be one of Alex trainers?.
Lara, help me! I pushed her forward, trying to shift.
But the moment I tried—
Pain.
Blinding, searing pain.
A sharp, burning ache push through my chest, sending me staggering.
I—I can't shift! Lara's voice was panicked.
I had no time to process it before—
The masked man struck again.
He grabbed my wrist, twisting hard. Pain flared up my arm as he yanked me forward, slamming me against his chest.
I thrashed wildly, kicking, clawing, fighting. My nails raked across the fabric of his mask—
He didn't even flinch.
"Let me go!" I snarled, struggling against his grip.
No response.
Just cold.
I twisted, managing a solid kick to his side. He grunted—but his grip barely loosened.
Then, before I could move again—
A second figure emerged from behind me.
A second masked man.
I didn't even get the chance to turn before—
Something thick and damp was pressed against my mouth deeper.
I inhaled sharply—
And immediately regretted it.
A sickly-sweet scent flooded my lungs.
Wolfsbane.
My limbs went weak instantly. My body slumped against my attacker as the world tilted.
No.
No, no, no.
I tried to fight, tried to claw at the hand covering my mouth—
But my strength was slipping too fast.
Lara howled in my mind, thrashing desperately against the force pulling us down.
But it was too strong.
My knees buckled.
Darkness crept at the edges of my vision.
And then—
I saw them.
A pair of green eyes watching from the shadows.
Dorian.
Then—
Nothing.