Archer slammed his fist against the table, the sound echoing through the room. "Are you really going to stand there and tell me you're choosing him?" His golden eyes blazed with fury, his wolf teetering on the edge of control.
"Stop it, Archer!" Haelyn shouted, her voice trembling as she took a step back. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she stood her ground. "This isn't about choosing anyone!"
"You're lying!" Archer growled, taking a step closer to her. "You've been looking at him…talking to him…like he's the one you care about. Don't deny it!"
Haelyn's hands trembled, but she clenched them into fists at her sides. "I'm not denying anything, but I'm not choosing him either! Stop twisting everything, Archer!"
Archer's jaw clenched as he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. His voice dropped, low and dangerous. "Then prove it."
"Prove what?" Haelyn asked, her voice breaking.
"Prove that you're not going to betray me like everyone else has," he snapped. His eyes darkened, and he took another step closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over her. "Prove it by getting rid of that child."
Haelyn froze, her breath catching in her throat. "What… what did you just say?"
"You heard me," Archer said coldly, his words cutting like a blade. "Take it out. If you won't choose me, then that child has no place here."
Her hand flew to her stomach instinctively, her eyes wide with shock. "You can't be serious…"
"I'm dead serious," he growled. "It's the only way to fix this mess before it gets worse."
Haelyn's shock quickly turned to anger, her body trembling as she raised her hand and slapped him hard across the face. The sound of the impact echoed in the room, and Archer's head snapped to the side, his eyes widening in stunned silence.
"How dare you," she whispered, her voice shaking with fury. "How dare you ask me to do that?"
Archer touched his cheek, his expression unreadable. For the first time, he was speechless.
The door creaked open, and Artemis stepped inside, his gray eyes locking onto the tension-filled scene. He quickly moved toward Haelyn, his voice calm but firm. "Haelyn, wait….don't let him get to you."
"Stay out of this, Artemis," Archer growled, his voice still raw from the slap.
"No, I won't," Artemis said sharply, stepping between them. He turned to Haelyn, his tone softening. "You don't have to stay here, Haelyn. You don't have to put up with this."
Haelyn looked at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "Artemis, please…."
"I'll never hurt you the way he does," Artemis interrupted, his voice filled with emotion. He reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
Her voice was quiet, but her words carried weight. "Yet here I am… caught in the middle of all of this."
She turned on her heel and began walking toward the door, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
"Haelyn, wait," Artemis called, grabbing her arm to stop her.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted, spinning around and slapping him across the face. The force of the slap made Artemis step back in shock.
Haelyn's voice broke as she glared at him. "Both of you… just stay away from me!"
Artemis stared at her, stunned, his hand on his cheek. "Haelyn…"
But she didn't look back. Tears spilled down her face as she stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.
The tears blurred her vision as she stumbled through the forest, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The pain in her chest felt unbearable, a mix of heartbreak, anger, and despair.
She didn't know where she was going….she just needed to get away. From Archer, from Artemis, from everything.
The sunlight filtered through the trees, but she didn't notice. Her legs moved faster and faster until she was running, the wind whipping through her hair.
And then it happened.
Her body began to change, the familiar pull of her wolf taking over. But this time, it was different. The transformation wasn't forced or painful….it felt natural, instinctual.
For the first time, Haelyn transformed in broad daylight.
Her white wolf stood in the clearing, its fur shimmering in the sunlight. She threw her head back and let out a howl that echoed through the forest, filled with anguish and defiance.
Her paws dug into the earth as she sprinted deeper into the woods, the wind rushing past her as she ran faster than she ever thought possible.
For the first time, she felt free. But the freedom was fleeting, the pain in her heart chasing her like a shadow.
From a distance, a pair of glowing eyes watched her. The figure in the shadows didn't move, didn't make a sound, but a sinister smile spread across their face.
"She's stronger than I thought," the figure murmured. "This is going to be interesting."
Arthur slammed his fist on the grand oak table, the wood creaking under the pressure. "The council members can't even decide on what to do with that little bastard!" he roared, pacing the room. "I've told them to force Archer to hand Haelyn over, but they're too scared of him. Especially Cerius! That arrogant fool gets on my damn nerves!"
Layla, lounging on the nearby chaise, smirked coyly. "Perhaps I can help you get to Archer," she said, her tone sweet and suggestive.
Arthur stopped mid-stride and spun to face her, his eyes narrowing. "Help me?" he snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "What help can you possibly offer, Layla? What are you going to do? Bat your lashes at him until he surrenders?"
Layla's smirk faltered as her face flushed with anger. "I'm just saying…."
"Enough!" Arthur barked. "You think this is a game? Do you think Archer is a man who can be swayed by your pathetic attempts at seduction? You're useless in this!"
"Arthur," Helen interjected smoothly, stepping forward. Her voice was calm, calculated. "Shouting at her won't solve anything."
Arthur glared at his wife but didn't argue. "You better have something useful to say, Helen. I'm running out of patience."
"I do," Helen said with a sly smile. "I have a plan. One that will bring Haelyn right to us."
Layla rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "And what, exactly, is so special about Haelyn? Why is everyone bending over backward for her? Why is she suddenly the most important thing in the world?" She sneered. "No one seems to care about my issues. I'm still trying to win over Archer, in case you've forgotten!"
Arthur turned to her, his face darkening. "Your petty infatuation with Archer is irrelevant. This is bigger than you, Layla. Haelyn is the key to everything."
"To what?" Layla shot back. "What makes her so damn important?"
Arthur didn't answer. He just glared at her before turning back to Helen. "What's your plan?"
Helen's smile widened. "Leave that to me. I just need time, and I'll make sure Haelyn comes running right into our hands."
Arthur nodded curtly before walking toward the door.
Malcolm, who had been silently standing in the corner, finally stepped forward. "Father, if you let me…."
Arthur waved him off without even looking. "Stay out of it, Malcolm. I don't need your input right now."
Malcolm's hand clenched into a fist at his side as he watched his father walk out of the room. His jaw tightened, his thoughts a venomous swirl of rage.
"When I finally get rid of that bitch," Malcolm thought darkly, "maybe I'll finally be worthy in your eyes, Father."
Layla huffed, standing abruptly. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, storming toward the door.
Helen watched her leave with a calm smile, her mind already working through the details of her plan. "Don't worry," she said softly to herself. "Soon, Haelyn will be ours. And then, everything will fall into place."