Cassia's POV
I was jolted out of my daze of agony and fatigue by the sound of footfall. As I prepared for another battle, I attempted to stand, my legs swaying under me. It was someone else's scent in the air, not Ronan's or his rogues.
I halted when a stern voice said, "Don't move."
A woman emerged from the shadows, her dark hair pulled back, her emerald eyes penetrating me suspiciously. Despite her disheveled appearance and ripped clothing, she maintained a confident and solid stance.
"Who are you?" With a scratchy voice from fighting, I asked.
With a sneer on her lips, she cocked her head. "That's what I should be asking you. You're bleeding and stumbling around like a lost puppy, which isn't exactly how you fit in with the jungle.
I squinted. "I am capable of managing myself."
She looked over the bodies of the rogues I had vanquished and answered drearily, "Sure, you can." "However, Ronan is not finished with you, and you will die before dawn if you remain here."
My chest constricted as Ronan's name was spoken. "How are you aware of Ronan?"
Her face grew serious. "Because I've spent years hunting him." She lowered her voice and took a step closer. "I'm not alone, either."
I paused. Was she someone I could trust? Although she didn't appear to be Ronan's ally, it didn't make her any less dangerous.
"What are you doing to help me?" I inquired.
She answered, "Let's just say we have a common enemy." "The adversary of my adversary, and so forth." She folded her arms. "My name is Lila. And you'll need my assistance if you hope to live long enough to defeat Ronan.
The way she spoke, as if she already had the upper hand, annoyed me. In actuality, though, she was correct. This couldn't be done by me alone.
"All right," I answered firmly. "However, this does not imply that I trust you."
Lila grinned. "All right. It would be foolish to trust.
I followed Lila to a tiny cave tucked away in the middle of the jungle. Even though it was chilly and dark, it was preferable to being outside. She flung me a bundle of linen and plants.
"Repair yourself," she said. "If you can't stand, you are useless to me."
I began cleansing my wounds while giving her a look. I gritted my teeth and worked rapidly despite the sting of the herbs.
"What makes you want to murder Ronan so much?" After a moment, I inquired.
She stirred something over the heat and her hands froze. "He murdered my family," she muttered. "The same way he killed yours."
Her remarks were like a kick to the stomach. "How are you aware of my family?"
She looked directly into my eyes and stated, "I know more than you think." "And you must stop fighting like a cornered rabbit and start fighting like a wolf if you want retribution."
I balled my fists up. "My entire life, I have been fighting."
Lila retorted, "Not like this, you haven't." "You must be stronger, faster, and smarter if you wish to defeat Ronan. He is not merely an outlaw. He is a monster.
It hurt to hear her say it, but it was true. I still wasn't strong enough. However, I would be.
The days that followed were cruel. I never received any leniency from Lila.
She yelled, "Get up!" when I fell for the third time that morning.
"I can't," I exclaimed, trembling as I attempted to raise myself off the ground.
She yelled, "You have no choice." "Ronan will not wait for you to recover."
I clenched my jaw and made myself get up. Lila never let up, driving me to the edge and then over.
She tossed me a wooden sword and said, "Again."
She quickly sidestepped my lunge at her, knocking the blade out of my hands. She remarked, "You're too predictable." Consider yourself a rogue. Fight filthy.
I was so frustrated that I grabbed up the blade. "What makes training me such a priority for you?"
She stated plainly, "Because you're the key to taking Ronan down." "Cassia, you are the source of his fear. He wants you dead because of this.
Long after the training sessions were over, I continued to think about what she said. Why should I be afraid of Ronan? Wasn't I nothing in comparison to him?
The visions began that night as I slept on the cave's chilly floor.
My parents' terrified features were visible to me as they stood in the packhouse. I could hear my father's voice as he argued with someone.
"You betrayed us," he stated in a hurt and angry tone.
My blood froze when the other figure moved forward. The Beta was the one.
The Beta remarked in a low, poisonous voice, "You left me with no choice." "Power is something you could never give me, but Ronan offered it to me."
As my mother screamed, I saw Ronan's claws cutting through my father, his laughter echoing in my ears.
My heart was racing as I woke up.
"What's the matter?" Lila's voice was stern as she asked.
With a shaky voice, I said, "I saw them." "I witnessed my parents' passing. They were betrayed by the Beta. He is collaborating with Ronan.
Lila squinted her eyes. "Are you certain?"
With the image still clear in my head, I nodded. "I'm positive."
Under her breath, she swore. That clarifies a lot. Ronan must be receiving information about the pack from the Beta.
I became furious upon realizing this. I had trusted the Beta, and he had been like an uncle to me. He had also deceived us.
A renegade messenger showed up in the cave the following morning. He appeared frightened, and he was young—barely older than myself.
His voice trembled as he said, "Are you Cassia?"
I gave Lila a quick look and then nodded. "Who is inquiring?"
The boy took a deep breath. "I was sent by Ronan. He intends to launch an assault against the Autumn Pack.
My heart fell. "When?"
The boy said, "Soon." He is assembling his troops. He requested that I alert you.
"What makes him warn me?" With a hint of mistrust in my voice, I inquired.
The boy paused. He said, "He wants you to suffer." "He is aware that despite what they did to you, you still care about the pack."
The remarks were like a kick to the stomach. Ronan was correct. I didn't want the pack to be killed, even though I detested them for way they had treated me.
Lila folded her arms. "So, what's the strategy?"
My thoughts were racing as I gazed at her. I could either return and warn the pack, putting my life in danger to save those who had betrayed me, or I could continue to focus on getting my retribution and leave them to fend for themselves.
I knew I had to make a decision quickly, but neither choice seemed right.
As he added a final caution, the renegade boy's voice faltered. "Ronan promised to make sure every death in the pack is slow and agonizing if you don't turn up. First, the Alpha.
My mind was divided between my insatiable want for vengeance and the obligation I couldn't abandon, and my chest constricted. Which would I prefer, vengeance or justice?