Chapter 41: The Price of Freedom
Caleb POV
The rope around my wrists burned as they dragged me through the trees. My head throbbed where the rogue wolf had hit me, and every step sent pain shooting through my ribs. But the worst part wasn’t the actual hurt - it was knowing I’d failed.
"Move faster," growled the Shadow Wolf behind me, pushing me forward so hard I stumbled.
I tried to look back toward where we’d left Lily hiding, but one of my attackers grabbed my chin and forced me to face forward. "Your mate is no longer your concern, scholar."
The way he said ’scholar’ made it sound like an insult. These animals knew who I was, knew what I meant to the pack. That scared me more than the ropes or the pain.
We’d been walking for an hour when they finally stopped. I looked around and felt my blood turn cold. We were in the Sacred Grove - the most holy place in all wolf land. Ancient trees made a perfect circle around a stone altar that had been here since before anyone could remember.
But something was badly wrong. The trees, which should have been green and full of life, were dead and black. The altar, once clean white stone, was stained dark with something I didn’t want to think about.
"Welcome to our sanctuary," said a voice that made my skin crawl.
I turned and saw him. The First Shadow. Not controlling someone else this time, but standing there in his own terrible form. He looked like a wolf who had been stretched and bent, made taller and thinner than any wolf should be. His eyes weren’t just sparkling - they were like holes filled with cold fire.
"You’re wondering why we brought you here instead of simply killing you," he said, walking in a slow circle around me. "The answer is quite easy. You’re going to help us."
"Never," I said, trying to sound stronger than I felt.