Ben’s POV
The night surrounded me like an old coat, feeling both safe and risky. I crouched on the ground with my back against the rough fence next to the palace. The moon was hidden by clouds, giving me a little light-good for me.
I had spent years moving through these shadows and every rustle of leaves and soft breeze reminded me of the home I had lost.
“Stay quiet. Just until she gets here,” I whispered to my wolf, while trying to hide my nervousness.
The words seemed too weak and lost in the still night. I tapped my foot on the ground and each soft beat rang in my head.
I looked behind me with my heart racing as memories of why I was there flooded my mind. Being banished had changed everything, Adams had made me sneak around like a shadow.
I was now on my own depending on quiet promises and the darkness for comfort.
A cold breeze blew through the air and I brushed my hair back with a shaky hand. I must have waited so long.
“Where are you, Shayla?” I whispered, while looking into the dark for any sign of her. She was my only hope, and the one who could give me important information from the palace. I felt the burden of the favor she was doing for me-heavy, but I had no other option.
I heard footsteps interrupting my thoughts-clear and careful. I hardly breathed as I pressed further into the dark. Shadows shifted between the trees with the loud boots of palace guards sounding close by.
“Fan out! He has to be around here,” a voice ordered harshly and commandingly.
My heart pounded. “Shayla… you must have been caught,” I whispered. Fear gripped my stomach. I understood what would happen if she failed and the guards wouldn’t think twice about punishing anyone who tried to help me.
I moved to hide more in the shadows-the cool night air nipped at my skin as I got ready to run. I had always felt success was so close-until now.
A guard came nearer while creating a shadow deeper than the night. My mind sped up while figuring out what to do next, but first I needed to get rid of this danger.
Anger rushed through me, sparking my instincts. I jumped from my hiding place with energy pumping in my veins.
“Hey!” I yelled, while snarling as I hit the guard. His shock was quick, and I took advantage, landing a fast punch to his gut that made him bend over.
“You’ll be sorry for that, loser!” he breathed, but I dodged away, ducking under a reaching arm.
With loud footsteps thundering behind me, I ran fast through the trees. The shouts of people chasing me rang out in the night with fear rising inside me.
I weaved around branches and bushes that scraped my legs with my heart racing with panic.
“Hurry! He’s heading southeast!” another voice yelled. I silently cursed myself.
“They know where I’m headed,” I said angrily, while avoiding bushes and jumping over fallen trees.
I was close to the path when I suddenly stopped while breathing hard as I looked at the large figure blocking my way.
“Bartholomew!” I spoke with irritation, but underneath I felt a bit worried.
“Ben,” he said while looking serious. “Why are you here? This is a big mistake.”
“Get out of the way,” I said firmly with my body tensing up and every feeling telling me to fight or run.
“No,” Bartholomew said firmly while shaking his head. “You don’t need to do this. You’re fighting our brother, Adams! The life you want-it isn’t worth it. You can still come back home.”
I felt a wave of hurt and shock as I looked at Bartholomew. “Home? You want me to go back to the king who took away my title? Do you think I can just forget that? You should get it! I was meant to be Alpha King and I will claim what is mine.”
“You’re making a mistake,” he said while moving closer to me. “Adams isn’t our enemy. The real danger is the rogue king Augustus. Can’t you understand that?”
I tightened my jaw. “I see a lot,” I said sharply, with my feelings fighting within me. The strong connection of our family made me want to think again, but all I felt was anger towards a brother who had become my enemy. “I want back what was taken from me. I should be the Alpha king!”
For a moment, I saw Bartholomew’s face relax with memories of our childhood showing on his face, but it quickly became serious again.
“Then I have no other option.” I felt the change in the air with the strong feeling rising as we began to transform into wolves.
“Then let’s go for it!” I snarled while changing into a beast-fur and strength and energy charged me as we jumped at each other.
Our bodies crashed together with our strength shaking the night. I pushed against Bartholomew, trying to create space.
We fought like animals in a fierce battle for control in the dark. Growls mixed with snarls filled the forest and a wild and natural uproar.
“Why can’t you just understand?!” Bartholomew yelled with his voice filled with the pain of our broken friendship, but I didn’t pay attention.
“Because I don’t belong with you!” I yelled while charging at him with all my strength.
Out of nowhere, chaos gave me a chance. I acted fast while grabbing Bartholomew’s leg and biting down hard. I sensed his pain as he gasped and stumbled back, but I was already backing off with adrenaline rushing through me driving me into a quick run.
“Ben!” His voice, which was filled with pain and urgency, rang out behind me, but I didn’t halt. I pushed myself toward the hidden path, running until my lungs ached and my muscles buzzed.
The tunnel entrance appeared in front of me, covered in shadow and offering a way out, but also making me feel nervous. I ran through welcoming the trees that kept the darkness away.
When I couldn’t run anymore, I let the change happen, turning back into a human in the thick woods with the dark night hiding me. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs while centering on myself.
I knew I’d left a hurt Bartholomew behind, but inside me the urge for revenge grew-a deep and instinctive growl coming from deep within me.
I prepared myself for what was coming. The rogue village was just a few miles into the woods now and that thought made me feel both nervous and excited. I had to talk to Augustus, I had to share the news I carried…