Chapter 14

Emily’s POV

“Poppy can’t come,” Jessie announced as she hurried into the parking lot.

“What?” Tessa groaned dramatically, crossing her arms.

“She had to go back to the clinic. Doctor Reed has another emergency,” Jessie said, rolling her eyes. “It honestly feels like half the pack is trying to die this week.”

A familiar, deep laugh came from the guard station near the massive iron gates. I turned my head and saw Liam walking down the steps toward us. Alpha Marcus followed close behind him, along with his Beta.

The moment Marcus’s piercing blue eyes found mine, my breath caught.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Marcus said smoothly, his gaze locking onto my face. His smile grew warmer and more intense. “And especially to our birthday girl.”

My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“My birthday was last week.”

“Details,” Liam shrugged dismissively, bumping my shoulder in a playful way. “You’re still the reason we’re going to the human city.”

“Ready for a trip?” Marcus asked.

I looked at him, my heart fluttering with both excitement and fear. No one had cared about my birthday in years. Back in my old pack, Ryan had always made sure I spent my birthdays hungry and locked away in the dark.

“I… I think so,” I whispered.

Did I really deserve to feel happy? Was it okay for me to have a good day?

“Trust me, you’re going to love this trip,” Marcus said, his blue eyes flashing with excitement.

“Marcus is basically our connection to the human world and all the best new places,” Liam said with a grin. “He seriously knows everyone, everywhere.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, looking between them.

“Thank you,” I whispered, overwhelmed by their kindness.

Liam just shrugged, his smile turning warm.

“You’re welcome, Emily. Now let’s get you to that car.”

The parking lot was full of large, black SUVs. Four of them were already running, completely filled with dangerous, heavily armed pack warriors.

Marcus spread his arms toward the vehicles.

“Ladies, your ride is ready.”

“Do we really need all this security?” Jessie asked, glancing at the rows of serious warriors.

Marcus grinned, his blue eyes full of confidence.

“You can never have too much protection, Jessie. Besides, my Beta insisted.”

My eyes drifted toward the third SUV in the line.

“If you don’t mind, I invited one of our pack’s best warriors, Kane,” Liam added, pointing to a handsome, muscular young man. “He practically begged me to come along.”

Kane leaned against the driver’s door, looking very attractive. Jessie was already next to him. They laughed together, and Jessie shyly tucked her hair behind her ear. Kane’s smile got even warmer when he looked at her.

Marcus glanced at Jessie and Kane, his eyes shining with amusement.

“This trip is already getting interesting.”

“Don’t start, Marcus,” Liam warned, but he was smiling too.

“Too late,” Marcus said, laughing.

Then Marcus stepped forward and opened the heavy rear door of the second SUV. He bowed slightly and offered me his large, tattooed hand.

“Emily, would you honor me by riding in my vehicle?”

I hesitated, staring at his open hand. Fear and doubt rose in my chest.

The Alpha placed his hand over his heart, sensing my panic.

“I promise I don’t bite.”

His grin only widened.

“Of course he won’t bite,” Liam said loudly, breaking the tension. “Especially since I’ll be sitting right next to her! Come on, let’s hurry up, guys.”

Before Marcus could say anything, Liam quickly pushed me into the back seat and got in next to me. He slammed the door, rolled down the window, and gave Marcus a triumphant, teasing smile.

“Sorry, Marcus. There’s no more room back here!”

Marcus kept his eyes on me, his expression turning serious and protective.

“Don’t worry, Princess. Today, you’re under my Alpha protection. Just relax and have fun. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

As we neared the huge iron gates at the pack borders, I leaned against the window and watched. The gates creaked open slowly, and the car rolled through, leaving the territory behind.

We drove through a thick forest, and the different trees blurred past the window—tall pines, deep green oaks, and maples.

Soon, the dirt path opened up, and we merged onto the highway, picking up speed. As we flew down the asphalt, the landscape changed. Now, a high cliff lined one side of the road, while the other side opened up to a huge, clear lake. The water looked so peaceful that I desperately wanted to stop the car and just swim.

But we were moving too fast, leaving the beautiful view behind as the shadows of the mountain swallowed the light.

Suddenly, a cold shiver shot down my spine.

I pressed my hand hard against my chest, my breathing catching in my throat. My heart was suddenly beating way too fast. Something felt horribly wrong.

“Emily, danger,” Nyx whimpered in my mind.

I gripped the leather seat until my knuckles turned white. Cold sweat broke out on my neck. It felt like someone was watching me from the dark shadows of the trees flying past.

Suddenly, awful images filled my mind: twisted metal, broken glass, the sharp smell of blood, and angry red eyes.

“Emily?” Liam asked quietly, moving closer. “Are you okay? You’re shaking.”

“…I need air,” I gasped, staring out the window, panic rising inside me.

Marcus turned around from the front seat, worry filling his blue eyes.

“Emily, you’re really pale. Vincent, slow down,” he told his Beta.

Vincent tapped the brakes, but it didn’t help. We were already approaching a huge, pitch-black tunnel carved into the mountain.

“Is that tunnel long?”

My voice shook, and fear blurred my vision.

“Pretty long,” Vincent replied, his eyes scanning the road through the rearview mirror. “But it’s the only way to the human city. Don’t worry, I’ll get us through it fast.”

Before I could scream at them to stop, the SUV drove straight into the darkness of the mountain.