As Emira walked out of the airport, she took in a deep breath and then imdiately frowned.
Her senses sharpened all at once, as if soone had flipped a switch inside her. The air felt heavier. Wrong. A faint tension settled over her skin, making her slow instinctively. It felt as though she had stepped into danger without seeing it.
She stopped and looked around carefully.
People moved past her without a second glance. Nothing seed out of place. No hostile presence. No obvious threat. And yet, the feeling refused to leave. Her frown deepened.
This made no sense. She shook her head lightly, telling herself not to overthink it. Her instincts were now on edge so suddenly because of the threat that she knew would soon be upon them. Shiqi. Since she had no idea how Shiqi would approach her, she was probably feeling unsettled.
Still, the unease lingered.
She looked down at her phone, her thumb moving without thought as she checked it again. For a brief second, she wondered if Ryn had tried to call her back. If there was so explanation waiting for her. But, there was nothing.
No missed calls. No new ssages.
Annoyed, Emira slipped the phone away and started to walk.
She had barely taken a few steps when soone grabbed her hand.
The contact was sudden enough to make her tense instantly, her instincts flaring as she turned sharply-
"Emira."
Emira froze.
Ryn stood right in front of her, her grip tight around Emira’s wrist, her face pale and drawn. There was no teasing smile. No casual greeting. Her eyes darted around them quickly, as if she was afraid of being seen.
"Co," Ryn said, already pulling her along. "We need to talk. Now."
Emira resisted just enough to look at her properly. "Ryn, what is going on?"
Ryn did not slow. Her hold tightened instead. "Not here," she said under her breath. "You shouldn’t have co back like this. Do you have any idea-"
She stopped herself abruptly, lips pressing together as if she had said too much.
Emira’s instincts scread louder.
"Ryn," she repeated, more firmly this ti. "You sent a ssage and then disappeared. What is going on?"
Ryn shook her head, " I, too have no idea what is going on? I only know that sothing is not right with the Princes. Usually, Prince Zen made a point to stop by and check about you with . But since the last two days, he has not stopped by or even asked about you. Which is unusual..."
Emira shook her head at the thought. He was probably angry at her... She sighed and looked at Ryn," I... hurt them before I left so maybe...Also, they must be busy with all the guests..."
But Ryn shook her head as she continued to pull her along to the other side that was marked exit," No. This is sothing else. They have been busy with guests and been mingling and talking naturally as well. But sothing is definitely wrong. It probably has sothing to do with the Grand Witch."
Emira paused then and frowned. She rembered the woman she had t twice before.. Dorothy Green. And then frowned. There was sothing familiar with the woman’s mannerism now that she thought about it. As if she had seen her sowhere in the past as well.
"Grand Witch? You an Dorothy Green?"
Ryn frowned at that and then shook her head," No. Not Dorothy Green. She is the great witch . I am talking about her mistress, The Grand Witch. I don’t even know her na. I doubt anyone does. Anyway, she returned on the night you left so you didn’t get to et her. But in the two days that she has been here, she has been changing things.."
Emira frowned and asked cautiously, "Changing things how?"
"She’s put Ramona under a security... I’d just call it house arrest. Coucilman Raymon has also been asked ot not leave the house for the safety of his daughter. Then, there is Councilman Aldren. She assigned all the best guards withing the pack to him and sent him on a mission. When I tried to find what the mission was, everyone was too close mouthed. They said it had sothing to do with the Prince’s safety and the Golden Moon ceremony."
Emira frowned. Aldren having more guards from the Stormhold Pack was indeed suspicious...But Ryn," Why did you co here then? Even if there are all these changes..."
Ryn shook her head. "His Majesty warned a long ti ago to trust my instincts. They’ve already told that if there is anything suspicious happening in the pack, I should make sure that you reach the cabin safely... that is the one place that no one can find you and you would be safe. "
Emira frowned then. She could have ignored her own instincts about this place being under danger, but now, Ryn also had the sa idea. She wondered if she should...Before she could complete the thought, however, she found herself surrounded.
Emira stiffened as she saw the person who stepped in front of the n who had surrounded her. Her eyes narrowed. Councilman Aldren stood at the front, his expression unreadable, his posture calm.
"What is this? Are you here to accuse of sothing else now, Councilman Aldren?" she demanded, her gaze fixed on Aldren.
Ryn reacted before Emira could take another step. She moved quickly, placing herself in front of Emira, her body tense and protective. One arm lifted slightly, as if she could shield her by sheer will alone.
"Step back. You are not authorized to approach her."
Aldren did not answer right away. His eyes flicked briefly to the guards beside him, then back to Emira as if Ryn was non existent. No threat. And it was proven the next minute when Ryn jerked back suddenly, a small dart embedded deep into her shoulder. Her breath hitched, her body stiffening in shock.
For a split second, she remained standing, eyes wide and unfocused.
"Ryn—!" Emira called out worriedly. She had expected Aldren to co after her but not that he would attack Ryn or any other werewolf.
Ryn collapsed. Emira caught her just in ti, dropping to her knees as she wrapped her arms around her. Ryn’s body felt heavy, her limbs already going slack. Emira’s heart pounded violently in her chest.
"What did you do to her?" Emira shouted but she got no answer. In the next minute, a sharp sting pierced her own neck.
Emira gasped, her fingers instinctively lifting as pain flared and then spread quickly through her veins. Her breath ca unevenly as realization hit her a second too late. A dart.
Her vision blurred slightly as warmth flooded her body, followed by a creeping numbness. She tightened her hold on Ryn, refusing to let her fall, even as her own strength began to falter.
"You-" Emira tried to speak, but her tongue felt heavy, her words slurring.
Aldren finally stepped forward and smiled, "This was way too easy. I thought it would take more effort to capture you... The Dark Master’s bride... What a fool.."
As Emira heard the words, she clenched her hands and glared at him...And then, everything went black.
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