Chapter 43
We moved through the pack’s gates as the morning sun crept over the horizon, casting a somber, eerie light over the battered crew and our captive banshee. It was a ghastly sight, writhing under the weight of iron chains, its hollow, haunted face sending chills down the spine of anyone who dared glance at it. Shadows shifted over its features, revealing glimpses of sharp teeth and hollow, soulless eyes. It was like staring into the eyes of pure hatred—a creature birthed from the darkest depths of nightmares.
The villagers’ reactions were immediate and mixed. Some cheered, hopeful that capturing this creature would provide answers; others shrank back, horror-stricken at the grotesque figure before them. I couldn’t blame them—the banshee was worse than anything I could have imagined, a twisted figure with a skin that seemed to ooze darkness and an aura of death clinging to it.
Beside me, Adam walked in silence, though his eyes were wary, scanning the faces of those gathered, likely hoping for some spark of understanding from the crowd. He caught my gaze for a moment and offered a small, reassuring smile. His presence felt steadying, a constant reminder that, even though the path ahead was dark, I wasn’t alone. Somehow, knowing he was there made me feel braver, more able to shoulder the weight of the eyes tracking us, the murmurs spreading among the crowd.
Finally, we reached the hall, dragging our prisoner inside. The weight of silence settled over the room, each council member, villager, and guard watching the banshee, their expressions a mix of terror and fascination. My mother was there, worry etched into her face, while my father wore his usual mask of stern neutrality. His gaze held a thousand questions, but he withheld them, his gaze flitting between the creature and me.
And then, there was Jeremiah. His eyes met mine, a dark and unreadable expression flickering across his face. Anger? Frustration? Perhaps something deeper, though I couldn’t place it. His gaze lingered a beat too long, holding a hint of… possessiveness, maybe? I couldn’t be sure, but it was clear he wasn’t pleased. And yet, his focus shifted sharply to Adam, narrowing with a tension that seemed to thicken the air around us.
Trevor stepped forward despite his limp, his voice steady and unyielding as he addressed the room. “As you can see, we’ve captured one of the banshees terrorizing our lands. We did this because it’s essential to learn their weaknesses. Without knowing how to stop these creatures, we’re left defenseless.”
A murmur swept through the hall, people nodding in agreement. Trevor continued, his voice grave. “Our next step is to learn where these creatures are coming from. Alpha Alexander’s warnings told us that a witch was involved last time. If that’s the case again, we need to act fast. We’re running out of time—our survival may depend on it.”
I couldn’t help but glance at Jeremiah, hoping for a glimmer of support, a sign that he’d understand the urgency of our actions. His expression, however, remained impassive. He rose slowly, moving toward us, his steps measured and calm, stopping only inches away from Trevor. His voice was a low, barely restrained growl. “And who thought it was a wise decision to take my mate along on such a dangerous mission?”
Trevor didn’t back down, meeting the Alpha’s gaze with steady resolve. “With all due respect, Alpha, your mate was essential to this mission. She saved our lives. Without her, we wouldn’t have captured this creature.”
Jeremiah’s gaze narrowed, lingering on Trevor for an uncomfortably long moment before shifting to me, his eyes softer but carrying a weight of disappointment and worry. He reached out, clasping my hand in his, pulling me toward him with a possessive, almost desperate grip. Turning to the group, his voice softened just enough to sound calm, though his authority was unmistakable. “Your bravery and dedication will not go unnoticed. You’ll be rewarded. Thank you for bringing this creature here.”
He faced the council "They are right our next step is finding out where they cane from and why they are back"
As the council members began discussing what steps to take, I could still feel Jeremiah’s firm grip around my hand, as if he feared I’d vanish if he let go. I held his gaze for a moment, feeling his emotions like a tangible force between us. Yet even then, I could sense his tension, his frustration.
When the hall cleared, and only we remained, he finally released my hand, though his voice was still laced with concern. “Are you actively trying to get yourself killed, Astrid?” His voice carried a mixture of anger and worry, though he tried to hide it behind a mask of calm.
“No,” I replied, my voice quiet but determined as I met his intense stare. “I just wanted to help. And I did.”
He was quiet as he led us to his room, we got in and he closed the door behind him.
In a swift move, his hand rose, resting gently at my throat, his thumb brushing lightly against my pulse. A current of surprise shot through me, and I felt my heart race beneath his touch. His expression softened for a heartbeat, his dark eyes scanning me for any visible injuries. “Are you hurt?” he asked, a strange tenderness in his voice that caught me off guard.
“I’m fine,” I replied, swallowing hard, my voice softer now. His closeness was overwhelming, a warmth mixed with the steady beat of his heart. Despite everything, his presence soothed something deep within me, as if his touch alone could melt the residual fear and anxiety lingering from our mission.
Jeremiah let out a quiet sigh, his fingers trailing along my collarbone, wiping away a smear of blood. For a moment, he seemed almost lost in thought, his gaze softening as it lingered over my features. But the moment broke as quickly as it began. He pulled back slightly, his expression hardening once more.
“If you’re done, I’d like to check on my friends. See if they’re alright,” I said, a hint of defiance creeping into my voice. The tension between us was both exhilarating and exhausting, and I needed a break to clear my head, to process everything that had happened.
His jaw clenched as I took a step back, but his hand reached out, tightening around my waist, his eyes dark and possessive. “So eager to get back to your… friends?” His voice held an edge of disdain, his gaze narrowing as he scoffed.
I hesitated, a flicker of irritation sparking within me. “I just want to make sure everyone’s alright. Is that so strange?”
He leaned closer, his tone a dangerous whisper. “Including the one beside you in the hall? This… Adam?”
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