Page 154 of Hunt Me

“It is not a threat. It is a response—a response to your senseless attacks because we wouldn’t surrender our land to you. Children are dead. Women are dead. Men are dead. Families are dead. You will be taken in as a prisoner for your crimes today.”

Lykaon laughed as the guards slowly moved in.

Matilda went rigid when something had stolen her attention. It began as a faint disturbance, like a whisper speaking to her. The hairs on her arms stood on end as the feeling sharpened. Her eyes drifted toward the tree line where the forest stood silent beneath the rain. Nothing appeared unusual or moved unfamiliarly, yet every instinct she possessed screamed. The familiar scent of wet pine shifted until she caught the scent of something else.

A gust of wind swept through the trees, sending branches swaying in unison. Halfway up the ridge, a section of foliage remained unnaturally still.

Her hearing honed in on the sounds around her—rain, heartbeats, the crackling remains of fire. Then… a scrape. Followed by the sounds of wood brushing leather and someone holding their breath. A sudden realization overcame her. It wasn’t one, but several hidden amongst the trees, waiting patiently for their prince’s orders.

Matilda’s head snapped towards Luka. “Leave! Now!”

There was something in her voice that silenced any desire to question her.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant, and for the first time since arriving, genuine tension crossed the prince’s face. His eyes flicked toward the forest before returning to her. It confirmed her worst fear.

Archers were concealed in the trees, waiting patiently for the perfect shot that would shatter Night Falls.

His wings stretched from his back, flinging rain in every direction. Gasps rippled through the settlement when he launched skyward. And within seconds, he disappeared above the clouds.

Lykaon sighed with unmistakable frustration. “You found my archers. I am equally impressed and disappointed. Your senses are sharp—sharper than your sire. How is that?”

Around the square, guards immediately turned toward the tree line, weapons drawn, searching desperately through the forest. They saw nothing, but Matilda knew where every single one was. She had found the first heartbeat and couldn’t stop finding the others.

Twelve archers—all trained to kill with one shot. They were waiting for a signal, but Matilda knew it would never come.

“A member of my court officially challenges you for your throne.”

Lykaon was taken aback. His eyes blinked repeatedly as he considered her words.

“Who?”

“You know him very well,” Matilda replied with a grin, taking a step back. “He was your most loyal dog. That is until you abandoned him.”

“David? He is alive?”

“Alive and stronger than ever. Prepare your men and say your prayers to the gods, Lykaon. We will be at your doors at dawn and will feast on your blood by noonday.”

“You are bluffing,” Lykaon whispered.

Matilda chuckled. “I bluff not. Leave this place, and don’t bother signaling for your archers. It is too late for them. They are already dead,” she confirmed when she heard the final heartbeat skip to a stop. A covert team had circled the forest while they conversed and swiftly ended them.

“Barely a queen for a fortnight. You, Matilda Alesi, will have the shortest reign in Night Falls history. You will not make it out of Moonshire alive,” Lykaon seethed.

“Your confidence is misplaced. Leave here, dog.”

Wisely, Prince Lykaon retreated, leaving the decimated settlement to their mourning.

Ezra placed a hand on Matilda’s shoulder. “For what it is worth, you handled him well.”

Matilda nodded. “Ezra?”

“Yes, my Queen?”

“I need full protection for the settlement.”

“I will temporarily reassign soldiers from the army.”

“Very good,” she replied with a nod.