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My heart raced as three imposing shadows emerged from the darkness, revealing their faces.
Altair.
Morpheus.
And Dominik.
Thunderstruck, I could hardly comprehend my fortune. On their hands and dripping from their claws was all the evidence I needed. They were bloodied—not with their blood—but with shifter blood. They had killed the first three wolves I stumbled over—not me. I knew I wasn’t going crazy.
This was the first time I’d seen them like this—raging mad and covered in blood from an earthbound creature. Their expressions were savage and hardened. Their chests heaved with each breath as if they’d been running and hunting for hours.
Altair, Morpheus, and Dominik stared at me with steely eyes as if they could immediately see through my fear. The pungent smell of death filled the air as the reality of what I had done settled in; six shifters lay motionless at my feet.
I had become a monster, just like Apollyn warned me I would, but seeing my men made it all worth it. But I couldn'tshake the feeling of guilt as I wondered what they must think of me now.
"Sadie, it seems you’ve come back to us while we were in the middle of laying waste to Samson’s pack?” Altair started, wiping the blood from his hands. “But I have to ask…what have you done? Why have you aligned with our father, Apollyn?”
Chapter 25
Sadie
"What happened here? Why are you hunting down these wolf shifters?" I felt my face grow flush with confusion.
"They attacked you," Morpheus interjected. "We couldn't let that go unanswered. Despite how you’ve betrayed us. You’re still our queen. We had to protect you."
A confusing mix of emotions swirled through me as I saw the courageous men standing before me. They had been there for me through thick and thin, and yet here they were, ready to face danger and fight for my safety. A wave of gratitude and guilt washed over me; they had put themselves in harm's way to protect me. And they truly believed I had…
The thought of my supposed betrayal lingered in my mind, refusing to leave. I desperately willed for it to dissipate but it stayed, mocking me and poisoning my thoughts. An unbearable weight of guilt lay heavy on my chest and I was consumed by the accusation that I had turned my back on those I loved. I couldnot accept it, no matter how hard I tried. Through gritted teeth I muttered a plea for absolution.
"I swear it; I didn’t betray you," I hissed between ragged breaths.
Altair stepped closer, our breaths mingling in the air between us. His gaze was so intense that I felt my heart racing. He slowly raised his hand and cupped my chin, lifting my face to meet his gaze. “We tried like hell to get back into Shadow World. To get back to you. We knew our father took you. We didn’t know the full story until your friend…Millicent…came the other day looking for you and that wretched cat.”
“Millicent, yes, she’s my friend." I smiled. "And Loki is in Shadow World. He likes it, especially when he gets chased down by the kitchen crew and Tokin." I shook my head, trying in vain to push away the vivid memories which negated the severity of the current situation.
“She has powers like yours, but not as strong as yours," Altair continued. "But, with our direction she was able to use an object from your apartment to reveal that our father has convinced you to allow him back into Shadow World.”
I couldn't help but feel the green wave of envy crashing through my veins. I blushed, my cheeks burning with jealousy.
"Do not worry, Sadie. We have eyes for you and only you," he said.
“I did everything to save you," I said.
“Sadie, we were stamped with a death sentence, our fate sealed in the flames,” Morpheus declared solemnly, his words a portent of our certain demise.
“I'll never accept that. If I am to be your queen, then you must remain by my side as kings. I’ll do anything to save you, even if it means enduring your wrath. I may have made mistakes, but I’d do it all over again if it meant protecting you.”
“Sadie…” Dominik said breathlessly, shaking his head. “You are stubborn.”
“I know. You all knew that before you proposed to me. But why are you all here at the manor?" I asked. "It's been empty for so long."
“It is quite empty. It’s as if the people here picked up their stuff and fled without warning. We needed a place to lay low and regroup," Altair explained. "We thought this place would be safe, but Samson’s shifters were already here looking for you. They were also stalking around your apartment. We have killed more than a few. I hope it sends Samson a very clear message.”
“Samson is also stubborn,” I sighed.
“We hope that Samson shows his face instead of sending his wolves. If he wishes to challenge our right to crown you in Shadow World, he should come out of the shadows himself,” Altair snarled.
“He likely won’t. He’s the Alpha’s son,” I explained. "They won't risk any harm coming to him since he's to be their future leader."
