Page 33 of Alpha's Heir

His gaze was piercing, almost as if he could see right through me. "Your mind is here, but your body sleeps."

My mind reeled at his words. How could that be possible? Why would my mind be wandering in the forest while my body lay elsewhere, asleep? "Why would that happen?" I asked, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice.

The Guardian stopped circling and stood before me, his presence overwhelming. "I don't know, but you must go back. You shouldn't be in the forest, body, mind, or spirit."

His warning sent a chill down my spine. "Why?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He stepped closer, and for a moment, I felt the immense power that radiated from him. The air seemed to crackle with ancient magic as he leaned down, his eyes locking with mine.

"The forest... for you... means death."

His words echoed in my mind, a stark, ominous warning that filled me with dread. I wanted to ask more, to understand what he meant, but the world around me began to blur, the edges of the clearing dissolving into a misty haze.

As the Guardian's figure faded into the encroaching darkness, a deep sense of foreboding settled over me. His warning reverberated in my soul, a prophecy of doom that I could not ignore.

"What do you mean death?" My words tumbled out in a rush, laced with fear and confusion. Instinctively, my hands moved to clutch the little bump on my belly. "For me? For my child?"

The Guardian's eyes, ancient and knowing, bore into mine. His expression was unreadable, yet there was a hint of solemnity in his gaze. "I do not know," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "But unless you wish to find out, you must stay away from this forest."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. The forest, which had always been a haven, now seemed like a harbinger of doom. The thought of it being a threat to me or my unborn child was unbearable.

I opened my mouth to question him further, to demand more answers, but a sudden jolt coursed through me. It was as if an invisible force was pulling me away from this dreamscape, wrenching me back to reality.

I tried to resist, to stay and learn more from the Guardian, but the force was too strong. "Wait!" I cried out, reaching toward him. "I need to know—"

But my plea was cut short as everything around me started to fade. The clearing, the Guardian, the twisted creatures of the forest—all of it began to dissolve into darkness.

Panic gripped me as the world turned black, a void where the magical clearing once stood. I felt myself falling, plummeting through an endless chasm of darkness.

And then, there was nothing. Just a suffocating blackness that enveloped me, swallowing me whole.

Chapter sixteen

Weston

Iwaspanting,mylimbs heavy from the relentless fighting. The Unseen Pack seemed to be everywhere, their shadowy forms blending into the darkness, striking from all angles. We were losing, and the realization hit me like a gut punch. I scanned the chaos, desperately searching for a way to turn the tide.

Then I saw him. Preston, standing at the edge of the battle, his eyes fixed on me. Our gazes locked, and something primal ignited within me. I took down the wolf I was fighting with a swift, vicious bite, and without a second's hesitation, I bolted towards Preston.

My paws pounded against the earth as I charged in my wolf form, my teeth bared in a snarl. Preston, still in his human form, watched me approach with an unnerving calmness. His eyes were cold, calculating.

I lunged, my entire body coiled like a spring, aiming to knock him to the ground. But at the last second, he sidestepped with a grace that belied his human form. I skidded past him, barely managing to keep my balance.

"Come on, Weston," Preston taunted, his voice eerily calm amidst the chaos. "You can do better than that."

Growling, I spun around, ready to attack again. My muscles screamed in protest, but I pushed through the pain. This was personal. Preston, the traitor, the reason behind all this bloodshed.

I lunged again, faster this time, aiming for his throat. But once more, Preston danced away effortlessly, a smirk playing on his lips. I stumbled, my claws digging into the earth as I tried to regain my footing.

I glared at him, my sides heaving as I tried to catch my breath. Preston just stood there, watching me with an infuriatingly smug expression. It was clear he was toying with me, enjoying the cat-and-mouse game.

I crouched low, my muscles tensed, ready to pounce on Preston again. His mocking grin was infuriating, but I couldn't let my anger cloud my judgment. I needed to be smart, strategic. But then, a new scent hit my nostrils – smoke.

I hesitated for a split second, torn between attacking Preston and checking on my pack. That was when I heard the screams. My head whipped around, and my heart sank. Several homes in our compound were engulfed in flames, their bright orange glow a stark contrast against the dark night sky. My pack members were scattered, fighting desperately, but the shadow wolves were relentless.

I growled, my eyes darting between the burning homes and Preston, who was taking advantage of my distraction. With a swift movement, he lunged forward, striking me with a force that sent me reeling back. Pain shot through my side, and I staggered, struggling to stay upright.

Preston laughed, a cold, merciless sound. "You're losing, Weston. Can't you see? This fight was over before it began."

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