Chapter 14
Juno’s POV
The Climlands male yanked my arm so hard. I stumbled forward, bafely keeping my footing as we moved away from what had been my home for the past seven years. My territory. My life with Matthey
I refused to look back. Looking back meant weakness, and I couldn’t fford to show any weakness now. These men would seize on it like wolves on wounded
The path through Forestvale was now littered with bodies? My pack members. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, metallic and overwhelming. A young Delta lay motionless by the trail his throatorn out, eyes still open in shock.
I swallowed hard, fighting the urge to vomit. Seraphine howled in gif inside me, but I forced her down. The brutal efficiency of Alpha King’s attack finally made me understand why territories trembled at his name. Suddenly, I understood why he was so
fearsome.
“Move faster,” the male growled, shoving me forward again. His casual cruelty wasn’t personal–he treated everyone this way. I’d watched him crush a man’s windpipe just minutes ago when he’d dared question why they were taking his daughter.
This was Quinn’s fault. That spineless excuse for an Alpha had aligned with Kieran of Fireland against Clifflands, then folded like wet paper when the real fighting started. His weakness had doomed us all.
Istumbled over something soft and didn’t look down. I knew what–who–it was. The small whimper that escaped my throat earned me another rough shove.
We reached the border between Pineridge and Emberhill territories by midday. I had traveled this route hundreds of times for diplomatic meetings and celebrations. Today, it was unrecognizable.
Bodies carpeted the ground–all Forestvale wolves. I scanned the battlefield. There were no Clifflands casualties. Not a single one
that I could detect.
This wasn’t a battle. It was a slaughter.
A chill ran down my spine. The Clifflands forces weren’t just better equipped or more numerous–they were in another league entirely. These warriors moved with precision I’d never witnessed before, their attacks coordinated with terrifying efficiency.
And where was Kieran? Our supposed ally? His fighters should have been here, evening the odds. Instead, conveniently absent when we needed him most. Bullshit. The realization hit me like a physical blow, we’d been betrayed on all sides.
We never stood a chance.
Mothers huddled with their children, their faces hollow with fear. Men who’d fought bravely now knelt in defeat, collars around their necks. Some would become servants. Others forced laborers. The lucky ones might eventually be allowed to join Clifflands packs in the lowest positions.
And the Lunas–women like me–we became “tributes.” War prizes. The thought made my stomach clench.
“In.” The male pointed to a black van parked at the edge of the clearing. The vehicle was unmarked, windows tinted black too.
I hesitated only briefly, remembering the slaughter I’d just witnessed Fighting now would be suicide. I wanted to live. I had volunteered for this, after all–not to die, but to escape Matthew.
I climbed in without resistance. The interior was dim and smelled of fear and antiseptic. As my eyes adjusted, I froze. I wasn’t alone.
1/2
Chapter 14
Two women sat on the bench opposite me, their wrists bound with ver chains like mine. Both wore the telltale necklaces of
Luna
Searlett. And Freya.
Both looked as shell–shocked as I felt.
Someone knocked twice on the van’s side. The engine rumbled to life and we lurched forward, leaving Forestvale and my old life-
behind.
We rode in silence for what felt like hours. The silver chains prevent us from using our mind–links, forcing us into this unnatural quiet. Finally, Scarlett spoke, her voice hoarse.
“Did Matthew hand you over too? Like some peace offering?”
I shook my head, struggling to find my voice. “No. I volunteered.”
Scarlett’s eyes widened, “You what?”
‘I volunteered to go with them. To save him.”
“That makes no sense.” Scarlett was even more surprised. “Why does he need you to surrender to save him?”
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