Acantha is attacked

"Where the hell is he?" Acantha muttered under her breath, her voice tight with irritation.

She knew he had responsibilities, duties that couldn't be ignored. Protecting the pack, ensuring their safety—that was his role as Alpha.

But deep down, all she wanted was to feel his arms around her again, to be wrapped in the warmth of his presence.

Her reflection caught her attention as she passed by the mirror, and she paused, staring at herself.

She forced a small smile as she examined the woman looking back at her. "I do look good, don't I?" she whispered, touching her fingers to her soft, black hair that fell in waves down her back.

Her lips, pink and plump, curved up slightly, but the sadness in her eyes couldn't be hidden.

Growing up, she had never thought of herself as beautiful. Her parents had been all too eager to tell her she was plain, average at best.

She used to hide behind her hair, slumping her shoulders in an attempt to be invisible. But now, Ghod had changed that.

He had given her confidence, reminding her every chance he got that she was everything he could ever want.

Yet, even with all the confidence in the world, she felt incomplete without him here.

Sighing, she pushed away from the mirror, unable to shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her chest.

"I need a distraction," she said out loud, her voice cracking the silence of the room. "Kara. Where the hell is Kara?"

She left her room, her steps quick as she made her way to the maids' quarters.

But after searching every corner, she still couldn't find her. A frustrated groan escaped her lips as she retraced her steps back to her room.

The feeling of being watched suddenly crawled up her spine, prickling her skin. She spun around quickly, her eyes narrowing, but there was no one there.

Her heart began to pound in her chest, the uneasy feeling growing stronger. She moved quietly, pressing herself against the wall as she edged towards the nearest pillar.

Holding her breath, she peered around the corner—and there he was.

A man, his hand resting on the hilt of a sword strapped to his waist, his eyes scanning the area as if searching for something—or someone.

Her heart jumped into her throat, and before she could stop herself, she lunged forward, trying to tackle him to the ground.

"Huhh"

A startled gasp ripped from her throat as she hit the ground instead, the man's hand wrapping around her neck in one swift motion.

Her pulse quickened as she stared up at him, her breath coming in shallow pants.

"Nice try, Acantha," Theo's voice rumbled, a smirk pulling at his lips as he loosened his grip and pulled her to her feet.

"But you've gotta do better than that if you want to take me down."

Acantha blinked up at him, her chest rising and falling quickly as she steadied herself.

"What the hell, Theo?" she snapped, her voice shaking with a mixture of anger and relief.

"You scared the living daylights out of me!"

Theo just laughed, that deep, booming sound echoing off the walls as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"You're too skittish," he teased, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Relax a little, mate."

Her fists clenched at her sides as she glared at him, her cheeks flushing with irritation.

"Not funny, Theo. What are you doing here? Why were you following me?"

Theo shrugged, that infuriating smirk still playing on his lips.

"You know why," he said, his tone casual as if this was just another day for him.

Acantha mimicked his posture, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes.

"No, I don't know why," she lied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

He chuckled again, shaking his head.

"You're a terrible liar," he said, leaning in slightly. "Ghod asked me to keep an eye on you."

Her mouth fell open, and she snorted, rubbing the bridge of her nose in disbelief.

"Of course he did," she muttered, exasperated.

"I can't believe this. Does he think I can't handle myself?"

Theo shrugged again, the muscles in his broad shoulders rippling beneath his shirt.

"Maybe he doesn't trust you to stay out of trouble," he teased, his voice light but with a hint of truth.

Acantha clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists at her sides.

"I don't need a babysitter, Theo," she growled, her voice low and threatening.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

Theo gave her a long, assessing look before finally sighing.

"I'm just doing my job, Acantha," he said, his voice softening slightly.

"But hey, if you don't want me here, I can leave."

She hesitated, biting her lower lip as she glanced away. Despite her frustration, she didn't want to be alone. Not tonight.

"Fine," she mumbled, her voice barely audible. "Stay."

Theo grinned, clearly pleased with himself, but before he could say anything else, Kara appeared in the doorway.

"Finally," Acantha exclaimed, relief washing over her as she rushed towards her friend.

"Where have you been?"

Kara smiled apologetically, her eyes warm and kind.

"I'm sorry, my lady. I went into town to gather some supplies," she explained, her voice soft and soothing.

Acantha waved her off, pulling her into the room.

"It's fine," she said quickly, her earlier frustration melting away in the presence of her friend.

"Just stay with me for a while."

Kara nodded and sat down on the edge of the bed, her posture relaxed as Acantha joined her.

They spent the next hour chatting, their conversation light and easy. But as the minutes passed, Kara's expression grew more serious.

"There's something you should know," she said quietly, her eyes flickering with concern.

"They found another body in the woods today. A boy."

Acantha's heart sank, her stomach twisting.

"Another one?" she whispered, her voice shaking.

"How many more are there going to be?"

Kara shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"I don't know," she admitted softly. "But it's getting worse.

Alpha Ghod needs to act soon, or we're going to lose more."

Acantha's hands tightened into fists, her knuckles turning white as her mind raced.

"He will," she said, her voice firm despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

"He has to"