Chapter 12: Seeds of Distrust

Prince Leo and the remaining hunters trudged through the forest under the cover of darkness, their mood somber after the ambush. Kellan broke the silence as they stopped to rest near a stream.

"We've lost two of our best, Leo," Kellan said, his voice edged with frustration. "And for what? A trail that could be leading us into another trap?"

Leo's jaw tightened. He splashed water on his face, trying to quell the bubbling frustration inside him.

"You're doubting this mission?" he asked coldly.

Kellan sighed. "I'm doubting the cost. We've already lost too much, and there's no guarantee she's even alive."

Leo straightened, his gaze sharp. "She's alive. I feel it."

The hunters exchanged uneasy glances. Another member, a woman named Maren, stepped forward.

"Prince Leo, we all care about Aurora," she said cautiously. "But we can't afford to lose more people on a hunch."

"It's not a hunch!" Leo snapped, his tone harsher than intended. "Aurora wouldn't give up on any of us, and I won't give up on her."

The tension hung in the air until Kellan shook his head and walked away to keep watch. Maren gave Leo a small nod before following suit, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Leo clenched his fists. The doubt in his team's eyes cut deeper than he cared to admit. But he couldn't shake the pull in his chest—the undeniable sense that Aurora needed him.

---

Aurora's New Plan

Back in the palace, Aurora paced her cell, her frustration mounting. The encounter with Zach's mother had left her with more questions than answers.

"Bonds? Inconvenient? What kind of cryptic nonsense was that?" she muttered.

Her mind snapped back to her immediate predicament. She needed to get out of this place—and soon. She glanced at the metal bars and smirked.

"If they think a cage is enough to keep me in, they're in for a surprise."

Her attention shifted to the tray of untouched food left by the guards. The utensils were simple, but the knife was sharp enough. She examined the lock on the cell door and started to form a plan.

Aurora leaned against the wall when she heard footsteps again. This time, the visitor was someone new—a young boy no older than ten.

"Who are you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

The boy stepped closer, his curious gaze fixed on her. "I'm Lucian," he said softly. "My mother said I shouldn't talk to you."

Aurora raised an eyebrow. "Smart mother. You should listen to her."

Lucian tilted his head, unfazed by her sarcasm. "Are you really a hunter?"

"Depends. Are you really a vampire?"

He nodded solemnly. "My uncle Zach says you're dangerous."

Aurora smirked. "He's not wrong."

Lucian didn't seem afraid. Instead, he looked at her with wide, fascinated eyes. "Why do you hate us?"

The question caught her off guard. She looked away, her fingers gripping the edge of the tray.

"You wouldn't understand," she said quietly.

Before Lucian could ask another question, Liana appeared, her expression stern.

"Lucian, I told you to stay away from here," she said, pulling him back.

"But she doesn't seem bad," Lucian protested.

"That's enough," Liana said firmly. She gave Aurora a sharp look before leading Lucian away.

Aurora watched them go, her mind racing. She couldn't afford distractions—not when her escape depended on her focus.

---

The Queen's Suspicions

Later that evening, Queen Seraphina approached Zach in his chambers. He was standing by the window, staring out at the moonlit grounds.

"You're troubled," Seraphina said, closing the door behind her.

Zach didn't turn to face her. "There's much to consider."

"Such as the hunter in our dungeon?"

His silence spoke volumes.

"She's your mate, isn't she?" Seraphina's voice was gentle but probing.

Zach stiffened. "That's impossible. She's human."

"Humans don't feel the bond," Seraphina admitted. "But we do. And you know what this means, Zachary."

He turned to face her, his expression a mix of defiance and frustration. "It means nothing. I'm not bound by fate or some ancient magic. I'll make my own decisions."

Seraphina stepped closer, her gaze soft. "I only want what's best for you, my son. If she truly is your mate, denying the bond will only bring pain—to both of you."

"I've made my choice," Zach said firmly. "She's a prisoner, nothing more."

But as Seraphina left, he couldn't shake the flicker of doubt creeping into his heart.