Chapter 6

Chapter 6

I woke up to an intense burning sensation spreading through my body. It felt as if someone was striking something hard against my head. My vision was blurry, and my throat was sore.

Slowly, I blinked, trying to clear the grogginess. The King of the Vampires, Rhain, came into view.

"You're awake," he said.

I gritted my teeth. "You killed my family."

"I didn't," Rhain replied. "A group of rogue vampires planned the attack."

"Why?" I slowly scanned my surroundings. Weakness weighed down on me, a reminding of everything I had lost. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I felt your pain through the bond we share," he said. "When I came to your rescue, I saw everything. The war had already ended—your people were dead."

No. I refused to believe this was the end of the war. The war would end only when Rhain was dead.

I looked around again. I needed to regain my strength before coming up with a plan to end him.

"How long have I been out?"

"You were unconscious for four days," he replied.

My heart sank into my stomach. Four days? I had been away from my pack for four days.

I swallowed hard. It would be a long journey back if I managed to escape. Looking out the window, I saw carriages moving alongside ours. At least two were following us.

"Are you planning on escaping?" he asked.

Slowly, I turned to him.

"If you try to jump, I doubt you'd survive the fall. Also, I have highly experienced vampires traveling with us—they would hunt you down."

Drawing in a small breath, I felt my eyes burn with tears as my mother's last words echoed in my head.

They had all looked to me to save them after they discovered I was Rhain's mate. But he rejected me. And now, after two years—when my people were dead—he came back.

I clenched my teeth. I was indeed thinking about escaping. But not without taking his head first.

"You forget I'm a werewolf. Wolves run faster than vampires," I said.

"Is that really something to argue about?"

I looked away.

"My pack..." I trailed off. "How many of them were alive when you arrived?"

It couldn't have been possible for the vampires to wipe out my entire pack, not when Rhain and his army had arrived in time.

Rhain fell silent.

"What about my people?!" I demanded, my voice rising. "Tell me you found at least a few alive! Tell me!"

I started shaking. Taking another breath, I felt claws prick through my fingers. My wolf. I had my wolf now. There was nothing to be afraid of anymore.

Anger boiled through my blood as I stared at Rhain. He rose and slowly stepped toward me.

Move, Harley. Move, my wolf's voice whispered inside me. She burned with rage and vengeance against these creatures—these monsters who had killed my family and my pack.

Before he could do anything, I charged at him. My claws tore into his arm over and over until he reacted, catching my throat in the blink of an eye.

Pain exploded through my neck and rushed through my body. I gasped, my hands clawing at his grip. He was so strong. Even with one hand, he held me down. I had almost forgotten—he was the most powerful vampire.

I closed my eyes, hoping he would just end it.

Instead, he released me. I collapsed, coughing and rubbing my sore neck.

"I didn't know you'd react this violently after waking up—considering I saved your life."

"You didn't save me," I spat through gritted teeth.

"Should I have left you there for the other vampires to kill?" He tilted his head.

I looked away when my vision blurred with tears.

"Two years ago, I thought my pack's life would change. If only you had agreed to be my mate, none of this would have happened."

"You wouldn't have survived a day with my people if I had accepted your father's offer," he said.

"Oh? And what makes you think I'll survive them now?"

I smiled through my tears. "If I die, I'll find peace with my people. And you'll suffer every day because of the bond."

"You think so?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly, I heard the sound of gates opening.

The carriage door swung open, and Rhain stepped down.

I froze, watching him in silence. Where was he going?

Looking ahead, I saw a grand castle perched on a high, rocky hill. It was dark and imposing.

Rhain stopped and slowly turned back to me.

"Welcome to Shadowvale's Kingdom," he said, stretching his hand out for me.

With a pounding heart, I took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.