Kara's POV
"Come inside," the young man urged, rushing over to me. His eyes quickly scanned the area, as if expecting someone to come crashing through the door any moment.
"You look like you've been through hell."
He helped me inside with surprising gentleness, guiding me toward a small table in the corner.
"Sit," he instructed as he moved swiftly to the stove. "I'll get you something to eat. You need to regain your strength."
I barely heard his words as I collapsed into the chair, still clutching Hilda against my chest. My limbs were weak, trembling under the strain of everything I had just escaped. I hadn't even realized how badly I'd been shaking until I finally stopped moving. The warmth of the chair beneath me felt comforting, yet I couldn't escape the cold fear that clung to my body.
He didn't hesitate. He returned a moment later, holding a steaming bowl of soup.
"It's not much, but it'll do,"
he muttered, placing it carefully in front of me. "You've been running for too long. Eat, and I'll get you something to change into. You can't keep wearing those clothes."
I took the bowl with shaky hands, the warmth of the food offering some comfort, but the ache in my body seemed to only grow with each passing moment. I wasn't hungry, but I knew I needed to eat, if only to keep my strength up.
As I took a few spoonfuls, I felt Hilda stir in my arms. Without thinking, I shifted my position and began to breastfeed him, my eyes filled with tenderness as I looked down at his tiny face. I tried to push aside the worry that had been gnawing at me since I left the palace. What would happen now?
"Here," the young man interrupted my thoughts, holding out a fresh set of clothes from a cupboard. "You need to clean up. I'll take care of things here for now."
I nodded gratefully, my voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
I changed quickly, my thoughts racing. I couldn't stay here for long. The palace guards were still searching for me. I could only hide for so long before they came for me again.
I looked down at Hilda, his tiny face still peaceful as he slept, unaware of the chaos that had surrounded us. The mark on his neck kept creeping into my thoughts.
Why had it appeared? What did it mean? And more importantly, why was I feeling like the walls were closing in on us?
Kaden's POV
Back at the Castle
I was barely conscious, lying in my chambers, my body aching from the ambush. The confrontation with Zara weighed on me, pulling me into a fog of exhaustion. I could hear distant sounds of battle, the pounding of footsteps outside, but it felt miles away.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed, followed by shouts and the rumble of something far worse. My eyes snapped open, my body fighting to rise, but my limbs felt like stone. I tried to push myself up, but my vision blurred and my head spun.
"What is that?" I managed to grunt, my voice hoarse. I tried again, but my body refused to cooperate.
"Stay down, Alpha!" one of my guards barked from the door. "It's an invasion. We've been ambushed!"
The word echoed in my head like a drumbeat. Invasion. The gravity of it sank into my bones. "Invasion?" My voice cracked. "Who dares to attack my kingdom?"
The sounds of battle grew louder, and frustration boiled in me. I can't stay here. My mind screamed for me to rise, to lead, but my body betrayed me.
The guards rushed in, their faces grim, surrounding my bed. Their hands held me down firmly. "You're too weak, my Alpha. You must rest. We'll handle this," one of them insisted.
"Let me go!" I roared, fury spilling from me despite my physical state. "I will not sit here while my people are being slaughtered!"
But the guards held me, their grip unyielding. The sound of clashing swords, the howls of combat, and the screams of warriors filled the air. The weight of my weakness suffocated me.
I am powerless to stop this, I realized with growing horror.
Kara's POV
I stood at the window, my eyes fixed on the horizon, where flames lit up the sky. The sounds of battle reached my ears, and my chest tightened. I didn't need to be told what was happening. Kaden... My thoughts spiraled. I had to know if he was safe. But was he?
I turned away from the window and faced the young man who had offered me shelter.
"What's happening out there?" i asked the young man, my voice was tight with fear, my hand gripping Hilda. Panic surged within me, but I couldn't ignore it any longer.
He paused, his face darkening as he looked out the window. "Full-on attack. I don't know who they are, but they're not from our pack. The castle is under siege."
My heart sank. "No... Kaden..." The fear squeezed at my throat. I had to warn him. I had to find a way to help him. But as I turned to grab my hilda, the young man's voice stopped me.
"Wait!"
I froze, confusion flooding me. "What is it?"
He stepped closer, his eyes widening with recognition. "The mark on your son's neck.." His hand trembled as he pointed to Hilda, still asleep in my arms. "I know that mark. I've seen it before."
My pulse quickened. "What do you mean?
He leaned in, voice low, shadowed with something darker. "That mark... It was on my grandfather. A warrior of great power, the one who saved my people years ago. It's the mark of a leader, someone chosen by the gods to rule."
My breath caught in my throat. "Chosen?" My voice trembled. "What does this mean?"
His expression darkened, the seriousness in his eyes pulling at me. "It means your son is more than just an heir. He's the one who will change everything. But someone is coming for him. And you're not safe here."
My heart raced as I looked down at Hilda, my son's future now clouded with fear. "But why... Why is this happening?"
Before he could answer, footsteps echoed from the doorway. His face hardened.
"We don't have time. The guards are coming. You need to leave. Now."
My heart skipped a beat. I turned, desperate to grab my things, but the urgency in his voice left no room for hesitation. He stepped between me and the door, his face set with resolve.
"Go. Go now. Before they find you."