The Beta’s Regret

After a few hours of running through the forest, my father finally slowed to a stop at one point. This forest was surrounded by tall trees and fruits that could easily keep us going for weeks.

There was a large clearing that the people immediately gathered on. Children hopped off their parents backs as they shifted into human form.

I looked around and noticed that the clearing led to a large cave. I heaved a breath of relief and moved forward, inspecting the surroundings for an impending danger.

My gaze fell on Lord Shevek who stood in the middle of it all. He turned to me "How long do you think it will take before Pison gets to know of this place?"

"I don't know. But what matters is that we are safe and we have enough time to get ready." I said

He nodded.

Things were looking worse than I thought. The people had begun to settle, setting up tents.

I could see the hunger and uncertainty in their eyes, the desperation to survive. I felt heavy guilt hit me again.noveldrama

This was all my fault. If I hadn't sent the men as spies, we would still be hidden from Pison and his rogues.

I was walking close to the cave entrance when Beauty walked up to me, Lily still asleep in her arms.

"Adonis has everything prepared." She said softly.

I nodded and followed her to where Adonis had set up my tent.

Beauty left me alone to attend to other matters, and immediately I broke down. The weight of the responsibility held me down as I choked out my tears.

I never expected all that was happening. I was still processing the grief of losing Eros, now coupled with leading a group of people, and now, I shouldered the burden of leading my men into danger.

It was all too much for me to hold.

I allowed the tears to flow once more, feeling overwhelmed from the day's stress.

I was still crying when I fell into a deep sleep.

I had another dream.

This time, I saw the back of a man. At first I thought it looked so much like Eros. In excitement, I rushed to touch him on the shoulder, and he turned back just in time. I was beyond shocked to see a face I didn't expect to see. I gasped in surprise and backed away quickly. I was heavily disappointed.

"Pison?" I asked.

He didn't respond immediately, instead he wore a menacing smile on his face, his eyes glowing a bright red, just like the way Eros was in his possessed state.

I gasped.

This was not natural.

"Eden." Pison called in a slow and calculated voice. "You must miss your mate a lot." He said

I frowned. "What is it? Why are you here?"

Pison laughed. He looked at me and

took in the details of my body. "I wonder what it is about you that drove Eros crazy." He moved closer, a perverted smile on his face." would like to know, to feel it for myself."

Instinctively, I raised my chin higher refusing to let his words creep fear into me. My fists balled at my side as I thought about the fact that the monster before me killed my mate.

"You Murdered Eros." I said through clenched teeth.

"Did I?"Pison chuckled and made a soft tut with his tongue. "Maybe...you look cute when you get mad."

"I wonder how cute it would look when I rip out your heart the same way you ripped out Eros's."

Pison shrugged. "You can try. I will be waiting...my darling."

I felt a great urge to puke at his endearment.

"Don't call me that." I said.

"I will call you whatever I choose." Pison eyes glowed brighter. It was obvious he was angry now.

"It's only a matter of time before your men break. And when they do, I'm coming for you. Wait for me."

With that, I woke up. I took a deep breath as I closed my eyes.

Another dream.

What was this one? A vision too?

I slowly thought about how Pison looks different, the red eyes. "He seemed possessed..." I said softly.

"The power of Hades. Tiara responded immediately.

I tipped my head to the side. How possible was it that Pison would have employed the help of a deity to win the war?

"The moon goddess gave you powers. Power to see dreams, revelations, and to guide the chosen one of the prophecy.

Hades could have also touched Pison. You know exactly what the result would be, a complete disaster."

I felt a conviction that Pison was no longer an ordinary wolf.

Whatever he had done to win the war and kill Eros was strong enough to take over his mind.

I was barely out of that thought when someone ran into the room, a man, still in his early years.

"Betsy ran away." He said breathlessly.

I frowned "Who is Betsy?"

The young man answered "Dain's mate. She came with us from the other hideout, and now she's gone. Just like that."

I stood quickly

This wasn't good. It was two things,

either Betsy had gone to save her mate, or she was a mole in the camp. Either way, this was not good at all...