SWNOVELS Chapter 134
Chloe's POV
I cautiously surveyed my surroundings, my eyes struggling to pierce through the impenetrable darkness accentuated by the torrential downpour. The heavy rain obscured visibility to near-zero levels, creating an ideal atmosphere for concealment. Above, the tumultuous sky roared with thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning, further intensifying the ominous ambiance.
In the midst of this, a voice expressed frustration, breaking the tense silence. It was Vanessa, her face adorned with annoyance as she battled the raindrops splashing on her skin. Curious, I discreetly glanced at her, raising an eyebrow in response to her mood.
"I'm grateful for this relentless downpour because it shields us from those bastards from the Blood Hound Pack," Vanessa vented her irritation,
"But if it keeps up like this, we'll be stuck here too. Spending the night in the woods doesn't really appeal to me."
I weighed her words for a moment before offering a suggestion, "You can head back home first if you prefer. Just run straight, disregarding the path. Within an hour, you'll be back at the house," I said, stating it matter-of-factly.
Despite the relentless rain and our precarious situation, Vanessa hesitated, contemplating the idea of leaving. Then, she let out a frustrated sigh.
"What? Do you expect me to run alone in this dreadful weather without any trouble?" Vanessa huffed, her breath visible in the cold air, as she plopped down on the ground, clearly frustrated. Her exasperation continued as she voiced her concerns.
"And what if the enemies managed to pursue me? I'll die alone in the middle of the forest before my corpse is eaten by stray dogs?! I am not like you who could handle several enemies without a problem!" Vanessa added with frustration.
I raised a brow at her. In just five years, Vanessa changed from a ruthless Alpha who did everything to make me suffer to a little sister who loved to complain and followed me around. Her personality differed so much to the point that even I, someone who spent everyday with her, still sometimes could not believe it.
“Everything that happened really had a great effect on her. Right now, she doesn't even look like the same person anymore’ I thought to myself.
My thoughts were interrupted by another voice who said, "Don't speak too loud, Vanessa. We cannot be very certain that we weren't followed. It's better if we are more careful,” Alan told Vanessa. Although his tone was reproachful, he took out his jacket and draped it over Vanessa's shoulder. Compared to before, he clearly seemed to be closer to Vanessa.
"You are a scaredy cat! Of course we weren't followed! All of those crazy murderers are panicking now. They probably already learned that their side boss has died,” Vanessa shrugged her shoulders. I glanced at them briefly, my attention shifted to the relentless downpour outside. Vanessa had been right. We successfully executed the assassination of Kael's right-hand man under the cover of darkness, slipping away unnoticed. If all had gone according to plan, only now would Kael be discovering the loss of his confidant.
A chill ran down my spine as I reminisced about the past five years—half a decade spent hiding like rats, the surviving members of the Red Moon Pack, trying to erase any trace of our existence to avoid detection. But those years were not wasted. We dedicated ourselves to rigorous training— men, women, young, and old alike. Survival was just the beginning; vengeance for our fallen kin and the reclamation of our territory drove us forward.
The transformation was evident in each one of us. As I gazed at my palm, once smooth and unblemished, now adorned with calluses from relentless training, I could feel the pulsating power within me—the aura of Aurora, my wolf. Over those five years, I had mastered control over Aurora's abilities, wielding them without restraint. I was no longer the helpless, wolfless woman, waiting to be protected. I had become a force to be reckoned with, possessing unimaginable power to defend my pack and strike back against our foes.
“And today... is the day we start our revenge,’ a steely glint appeared in my eyes.
I glanced up in the sky. The heavy downpour of the rain was everywhere. The rain and the thunder were both blinding and deafening. As I focus on it, the many thoughts in my head started to disappear, everything, except that one thing.
I looked on my chest and listened to my beating heart. Right away, I felt that warmth enveloping my heart.
The constant warmth that accompanied me in everything that I did... the warmth that comfort me when I felt like I was about to give up, and the warmth that encouraged me to be improve and obtain power enough to protect my love ones.
The gentle warmth that represented my connection, my mating bond.
“Blake..." It has been five years since I last saw him. After I went into hiding with my pack, I learned that the Silver Pack also retreated and closed their doors. And for years, I did not have any news of them. I had no clue what happened to the Silver Pack, or to Blake. All I had was this gentle warmth in my heart that told me that Blake was physically unharmed.
As the rain poured down, I couldn't help but think of Blake again. His image, like an irresistible force, kept pulling me back into the memories we shared. His handsome face, his dignified presence, and the way his dark hair danced in the wind—it was all etched vividly in my mind. I recalled the last time we met, the desperation and brokenness in his eyes.
Five long years had passed, and yet, thoughts of him still haunted me whenever my mind wandered. “That day, I left you and severed all the connections we have. But still... until now... I cant bring myself to completely reject you and sever our mating bond..." A depressed smile appeared on my lips.
“Why... can't I let you go?’ I thought as I stood in the middle of the rain.
Seconds turned to minutes, and the minutes turned into hours. The heavy downpour slowly became lighter and lighter until it became a drizzle. The night sky became brighter until the first ray of the sun appeared in the sky.
"You are all here?” At the corner of the forest, I heard a familiar set of footsteps followed by a familiar voice.
I blinked once, waking up from my thoughts, before looking at the source of the sound. Soon, a familiar face appeared. A small smile appeared on my lips as I greeted the incoming person
"Caleb, I thought I told you to look after everyone while I was away," I teased, trying to mask the turmoil within.
He chuckled, his eyes understanding. "The Alpha, her close aide, and the head sentinel set off for a dangerous mission and haven't returned yet. As the Alpha's right-hand man, it's only natural for me to come and check on you."
"What could happen to me? I'm very powerful, after all,” I said teasingly, making Caleb laugh out loud.
“So early in the morning and you guys are already flirting?” Vanessa, who just woke up, looked at us with a frown. Allan, who was cradling her, started to fix her hair for her.
I raised a brow at Vanessa and ignored her teasing. Instead, I stretched my body and told them, “The road is clear. Let's all come home.”
"Yes, Alpha,” it was Allan who replied.
Soon, the four of us starting walking towards the north. After a while, we stood in the middle of the forest, right at the border of defense. When I was about to enter, I felt a hand grabbing my shoulder. Looking back, I saw Caleb who was looking at me with serious expression.
"Caleb, what happened?” I inquired.
Caleb hesitated for a second but did not let go of my elbow. Then, he gulped nervously before saying, “Chloe, could I talk to you for a moment?”