My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance by Moonlight Muse

39. Upon Dying Lands YILEYNA. Another powerful green wave of energy erupted from the earth, and the sound of something
crackingfilled the air.
“Stop!” I heard a distant roar of rage.
The sound of cracking became almost deafening, and I knew we had succeeded.
"We did it." I murmured in relief as I felt a surge of energy from below.
Then the Naga Emperor rose from within the ground, his power swirled around him as debris flewin all directions.
Theon tensed, his hand going to his sword, but I placed my hand on top ofhis as I stood up slowly.
"I did not expect this from you, since I had given you what you were seeking.” Emperor Kshuryaron saidin his deep, sinister
voice, as his attention flickered to someone far behind us.
“Your majesty...” Someone murmured.
The emperor said something in snake tongue and I turned to see the Naga bow down to him.
“Queen Yileyna of Astalion...
your hand." Theon frowned as I held out my hand to the Emperor.
He raised it to his mouth, but where I was expecting him to kiss it, he sank his fangs into my finger, making Theon growl as he
jumpedforward, but I grabbed hold of him.
Save the sharp sting it didn't hurt, and something told me it wasn’t poisoned.
I looked at my small finger, that now bore the two pinpricks of blood, watching as black symbols spread from the blood,and then I
was healed.
The Emperor took hold of my wrist, raising my hand.
1 "She bears the mark of the Emperor, an insignia of one from Naran...
From this day forth, she will pass freely within our empire.” His voice was loud, powerful, and commanding.

I wasn't the only one who looked shocked, as I saw Hunter coming into view.
He was shirtless, only in a pair of pants.
His bloody sword was in his hand, as he assessed the situation quickly.
1 "I do ask for forgiveness, but I may have killed one of your sons in self-defence.” He said quietly.
The Emperor simply smiled coldly.
“Death awaited them anyway.
You may leave Naran, and from this day forth, we will stay on our side of the borders.” Hunter looked surprised, as bothhe and
Theon watched me intensely.
"And the Naga may hunt for food on the border, we will work towards a better future.” Iadded.
"By freeing me, you have already done your part, Queen of the Middle Kingdom.
Naran will always be behind you." I bowed my head to Kshuryaron, who to my surprise bowed hisback.
“Thank you, your majesty.
We will head out, however, I will be in touch.
Break the dams upon your rivers, and I will make sure the sirens do not attack.
You have my word, just give me a little time." “Very well, I do not understand your kindness, but a Naga never forgetsa foe or
friend." "Yeah trust me, I know." Hunter muttered.
I smiled and thanked Emperor Kshuryaron, before I turned towards the two Alphas who were watching me with almost matching
unreadableexpressions.
I paused and looked back at the king.
"There is one more thing I need to do before I go.” “What is it, you have the pearl?” The Emperor’s reply came, but I didn’tlook at
him, instead, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes...

A few moments later, the night skies were thick with clouds, as a heavy shower of rain poureddown upon the dying lands of
Naran...
I could feel it, the life that stirred from within the parched earth as I did my bestto spread the rain as far as I could...
My vision darkened and I felt my legs give way, a strong pair of arms caught me, and I smiled softly, knowing I was safe in the
armsof my love...
1 When I awoke, we were no longer in Naran, I could hear the men talking and I couldfeel the warmth of a fire crackling nearby.
“...
east from here." "I don't know, there was meant to be a mark left for us butthere's nothing." That was Hunter.
"Do you think they were ambushed?" Theon's voice was closer, and his scent filled my nose.
“I hope not.
They can’t be...
If Charlene was in pain, I would have felt it." Hunter’s voice was strained.
I forced my eyelids opened and stared at the star-studded sky.
It was night and the weather was cool.
Where were we? "Yileyna." Theon's voice was filled with relief.
Before I could even reply, his face came into view, as he cupped my chin and caressed my cheek.
“You’re fucking awake.
You pushed yourself too fucking far." He growled, reaching for something behind him, before he was holding a water bottle to my
lips as he liftedmy head up.
“Yeah, Theon’s been fucking stressed.
I had to practically drag you from his clutches half the fucking time so he could get abreak." Hunter growled as he came over,
looking down at me like I was something intriguing.

"How-"I croaked before I wrapped my hand over Theon's and gulped some water down.
Allowing him to help me sit up, his fingers grazed the side of my breast, making my heart flutter as I leaned against hisarm.
"How long have I been out?" "Four days." Hunter replied, frowning slightly.
“You made it rain for two days straight.
Although the Emperor was grateful and made sure we got out of Naran safely, the rain was pretty wild.” Theon explained,
hiseyes meeting mine.
"A bit of an understatement, but it works." Hunter added with a smirk.
Something the emperor said came to my mind, and I looked down, gripping onto the chain of thepearl.
He said it kept him alive despite everything.
What if Theon wore it and it somewhat healed him? “Wear this.” I said, ignoring them both.
"Is she alright? Maybe she hit her head." Hunter murmured as I took the pearl off and forced it over Theon’s lush copper head.
His hair had grown, he had a stubble, and goddess...
did the rugged look suit him.
"She's fine, typical behaviour from this blonde beauty." Theon responded, smirking slightly as he allowed me to adjust the chain.
Blonde beauty.
My cheeks flushed as Hunter smirked.
"Ah, want me to give you two some privacy?" He mocked.
o "How about you do just that without asking." Theon raised an eyebrow pointedly.
1 Hunter chuckled and walked off, leaving us both alone.
The sexual tension between us suddenly settled around us, and I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
His fingers were still pressing against the side of my breast, my heart was still thumping, and my core was throbbing.

"You are the craziest woman I have ever come across, but it only makes you way more fucking incredible.” He said quietly, his
gaze flicking down tomy lips for a second.
"I didn't think I'd ever see the day we'd walk out of Naran without any issues.” He added with asmall sexy smirk that made my
heart pound.
“Well, the world is full of surprises.
What were you and Hunter talking about?" I croaked out He frowned.
"We were meant to meet the others, but so far they’ve left none of the markings that they should have.
Nothing to tell us where they have gone." My heart plummeted with worry.
"Do you think something happened to them?" I asked worriedly.
"Hopefully not, Hunter didn't feel Charlene in pain." "Thank the goddess...” I murmured.
“There’s more...
We've come across many dead animals in the forest and there’s a darkness approaching.” “Arabella? or something else?” I
asked.
"I'm not sure, it's not potent enough for me to pin-point if it’s her, but it feels darker.
We need to carry on moving fast." He said quietly.
“And I’m slowing you all down.” “No, you aren’t.
We will head to Alpha Romeo's pack and see from there what’s happening, you just woke up.
Relax a little, we have this covered." "I'm not stressing." I pouted, trying not to focus on how close he was.
My core clenched when he took hold of my hand with his free hand and looked at my littlefinger, frowning deeply at the black
snake symbol that now wrapped around it, hints of gold shimmering in it.
"He marked you." His voice was dangerous and low, and although a part of me wanted to comfort him and tell him it was a
symbolof loyalty and friendship, I decided to push his buttons instead.

2 "And? It's not like you were ever going to mark me.” I said airily, tugging my hand free from his hold, almost smiling when I saw
hiseyes flash gold.
"We can't be, remember?" "Yileyna, don't push me." He growled, tangling his hand in my hair.
"Maybe I want to see you lose control." I whispered, looking into those gorgeous eyes of his.
A rustle in the bushes and footsteps made us both turn sharply, my eyes widened as Hunter fell to his knees the momenthe burst
from the bushes.
“Hunter!” I exclaimed as we both turned.
The smell of blood filled the air as his eyes flashed.
My eyes widened in horror as I saw the blade buried in his hip.
"Run." He growled as the fire was suddenly snuffed out, and I felt a thick layer of darkness fall over us.
“Yileyna.
Run." Theon breathed, his eyes fixed on the direction Hunter had just come from.
I couldn't think, something was numbing my body, and even when I opened my mouth tospeak I couldn't.
Just then, before my very eyes, the trees and bushes began to die as a vast darkness envelopedus.
Deep down in my hazy state, as Theon dragged me to my feet, I knew I needed to protect them.
I pulled free from Theon's hold, seeing the blood trickle from his nose as his heart raced, whatever this was...
it was killing all it touched.
I needed to get away...
lead it away from them...
"Yileyna, don't." His eyes were full of fear, an emotion I never saw in Theon.
Fear for my life...

“Don’t be the hero...
run.”
I love you.
I couldn't speak as I dragged my feet towards the dying forest, pushing through the bushes Hunter had appeared out of.
I needed to meet the enemy before it got to Theon and Hunter.
The moment I stepped onto the blackened earth, it felt like a part of me was mortallyinjured.
I gasped as I stumbled, running blindly towards the darkness.
"Found you." The voice was familiar, and when a hand reached out to grab me by the neck, I found myself staring into Arabella’s
hung eyes.
“You are mine.” I
“I’m...no...”
I couldn’t breathe...
How was she so strong? I closed my eyes, focusing on whatever power I could muster.
I needed to create something around Theon and Hunter...
I know Theon can break my ice...
"You will not succeed; we poisoned the air." She whispered.
“Yeah?” I whispered, closing my eyes.
Even when I felt the shackles of silver touch me, I poured every ounce of my power into the earth beneathmy bare feet.
“Find the others that were with her.” Arabella commanded.
You wish.

A strangled scream left my lips as a wave of power erupted from within me, and I saw a huge wall of ice tear through the
treesreaching the sky.
“Stop it!” Arabella shrieked.
I crumbled, all strength leaving me as I hit the ground, my eyes on the huge wall that split the forest.
Arabella and I on one side, and Theon and Hunter on the other.
They would be safe.
"We will return to Westerfell before she awakens." Arabella's command was chilling Was this...
This wasn’t what was meant to happen...
What happened to Raiden, Zarian, and the others? I hadn't felt any bond snap, or did it happen in my sleep? These questions
swarmed my mind, before I succumbed to the darkness...