Chapter 68
Elara’s POV
“Now? Have they crossed into our territory yet?” There’s voice was a snap of frustration
“No, not the border,” the guard stammered, eyes wide with panic,
“They attacked Fox Town–tonight It’s barely 50 miles out, and the whole village is ash Alpha, you need to come. You need to see thép
Elara’s breath hitched.
Fox Town? How? How had the rogues crossed so deep into their land, unseen? More questions clawed at her mind, like claws on stone. This couldn’t be a coincidence. They were preparing to send forces to the border, and the rogues had already struck. Were they waiting for this? Or did some tip them off?
The thought made her stomach twist into knots.
“Elaral” Thome’s sharp cry broke through her spiraling thoughts.
“I have to go, now,” he ordered.
“I’m consing with you!” Elara’s voice cut through the air, firm and unyielding
Thorne’s frown deepened, but he didn’t waste time arguing. He turned on his heel, and Elara followed his every step. They rushed down the stairs together, the urgency of the moment painting every breath.
Once on the ground floor, Thorne barely glanced back as he spoke. “Get your best men. Meet me at Fox Town. Be quick”
“You too, Elara replied, her voice taut
She bolted out the door, her heart pounding in time with her steps. First, she dialed Vessa. The line clicked, and at first, she heard nothing but there of someone shifting in bed.
“Vessa, get the soldiers together. Fox Town’s been hit. We’re leaving now!
Vessa jolted awake, her voice sharp. “Rogues? Fox Town? Tonight?” The sound of clothing rustling filled the line. “But how-”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I’ll explain later,” Elara said, her feet pounding against the ground as she crossed the silent training field. She reached the warehouse, wrenching open the door. With one hand, she held the phone to her shoulder, the other grabbing weapons.
“Gather a team and meet me at the North Gate in five minutes. We’re heading to Fox Town,” she ordered.
“Got it!” Vessa’s voice clipped the air before the line went dead.
Elara moved fast, collecting enough supplies for a team of ten. She sprinted back across the field, barely pausing when she collided with someone at the edge.
“Elara!” His face registered shock. “I saw the light at the warehouse. What’s going on?”
“The rogues attacked For Town. They’re burning it to the ground,” Elara answered, her voice hard with the weight off what she’d just learn
“WHAT? How did=”
“I don’t have time to explain!” Elara cut him off. “Just tell Roman and Theo what happened. Come with us if you want, but we need to go now!”
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Chapter 68
She was already pushing past him before he could say anything else.
At the North Gate, Vessa’s group arrived at the same time as Elara. They all gratibed their weapons, shitting into their wolves in sme. They moved o racing into the forest toward Fox Town
Elara’s heart hammered in her chest, every footfall a loud drumbeat in her ears, Worry clawed at her, a cold weight settling in her gart. Was this rest? went she actually running toward a battle? Or was this some twisted nightmare
Then, the caught the first scent in the air–smoke
“Gamma, look!” Jory gasped behind her.
Elara didn’t need to be told. The night sky had turned a horrifying shade of crimson, flames licking at the horizon. The air was thick with the crackle of fire and the sound of distant screams. The heat was unbearable as they pushed forward.
The scene before her was unrecognizable for Town–once a small, quiet village was now a chaotic inferno. The air was thick with the bitter sting of smoke and the smell of burning wood.
“Gamma, what should we do? Vessa’s voice came, breathless from the run,
“Take five soldiers and help put out the fire. Rescue anyone you can,” Elara commanded, urgency surging in her veins. “The rest of you, come with me. We need to find the rogues!”
They split off, each moving to their assigned tasks. Elara charged down the wreckage–strewn road, eyes darting for any sign of the attackers. But all she found was the devastation–ruins, ash, silence.
Jory’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Gamma! Over there there’s someone in that house!”
She turned, her heart leaping into her throat. The roof of the house had collapsed under the weight of the flames, but weak, desperate groans Eltered through the remains
Together, they worked quickly, lifting debris to pull the man free.
Sir Can you hear me? Where are the rogues?” Elara knelt beside him, shaking his shoulder.
The man’s eyes were wide with terror, his body trembling. “No… No, please! Don’t–don’t kill me… I beg you.”
“It’s okay,” Elara said softly, trying to steady his frantic breathing. “We’re here to help. Just tell me where are the rogues?”
He recoiled, covering his face with his hands. “– don’t know! Please, stop! Please don’t hurt me
Elara let out a quiet breath, frustration mounting “Take him to Vessa. Get him treated and safe,” she ordered, her voice tight.
The soldier nodded and lifted the man, ca
carrying h
thim away.
Elara and Jory continued their search, rescuing nearly twenty more people, each one too injured or terrified to offer anything useful. Every face was the same–shock, fear, pain. But no answers.
Awhile later, Bex and his men arrived, breathless and ready for action.
“Elaral” Box’s voice cracked with concern. “Any sigh of them?”
“No. Nothing. It’s like they vanished,” Elara snapped, her frustration reaching a boiling point.
“Shit. What now? The fire’s still spreading. We need to focus on the injured, get them out of here-
I’m not giving up po this. We’re not stopping until we find those bastards.”
Elara clenched her fists. “I’m not
She couldn’t afford to back down, not with so many questions unanswered. How had the rogues crossed the border undetected? How had they known
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Chapter 68
the perfect moment to strike? And why did they choose for Town!
Her stomach churned as one cold thought cut through her mind Someone on the inside was helping them
“I we stop now, we’ll never find out who’s working with them,” Elara muttered, her voice barely abov
“You can’t be serious,” Bex said, stepping in front of her “it’s too dark, too dangerous. You’re going in blind”
“I’m going. I’ll find them,” Elara snapped, determination in her eyes
“You can’t search the whole forest. It stretches for miles, and you’re one person
But just then, a sound cut through the night–howling. It wasn’t the usual wall cry. This one was off, unfamiliar, a different tone
“it’s them!” Bex said, eyes wide “But what does it mean? Do we understand their language?”
“To the west.” Jory’s voice broke through, urgent.
Elara turned to find him standing behind her. “They ‘n
‘re calling for reinforcements. We need to go–now”
Without another word, they shifted, and Elara’s heart raced as she led them into the night
C
