Chapter 216
Nyssa pov
4:0
A
By now, we had walked a long distance from the packhouse, from the city, and I began to notice that the further we went, the deeper into the forest we moved. Still, I was certain I was following Darius’s scent, he had been here not too long ago. I knew I would have been faster if I shifted into my wolf form, but if I did, the kids at my sides would be left alone.
I glanced at Caleb and Sarah, watching them try to match my pace without a single word of complaint. They were tired, no doubt, and they needed to rest but they would soon. As soon as I found a secure enough place to hide them, I could continue alone to find Darius.
I couldn’t possibly bring them along when Darius was no doubt going after Zayn. My plan was simple, hide the kids, then come back for them once everything was over. As we continued walking, my eyes flickered toward a small cave not far from us.
The sight of it made my lips curve into a smile, a breath of relief slipping from me. This was perfect. The cave had a narrow entrance, just wide enough for their small bodies to squeeze through, but impossible for rogues to follow. Even if they did find the cave, there was no way they could force themselves in either in human form nor beast form. It was the ideal spot to keep the children safe.
“Caleb, Sarah…” I turned to them, and they instantly snapped their heads toward me. But just as I was about to speak, I froze, my body stiffening as my ear twitched at the sound of a barely audible footstep.
It was so faint I could have dismissed it as my imagination but it wasn’t.
I frowned, my lips curving downward as my eyes flickered toward the direction of the sound, but there was nothing there. Not even a shadow.
Still, I could feel it. A presence.
Sheila sensed it too. She began to growl in my head, warning me of danger, and I knew she was right.
I recognized that scent. That presence.
It was him.
I drew a deep breath, my hands curling into fists as I tried to think of what to do. But before I could, Caleb, who hadn’t noticed anything, spoke, his face tightening with worry.
“Miss Nyssa… are you okay? You look really pale,” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
I turned to him, words catching in my throat. I couldn’t tell him the truth, not with Sarah already looking so frightened. So instead, I forced a smile, plastering it on my face as I reached out to ruffle his hair. Then I crouched slightly to meet their eyes, pulling both children closer as my voice dropped to a whisper.
“Can you two be good and do something for me?” I asked.
They nodded immediately, their innocent eyes locked on me with absolute trust. I swallowed the bitter taste in my throat and pointed toward the cave.
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Chapter 216
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“You see that cave? I need you to go inside and hide there for me. I have to go on alone from here, and where I’m going is far too dangerous. That cave will be the perfect place for you two to stay and wait for me to come back for you.”
As soon as I said this, I saw the fear flash in their eyes, as if they thought I was about to abandon them. But I didn’t have time to persuade them, he was watching. I could feel his eyes on me.
Before Caleb could speak, I reached out and whispered under my breath.
“Please trust me. Take your sister and hide inside that cave. And no matter what you hear, no matter what happens, do not come out unless I tell you to. Do you understand? Go. Now”
I pushed him gently toward the cave, and his eyes widened as he staggered. Sarah rushed to his side hurriedly, clutching at him, while Caleb looked back at me in confusion. Then, all at once, his eyes widened further as if he realized what was happening. He started to turn around, but I caught his arm and shook my head, muttering under my breath.
“Go,” I said firmly. “I’ll come back for you both, don’t worry. Protect Sarah while I’m gone.”
For a moment, Caleb stayed silent. Then Sarah broke down, tears streaming as she cried,
“Please don’t abandon us. Please don’t abandon us, Nyssa…”
Her voice cracked, but thankfully Caleb found his resolve. His expression hardened, his small face carrying a determination beyond his years as he nodded.
“Be careful, Miss. We’ll wait for you.”
That was all he said before dragging Sarah toward the cave. Slowly, they slipped inside, vanishing from sight.
My gaze darkened. I drew in a sharp breath, then straightened, brushing the dirt from my trousers before turning toward the direction where that bastard was hiding, watching me.
And then, with a snarl, I spoke,
“You know, I’m starting to think hiding really might be your specialty, Zayn. You love lurking like a coward, pretending, watching people from the shadows. Why don’t you just come out and reveal yourself for once, instead of hiding like a damn creep?”
I spat the words with pure disdain, and for a brief moment the forest went silent, deadly silent, more than it should have been. Then, the next second, laughter cut through the air. It was low, mocking, filled with
amusement.
And then he stepped forward, revealing himself to me. The moment I saw him, a surge of rage ignited inside
- me.
Zayn stood there with his usual air of arrogance, a smirk plastered across his face, his eyes locked on mine. He shoved one hand casually into his pocket, the other lifting in a mocking wave as he continued walking closer. He stopped just inches away, and I frowned.
This man was terrifying. Truly terrifying. The fact that he had hidden his identity so perfectly, pretending to
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Chapter 216
be a skilled doctor, all while taking countless lives with his own hands, it chilled me to my core.
And as he spoke, I felt a shiver crawl down my spine.
“Hey Nyssa, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
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