Chapter 175
Chapter 175
Elara’s POV
I couldn’t hold back my frustration any longer.
“You want the new Rogue King to give you their blood. You still want to be the Werewolf King,” I said, watching Thorne closely. I waited for a reaction, but he said nothing. His silence spoke volumes.
But those dark eyes? They spoke louder than words.
Ambition. That’s what danced in them.
“So, everything you said earlier? Just a lie?” I couldn’t hide the anger that crept into my voice. My pulse quickened as the realization hit me
hard.
Thorne still didn’t answer. But I saw his lips tighten, his hands clenching at his sides. I could feel it. The tension in the air thickened.
“You told me you wanted the kingship to stop this war. But now that it’s ending, you want us to back the right Rogue King, right?” continued, my voice rising with each word. “But you’re saying everyone changes. Even a pacifist can become a war–crazed lunatic. And you’re
His face twisted with cold fury. “You think the Lycans will help us? You want to submit to another species, Elara? Are you out of your fucking mind? They’re just as bad as Lance!”
The words hit me like a slap. Thorne grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer, his breath hot in my ear. “You think Lance didn’t know about this ritual? The Lycans kept it from us, an ancient text, and guess what? The Werewolf King is the only one who can stand against them. They don’t want the king to rise, Elara. They want to control us like slaves.”
I froze. The grip on my wrist felt like chains.
I wanted to argue, to tell him that Dorian was just helping us. But then I remembered his words, the ones that haunted me.
“There’s always a war between werewolves and rogues… But this one is different.”
Dorian had said that. And it was starting to make sense.
Dorian didn’t care about the past wars. He didn’t care about the balanced between rogues and werewolves. This war? This was about something else. Something far more dangerous.
Thorne saw the change in my eyes, the dawning realization. He let out a low laugh, his voice dripping with mockery. “Shocked? Looks like your ‘good guy‘ isn’t such a saint after all.”
“Stop!” I snapped, struggling to pull away. “I’m trying to think!”
“Once he has total control over us,” Thorne continued, his voice low and dangerous, “Do you think he’ll treat you like this forever? The Lycans think they’re superior. They’ll never see you as equal!”
I felt my heart pound harder in my chest. I was furious now.
“I still won’t help you get what you want, Thorne!” My words were sharp, cutting through the heavy silence.
I could feel the heat rising in my chest. “Stop sugarcoating it. You want power for yourself. You’re just using this war to get it. And I won’t let myself be your tool!”
Chapter 175
Thorne’s smile disappeared, his face hardening. He took a step closer, his gaze cold as ice. “Your know i get what went righte
“Yeah. A ruthless pragmatist. Just like I said ”
1 jerked my wrist out of his grasp, standing up straight. “But leave me out of your plans
Turning away, I made my way through the clearing, needing some space, needing to breathe.
But Thorne’s voice cut through the air behind me.
“You don’t need to help me. Just don’t share this with the Lycans. They can’t be trusted.”
I didn’t say anything. My feet carried me away, deeper into the forest. I could hear the distant murmurs of Dorian’s conversation with Alden.
When I reached them, Dorian’s eyes met mine. He gave me a small, knowing smile.
“You done with him?” he asked, voice light.
“Not easy to get him to work with you Lycans,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
Alden raised an eyebrow. “But what choice do you have? You can’t end this war alone. You need our help.”
I frowned, my stomach twisting. His words felt too patronizing. Like he thought we were helpless without the Lycans. Was that what Dorian really thought of us? That we were just pawns?
Before I could speak, Dorian’s voice cut in again, low and curious.
“What’s going on with Thorne and Lance? Did Lance tell him anything?”
I didn’t meet his eyes. Instead, Thorne’s words echoed in my mind.
They’re not to be trusted.
“…Nothing,” I said quietly, keeping my voice steady.
“Really? Nothing at all?”
I shook my head. “They probably had a falling out. But I don’t know the details.”
Alden opened his mouth to protest, but Dorian stopped him with a wave of his hand.
“Forgive me for prying. I just want to make sure Lance isn’t feeding Thorne any lies that’ll make him turn on us,” Dorian said, his tone soft but insistent.
“He won’t,” I replied firmly. “Thorne’s mind is made up. We all want Lance dead.”
“Well, then I trust you,” Dorian said with a smile,
Alden stretched and gave a nod. “I’ll go into the city, get rid of the rogues. I’ll report back to you later, My King.” He bowed to Dorian and disappeared into the trees.
Dorian turned to me, his smile fading just a little. “You should get some rest. It’s going to be a big fight.”
I felt the exhaustion creep in, but I shook my head. “I’m fine.” I gave him a small smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “Thanks, though.”
I walked away, settling down under a tree. The world around me was quiet, the cold night air brushing against my skin.
2/4
Chapter 175
But sleep wouldn’t come. Too many thoughts swirled in my head.
What had Thorne meant when he’d spoken about the new Rogue King? Who had he originally wanted?
Thadn’t had the chance to ask.
As the hours passed, the moon rose high in the sky. By the time Alden returned, the city was eerily silent. Not a rogue in sight.
“We go in,” Dorian said, addressing the group. “Lance knows he’s lost his protection. He’s hiding. We’ll divide and conquer. Elara, you with me?”
I hesitated.
Thorne spoke up, his voice sharp. “She stays with me.”
Dorian’s laugh was dry. “You think you can protect her?”
“My wounds are healed,” Thorne replied coldly.
“But she’ll be safer with a Lycan,” Dorian insisted, his voice thick with implication.
I frowned, irritation rising. I didn’t need anyone’s protection.
“I’m fine on my own. But I’ll go with Thorne. In case he needs my protection.”
Dorian’s gaze darkened. Thorne smirked.
“Elara’s right. I do need a Gamma’s help,” he said, turning toward the others.
With a final glanced, Dorian and his men headed off, leaving me with Thorne. He was practically glowing with his smugness.
“Drop the grin,” I said through gritted teeth. “Let’s go.”
The city that had once been bustling was now empty. Not a rogue in sight.
Thorne and I returned to the palace. We went to the spot where we last saw Lance. But the place was empty.
A trail of blood led off into the darkness.
Thorne’s eyes narrowed. “He’s close. Come on.”
We followed the blood deeper into the ruined palace. The walls had collapsed
through narrow gaps.
The blood trail grew more prominent, darker, as we went on.
“His wound’s getting worse,” I whispered.
some places, and we had to crouch down or squeeze
“Yeah. He’s lost the Rogue King’s power.” Thorne’s voice was low. “We’re close. I can feel it.”
Ten minutes later, we were climbing a tower.
“I think I know where he’s headed,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “There’s a drawbridge at the top. If Lance gets to it, he can escape into the mountains without going through the city.”
Thorne’s expression shifted, but before he could respond, he held up a hand.
10:28 Mon, 11 Aug
Chapter 175
Quiet.
We heard voices from above.
C
“…Please, help me move the King. There’s still a chance.”
The other voice was unmistakable.
Miela.
73%
