The silence in the great hall was deafening as Eva stood before her warriors, the weight of the moment settling heavily on her shoulders. She had made the decision that there could be no more doubts, no more secrets hidden in the shadows. The betrayal from within the pack had shaken her to her core, and she needed to know who stood with her—truly stood with her—and who did not.
Max stood beside her, his presence a quiet strength as always. His eyes scanned the room, the tension palpable between them. He could see the doubt in some of the warriors’ eyes, the fear that lingered beneath their hardened exteriors. But Eva wasn’t afraid. She couldn’t afford to be. Not now. Not when everything they had worked for was on the line.
“Today, we begin the Loyalty Test,” Eva announced, her voice clear and unwavering. Her eyes swept over the group, her gaze hardening with resolve. “Each of you will swear an oath to Silverstone, to me. By blood. You will vow your loyalty to the pack, to our future.”
The warriors shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another. Eva could sense the growing unease, the uncertainty that hung in the air. She knew what they were thinking—what if they couldn’t swear that oath? What if their loyalty wasn’t as firm as they claimed?
“Those who hesitate,” she continued, her voice colder now, “will be removed from our ranks.”
A murmur passed through the room, and Eva’s eyes narrowed. She had made herself clear, but there was always someone who would test the boundaries. She could feel the tension building, the crackling energy in the air as they waited for her next words.
“Step forward, if you will,” Eva commanded, her tone brokering no argument.
One by one, her warriors stepped up to the front, blood offered in a ritual that bound them to Silverstone. They swore their allegiance, each one’s voice strong, their loyalty unwavering. But as the last of the warriors stepped forward, one man lingered, his face pale, his hands trembling. Erion, a guard known for his quiet strength, stood apart from the others, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
Eva noticed him immediately. She had always trusted Erion, but now, there was something in his posture, something in the way he avoided her gaze that sent a chill down her spine. She could feel the weight of the moment pressing in on her, the need for clarity.
“Erion,” Eva called, her voice sharp, “It’s your turn.”
Erion’s breath caught in his throat. For a long moment, he didn’t move. His body stiffened, and Eva could see the conflict playing out in his eyes. His loyalty was in question, and he knew it. The room held its breath, waiting for him to take the final step. But instead, he made the choice that would change everything.
With a swift motion, he turned and bolted for the door.
“Erion!” Eva shouted, but he was already running, his footsteps echoing through the hall as he fled into the night. The realization hit her like a slap—he was running. He had betrayed them. And now, he was trying to escape.
Max was already on his feet, his voice low with fury. “We can’t let him go. He knows too much.”
Eva didn’t need to say anything. She knew what had to be done. She turned to Tiana, who had been standing nearby, her gaze focused, her expression hard as stone.
“Tiana,” Eva said, her voice steady, “Go after him. Bring him back.”
Tiana nodded, her eyes burning with determination. “On it,” she said, before turning on her heel and darting toward the exit.
The chase was swift and brutal. Tiana’s legs moved like a blur, her body a force of nature as she tore through the forest after Erion. The moonlight streamed through the trees, casting shadows on the ground as she hunted him down. She could hear his footsteps ahead of her, the sound of him desperately trying to outrun her, but he wasn’t fast enough. Not for her.
She rounded a bend in the path, and there he was—his back pressed against a tree, panting, his face twisted in fear. He knew he couldn’t outrun her. Tiana was too fast, too skilled, too relentless.
With a snarl, Tiana lunged forward, tackling him to the ground with the force of a thunderclap. Her hands pinned him down, her fangs bared in a flash of silver. “Wrong girl to underestimate,” she snarled, her voice low and full of rage.
Erion’s eyes widened with fear as he struggled beneath her, but it was useless. He couldn’t escape her grasp. He knew he was done.
“Please,” he gasped, his voice weak, his breath ragged. “I didn’t want this… I didn’t want to betray you.”
Tiana’s eyes narrowed, her grip tightening. “Then why did you run?” she hissed. “Why didn’t you swear your loyalty to the queen?”
Erion’s face twisted in shame. “I… I didn’t have a choice. They threatened me… they promised me safety if I helped them. They wanted the girl, not the queen… the younger one.” His voice faltered, and he gasped for breath as his eyes filled with tears. “They wanted her, not you. They wanted the twins. They wanted the one with the vampire heartbeat.”
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