Chapter 257

Olivia

As the distant murmurings gradually transformed into discernible voices, Nathan and I stood frozen in place, our breaths shallow and synchronized. The cave, which had been a sanctuary of discovery just moments ago, now felt like a trap.

Instinctively, my hand moved to my flashlight, clicking it off. The immediate inky darkness was almost suffocating, our vision limited to the faint light filtering in from the entrance. I could feel the warmth of Nathan’s arm brushing against mine, a silent reassurance in the oppressive darkness.

“Maybe it’s just some hikers,” I whispered, forcing optimism into my voice. “Or maybe just some kids drinking in the woods, looking for a fun spot to hang out?”

Nathan nodded, although I couldn’t see his face. “Let’s hope so. Although I didn’t think that this place was a popular hangout spot.”

But as the voices grew louder, the tone of their conversation changed. There was an intent, a purpose in their tone that seemed inconsistent with casual hikers or playful teens. It was the determination of people on a mission.

“...Should be right up ahead," one voice, young and assertive, echoed towards us. “I saw it on the map.”

Another voice, older and more gruff, replied, “Yeah, and once we have it, Ryan will have everything he needs.”

My heart raced, its thudding rhythm loud in my ears.

“Ryan?” I whispered, my eyes widening. Nathan’s fingers instinctively found mine, and when I met his gaze in the moonlight, his own eyes were just as wide.

“Hide,” Nathan murmured.

They were headed right for the cave. The artifacts, our discovery, everything was at stake. We had thought we were alone in our search, but the reality was quickly setting in: others were on the hunt, and they were uncomfortably close.

But I stayed frozen to the spot with shock. How did Ryan know? How was he on my trail? Did Freya double-cross me, feed me some sort of lie to get me isolated in the woods so Ryan could do something?

No, I thought to myself. The feeling that I had when I held the tooth… That was real. The way my wolf’s power surged was real. Freya had told me the truth, but somehow, Ryan knew about the ritual.

“Come on,” Nathan whispered, urgency lacing his words. Up ahead, I could see the unmistakable silhouettes of shadows at the mouth of the cave. As the reality of our situation sank in, we instinctively sought out a better hiding place, pressing deeper into the shadows.

As the murmur of voices drew nearer, the once-silent cave felt smaller, its vast, shadowy expanse pressing in around us.

Nathan and I, both instinctively crouching low, scrambled to a dim alcove to our right, behind a cluster of stalactites. Their cold, rough surface pressed into my back, providing a semblance of concealment.

“Just focus on their voices, Liv,” Nathan whispered, his voice barely audible. We locked eyes, the faint light from the cave entrance reflecting in his irises.

“I’m telling you, Darren, once we have the artifacts, Ryan is going to be pleased,” came the gruff voice again, echoing eerily off the cave’s damp walls. “He’ll have an edge in this war that no one will see coming.”

My pulse quickened, anxiety flooding me. I didn’t understand how Ryan, of all people, knew about the artifacts. Did that mean that he also knew about my bloodline, or did the artifacts have another purpose? Was that the real reason why he wanted Elliot so badly? Because of the ancient blood in our veins?

My fingers found Nathan’s, seeking reassurance. He responded with a gentle squeeze, but I could feel the tension in his grip, echoing my own concerns.

The other voice, younger but dripping with arrogance, piped up. “I don’t see why we’re so worried about her. She’s just one wolf against us. And besides, she doesn't even know we’re onto her.”

“Don’t be so naive, Colt. You’ve never seen what the bitch could be capable of,” Darren warned, his voice laced with begrudging respect. “None of us have. And besides, she’s in bed with their Alpha. She’ll be holding all the power before we know it if we don’t stop her.”

“Eh, I’m not convinced,” the younger man, Colt, said with a scoff. “She just sounds like a worthless gold-digger to me. Probably couldn’t even control her powers if she tried. First she tried locking down Ryan with those kids, and now she’s got the other Alpha wrapped around her little finger.”

I felt my blood boil, but a squeeze from Nathan brought me back to reality. I met his eyes in the darkness, the weight of his gaze assuring me that it was best to stay silent.

The shadows seemed to dance around us as I clutched the artifact tighter, its solid form offering a shred of solace. We had to remain unnoticed. The conversation these men were having was too revealing to risk getting caught now.

My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, allowing me to make out more of our surroundings. We were surrounded by intricate formations, evidence of thousands of years of dripping limestone-laden water. The air smelled damp and slightly metallic, the typical scent of caves, mingling with an underlying aroma that spoke of old magic and ancient stories.

And up ahead, the two men approached.

The older man, Darren, laughed, a sound devoid of genuine mirth. “Nathan? The man’s just a romantic. He’d do anything for love, even if it’s misguided. But you’re right; we shouldn't underestimate them. Still, this is a job, and we’re going to get it done.”

Darren grunted in agreement as he stepped further into the cavern. His footsteps reverberated off the walls, echoing eerily and making it difficult to pinpoint his exact location. Nathan and I pressed further into our hiding spot, willing ourselves to blend into the shadows.

“Damn it,” Darren’s voice rang out, filled with a mix of surprise and frustration. “Colt! One of the teeth’s gone. The little bitch has already been here.”

Colt, still somewhere near the entrance and unseen by us, replied, “Just grab another one. We were tasked to get an artifact, not specify which one.”

Darren’s silhouette moved closer to where the ancient wolf lay, his form illuminated in the soft light filtering from above.

“It’s not just about taking another. If one’s gone, it means she was here recently. And if she was here...” His voice trailed off, and I imagined him scanning the cavern, realizing the implications.

My heart raced as I listened to the exchange. The weight of the stolen tooth in my hand felt like a burning secret. I had to fight the urge to flee, to bolt from our hiding spot and run.

But Nathan’s steady presence beside me, his resolute posture and unwavering gaze, anchored me. I reminded myself that we had to remain hidden, not just for the sake of the artifact but for the crucial information we were gleaning.

For what felt like hours but was only minutes, we watched as Darren moved cautiously deeper into the cave, inspecting every nook and cranny, occasionally calling out to Colt. The tension in the cave was palpable, with every echoed footstep and every whispered comment amplifying our anxiety.

It wasn’t too long before Darren was closing in on our location, and discovery was inevitable. I felt my stomach twist inside of me, and glanced over at Nathan.

His eyes burned with fury. Would we have to fight our way out of here?