Chapter 149
Evelyn’s POV
I stared at the plant sample in my hand, feeling frustrated. The roots we’d spent days digging up weren’t the Stellaris Moonbane Root I desperately needed. Just another plant that looked similar but didn’t have the purple lines along the stem that I was looking for.
“Damn it,” I muttered, throwing the useless plant aside. The afternoon sun came through the trees, making long shadows across our temporary camp at the edge of Thunder Creek.
Jackson walked over to me, looking worried instead of his usual calm self. “Evelyn, I think we should think about going back. Something’s not right about this place p>
I brushed the dirt off my hands and stood up, looking at the quiet town below us. Thunder Creek was strangely quiet for a town its size. Even though it was small, barely a thousand people, the streets should have had more people walking around.
“Have you noticed how few people we’ve seen since we got here?” I asked quietly. “And the forest… it’s too quiet p>
“No animals,” Eryx agreed, coming back from checking the area.
My most trusted warrior looked tense, like he was ready for trouble. “Not even squirrels or birds. A forest this big should be full of life p>
The silence was getting to me. Back in Viremont, forests were always filled with sounds—birds chirping, leaves rustling from small animals, something. Here, it felt dead.
I nodded, my scientist brain making a list of all the weird things. “And our supplies that went missing this morning p>
Jackson’s face got tight. “Someone took them while Damon was watching. He swears he didn’t fall asleep, but p>
“But he did,” I finished. “Which is weird for someone with his training p>
The three of us looked at each other with worry.
My security team was made up of highly trained wolves. They didn’t just ’fall asleep’ while on guard duty. Something had made Damon sleep, and that scared me.
“And that hunter, Chuck,” I said, lowering my voice even more. “Did you notice how he led us in circles yesterday? I’m sure he deliberately took us away from the forest p>
Eryx nodded, his eyes getting narrow. “Want me to watch him p>
“Yes, but don’t let him know. If he’s hiding something, I want to know what it is p>
I felt a chill go down my back and turned around quickly. Nothing there, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching us from the trees.
I looked down at my research notes again. The Stellaris Moonbane Root was so important, not just for Leon’s recovery, but more importantly for Alexis.
My daughter’s condition required regular lab tests and treatments. If I could get this root, I could maybe reduce those visits a lot.
The thought of my little girl going through those needles broke my heart. Each time they stuck her, I felt the pain like they were sticking me too.
“I know you’re worried about Alexis,” Jackson said gently, reading my face. “But with the weather here. We might not be able to leave at all if we wait too long p>
Again, that feeling of being watched.
I pressed my lips together, torn between wanting to protect my daughter and using common sense. The trip from Ravenshade to Thunder Creek had already taken two days. Going back with nothing felt like giving up.
“One more day,” I decided. “We’ll search the northern forest tomorrow, no matter what Chuck says. If we find nothing, we leave p>
Jackson didn’t look happy but nodded. “I’ll have the team ready at dawn p>
“And tell everyone to stay alert,” I added, feeling another chill despite the warm air. “Something’s not right here p>
As darkness fell, the forest seemed to close in around us. I couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were watching us from every shadow. A voice in the back of my mind whispered that we should have left hours ago.
The howling woke me just after midnight.
I bolted upright in my bed, heart pounding against my ribs. That wasn’t the sound of ordinary wolves. Growing up in a wolf pack, I knew the difference between wolves and something far more dangerous—Rogues.
My door burst open and Eryx appeared, fully dressed with a gun in his hand. “We need to move. Now p>
“What’s happening?” I asked, already pulling on my boots.
“Rogue attack. At least 30 of them.” His voice was tight and urgent. “They’re attacking the town p>
How could there be Rogues here? My research before coming showed no recent Rogue activity in this area. Then it hit me, that feeling of being watched. It wasn’t paranoia. It was Rogues.
I grabbed my emergency bag and phone. “The people p>
“Jackson’s already getting as many out as he can,” Eryx said, waving me to follow. “We need to get you safe first p>
“No,” I said firmly. “These are innocent people who don’t know what’s happening. We help them first p>
Eryx looked like he wanted to argue but knew better. In the three years since I’d left the Bloodbane Pack, I’d made it clear that I wouldn’t leave innocent people behind—even if it put me in danger.
We rushed into town. The night air smelled terrible, like Rogues. Unwashed, wild, with hints of blood and desperation. Howls and screams came from all over town.
“This way,” Eryx said, leading me toward a group of scared people hiding behind a small store.
Suddenly, we heard gunshots and Chuck’s voice shouting from nearby. The local hunter was in a fierce fight with a snarling Rogue, but he was clearly losing ground. Blood ran down his face from a cut on his forehead, and he looked exhausted.
When Chuck saw us approaching, his eyes went wide. “Stay back!” he yelled, trying to reload his shotgun. “Get out of here p>
But the Rogue took advantage of Chuck’s distraction. The beast, larger than a normal wolf with dirty gray fur and yellow teeth, lunged forward, knocking the gun from Chuck’s hands.
Eryx moved fast, pushing me behind him while pulling out his gun quickly. Three shots rang out, and the Rogue stumbled back with a howl of pain before retreating into the darkness.
Chuck collapsed against a tree, breathing hard and clutching his wounded arm. When he looked at us again, his expression was a mix of relief and concern.
“Thank you,” he panted, “but you two shouldn’t be here. This whole town’s crawling with them p>
“And leave all of you to die?” I shot back, moving to examine his wounds. “That’s not who I am p>