Chapter 14 Esmeralda's Pov

• My head still reels with the information the stranger had given me. I have to leave this pack. Nothing can change my mind. As if to make things worse, when I turn around, I am met with Luna Karel's eyes seething with anger. The dance is still on, and she stares down at me, seemingly oblivious to the crowd. I wasn't in for this again.
• Just then, the music ends, and she strides toward me, her heels clicking on the floor.
• "May I have a word?" Her voice drips with venom.
• Sheldon's expression turns cautious beside her throne, where he watches the confrontation. “Karel, we've discussed this." He calls out sternly in a cold voice.
• I sense the tension between them and excuse myself. "I'll leave you two alone."
• I walk away, wishing my legs could carry me out faster, but the heels I put on did nothing to help.
• I can still feel her gaze as it lingers on my retreating back. "You're making a mistake, Sheldon. She's not worthy of you." I overheard her say before I walked out into the darkness outside.
• I breathe a sigh of relief at finally getting out of the stuffy crowd and having some time alone to myself. I had stood there for a few minutes savoring nature’s breeze when an icy feeling crept up my spine.
• Someone is watching me. My nostrils flare, my senses heightening as I look around cautiously, but I catch no scent or sight of anyone. My eyes narrow, the nagging feeling at the back of my mind refusing to shut down.
• My eyes catch sight of something moving in the darkness.
• My heart hammered as the shadow shifted, dark wings unfolding against the night sky. At first, I thought it was merely a bat, drawn by the night and my paranoia. But then, as I watched, it dropped to the ground with a silent, graceful sweep. Before I could blink, it transformed—morphing from an ordinary creature of the night into something far more sinister.
• The vampire stood tall, his figure pale and unnervingly elegant under the moonlight. His eyes glinted a deep red, like blood reflecting off a blade, and a cold smile spread across his face as he watched me, a predator studying its prey.
• “Well, well,” he drawled, his voice low and mocking. “Out here all alone, little wolf? Not the wisest choice.”
• I forced myself to stay calm, though every instinct in my body screamed to run. Hopefully someone would notice I've been gone for too long and come check on me.
• “What do you want?” I demanded, my voice steady but edged with defiance.
• He tilted his head, seeming amused. “Only to observe, to understand why Alpha Sheldon would choose someone… like you. A breeder, yes? What a strange title for the wolf that stands here now.”
• The words cut, his taunt hitting harder because of the truth behind it. I was still fighting to shake off the stinging whispers from inside the hall. But I wasn’t about to let him see that.
• “Point of correction, he didn't choose me,” I reply, clenching my fists, refusing to let him see any weakness.
• He takes a deliberate step closer, the moonlight illuminating the sharp contours of his face. “I wonder… would anyone miss you if you disappeared tonight?”
• I feel a shiver run down my spine, but before I can react, the door to the ballroom bursts open. Sheldon stood there, his eyes flashing dangerously as he took in the sight of us.
• The vampire’s smile fades slightly as he straightens, meeting Sheldon's gaze with a knowing smirk. “Ah, the Alpha himself. This just became interesting.”
• “Stay away from her,” Sheldon’s voice is a low growl, filled with a fury that makes the air around us thrum.
• The vampire only chuckles, his gaze flitting between us with a hint of intrigue. “Of course, Alpha. I'll stay away…for now. But remember, You can't hide her forever.”
• What did he mean, hide? Is he hiding me?
• And just like that, he vanishes into the night, leaving only the faint echo of his laughter in the air.
• Sheldon's eyes narrow as he approaches me, his gaze still fixed on the spot where the vampire disappeared. "What were you thinking, coming out here alone?" he demands, his voice low and urgent.
• Esmeralda shrugs, trying to downplay the encounter. "I needed some fresh air."
• Sheldon's expression turns skeptical. "Fresh air? In the middle of a party? With a vampire lurking around?"
• My eyes flash with defiance. "I didn't know he was out here."
• Sheldon's jaw clenched. "Exactly. You didn't know. That's why you shouldn't be out here alone."
• I sighed, feeling trapped. "I can take care of myself."
• Sheldon's gaze intensifies. "Not against vampires, you can't. Come inside."
• I hesitated, but Sheldon's firm grip on my elbow guided me back toward the ballroom.
• As we entered, the Luna's eyes locked onto mine again, her expression venomous. "Welcome back, breeder," she spat.
• Sheldon's warning glance silenced Karel.
• Inside, the music and laughter continued, but my unease lingered. She couldn't shake off the vampire's words: "You can't hide her forever."
• What did Sheldon hide her from? And why was he acting like Jared?
• I pull him aside, my voice barely above a whisper. "What's going on?" What did that vampire mean by 'you can't hide me forever'?"
• Sheldon's expression turns guarded. "Nothing that concerns you, breeder." Just vampire games."
• My eyes narrow. "Don't lie to me. I deserve to know the truth."
• Sheldon sighs, his gaze scanning the room before focusing on me. "Fine. Come with me.”
• He leads me to a secluded room, the silence between us thick with tension.
• "What's going on, Sheldon?" I press, taking off his hands.
• His smiles my ignorance suggesting mocking. "You're in danger, Esmeralda. The Shadow Clan wants you, and I'm trying to protect you."
• My heart skipped a beat. "Why?"
• Sheldon's eyes locked onto mine. "Because…," He says leaving the rest of his sentence unsaid.
• My mind reels, unsure what to make out about Sheldon's admission.
• "How dare he," she muttered to her loyal companion, Ryker. "Parading that breeder around, putting the entire pack at risk."
• Ryker's expression remained neutral. "Perhaps there's more to Esmeralda than meets the eye."
• Karel's glare turned icy. "Are you planning to go on defending her?"
• Ryker shrugged. "I'm stating facts. Esmeralda may hold the key to our pack's survival, Luna."
• Karel's eyes narrowed. "I'll make sure she doesn't survive long enough to find out."