Chapter 15 Sheldon's Pov

• I guide Esmeralda back to the ballroom, my eyes scanning the crowd for potential threats. The vampire's words still echo in my mind: "You can't hide her forever."
• The Shadow Clan's interest in her is a ticking time bomb, and I am running out of options. I probably might have to resort to that option in the end.
• I will do everything in my power to protect her, for now at least.
• As we enter, Karel's gaze locks onto mine, her eyes flashing with anger before sliding over to Esmeralda.
• “Welcome back, breeder," she states, her voice dripping with venom.
• I direct a cold stare at her that shuts her up. Now was not the time for any baseless confrontations.
• As I guide Esmeralda off the dance floor, I feel Karel's eyes burning holes into my back with resentment. I had to get Esmeralda out of there before things escalated.
• "Where are we going?" Esmeralda asks, her voice barely audible over the music.
• I didn't respond; my focus was on securing her safety.
• We navigate through the crowded hallways, my senses on high alert. My past breeders had all died mysteriously. For some reason, I couldn't stomach the thought of losing Esmeralda even though she was nothing but my breeder. It doesn't help that her special blood makes her an even bigger target for the vampires. She can't even imagine the danger she's in right now.
• I push the thought aside, concentrating on the present.
• As we reach the exit, I hand Esmeralda a cloak. "Put this on."
• She complies, her eyes questioning.
• "Let's go," I urge, leading her into the night.
• The cool air envelops us, a welcome respite from the stifling ballroom.
• Esmeralda's hand slips from my grasp, and she halts. "Sheldon, what's going on?"
• I turn, my expression stern. "You're not safe here. We need to get you out of the pack."
• Her eyes widen. "Why?"
• My jaw clenches. I couldn't reveal the truth… not yet.
• "Trust me," I say, my voice firm.
• Esmeralda's gaze searches mine, then she inches backwards. Of course, what did I expect? For her to run into my arms like a long-lost lover?
• Ignoring her, I start walking, expecting her to follow, and she does, maintaining a distance.
• My past with the Shadow Clan was deep and dark. It had all started with a blood agreement, and now it took a blood agreement to continue it. "They want you," I say, my tone flat as I finally give a response.
• "Why?" She asks once again.
• I bit my lip as I added. "You're a… valuable asset."
• The truth was more complex. My history with the Shadow Clan was marked by blood and betrayal.
• "Sheldon?" Esmeralda's voice breaks through my thoughts.
• I refocus and look down at her. "We need to keep moving."
• We walk in silence, the only sound our footsteps on the damp earth.
• Memories I'd long suppressed began to resurface. I had long pushed it back, but the guilt lingered.
• Memories of that fateful night, when I had made a pact with the vampires, trading peace for a hundred years of reign in exchange for a terrible price.
• One breeder was sacrificed every year to satiate their hunger.
• I recalled the words of the vampire lord: "A small price for peace, Sheldon. And this year... the sacrifice will be someone special."
• My mind recoils at the thought. Esmeralda, my mate, a breeder, was this year's sacrifice. I would rather reject her and send her away than have her killed by those bloodsuckers.
• The weight of my secret threatens to consume me. I had sworn to protect my pack, but at what cost?
• I recall the first year, the ease with which I had given up a stranger. But each subsequent year, the pain grew.
• Suddenly, a faint scent wafted through the air.
• Vampire.
• "Run," I whisper, grabbing Esmeralda's hand.
• We sprinted through the night, the Shadow Clan closing in. My grip on her hand tightens.
• Suddenly, Sheldon halted, his eyes scanning our surroundings.
• "What is it?" She shouts, worry and fear in her voice.
• I had no issue fighting against the intruders. But I had something to protect, making it harder. "You need to keep running." I respond urgently.
• Just then, a figure emerges from the shadows.
• “Maybe we should have just stayed back in the pack.” She mutters with a whimper. The coat I had given her is long forgotten somewhere.
• The intruder emerges from the shadows, and I recognize her immediately.
• "Astrid," I growl.
• "Sheldon, dear. You're in a predicament. You seem to be eloping with your…personal slut.”
• My stance turns defensive. "What do you want, Astrid?"
• Her gaze flickers to me. "I've been watching you, Alpha. I thought your loyalty was to the Luna alone."
• I step forward, shielding Esmeralda. “Yes, I am. But she's in danger."
• Astrid chuckles. "Oh, Sheldon. You know I can help you."
• Astrid's presence complicated things. Her motives were never straightforward.
• "What do you want, Astrid?" I repeat, my tone firm.
• Her smile widens. "I can help you protect Esmeralda from the Shadow Clan."
• I narrow my eyes, wondering how she knows about it, and ask, "At what cost?"
• Astrid's gaze locks onto mine. "A small favor... in the future."
• I hesitate. Astrid's favors often came with steep prices.
• Esmeralda's hand slips into mine, her eyes teary and confused.
• "We don't need your help," I say, trying to sound convincing. But even to myself, I sounded very unsure.
• Astrid chuckles. “Dear Alpha. You're no match for the Shadow Clan alone."
• Her words strike a nerve. I knew she was right.
• "Fine," I relent. "What's your plan?"
• Astrid's eyes sparkle with mischief. This was probably not a good idea, but this had to work, for now. "We'll take Esmeralda to the Witches' Sanctuary."
• My gut tightens. The sanctuary was rumored to be impenetrable.
• But could I trust Astrid?
• Esmeralda's POV
• I feel like a pawn in a game I didn't understand.
• The moon hangs low, casting a faint glow on our surroundings as I follow Sheldon, my mind racing with questions that seem to have no end and no answers so far. The farther we walk from the pack grounds, the more anxious I become, and I can’t help but feel the weight of whatever he’s hiding. Sheldon’s silence gnaws at me, and each step in this shadowed night feels like a step further into the unknown.
• Astrid’s presence beside us only makes things worse. Her knowing smirk and calculating eyes make me tremble in fear. She’s nothing but trouble, and yet here we are, relying on her. Was he selling me to her or something? The experience triggers my past trauma. Although I wouldn't be surprised if he did, it wasn't beyond him.
• "Where are we going?" I ask, finally breaking the silence.
• Sheldon keeps his eyes straight ahead, his jaw clenched. "To a safer place."
• His vague response ignites my frustration. "A safe place from what?" Why can’t you just tell me what’s going on?"
• He pauses, glancing back at me, his eyes reflecting something between anger and regret. But just as he’s about to answer, Astrid interrupts, her voice dripping with a false sweetness.
• “Oh, didn’t he tell you?” she purrs, her gaze gleaming. "You’re quite the valuable commodity to some powerful players. Our Alpha is just trying to keep you from becoming… a casualty.”
• I stare at Sheldon, confusion bubbling up inside me. “Is that true? Aside from being nothing to you, I’m now some bargaining chip?”
• Sheldon’s jaw tightens, and his silence answers more than words ever could. I pull my hand from his grip, stopping in my tracks as anger flares within me. What the hell have I been doing being all vulnerable with him, thinking something was on?
• Sheldon looks at me, his expression haunted. “It’s more complicated than that, Esmeralda. There’s a past—a history that I didn’t want you tangled up in.”
• I turn away from him, feeling a sting deep in my chest. I had never learned from the past.
• Astrid laughs softly, delighted by the tension. “Well, don’t worry, little breeder. Soon enough, you’ll be out of danger. If you survive the sanctuary, that is.”
• I whirl to face her, my patience snapping. “What do you mean, survive the sanctuary?”
• Astrid shrugs, a smirk curling at the corner of her lips. “The Witches’ Sanctuary isn’t exactly known for being welcoming, darling. It’s full of spells, protections, and, let’s just say, tests for anyone who dares to enter.”
• A chill runs through me. I look at Sheldon, hoping he’ll reassure me, but his expression is unreadable. “So that’s your plan?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper. “To dump me somewhere dangerous and hope I make it? Is this another punishment?”
• Sheldon steps closer, his hand reaching for mine, but I pull away. “Esmeralda, it’s not like that. The sanctuary can protect you from the Shadow Clan—keep you out of their reach. It’s the safest place I can think of.”
• “But at what cost?” I challenge, feeling the fear clawing at me. “You’re not telling me everything, Sheldon. What exactly am I to you? Sometimes you act like I matter, then you turn around and treat me like trash!”
• The silence stretches, broken only by the soft rustle of leaves. Finally, Sheldon speaks, his voice a quiet, fractured whisper. “You’re more important than you realize. And that’s why I can’t let anything happen to you.”
• The admission catches me off guard, and I see a flicker of emotion in his eyes that disappears instantly. Before I can respond, Astrid rolls her eyes, snapping the moment like a twig.
• “Save your speeches, Alpha,” she sneers, tapping her foot impatiently. “The Shadow Clan won’t wait while you two work out your feelings. If we’re going, we need to move now.”
• Sheldon’s gaze hardens, and he turns away, his face once again closed off. With a reluctant sigh, I follow him, feeling more lost than ever. The promise of protection feels hollow, and Astrid’s presence only deepens the sense of dread swirling in my gut.
• As we trek further into the forest, I can feel the air changing, thickening with something ancient and otherworldly. The trees seem to close in around us, their branches forming twisted arches overhead and blocking the moonlight. The path grows narrower, and the ground underfoot feels spongy, as though the forest itself resents our intrusion.
• Finally, we come to a halt at the edge of a clearing, where a ring of stones encircles a massive oak tree. Ancient runes are carved into the bark, glowing faintly in the dark.
• Astrid steps forward, her hand extended toward the tree. “This is the entryway to the Witches’ Sanctuary. Beyond this point, your safety is no longer guaranteed, breeder.”
• I glance at Sheldon, but he only nods. His eyes are somber, and for a moment, I feel a pang of regret that I can’t fully explain. I swallow hard, squaring my shoulders as I step toward the tree. If I am to face whatever lies within, I’ll do it on my own terms.
• As I reach out to touch the runes, a searing pain shoots through my hand, like fire licking at my skin. I gasp, pulling back, but Astrid grabs my wrist, forcing my hand against the bark.
• “You need to pass the threshold willingly,” she says, her voice eerily calm. “If you resist, the sanctuary won’t accept you.”
• I grit my teeth, fighting the urge to scream as the burning sensation intensifies. My vision blurs, and I can hear Sheldon’s voice calling my name, but it feels distant, as if he’s miles away. The forest around me fades, replaced by shadows that twist and writhe, pulling me into their depths.
• Finally, the pain subsides, and I collapse to my knees, gasping for breath. When I look up, Sheldon and Astrid are gone, replaced by a dark, endless corridor stretching into the unknown.