Chapter 24 Sheldon's Pov

• The forest is unnervingly silent, save for Esmeralda's ragged breaths and the pounding of my own heartbeat. I should have known this wasn’t going to end without bloodshed.
• Before I can secure Esmeralda in my arms, the rustle of leaves breaks the quiet. A dark blur rushes toward me. I shift Esmeralda behind me, bracing myself just as one of the vampires reemerges, a long, gleaming silver blade in hand.
• “Well, Alpha,” he taunts, twirling the sword like a toy. “Did you think we’d make it that simple?”