Macy POV
I pause in the middle of the trees, unsure which way to go. Douglas runs into my back, muttering apologies. He is driving me insane and we have only been together for about an hour. He refuses to walk at my side, claiming he doesn't deserve to be at my side. He is going to blow my cover if we run into werewolves. We will need to avoid werewolf packs and humans until we get to Raven's mansion. I can blend in, but Douglas cannot. His appearance is alarming. My plan was to move away from the sounds of werewolves, but they seem to be surrounding us.
The sound of footsteps gets closer, and I know I can't get away. Pulling my hair out of my ponytail, I make sure to cover my pointed ears. I spin to look at Douglas. His gray skin glitters awkwardly in the sunlight that peeks through the treetops. No amount of darkness will hide what I have turned him into.
'I could just kill them all,' Astoria yawns in my mind.
'We aren't killing needlessly,' I hiss at her.
'Then, I will turn them,' she replies. 'I can build an army just as my stepdaughter tried to do. Only, I will be successful. Gray Creatures are much more obedient than lycans.'
'No, we will leave the Human Realm as untouched as possible.'
She scoffs. 'Do you think Selene's warriors are giving the Immortal Realm the same courtesy?'
The footsteps are getting louder. Douglas is fidgeting behind me. He is poised to attack. If he had a tail, it would be wagging in my direction when I look at him, but his smile falls when he sees my scowl.
"Hide behind that tree," I instruct him.
He pouts but does as he is told. I could used to his obedience. Leaning against the tree, I wait to be found.
"I think she went that way," someone yells out.
"Circle around so she can't get away," another snarls.
The leaves shuffle on the ground, and I brace myself for what is to come. Several werewolves emerge right in front of me. Many are naked and covered in blood. I expected them to be rogues, but they aren't. These are pack members, I just don't know which pack.
A tall blonde that I have never seen before steps forward. He has a neatly trimmed beard and brown eyes. He is clearly an Alpha. As the daughter of former Alphas, I should recognize him, but I don't.
His eyes run over me, and they linger on my ears. I resist the urge to cover them. "Destin," he shouts over his shoulder. "You aren't going to believe what I found."
My breath shutters when I hear his name. I never thought I would see him again. I especially never thought I would see him with a pack of werewolves. It doesn't seem like something he would do. I suck in a sharp breath as he makes his way through the pack.
His hair is longer, but it is still messy. He doesn't bother to hide his pointed ears. This pack obviously knows what he is. If he is surprised to see me, it doesn't show on his face. He isn't looking at me. He is looking at the tree behind me.
"What the fuck is that?" He hisses at me.
Douglas has snuck out from behind the tree and is crouched at my side. I roll my eyes as I look at him. "You were supposed to stay hidden."
"I only wish to protect my Queen," Douglas whimpers.
"What the fuck is he talking about?" Destin demands to know.
"It is good to see you too," I glare in Destin's direction.
"Just answer the fucking question, Macy."
"This is Douglas," I reply. "I made him."
"You made him?" Destin laughs. "You made a Gray Creature?"
"It's a long story," I groan. "If you are here to kill me, just try to get it over with, but I can assure you Astoria will not go down without a fight."
"Astoria," Destin whispers in shock.
"Yes. Apparently, I have traded one psychotic parasite for another," I snap.
Destin cocks his head to the side and stares at me. "We can talk about this later."
I crack my fingers in front of me. "I would like to get this over with. I have a Goddess to kill."
Destin steps in my direction, and Douglas snarls. He doesn't dare to come forward. "Control your pet."
"That's not happening," I tell him. "Douglas is bound to me for some God awful reason. I won't deny him the chance to protect me."
"He doesn't need to protect you," Destin mutters.
I gesture around to all of the werewolves surrounding me. "I would beg to differ. What pack is this anyway? I don't recognize the Alpha."
"Keep looking for Selene," the Alpha commands his warriors. "Destin and I can handle this."
"You won't find her," I tell him. "She disappeared after Douglas attacked her."
"Fuck!" Destin shouts. "Do you know how long it took us to lure her here?"
"She was here for me fuck face," I snap. "You had nothing to do with it. Or did you."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"Cassian sent me to my death," I inform him. "Maybe you helped him."
His anger subsides. "Are you suggesting Cassian is working with Selene?"
"He was," I sigh. "But now that Selene's rogues have marched into the Immortal Realm, I don't know whose side he is on."
"You should tell her, Destin," the Alpha sighs.
"Come on," Destin grumbles. "We have something to show you."
He begins to walk away, but I have no intention of following him. "I am not following you to my death. I need to get to the Royal Mansion. Raven is sick."
"We know," the Alpha says. "Just come with us. I promise no one will harm you."
All of the warriors have dispersed, leaving me alone with Destin and the Alpha. I let Astoria flicker forward for only a moment. Destin and the Alpha jump back, but Douglas claps happily at my side. I had almost forgotten he was there. I flash him a smile, and he beams up at me.
I stare at Destin and his friend and point to Douglas. "I made him," I warn them. "Astoria is desperate to create an army. If you try to kill me, I will let her, and your whole pack will be turned. Are we clear?"
The Alpha swallows. "I am Alpha Charlie, and I promise not to fuck you over."