Bella’s heart hammered in her chest as the two Nyxthorn spies stood before her, their eyes wide with shock and fear. She could feel the power radiating from her, her body humming with energy, the medallion around her neck pulsing like a second heartbeat.
“You’re going to tell me everything,” she growled, stepping closer to the two men. Her voice was low, dangerous, and she could see the fear flickering in their eyes.
The taller of the two spies, the one who had spoken earlier, shifted uneasily, his eyes darting to his companion. Bella could feel the tension in the air, the uncertainty of what they were about to reveal. But she didn’t care about their fear. She needed answers. And she was done waiting.
The shorter man swallowed hard, his hands trembling. “We don’t know anything,” he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. Bella could see the lie in his eyes.
“I think you do,” Bella snapped, her voice hard as steel. She moved closer, narrowing the distance between them, and the taller spy took a half step back. “You’ve been sent to spy on me, and you know exactly why Nyxthorn wants me.”
The taller man, desperate, tried to stand his ground. “We’re not telling you anything,” he spat, but his words lacked the same confidence they had before.
Bella didn’t flinch. She wasn’t going to back down now. “Tell me why Shadowbound wants me,” she demanded again, her voice rising with a simmering rage. “Tell me why you’ve been watching me. Tell me what’s so important about me.”
The shorter spy’s eyes flickered to his companion, as if considering whether they could keep their secret any longer. Bella took a deep breath, focusing on the power building inside her. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she willed the energy within her to surge.
“Tell me now,” she growled, her voice carrying a sharp edge that made both spies flinch.
The taller man’s defiance faltered, and he stepped back, his face contorting with frustration. “You’re not ready for the truth,” he muttered, his voice low. “Shadowbound wants you because you carry… forbidden blood.”
Bella’s blood ran cold at his words, the phrase “forbidden blood” echoing in her mind like a drumbeat. What did it mean? What kind of blood did she carry?
The shorter spy, sensing Bella’s confusion, spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. “Your parents… they were once part of Nyxthorn. They were powerful wolves. Shadowbound’s blood runs through your veins.”
Bella’s thoughts raced as she tried to process his words. Her parents? Part of Nyxthorn? She had always known there was something different about her, something hidden deep inside, but this… this was more than she could have ever imagined.
Her mind spun with questions. Why had they left Nyxthorn? Why had they left her here, in Crescent Howl? Was this why she had been abandoned at the borders? Why had the elders kept her hidden all these years?
“No,” Bella breathed, shaking her head in disbelief. “My parents… they can’t be part of Nyxthorn. They… they didn’t leave me. I was abandoned.”
The taller spy’s eyes softened with a hint of sympathy, but he quickly masked it. “You were abandoned to protect you. Shadowbound wanted you… but your parents didn’t want to risk you being used for his power. They hid you, hoping you would never find out.”
Bella’s heart twisted painfully in her chest. Her parents had left her to protect her. They had known what Nyxthorn was capable of, and they had made the ultimate sacrifice for her safety. But why hadn’t they come back for her? Why hadn’t they—
“Why didn’t they come for me?” Bella whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
The shorter spy didn’t answer her question. Instead, he looked at his companion, and a smirk tugged at his lips.
“Because they knew you’d be found,” he said cryptically. “And Shadowbound is patient. He’s waited long enough. He’ll come for you when the time is right.”
Bella’s stomach twisted with dread as the pieces of her life began to fall into place, but there was still so much she didn’t understand. Why her? Why had Shadowbound chosen her?
The taller spy took a step forward, his expression suddenly darker, and Bella instinctively took a step back. His eyes flickered to the medallion around her neck before meeting her gaze again.
“You’ll meet him soon enough,” the spy said, his smirk widening, a malicious glint in his eyes. “Shadowbound’s patience is legendary. And once you’ve met him… you’ll understand why he wants you.”
Bella’s mind was reeling with everything the spy had just said. Shadowbound wanted her. He had known about her all along. And now, she was caught in a game she hadn’t even realized had started.
“Tell me what you know about Shadowbound,” Bella demanded, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. “Tell me everything.”
But the spy only shook his head, his eyes glinting with amusement. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he said. “Shadowbound has big plans for you. And when he’s ready, you’ll understand why you’re so important.”
Before Bella could ask another question, the spy’s companion grabbed his arm, pulling him away from her. “We’re done here,” the shorter spy said, his voice low and urgent.
Bella’s anger flared, but she didn’t move to stop them. She knew they were only telling her part of the story, and she couldn’t afford to let them slip away now. She needed more answers.
As they disappeared into the shadows, Bella was left standing in the clearing, her mind a whirl of confusion, fear, and anger. She had learned more about her past than she had ever wanted to know, but it only raised more questions.
Who was Shadowbound? And why did he want her?