Ezra’s P.O.V
I watched as Zoya and Ezra left the house, trying to push down the jealousy and anger that rose within me. I knew I had no right to feel this way, but seeing another man with her triggers something primal in me, and I needed to find a way to control it, because the jealousy I felt was almost suffocating.
I hated feeling this way towards a human, even if she was my mate, and I had no right to be jealous, but I couldn't help it. The way Ezra looked at Zoya, the way he touched her back while helping her into the car, it was all too much for me to bear, and I knew, for all the feelings of betrayal I felt toward him, that he was still grieving from Lily’s death as well, so he was likely not making any sort of move anyway, and the human part of me told me that I was probably just overthinking it, blinded by the animalistic instinct of claiming territory.
But… I sighed and tried to force down the jealousy, to push it deep into the recesses of my mind, but it was like trying to hold back a tidal wave. It crashed over me, drowning me in a sea of anger and frustration. I knew that I had to get away, to clear my head and figure out what to do next. As they disappeared from sight, I took a deep breath and decided to head downhill towards the enemy pack's territory.
It's a risky move, but I need help to find out the truth about Lily's death. Making my way down the hill, I was acutely aware of the patrol guards that were stationed around the perimeter of our pack's territory. I had to avoid them at all costs if I wanted to make it to the enemy pack's border undetected. I slinked through the trees, my senses heightened and alert for any sign of danger.
I could hear the faint sounds of the guards in the distance, their footsteps echoing through the forest. I knew I had to be quick and quiet, moving stealthily and keeping to the shadows. I couldn't risk being caught, not when I had a chance, albeit a slim one, of finding the answers I desperately sought.
My thoughts kept drifting back to Zoya and Ezra, and the burning jealousy I felt in my chest. I hated myself for it, for letting my wolf's instincts control me in such a way, and I had to remind myself that I couldn't act on those feelings, that it was not only dangerous but wrong. I focused on the task at hand, pushing aside my emotions and concentrating on getting to the border undetected. I moved with precision, each step carefully calculated and planned out. I felt like a predator stalking its prey, my senses attuned to every movement around me.
Nearing the border, I could feel my heart racing with anticipation and fear. I knew that crossing over into enemy territory was risky, but I had no other choice. Lily's death demanded answers, and I was willing to risk everything to get them.
As I made my way down the hill, I kept a close eye out for any signs of patrolling guards. I knew that if I were caught, it would mean certain death for me. The thought alone was enough to make me break out in a cold sweat. I managed to avoid several patrolling guards, using my wolf's heightened senses to sense their movements before they even know I'm there
Upon my approach to the border of our territory, my heart began to race. This was it, the moment of truth. I had to make it across without being detected. I could see the guards in the distance, but they hadn't spotted me yet. I took a deep breath and started to move more slowly, careful not to make any noise. I could feel my wolf instincts taking over, making me more aware of my surroundings. My senses were heightened, and I could hear every little sound, and I knew that I had to trust my instincts if I wanted to make it out alive.
I started to move in a zigzag pattern, taking advantage of the trees and bushes to hide myself from view. Every time I heard a noise, I froze, waiting to see if the guards had spotted me. At one point, I thought I heard a twig snap under my foot, and in my short-lived panic, I stopped in my tracks, listening intently, but fortunately, there was no sound of movement from the guards. I breathed a sigh of relief and continued on my way.
It was a nerve-wracking experience, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for my wolf instincts. Without them, I would have never been able to make it across undetected. The wolf inside me was a double-edged sword; it was too animalistic, too selfish, but it was that animal instinct, that same greedy desire to self-preserve that had kept me alive in the most dangerous scenarios.
Finally, I was only a few meters from the boarder, but I could see the guards getting closer. I knew that I had to make a break for it, but I also knew that it was risky. I took a deep breath and ran as fast as I could. Just as I thought I was in the clear, I saw a figure moving towards me from the corner of my eye, their speed phenomenal. I turned my head to look, and that was when I saw my ex-beta charging at me with full force.
I could’ve run…I could’ve escaped. Once I crossed the border, they’d have had to seek permission from the net Alpha to catch me…but I had completely frozen on the spot.
He tackled me to the ground with astounding force. I was a strong man, a one-man army, but my ex-beta was a force to be reckoned with as well, and in an area with so many guards lurking around, waiting for the signal to open fire and attack, this commotion with him was sure to attract their attention, and then I would free prey. All of my training, all of my instincts, had failed me. I was sure that I was about to die.
Panic set in as he pinned me down, and I struggled to break free. My mind struggling to come up with ways of escape but failing. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
Was this it? Was this how I was going to die, heartbroken from loss, at the hands of someone I used to know and trust?