Love And Betrayal | ✔️

20. The tale of the unfortunate pawn.

You don't ever really
fall out of love with someone.
You just get used to them
not being around.

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A D E N

Good things don't last long.

Neither does my time with Kiara Evergreen.

After what seems like a few minutes (but is actually an hour) my useless excuse of a Beta comes running out of nowhere, only to come to a screeching stop a few feet away from us. I tilt my head slightly, observing his dishevelled form. He is panting like a dog and I resist the urge to throw a stick at him.

"Dung - at-attack. . .in-intruder, Alpha - didn't know how. . .dead. . blood . . .so-sorry—"

"Elaborate, Evans."

He gulps as his knees give way to the floor. Stuttering. Trembling.

"We've been betrayed, Alpha! Someone entered the dungeons and poisoned the prisoner. Warrior Jayden thought she was just acting, but now her whole body's turning blue and she's vomiting blood. She doesn't have much longer."

The news is a slap to my face. Anger dances in front of my eyes like flames. Evans, probably sees the fury, because he turns ten shades paler. My hands itch to wring his neck.

Claire Connor was our only chance of learning anything about the rebels.

And now that's as good as gone.

"It's not my fault, I swear —I didn't even know. . ." He continues, "I—please don't -"

I cut off the rest of his rambling by grabbing him by his collar. His protests dwindle into a squeak as I lift him off the ground.

"You shit. You had one job." I sneer at him in disgust. "And you couldn't even do that right."

The fool shuts up like he swallowed a mouthful of seawater.

"Don't show me your face until you've proved yourself useful." Dropping him on the ground, I watch as he picks himself up, shoots us a fearful look and scampers away.

I turn towards Kiara who has already heard everything. "You okay?" I ask, shaking her shoulders gently.

Her hands ball into fists. Jaw tightens. A vessel ticks in her temple. It doesn't take a genius to figure she's pissed. "Two deaths in less than a week. Someone's itching for war." She seethes. Reaching out, she grabs my arm. "We're teleporting. It'll save time."

"Okay."

Although hesitant, I weave my fingers through her hand, ignoring the sparks that erupt when my skin touches hers. For a moment, I swear I feel her shiver in response. But when I turn, her face is unperturbed.

I must've imagined it then.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

Breath leaves my lungs in full force as I'm swept up in a whirlwind. I'm vaguely aware of our bodies touching, my hand desperately clinging to hers while we hurtle through space. Everything is fast forwarded. I watch as kaleidoscopic images of trees and buildings flash  past before coming to a spinning stop. Head still whirling, I barely manage to hold myself up before I find the nearest wall to lean back on.

Is this how teleportation feels like?

Cool.

Unlike me, Kiara isn't so lucky. She crashes onto the floor, face first. A plethora of curses stream from her mouth as she sits up and rubs her nose.