As Samuel pulled Leah into the undergrowth, her breath came in rapid gasps. Behind them, the noises of combat diminished as twigs cracked beneath their feet. She fought against his hold, but he held fast, moving across the terrain as if he had been familiar with it all his life.
She screamed and jerked her arm, saying, "Let me go."
Samuel returned the whisper, "Not yet." "We're not secure."
Moonlight illuminated the jagged edges of an ancient, crumbling stone building as they emerged onto a tiny clearing. Leah recognized this location, and her eyes grew wide. It was the remains of the original Night Wind Pack community, which had been abandoned many years prior.
With his hands up in a sign of peace, Samuel stepped back and let her go. "Leah, I didn't run away to betray you. I had to acquire you by yourself.
Anger flared as she rubbed her aching wrist. "You believe that the best way to accomplish that was to kidnap me?"
His eyes were heavy with something inscrutable as he sighed. "I wouldn't have had the opportunity to explain if I had stayed. The castle is too heavily influenced by Gwen.
The mention of the Luna's name made Leah tense. "What do you mean?"
With stiff movements, Samuel paced. "Leah, I was kidnapped when I was a kid. I was sold, not slain, not lost. handed on by a member of the pack.
She felt her gut lurch. "That isn't feasible. Alpha Jacob—
"Jacob was unaware," Samuel said. "However, Gwen's relatives knew everything."
The weight of his words settled, and they were silent for a while. Gwen's family had a history of gaining power through deceit and cunning. Was it possible that she had contributed to Leah's separation from her sole biological family member?
Samuel inhaled deeply. "I returned because I had at last discovered the truth. She's too cautious, but I thought maybe I might expose her. Before I could have a chance, she set me up."
Leah's heart was racing. Gwen had been planning power plays even before she entered Barduff Castle, if Samuel's assertions were accurate. And what else could she have done to Samuel if she had done this?
They both spun around as they heard rustling in the woods. The hunt was far from over.
"We must leave immediately," Samuel declared. "I can't tell you everything while here we need some privacy."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Leah nodded. Unaware of the shadow figure observing from the trees, they vanished into the night together.