I love you, I hate you (Re-writing)

Chapter Thirty-Four *Edited*

You think she's no danger, cause she's looking so sweet.

Honey, there's a reason why people say, sugar is poison.

~Veronika Jensen

Pov: Sophia

I sprint alongside Julian, the children's weight clinging to our backs like heavy sacks, each tiny form squirming slightly with every stride we take. The forest looms around us, its thick canopy casting eerie shadows, and the underbrush rustles ominously with each hurried step. We're being pursued, and the sense of urgency thickens the air like fog.

"Julian, listen to me," I mindlink, my voice slightly breathless, squeezing through the urgency. "You should grab the little boy and find the others. I'll create a distraction."

Julian's eyes flash with determination and protectiveness as he casts me a sideways glance, his jaw tightening. "No way in hell. I'm not leaving you alone."

I can feel the weight of his resolve, but a greater sense of logic surges through me. "Cast your chivalry aside and think logically for once. They're closing in, and we have three children in peril. They're our priority." My heart races as I add, "Besides, Astra and I can handle this."

Astra, with her fierce spirit, steps in, her tone steady and resolute. "Sophia is right. We'll buy you time to get the kids to safety and reach out for backup."

Julian hesitates, his breath coming in quick bursts before suddenly coming to a skidding halt. Carefully, I maneuver my body to lay the boy on the ground. Then, I proceed to change into my human form and pick him up, cradling him against my own as if holding a fragile treasure while I carefully place him on his back.

"Hold on tight, and I promise I'll be back before you know it. Link up if anything goes wrong." He instructs urgently, determination set in every line of his face.

I watch him sprint off, his form disappearing into the wild expanse of trees, and for a moment, I feel an unsettling void where his presence had been. With adrenaline coursing through me, Astra and I exchange a harsh breath before dashing off in a different direction from Julian. We intentionally make loud noises, breaking sticks underfoot and rustling the leaves, hoping to misdirect whatever pursuers trail behind us, allowing Julian a chance to escape with the children.

৹

After witnessing Julian sprint away, I found myself weighing the options of either fleeing or concealing myself. Ultimately, I decided to hide instead of take flight. I caught a fleeting glimpse of the approaching danger—at least two dozen wolves, and among them were some that bore the unmistakable signs of being rogues. Although I'm quick and have an intimate knowledge of the forest's winding paths, a nagging instinct urged me to resist the temptation to outrun them. Instead, I meticulously masked my scent, climbed high into a sturdy tree, and settled in to wait for Julian's return. So far, my choice has proven effective. Yet, there's an unsettling vibe surrounding Chase. Initially, he was scanning the area vigilantly, but now he seems to have taken charge, directing the others to disperse while he remains motionless, almost as if he's anticipating someone's arrival.

"Someone's coming," Astra whispers, her voice low and tense, sending a shiver down my spine.

Suddenly, a figure steps through the dense canopy of trees, her silhouette emerging from the shadows. She stands a few inches taller than I do, clad in a dark black hoodie that swallows her frame and sleek, form-fitting leggings that blend seamlessly with the night. A baseball cap is pulled low over her forehead, obscuring her features and casting a veil of mystery around her. Yet, despite the disguise, an unusual scent wafts toward me—a heady mix of earthiness and something arcane, distinctly not a werewolf, and not human.