Heart of a rogue

Chapter 21

As night fell, the group set up camp at the edge of the old forest. The dense canopy of ancient trees loomed overhead, their branches creating a dark and mysterious shroud. The air was cool and crisp, filled with the faint sounds of nocturnal creatures and the occasional rustling of leaves in the breeze.

The campfire crackled and cast a warm, flickering glow across the faces of those gathered around it. The group sat in a loose circle, the mood heavy with the weight of the sorceress's cryptic words. Joshua, ever the skeptic, stared into the fire, his expression thoughtful yet dubious.

"I'm not sure I buy into this whole riddle business," Joshua said, his tone tinged with skepticism. "The sorceress's words were so vague. How are we supposed to find anything with just that?"

The campfire's glow flickered in the dim forest light, casting dancing shadows across the faces of the gathered group. The crackling of the fire provided a backdrop to the charged conversation, each member grappling with the sorceress's enigmatic message. As the embers glowed softly, the air was filled with tension and unspoken worries.

Lucille's gaze was fixed on Declan, her eyes searching his face for any sign of deceit. She had always trusted him implicitly, but the sorceress's cryptic words and the uneasy feeling in her gut were hard to ignore. Who does he thinks he is?

She is not some stupid fucking damsel.

"Declan," she said again, her voice firmer this time, "I need you to be completely honest with me. If there's anything you're not telling me, now is the time to share it."

Declan's expression hardened slightly, a mix of frustration and concern evident in his eyes. "Lucille, I don't understand why you're doubting me. I've told you everything I know. The curse and the sorceress's riddles are just as confusing to me as they are to you. I'm trying to protect us all."

Joshua, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't stay silent any longer. "Look, Declan's our Alpha. He's always had our best interests at heart. If he says he doesn't know anything, then I believe him. We need to focus on the information we do have and not waste time doubting each other."

Lucille's gaze flickered to Joshua, his defense of Declan clear. "I understand where you're coming from, Joshua. But it's not just about believing or not believing. It's about understanding the truth of our situation. If Declan knows something that could help us, we need to know."

Declan's jaw tightened, and he ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Lucille, I swear on everything that's important to me, I'm not hiding anything. The sorceress's words are as much a mystery to me as they are to you. If there's something I should know, I'd tell you. But right now, I'm just as lost."

"Luna, we all want the same thing—to find a solution and end this curse. Declan's been nothing but transparent with us. We should trust that he's doing everything he can." Joshua added.

Nova, sitting off to the side, had been unusually quiet. Her demeanor was reserved, and she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts. Lucille noticed her silence and the uneasy way she avoided eye contact with Declan. She decided to address it, hoping to get a clearer picture of the situation.

"Nova," Lucille said, her voice carrying a hint of challenge, "you've been quiet. Is there something you want to say or contribute to this conversation?"

Nova looked up, her eyes meeting Lucille's with a mix of uncertainty and defiance. "I'm sorry Luna, I don't have much to add," she said slowly. "I'm just trying to process everything we've learned. It's been a lot to take in."

Alani, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up. "I've been noting some things too," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Declan's behavior has been different lately, and I've noticed that he's been more guarded. It's not just about the sorceress's riddles—there's something else going on."