Chronically in love

Chapter Ten (Arthur)

The next few days passed in a blur. Zoe and I planned quietly, making sure no one in the pack or the Five could catch wind of what we were up to. As much as I wanted to trust my Beta and Gamma, Daniel and Julian, I knew that this needed to stay between Zoe and me—for now, at least.

Late one night, after everyone else had gone to sleep, Zoe came to my office, her crutches clicked softly against the ground. Her eyes were wide, excitement humming beneath the surface of her calm exterior.

"I found something," she whispered, closing the door behind her softly.

"What is it?" I asked, leaning forward from behind my desk.

She placed a map on the desk, one that looked worn and yellowed with age. It was a detailed layout of Victoria's country, our country—the land she ruled, the land we lived in.

"This was in the library. It shows a place in the north, far from where the battle happened," she said, tracing her finger along a small, hidden valley. "I've been studying the history, and this area wasn't affected by the demons' attack. There's no record of any of the Five, or any of Victoria's Ten, going there afterward."

I narrowed my eyes, leaning closer to examine the map. "If this place wasn't touched by the battle, why wasn't it explored?"

"That's the thing," she replied. "It's warded. Completely sealed off. But not by demon magic—by fae magic. The kind only Victoria could have created. I think... I think she's hiding there."

My heart skipped a beat. The idea made sense. If Victoria wanted to disappear, she would've gone somewhere she could protect herself and her clan. But what would make her hide for so long? And if she truly wanted to stay hidden, why leave any trace of this place at all?

"It's worth a shot," I said, locking eyes with Zoe. "We'll need to go soon, before anyone notices we're missing."

She nodded. "I've already packed some supplies. I know this sounds crazy, but I have a good feeling about this, Arthur. I think we're on the right track."

I could feel the adrenaline building in my veins. My wolf was eager to run, to chase this lead. But there was something else, too—a gnawing worry at the back of my mind. If Victoria was hiding, and if we found her, what would we be walking into?

I pushed the thought aside. There was no turning back now.

Two days later, under the cover of darkness, we left the castle. No one knew where we were going, and that was how I wanted it. If this went wrong, I didn't want anyone else dragged into it.

Zoe rode with me in my truck as we drove through the dense forest that led toward Victoria's hidden valley. The night air was cool, the scent of pine and earth filling the cab. Zoe's face was illuminated by the faint glow of the dashboard, her eyes distant, focused on the path ahead.

"What do you think she'll be like?" Zoe asked quietly.

"Victoria?" I replied. "I'm not sure. The last anyone saw of her was that video, and she was... broken. But if she's been healing all this time, who knows what kind of power she's regained. She could be stronger than ever, or she could be—"

"Different," Zoe finished for me, her voice tight. "I just hope we're not making a mistake."

I reached over, placing my hand on hers. "We'll be fine. Whatever happens, we'll handle it together."

Her lips quirked into a small smile, though I could sense the anxiety rolling off her. I shared her unease, but the deeper we ventured into the unknown, the more I felt a strange pull. It was as if something—no, someone—was drawing us closer.