CHAPTER 56 - DECEITFUL FACES

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The vacant corridors of the castle seemed endless. My feet made a soft, almost inaudible sound on the stone floor, but my breathing was loud and uneven as I desperately tried to keep up with Rolf. Still, I couldn't afford to slow down and pushed myself to move faster, driven by the urgency to reach Egon.

The fear I had tried to suppress clawed its way back with every step. I wiped my face, startled to feel the warm trail of tears I hadn't even realised were there.

A growing unease twisted inside me with each turn we made, but my thoughts were too chaotic to make sense of it. All I knew was that I had to find Egon.

Just as I was about to ask where Egon was, Rolf stopped in front of the massive set of doors that led into the throne room. He turned to me, his expression almost unreadable. "He's in here, Luna."

I nodded quickly, unable to find words as I followed him into the throne room, my fear so consuming that I nearly stumbled.

Despite the unlit candles, the room was bathed in an unnatural glow, and my breath faltered as my eyes were drawn to the large windows. Flames, towering like the mountains themselves, devoured the forest below, their fiery glow spilling into the very room I stood in.

I hurried to the windows for a clearer view of the chaos unfolding outside. The shifters moved swiftly below, engaged in combat. I was stunned to see they fought as humans, wielding swords and axes as they took down one opponent after another. But what struck me the most was that amidst the turmoil, I recognised the unmistakable, towering figure of Egon as he faced multiple opponents at once with relentless determination.

"What?" I whispered, barely able to believe what I was seeing.

"The mate bond is a curious thing, isn't it?"

I spun around, my brow furrowing as I looked at Rolf, who stood just behind me. His smile was crooked, but there was something in it that unsettled me. "Rolf?"

"It sounds beautiful, doesn't it?" Rolf continued. "Two strangers, bound by an invisible force, drawn together and destined to love each other."

I stared at him, the confusion growing as I instinctively took a step back. "What's going on? You're acting strange."

Rolf chuckled, though it was strange and unrecognisable. "But that bond can also blind you. Because when you think your mate is in danger, you'll drop everything. Your common sense, your pack, your own safety."

His smile grew wider, but it no longer held any trace of humour. It was twisted, cold. And it sent a chill through my entire being. "All you can think about is reaching them, saving them."

"You're not Rolf," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He stepped closer, his face inches away from mine. "Very good," he whispered.

I took another step back, but there wasn't much space left behind me, and I found myself pressed against the cold stone wall. Panic surged within me, but my mind locked onto one thought. Egon. I had to reach him.

I spun around and with all my strength I slammed my fist into the window, my voice breaking as I shouted, "Egon!"

He was bound to hear me with his heightened senses. He had to.

But my blood ran cold as I heard the man behind me mimic my scream in a mocking tone. "Egon! Egon!"

I froze, my eyes widening in terror as the man appeared beside me, his body hunched forward. His eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as he stared out the window with a pout on his face. "What a shame," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "He doesn't hear us, does he?"

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