The Clear Choice

{ Chapter 17 }

Clary's POV

What am I even doing? My feet are racing across the ground pretty much without my consent as I grow closer and closer to wherever I'm following Issac and Tobias to. I should've just given up, Tobias has made enough connections in his head and opened his mouth to say far too much. I know know that he has blown my cover, letting every know who he thinks I am.

I told myself not to care, yet here I was racing back to them, even though I was specifically told not to follow.

My arms pump and my feet are barely touching the ground as I run. I could catch up if I could shift, but that would be the end of my hidden identity; and I cant help but hope I still have a chance at changing their minds.

A chorus of howls brings back ironic memories as I race across the Saltus pack territory. The noise vibrates off the trees and makes my ears ring painfully.

Among the chilling sound, my ears identify Issac's wolf; the howl being the most heartbreaking sound I'd ever heard.

This is my worst nightmare coming true all at once, and it didn't even happen the way I thought it would. I had planned to tell Issac everything. Not have Tobias come and rip my Mate away from me before I could even speak.

Breaking my panicky thoughts, the sounds of snarls and snapping teeth sounded close by and I halted quickly. Looking to my right, I glanced over to see non other than Nina and Lucas. Their dark stares and threating posture made my heart sink.

I made the connection in my racing head that Alpha Marcus must've mind-linked with his whole pack; informing them after listening to what his son had to say.

I decided to play dumb. Holding onto the sliver of hope they could still believe my lies. "Thank goodness, you guys. You have to help me get to the pack house. Tobias is telling nothing but lies-"

The forest vibrates with the growls from Nina, Lucas and the others with them, effectively cutting me off. Anger brewed up inside me at their disrespect, and I attempted to push it down, but I was loosing control.

"We won't be helping you to anywhere but the prison cells, you filthy spy." Lucas' icy voice spat, his tone shocking me. My eyes narrowed and I dug my feet into the ground in annoyance.

"Who did you think we'd believe? Our own Beta or a pure-blooded monst-" Nina started but didn't finish.

My Wolf had been royally pissed off and hearing those words pushed her way over the edge. Heat courses through my veins and I felt my thoughts go blank. I shifted instantly, my panicked self loosing all control as I landed on all fours.

Issac's POV

I lifted my head back down, slowly cutting off my broken howl. My Wolf was practically in full control and I didn't feel like trying anymore.

Tobias and my father stood next to me in the clearing near the pack house, more and more wolves joining us by the second. I couldn't believe the words being said around me, my whole mind was in denial.

My eyes, I'd imagine, we're completely black with pain and rage; heartbreak fresh in my chest and anger pumping through my viens.

I knew having a Mate would turn out this way for me, leaving my soul cold and shattered, just like my broken father. But this was unspeakable, Clary, a spy? And for the Purum Pack?

I knew she was an Alpha, a strong one, but I thought she had brown fur; at least that's what Tobias said the night we found her. I guess all of it was a lie.

After making all the connections it seemed clear as ever that it was true, but there was a sliver of me that wanted, prayed, that everyone was wrong.