The Hidden Princess (a werewolf story)

Chapter 11// Betrayal part 2

Emma's POV

It's been about 15 minutes of sneaking through the castle and so far I have found absolutely nothing that could help us overthrow Shade. If only Luke or Xavier were here. Then I would have someone to consult with and surely one of them would have had at least one idea about what to do in the current situation. Maybe I should just give up and go home. I haven't found anything in any of the major offices or security rooms. Just files about the werewolf colonies, torture methods (that made me sick to my stomach) and video of the schools in all 5 colonies...

Then it hits me, why would they have so much surveillance on the schools? We're just kids, it's the adults they should be worrying about. My mind scrambles for a reasonable exclamation, but when I can't find one, I decide to creep out from the storage cupboard I am currently crouched in and survey the area once more. Maybe there is a room that I missed.

Just as I had expected, after a few minutes of searching, I come across a hallway I haven't been down before. Except this hallway is longer and darker, like it is holding some sort of dark entity that is meant to repel anyone who considers going down it. However, being the very stupid and irresponsible adolescent that I am, I decide to continue into the darkness anyway. At first, I am confused as to the reason why the hallway had seemed too frightening when there was nothing down here until a voice begins to float towards me from further down. It takes me about a second to realise that there is a pair of guards standing outside a large iron door that has light leaking from its edges. Something important or someone important is definitely in there. How do I get in?

So far the guards haven't noticed me so that is a good sign. Now I just need a distraction...

Actually no, I'm just gonna knock them out.

Understanding that I can't let them see my face I decide to shift. It is relatively soundless, except the soft cracking of bones does seem to draw a slight amount of attention. The guard's heads whip towards my direction, though they can't see me.

"Did you hear that?" one of them asks.

"Yep. Let's check it out" the other responds.

The begin to raise their swords in front of them as they start walking towards me. I am currently lying cramped up against the wall, using my fur to camouflage me. It seems to be working since they are completely unaware of my presence. Then, just as they are mere centimetres away from me, I latch my teeth onto one of their ankles. The guard's blood tastes foul and metallic but I still get satisfaction out of his howl of pain. The rest of the confrontation is history. Within a minute both are unconscious and bloodied. I decide not to shift back because otherwise I might be recognised.

Slowly I creep towards the door that is open just a crack. I lean my ear against the crevice and instantly catch onto an intense discussion.

"What do you mean there is a werewolf in the castle?!" I instantly recognise the voice.

Shade.

The man who haunts my memories with his cruel, malice-filled voice. However, I am fortunately not forced to relive my horrendous past this time as I realise that they know I'm here.

"You caught him?" he asks.

Wait WHAT?! I thought they were talking about me! Who in their right mind would break into the palace?! Well other than me.

"Do you know who he is?.... well then send me a pic of him" he commands

My heart leaps in my chest as a slight ping is heard from inside the room. I yearn to widen the crack in the door just small enough so that I can see who had broken in. So without actually thinking of the consequences, I use my snout to manoeuvre the door open slightly.