Lost in Worlds

Neck Wound

She hadn't loosened the ropes restraining her without unexpected aid.

Avery had seen her mate as she entered the courtyard and struggled to keep her face unfathomable. He couldn't know what she had gone through for he would return the favour to the Queen with such fury to such an extent that even Avery would pity the Royal.

It had taken her six seconds to realise the shivering of her body wasn't due to the slight chill of the night air. Another seven seconds had her uncovering the mischief of Caleb's Diary still buried in her jacket. Ever since entering this realm, she knew it held some unknown magical source. She had been unaware it contained magical properties. It moved on its own and she were well aware of her mate's eyes watching her shuffle uncomfortably.

Her breaking point had almost been obstructed the moment a figure behind her, with rough hands, had grabbed onto her strapped wrists. Avery had flinched, cursing silently for not remaining still. She hadn't made a verbal sound, however, the movement could have costed her. The figure had then whispered, 'Be quick. Be quiet. Don't hesitate.' Then he had proceeded to cut the ropes using what she assumed to be a dagger.

She had kept her hands in the same position. No one noticed yet, too focussed on the Queen and Connor's interaction. Avery had planned to wait until the Queen stood close, before striking and hopefully choking her. Until she had seen her mate kneel to the floor, fumbling, sweating, panting.

By this time, Caleb's Diary had been bursting to rip out the inside-pocket of her shirt. Seeing her mate struggle had been more than enough to get her moving, albeit slowly, towards the Queen.

Guards surrounding the area had raised their bow and arrows, some sheathing their swords. The figure–she now recognised as one of the guards that had chased her into Connor's Pack, had shut the guards up with a quick remark. 'Let the Queen capture and kill her. She'll stumble to her death.' The guards had lowered their weapons but had queried, mostly angry, why the figure had 'released the girl at such an inconvenient time' but she had zoned out after that.

One metre away from the Queen, she paused, recognising the fear reflecting Connor's eyes as the same emotion haunting her not long ago. She had looked to the Queen and seen her eyes ablaze, not even noticing Avery's presence or perhaps ignoring her. Avery had guessed a mild display of magical-induced schizophrenia. The Queen had altered Connor's reality, making him imagine unreal images in his mind.

The Queen had looked at her then, with a devilish grin capable of bringing armies down. Apparently, the Bloody Royal hadn't anticipated Avery to react to a sheathed sword she thought intended for her mate. She had jumped straight in front of him even before the Queen had struck.

The ensuing, almost unbearable pain in her right thigh had her realising the Queen's intentions involving meaning to strike her. She had been a fool; this thigh had been hurt before. The high possibility remained she mightn't be able to walk again without medical help. A limp would be inevitable.

As she groaned in pain, somewhere in her conscience she heard the pack shout in fury, and in such deep emotion, disobey the Alpha's order of not charging until told. It certainly didn't help Caleb's Diary hadn't stopped being a nuisance.

Regardless, a red battle against the Bloody Queen ensued. 

A/N: 

Hey guys,

We're nearing the end of the book. I'm excited. Anyway, enjoy. 

Love you all,

Ali <3