Aria's POV
"Seth," I whispered, "where are we?"
He held my hand tightly as we stepped out of the thick trees. My legs were shaking. My heart was racing so fast it felt like it would burst out of my chest. But we had made it out.
"There's a building up ahead," he said, pointing through a gap in the trees. "Can you keep walking?"
I nodded, breathing hard. My knees felt weak, but I wasn't as scared as before. I felt safer with him beside me. His arm held me steady, and his calm voice gave me strength.
The trees opened into a wide clearing. In the middle stood a large stone building. At first, it looked like a castle. Then I noticed dark shapes moving behind the windows, like shadows that were alive. A thick fog swirled near the base of the walls. Everything was too quiet, and it made my skin crawl.
"This doesn't feel right," I whispered, stepping back.
"I know," Seth said softly. "But if we don't stop, those things might follow us here."
I looked at him. I didn't want to keep running. "Can't we go around it? Find another place to hide?"
He sighed. "We could try. But the woods are worse. If this place gives us a chance to rest, we should take it."
He smiled at me a little and scratched the back of his neck. He always did that when he was nervous. It made me trust him even more. I nodded again and let him lead me forward.
As we got closer, the large wooden gates creaked open on their own. The sound was loud and made my heart jump. I grabbed Seth's arm tighter. The building looked like something from a nightmare. Cold gray stone walls. Creepy gargoyle statues staring down at us. At the windows, pale faces pressed against the glass, watching us with wide, fearful eyes.
"You're holding on like I'm your life jacket," Seth said, trying to joke. I loosened my grip a little, and he gently squeezed my hand.
"We'll show them we're not dangerous," he whispered. He raised one hand slowly in peace. But the people behind the windows didn't move. They just stared harder.
We stepped closer to the tall front doors, but there were no guards standing outside. I stopped, looking nervous.
Then the doors opened. About a dozen people came out. They wore dark robes and rough clothing. They stood in a line in front of the entrance, blocking our way.
A tall man stood in the middle. He didn't wear a robe like the others. His broad shoulders and straight posture showed he was their Alpha. He had a thick leather belt and sharp eyes that made me feel cold. His face looked serious and strong.
I swallowed hard. "We don't want to cause any trouble," I said. My voice was shaking, but I held my head up. "Please. We just need a little help."
Seth stepped beside me. "We were running from something in the woods," he said quickly. "This place was the only safe place we found."
The man didn't look at Seth. His eyes stayed on me. He stepped closer, and I felt his gaze like a heavy weight.
"Who sent you here?" he asked.
"No one," I said, my voice sounding small. "We just needed shelter."
He didn't reply immediately. He turned to one of the people beside him.
"Bring them in."
Two robed men stepped forward and grabbed Seth. He tried to pull away.
"This is a mistake," Seth said sharply. "We can explain."
They didn't listen. I looked at him in panic, then at the tall man. He just stood there, silent.
I didn't want to fight. I let them take me too. We were pulled through the huge doors.
Inside, the walls were lit with torches. The hallway was narrow and made of stone. The air smelled old and damp, as people's shadows moved with the torchlight.
The tall man walked behind us without saying a word. The others watched as we passed. They didn't speak, they just stared with blank faces.
They led us to a small chamber made with iron bars, lined the walls like a cage. On one side was a thick wooden door. Guards stood close with their arms through the bars.
Seth rushed to my side.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
I nodded. My body was shaking, but I was alright.
"I'm fine," I whispered. My hand went to my stomach. There was a small ache there. I could feel the slight bump where my belly had started to grow. Jaxon's baby was inside me. That thought alone had never left my mind. And now, we were trapped here with strangers, and no way out.
I sank down to the cold floor, too tired to stand. My muscles hurt. And my breaths came in short gasps.
Seth sat beside me and held me gently. I leaned back against his chest. He ran his fingers through my hair in slow, soft circles.
"I just need a minute," I whispered into his shirt.
"Take all the time you need," he said.
My eyes felt heavy. His arms were warm. I could hear his heartbeat, steady and calm. I closed my eyes.
Just five minutes, I told myself. That's all I need.
The walls creaked above us. The torches flickered. I heard footsteps in the distance and opened my eyes a little.
Seth was watching me with worried eyes. I gave him a small smile.
"Five minutes," I whispered again.
He nodded. "I'm right here." He kissed my forehead and held me tighter. "We'll figure this out."
Outside the cage, the robed people stood in a circle. The tall man was in the center again. He stared down at us. I felt like he was casting a spell just by looking.
But in Seth's arms, I felt normal again. The cold walls didn't scare me as much, because the cage didn't feel as hopeless.
I let out a deep breath and closed my eyes again.
Five minutes, that's all I needed.