Chapter 390 Gone

Maddie’s lips slowly stretched wider, her smile twisting into something eerie and unsettling as she looked down at Ember’s unconscious form. There was no trace of hesitation in her eyes, only satisfaction and long-nurtured bitterness finally finding release.She clicked her tongue softly, shaking her head as if disappointed rather than triumphant. "This is what you get," she muttered, her voice laced with venom. "You humiliated me, made me mate with those idiots, and made me look like nothing in front of everyone. Now you will pay it back the same way."

She bent down and grabbed Ember’s wrist, her grip forceful and careless. Ember’s body dragged against the forest floor as Maddie pulled her forward, leaves and dirt clinging to her clothes and hair. Maddie did not slow down even when Ember’s head knocked against a tree root, her expression remaining cold and determined.

The forest felt darker the farther Maddie went, the canopy thickening as if the trees themselves were conspiring to hide what was happening beneath their branches. Maddie’s breath came out steady and controlled, her steps confident, as though she was certain nothing would go wrong.

When she finally reached the edge of the territory where a faint shimmer of magic hovered in the air, her pace slowed. She stared at the invisible wall in front of her, her jaw tightening.

"Stupid barrier," she hissed under her breath.

She released Ember’s wrist only to grip it again more firmly, her claws protruding from her fingertips with a sharp metallic sound. Without a second thought, she sliced across Ember’s hand. Blood welled instantly, bright and warm, dripping down onto the ground below.

Maddie uncorked a small vial from her pocket, the glass was red glowing with strange symbols. She tilted Ember’s bleeding hand over it, collecting the blood with care. Once she had enough, she sealed the vial and shook it, muttering words under her breath as the liquid inside darkened.

She smeared the mixture across the barrier with deliberate strokes. The barrier reacted instantly, rippling like disturbed water before cracking apart with a low hum. The invisible wall shattered, dissolving into thin air.

A satisfied smirk curved Maddie’s lips, and she giggled almost squealing at her accomplishment.

She dragged Ember through the broken barrier, pulling her farther and farther away from the safety of the Bloodshade territory. Only when she was certain they were far enough did Maddie stop.

The forest grew unnaturally quiet.

From behind the thick trunks and tangled undergrowth of the trees, figures emerged slowly, their presence heavy and oppressive. Cloaked witches stepped forward first, their eyes slit like those of snakes, followed closely by massive rogues whose fur was matted and darkened with dried blood.

Maddie straightened, wiping her hands against her dress as if ridding herself of dirt.

"There she is," Maddie said calmly, nudging Ember forward with her foot. "Make sure she never comes back."

The corrupted witches did not respond. Not a single word left their mouths. One of them stepped forward and lifted Ember effortlessly, cradling her limp body as if she weighed nothing at all.

Another witch raised her hand, chanting softly as a portal opened behind them, swirling with dark energy that made the air feel thick and suffocating.

Without hesitation, they stepped through.

The portal snapped shut behind them, leaving the forest empty once more.

For a moment, Maddie simply stood there, staring at the spot where Ember had vanished. Then she burst into laughter, loud and unrestrained, the sound echoing unnaturally through the trees.

"Hah," she laughed, clutching her stomach. "They say the one who laughs last laughs the best. I guess that’s me."

Her laughter slowly faded, replaced by a sharp, hateful expression. Her eyes darkened as thoughts of Damon surfaced, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

"One down," she muttered. "I can’t wait to see your face when you realize she’s gone."

She turned on her heel, swaying her hips as she walked back toward the Bloodshade territory, already rehearsing the innocent expression she would wear when she returned.

Behind her, the forest remained silent, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting for the storm that was about to be unleashed.

........

(Damon POV)

I was still in the meeting room when that feeling crept in again, heavy and unsettling, curling around my chest like a warning I could not shake off.

Lately, it had been happening more often, this deep unease that sat in my bones and whispered that something terrible was drawing closer. I had learned long ago not to ignore instincts like this, especially not when they screamed this loudly.

"Prepare the pack," I ordered, my voice firm and controlled even as tension coiled inside me. "Increase patrols, arm the warriors, and keep the witches ready. I want everyone on high alert."

The room shifted immediately. Chairs scraped back, the elders looked like they had words to say but kept quiet, and the warriors nodded without question. No one doubted my command. They could feel it too, even if they did not fully understand it.

Then, a sharp pain tore through my soul without warning, as if something inside me had cracked wide open. My breath left me in a strangled gasp as I clutched my chest, my heart hammering violently against my ribs.

"Ember," I muttered, the name slipping from my lips like a prayer and a plea at the same time.

Beowulf surged inside my head, his growl frantic and raw. "Something is wrong Damon. She must be in danger, our child."

That was all I needed.

"End the meeting now," I snapped, my voice cutting through the room like a blade. "Follow my orders exactly, and no laxing around."

I did not wait for a response. I hurried to my feet, striding out of the room with urgency burning through my veins. The halls felt too long, every step dragging as dread tightened around my heart. When I reached the room where I had left her, my hands trembled as I pushed the door open.

The room was empty.

The bed was untouched. The air was cold, and Ember’s scent lingered faintly in the air. She was gone.

"No," I whispered, panic rising fast.