Chapter 286 286: Clarissa's path...

Clarissa

The bed where I'd left her was empty, the blankets thrown aside. Signs of a hasty departure were everywhere. "Damn it, Lyla," I muttered. Why couldn't she have listened to me just this once?

A noise outside made me freeze. Voices, growing closer. Flashlights were cutting through the trees.

"—check the old groundskeeper's place."

"Alpha says she might be hiding nearby."

They'd found us. I needed to get out and find Lyla before they did. But where would she have gone in her condition?

I slipped out the back window just as the search party reached the front door. Crouching in the bushes, I watched as they broke in, their flashlights sweeping the insides of the shelter.

"It's empty," one of them called. "But the bed's been slept in. She was here."

"Spread out," ordered Nathan's assistant's voice. "She can't have gotten far in her condition."

Condition? It means Nathan had purposely left Lyla in my Father's private study to make use of her later on. I'm sure his assistant must have seen how battered she looked.

I remained absolutely still as they spread out, beginning their search of the surrounding area. Once they moved far enough away, I crept from my hiding place, heading deeper into the forest. If I were Lyla, injured and alone, where would I go?

one of the few places Lyla and I had shared

sight. The forest grew

I finally reached the willow, my heart sank. There was

a voice

whirled around, knife in hand, ready to defend myself. But the figure that stepped from the shadows wasn't one of Nathan's men.

my knife slightly, squinting

replied. "Trying to save Lyla before Nathan

is she?" I demanded. "Did you

nodded. "She's safe. For

suspicion. "Why would you help her? Who are you?" I asked again, peering into the darkness. It was the shape of a man for sure, and he was tall, but I couldn't make out his face. However, his

into the moonlight, and

Jeremy," I whispered, staring at Nathan's father with a mixture

Ridge, he'd always stood loyally behind my father when he was alive. Also, since Nathan

explanations," he said gruffly. "Nathan's men are combing these woods, and they're getting closer. We need to

never cared

me and not been involved with Nathan at any point. I'm not one to lay blame, but Nathan was a perfectly normal child until she blossomed into a woman, and let's say I've had a

Nathan's men. "He's ordered a full-scale search. And he's planning to attack the White

That's why we need to move quickly." he gestured for me to follow.

know this isn't a trap? Why

admitted. "But right now, I'm the best chance you and Lyla have of surviving

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