The Beta’s Regret

(Eden's Pov)

With every beat of my feet against the forest floor, my heart thumped wildly. The more I ran, the more it felt like I was heading closer to my doom, that each step might be my last, but I refused to stop. I couldn't, not when so many lives depended on me and my ability to make this mission a success.

My breaths became heavier, as I felt the biting cold wind whip against my skin. However I paid no attention to the goosebumps that had begun to sprout.

My eyes were fixed ahead of me as I reminded myself of the reason why I was doing this in the first place.

Lily laid behind my back, still and quiet almost as if she could sense the gravity of our quest. I would protect her with my life if I had to, she was my daughter. The trees went blurry as I passed them. It was only a matter of hours before I get to the palace.

After a while, I got to a clearing surrounded by Crowberries and slowly came to a stop. My knees gave way slightly as I sat on the floor and took in deep breaths. With my breath still uneasy, I unstrapped Lily from my back. She was sound asleep, unbothered by whatever was happening around her.

I used the blanket I had securely tied her with to create a make-shift bed and laid her on it. She pouted her lips softly at the change in comfort but finally settled into it. When I was sure she was satisfied, I stood up and plucked some berries within reach. When I got enough, I sat down back and carefully crushed the berries in my hands.

I felt their juices burst, the strong smell of the berries taking up the whole place.

I smiled in contentment. This was exactly what I wanted, a strong smell to hide my scent and that of Lily's so the rogues wouldn't notice our presence.

I rubbed the berry juice into Lily's hair and skin, after which I crushed more and rubbed it over my skin and clothes. I worked quickly. There was no time to waste in whatever I was doing.

As soon as I was done, I picked Lily up and repositioned her on my back as I continued on my journey.

Long hours later, I could see the palace ahead.

A chill ran through me the closer I got. The last time I was here, I came for Sussie's help. I never imagined I would be back here again all by myself.

I sighed and slowed down as I approached the palace gates. Compared to last time, the security had gotten tighter. Rogues were positioned at strategic corners of the palace, all alert and ready to attack at the slightest sound of danger. "It's impossible to sneak in." I heard Tiara panic in my head.

There was hardly a way I could walk past these rogues without being

a way." I whispered

was still counting the total number of rogues

stepped deeper into the shadows of the forest trees, and looked around the ground before I bent to pick

you doing?" Tiara

"Watch me." I said.

the stone in the opposing direction. The rogues immediately stood on alert,

was the distraction

in the

stone, and quickly I ran

could, I whipped

into ease. It was almost as if Lily understood the

made my way into the interior

heavy stench of metallic.

twisted in disgust.

crawl through me but I swallowed it back. This was not

loomed in the shadows, a dark feeling, something that made shivers run down my spine and made

ahead, my breath

to find everyone, Beauty,

palace is big, and filled with so many people. How do

do is to focus and

hid in the shadows. reached out to that strange feeling inside of me, and in no time, I felt it, that pulse of power

Love

reverberates through my veins.