Fake Heiress True Luna (Irina) novel Chapter 13

< Chapter 13 Protecting the Pups

Chapter 13: Protecting the Pups

Irina’s POV

“Rogues…” Theia said faintly. I almost didn’t hear her because of how busy I was.

“How did you-“I tried to ask, but she cut me off.

“Up North, three of them.” Theia finished, and with that, she was gone.

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Dammit. I just saw three pups running into the woods. I’m not sure if they went up north, but they are definitely in the middle of the woods.

I wanted Theia to help me, but I couldn’t feel her anymore. She was so hurt by our previous rejection and by the fact that our second-chance mate was going through the same path.

I couldn’t blame her, but I needed her. I had to get to those pups before the rogues did.

Julie said something to me, but I was too focused on what Theia had said. Her theatrics could wait, so I left the tray on a table and darted towards the woods.

I heard people screaming, warriors growling, meaning a fight had started.

I ran as fast as I could, even if my legs felt like they were about to give up on me, I pushed myself further.

Each breath was a sharp reminder of the beating I’d taken, but that didn’t matter either. The adrenaline, the desire to keep those pups safe, was stronger.

Where are they? Panic began to claw at my throat. Theia was gone, a silent, grieving void inside me. I was utterly alone, with no wolf’s senses to guide me. I was just a human girl, weak and vulnerable, stumbling through the dark.

Then I heard it-a faint, terrified whimper.

It came from a thicket of brambles to my left. I pushed through the thorny branches, ignoring the scratches they left on my arms and the snagging and tearing of my uniform.

There they were. Three small figures huddled together behind a fallen log. The youngest, a little boy no older than four, had tears streaming down his face, his small body shaking with silent sobs. The two older girls were trying to shush him, their own faces pale with terror.

Their eyes widened when they saw me, but it wasn’t recognition I saw-it was fear. I was a

stranger.

I was an omega.

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Chapter 13 Protecting the Pups

And I’m sure I don’t look the best.

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“It’s okay,” I whispered, my voice breathless from the run. I dropped to my knees before them, trying to make myself look small, non-threatening. “I’m here to help. My name is Irina, and I’m an omega from Blue Moon. We need to be very quiet, okay? We need to find a better hiding spot.”

The little boy let out another hiccupping sob. One of the girls clapped a hand over his mouth, her eyes huge. “The scary wolves…” she whispered.

“I know,” I said, my heart breaking. “But we’re going to be smart. We’re going to hide so well. they’ll never find us. Can you be brave for me?”

They nodded, their small faces solemn. I looked around frantically. The fallen log provided poor cover. A few yards away, I spotted a dense cluster of holly bushes, their dark leaves providing better concealment.

“There,” I pointed. “On the count of three, we’re going to run to those bushes as fast and as quietly as we can. Ready?”

I counted down. On “three,” we burst from behind the log. I shepherded them forward, my hand on the back of the oldest girl, urging them on. We dove into the prickly sanctuary of the holly bushes, scrambling into the center where the branches were thickest.

We crouched there, huddled together, our breathing the only sound. The sharp holly leaves scratched at my skin, but I barely felt them. I pulled the children close, trying to shield them with my own body.

“I’m scared,” the little boy whispered, his face buried in my torn sleeve.

“I know, sweetheart,” I murmured, stroking his hair. “I am too. But we’re together. That makes

us stronger.”

We waited. Seconds stretched into minutes. The silence of the woods was absolute, and

somehow more terrifying than the noise of battle. Every rustle of a leaf, every snap of a twig, sent my heart into my throat.

Then, I heard it. The slow, deliberate crunch of footsteps nearby. Heavy. Not a child’s. Not a

warrior’s swift tread.

It was a rogue.

A low, guttural sniffing sound followed. They were scenting the air. Looking for us.

The children froze against me, their small bodies rigid with terror. I held my breath, praying the thick, pungent smell of the holly would mask our scent.

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< Chapter 13: Protecting the Pups

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The footsteps came closer. I could see a dark, hulking shape moving through the trees just beyond our bush.

Dammit.

The rogue’s massive, matted grey wolf form moved into a patch of moonlight just beyond our holly bush. Its head was low, nostrils flaring as it scented the air, its yellowed eyes scanning the shadows. It knew we were close.

My blood ran cold. The holly wasn’t enough. It would find us. It would tear through these branches and get to the children.

I couldn’t fight it. I was unarmed, weak, and without my wolf. But I could be a distraction.

I took a deep, silent breath, and my decision was made. I leaned close to the oldest girl, my voice the barest whisper against her ear. “Listen to me. When I run, you count to ten. Then you take your brother and sister and run back toward the garden lights as fast as you can. Don’t look back. Do you understand?”

Her eyes, wide with terror, filled with fresh tears. She shook her head. “No! He’ll get you!”

“He’ll get all of us if we stay,” I whispered urgently. “This is the only way. Be brave. For them.” I squeezed her hand. “Promise me.”

She gave a tiny, jerky nod, her lower lip trembling.

It was enough.

I took one last look at their small, terrified faces, memorizing them. Then, I pushed myself out of the holly bush, the thorns tearing at my skin and uniform.

“Hey!” I shouted, my voice echoing unnaturally loud in the silent woods. “Over here, you mangy mutt! Come and get me!”

The rogue’s head snapped up. Its eyes locked onto me, and a low, hungry growl rumbled in its chest. It forgot all about the bush. I was the immediate prey.

I turned and ran.

I didn’t run toward the gardens. I ran deeper into the woods, away from the lights and the safety of the pack. I had to lead it as far away from the children as possible.

My lungs burned, my bruised ribs screaming in protest with every gasping breath. Branches whipped at my face and arms. I could hear the thunder of its paws behind me, gaining fast. It was so much quicker than me.

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<Chapter 13 Protecting the Pups

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