The Princess's Revenge Chapter 54

Valencia’s POV

The accusation hit me like a slap. "You think I caused this? I helped save people. I distributed antidotes, I fought the fires—"

"Bullshit!" she snarled, stepping closer. "Ever since you arrived, our pack has been under attack. You're cursed, and you're bringing death to everyone around you!"

I felt that familiar burning sensation in my chest, the same rage that had helped me kill rogues. But I couldn't waste time arguing with her delusions.

"I don't have time for this."

Amara lunged forward, trying to grab my arm, but I dodged away from her reach and ran quickly down the stairs.

"Don't you dare run away from me!" Amara screamed behind me. "You fucking bitch! I'll make you pay for what you've done! You hear me? I'll make you pay!"

Her curses followed me down the stone steps, but I ignored them. I reached the first floor and headed straight for the destroyed food storage room. The smell hit me immediately – a nauseating mixture of burned grain, spoiled meat, and something sour that made my stomach turn. I pressed my hand over my nose and mouth, trying not to gag as I picked my way through the charred debris.

The secret passage door stood open, revealing the narrow stone path beyond. The bodies were gone. Both Xander and Landon had been removed, leaving only dark stains on the stone.

"Thank the Moon Goddess," I breathed, my shoulders sagging with relief. Dr. Vance had kept his word.

The horse was still there. I quickly loaded my supplies into the saddlebags – the water bag, food bundle, rope, and flint kit.

As I rode past the training grounds, I saw that the stone house no longer had any wounded waiting outside. The sight made something ease in my chest. The immediate crisis was over. People were recovering.

I urged the horse forward, riding west toward the outer walls of the castle grounds. The path took me past groups of warriors on patrol and servants carrying supplies for repairs. Their faces were drawn with exhaustion, their clothes stained with soot and blood.

The outer wall of Cliffwatch Pack rose before me. The main gate was directly ahead, flanked by two stone towers where guards kept watch.

As I approached, two guards stepped forward to block my path. Their eyes immediately focused on the iron collar around my neck, and their expressions shifted from neutral attention to obvious disdain.

"Hold up there," the guard on my left called out, his voice thick with contempt. "Where do you think you're going, slave?"

I remained mounted, looking down at them both. "I need to leave on urgent business," I said firmly.

The guard on my right, a burly man with graying hair, let out a harsh laugh. "Urgent business? What kind of urgent business could a slave have?"

"It's related to Alpha Logan," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

Both guards exchanged sneering looks. The first guard spat into the dirt beside my horse.

"Alpha Logan?" he said mockingly. "Alpha Logan left this morning. You think we're stupid enough to believe he'd send a worthless slave like you on some mission?"

"Maybe she's running away," the second guard added with a cruel grin. "Though I can think of better uses for a pretty little thing like you before we drag you back."

"Yeah," the first guard leered, his eyes traveling over my body. "Maybe we should teach you a lesson about lying to your betters. I bet you'd sound real sweet begging."

My stomach turned with disgust and rage. "I'm telling the truth," I said, my voice growing colder. "Let me pass."

"Not happening," the second guard said, his hand moving to his sword hilt. "Get off that horse. Now."

Panic and rage flared in my chest. If I dismounted, they would detain me. They might do worse than that. I realized I had no choice but to resist.

My hand moved instinctively to Dragon Claw's handle. The gesture was small, but both guards noticed immediately.

"Did you just reach for a weapon?" the first guard snarled, drawing his sword with a ring of steel. "You fucking slave, how dare you threaten us!"

The second guard's blade came free as well. "Get down from that fucking horse right now, or we'll drag you down!"

My blood ran cold. My grip on the dagger was tight as I prepared to fight.

"Leif!" a voice boomed from the watchtower above. "Movement to the west! Something's coming!"

The guard on my left – Leif – immediately turned his attention upward, his sword still drawn but his focus shifting to the potential threat.

"What do you see, Finch?" Leif called back, shading his eyes against the sun.

The remaining guard kept his weapon trained on me, his face twisted with anger. "Don't move," he growled. "This isn't over."

My heart raced. Should I break through now? But I had a bad feeling about this. Could it be Dorian leading another rogue attack?

Leif had climbed partway up the tower's external ladder, getting a better view of the approaching rider. His expression changed from alertness to confusion.

"DON’T ATTACK!" he shouted. "Lower your weapons!"

The guard still facing me looked confused. "What? Why?"

"That white horse," Finch called down from the tower, his voice filled with amazement. "Is that Alpha Logan?"