LYDIA'S POV

　　The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest as Oleg's men dragged me through the underbrush. Each step was a struggle, my limbs heavy and uncooperative, my body screaming in protest. The rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl seemed unnaturally loud, echoing through the dense trees.

　　My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, each more desperate than the last. Memories of my life flashed before my eyes—moments of joy, sorrow, triumph, and regret. I thought of my family, my mates, and the life I had fought so hard to protect.

　　Was this truly the end?

　　I could hear Oleg's men muttering to each other, their voices a harsh contrast to the serene night. "Keep moving," one of them grunted, his grip on my arm tightening making sure that I don't run away.

　　My powers, once a source of strength and hope, were now a distant memory. I felt drained, utterly defeated. The magical energy that had once coursed through my veins was gone, leaving me feeling hollow and powerless. I tried to summon even a flicker of my abilities, but there was nothing—only a void where my power had once been. I tried to connect with my Lycan and to shift into my true form but that also didn't work.

　　My body ached, and my vision blurred with tears. The forest around me seemed to close in, the trees standing as silent sentinels to my fate. Every step was a struggle, each breath a painful reminder of my mortality.

　　"This can't be how it ends," I thought, my heart pounding with fear and despair. I fought to stay conscious, to find some glimmer of hope in the darkness. But the exhaustion was overwhelming, pulling me deeper into the abyss.

　　As the men dragged me deeper into the forest, I felt a surge of determination. I couldn't give up—not yet. There had to be a way out, some chance to survive. I focused on the sounds of the forest, trying to stay grounded in the present moment.

　　"Think, Lydia, think," I urged myself, trying to push through the haze of pain and fatigue. My mind raced, searching for any scrap of knowledge that might save me.

　　I tried to mind link my mates but the connection was faint and due to lack of support from my Lycan that also didn't work.

　　But even as I clung to hope, a cold realization settled over me. I was at the mercy of Oleg's men, and they had no intention of letting me go. The forest around me seemed to whisper my fate, the shadows growing longer as the night wore on.

　　In my final moments of consciousness, I felt a strange sense of peace. I had fought bravely, and done everything I could to protect those I loved. If this was the end, then I would face it with courage. With that thought, my eyes fluttered closed, my body succumbing to the exhaustion.

　　Then, suddenly, the grip on my arms loosened. I felt myself being lowered to the ground, my back resting against the rough bark of a tree. I forced my eyes open, expecting to see Oleg's men preparing to finish me off. Instead, they were backing away, exchanging furtive glances.

　　"Get up," a voice commanded, startling me. I looked up to see one of Oleg's henchmen, Dean, standing over me. His expression was hard to read, but there was a hint of urgency in his eyes.

　　"Why... what do you want to do?" I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. My body screamed in protest as I tried to sit up, every muscle aching with exhaustion.

　　Dean glanced around as if ensuring we were alone. "I didn't do it before and I won't do it today. Now, listen carefully. There's a path just beyond those trees. Follow it until you reach the old hunting cabin. There's food and water inside, and it should be safe for the night."

　　I stared at him in disbelief, my mind struggling to process his words. "But why?" I asked again, the question burning on my lips. "Why are you helping me?"

　　Dean's face tightened for a moment, and he let out a weary sigh. "It's not the first time I've gone against Oleg's orders. And I am glad he chose me this time as well for this task. When you were just a child, Oleg ordered me to kill you. You were nine years old."

　　My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "What? So it was you? Why didn't you do it?" I whispered, the question tumbling from my lips.

　　"I couldn't bring myself to do it," Dean admitted, his voice softer now. "Instead, I left you with a farmer's family. I hoped they'd keep you safe and hidden from Oleg. I told Oleg that I killed you and dug your body deep into the forest. For years, Oleg was living under the illusion that you are dead."