Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81: Chapter 81 The Temple of Chains

Victoria

The ruins of an ancient temple loomed before us, half-swallowed by the dense forest that bordered River Valley Pack territory. Even in decay, the structure emanated a strange power that made my skin tingle and Ava stir restlessly within me. Thick vines crawled over crumbling stone walls, moonlight filtering through gaps in what remained of the roof, casting eerie shadows across the moss-covered floor.

"This place feels wrong," I whispered to Leo as we crouched behind a fallen column. "Like it’s watching us."

His amber eyes scanned the shadowy interior, his body tense beside mine. "It’s an old power site," he murmured. "Wolves used to worship here centuries ago, before the territory wars." His hand found mine in the darkness, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Focus on your brother’s scent. Is he here?"

I closed my eyes, drawing in a deep breath. The temple smelled of wet stone, decay, and something more primal—blood. Enzo’s blood. My eyes snapped open. "He’s inside. And he’s hurt... badly."

Leo nodded grimly. "Tiny, take the east entrance with Delta team. Victoria and I will approach from the main hall." His voice was barely audible, but I knew our warriors would catch every word with their enhanced hearing.

Tiny’s massive silhouette melted into the darkness with surprising grace for someone his size. Leo turned to me, his expression severe in the dim light.

"Stay behind me," he ordered softly. "No matter what we find in there."

I raised an eyebrow. "We already discussed this. I’m not hiding while my brother—" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"I’m not asking you to hide," he cut me off, brushing a strand of hair from my face with unexpected tenderness. "I’m asking you to let me take the first hit if it comes to that. My body heals faster than yours."

The concern in his eyes made my throat tighten. After our confrontation with Marcus’s hologram earlier, Leo had been even more protective—if that was possible. I nodded reluctantly.

"Fine. But if you get yourself killed trying to play hero, I’ll never forgive you."

His mouth quirked in that half-smile that always made my heart skip. "Noted."

We moved silently through the ruins, stepping over fallen debris and under sagging archways. As we ventured deeper into the temple, the air grew heavier, charged with something I couldn’t name. The plants around us seemed more alive, more aware, rustling without wind as we passed.

*We know you, daughter of two worlds,* they seemed to whisper. *The blood of the forest runs in your veins.*

I shivered, trying to focus on the task at hand. After what felt like an eternity, we reached what must have once been the temple’s main chamber—a circular room with a cracked stone altar at its center. And chained to that altar, his body limp and bloody, was Enzo.

"Enzo!" I gasped, forgetting all caution as I rushed forward.

Leo’s arm shot out, catching me around the waist. "Wait," he growled, nostrils flaring as he scented the air. "Something’s not right."

I strained against his grip. "That’s my brother! He’s dying!"

"And this is exactly how Marcus would want you to react," Leo hissed, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Think, Victoria. It’s too easy."

As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. Marcus wasn’t known for carelessness. If Enzo was here, exposed and seemingly unguarded, it was a trap.

"Aurora," I suddenly realized. "She’s not here. Marcus has split them up as insurance."

Leo nodded slowly. "Clever girl," he murmured, a hint of pride in his voice. He tapped his comm unit twice—a signal to Tiny and the others to proceed with extreme caution.

"We still need to get to him," I insisted, my eyes fixed on Enzo’s battered form. His chest rose and fell in shallow, labored breaths. "He doesn’t have much time."

Leo’s jaw clenched as he considered our options. "I’ll approach first. Cover me from here—if anything moves, anything at all, you call it out."

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