The Heartless Alpha’s Beloved Luna

Chapter 256 Avery's POV The rogue camp was exactly what I pictured. Haphazard. Tents creating wobbly pathways of mud and stone. The scent of sweat and blood in the air. But I didn't expect this one to be so large. It was more than just an encampment-it was like a small village. I tried to count the people as I passed, but I eventually lost track. My captors, led by Deirdre, moved too quickly for me to make much sense of it. I only knew one thing for certain. I needed to get the hell out of here. But how? I was massively outnumbered.

The males were leering at me with jagged teeth and hungry eyes like they already owned me, tongues darting out to wet dry lips. The females were glaring at me as if they had plans to get rid of me before my first night here was up. No. Making a run for it and fighting my way out wasn't an option, not when I was completely surrounded by enemies. "Through here," Deirdre barked, pulling aside the flap of a tent. This one was far larger than the others, and situated in the center of the encampment. Two guards were standing outside.

One was picking at the dirt under his nails with a pocket knife and the other was counting coins in his hands that he probably got through nefarious means, but they were both watching me out of the corners of their eyes. The ones who were holding me by the arms roughly pushed me into the tent. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but then I saw him. The Rogue King. He sat on a wooden throne made of branches that spiked outwards, sharpened at the tips like spears. A bundle of feathers hung from one of the branches near his head. A wolf's pelt was draped over the seat.

spread across it and multiple pieces in various shapes strewn about

toward him. I stumbled, but I didn't fall. I refused I lifted my chin and studied the so-called "king". He leaned lazily on one arm of his throne, watching me with

remember." He waved his hand, and the guards left. I stared at them as they sauntered out of the tent single-file. Deirdre went last, lingering a moment too long until the Rogue King flicked his hand at her, too. She sneered at me, then followed the others. The old woman remained, but the Rogue King didn't seem to notice her, and she didn't seem to notice us. She just kept stirring her pot. Once