96
LEON'S POV
We were stuck on the dark staircase. I couldn't see, but I knew what was coming—danger.
My eyes frantically searched the place, checking for a way that we wouldn't all fall from here.
The walls were narrow; the whooshing was drawing closer.
I spun, turning to my team members who, despite the danger we were in, had managed to stay calm.
Because of their mental fortitude, the place hadn't fallen into chaos just yet.
“Can you detect an opening around?” I spoke to the woman with the sharpest hearing in the team.
She immediately got down to work, not neglecting the slightest second.
But it was already here.
I was too late.
I lowered my eyes to the equally dark floor, in self-blame. After all, I had led them here; now they were all going to perish.
My eyes could see the outline.
Like rain, it descended toward us.
I took a step forward, ready to take the brunt of it.
It was, after all, an alpha’s duty.
Just then, I heard my name— Leon!
I thought it was an illusion, but even if it wasn't, I didn’t want to turn. My mind wouldn't be able to stomach the disappointment in her eyes. Something in me might break.
But I heard it again.
Followed by a resounding screech, “Come in, Leon! Quickly, before it lands!”
Burdened by self-doubts and condemnation, my thoughts were not keeping up with the sudden change.
A place.
“Alpha!” Rounds of voices came from behind, backing up Sofia's.
“Run! Leon, why are you still staring?”
A stinging pain came from my cheeks. I lifted up my hand, touching it, and what came to my view was red.
A heart-wrenching scream shook me.
That was the precursor. Following that, darts began dropping from the air.
That's when it dawned on me—we aren't dying.
A space had opened in the wall, large enough to hold everybody.
And the whole team had entered, leaving only me. I tore my attention from my memories, refusing to freeze up in mortification at my carelessness.
Behind me was a sea of dropping weapons chasing after my heels.
Her outstretched arm gave me a feeling of déjà vu.
I had to make it. This time, Sofia didn’t need my help; instead, it was I who did.
Her teary eyes and quivering lips empowered me, giving me the strength I needed to push forward, closing the distance between us in a matter of seconds.
But as if that wasn't enough, with a rumble, the walls began to close quickly. I had to make it in time, if not...
Flickers of gruesome images of me flashed past my mind.
I focused, my eyes narrowing, and with that intense concentration, a change occurred.
The whole world blurred away—the worried expressions of my teammates, the chill at the back of my neck each time a dart fell close to me—all faded away into nothingness.
Leaving only me, the closing door, and Sofia.
With a shout, I leaped off the floor, narrowly slipping through the door and landing on Sofia, sending the both of us toppling to the floor. And in the next second, they slammed shut.
Causing the floor to tremble for a moment.
I blinked, my chest heaving, sweat-soaked hair slicked on my face. On top of Sofia, her widened eyes were so comical—like a stunned cat.
That I chuckled, my chest rumbling, throwing my head backward.
The tension caused by having a near-death experience vanished like bubbles.
I stood up from her and gave her a hand, helping her off the floor.
She looked into my eyes and gave me a tight-lipped but relieved smile, after which I could no longer see her.
She was immediately blocked by the other team members, who surrounded me worriedly, asking after me, to which I gave each a firm pat on the shoulder.
Reassuring them.
But the infiltration must go on, even if at this point it could no longer be called an infiltration.
I moved, the team parting for me. Reaching the door, I paused in front of it, feeling the surprisingly smooth surface of the wall.
For a decades-old lighthouse, the wall sure looks maintained, I remarked, knocking on it.
“Who found this place?” Without turning, I asked.
“It's Sofia, Alpha,” someone replied, surprised. My finger hovered over its surface, and in a low voice, I commended, “Good job, Sofia.
“Your discovery saved all of us.” I spun around, only to see her in front with her head bowed. Knowing her, I could guess that her face was red.
Something I would have loved to see but unfortunately not here. I clicked my tongue in distaste.
Since the former path is no longer visible, we would use the one the goddess had provided to us.
It turns out that this wasn’t actually a space but another pathway.
Even if the way forward is unknown, the door couldn't be opened, and even if it could, the stairways must be covered in darts. Who knows what other traps were around there?
It's unsafe.
Once again, I passed through their midst. The team had descended into silence, clearly giving me space to think.
I stopped in front of the team, staring deep into the path before us.
As werewolves, our night vision had played a great role, lighting up the way for us, causing our eyes to glow yellow like glaring yellow pointers in the dark.
This trip has been full of uncertainties from the start, vastly deviating from what we had ever imagined.
At this point, my expression sank, turning grim. Worst of all, I'm beginning to doubt if… if we could all make it out alive.
No.
I snapped myself out of such pessimistic thoughts. I had to be strong because if I crumbled, they too would.
I took another step.
This journey might have taken another turn.
I put another foot before the other.
It might be full of dangers, but…
Another step.
Then steps, trudging footsteps taking over the previously silent place.
We would always move forward.