Chapter 30 Into the Trap
Rever’s POV
Sharon crept through the thick forest, the moonlight flowing through the trees above, leaving scattered shadows on the forest floor. Each step felt like a leap of trust, her heart beating as she managed the dangerous road. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig sent her heart racing.
“Stay focused,” she whispered to herself, tightening her grip on the small knife she’d tucked into her belt. It wasn’t much, but it gave her a bit of courage in the face of what she knew lay ahead.
Pier’s warning had been clear come freely, or face the repercussions. She wasn’t sure what she’d find once she reached him, but the weight of her choice pressed heavily on her chest. The lives of the pack hung in the balance, and if she was truly the key to stopping this madness, she needed to act.
A sudden snap of twigs to her left made her freeze. Her breath hitched as she searched the shadows, her eyes trying to detect any movement. “You shouldn’t have come alone,” a low, threatening voice said from behind her.
Sharon spun around, her knife drawn, but she was too late. Two of Pier’s men emerged from the darkness, their faces twisted with wicked delight. Before she could react, one of them lunged, knocking the blade from her hand.
“Let me go!” she shouted, struggling against their iron grip. Her wolf stirred within her, pushing her to fight, but the tranquilizer dart they shot into her neck numbed her senses. The trees spun around her as she fell to her knees.
“Pier will be pleased,” one of the guys said, lifting her limp form over his shoulder. Back at the packhouse, Rever paced the length of the study, his mind running. The moment he’d found Sharon’s note, fear had clawed at him. He’d read the words over and over, thinking they would somehow change, but they didn’t. I’ll find the truth. Don’t follow me.
“Damn it, Sharon,” he growled, striking his hand against the desk. Lasmay stood in the doorway, her face grim.
“Her scent ends at the edge of the forest,” she said. “She’s gone after Pier, hasn’t she?”
Rever's jaw got tight. “She’s stubborn enough to think she can handle this alone.”
“What do we do?” Lasmay asked, her voice tinged with fear.
Rever didn’t pause. “We track her. Now.” He stormed out of the study, his mind a whirlwind of feelings. Guilt gnawed at him he’d promised to protect her, and now she was out there, walking into danger. The thought of Pier’s hands on her made his blood boil.
As he stepped into the cool night air, he took a deep breath, focusing on Sharon’s smell. It was weak but clear, leading him into the trees like a light. “Hold on, Sharon,” he mumbled. “I’m coming.”
Sharon’s head throbbed as she regained awareness. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and pine, and the faint glow of a fire flickered nearby. She tried to move, but her hands were bound tightly behind her back.
“Awake at last,” Pier’s voice drawled. He stepped into view, his sharp features lit by the firelight. His eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and something darker. “You didn’t have to send your goons after me,” Sharon said, her voice hoarse. “I was coming to you anyway.”
Pier chuckled. “Forgive me if I didn’t trust your word. You’ve proven to be... unpredictable.” Sharon glared at him, her anger burning despite her situation. “What do you want from me? Why all the games?”
Pier crouched in front of her, his face getting serious. “Because you’re not just any wolf, Sharon. You’re the key to an old prophecy. A legend that speaks of a wolf born under a cursed moon, meant to either join the packs or destroy them.”
Sharon’s heart raced. “That’s ridiculous,” she said, shaking her head. “I’m just... I’m just me.”
Pier’s lips curled into an evil smile. “You can deny it all you want, but your wolf knows the truth. That power inside you? It’s not normal. It’s ancient. And it’s exactly what I need to remake the packs in my image.”
Before Sharon could reply, a rustling noise from the trees caught Pier’s attention. He straightened, his face hardening.
“Looks like your knight in shining armor couldn’t stay away,” he said mockingly.
Sharon’s heart leaped. “Rever?”
Pier nodded to his men, who moved to surround the space. “Let’s give him a warm welcome, shall we?”
Rever moved quietly through the trees, his wolf on high alert. Sharon’s scent was stronger now, mixed with the unmistakable stench of Pier’s men. He slowed as he approached an opening, his sharp eyes taking in the scene.
Sharon was bound near the fire, her face pale but determined. Pier stood nearby, his posture relaxing but his eyes watchful. Around them, a dozen of Pier’s men waited, their guns gleaming in the firelight.
Rever’s rage boiled over. He stepped into the open, his presence dominating. “Let her go, Pier.”
Pier turned, his smile widening. “Ah, Alpha Rever. Always so predictable.”
“This ends now,” Rever growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Pier laughed, opening his arms dramatically. “Oh, but it’s only just beginning. Sharon and I have much to talk about. Isn’t that right, my dear?”
“Go to hell,” Sharon spat, her voice filled with hate.
Rever took a step forward, his muscles coiled and ready. “You’re outnumbered, Pier. Let her go, and maybe I’ll let you walk away.”
Pier’s smile didn’t break. “Outnumbered, yes. But outmatched? That remains to be seen.”
With a snap of his fingers, his men closed in, their guns raised. Rever didn’t wait. He lunged, his wolf rushing forward in a blur of rage and claws. The clearing burst into chaos as the two sides fought.
Sharon fought against her bonds, her heart beating as she watched Rever fight. Despite being surrounded, he moved with killing accuracy, his strength and skill unmatched. But for every man he took down, another seemed to take his place.
Pier watched the chaos with a pleased smile, his eyes never leaving Sharon. “This is only the beginning,” he said quietly, his words sending a chill down her spine.
Suddenly, a sharp howl rang through the forest, followed by the sound of coming footsteps. Sharon’s eyes widened as troops from the pack burst into the open, evening the odds.
Pier’s smile faltered for the first time. “It seems your pack isn’t as weak as I thought,” he mumbled.
Rever took the chance, breaking through the line of guys and reaching Sharon. He sliced through her bonds with a swift move, pulling her to her feet.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice rough with worry.
Sharon nodded, her legs shaky but steady. “I am now.”
Pier’s men began to withdraw, their faith destroyed. Pier himself stayed, his eyes locked with Sharon’s.
“This isn’t over,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “You’ll come to me eventually. One way or another.”
With that, he withdrew into the dark, leaving behind a battlefield dotted with the aftermath of his twisted games.
As the pack gathered, Rever put a protective arm around Sharon, his face grim.
“We need to talk,” he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.
Sharon nodded, her thoughts racing. Pier’s words about the omen worried her, and for the first time, she wondered if there was truth to them.
But before she could dwell on it, a sharp cry rang out from the edge of the clearing. Everyone turned to see one of the fighters stumbling forward, his hand clutching a torn piece of fabric.
“Alpha,” he said, his voice shaking. “We found this near Pier’s escape route.”
Rever took the fabric, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the smell. His face darkened, and Sharon’s stomach dropped.
“What is it?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Rever met her look, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and fear. “It’s from someone I thought was dead.”