Chapter 21 Untitled Chapter
Chapter 21 Untitled Chapter
CLAIRE
I followed the others down to the dungeon where Sophie was being held. As the guard unlocked the heavy silver bar, revealing a weak Sophie, chained to the wall. Looking at her, gave me a rush of cold, as memories of how much she had terrorized us flashes across my bed.
As Trisha approached her, I could see a glimpse of anger on her face before she turned away. Hearing footsteps or just probably sending another presence in the room, Sophie lifts her head, her lips curling into a snarl.
“I can’t believe a day would come where we would find ourselves on opposite sides. Sophie, it’s not too late to turn away from the council.” Trisha began the conversation, breaking the ice.
“What do you want?” Sophie hissed, her eyes moving past her, until they rested on me. “You think because you rescued her, you have the council all figured out? You guys have no idea the depth of what you are dealing with.”
“You don’t get to fucking talk back!” Jet snarled, advancing towards her but Freya stopped him by touching his arm.
“How can you still be loyal to these people? How long have you been chained down here with no rescue however from them? They don’t care what happened to you Sophie, if I were you, I’d rethink the side I want to be on.” Trisha answered, straightening up.
“Oh? I should be like you then? Forming a bond with the werewolves and pretending they care about you?” She laughed weakly. “Have you forgotten what they did to us? While I would like to refresh your memories on why we moved to humans territory, I simply do not have the strength.”
If Trisha had a reaction to Sophie’s statement, she didn’t show it.
Without asking further questions, she turned back to look at us, communicating that she was done interrogating her. I was curious to know what Sophie meant by that, but from the look of things, it’s obvious Trisha doesn’t want to talk about it at that moment.
The guard returned to lock the dungeon again as Sophie burst into a maniacally laughter that sent chills down my body. If there was anything I grasp from the conversation, It’s that the council would be coming for me. Which is why I need to find Gianna, it isn’t just about revenge anymore, but to get a glimpse into who the council are and what their plans for me are.
“Are you okay?” Hunter's voice interrupted my thoughts, as he took off his jacket, wrapping it around my shoulder.
I glanced at him, trying to sense his emotion. “Just a little chilly. Seeing her again after all this time…” My voice faded as Trisha strolled past us.
Returning Hunter’s jacket back to him, I followed her. “Trisha, the questions you asked Sophie, they had nothing to do with the shadows.” I pointed out, briefly looking over at Freya and Jet, who seemed involved in their own conversation.
“I had to ask sneakily because she will never tell me the truth. Sophie is the one sending the dark shadows, except that they aren’t going where she wants because of how weak her powers are.”
“She is trying to send a signal.” Jet pointed out, his fingers crawling into a fist. “She shouldn’t still be breathing.”
“Who could she possibly be signaling to? The council? We cannot keep the refugees here for her to keep terrorizing, we have to take them back home.” Freya chimed in, running her fingers through her hair, indicating her frustration.
I slipped away from the group as the conversation got heavy. Once again, they had trouble deciding what to prioritize. The fact that they couldn’t decide between the safety of the Pack and the refugees was painful, they should be taken back with no questions. So what if they get taken by the council again?
Mentally rolling my eyes, my steps faltered as I sensed Freya approaching me before she appeared at my side. I still wasn’t comfortable talking to her, to me, she’s still human. Even worse, she’s Dane Grayson’s daughter, the same man who had contributed to the situation I’m in.
Things got so much worse after she showed up in our lives, like the refugees here, she should be taken to where she belongs. She has no place here, humans and werewolves do not belong together.
“I wanted to see if you were doing okay, I saw how you reacted to Sophie earlier.” She asked, pausing for a reply.
“What do you want me to say Freya? Sophie being in the dungeon doesn’t mean we are safe, while are you convincing Jet to still keep her alive?” I demanded, glaring at her.
At this point, I was so sick of pretending everything was peachy where she’s concern. She doesn’t get to stay in whatever bubble Jet created for her while still creating an environment of chaos because with Sophie still bleeding down there, who knows when she would conjure something that would attack us.
Taken aback by my words, she winced. “It wasn’t only my decision to keep Sophie alive. Hunter wanted her alive too because he was hoping she would help us track you back when you were captured by the council.”
“And what’s your excuse now? I’m home, well and alright. Why the hell is that bitch still breathing? What do you intend to use her for Freya?” I demanded, my eyes narrowing suspiciously at her.
“Claire…” Hunter appeared, a step behind us.
We both turned to look at him. He was giving me that look again, like I have two horns sprouting out of my forehead. Also, I was over him staring at me like something is wrong with me. I’m perfectly fine, and I’m just asking the right questions.
Shaking my head at them both, I proceed into the house, aware of him trailing behind me. As soon as we entered our bedroom, Hunter shut the door.
“What the hell Claire?” He hissed, giving me that look again.
“The hell is, are you seriously taking her side over mine? Your mate?” I scoffed, turning away from him.
He circled back to stand in front of me. “I’m not taking Freya’s side over yours. I simply want to understand but you keep pushing me away. It wasn’t Freya’s decision alone to keep Sophie alive.”
“So… you’re working with her? Is that it? I want her dead! Trisha wants her dead too! And Jet? He’s more than ready to tear her apart. Why is it that Sophie gets the grace to be alive despite all the horrible things she has done to us but Morgana doesn’t? I knew you didn’t get along with her but where was this attitude for her Hunter?” I demanded, shoving him.
“This is about Morgana?” He questioned with a surprise undertone. “You think we are keeping Sophie alive because we cared about her? You witnessed everything Morgana did, even back when you couldn’t recall what happened in the past, where was your outrage then?”
“I didn’t remember my friendship with Morgana.” I snapped, scratching my head in anger. “Don’t you see what is going on? Half of the problem we have today is caused by that human lady and her family! First it was her father, then her fiancé, now her cousin! We are already dealing with so much! I expect Jet to be blinded by her, but not my mate.”
By the time I concluded my words, I was a little breathless. I stormed out of the room, stopping when I almost bumped into Freya. The unshed tears forming in her eyes, told me she heard the word exchange between Hunter and I.
“I meant every word I said. Half of what happened to us wouldn’t have, if Jet never brought you into our lives. I blame him too.”
“Perhaps you have forgotten them, that you encouraged Jet to bring her here! If you are pointing fingers, point one at yourself. Jet had his reservation about introducing her to our world but you convinced him! You were happy to have her here… what has the council done to you.” Hunter’s voice was filled with more pain than anger.
“You’re right, I do have some faults in it too. A mistake I’m working on correcting.” With that, I walked away from them.
Just before I exit the passage, I glanced over my shoulder to see Hunter consoling her. My blood boils! Not only has she managed to win over the entire Pack, but my mate too?
Turning back my head, I came to a halt as Jet appeared in front of me. He moved past me in the direction of Hunter and Freya.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he regarded me with an expressionless face. “Don’t force me to choose.”
“Why? You would kill me the same way you killed Morgana? Is that it? We grew up like siblings, and you will kill me because I hurt your mate’s feelings with the truth?”
“Morgana’s death hurt me, even though I was the one who killed her. I gave her a warning, I told her to stay away from my mate. She could have done that, have you forgotten she killed my unborn child? You think it was an easy choice to make. I’m forever going to live with that guilt, don’t add yours to it. Think about Hunter…”
“You are threatening me?”
“Never. I’m simply warning you, I do not have control over my actions when I’m in the Lycan state. I know you have been through a lot, and it’s my responsibility to look after you. Therefore, I will be sending you to Kale’s house. You will live there, away from the refugees and Freya, until we get to the bottom of what’s going on with you...”
Looking at him, I no longer see the boy I grew up thinking of as a brother. The same boy who would protect me from anything and everyone, even though becoming an Alpha created a distance in our relationship, I never thought it would get to this point, and it was all her fault!