Chapter 126: Attack

**Florence’s POV

A few minutes ago…….**

The loud joyous sounds outside drifted into the dungeon, making me sign for the nth time. My nerves were high and all of my senses were heightened since the letter that Keith delivered to me was about this day—The Moon Festival. It is said he prepared something for me to escape. I hope Nicholas and everyone were prepared for whatever was going to happen.

I rubbed my temple to loosen some tension in my shoulders when my senses detected a loud thud from the distance followed by quick and light footsteps. I snapped my head in the direction where the metal door in the prison cell room was built. My heart is racing in anticipation. The creaking of the heavy dungeon door drew my attention, and I immediately smelled the scent of faint spices. I raised a brow, expecting the woman. Olga appeared and walked toward me with a knowing look in her eyes.

“Get ready, we're leaving now” she unemotionally demanded, looking back to the door while he started unlocking my prison cell.

Without uttering a word, Olga tossed a bag towards me as soon as it was unblocked. As it landed on my floor, I didn't waste a second in opening it and what greeted me surprised me for a second. There are weapons inside like guns, grenades, knives, even tear gas, and a change of clothes. My eyes widened, recognizing the tools of my former life, the life I had left behind when I hid for my life from Keith.

It was funny that I ended up receiving the same set of tools from him again. But this time I planned to use it to escape from here and do what I should have done years ago.

Quickly adapting, I began undressing and donned the dark attire composed of a black short skirt and long-sleeve-fitted blouse, a leather jacket, and combat boots. I began to quickly fasten the strap to my thigh, fastening the knife, and putting the knife there. The familiar weight of a concealed knife and the cold touch of a gun against my skin bring back memories of my past.

“He’s right. Indeed you are a spy” Olga mused, watching me.

I scoffed, “Really?”

When I was done, I put on my hat and stepped outside my prison cell. Olga, with a nod, gestured for me to follow her. As we ventured into the dimly lit corridors, the festival's distant echoes became louder. I couldn't help but feel a surge of conflicting emotions – the pull of running to Nicholas and escaping to get my revenge at the same time.

My senses remained sharp, every step a reminder of my dual existence – the woman entwined with the dark.

While I silently walked behind Olga, I saw the unconscious guards on the floor. Olga noticed my gaze and spoke.

“A drink with castor beans powder can do the trick”

“Then they would be up for approximately 25 minutes. You used up your 8 minutes already” I replied casually.

“Then we should hurry”

“Are there no back doors?”

Olga shakes her head, “I know there is one but only Nicholas and Clifford knew even the old guard did not know where it is” and she opens the heavy metal door.

The air grew fresher as soon as we stepped outside to the familiar corridor but I steeled myself when I saw a frowning guard towards us. The man was familiar.

“Olga, who is the woman you are with? And why did you come out of the dungeon?”

“She was just lost. I am bridging her outside now, Sir Carter” Olga politely asked unsmilingly.

I knew he was familiar. He was the man I beat when I tried to escape the first time. I didn't know he would be the same person who I would meet again on my second attempt at escape.

“Then scatter now! You are not allowed to be here!” Carter yelled.

“Of course,” Olga replied and began to walk.

I followed closely behind her, keeping my head low when Carter spoke again, grabbing my wrist.

“Wait, let me look at your face, '' he ordered suspiciously.

I caught his other hand going to the gun he had on his waist. Olga interrupted and I still kept my head low.

“Sir Carter, what’s the problem?”

"Shut up, Olga!" he yelled, his voice laced with suspicion. "I said let me see your face! There's only one person here in the pack who doesn't have a scent and it is—"

Before he could finish the damning sentence, I moved like lightning. With the honed skills fueling my every move, I launched myself at him, catching him off guard. My hand, honed by years of training, snapped around his neck, a sharp crack echoing through the stillness of the room. His eyes widened in shock before fading into unconsciousness.

Violet flames ignited in my eyes, a reflection of the fury burning within me. Grabbing the dagger tucked discreetly at my waist, I wasted no time in aiming at the CCTV camera in the corner, the blade finding its mark with a muffled thud.

Olga, speechless and wide-eyed, “What did you just do?”

“They have already seen us. I am sure someone was monitoring the security room here. Better to do what we can do. Now, point the way out," I commanded, my voice steely.

She absentmindedly nodded. We moved with silent urgency, Olga leading me through a network of corridors. As we hurried past deserted hallways, the distant sounds of footsteps and raised voices echoed through the corridors. I frowned when we reached the kitchen. It was deserted, maybe the staff were outside, celebrating as well. Olga pushed open a seemingly ordinary door in the kitchen, revealing not a pantry as expected, but a secret passage.

My eyes widened in surprise. The wall seamlessly slid back behind us as we entered, the entrance disguised from prying eyes. We descended a narrow, spiraling staircase, the oppressive darkness broken only by the faint glow of Olga's phone screen.

Footsteps echoed above us, growing closer with each passing moment when the next thing I heard was a scream and quick heavy footsteps like running. Screams echoed above us followed by loud thuds as if a fight was happening.

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look back. My heart was beating so fast. Basta paced worriedly inside my head.

Don't tell me…..

“C'mon, what are you doing?” Olga sneered.

I snapped my head at her grabbing her shirt collar, “What is happening out there? Huh? Answer me!”

“Just exactly what you are thinking” she casually said.

“Rogues. A rogue attack” I muttered in disbelief and fear for the people out there.

I pushed her and pivoted, about to run where we came from when she grabbed my arm, roughly pulling me to face her.

“What do you think you're doing?” she gritted.

“What you failed to do with your own pack!”

“You're one funny bitch. Do you know why there is an attack right now?”

I looked at her and I was scared to hear what she was about to say.

She continued through clenched teeth, “It's because of you. Sir Keith wanted to give you time to escape freely without too much attention that's why he sent his rogues to our pack”

I can't believe what I am hearing.

“And you didn't even bother warning the others?!” I shot back as I grabbed her collar and slammed her to the stoned wall.

Olga’s weathered face contorted in grimace as she tapped my hand. I harshly removed my hand and stepped back.

“I honestly don't care about them. I don't see them as my pack even though I am a Lycan myself. And they can protect themselves. We are Lycans for a reason. They are proud of that so you better do your part. You can only protect them by delivering yourself to Sir Keith and giving him your blood”

I snarled, “You rotten bitch!”

“Look, Sir Keith told me to say this to you. The rogues have chips on their necks and he was the only one who can control them. He can kill them in one press of a button so you need to be fast on going to him if you want to save your pack”

The moment she dropped those words, anger, frustration, and pity. That’s all I felt. Anger because I cannot do anything but follow Keith's orders and pity for the rogues that have been used for Keith’s pathetic ambition. This will only end if that black-hearted and rotten man dies. Something I would do without this day ending.

I promise that.