Chapter 71 71
Damien POV
Ready? I push through the mind-link to Lucas as we slip through the graveyard, using the gravestones and overgrown bushes as cover.
Once we hit the bus stop, we move fast. Too much open space, I order as we pause at the final stretch of concealment before the road yawns wide and exposed ahead of us.
Understood, Alpha, Lucas answers without hesitation.
He knew his role. I knew mine.
Get Dominique back where he belonged safe in his mother’s arms.
I signal Lucas forward. We explode into motion, crossing the road in a blur of speed, unseen and unheard. Lucas veers toward the rear of the pub while I angle for the front entrance.
Staying low, I test the door. Locked from the inside.
I don’t hesitate. My elbow drives into the glass, shattering it with a sharp crack. I reach through, unlock the security bolts, and ease the door open.
The smell hits me first stale beer, damp carpet, old cigarettes soaked into the walls. Glass crunches beneath my boots as I step inside. This place hasn’t been operational in years.
When it shut down, it must’ve been abrupt. Bottles still line the bar, untouched. I’m almost surprised human teenagers haven’t broken in to strip the place bare for a stolen night of cheap intoxication.
I move through the front bar slowly, body low, senses stretched thin.
Lucas, you in? I push through the pack-link.
Just barely. Had to squeeze through a window. And fuck it reeks in here…
I cut the link instantly.
Movement. Footsteps. Someone coming down a staircase.
A male steps out from behind the bar and reaches straight for a vodka bottle, pulling it from the dispenser like he owns the place. Short for a werewolf. Thick around the middle. Soft. Untrained.
No threat to me.
“Hello.”
The single word makes him shriek. Panic floods his scent as I step out of the shadows, letting him see me fully.
I roll my shoulders back, deliberately cracking my neck. The sound echoes. It always unsettles them.
“Who—who are you?” he stammers, voice shaking so badly it’s almost painful to hear. If I could see his legs clearly, I’d bet he’d pissed himself already.
“I’m the Alpha King,” I answer coldly. “Now tell me who you are.”
Lucas appears behind him, silent as death, blocking the stairwell and the rear exit in one smooth movement.
The male spins, eyes widening as he finds my beta smirking back at him escape gone.
He’s armed, Lucas warns through the link, though I’d already sensed it.
The coward reaches behind his back and pulls out a gun.
Pathetic.
A real werewolf fights with the claws and strength the Moon Goddess gave him not human toys.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I snap, not bothering to hide my disgust.
His hand shakes as he points the gun at my chest. It’s laughable. A bullet won’t do shit to me.
I release my aura in a full, crushing wave.
His knees buckle. The gun trembles violently. The smell of fear spikes and yes, urine. Disgusting.
“You going to shoot me?” I lift a brow and step closer.
The barrel presses against my chest, right over my heart. I could tear his out in under a second.
I want to.
But Aurélie’s voice cuts through my rage.
Don’t kill him.
Since when did she become the damn conscience perched on my shoulder?
I growl inwardly and force myself to comply if only to silence her.
I don’t kill him.
But I do end him.
One sharp blow to his temple drops him instantly. He hits the floor hard, glass biting into his skin as he goes limp.
“You didn’t kill him?” Lucas scoffs through the link. “That’s not like you.”
“Piss off,” I mutter. “He’ll answer questions when he wakes up. Anyone else down here?”
“No. I’ll check the cellar.”
I watch Lucas disappear through the cellar door before stepping over the unconscious idiot sprawled at my feet.
I place my boot on the first stair.
Then the second.
The floorboard creaks.
Fuck.
Our presence is no longer a secret. Whoever is upstairs heard that.
Whatever waits above. Whatever condition Dominique is in.
I shove the emotions down hard. Feelings get children killed.
I climb faster now, every step deliberate, controlled, lethal.
Job first.
No mistakes.