Chapter 16: Shadows in the Night

As I walked across the training grounds, my muscles aching from the constant drills the Redwater warriors had subjected me to, the wind carried a sharp chill. Despite my slow progress, I remained resolute. I was getting closer to demonstrating that I was more than just an Omega who had escaped with each hit, dodge, and lesson.  

However, something felt... strange tonight. As though the world itself were holding its breath, the typical forest sounds—the rustling leaves, the howling in the distance—seemed muted. I looked back over my shoulder, but the warriors who were still fighting in the faint light of the torches were the only ones moving.  

I pushed the discomfort aside and headed for the barracks. I had just arrived at the door when I felt a shiver go through my body. My instinct cried out to me. It was too late when I turned. An arm encircled my waist and dragged me back into the darkness as a rough hand clamped over my mouth, smothering my gasp.  

A raspy voice said, "Stay quiet, little Omega," as it sounded against my ear. "Unless you're looking to avoid a messy situation."  

My mind was racing with panic, but I forced myself to think. I had been preparing for this, fighting for the opportunity to defend myself. You wouldn't take me lightly.  

I pushed back my elbow, striking a firm muscle. Despite grunting, the mercenary held on tight. His error. I took advantage of his brief distraction and used all of my strength to stomp down on his foot. When his hold loosened, I twisted free and staggered forward in time to see another figure come out of the shadows.  

Two of them. Perhaps more.  

The first assailant lunged before I could even notice the glint of a blade. I ducked and kicked him in the ribs, my training taking effect. With ease, he grabbed my ankle and yanked me off balance, blocking it. The impact jolted through me as I struck the ground hard.  

The second man laughed and moved in closer. "Feisty," he said. "However, we are too busy to play."  

Before I could react, he lifted a cloth soaked in something sickly sweet. Chloroform.  

No. No. No.  

I thrashed, but the first mercenary pinned me down, his weight crushing the air from my lungs. The cloth pressed against my face, the fumes invading my senses. My vision blurred, my limbs turned to lead, and the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole was the second man’s mocking voice.  

"Lila gives her best wishes."  

***  

The waves of pain came back to life. My head was pounding and my throat was dry and raw. Initially, I felt the chill-stone beneath my back, humid air enveloping me like a veil of oppression. I forced my eyes open and blinked against the dim light filtering in through the cracks in the wooden walls.  

I was in a cabin. The thick iron shackles that bound my wrists pricked my skin. In my nostrils, the smell of blood and mould mingled with the sharp, metallic tang of fear.  

I heard a soft laugh.  

"So, you're awake."  

I looked around, my heart racing. Leaning against the doorway, a man's face was half hidden by clouds. He was tall and broad, with a wicked scar that extended from his jaw to his temple. His dark eyes gleamed with laughter as he stepped forward, his boots crunching on the dirt floor.  

He squatted in front of me and thought, "You're in quite the predicament, Omega." "Lila gave us a good price to come get you. She wants you alive, but I don't understand why. Killing you and getting away with it would have been simpler.  

The bile rose in my throat, and I swallowed it. "Where are we?"  

He said, "Your new Alpha won't come sniffing around if you're far enough from Redwater." It doesn't matter. It will be a long time before he even notices that you are missing.  

Despite the panic that was rushing through me, I maintained a blank expression. I was going to Lila with them. I might not have another chance if I don't get out now.  

I tested the strength of the chains by pulling on them. Too tight. She was still recuperating from the drugs they must have given me, but my wolf stirred feebly inside of me.  

The mercenary smirked and said, "Don't bother." "There is reinforcement in those chains. It would be difficult for even an Alpha to break them.  

Oh no.  

He stood up and stretched languidly. "Take a nap. You will require it.  

He walked out of the cabin and turned away. I breathed out slowly and shakily as soon as the door closed. I was by myself.  

For the time being.  

I scanned the room, mind racing. There had to be a way out. The chains, the walls, the—  

My gaze landed on a rusted nail protruding from one of the wooden beams. It was sharp, but not much. And that was all I needed at the moment.  

I moved in closer, clumsily twisting my hands until my fingertips touched the metal. I clutched it, wincing as it sliced through my flesh, my heart thumping. I didn't stop, though. I couldn’t.  

Outside, voices resounded. Unconcerned, the mercenaries were laughing and conversing. They believed me to be powerless.  

They were wrong.  

Grinding my teeth, I wedged the nail into the lock of my shackles. My fingers trembled, sweat beading on my forehead. I needed to move quickly. Accurate.  

A click.  

As soon as the first shackle came off, I felt a wave of hope. With shallow breath, I worked on the second. One more click.  

The shackles came loose.  

I stood, my body protesting the movement, but I didn’t have time to dwell on the pain. I pressed my ear against the rough wood as I slipped to the door. They were still out there, the mercenaries talking louder.  

I let out a slow breath. Then I picked up a broken chair leg off the floor as quietly as I could.  

A weapon.  

It would have to do.  

So I braced myself and waited. The sound of footsteps approached, one of them heading for the door.  

This was my opportunity.  

The handle swung around.  

The door opened with a creak.  

I made a swing.

The mercenary's head made a sickening cracking contact with the broken chair leg. He staggered backwards with a grunt, clutching his skull. I didn't give him time to heal. My knee slammed into his stomach as I lunged. I dropped the makeshift weapon once more, this time at the base of his neck, as he doubled over, gasping for air.  

Unconscious, he collapsed to the ground.  

I breathed quickly, but I didn't have time to waste. I grabbed his knife from his belt, the cool metal reassuring in my palm. Then I ran to the open door and looked out.  

Before me, the night dragged on, the moon partially obscured by floaty clouds. The other mercenaries were gathered near a firepit, their laughter carrying through the trees.  

I had two choices—run and risk being seen or eliminate the threat now while they were distracted.  

Every instinct screamed at me to flee, to put as much distance as possible between me and this place. But if I left them alive, they would hunt me down. And I might not be as fortunate the next time.  

I gripped the knife tighter.  

One of the men stood, stretching. "I’ll check on the girl."  

Shit.  

My pulse was pounding as I pressed myself against the cabin wall. I shifted as soon as he entered.  

The blade cut his throat cleanly. His hands flew to the wound and blood poured between his fingers as he made a strangled sound. There was a dull thud as his body struck the floor.  

The others heard.  

"What the—?"  

I turned, just in time to see the remaining two mercenaries scrambling to their feet. One drew his sword; the other reached for a crossbow.  

I sprinted toward the trees.  

"She's loose!"  

Behind me, I heard a bowstring snapping. The arrow flew past my ear as I ducked. As I pushed harder and dodged through the undergrowth, my legs burned. Despite the branches whipping at my face and arms, I continued.  

There was a howl in the distance. My stomach turned over.  

Wolves.  

Not owned by Redwater. Not Jared's.  

Rouges.