Chapter 187 Looming Threats
>>Azef
“Why am I helping you?” Harou stood in the security room with me while we both watched the CCTV footage.
“Because you love me,” I replied with my eyes glued to the screen.
The footage showed her stepping out of the taxi, her movements were quick and purposeful as she made her way towards the hospital entrance. She looked disheveled and anxious.
She must have been worried about Eris.
But why?
I saw the dark van appear in the corner of the frame. It screeched to a halt beside her just as she reached the hospital entrance. I could see the tension in her body, the way she froze for a split second before turning to face the threat.
The side door of the van slid open and male hands grabbed her, yanking her off her feet. She struggled, but they overpowered her.
I watched as the door shut, my anger rising higher by the second. The vehicle sped away, leaving the hospital entrance eerily empty and silent.
“That’s it,” The security guard of the hospital who sat on the chair below me said, “I wasn’t in the room when it happened…” His eyes flicked nervously between the screen and my face.
“You look like you’re about to murder someone,” Harou, who stood beside me, said, “Your expressions are terrifying, it looks like a mask of barely contained fury”
I could feel the unease of the security guard, the way his presence seemed to shrink under the weight of my emotions. My wolf stirred within me, a restless, agitated presence that mirrored my own turmoil. It growled, a low, menacing sound that rumbled through my mind
“...” I didn’t answer Harou because I was about to murder someone. He didn’t say anything further. He didn’t even ask me who the woman in the video was and why she was taken.
He chose to keep his mouth shut which was wise on his part.
I turned around to leave and Harou didn’t follow me. He simply looked at the guard, “Don’t tell anyone about this,” He said, “Don’t get involved either. It’s for the best.” The guard nodded his head and I left the place.
This is definitely Somi’s doing.
I pulled on the form-fitting shirt first, the fabric clinging to my muscles. The black material absorbed the light, making me almost invisible in the shadows. Next came the pants, designed for silent movement, each pocket strategically placed for easy access to my gear.
I glanced in the mirror, the reflection staring back at me a determined, unyielding figure. The seriousness of the situation was etched into my expression, my eyes hard and focused.
It’s been a while since I went out like this. I haven’t had to do stuff like this after we got our own pack.
I wore the black gloves. I can’t leave my fingerprints anywhere now.
From the dresser, I picked up the mask. It covered the lower half of my face, leaving only my eyes exposed. I adjusted it until it fit snugly, ensuring it wouldn’t slip.
And lastly, I wore the black boots.
Then I closed my eyes to focus on my wolf. It was quiet, which meant that at the moment, Seraphina was safe.
The only problem left was to know where they took her. Somi has too many places she can use to keep a hostage. But considering she kidnapped Sera who has nothing to do with her, the only logical answer is that she’s been taken because of me.
She must want to lure me. Naturally, she’s still hung up on Murim. But where should I go first? Unfortunately the CCTV didn’t capture the license plates, nor did the van take a route that could be followed by other cameras.
Hmmm,
Should I go to the main house? I probably won’t find Sera there, but I will get some sort of information out. The house would be full of security though.
I’d have to be extra careful
>>Seraphina
The ringing sound went through but for some reason he didn’t pick up… again…
I hesitantly turned to look at Somi, “He’s not picking up.” The window behind her showed night had fallen. I was unconscious for most of the day and now that I’m up there is something eating me up inside.
Where is Eris? And why isn’t Azef picking his phone? Is he really with another woman? Is that why he won’t pick up? He was in his rut. The wolves said that a rut or a heat lasts for at least three days.
I pursed my lips in anger. A sickening dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
Is he really banging someone right now?
“Hmmm,” She stared at me with a suspicious look. Her husband was gone, he left the house a while ago and it didn’t seem like he was coming back. Somi had her face resting on the arm rest
“What is it?” I was nervous. She was keeping an hawk’s eye on me. I was already filled with bad thoughts. My mind was a whirlwind of anguish and anger and her gaze was making it all the more difficult to think straight.
“I get that my offer was good.” She leaned back, against the back of the couch, her hands intertwining on top of her thighs, “But didn’t you agree a little too fast?”
I felt a hollow ache in my chest, as if the very essence of my being was being drained away
A soft sarcastic smile spread across my face and I looked down, “It looks suspicious, doesn’t it?”
“Very,” She replied as she crossed her legs, “But your expressions are telling another story,” Her gaze got a little lighter.
“...” I looked at her but didn’t answer.
>>Eris
The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving me alone in the dark, scary forest. Shadows crept everywhere, turning the trees into towering monsters. I kept walking, even though my legs felt like they were going to give out. Every sound made me jump – the rustling leaves, the snapping twigs. I felt like eyes were watching me from the darkness.
It was completely night now, and the forest was full of strange noises. Owls hooted, wolves howled far away, and other creatures skittered through the underbrush. My breath came in short, scared puffs, and my whole body felt heavy and tired. I had no idea where I was or where to go. Everything looked the same – dark and endless.
“Sera…?”
I tripped over a big root and fell hard, scraping my hands on the rough ground.
“Owww….” I sat there for a moment, my chest hurting from running and crying. The darkness felt like it was closing in on me, making it hard to breathe. I looked at my palms and then I felt like crying.
Is the forest supposed to be this big? I sniffled. I want Sera with me!
There, I heard a growl, low and scary. I turned slowly, my heart beating so fast it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. Two glowing eyes stared at me from the shadows. A big, scary animal stepped out – it looked like a huge cat.
!!!
I had never seen such an animal before, but my mind told me it was dangerous.
Fear exploded inside me. I jumped up, ignoring the pain, and started running as fast as I could. Branches slapped my face, and thorns tore at my hospital gown, but I didn’t stop.
Brother Azef had told me once that if I feel something is wrong and I just get away, I should run. That’s why I ran
Behind me, the growling got louder, and I could hear the animal’s paws thudding on the ground. It was getting closer.
I ran left, then right, hoping to lose it. My lungs burned, and my legs felt like jelly, but I kept going. I could feel its hot breath on my heels and hear its snapping jaws just behind me.
Suddenly, I burst into a small clearing, bathed in moonlight. I kept running, not daring to look back. But my foot caught on a rock, and I went flying, crashing to the ground.
“Aaahhhh!” I yelled out as the pain shot through me.
I was hurt and I didn’t want to get up, but the growling sound behind me made me freeze.
I was scared but along with that feeling I felt something strong in me too.
With a deep, shaky breath, I stood up and started limping forward, deeper into the unknown, scary forest. My legs wobbled beneath me, every step was a painful effort. The world around me started to blur, the trees and shadows blending into one.
My head felt light, like it was full of cotton. I tried to focus, to keep moving, but my vision kept swimming. My breaths came in ragged gasps, each one harder to draw than the last.
"Sera… Brother Azef…" I whispered, hoping somehow she or he could hear me. My voice was weak, barely audible in the thick darkness.
The ground beneath me seemed to tilt and sway. I stumbled, my feet catching on roots and rocks. I tried to stay upright, but my body was too tired, too weak. My knees buckled, and I fell to the ground, the impact jarring but distant, as if it was happening to someone else.
I tried to get up again, but my arms wouldn't obey. The pain in my leg throbbed with every heartbeat, the wound was burning hot. My eyelids felt heavy, so heavy. I just wanted to close them, just for a moment.
The darkness around me deepened, the sounds of the forest growing muffled and distant. My vision narrowed to a tiny point of light, then faded completely. The last thing I saw was the moon, shining cold and distant above the trees.
I couldn't fight it anymore. My body gave in, and I drifted into darkness.