Chapter 79
RYDEN
“Give me something so I can let you go. Your information for your freedom.” I grunted. My body still reverberated in anger, and he thought I would just give him mercy.
This fucktard that shot Amelia didn’t know what he got himself into. He could barely speak. He seemed in shock after seeing a human just turned into a fire wolf.
Despite his naivety, he fired the shots, shells raining down from the tree, and intended to kill my mate. He could have killed her. He could have targeted someone else. And he deserved to die.
“Come with me. He had nowhere to go.” Zeph grabbed me outside the tunnel. Once we were there, he breathed deeply. “Are we really going down this road, Ry?”
I stared at him in disbelief. “He came to my land, watched for our people for his target practice because he purchased an automatic rifle in the black market.” That was what he told us, and I didn’t believe a shit. “Do you expect me to just let him walk away after what he saw?”
“He targeted wolves.”
“Wow.” I scoffed. “Do you believe everything he said? He trespassed into a private property and shot my mate, who’s currently in the hospital while I’m here trying to be human asking him questions, and he gave me nothing. He made me look stupid with the bunch of his fucking lies, and he thought I’m a fool to believe a single word he said.”
“This is against the Werewolf Council.”
“Fuck Werewold Council. Victor hadn’t returned my call in three days. He’s ghosting us, and I will do what’s necessary to keep us safe and alive, and that includes eliminating anyone who poses a threat to our pack.”
“Maybe the council is compromised. Again.” He shook his head.
I still felt the heaviness in his voice and his rigid posture. He didn’t want me to take a human life. Too bad, I didn’t give a shit about this human after what he did to Amelia. She could be dead by now if she was not fast and strong.
My phone vibrated. It was a message from Theia.
I showed Zeph the message. “Do you still think he’s innocent?”
“A silver bullet? Motherfu—” He ran back inside the tunnel.
I underestimated that human. He knew the way into my property and surely, he was aware of the way outside the tunnel. Since he seemed shocked, I did not even put a cuff or chained him. I still fell for his shit.
My sight just caught him running.
“So you want to be chased! Well, I was born to hunt!” I called him out as I ran faster using a werewolf's supernatural speed.
He was fast for a human, though. If he escaped, he would only expose our secrets. Everyone might not believe him, but people believe a lot of shits like aliens, vampires, and all the conspiracy theories.
“He’s all yours.” I sensed Zeph’s wolf was just behind me, pissed off, chasing that asshole. It didn’t take thirty seconds, Zeph captured and tackled him. I still heard him call for help.
I turned around as his last scream died in his throat and smelled his fear and blood bathing the ground.
I went to the hospital and met Shae in the hallway.
“Ryden.” She hugged me tight. I could hear her racing heartbeat.
“Is everything okay?” I asked as I looked right into her eyes. She was somewhat scared and relieved at the same time.
“I just saw my daughter light up on the table,” she whispered to me. “I’m not afraid of her hurting us, and I know she’s a good person. But how on earth she did do that without hurting herself? I didn’t know the extent of her power and seeing it by my two eyes today, no wonder she’s changed a lot.”
“And it’s a bad thing?”
“Are you kidding me?” She looked proud and still scared. “How many people wished to be strong or have powers? But it also comes with a greater responsibility and price, honey. I know she’s strong, but after seeing her bleeding with a silver bullet in her shoulder, she’s still my child, my baby, and she’s still vulnerable to the world outside and whoever wants to hurt her. Please, watch her back.”
“You have my word.”
“I know, honey. So you’ll be coming back for good? Because I know what happened to the pack house.”
“Yeah, hopefully. We’re salvaging what we can, and maybe it’s time for a little renovation. And I haven’t been to the house. I hope they did not plant explosives or set my house on fire because I’m gonna be so pissed off.”
“The house is okay.” She smiled. “Your parents might have checked it a few times while you were away.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You should go, and she’s in the mortuary. Take this to her.”
“Why is she in the morgue?” I asked, confused and shocked.
“Honey, this is not a vet.”
“Oh. She hasn’t shifted back.” I took the scrub suit from her.
“Yes, not until I pulled out the bullet in her shoulder. She’s recovered and awake.”
“Thanks.” I followed the direction towards the morgue and found Ren and Theia walking out.
“What happened to the bad guy?”
I looked at Theia. “Don’t ask when you already know the answer.”
“Good to know or I will do it myself.”
I pushed the door open and found Amelia on the floor. My heart gave a funny flutter as I watched her struggle to get back on her feet.
Her eyes widened and lit up as she saw me.
“For a woman who can torch a building, I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now. How are you this clumsy, Amelia?” The sheet just fell off her shoulder and chest, exposing her gorgeous tit.”
“A little help here.”
I couldn’t believe I just laughed and looked around to make sure we were alone. “I respect the dead, ladybug. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
I went to her right away she stared at me, angry, and for once she was silent.
“I got you the scrubs from your Mom.”
“Oh, those assholes are gonna pay for this.” She looked at the broken furniture outside. “Is your office ransacked, too?”
“Yeah.”
“They’re nothing but low-life thugs, thieves, and killers. What about your house?”
“I haven’t gone there, but your mom said, it was okay. My parents looked after the house while we were away.”
“Luna.” Eliza ran outside and hugged Amelia. “I’m glad you’re okay. I heard what happened.”
“I’m good.” She hugged her back which surprised me after what they said to her in the restroom. “Thanks to your brother.”
“If you want anything, just let us know.” Eliza looked at the scrub suits she was wearing. “I can borrow you my clothes. You can keep them if you want.”
“I’m good for now.”
“We’re going home once we’re done here, Eliza. Thanks for the offer, but can you take her to the kitchen? She’s probably hungry.”
“Yup, I could eat. I mean, I’m hungry.” She laughed at her words before she kissed me and left with Eliza.
“Alpha!”
I groaned at Walker calling my name, but it sounded urgent.
“What is it?”
“Someone here wants to see you.”
I looked behind him and saw a familiar face. “Kailin?”
She looked worried and probably crying. “Alpha Ryden, I need your help.”
I met her halfway. “What’s going on? Where’s Dane?”
“That’s why I am here. He was acting weird last night when he came home. He ignored me but took his bag and you probably know what’s inside, and that’s what scared me. He might get hurt or hurt people in return. I’d never seen him like that, so dark, and deadly, and the look in his eyes, it was hollow. That wasn’t the man I loved. He’s not my mate, Ryden.”
“He left after that?”
“Yes. I called and stopped him, but he pushed me away. He never raised a hand at me, I swear. I fell on the ground, and he didn’t even feel sorry for what he did. He just drove away. I went to see Victor, and he said to come to you because you know how to help Dane.”
I groaned inwardly just hearing Victor’s name. “You talked to Victor? He’s at the council?”
“Yes.”
“That’s son of a bitch. I’ve been waiting for him to contact me, and he didn’t return my call.”
She picked up something from her bag. “Will you help me find and get back my mate?”
“Of course, Kailin. You didn’t have to ask. What’s this?” I took the paper she gave me, and there was nothing written on it. “Come with me.”
“Alpha?” Amelia looked at me and the woman beside me.
“I thought you were eating.”
“Yup.” She still had a sandwich in her hand. “Walker said you have a visitor.”
“This is Kailin—”
“Dane’s mate. Hi.” They hugged each other and then she stared at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Dane is in trouble, and he needs our help. Can you read this for me?”
She had the same reaction as me as she didn’t see anything. “Ah. Assassin’s way of communicating.” She flicked her fingers which made Kailin gasp. Then she ran the paper above the flame and showed the message to me.
“I have the same thought. We should call Kain.”