Torches pierced the blackness around the arena, just as the millions of stars in the night sky did. The light shining gleamed like a spotlight against the fighters' armor, casting a faint glimmer on the sand underneath them.
Inside the arena, monstrous wolves were fighting to the death while the crowd roared and chanted for more blood. Claws and razor-sharp fangs clashed as blood splattered the ground and smeared their furry bodies. The crowd clapped, and stomping could be heard in the stands and the whole arena.
Even though they had loved the fight, they had come and paid a higher price to see Alex fight Lucas. They were the highlight of the evening.
The brown wolf's claws stabbed into the black wolf's chest, causing blood to flow out and the crowd to go wild. When the brown wolf attempted to strike at the black and larger wolf again, the latter snatched hold of its claws and snapped them off. The audience applauded even louder. The black wolf charged at the brown wolf, but the brown wolf deflected his assault, whirled around, and bit into his back, severing his spinal cord. As the black wolf dropped to the ground dead, blood spilled out, and the crowd erupted in applause.
The winner roared, soaking up the applause from the audience as the elites in the private box cheered enthusiastically.
Back at The Casa, the group had begun its escape plan. Francine had already taken up position near the receiving area, ready to receive Libby's signal.
Gillen made sure to double the number of guards in The Casa before departing for the Arena. He didn't want to take any chances, since this was the first time Alex and Lucas would be in their wolf forms. He had made certain that Harper's holding cell was securely fastened with silver bars.
Earlier, he assured Harper, "When we come home, my dear Harper, you will have your new champion."
"I'll wait for your return, Master Gillen," Harper responded, bowing her head.
"Just out of curiosity, who do you want to be the victor tonight?"
She had paused for a moment before shaking her head in response to the question. "I haven't given it much thought, Master Gillen."
Gillen laughed heartily. "It's all right. May the deserving champion triumph, then." He took a few steps back and gave Libby a quick glare. "When I get back, I'll speak with you."
Libby took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll wait till you return, Master Gillen."
Gillen smiled at Harper once more as he walked out to his carriage.
Libby walked up to Harper. "I think he knows about Kara. I told Alex to go back to her after meeting with you. Kara had to think they'd spent the night together. Your boyfriend is so stubborn."
"But why would Gillen speak to you rather than Alex?"
"Because I've been cooking up forbidden concoctions for him to help him deal with the other fighters... or slaves... who refuse to fuck his clientele."
Harper let out a gasp. "Wait! Are you trying to tell me that you've been cooking up something for Gillen, like some roofie, to help him take advantage of those unwilling fighters and... slaves too?" she asked, her voice breaking with disbelief as she realized what she was hearing. "Oh my god, Libby. Why?"
Libby looked around, and her eyes began to well up. "Look, I'm well aware that I've been a pretty sleazy human being since I arrived here. Okay? This place brings out the worst in people. Trust me. And I've done some shit. But what option do I have? It's either I do it or he'll kill me. But that's beside the point. I'm making an effort to put things right. Have you not just spent some fucking quality time with Alex?"
"How could you bring that up all of a sudden? I never asked you to give Kara any drugs. I'm sure Alex didn't ask you, either."
"It doesn't make a difference, Harper. What matters is that you were able to spend some time with him. He's head over heels in love with you, and I know you're just too stubborn to admit that you feel the same way. All I was trying to do was help you realize that."
Upon hearing this, Harper took a few steps away from Libby. Her lips hung open in shock. "I can't believe this is happening right now."
"What do you mean?"
"The only thing I've realized now is how you're trying to control me and manage my life. What gives you the authority to choose Alex for me?"
With a shake of her head, Libby expressed her frustration. "The guards will arrive any moment now to take you up to your cell. Do you really want to have this conversation right now? I've just put my life on the line so that you can have a happy ending. I'm in a lot of trouble now that I've given Kara a taste of Gillen's own medicine..."
Harper made a shaky motion with her head. "I can't... Libby, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how messed up you are."
"Sorry, Harper, but we don't have time for that. You can pass judgment on me later. Okay? They will now transport Alex to the arena first. Then Lucas will be next. As soon as they leave The Casa, we start moving."
From behind them, they heard a voice say, "They've already left,"
Libby spun around with a dagger in hand, ready to quiet the intruder, but when she realized it was only Lucas, she lowered her hand.
"Is everything ready?" the Lycan asked before closing the distance between himself and the two women.
Libby looked Harper in the eyes for a split second before nodding. "Don't forget that they will remove your collars just before you enter the arena. If you shift in the arena in front of every Velarian, it will be difficult for you to try to escape. So be sure to shift into your wolf forms while you are behind the gates. Gillen's right hand and the commander will be in the viewing box with him. You and Alex will only have a few minutes to fend off the guards and flee the scene. Alex knows the path that leads to the back of the garden. We will be waiting for you there. The walls are made of metal, so it shouldn't be too difficult for the two of you to tear them down and get us out."
Lucas nodded. "Do the other slaves have weapons to defend themselves?" he asked, pointing to the dagger.
Libby shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I do know they're prepared to fight."
"Of course," Lucas said, casting a glance towards Harper before returning his attention to Libby. "Could you please give us a second?"
"The guards will be coming shortly to transport Harper to her cell. I don't believe-"
"Please, Libby."
They looked at each other for a moment before Libby could no longer ignore Harper's piercing gaze. "All right, I'll go check on Francine. Make it quick," she said, sighing as she walked away.
Lucas flashed a sly grin. "Yes, we'll be quick. Don't worry." He took Harper's hand and led her across the grass to an oak tree that afforded a little privacy from curious eyes. As he stared at Harper, his gorgeous blue eyes widened. Then, as they moved across her face, his features became softer.
"Lucas..." Harer could see glints of lust and hunger flash across his face as his gaze moved up and down her body.
"Come and run away with me, Harper," he said, looking around.
"What do you mean?"
"Libby said it herself, Gillen wields tremendous influence among the Velarians. As soon as we go beyond these gates, escaping with the rest of them... and the slaves will become much more difficult." The moonlight reflected in Lucas' golden locks. Across the planes of his sharp features, the shadows cast a shadowy pattern.
Harper shook her head, expressing her disappointment with what Lucas was trying to propose. "No. No, we can't do that. We have to keep together as a group."
"Every single slave in this place will be trying to escape with us. The entire Velaris will be looking for us, and if we don't spread out, our chances of being caught will be much higher. We'll have a better chance if we split up from them. Just us. It will also make it easier and quicker for us to track down the mage."
"No! We initiated this escape. We can't just leave them to fend for themselves."
"We're not going to leave them to fend for themselves. Libby, Francine, and Alex will be with them. Come on, Harper. I can't afford to lose you again."
She instantly averted his gaze. Her breathing became labored. "I can't believe you're actually asking me this. Isn't this all about Alex?"
"What?"
"You sound like Libby right now. You're all trying to take control of my life, of me, by making my decisions for me. What's your agenda?"
" I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. What agenda?"
"Forget about it. Lucas, I think it's best if you go now. Please…" Harper remarked, not even bothering to look at Lucas anymore.
"I'm not trying to control you or make your decisions for you, Harper. I did it when I made you stay with Alex, and I was an asshole for doing so, and now I'm paying the price for it. What I'm simply trying to do at this point is keep you alive and bring you back to our own world, where we may begin again..."
Gritting her teeth, she spewed the words, "How do I reject you!?"
"What? No, Harper! You can't－"
"Don't tell me what to do! How do I *reject* you? Tell me how, please! "
"No!"
"As a human, Aleister told me that I have the freedom to choose and that I am not bound to you. Or anyone."
"Harper, please..."
"Look, Lucas, you have to understand that I've always loved you, but now I love him as well. I didn't reject you because I didn't want to cause you any pain. I didn't want to put you or Alex through any suffering. But look what it's doing to me."
"Harper, listen to me. You're not acting like yourself. This place has tampered with our minds..."
"No! I'm thinking clearly right now, and this is exactly what I want: complete and total freedom. And I want to put us all out of our misery once and for all."
"No. You don't have to do this... Harper, please." Lucas' heart began to race, and his breath became short and shallow.
"NO!" Harper screamed out, having made the snap decision to take a stand at that very moment. Given her knowledge of the consequences, she acted swiftly to prevent Lucas from having any more time to react. "I'm rejecting you, Lucas. I'm sorry, but I can't be your mate anymore."
Lucas winced at the finality of her words. His wolf howled and cried out in agony. In complete shock, he clutched his chest as if Harper had just stabbed him in the chest with a knife and twisted it. His wolf writhed in agonizing pain and then went completely silent. Then, his eyes, which had been filled with warmth and love just seconds before, became as cold as steel as he looked at Harper.
"*I reject you, Lucas,*" she said again. The words tasted terrible in her mouth, but they felt empowering in her heart.
As he battled to pull air into his lungs, a heat spread through Lucas' chest, causing his knees to go weak. Harper tried to reach out to him, but he shoved her away. His wolf was whimpering in his thoughts, and the anguish it was feeling only heightened his own. His legs finally gave out and he sank to the ground, unable to take a breath amidst the excruciating pain. He had the feeling that someone had hollowed him out, and he wasn't sure if any part of himself was still there.
"Lucas? What's happening to you?"
He dug his fingers into the grass beneath him, trying to stay connected to something.
"Lucas…"
Suddenly, he rose to his feet. "*He's going to pay for this,*" he growled, his voice filled with rage, before storming away.
Harper licked her lips as she lowered her gaze to her hands, which were gripped tightly together in front of her. As she stood there, tears spilled from her eyes and down her damp cheeks. She cried and thought about what had just happened and what she had done. A moment later, two guards approached her and escorted her to her cell.