Chapter 146 AN INTRUDER
LANCE’S POV
Sebastian doesn’t even argue and that’s what irritates me the most.
I expected resistance or defiance from him
Something to make me accuse him of contempt even at the very least, some sharp tongued remark for me for even pulling the scent stunt.
But no.
He just… shrugs.
Like I’m nothing or like my words carry no weight at all.
It's like I don't matter to him and my words were just punching through pure cotton.
My jaw tightens as I watch him turn and walk away from the training grounds without a second glance in my direction in what looks to me like a casual manner.
Dismissing me?
The Alpha between the two of us?
How infuriating.
A low scoff leaves me under my breath as I cross my arms and watch his retreating figure disappear past the edge of the clearing.
“Ungrateful little thing,” I mutter.
I gave him a chance, a warning.
Not because I care about him, no far from it, because if I can, I prefer my victories clean and predictable.
There’s no satisfaction in crushing someone who walks blindly into their own destruction without even realizing it.
But if and since he insists on it…
Then who am I to stop him?
Still, something about the way he left doesn’t sit right with me at all.
Where was the second guessing or hesitation even after seeing all the bloodshed happen right in front of him?
For someone who's about to enter a challenge that could very well get humiliated or worse killed, he's far too calm.
My eyes narrow slightly at his departure.
“…What are you up to?” I murmur and before I can stop myself, I push off from where I’m standing and follow him discreetly.
I keep my distance, moving through the edges of the path with practiced ease with my presence masked as I track him.
Even after years since I've gone, everything is still the same.
He doesn’t notice at all, the little pup is so far gone in his mind that he doesn't even notice me.
His steps are too frantic and shifty as he heads into the woods.
The forest, now that’s interesting.
My curiosity sharpens as I follow him even further. Why would an Omega be going into the forest mere days to his challenge.
Was he trying to run away?
I slip between the trees after him, silent as the shadows themselves as I reminisce on the past where I would sneak just like this to see Ragnar in our little shack in the woods.
Good times.
The air changes almost immediately into something cooler and damp.
Sebastian doesn’t go very far in the forest. He goes in just deep enough that the sounds of the training grounds fade into nothing.
Then he stops.
I also stop but I remain hidden and watching from behind a thick tree trunk as he crouches near a patch of low growing plants.
For a moment, I think nothing of it.
Maybe he's just a creep that likes coming to the forest to reconnect with nature.
Maybe he’s just–
But then he reaches out and plucks one out from the cluster.
I almost ignore it until I take a second look and go still in shock.
Everything in me stills as my eyes narrow at the plant.
No.
That can’t be–
But as he turns the plant slightly in his fingers, inspecting it with familiarity, I know it's not a mistake.
He knows what that is.
I see it clearly when he turns, the shape, the color and the unnatural bright green sheen on it.
Acmonite.
A slow smile spreads across my face as a new plan starts creating itself in my mind.
Well, well, well.
Now this is interesting.
My irritation from earlier on completely melts away and is replaced by something far more satisfying.
So that’s your plan Sebastian?
My gaze sharpens as I watch him gather a few more in a careful and practiced manner.
How did he even know Acmonite is here?
And why does he know how to handle it properly?
This is no mistake, it is deliberate.
Sebastian actually wants to use a banned enhancement to participate in the challenge.
Something that is strictly forbidden in the challenge.
The use of it alone if caught would be enough to disqualify him instantly.
Not only that, it would completely ruin him.
And suddenly, I don’t feel irritated anymore, instead, I feel… amused.
“Look at you,” I murmur softly to myself. “Saving me the trouble of even planning against you.”
This is perfect for me, I don’t even have to lift a finger at all.
All I need to do is report what I’ve seen at the right moment and in the right setting, and Sebastian will fall apart in front of everyone.
Every pack gathered here with their Alphas will all witness the most shameful day Sebastian will ever live.
Including Ragnar himself.
The thought alone sends a pleasant warmth through my chest.
I need to leave and prepare for this immediately. But then as I turn to leave, I hear a faint rustle from the other side.
My gaze flicks to the side, my body going extremely still as I listen and hear another presence approaching slowly.
I narrow my eyes slightly, shifting my position just enough to keep both Sebastian and the new arrival both in my view.
Sebastian doesn’t seem to notice at first as he’s still focused on the herbs in his hands.
How many herbs does he plan on ingesting?
I spied some of the herbs in his hands and some of them, I can't even recognize.
Until, the voice causes him to flinch
“Planning something Sebastian?”
The voice cuts through the quiet as Sebastian freezes.
Sebastian freezes and slowly straightens and turns towards the person.
From his reaction, I think he knows the intruder.
So I lean forward just slightly, trying to get a better look.
What were they saying?
Who is that?