Chapter Twenty-Three
Arielle’s POV
I was tired and I really wanted to go to bed right now but my newly discovered wolf was not letting me have it, she kept pacing inside me, leaving me restless and agitated.
So it translated to me being restless and agitated pacing around the space of my cell.
Not only that but my wolf sensed something was up.
Something was happening, something big but I wasn't sure what it was exactly. I had been sitting in the corner of my cell, my knees drawn to my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
I barely had time to register the sound of heavy boots approaching before the heavy sounds of the lock turning sent a jolt through my body as my cell door slammed open.
When the door swung open, I was already on my feet looking at the entrance, when Valerie walked in and just stood there, her face twisted with fury, eyes burning with something dark and unreadable.
“Get up,” she snapped.
I didn’t move.
It was not me being stubborn but because I knew whatever was waiting outside that door wouldn’t be good.
She took three quick steps toward me, grabbed my arm, and yanked me forward with more strength than she actually needed to but I let her.
“I said get up.”
I jerked my arm free, my body reacting on instinct.
“I can walk,” I bit out glaring at her and her lips curled in irritation, but she didn’t argue.
" Thank walk" she hissed as she turned sharply on her heel and started down the dimly lit corridor, forcing me to keep up.
My heart pounded as we moved through the underground tunnels of Hell’s Pit.
Something was happening, my gut screamed, I didn't know if I should run and hide or just stay where I was it was a tough decision.
I could hear raised voices ahead of us —low and sharp and filled with tension from over a dozen men. My senses stretched out, catching the scent of too many people in one space. It was overwhelming and I really needed a break from all of it.
And then I caught his scent.
Lorenzo.
Everything inside me coiled tight with longing and anticipation
Valerie shoved me forward as we neared the large open chamber, the moment I stepped into the room, I saw them.
Lorenzo.
Vincenzo.
And the council.
It was a full-blown standoff, the tension in the room was so thick it was suffocating all the men held guns cocked up at each other
Lorenzo stood at the front, his body rigid and stiff with irritation his eyes burning with fury so deep that it made the air around them crackle.
His men were behind him, all armed, their guns trained on Vincenzo’s men, who had their own weapons raised as well I really didn't feel like being in the middle of this standoff when the guns were fired but I likely didn't have much of a say.
The council members stood in the middle, attempting to maintain order, even though their presence did nothing to ease the hostility in the room.
" What you want is here Alpha Lorenzo" the leader mumbled and my chest tightened as I glanced around suspiciously. What the hell was going on here. I couldn't keep my mouth shut so I forced myself to keep my head high as I stepped forward.
“What the hell is this?”
The head of the council,turned toward me his gaze was unreadable, they flickered between gray to blue then he turned back to Lorenzo
“This is a mess,” he said flatly but no one moved.
Lorenzo kept his grip on his gun, his body tense like he was one second away from pulling the trigger.
Vincenzo smirked, clearly enjoying this.
“Looks like your little plan is going as expected, Lorenzo.”
Lorenzo didn’t even glance at him. His entire focus was on me.
"Let her go," he ordered.
"She’s already standing right here.” Valerie said her nails dug into my skin.
The head of the council raised a hand.
"Lower your weapons.”
Lorenzo didn’t move.
“Not until she’s with me,” he said, voice sharp, a lethal promise woven into every word he said as he glared over at them.
Vincenzo chuckled darkly.
“You don’t trust us?”
Lorenzo’s jaw clenched.
"Not even a little.” Another moment passed and he cocked the gun aiming straight at Vincenzo knee
" Send her over " the elder hissed and Valerie shoved me forward—hard.
I stumbled, but before I could hit the ground, strong arms caught me.
Lorenzo.
I clutched his jacket, my breath ragged, my body tense as I rose up to my feet as he pulled me closer to himself his scent wrapped around me, strong and grounding, and for the first time in weeks, my wolf settled.
" Are you ok" he asked and I gulped nodding slightly
" I'm fine"
" I found a plan " he mumbled and I couldn't help it but I laughed
" I know, you found a plan" I mumbled and he smiled
" Let's get out of here " he muttered and I nodded, he holstered his gun and held my arms and then, without a single word, we walked away.