Chapter 52 ~In the woods~
(Fiona's POV)
I woke up to a strong metallic scent that filled my nostrils and aching joints.
Where was I?
Right…
I was trying to escape last night. And if I remember correctly, I caught Isis cheating on Beckett with the Gamma.
In any other situation, if my life wasn't hanging by a thread, I'd have found this so funny.
Beckett cheated on me with Isis and now she was cheating on him with his gamma. The universe!
I looked at my body, only to realise I was tied with thick ropes, and on the floor of Ashridge Council Hall.
There was a chair that looked like a throne made of steel blades. Beckett sat on the chair and Isis was standing beside him in a skimpy dress, and her face was caked in makeup.
I glared at them. If I was going to die today, I was allowed to be a little crazy… right?
A small smirk formed on my face as I spoke. I turned to Isis and regarded her clothing. “What's the occasion?”
Isis's eyes flashed with so many emotions. Fear. Irritation. Pure hate.
But she masked it with confidence. “Your execution, darling.”
“You're awake.” Beckett said.
“I didn't notice.” I retorted sarcastically.
He gave a sharp chuckle. “Sharp mouth for someone who's about to be executed any moment.”
“What can I say?” I smiled. “I guess I have nothing to lose. Unlike some people here.”
Isis shifted uncomfortably.
At this point, I was contemplating whether or not to expose Isis and the gamma.
Would Beckett believe me? Was it worth the gamble?
I cleared my throat and faced Isis. “So, how's the gamma?”
Beckett clapped. “It was an awesome save from Gamma Horace last night. He caught the gremlin that was trying to escape.”
“And did you care to ask what he was doing in the love garden by that time of the night?” I spoke through my teeth.
“Not that I answer to you, but if it's your dying wish to know, then sure. It's the gamma's duty to routinely search all the breadth of Ashridge to ensure that everywhere is safe.”
“Does that answer your question?”
I almost chuckled. “You're not as stupid as I recall…”
He smiled proudly.
“You’re so much worse.”
The smile faltered instantly and was replaced with a scowl.
The pungent smell of metal was filling my nostrils, my chest constricted and I coughed. Loud and raspy.
It smelled almost toxic. Like poison.
Isis and Beckett laughed in sync.
What is that smell? I was wheezing by now.
Beckett stood up and walked towards an iron bowl lit by flames. In it was a blade.
So that was where the smell was coming from.
The blade was red from the flames, and sharp.
“This is the blade that'll be used for your execution.” Beckett smirked. “It's made from pure silver.”
I froze, and Isis laughed. “You should see your face right now. Priceless.”
There was a chalice by the side of the fire. Beckett raised it. “With this, I'll drain your blood and use it for the ritual.”
“What ritual?” I asked, growing scared.
“Never mind, little wolf.” He glared at me. “You'll see when the time comes.”
The Gamma walked in immediately.
“Horace, how's the preparation for the execution coming along?” Beckett asked him.
He looked from Isis to me. I'm sure he wanted to be confirm I hadn't ratted on them.
“In motion, Alpha.” He smirked after Isis gave him a subliminal message.
“Take her back to the dungeon. By midnight, the ritual starts.”
“Yes, Alpha.” He grabbed me roughly. I was still bound with thick ropes that created a painful friction every time I moved.
“And Horace.” Beckett raised a hand. “Make sure you lock up the doctor as well. She'll be executed too.”
No!
–-------
(Xander's POV)
The sky was darkening now and in no time, night would approach. We needed to be in Ashridge before then, or else it'll be too late.
We'd been walking along the woods for many kilometres. Calvin had suggested we didn't shift yet so that we'd reserve our energy for the impending fight.
Yara was breathing heavily. I could tell she was tired… but determined.
But we couldn't risk taking a break, so we kept walking.
We were reaching the woods close to Fiona's house, where Beckett had first captured her.
“So, what's the plan?” Yara asked.
“We find a way to sneak past the security and when we get there, we look for Fiona. If need be, we shift - but remember that it'd be easier to spot us in our wolf form than human.” I hoped this plan was feasible.
“And how do we get past the security?” Yara asked.
Calvin and I exchanged a look.
The truth was, we weren't sure, but we'll figure something out.
“Let's just get there first.” Calvin reassured her. I could tell she wasn't convinced.
But she nodded.
We continued walking.
Calvin suddenly froze and turned right. “Wait. What's that sound?”
I paused.
Yeah… I could hear it too. A distant shuffle in the woods. We weren't alone here.
“We have to hide,” Calvin whispered.
–-------
(THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT POV)
The inspector wasn't fully convinced about this case.
It all seemed suspicious, at best.
At worst, it looked like a planned vendetta against the kidnapped girl by her boyfriend's ‘childhood friend’.
There were two things involved: either the ‘childhood friend’ ratted the girl away to the kids in street gangs and they planned to have her kidnapped, or most likely the boyfriend too was also involved in this mess.
A lot of things were not adding up. The fake hotel. The fact that the boy was resisting arrest and being questioned.
The whole situation seemed a lot bigger than it looked on the surface, and if there was something Inspector Chadwick did, it was cracking hard nuts.
One of his junior colleagues in training walked up to him. “Sir, I was able to track down her phone and get the last location she was with it.”
“Really?” This was progress. Progress was good. “Where is the location?”
The boy looked into the system. “It seems to be the woods… actually, it's very close to her house.”
“Come on then, call the boys. Let's head there. We might see something helpful.”
The junior cop ran to turn on the van.
As much as he hated it, technology these days really made things easier. The inspector smiled to himself. ‘The younger generation!’
He took one last look at the house. A house named ‘Nightfang’.
Weird, but then again… what wasn't?
The drive to the woods lasted about forty minutes… maybe less.
They finally arrived at the location.
“Let's walk through the woods. If you see something, say something.” The inspector instructed. “Come on, boys.”
He hadn't gone so far when the junior cop tapped him and pointed in the distance. “Look, there's other people here.”
And wouldn't you have it?
The very culprits.
They must have seen him because they began to run.
He loaded his gun, pointing it in their direction. “Hey! Stop there.”