Chapter Six

I could feel my head spinning from the myriad of thoughts that flashed through my mind. Was he serious? What the hell was going on? Where was I and what was this place?

The woman’s expression was tight as she shoved me roughly into the room and shut the door behind her before turning to face me.

I watched her as she did me. She didn't seem to be much older than me but she looked way better than I did. Her long dark hair fell over her shoulders, her eyes were wide and stunning, and she had the fit figure of a fighter.

“What is this place?” I asked, breaking the silence.

She took her time before responding, obviously relishing my confusion. “The Nightshade pack, love.” her tone dripped with mockery.

“And why am I here?”

She took a few steps closer to me and I stared her down, noticing the hostility that emanated from her. The corners of her mouth twisted in a mocking smile. “Beats me what Rowan thinks we need a Wild Wolf for and much less a weak girl like yourself.”

“Excuse me! I don't…”

She cut me off. “But he is the Alpha and he knows what's best for us. You should be honored to be here because you've seen what being left to fend for yourself means.” her eyes ran down my tattered figure as if to prove her point.

“I'll say this in the nicest way possible, Scarlett. Don't make trouble for my people and you’ll be fine but the moment you dare to invite chaos here, you'll have me to contend with, and not even Rowan can save you from my wrath.”

With that she stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut and I heard the unmistakable sound of locks clicking in place; she’d locked me in.

I sucked in a breath and marched toward the window. There was no way in hell I was going to remain here. I’d met four people so far; Asher hated me and would kill me if he could, this woman saw me as a threat and didn't make her disdain toward me a secret, and Rowan was the worst of the bunch. I didn't know exactly what he wanted but I damn sure wasn't going to stick around long enough to find out.

Rowan wasn't a fool. The room I was in was at least on the fourth story of a very tall building, looking down below the window, there was no way I could jump down and remain in one piece, and that was considering I managed to escape the well-placed bars on the window.

The bastard was true to his words —I was being held hostage!

I slammed my head against the wall in frustration and let out a guttural yell, my anger aimed at no one in particular.

What was I doing here? How could my life have upheaved so much that I was now at the mercy of some Alpha who was going to use me for some sinister plans he'd made?

In the back of my mind, my wolf continued to remain silent and that pissed me off to no end. I was in this mess because of her and she was choosing to remain quiet right now?

My stomach rumbled hungrily and for the first time, I caught sight of the covered set of plates tucked by the corner of the room. I took an uneasy step toward it and opened it to find stewed pheasant, bread and cheese, and a flask. I poured out the contents of the flask into a cup and put it to my lips, gulping greedily at the warm taste of milk and honey. The posset was the best I'd ever tasted, I cut into the bread and soon enough I was digging into the meal. The first actual meal I'd had in the past long harrowing weeks

When finally I'd cleared my plates, I settled down on the floor and thought of my next plan. I needed to escape from here some way or the other.

I couldn't stay back and wait for my fate with these people knowing how much they all hated me, my wolf had gone silent on me and so I was on my own. Any one of them could easily walk into this room and kill me, it would be an inconvenience to Rowan but that was as much as there was to it and I couldn't risk that.

My life was at stake.

I got up and began to look around the room, slamming open and closing drawers until I finally found what I was looking for. I turned and twisted the tiny screwdriver in my palm until I was certain it'd work.

I waited until nighttime had fallen and the house was covered in darkness before I proceeded with my plans.

As children, Asher had taught Caspian and me dangerous skills from tree climbing to fence jumping, and finally to picking locks. I knelt in front of the door and went to work, inserting the flathead of the tool into the lock as I felt for the clicks that held it in place. I continued to move it with preciseness as Asher had taught us and made us practice until we'd become good at it ourselves, raising each pin as the screwdriver slipped in and out until finally after long minutes, I heard a soft snick, the lock disengaging and the door opened slightly.

A surge of pride swelled in my chest and I opened the door further to expose the empty hallway. I stepped outside quietly and with very soft, silent steps, I stuck to the walls and began to make my way toward the opposite end of the stairs. I didn't know where I was headed but I knew for certain that I couldn't use the stairs now.

At the end of the hallway, I pushed open a door that had another set of stairs spiraling downward and I took it hurriedly. It seemed like the servant stairs and I was right because it led straight to a set of rooms that I assumed to be the servant quarters.

It was quiet because its owners were likely fast asleep so I quickly made my way through it and took the back door that led me out into the open. From the outside, I was able to fully see the large estate that I was in. The house was a stunning manor but I didn't have enough time to gawk at the view because almost immediately I felt a hand wrap around me from the back.

I let out a small gasp just as the unmistakable sharp end of a blade was pressed to my neck.

“This is for killing Caspian,” the hateful voice of Asher whispered coldly against my skin.