Chapter 42

Chapter 42
Chapter 42 - Dex. Pov.

We're driving through one of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods, searching for the house in the photo. How Alex ended up here is a mystery to me. There are two possibilities: he's either incredibly well-connected or he blackmailed a family into letting him use their house. I'm not sure which option I'm hoping for. I hope an innocent family doesn't get caught, but if he knows the people... We could easily be ambushed. While Ronan and I search for the house, Bruce and Reece scan the area, keeping an eye out for anything unusual.
On the way here, we discussed all sorts of different scenarios. We slowly drive through the streets. Fortunately, it's quiet on the street, and we don't stand out.
"There it is!" I say, pointing to a corner house at the end of the street. At first glance, nothing seems unusual. The house seems abandoned. There are no lights on, and although the house appears to have several private parking spaces, they are all empty. But appearances can be deceiving. The black pickup truck is parked in front of the neighbor's house, and although it's dark inside, we see someone moving inside.
My patience is being tested. I want to rush in and get her back, but I know that's foolish. "Did you freeze the cameras?" I ask Reece. "Almost." He answers curtly and continues typing. Another movement; I think it's Alex, but I'm not sure. A second figure appears, a woman. They're facing each other, and she's waving her arms vigorously. It looks like they're arguing.
"I don't see anyone else on the footage," Reece says. "That's too easy," I say thoughtfully. 
"How powerful is she, if she thinks they can take on the two of us?" I wonder out loud.
"I don't know..." Bruce mumbles. "We'll explore further, with the utmost caution. Reece, you and Bruce will take the left side, Ronan and I will take the other." 
Still keeping an eye on the surroundings, we get out of the car, closing the doors as quietly as possible.
Keeping an eye on the windows and doors, we creep closer.
I prick my ears, but the house is quiet. We walk around the perimeter, searching for clues as to where Lilly is being held. At first glance, nothing stands out until we arrive at the back. There's one room that stands out; the windows seem pitch black, clearly taped over. Probably to disorient Lilly.
From here, we can get a better look inside. It still looks like Alex and the woman are the only ones inside. Ronan and I don't see any booby traps, but I doubt it. I have Drake come forward and have him search for traps. He doesn't see anything either. I curse under my breath; it can't be that easy, I don't believe it.
"Did you find anything?" I ask Reece through the mind link, but his answer is no. We wait for the other two to join us to discuss a plan of action. They agree with me that it seems too easy.
"What if..." Bruce asks. "They're deliberately making it look easy?" He looks at us one by one. "They could use it as a distraction," Ronan adds. "And attack us unnoticed because we're looking for traps." I finish the train of thought.
"Fuuuuuck!" I say, frustrated. I pace back and forth, thinking about my options.

A scream breaks me from my thoughts. "Lilly!" I shout, and without thinking twice, I rush to the back door, ready to kill anyone in my way.

Lilly’s pov.

After recovering from the shock, I tried to gather more information, hoping for something that would help me understand exactly what they were planning. Unfortunately, his accomplice—that's what I now call his girlfriend—saw what I was doing and repeatedly silenced Alex. At least being his little sister has some advantages. I have to manage to speak to him alone; maybe then I can get something out of him.

I stare at the ceiling, trying to think of a plan. I'd like to believe Alex doesn't want to hurt me, but about her... I'm not so sure. She seems very determined, I just don't understand why. What did Dex do that she'd go so far to get him? Could she be an ex? No, I doubt it; she's from the other side of the country. And besides, as far as I know, he hasn't had a relationship with anyone other than Lucy. She's not a wolf, so she's not from a rival pack. Another company trying to take Dex down could be a possibility. That just doesn't explain how she knows they're wolves.
The more I think about it, the more frustrated I become. I let out a frustrated cry and, without thinking, I yank hard on one of the ropes around my wrist. The rope chafes painfully, and my pulling tightens it. It cuts into my skin. "Alex!" I yell, with pain in my voice.
To my surprise, I don't hear Alex running up the stairs, but a loud roar. Tears of relief stream down my cheeks. Dex, he's found me, he must have. "I'm here!" I shout, hoping they can hear me. The sounds are getting louder; it's clear there's a fight going on.
I listen intently to what's happening. Another roar, but not Dex's. And it sounds like the wolf is in pain. Oh my god, no. Please don't let someone die.

Glass shatters, a loud thud. "Please let them win," I whisper to myself. "Upstairs! I'm here!" I shout again. 
Another scream, this time human, Alex. Good.
Someone's running up the stairs, please, please, let it be Dex. Please. 
"I'm in here! I'm in here!" I scream. The door slams against the wall with a loud bang. "Dex?!" I ask desperately. 
He doesn't have a chance to answer. Before I know it, he's thrown across the room and slams into the wall. He groans. "Foolish boy," I hear the woman say, and she slowly walks into my field of vision.
"Dex?" I call out in panic. He groans, and I see blood running down the side of his head. Before he can get up, she extends her arm, her hand, and fingers at a weird angle. "I've been waiting a long time for this," she grins smugly. "Dex, please." I whimper. But no matter how hard he tries to get up, he can't. As if an invisible hand is holding him back.
"Why? Why are you doing this?" I ask. Maybe I can distract her and loosen her hold on him.
The sounds of fighting still linger, and I wonder who they are. My distraction isn't working; she doesn't even look at me. Dex is shaking with rage, and judging by his eyes, it's Drake who's in control now. Why isn't he shifting? His wolf should be able to handle her easily. "What did you do to him?" I ask, trying to look for other injuries. But besides the wound on his head, the blood on his clothes looks like someone else's. "Nothing, I made it a fair fight," she says scornfully.
"Stupid wolves." I don't get it; I'm sure I just heard a wolf growl. As if sensing my confusion, she says, "I've put a spell on them." She rolls her eyes, bored. I study Dex; his eyes are furious. If he breaks free of her spell, she'll have to run to save her life, that's for sure.
The fight downstairs seems to be over, and it's quiet. I fear the worst.
What if they killed Alex? That thought quickly gives way to the opposite. What if Alex killed my friends? I can't stand the thought. The woman chuckles. Dex tries to get through the spell. Growling and gritting his teeth. "I'll make you pay for what your kind did," she says vengefully. She doesn't seem bothered by the fact that Dex is trying to stand up, bit by bit, his legs shaking. When he's almost upright, she twists her wrist and knocks him down again. She steps closer, her gaze fixed entirely on Dex. His gaze briefly darts past her.
"What is it you want?" he asks, growling. Before she can answer, a gun goes off.
Bruce appears, a gun in his hands, pointed at her. She clutches her shoulder, where a bullet wound is visible, and a red stain is forming on her clothes. "You! How could you?!" she cries in disbelief. The magic that was restraining Dex is released, and he jumps up. His hands have transformed into claws, and he pins her to the wall. She screams, looking pleadingly at Bruce.
"Your name!" Dex growls, digging his nails into her shoulder.
"Are you really going to let him kill me?" she asks pleadingly. Bruce looks at her with a deadpan expression. "Yes, so if I were you, I'd do what he asks," he replies.
"Viv... Vivian," she stammers. "Vivian who?" Dex digs his nails deeper into her flesh, and she screams. "Durbey! Vivian Durbey!" she cries. Dex looks at Bruce, and he nods.
My jaw drops in disbelief as I hear Bruce reject her. Dex wastes no time. As soon as Bruce finishes the last words, he lashes out with his free hand and rips her throat open. Blood splatters everywhere, and as soon as he lets go, she falls to the floor with a loud thud.