NINETY TWO

***

I woke up to a sharp smell of metal and soft mumblings. My face wrinkled as I struggled to snap my eyes open, my head felt heavy and I could feel my body being pinned to something soft.

My active senses showed I was awake but my body was drained like I had been working nonstop for weeks.

"This is a bad idea.." the voice was skeptical and familiar, but I could barely figure out its owner.

"I don't know what I was thinking, I just... I just wanted him to stay. I didn't know he would pass out," a shaky voice followed. It was feminine. Meredith?

I tried to move my head to see the people interacting before me, but a stinging pain followed, and I grunted.

"Ace, are you awake?" Slender fingers touched my face, and I blinked in an attempt to clear my hazy view.

"Ace, can you hear me?" Her voice shook.

"My body... I can't move.." I forced the words out, my forehead etching and pain coursing through my insides.

"Don't fight it, it'll get worse if you do. I had no idea it was this powerful, I should have been more careful," I couldn't depict the emotion. Regret? Satisfaction? Or a mixture of both.

Even though she had warned, I still made an attempt to move and that was when I felt it. Chains. I was bounded to the bed with chains and it was worse that I already felt weak.

"What have you done to me?" There was so much more I wanted to say, so much I wanted to ask but the more I tried, the harder it became.

She sniffed, crying. "I found it in the medicine room; I swear I thought it was a sleeping portion; I had no idea it was... something else."

I could only express how angry I was through my breathing.

"You're making a mistake, Ace. You're going back to that woman who betrayed you, and it's not right; I'm stopping you from doing that. I know you hate me right now but soon you will realize that I mean well for you and that I am the right person for you."

"I can't stay here.. it's dangerous for everyone."

"You can. I already informed my parents that you have decided to stay with us for some time, and they are excited to host you.

My father has more than enough guards to protect us," she spoke with glee but now my worry has faded to irritation, and toppling the pain, my anger was tearing my insides to shreds.

She was naive. Too fuckin naive.

"You don't understand, Meredith. I can't stay here any longer.." I groaned in pain just as I released the words.

"It's fine. It's gonna be fine."

Without a clue, her fingers danced around my face and I could see a smile form on her lips as she stared down at me, mumbling about all the nice things we could do together.

Why won't she just understand?

At that moment, I realized how desperate she was. Maybe if I had looked deeper, I would have seen it sooner. She had tried to tell me, but I cared for her safety more, and now I was stuck.

It was going to take more than words to convince Meredith to release me, but I needed an antidote, I had to get it no matter what. I had to get out of here, it was dangerous for me to stay.

My thoughts diverted when I heard Meredith scream in horror, pointing in a direction. I followed her gaze and realized that an arrow had been shot into the room.

Oh fuck, no!

Almost immediately, drums of footsteps followed, and chaos broke outside. A warning bell sounded and I saw color evading Meredith's face as she panicked. Helter-skelter steps followed and heavy screams as the pack members scampered for safety.

"We're under attack," she panicked. "How.. how can it be?"

She looked confused, but I could already tell what had happened; I had kept the possibility at the back of my mind. Words must have gotten out about my presence in the country and I knew without a doubt that Kylan was responsible. I expected him to do this and it was why I tried to leave earlier.

"Oh sweet goddess, I think they are here for you! Kylan, that bastard!" She grumbled in her state of panic. "What should we do?"

"I need the antidote! I cannot fight like this..." I expected an urgent reaction from her but she seemed to be contemplating it.

"But I don't want you to leave.."

"That is not what is important right now, goddammit!" I seethed, erupting shocks of pain on my insides but it was worth it.

"I'll get it," Randolph volunteered and dashed out before she could utter a word. S

Just as soon as the door banged shut, it was kicked off its hinges with a force that I was very familiar with, and the enemies filed in, looking prepared in their numbers.

Great. Just fuckin great!

Meredith retreated, while I sighed in frustration and helplessness.

"If it isn't the legendary Ace Black of the Ocean Howls pack, I never thought I'd get to be in the same room as you in my lifetime or see you look so helpless like a vegetable.." one of the men cackled. I could tell he was their leader, and he had a visible scar on his eyes.

"Remember me?"

I had a lot of enemies, so much so that I couldn't keep up with their faces anymore. This pack was one of them; no matter how hard I thought, I couldn't figure out where they belonged or how I had wronged them. But lately, my enemies weren't only restricted to people I had personally fought with or wronged, everyone just seemed to have a grudge against me to feel among.

"I'm sure you didn't go through all that trouble for formalities," I seethed.

"You proud punk! You think you're so powerful-

"Looks like you think the same, I can see your legs shaking in your pants right now. I am tied up here but you seem to be the one with fear," I forced a dry smile. I was helpless; in addition to the euphoric effect of whatever Meredith had given me, I was also bound all over to the bed.

"It's enough for me that you're not so powerful now," he started towards me, and without thinking, Meredith blocked his path.

"I will not let you hurt him," she covered me. He cackled. Before I could warn her, she was violently flung across the room in one swift move and I watched her body hit the wall before she passed out.

He advanced towards me again, "Imagine what I can make out of you, Ace Black."

I gulped, not breaking eye contact. I was trapped, but somehow my head continuously searched for a way out.

"What do you want?" I asked.

He smirked, and I watched him pull out a pistol before pointing it at me.

"Do you think you'll be safe if you kill me?"

"I want nothing more than to kill you, Ace."

I scoffed, mumbling, "What an idiot."

"What did you just say?" His face tightened and he neared me even more.

"I called you an idiot because you're just going to miss an opportunity..." my eyes trailed, and I noticed a quick movement outside from the window.

Someone else was here.

"You could get so much out of me, but you're just going to kill me. You're dumber than you look, are you even a leader?"

"You shut your gob up. Killing you is more than enough for me, and even if I choose not to, your life still wouldn't be spared. I'm not the only one after you, Ace, but I will be the one to kill you..." the gun was now pointing in my face, and his finger lingered on the trigger. "Goodbye, you piece of shit."

There was a shot, and I expected a rush of pain, but instead, my assailant yelped as the gun dropped out of his hand. Before he could react, an arrow drove into his forehead, and he fell backward, his body going limp.

The window was smashed open and a figure jumped into the room. Without hesitation, he battled with the rest of the warriors and defeated them.

The skill was familiar, so even before he revealed himself, I already knew who it was.

"Alpha.." his lips quivered as he faced me, the word tumbling off with a shake.

I smiled weakly, knowing my strength was already at its last straw. I was safe, I knew this for sure.

"You're late.." I breathed out.

"I'm sorry, I came as fast as I could.." his voice broke and he paused for a moment to contain his emotions.

I could only imagine how pitiful I looked.

"It's good to see you again, Henry. Now, get me out of here."