Chapter 201 Hostage
Seraphina
I raised my hands next to my head in surrender. How the hell did they get in?
I gulped
“There are too many screams,” Somi said,
“Don’t worry about it.” Cyrus told her, “People tend to scream when they are being mauled.”
“How can you say that?” She was frustrated, “Why do I keep hearing wolves??”
“They tend to howl a lot,” Cyrus answered.
“I feel something wrong, Cyrus,”
“We have something to work on, Somi,” He tapped his gun on my head, “Turn around.” I did as he told and turned around. He moved with me, his gun still on my head.
When I turned around, I saw how they got it
!!!
The window was open.
Shit!
We didn’t lock it… I didn’t feel a need to lock it because the pack is being patrolled! It wasn’t left unguarded! How the hell did they make it here? All the way to the packhouse without being spotted
“Keep walking.” He said,
“Where do you want to take me?” I asked. There was something very fishy going on here.
“In the forest,” Cyrus said, “Or maybe somewhere near it.”
In the forest? All the wolves are in the forest. Anyone can attack him there.
“Are you out of your mind?” Somi said, “What are you planning?”
“I plan on getting something I want.” He smirked, “After a long time I’m finally going to get my hands on it.”
“What do you want?” I asked, my hands still up.
“I need to talk to your mate,” He said.
“Wait-what-” I was about to turn and look back at him when he smacked the gun on the back of my head, making my world spin and I lost consciousness.
>>Azef
Amid the cacophony of the forest, a sudden, piercing whine echoed in my mind, reverberating through my very soul.
My wolf was restless, a gnawing sense of dread clawing at me. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. Seraphina was in danger!
But how!
Did someone manage to slip into the pack? No, all the humans are still far from here. If someone got to the pack, I would be informed!
Unless…
Someone solo traveled through another way! But still! They can’t make their way in without getting noticed.
I’m missing something! My wolf whined too much!
My heart pounded as I pivoted, the forest a blur around me as I sprinted back towards the pack house. My wolf's anxiety mirrored my own, his desperate whines filling my head.
Calliope is there too! Something could have happened to her as well! And Matt would lose it if something happens to her.
I need to get back fast!
Whoever entered the pack house is far too skilled. I didn’t leave the pack unattended. All the members who can’t shift were there on patrol duty!
The pack house loomed ahead, eerily silent under the moon's glow. Too silent.
None of the lights were on and that sent a sense of dread down my spine. Someone must have gotten in.
I skidded to a halt at the front entrance, the door was closed, I didn’t smell anyone there. Every instinct screamed at me to be cautious, but the fear propelled me forward.
Inside, the house was cloaked in darkness, the shadows deep and foreboding. I moved through the rooms, my eyes scanning every corner, my ears straining for any sound.
I shifted back to my human form when I went back into my room and wore my clothes.
It was weird. I could smell Calliope, and Eris in the house, but Seraphina’s scent was very vague for some reason.
There was something else here but I couldn’t tell what, or who!
The silence was oppressive, weighing heavily on me as I crept through the hallways. The living room was empty, the kitchen undisturbed. I moved deeper into the house, my wolf's whines growing louder, more insistent.
"Azef..." I heard calliope.
I paused and looked back at her, “Where’s Seraphina?” I asked as we both stood in the hallway.
She shook her head, “I don’t know, she’s not in the room with Eris,” She paused, “And the door is open too!” She was panicking, “I left the room when I heard a voice. But I couldn’t find anything in the house. When I went back she wasn’t there.”
“Is Eris fine?” I asked
She nodded, “Yes, she’s still asleep.”
“Get back in the room.” Our voices were very low, “Make sure the window and door are locked.” I told her, “Go,”
She nodded and turned around to leave.
I can’t smell her in the house.
I moved towards the windows. Panic surged through me, my wolf's distress echoing my own. I could still feel her presence, faint and fading. She was close, but where?
I couldn’t pinpoint it.
And it kept bothering me that someone was here yet I couldn’t detect them.
Desperation clawed at me as I turned and rushed down another hallway, following the bond that linked us. I chose to run through the place, making as much noise as possible to get the attention of whoever was here.
It was only when I made it to the back hallway windows did I notice something off.
I skid to a stop as I crossed a window, I caught something from the corners of my eyes. I moved a few steps back to look out the window, then froze
!!!
There, in the open, I saw her. She was crumpled on the grass, her form barely visible in the shadows of the two people holding her hostage. They had their eyes on me, smiles on their faces as they noticed me notice them.
A low, keening sound escaped my throat as I opened the window and jumped out.
Landing on the grass, I stomped forward when the man who I recognized pulled out his gun and pointed at Seraphina’s head.
I froze.
“Hello there, Azef,” He waved at me with his free hand.
“Cyrus,” I glared at him, then looked at his wife, “Somi,”
“Hi!” She waved at me with a sly smile, “I told you I’d find you,”
This doesn’t make any sense. This should not be possible.
“How did you get here?” I asked, “This is not the kind of place you can find.” If word gets out, they might demolish our pack. We’ll be rogues again! Matt gave me a responsibility and I can’t disappoint him!
I need to get rid of them all! Especially these two who made it all the way here and saw the pack!
“We walked,” He joked, making me angry, “Nice place you got here.”
“I have to say,” Somi looked around, “This is a whole town here.” She clicked her tongue, “Who would have thought.” She looked at Cyrus, “You were right,”
“Of course I was,” His smile widened, “I know their kind very well.” His words made my eyebrow twitch.
“What do you want?” I asked
“You have the deed to the casino,” He said, “I want that.”
I frowned, “I don’t have it on me.”
“Then go get it,” He said.
“It’s not here in the pack.” I replied.
“I know Matthew has it.” He said, “And I also know he’s coming back here.”
!!!
“How?” I glared at him and he snickered.
“Magic~” He was being playful but Somi looked a little confused. She took a few steps away from him when she heard the screaming from the forest.
“Too many wolves,” She whispered, “That’s strange.” Of course she doesn’t know she’s in werewolf territory.
Cyrus and I stared at each other quietly.
I have to find out how they got here and then kill them. I looked down. But before that, I need to make sure Seraphina is safe.
!!
The silence was suddenly broken by a faint, stirring sound from below Cyrus. My heart leaped into my throat as I saw Seraphina, beginning to regain consciousness. But before I could move, Cyrus stepped forward and grabbed her by her shirt.
She had barely opened her eyes when with a swift, brutal motion, he grabbed Seraphina from the ground, yanking her to her feet.
“Huh!?” She let out a gasp.
“Stand up straight.” Cyrus ordered.
She tried to make sense of her surroundings as she tried to follow his orders, but she stumbled instead, her body still weak, and Cyrus pressed a cold, gleaming gun to her temple. "Move, and she dies," He snarled, his eyes locking onto mine.
My wolf howled in anguish and rage, the instinct to protect her overwhelming every other thought.
Seraphina blinked several times, dazed and filled with fear. She struggled to stay upright, her legs buckling beneath her. The movement forced Cyrus to shift his stance, stepping away from Somi. His whole focus was taken by Sera, whom he tried to yank back up and make her stand straight.
Now!!!
In that split second, I saw my chance. Cyrus's focus was on Seraphina, his attention divided. And Somi was now unguarded and vulnerable. The primal urge to protect my mate fueled my next move. With a growl, I sprang from the enemy, my form a blur as I closed the distance between us.
Cyrus's head snapped toward me, but he was too slow. I barreled into Somi, knocking her off her feet and away from Cyrus.
She hit the ground with a startled cry, the impact jarring her. My claws extended, and I was on her in an instant, my body a shield between her and Cyrus. The scent of fear and adrenaline was thick in the air, but my focus was razor-sharp.
Cyrus didn’t say anything but I heard the click of the gun's safety being disengaged. My heart pounded, but I couldn't let fear control me. I had to act.
Somi struggled beneath me, but she was no match for my strength. I pinned her down, my growls low and menacing. "Stay down," I snarled, my voice rough and filled with the promise of violence if she resisted.
Her wide eyes met mine, and I saw the flash of fear that passed through them.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Seraphina swaying, barely able to stand. Cyrus's attention was on us but he still seemed calm.
“I’m going to kill her,” I made a threat, “Hand Seraphina over,” I yanked Somi up and put my claws on her neck. She was baffled out of her mind when she saw my inhuman hands.
“No,” Cyrus said, “I want what I came here for,” He smirked, “I don’t care what you do to Somi.”
Seraphina stood nearby, a gun pressed to her temple by Cyrus, her breaths coming in shallow, terrified gasps.
"Let her go, Cyrus," I growled, my voice rough and filled with barely controlled rage. "I’m not saying empty words"
Cyrus's cold, calculating eyes met mine, and to my shock, a twisted smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Go ahead," He said, his voice chillingly calm. "Do it. She's of no use to me now."