Chapter 188 He was using me
>>Azef
The moon hung high in the ink-black sky, its pale light casting an eerie glow over the sprawling mansion. Crouching low behind the hedge, I felt every sense heightened, every nerve on edge. Though I was in my human form, my werewolf abilities simmered inside of me.
I inhaled deeply, the scents of the night filling my nostrils. The rustling leaves, the distant call of an owl, the faint smell of jasmine from the garden—all sharp and clear.
I moved toward the mansion, each step silent and precise. The soft padding of my feet on the ground was barely a whisper in the night. Reaching the stone wall that surrounded the property, its smooth surface loomed before me. To anyone else, it would be a barrier but to me, it was a minor obstacle.
I extended my claws, feeling the familiar tingle as they emerged from my hands. They glinted briefly in the moonlight before I plunged them into the stone, finding purchase with ease. Slowly, I scaled the wall.
At the top, I paused, scanning the grounds below, then I dropped down silently, landing in a crouch on the other side. The grass cushioned my fall, and I remained still for a moment, listening.
No sign of alarm, no indication that anyone had heard my approach.
The guards were doing their rounds around the mansion, but I stayed out of sight.
I moved forward, sticking to the shadows, my eyes fixed on the mansion. The building was a monolith of old stone and darkened windows, its silhouette imposing against the night sky. I couldn’t see a single light in one of the upper rooms, the first floor of the mansion was well lit, but it seems no one was there on the upper floor, or the people there were sleeping.
Reaching the base of the mansion, I pressed myself against the wall. My claws found the mortar between the stones, and I began to climb, my movements slow and deliberate. The rough texture of the stone beneath my fingers, the cool night air against my skin, every muscle in my body coiled, ready to spring into action if needed.
As I reached the window, I paused again, listening for any signs of movement inside. The room beyond was silent. I peered through the glass, my keen eyesight piercing the darkness. The room was empty, save for a desk and a few pieces of furniture.
Perfect.
With a careful push, I tested the window. It was locked, but the mechanism wasn’t tricky.
I inserted a claw between the sash and the frame, applying gentle pressure.
“She’s been on an edge,” Hearing the voices of two guards making their way in my direction made me speed up.
“She has the leads but can’t seem to find them, so she’s been bursting on everyone.” They made the turn from the building but didn’t look up immediately. They were busy talking amongst themselves.
I applied a bit more pressure until I heard a soft click. The window slid open soundlessly which made me release a soft sigh.
I slipped inside, my feet making no noise as they touched the floor. The room smelled of dust and old paper, the scent of a place long unused. I closed the window behind me, leaving no trace of my entry. The glow from the hallway seeped under the door, casting a thin line of light across the floor.
I quietly moved towards the door, then paused with my hand on the doorknob, listening once more. I could hear the faint murmur of voices somewhere deeper in the mansion, the hum of electronics, the creak of settling wood.
Satisfied that I was undetected, I turned the knob slowly, opening the door just enough to slip through.
In the hallway, the light was dim and the shadows long but before I moved, I heard the sound of talking make its way towards me, along with a very familiar scent.
Seraphina was here.
>>Seraphina
“Tell me,” She ordered, “Why did you agree so easily?”
We stared at each other for a second, “...” I didn’t want to tell her about my private life. What does she get out of it? And why is she so interested in it?
“You don’t want to?” She tilted her head at me
“What do you get out of knowing about my private life?” I asked.
“Ah, private life?” She smirked, “Did you two have a thing going on?”
!!!
I frowned, then looked away.
“I’m right,” She said, “Aren’t I?” She snickered, “This makes it all the more interesting.” I looked back at her again, “So tell me, what did he do? Men always do something to get on your nerves, so what did he do?”
“Why do I have to tell you that?” I folded my arms.
“I need to know,” She glared at me, “So I know you aren’t playing with me.” Her smile was evil, “You want the money and your job back, right?”
“...”
“Oh, and of course, your little sister,”
“If I don’t tell you, you’re not going to give me those things?” I gripped my phone tightly, “The deal was to lure Azef here.”
“Yes,” She paused as she thought about it, “But you have to lure Azef elsewhere, not here.”
“So as long as I can convince him, that should be fine right?”
“... That was the deal,”
“Was?”
“It won’t change as long as you can manage the task, but,” She looked at me with a mocking gaze, “You’re not really getting there, are you?”
“...”
“I’ll let it slide,” She tapped her fingers on her thighs, “If you tell me why you’re so readily throwing him away,”
I couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of misery that seemed to come back to me every time I thought about Azef. It reminded me of my life, and how the brief moments of happiness I'd experienced in my life always seemed to be fleeting, slipping through my fingers just as I began to grasp them.
I looked down for a second, took a deep breath and looked back at her again, “He’s cheating on me,” I said
The pattern was painfully familiar. Every time I found a glimmer of hope, something would come along to snatch it away.
Over and over and over again. I balled my fists over my thighs.
She raised her eyebrows up in amusement, “Oh?” A wide smile spread across his face, “How’d you catch him?”
How’d I catch him? I didn’t really catch him in the act but… He was caught going to do the act though. I let out a soundless sigh.
“He ah,” I licked my lips, “Went to sleep with another woman.”
“Oh? Are you sure? It looks like he likes you a lot.”
“I thought that too…” My chest squeezed, making it feel like my heart was being gripped.
“What changed?” She asked.
I felt a lump forming in my throat. “I found out he was using me as a replacement for my sister,” My head throbbed when I said that.
“Your sister?”
“He was in love with my sister,” I said, “But she died.”
“HAH!” She found that amusing, “And you found out how?”
“He still has her picture…” All of it felt so strange. My heart felt too heavy.
Somi let out a hearty laugh but my heart felt like it was on pins and needles.
“I would betray a man like that too,” She said, “You made a good choice,” Her shoulders shook from laughing,
Betray him? Well, he did betray me too.
Right?
It would be fair if I do it in return.
“Now,” All of the sudden, she got serious, “Call him again.”
>>Azef
…
So she’s chosen to betray me? Because she saw the picture and found out the truth?
I took out my phone. I had it on silent, so I had no idea how many times she had called me. But once I opened it, I saw her miss calls.
My wolf whined in my head. Telling me to ignore what she said and to just go and save her but at the same time, the knowledge that she was abandoning us was making me fret.
It was a feeling I had never experienced before. I wanted to save her too but if I save and she still doesn't want me, then what?
Neither me, nor my wolf will be able to take it. I felt a tremor in my heart and my vision blurred for a moment.
!!!
The phone began to ring silently and the screen lit up. I shook my head, trying to stabilize my senses, then looked down at the screen and frowned when I saw the name on the screen. The call was coming from Seraphina’s phone.
…
I didn’t pick up right away. I contemplated what to do. Was there a way to solve this?
What am I saying? I came here to solve things!
I stared at the screen for a second, then I answered the call, “Hello,” I closed the door so my voice wouldn’t travel outside.
There was a brief moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then her voice came through, faint and trembling, “Azef,”
“What’s wrong?” I asked,
“I,” She hesitated, “Where are you?”
“In the house,” I replied, “Why?”
“Who are you with?” Why would she ask that? Ah, wait, is it because of Xia-Lin?
“Why?” I asked, “Does it matter who I am with?”
“....” There was a pause, “No,” I gripped my free hand in anger, “Can you come to me?” She asked.
“...”
“Azef?”
Right, she doesn’t know that I know she’s been kidnapped.
“Come to you? Where are you?” I replied, “The pack members told me you left the pack,”
“Yes…” Her voice was soft, “They also told me you left while you were in a rut,”
“...”
“Do you want me to come to you, or not?” I felt angry. I know I shouldn’t be taking it out on her but I felt bad. My mind felt fuzzy and my heart palpitated.
I shook my head again to decrease the fog in my vision.
“I do,” She replied, “And I want you to come alone,”
I nodded, feeling betrayed, “Where?” I asked.
“I’ll text you the address,” She said, “And I’ll be waiting. I need to talk to you,”
“... Okay,”