Chapter 35 Chapter 35

Chapter 35 Chapter 35
Sabrina’s POV
The car stopped.
"Out," Mira said. "We’re going in on foot."
I jumped out and checked my weapons. Everything was in place.
The others were getting out, too. Kael stepped out of the lead car, followed by Marcus, Garrick, Elena, Hudson, and five other warriors. Twelve of us in total.
Leo and his five fox shifters stood to the side. They were well-armed and looked like they knew what they were doing. Leo looked at me and nodded. There was something in his eyes—I couldn't quite tell what. Concern? Or something else?
"We’ll stay on the perimeter," he said. "We’ll alert you the second we see something."
"Good," Mira replied.
Leo turned and led his people into the woods. They moved silently, vanishing into the brush in seconds.
Kael walked to the front. Even though he couldn't see, he stood there like a true leader—back straight, shoulders broad. Despite the blindfold, everyone’s eyes were on him, waiting for the word.
"Three teams," he said, his voice flat and steady. "Team One: Me, Marcus, and Hudson. We take the front entrance."
"Team Two: Garrick, Elena, and you two." He pointed to two warriors. "Take the side door."
"Team Three: Mira, Sabrina, and the rest of you." He pointed to the remaining warriors. "Take the back."
"Target: The underground warehouse," he said. "Grab the supplies. In and out. Fast."
He turned his head toward me, pausing for just a heartbeat.
"Move out."
We split up. Mira led me and the three warriors toward the back of the camp. I took a deep breath and gripped my gun, my heart starting to race.
I knew this path way too well. That oak tree with the heart-shaped scar on the trunk—I used to sit under it and read. It was the spot where Derek gave me my first book, a collection of poems. Back then, I thought he was a romantic.
That flowerbed—I’d spent an entire afternoon planting daisies there, my hands covered in dirt. Derek told me I looked like a kid, but he was smiling. Back then, he actually smiled. Back then, I thought he loved me.
That wall—there was a crack in the bottom right corner. Derek said he’d fix it, but he never did. Every time it rained, water would seep in and flood a corner of the storage room. Dr. Nora used to complain about it, but Derek said it wasn't a priority.
Every tree, every bush—it was all burned into my memory. Every turn, every stone. This place used to be my home. I thought it would be my home forever.
But I couldn't let it show. I had to act like it was my first time here, like I knew nothing. I let my eyes skim over the familiar sights as if I were just scouting the terrain, looking for enemies.
Because in this camp, almost no one knew my secret identity. No one knew I used to be the Luna here. No one but Kael.
"Sabrina." Mira’s voice snapped me back to reality.
"Yeah?"
"Focus." She looked at me, her eyes sharp. "You’re zoning out. Your eyes are wandering."
"Sorry," I said. "It’s just… this place is creepy. It’s too quiet."
"True," Mira nodded. "Stay alert."
We reached the back door. It was a rusted iron door with peeling paint.
Mira signaled for two warriors to stay outside. The three of us went in. One warrior took point, I was in the middle, and Mira covered the rear.
We moved through the corridor. I knew this hallway. God, did I know it. The third door on the left was the kitchen. I’d learned to cook there, trying so hard to please Derek. I’d burned the bread at least three times.
We passed the Great Hall. I stopped. Just for a second, but Mira noticed.
The hall was massive, with high ceilings and a long table in the center. Derek used to sit at the head, and I sat right next to him, on his right. He told me that was the Luna’s seat.
I used to stand here, as the Luna, giving orders, organizing patrols, and settling disputes. Back then, the pack members respected me. They called me Luna. They bowed. They listened.
I thought I’d spend my whole life in this room.
And then… then there was that night. I’d forgotten some papers and came back to get them. I pushed open the doors to the hall and saw it.
Right there, on that table. Derek and Scarlett. My husband and my sister. Naked. Tangled together. She was on top of him, head thrown back, while he gripped her waist, thrusting.
They saw me. Scarlett smiled. I’ll never forget that smile—so smug, so mocking.
Derek’s eyes were cold. He looked at me like I was a stranger. Like I was a bug.
"Sabrina!" Mira’s voice was loud.
I blinked, coming back to the present.
"What?"
"You’re spacing out again." She frowned and stepped in front of me. "Are you okay? You look like hell."
"I’m fine," I said. "Let’s go."
We kept moving. We passed my old room, but the door was closed. I didn't look. I couldn't look.
We passed the infirmary—Dr. Nora’s place. That door was closed, too. I wondered where she was now. She had been good to me. One of the few people in this camp who didn't look down on me for being wolfless. She was the one who helped me escape when I needed it most.
My heart felt like lead.
We reached the basement entrance. Kael and Marcus were already there, along with Garrick and Elena.
"Guards?" Kael asked.
"Four," Garrick said. "Took them all down. They didn't make a sound."
"What species?"
"Not wolves," Garrick said. "Bear shifters. The scent is heavy."
"Mercenaries," Kael said, sounding certain.
"Derek must have hired them," Marcus added.
My heart hammered in my chest. Derek. He wasn't here. If he were, there wouldn't just be mercenaries guarding the place. Where was he?
"Move," Kael said. His voice was still calm, like everything was under control.
We went down the stairs. They were narrow and steep, only wide enough for one person at a time.
It was cold and damp underground. The air smelled like rot. In front of us was a thick iron door, locked tight.
"Marcus," Kael said.
Marcus pulled out a blowtorch and started cutting the lock. Sparks flew everywhere. We all took a step back.
I stood there, watching Kael. He was right in front of me, his back turned.
I thought about last night. His hands, his breath… his rejection.
"Done!" Marcus said.
The lock fell. He pushed the door open with a loud, piercing creak.
Inside, there were rows and rows of crates stacked high. At least fifty of them, maybe more.
"Damn," Elena whistled.
She walked in and used a crowbar to pry one open. The sound of wood splintering filled the room. Then, her face changed. From excitement to confusion, then to rage.
"What the hell?"
We all crowded around. The crate was empty. Completely empty. Not even a nail inside.
"Check the others!" Kael ordered. His voice was still steady, but I could hear the tension.
We started prying them all open. They were all empty.
"Shit!" Garrick cursed.
"It’s a trap," Mira said, her hand already tightening on her gun.
"It’s been a trap from the start," Kael said. He stood there, no panic or anger on his face. Just a cold, terrifying calm.
My heart sank. I pulled out my radio. "Leo?"
Static.
"Leo!"
Nothing but white noise.
"Comms are jammed," Marcus said, checking his own radio. "Every frequency."
"Retreat," Kael said. "Now."
We scrambled for the exit. Just as we reached the surface, the radio crackled. It wasn't static anymore. It was a voice. A man’s voice. One that made my blood run cold.
"Heh heh heh."
The voice said.
"Look who walked right into my trap."
Derek.
"Stray dogs," he laughed. "Kicked out by the Ashland Pack."
"Did you really think you could steal from me?"
Kael’s face remained a mask.
"Derek," he said, his voice flat. "Where are you?"
"Nearby," Derek replied. "Watching you."
"Watching you walk into your own grave."
"Like a pathetic, blind fool."
Kael didn't react. He just stood there, his head tilted slightly as if he were listening for something.
Then, another voice came through—a woman’s voice, sharp and nasty.
"Oh my god," the voice said.
"Is that… is that my dear sister?"
Scarlett.
"Long time no see," she laughed, her voice dripping with malice.
"You and your little bastard..."
"Still alive?"
"I’m so disappointed."