Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Four
Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Four
The effects of the wolfsbane were almost immediate. Soon, the pain had them crying out, pleading, and begging even more desperately. They wanted me to ‘make it stop.‘ I watched them, forcing away the flicker of sympathy I felt. Rebels or not, they had once been my pack–my people. And even though they had to die, a part of me wished it didn’t have to be this way.
I had believed Alexander was a ruthless killer–there had been no sympathy in his eyes when he ended those who rebelled against him. But for the first time, I wondered if that was a facade, if deep down, there had still been the tiniest trace of sympathy.
“You ask for mercy, but I believe it would have been different if your plan had succeeded,” I said, though I wasn’t sure if they could even hear me through the pain. Blood poured from their ears, nose, eyes, and mouth–a horrifying sight.
I didn’t want them to suffer anymore. They had paid their price. So, I drew my gun and fired three times. The bullets embedded in their foreheads, granting them a quicker death.
The chamber remained completely silent as I walked away. didn’t think I would be dealing with any more rebels anytime soon.
I stepped into my room and slammed the door shut. Leaning against it, I finally let the tears fall. I cried until there was nothing left–until I had no more tears to shed. It was necessary. Crying didn’t make us weak; it was a release, a way to let out the built–up pain and anger. And now, with it all poured out, I felt lighter. Empty, but lighter.
This was only the beginning. I might have silenced the conflict within my pack, but I wasn’t naïve enough to believe the war was over. The other packs wanted what we had–they were simply biding their time, watching and waiting.
I had to be ready for anything.
The knock on the door cut me out of my train of thoughts. I wasn’t in the mood to see anyone now, so I ignored whoever was at the door. The knock came a second time, then a third- whoever it was didn’t plan on leaving. I cursed before walking to the door and pulling it open. Austin stood by the door.
“I want to be alone right now. Handle whatever issue has come up,” I said. I was about to close the door, but he stopped me.
“Perhaps I should come in,” he said, glancing down the hall as if checking for witnesses.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I let him in.
“What?” I snapped. “What is so important?”
“We’ve discovered where to find Alexander.”
Whatever irritation or anger I had been feeling disappeared, leaving me very alert. “Where is he?”
“He lives among humans, somewhere on the West Coast–in Sundew, California. This is the address.” He handed me a tiny piece of paper.
My heart pounded frantically. I rushed to the dressing room and grabbed a jacket.
“I need to go now.” I said to Austin.
“You shouldn’t go alone. I mean, I could go with you, or you could take a few of the pack soldiers with you, just to be safe.”
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Chapter One Hundred and Seventy Four
“I will be safe.” I assured him. “Thank you.”
Austin nodded, and I left him behind in my room, heading out. I wonder if this is a sign; maybe it wasn’t over for the both of us–not that I would ever agree to let go of Alexander.
It was a six–hour flight to California. I traveled by a private et that had originally belonged to Alexander. He hadn’t taken anything from the pack when he left. I spent the six–hour flight thinking about what to say to him, imagining different scenarios. This time, I was willing to do anything to bring him home. But what if he had already left by the time I got there?
The rest of the journey was by road. The Nightshade Pack had strongholds and companies scattered across the world, so getting a car wasn’t difficult. After a thirty–minute drive, the car finally came to a stop.
“This is your location, Miss. I will be waiting outside.”
“Thank you, and there is no need to wait.” I said to the driver. He looked puzzled but nodded. He drove away the moment I stepped out of the car.
I stared at the building before me and gasped. I had expected to find him in a much smaller apartment, but instead, I stood before an elegant mansion.
