Chapter Twenty-Two
Unfamiliar Places and Familiar Faces
Nick
It’s dark. Air is stale and damp. There are other werewolves around. Some familiar, some not.
I can’t move. Iron shackles bind my arms that aren’t fully human or wolf. I’m tired. So, so tired. Everything hurts. Don’t even have the energy to move my eyes. But I do, because I catch Matt’s scent nearby. And blood. A low growl rumbles in my chest.
I look around, my eyes now adjusting to the darkness. Matt is slumped against the brick wall next to me. He’s not moving. Why the fuck is he not moving? “Matt,” I try to shout, but all that comes out is another growl.
Anger fills my every nerve. How did this happen? Pictures slowly fill the gaps in my memory. The abandoned warehouse. The siren. Then darkness.
Gathering every last ounce of strength, I yank on the chains attached to the iron manacles around my wrists. They give an inch, then refuse to budge.
The place looks empty. Just me and Matt. But I can smell them nearby. Then two werewolves step into the large room, their faces hidden in shadow. The overhead light catches them for a heartbeat. I know them. I don't trust them.
“Ah, he lives,” the older one says.
The younger one stands in the corner, looking hesitant. He doesn’t say anything. Just watches as the older one moves closer. He leans in until he’s just inches away from me.
My claws extend, and I slash at him. I almost reach him. Almost. “I will kill you,” I tell him. I only hear a growl, then laughter.
A phone rings somewhere. The older werewolf turns to the younger one. “Who is it?”
He freezes, looking struck. “Elliot’s friend.” It’s a whisper.
The older werewolf laughs again. “This will be fun. Answer him.”
The younger one doesn’t move, not even as the call disconnects. “He left a message,” he says after a second.
Then a familiar voice echoes through the room, bouncing off the empty walls.
“Hey Adrian, uh… I don’t know how to explain this.
But I might need your help. Elliot’s boyfriend, Nick, might be in trouble.
I know it’s completely out of left field, but can you come to this address I just texted you?
I don’t know who else to call right now.
I just feel like we had— that doesn’t matter.
You asked me to call you if I was in trouble, remember?
I need you, okay? Just… be there if you can?
And wear something you don’t particularly love.
Oh no, he’s coming. See you later.” Then there’s quiet.
Sam knows this werewolf? Another memory drifts through my sluggish mind. Sam and the werewolf walking out of a restaurant. Together. Meena asking about him. Elliot telling me everything. Elliot. Fuck. Is he coming here? No.
I try to stand up, but the chains won’t give.
“This one is annoying me. Dose him again.” The older one says.
“He can’t even move,” Adrian says, his voice weak, pleading. “Why do we need to hurt them more? We can get—”
The older werewolf closes the distance until they’re face to face, then tilts his head. He faces away from me. “They deserve it, Aidy. You know they do.” His voice isn’t sharp anymore. It’s soft, insincere.
The younger one nods, still hesitant. He slowly makes his way towards me.
I can’t let him do anything to me. No, Elliot is coming here.
I can’t be useless. Not when there are two werewolves here.
Not when I remember who the older werewolf is.
I thrash around, trying hard to stop the needle from closing in.
Adrian holds my arm firmly. I pull back, but I’m not strong enough. Then everything goes dark.
“Please save him,” is the last thing I say. This time the words are clear.