Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Hunter walked down a long corridor, a crimson runner covering the wooden floor.
The walls had pictures of witches of the past, an occasional wall-mounted candle hanging between them.
He lifted his nose, trying to smell something …
anything but the burning incense. But it was no use.
The strong smell was heavy throughout the entire upstairs floor, dulling their senses.
Caden trotted up to Hunter’s side, feeling uncomfortable about the situation.
At the end of the hall, the corridor ended in a fork, branching left and right. Hunter looked in both directions, his wolf trying once again to smell the air in vain. He looked down each hall as he debated which direction to take.
We aren’t splitting up, so that better not even be a thought in your head, Caden said as his wolf looked up at his alpha.
He promised Lita and Asher he would look out for their son, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
He was worried about Sam, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it at the moment. For now, he would protect their alpha.
Honestly, the thought did cross Hunter’s mind, but he was afraid of what would happen to Caden if there was trouble and he was on his own. They would be stronger together, and he had to keep his pack safe.
Caden, look! Hunter tilted his head toward the end of the hall on their right. At the very end, a light flickered in the darkness of another room, beckoning them to come that way.
As if a trap couldn’t get more obvious. Caden snorted and shook his head.
We already know this whole place is a trap, yet we’re still here. Hunter looked down at his father’s old beta. There was no turning back now. They were here to finish things, and they were in way too deep.
Where are the witches that were supposed to be our backup? Caden turned his head back and growled.
Hunter looked backward. He was right. The witches never followed them inside.
He was under the impression that a couple of witches would be with each group just in case, and yet his were not with them.
He wondered if the other witches had stayed with their groups.
If not, why? Were they waiting to see if they were needed?
It seemed more like someone had told them not to enter the manor.
No matter. They would take care of whoever was in their way, even without their aid.
Stay alert, Hunter growled to his pack as they quietly began to make their way toward the light. He knew it was a trap. They knew he knew it was a trap. What were they planning?
Jin made it to the bottom of the stairs, with Sam staying protectively at her side, since the others had run off without them.
She peered into the dimly lit room. The basement was cold, the floors and the walls both made of stone.
A small light bulb flickered against the wall, lighting up parts of the underground space.
The floor had old blood stains splattered in certain areas, and black mold grew from the dampness.
Jin’s stomach turned as she looked around, sensing the place’s dark intent.
Whatever had happened down here had left an ominous feeling in the air.
She looked up, trying to locate the pack of wolves.
She walked toward the end of the room where there was another door that had been broken down, Sam’s fur brushing against her as he stayed close.
At this moment, they only had each other.
The rest of their group had blindly run off into who knows what.
Loud whimpers soon echoed off the stone walls.
Jin licked her bottom lip and looked down at Sam.
He had his ears up, twitching back and forth as he listened to the painful cries.
They didn’t know what they were walking into, but they had to help.
Another loud yelp echoed through the space, and Jin squeezed her fists and looked ahead in determination.
Whatever was happening, it was up to her and Sam now.
She hurried to the doorway and looked inside.
Her mouth fell open as her breath caught in her throat.
Wolves were sprawled across the floor, whimpering in pain, while two witches glowered at the one wolf left standing.
Tony stood between his pack and the witches on shaky legs.
One of the witches raised her hand, ready to land another blow on the wolf.
“Enough!” Jin yelled as she ran in front of Tony, with Sam at her side. He snarled at the witches, but their focus was on Jin, whom they seemed quite curious about.
One of the witches tilted her head, looking at her. “Well, whose side are you on, demon?”
Jin’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?” Jin shot a confused glance at Sam, then back at the two witches.
“You can drop the act already,” the other witch said in minor annoyance. “You’re in the way, so if you could stand aside.”
Jin narrowed her gaze on the witches. “How long has it been since you sold your souls to the demons, or more specifically, Leoric?”
The witch to the left let a cruel smile raise over her lips. “I’d say it was the day Meryl told the demons where the dhampir lived.”
Jin gasped, raising a hand up over her mouth. “What?” she whispered.
The other witch chuckled. “And since when does a demon work with werewolves?”
“You’re the ones responsible for … so the reason our parents are dead now is because …
” Jin felt a fire light inside of her. Her parents’ location was also disclosed, because it was so close to Freja’s.
They’d both lost their parents because of them.
Jin looked down at her hands, and something warm splattered over them.
She looked at the sticky liquid, and her eyes shot up in shock. The two witches slumped onto the floor, the life fading from their eyes. Blood trickled from their mouths and from the stakes that were lodged into their chests.
“I figured as much.” Freja hopped in front of Jin and stared at the two lumps on the floor. She turned to fully face Jin. “It’s okay. I figured Meryl was the one behind disclosing our location.” She reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder. “They aren’t worth you soiling yourself over.”
Jin reached her arms around Freja and hugged her. “You’re okay!” Jin smiled as she let go of her friend.”
“Of course I am.” Freja looked at the other wolves as they struggled to their feet.
“Why are you here?” Jin asked, feeling relieved to see her friend unscathed.
“We heard the loud yelps from upstairs and immediately ran toward the sound. So, what happened here?” Freja looked at the other wolves, who were hurt but nothing major.
“Tony ran off without us for some reason.” Jin looked over at him and frowned. She watched as the Black Ice Pack wolves that were with Freja trotted inside. Adam came up to Sam, and they all focused their gazes on Tony. Why had he run off like that?
Freja gripped a dagger in her hand and raised it quickly, taking a protective position in front of Jin as she stared at another door in the distance.
“We’re not alone,” she hissed out. Darting through the shadows, she crept up to the door.
She could see Jin starting to follow her.
No, Jin. Freja held a hand up. She was able to speak to Jin and Chasen now, ever since she had been accepted as Hunter’s fairy mate.
It was an interesting feeling, being connected to them.
It was like carrying a part of them inside her.
It was nice for times like this when they needed to quietly communicate.
She heard a loud noise in the room and took in small whiffs of the air as she tried to discern what was on the other side of the door.
Voices began entering Freja’s head. She winced as she tried to pick apart the conversation.
I’m sorry, is everyone alright? I made a mistake. I’m sorry you all suffered because of it. Everyone be prepared. We don’t know what’s on the other end of that door.
Freja looked at Tony. She was able to hear his open mindlink communication with his pack.
Now that was interesting. She could see he looked visibly upset and was pacing back and forth as he looked at his pack members.
She was surprised she could link with him, too.
In order to focus, she pushed the noise out.
She would definitely bring it up with them later, but maybe she should wait—for the sake of eavesdropping.
Freja stilled her mind as she focused on the source of energy, and it wasn’t long before she picked up a faint scent.
She furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. Pushing the door open, she looked inside, toward the far corner.
She turned, and then she saw it. Her heart immediately sank.
She took a few steps closer and a set of eyes narrowed at her.
A light brown wolf began to curl its lip at Freja.
“Ah ah ah. I wouldn’t go disrespecting your queen.
You don’t want to start off on the wrong foot, do you?
” Freja narrowed her eyes on the wolf. What is your name?
She watched the wolf stiffen in shock as Freja began to work on the silver bars.
Surprisingly, they didn’t bother her, even though she was a werewolf.
Must be because she was a tribrid? Or maybe a special skill of hers?
Sadie. Freja heard a timid voice answer her.
Sadie … How long have you been here? What have they done to you?
I’ve been here for a couple of weeks, I think. They were testing my blood and how it reacted with different potions.
A chill ran through Freja’s veins. They were testing a werewolf’s blood. A pit formed in her stomach. They were working on something for Hunter.
“Freja?” Jin whispered as she peeked in. Sam and Adam were also by her side.
“They knew we were coming … They were prepared for it. This was all a trap for Hunter.” Freja blurred past them, her heart beating wildly.
She had to find Hunter. Whatever they were working on, it was to be used against Hunter.
She had to protect him. She had to get there before they could use whatever it was they had been testing.
Tony watched as the others sprinted out of the room, leaving him and his pack alone. He went to follow, but the scent hit him again, and this time it was stronger. He cautiously walked into the other room. His heart was racing as he continued to breathe in the intoxicating scent.
A light brown wolf in the corner lifted her head, and their eyes met. MATE.
A door at the end of one of the hallways was slightly cracked open. The entrance was narrow, so they would have to enter one wolf at a time. Hunter and Caden stood side by side, looking at the door.
I’m going in first, Hunter said, not taking his attention off of the opening in front of him.
Caden didn’t like this idea, but he also couldn’t argue it. Hunter was the alpha, and he knew he would never be able to get him to reconsider. I’ll be right behind you. Be careful. Caden looked at Hunter, bracing himself to sprint after him.
Hunter dashed inside, Caden following at his heels. SMASH.
Caden shook his head and rose to his feet.
The world blurred for a moment, and then he looked up.
The door had slammed on him while he was halfway through it.
He looked around. Shit. Hunter was inside.
Other pack members were clawing at the door frantically, unable to get in.
Caden regained his composure and crashed against the door.
It felt like crashing into a solid cement wall.
It didn’t budge at all. This was the work of magic.
He heard a slight whimper from inside the room, and he began pacing back and forth, snarling.
He couldn’t get inside. He couldn’t get to Hunter.
He could hear him, but that was it. He couldn’t smell anything because of the incense. He had no clue what was going on.
When he heard a yelp come from the room, he charged into the door again, crashing into it with such force that he heard the crack of his shoulder blade from the impact. Ignoring his own pain, he focused on the only pain that mattered right now … Hunter’s.