Chapter 121
Amica
I don’t know what Collin is talking about, but the certainty in his voice scares me. Is he just trying to rattle me?
Of course, he is. He’s a prisoner on the brink of death–desperate men will say anything to twist the knife.
So why won’t the unease leave me?
The sun is setting already, and night will soon be here, but there is no sign of Deckard or his men.
They were supposed to return today. They have to return today.
I proceed toward the castle after my fruitless conversation with Collins, my thoughts a storm of worry. Then–noise. A distant noise from the gates. I stop, trying to make sense of what is going on.
And then I see them.
They wear the armor of the Gamma warriors, but something is off. Their movements are too rigid, too suspicious, as if they are not returning in triumph but moving with quiet, unsettling purpose.
Then my eyes land on the man leading them–Dane.
My heart stop, Dane is here. If Dane is here… Deckard must be close.
A felt relif overpowering the fear that I felt before. My heart pounds while my hands tremble slightly. Deckard is back. He has to be.
But as I take a step forward, I became a it suspicious.
Something isn’t right.
“The Alpha is behind. We won the war, and Scarface is dead… please, let us in,” Dane says, his voice firm but rushed.
As I walk forward, I see Mary suddenly break into a sprint toward the gate as she was closer to the gate.
“Oh! They’re here! Open the gates, let them in!” she urges, her excitement barely contained.
The guards hesitate for only a second before allowing Dane and the so–called Gamma warriors inside. The moment they step through, something feels. off.
I stop in my tracks. A sharp unease grips me.
Why would Deckard send Dane ahead instead of Leonard, his Beta? Or even someone else?
Though I was still a distance away from the entrace, I try to take I take a closer look at the warriors entering the castle–there are over fifty of them. They wear the attire of Gamma warriors, but I don’t recognize a single face. That isn’t the strange part, though. Something about them is wrong.
Their eyes.
There’s a wildness in them, a vicious glint that goes beyond the aftermath of battle. I know that look–I’ve seen it before.
The look of a rogue.
A cold shiver runs down my spine.
This isn’t right.
Something is very wrong.
For a moment.my heart stops, and I struggle to breathe, making my chest tighten painfully.
I stumble toward one of the stone pillars, pressing my back against its cold surface as I gasp for air. My hands tremble as I clench them into fists, waiting for this sudden panic attack to pass.
From my hiding spot, I hear Mary’s voice
“Date, where is the Alpha?” she asks,
“The Alpha is on his way with the rest of the men Do not fear, Mary His voice is calm, too calm–but I know him too well, that is the tone of Lies.
“Can I speak with Elder Bria?” he continues. “She holds something that belongs to me. Also where is the Luna?”
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Chapter 121
“She’s hanging around somewhere,” Mary replies dismissively. Then, her voice sharpens with authority. “Send some men to fish her out.”
My stomach twists.
Mary and Dane–they know each other. More than that, there is something going on with them. This isn’t just casual familiarity. There’s something deeper, something darker at play here.
I swallow down my fear and move–slowly, cautiously–toward the next pillar, every step calculated. I have to get away.
Then, from my hiding place, I saw Bria. She saw me too, and I signalled to her not to say a word, but before she could know what was happening, Mary saw her.
But before she can register my warning-
“Ah, look who it is!” Mary’s voice cuts through the air like a blade.
Mary strides toward Bria, a sly smile curling on her lips. Before Bria can react, Mary grabs her by the wrist and drags her forward.
“You have a visitor,” she says, practically shoving Bria toward Dane.
Bria stumbles, confusion clouding her face. “What is going on here?” she demands, looking between them.
Dane smirks.
“Hello, Bria,” he drawls mockingly. “It’s me. Dane.”
Bria stiffens.
“I believe you have something that belongs to me,” he continues, his voice laced with amusement. “The Alpha finally succeeded in taking Scarface’s head, and you know who made that happen? Me.” His smirk deepens. “And since the Alpha rewarded you with something of mine, I think it’s time you hand it over.”
Bria blinks, visibly shaken. “W–What?” she stammers.
Her hands tighten into fists, but her voice trembles. “Shouldn’t we wait for the Alpha? Or at least one of his trusted men? Maybe his Beta–someone who can confirm Scarface is really dead?”
Dane chuckles. A slow, unsettling laughter
This isn’t right.
Bria is in danger And so am I.
Dane scoffs, rolling his shoulders back. “Well, that’s what these men are here for, aren’t they? They’re your Gamma warriors. Just look at them— can’t you see the signs of war on their faces? They can confirm everything for you.”
Bria stands her ground, “I don’t recognize them.” Her voice is firm,
Dane’s smirk twitches. “Come on, you stupid bitch,” he snaps, frustration bleeding into his tone. “Do you recognize every single Gamma warrior? Some are still on their way back, while these were assigned to me before the battle even began. Now quit wasting my time and hand over my one- million–dollar check.”
“Perhaps, sir, you could wait a little longer,” she says, carefully measured. “Until I’m absolutely certain of your claims. Once I am, I’ll hand over the check without any issue,”
A thick silence follows.
Even from my hiding place, I can feel Dane’s patience thinning. I can almost see the vein in his jaw twitching,
Then–A sharp crack slices through the air.
Bria cries out.
A stap
Even without seeing it, I know who delivered it.
Dane.
The woman–beater
1 was boiling in rage I force myself to stay still.
Hold her down!” Dane commanded, his voice sharp and merciless.
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Bria barely had time to react before another vicious slap landed across her face. She gasped, stumbling, her cheek already reddening from the impact.
“Why don’t you just hand over the check, Bria?” Mary sneered. “You’re too old to be this stubborn. Just give it to him already! And while we’re at it -where is Amica?”
Bria coughed, struggling to steady herself. “Fine… I–I’ll get the check for you, please allow me get it” she rasped.
Dane scoffed, shaking his head. “So why the hell were you acting stubborn in the first place? Would’ve saved us all some trouble.” He snapped his fingers. “Let her go.”
Bria’s footsteps were slow and unsteady as she moved forward.
This is my chance.
Heart pounding, I spin around and darted toward the nearest door, slipping into the corridor that led to the guards‘ quarters. I had to alert them before it was too late.
The castle didn’t have enough guards here, the rest of the men should have returned now, but if I could rally even a handful of them, they could hold the fort until the real Gamma warriors arrived.
Bursting into the guard’s quarters, I scanned the room and spotted one of the men. Without hesitation, I rushed toward him.
“Listen,” I whispered urgently, “There are rogues in the castle. They’re disguised as Gamma warriors–don’t be fooled. Gather as many men as you
can. Now.”
“Yes Luna!” he says
Just then, my eyes landed on a familiar face.
Stephan.The Gamma warrior From my hometown.
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