Chapter 172
Deckard
“I don’t have time for this, Amica needs me.”
“She’ll be fine!” Freya snaps, “She’s just shaken. No real harm done!”
“Alpha, please,” Leonard steps in, voice calm, but I can hear the edge of urgency. “Let’s stay and settle all these while we are here instead of making rash moves we’ll regret.”
“Yes, listen to him. He’s wiser than he looks!” Freya tosses in, ever the nuisance.
“Shut your mouth, witch,” Leonard growls, and to my surprise–she obeys.
“Deckard!” he turns to me, eyes searching mine, waiting on the choice I haven’t yet made.
I glance down at Amica. She’s too still in my arms. Fragile. A low snarl rumbles from my throat before I can stop it.
“Freya will watch her,” Leonard says quickly, catching the flicker in my eyes. “Under our supervision, of course.”
He moves ahead, expecting me to follow–and I do.
This isn’t the time to bolt. I just got my strength back. Charging off into the unknown without a plan would be stupidity. And I’m no fool. Not
anymore.
I listen to Leonard and follow him into the house. I can hear the subtle shift in Freya’s breathing–relief.
He leads us to a part of the house that the fire spared. I lower Amica gently onto the couch, carefully
“I’m okay,” she whispers. “I promise, my Alpha. I’m okay.” She tries to sit up, stubborn as ever.
I step out through the wreckage, find a cup, and bring her some water. She drinks without a word. “I’m okay” she smile, She is trying to be strong.
For me.
A while later, Freya disappears into one of her rooms. I wonder what she is up to this time but I dont care, My only concern is Amica. Leonard, though–he wants answers.
“What’s the plan?” he asks.
“First, I get Amica to safety. Then, I take back my kingdom,” I say without hesitation.
“I just came from Blackwater, Alpha,” he replies. “What I saw there.. you wouldn’t believe. And we can’t storm the city with a handful of men. Now
that you’re back, we can summon the Apex Circle. We need numbers.”
I grunt, jaw tight with fury. “I’ll take Darth myself if I have to. But first–we go to Pennywise. I can regroup there, get word out, reach who we need.”
Pennywise. One of mine. A quiet city, tucked away. I own properties there, a place I go when I want to disappear. No one’s ever followed me there.
I’ve never brought anyone to that place. No one was ever worth it.
Until now.
Truth is, I never shared much with anyone–unless it was business. Outside of that, no fun, no games. I never saw the point.
Until Amica.
Things between us weren’t perfect–far from it. But there were nights I’d lie awake, wondering what it would be like if we just disappeared somewhere. Just the two of us. No titles. No war. No blood.
But there was always something in the way. That shadow in my chest–the fear that she didn’t love me. That one day, she’d turn on me. Just like she did Dane. That wound never fully healed.
“Pennywise?” Leonard asks, breaking into my thoughts. “What’s there?”
“You’ll see,” I reply.
“Alright… then what about the witch who wants you?” he adds.
1/3
Chapter 172
“You deal with her,” I snap. “She’s your problem now. You already promised yourself to her.”
“Well, she doesn’t want me,” he mutters. “And honestly, I don’t think it’s smart to cast her aside. She’s powerful, Deckard. We could use her against
Darth.”
I pause, not because he’s wrong—but because I hate that he’s right.
“Hm. Maybe. But the real question is–does she want to help?”
“Leave her to me. I’ll convince her,” Leonard says, too confident for my taste.
“Yes. Do that. We don’t have time to waste,” I reply, watching him walk off to find Freya while I turn back to Amica.
I kneel beside her. “My love, we’ll be out of here soon. I promise.” I press a kiss to her forehead.
“What if we can’t?” she asks softly. “Would you take Freya’s deal?”
I shake my head. “I’d rather lose the world than lose you.” I cup her face in my hands, letting her feel every ounce of truth in my words.
Her eyes well up, and before I can say another word, her lips are on mine. ‘I meet her kiss with all the fire I’ve kept buried–like it’s the first and last time.
Then, the moment was interrupted.
“I’ve agreed to come with you. I’ll help you fight your battle,” a voice cuts through
I look up. Freya. Of course.
I turn to Leonard, raising a brow. Whatever he told her… it worked. But I’m not sure I want to know.
“I will not take you as my mate,” I say, making sure there’s no room for confusion. “But your reward will be arranged–and it’ll be worth it.”
Freya doesn’t respond. Typical. Instead, she turns away.
“Let’s leave this miserable village behind and get to a city that suits us,” she announces, disappearing into one of the rooms yo pack her bags.
She gets us horses. Leaving Redvalley is easier than getting in–not a single barrier in our way. Strange, but I don’t question it.
Eventually, we arrive at a port Freya claims will give us quicker access to the main city.
I’ve got nothing on me. we’ve got passport, no cash. Not even a damn phone. Normally, one call would get me anything I need–but that’s the problem.
I can’t risk Darth knowing I’m alive.
I plan to come like a thief in the night.
Once we get out of Red Valley, we take a speedboat straight to Windsville. Still keeping a low profile, I let Leonard handle everything on the surface -talking, paying(with freya’s money of course), asking questions. Freya handles the lodging, pays for a place where we can rest.
Meanwhile, I study the map of the town, looking for the nearest city where I have loyal allies.
Briksburg.
I know people there. The Alpha–Bernard–is a friend. I’ve had his back more than once. He owes me, and more importantly, I trust him. That’s rare these days.
That night, all four of us cram into a single hotel room. It’s not ideal, but it’ll do. We plan our route to Briksburg. Leonard volunteers to scout ahead for information while Amica and I stay behind, out of sight.
Just as he’s about to leave, he turns to Freya. “Please come with me. I could use your help out there.”
Freya doesn’t even flinch. “Oh no,” she says, her eyes fixed on me. “I’m fine right here.”
Leonard shoots me a look–silent, but clear.
I nod once.
This Freya… she’s trouble. And we both know it.
I have no intention of engaging with her. Not a word. I won’t give her the satisfaction of thinking I have any interest, even the slightest.
“Why don’t you and the Alpha go out and scout for whatever we need for the journey while I stay here with your Amica?” she says, that weird smile curling on her lips.
I meet her gaze, unflinching. “There’s no way in hell I’d let that happen.” My voice is cold, direct. “You must think I’m stupid, Freya. I’d rather Leonard, Amica, and I go out to find what we need–and leave you here–than let you stay here alone with Amica.”
She huffs, clearly annoyed.
“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll go alone. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Leonard says.
Leonard leaves, leaving the three of us in the room.
“Great! Anyone hungry? I’ll pay as usual!” she mocks, picking up the phone by her bed.
I don’t respond.
“There’s a lot you need to catch up on,” Amica says softly, nestled in my arms as we lay on the bed. “Since you left, it’s been crazy.”
“Really? Fill me in,” I say, genuinely interested, though my mind is still half on the situation around us.
Before she can answer, room service knocks and delivers food. They don’t stay long.
You guys won’t turn down food, will you? I’m sure your Luna is starving after that long journey!” Freya chimes in, her voice too loud.
“Of course not. As long as it wasn’t prepared by your hands,” I reply sharply.
I stand, taking the food for both of us. “Well, thank you,” I say to Freya, though it comes out less grateful and more pointed than it should.
Amica and I cat, but Freya’s eyes never leave us. Even after we’re done and back under the covers, she watches.
Damn it, I can’t stand her.
