The Rejected Mate

Chapter 117

117

Author's POV

"Let's all be vigilant; we don't know when we might be expecting visitors," he divulged.

"I won't let anyone stand in my way from meeting my treasure and my Luna. I can't wait to be in her arms." He heaved a deep sigh as they stared at the glimpse of light, which meant they were close to the clear path leading to the forest.

"We're getting close. I never imagined that we would reach this place. You're better than we imagined; this will forever be remembered in our memories. We owe you our lives for achieving your plan with us." He patted Gabe's shoulders as they quickened their steps.

They were approaching the last tunnel leading to the clear path when he heard footsteps, so he urged everyone to wait with one stomp. They cleared the path for him to grab the soldier in charge of cleaning the tunnels.

"This will do." He slipped a pinch of powder into his nose, and his body remained stiff until he breathed his last.

"How's that possible?"

"He's not dead; he ran out of oxygen. That's exactly what happened. This is what I tell you happens to my enemies, so no one should forget to pay his treaty to me, or you might just end up like this. I could have a maid sent to your palace, and imagine what a spoonful of this mixed into your meal would do to you." He watched them gulp down their throats.

"You are not what I expected." He couldn't believe what had happened right before his eyes. He knew that the soldier was dead, but Gabe addressing it as slumber got them worried, wondering if this was truly part of the plan to escape or to keep killing everyone in their way.

"You never mentioned expecting visitors."

"Don't you know what tunnels are? We're bound to expect visitors, or have you suddenly gone dumb? We all need to be on one team, one goal, and that's to go back to our families. So can we all keep our anger a bit low and ease the atmosphere so we can all breathe and continue moving?" Gabe roared as he wanted everyone to be calm.

Everyone obeyed him.

"I wonder how they're faring. I just hope they know what they're doing. Who knows? Maybe they have a plan of their own to leave the dungeons. Alaric seems to be the wise one, after all," he divulged as Gabe retorted.

"He's not wise; he's just a drunk man who's giving out ideas at will, and it happened to be correct this time. Maybe next time he might lead you to your own death. When we leave, let's see how he makes it out of the dungeons if he's that wise."

"If he's drunk and wise, then you're proud and foolish," he mocked Gabe. Gabe was a bit furious, but he didn't want to display his attitude before.

"If we were alone, nature knows that I would have slit your throat or possibly bashed your head there countless times until I could see the remains of your brains—the ones you used to say those words to me about Alaric and Ryan." Gabe's introspection caused him to regain his composure before he replied.

"Then how did a foolish man lead you out here to this point? If I'm foolish, then you're also foolish for agreeing to follow me; don't you think?" Gabe approached him, and they both locked eyes.

"If you don't mind, I would like to lead you; and since you're wise enough to know people who are wise, you can find your own path."

"I was only joking with you. Don't take everything to heart; it's not ideal." Gabe patted his shoulders as they stared at the skies through the space that was enough to fit all of them.

Everyone was pleased that they were getting closer to their goal.

"Everyone, wait! I guess we're expecting more visitors. Like I said earlier, we should all be on high alert. I won't kill anyone since you said I shouldn't do that." Gabe chuckled softly as he pulled another cleaner through the tunnel. He bashed the man's head on an iron part; it pierced through his brain.

"Oops, I tried to calm myself down, but I guess I used too much force." Gabe chuckled as he tossed his body through the waste.

"Hey, Dad, you forgot your hat." Gabe wondered why his young daughter would follow him into the tunnels.

"Don't you dare!" he warned Gabe as he grabbed the young lady before Gabe could have a look at her face. He was knocked down by a punch as he spoke to the girl.

"I'm a friend of your father. I would give him the cap. This place isn't safe for you. Go back and wait for him at the other end," he divulged, wearing a smile on his face.

He watched the young girl leave in the west direction while they were resting in the north direction of the tunnels.

"What was that for?" Gabe chortled as he spat the oozing blood off his lips.

"How dare you? If we weren't here, you would have tossed her into the furnace. Do you even have sympathy for the innocent people you killed for your plan to be a success, and yet you feel like they deserve to die? How would you feel if someone hurt you, and right in death your daughter was killed too?" He raised the collar of his robe, showing off his strength to Gabe.

"Fine, her father is dead and now she’s safe; can we continue our journey?"

"She went out through the tunnels. Don't you think we should follow that route? Head west instead of heading south as you suggested?"

"She's a citizen of this pack, and you're not; you're a prisoner. Do you know how many guards would be standing out there waiting for someone who's not the cleaner? We would be walking straight into their trap. Is that what you want?" He paused, waiting for the general to respond.

His team of four Alphas and two generals were all mute.

"You all need to learn to respect the leader in all of this. If I didn't know this route, I wouldn't have allowed you because the risk of being successful is enormous and the chances are slim. But you all decided to take that risk. I'm proud and confident that we're going to get to see our families, and by sunrise we'll be on our respective paths back to our packs." He heaved a deep sigh, hoping that they would concede to his words.

"Don't you think we should have a peep, snoop around, and if it isn't what we're searching for, then we can return and use this path?" he retorted. Gabe was tired of everyone picking at his words; it seemed like everyone took turns making his decisions look wrong.

"I should have walked down here alone; I won't endure these hurtful words." Gabe sobbed as they all promised to have a drink with him and pay the bounty as promised.

"Are you all ready to head back to your families and regain control of your lives?"