The Rejected Mate

Chapter 111

111

Alaric's POV

"We can't stay in here, Alaric. We have to find a way to leave this dungeon. We have to survive this, Alaric." Ryan was getting on my nerves. I couldn't deny the fact that we were captured and thrown into the dungeons to wait for our turns to die, but at the moment I wasn't thinking about leaving the dungeons or searching for another way out. A loophole in their defense could be all I need to leave this hellhole and go back to living my life as an Alpha.

These rogues are vicious; escaping isn't a good idea at this point. We don't even know who we can trust, and anyone who sees us escaping would want to join us. I can't risk the lives of so many people. What if they're waiting for us at the end of the route? What if we're ambushed? I wonder why Ryan hasn't thought about this. All he wants is a means to escape, not minding the dangers attached.

"This isn't what we should be doing, Ryan," I tried to advise him. I knew we would be thrown into the same cell, so it would be easier for us to communicate without anyone eavesdropping on our conversation since the prisoners were not quiet at the moment.

"What do you mean?" Ryan was pissed.

"First off, you need to calm your rage, and secondly, I need you to understand that there's a lot at stake in trying to escape. The heat at the moment is fierce, and we can't risk that. Maybe a time to leave this hellhole will come, and if it doesn't, we can always devise a method of withdrawal without getting caught," I advised.

"Have you lost your mind? What happens when we don't escape? What would be our fate if we're chosen as the next set of captives to be slain? Do you even listen to the words that you say? How are we going to sit here and wait for an opportunity to leave? We have to plan our own escape. Don't get me twisted; I'm not going to die in here. If you're going to die in here, then suit yourself," Ryan growled.

"Listen to me, Ryan. We don't know who we can trust at the moment. And here isn't a space where you go around making friends. If we can find just one loophole, we can save ourselves and almost everyone. Patience is all I ask of you." I spoke to him more like a brother, hoping he would listen to me, but with the look in his eyes, I knew he was persistent about his escape, and his decision stuck in his mind.

"We have to inform other packs of the terror in this place. They're in the dark about this. What if they're attacked while we're still in here? Would you bear the feeling of knowing that you could have saved them but you didn't?"

"Get in there!" Ryan and I watched as they shoved people into the cells and locked them. This was well orchestrated. I couldn't even find any loophole to use as a slight edge over them.

"They're armed to the core."

"More reason we should think of leaving and not staying in here," Ryan interrupted my thoughts; he was being more of a bug than a helper.

"I don't think this is the right time to escape. We should wait until sunrise to understand the movements, their mechanisms, and their mode of operation. Can't you be patient, Ryan?" I patted his shoulders; I wanted him to be safe. Why would I risk the lives of innocent people when I know escaping at this time is a waste of effort and resources?

I hoped Ryan would be calm and listen to my words; he's just so stern about leaving tonight. I mean, we just arrived, and he's thinking of leaving already.

"You don't know the routes around here," I tried to serve as an eyebrow opener for him to understand that this wasn't our territory and we don't know the routes around here. While being dragged to this place, I tried to keep a tab of the routes in my mind, but they got a hint of that and started moving in circles. No identical trees were found, which is why I'm waiting for sunrise to assimilate my options and make a better plan for escape.

"Well, I can find someone who does, so we can go together. With him, we'll be out of this place in no time and inform the rest of their plans." Ryan's ego and pride could cost him his life.

"Like I said earlier, this isn't a nice plan. We have to figure out a way to leave, but not tonight."

"It has to be tonight." Ryan slammed his hands on the floor as he stood up to his feet and walked over to the other end to exchange words with one of the captives.

"I found someone with the same desire as mine, Alaric," he divulged as he pointed to the man who held onto the bars, looking pale and shabby.

I had dirt all over my robe, but I couldn't concede to an escape plan this early. They would be lurking around every corner since they have new captives.

"What do you think?" he inquired, staring at this man. I knew he was cunning.

He was the kind of person that could lead you down to your own death. Why would Ryan trust this man? I guess he has no option but to work with whatever he can find.

"I'm still standing on my words, Ryan. This isn't a good idea."

"Do you enjoy the warmth of this place? Are you a sick man not to think of an escape plan?" The man's voice sounded husky; I could tell that he's been in here for a while.

"This risk isn't worth the reward because the chances of you surviving are very slim."

"You don't have the balls to take that chance. You're scared like a toddler." He mocked me; only if they knew that they wouldn't be able to even come close to me if we weren't in this setting.

"You don't have the brains to understand that this is like committing suicide..." I turned my attention to Ryan. "Have a rethink, but if you still..."

"My name's Gabe, and I need you to know that there are other dungeons filled with men ready and willing to leave this hellhole. They're not scared and shallow-minded like you. You don't need to worry; I have the perfect plan to get us out of this hellhole." The look on his face was suspicious.

"What is your plan?"

"Here's my knife. I'm going to use it at the right time, and when I do that, I'll get the keys and release you from those shackles, and you do the same to others." He divulged. I inquired about the knife, wondering if the guards didn't search him.

"How did you manage to have a knife in here?"

"Scared, arrogant dimwits like you don't deserve a piece of that information." He's really getting on my nerves; it’s a matter of time before I snap his head off his body, but it would draw too much attention, which is the last thing on my list right now.

"We can all leave this dungeon if you all follow me."

"We're with you."