The Rejected Mate

Chapter 112

112

Alaric's POV

"How about we all know your plan before you lead these innocent lives to the swords of these bloodthirsty goons?" I inquired, staring at the other captives with Gabe. They were all eager to leave with him, not because they wanted to, but because they were scared of their own death.

"You don't need to understand my plan since you're so daft, but I need you to understand that we're leaving, and you'll be the one to face your own death." He chuckled as everyone fell silent when one of the soldiers strolled into the dungeons. I knew he was one of the guards.

"Get him," he ordered, staring at the man who was seated close to Gabe. They dragged him out.

"Save me, please! Save me!" Everyone trembled at the thought of knowing that the man was taken to be slaughtered.

"Isn't that enough evidence to show you that you might be the next to be slaughtered? Alaric, you need to come with us. Why are you doing this? You need to come with us, Alaric, so we can take care of this and head back home." I chuckled softly as I stared into the eyes of the man who held the knife in his shaky hands.

Is he also scared, or is he just trying to make advances? I have to find a way to make this worthwhile and stop Ryan from leaving.

"Ryan, I need you to understand that this man might be leading you to your doom. You can't trust someone like this."

"Ryan, when the time is right, I'll let you know. We leave when I have the upper hand and I get the keys," Gabe divulged. Ryan paid deaf ears to my words. I can't keep pouring water on a rock thinking it's a plant.

"I'll let you make your decision. I tried warning you, but you didn't listen. Keep him safe, oh dear Moon goddess," I mumbled to myself as I patted his shoulders before resting my head against the wall.

The same guard strolled in this time; he wasn't here to take anyone. He cleared his throat to make an announcement.

"As you all know, you're now our slaves. Some of you shall be sold by sunrise to the highest bidder. A lot would be done tomorrow, so I need you all to rest your heads and calm your nerves, for tomorrow will be a great day for us and for you too."

"You're hiding behind that position, and you fail to understand that there are people here who can kill you without hesitation," one of the guards at the other end divulged.

"Who said that?" he asked; I could tell the direction of the voice, but I doubted if the guard could do the same.

"If no one owns up to it, I'll take one from each dungeon, and trust me, I would enjoy cutting you to pieces." He wasn't joking as he was about to open the bars before Gabe's dungeon.

"Why would you want to hurt the innocent when I'm the one who said those words to you?" Gabe retorted as the guard rushed to open Gabe's cell. When he was done opening it, Ryan declared,

"Is this how our captors are easily gullible? It was me."

"I'll make sure I imprint the word 'gullible' on your back with my whip." He was pissed; he forgot to lock Gabe's cell. As soon as he stormed in, he held Ryan by the throat, and Gabe attacked him with his knife, stabbing him repeatedly in the ribs.

He was decisive, while Ryan wrapped his hands around his mouth to avoid alerting any other soldier to what he faced.

"That was smart, Ryan. I guess you're the wise one, and not your friend here who's going to sit and watch us leave," he chuckled, grabbing the key off the dead soldier's waist. He opened his locks and that of Ryan.

"Don't do that; he's not coming with us, so release those who want to come with us."

"Do what he says, Ryan," I conceded to his words as Ryan scurried out of the cell, releasing Gabe's followers.

"What if you fail? Will you recover the lives lost in your failed plan?"

"Everything we do has sacrifices, and they're overlooked when the main aim is achieved." He conceded to my words. I couldn't deny the fact that he was all about escaping at this point, and Ryan was devoted to the plan as well.

"Ryan, this might be the last time I'm speaking to you. I need you to understand that this isn't right. You should stay back, and if they don't return, we know they were successful." I hoped he would just change his mind and put his locks back on, but the taste of freedom overwhelmed his sense of reasoning.

"Like you said, we won't be returning. I'll find a way to come and get you. Don't worry, Alaric, I would be fine." He patted my shoulder this time.

We just arrived. I wished we had someone working with them who was willing to work with us; that would have pushed me into the plan, but Gabe isn't trustworthy, and I can't risk my life with someone like Gabe.

I hope they succeed with this plan, which has a lot of loopholes and a ninety percent chance of failing.

"You need to come with us. We're heading out because we need to return to our packs and inform them of this danger. We can't sit here and watch our people die—or worse, join us in this hellhole. You should do the same for your people," the man standing close to Ryan spoke to me.

"You can go without me, but I'm certain that most of you might lose your lives. But I pray that you all succeed," I conveyed my thoughts as they all murmured. Gabe spat on the floor before saying,

"You're nothing but a disgrace of a man. How would you be scared of fighting for your own existence? They murdered that innocent man; he had a family, and they're going to live without him for the rest of their days." Gabe roared, wondering if I would eventually agree to join them.

"Your words don't bother me. Be safe, Ryan." I chuckled, knowing that Ryan's safety was the only problem I had with this plan.

"Who are you? Come on, you don't have to do this. There's a chance that we might make it out of this dungeon, and you just want to sit there and do nothing, cuffed in chains. Are you trying to invite your own death? You're an Alpha; act like one and stop behaving like an Omega." I wondered why they were all trying to convince me.

"You should be on your way now before the guards start searching for their dead soldier." I was glad that they took him out of my cell. Gabe locked my cell. He tossed the key to the far end of his cell so I wouldn't reach for it.

"What a proud and arrogant weakling. You can die with the rest, Alpha Alaric."