Shadow Pride

Chapter 6- Margo

I stride into Meredith's office, my heart thundering with purpose. The metallic scent of determination clings to me like a second skin. There are no hellos, no formalities.

“Do you know about Lacy’s pride?” I demand.

Meredith sighs, her eyes flicking up to mine. “Yes.”

"Let me go in," I say, the words a low growl.

Meredith’s eyes sharp, tiger-like, soften. "Margo, that's not a simple request."

"I know the risks." My voice is iron. Steady. "But there are innocents suffering. Girls being traded for territory. Abused."

"Your skills are exceptional, but this..." She pauses, considering, her gaze searching mine.

"Think of Lacy. And all the others like her." I lean closer. Her desk is cluttered with reports, but they're just paper. I deal with flesh and blood. With lives hanging in the balance.

"I understand, Margo." Meredith nods slowly. "But going in alone is too dangerous. Aiden's pride is heavily guarded, and he won't hesitate to eliminate any threats."

My jaw tightens at the mention of Aiden's name, his cruelty echoing in my mind like a vile chant. "I know the risks," I repeat firmly, my mountain lion pressing close to the surface with determination. "I can't stand by and watch while he continues to torment his own kind."

Meredith studies me for a moment, her green eyes filled with concern. “Why does this mean so much to you?”

I heave out a sigh, throwing myself in the chair across from her. “I honestly don’t know. My mountain lion believes that this is our quest. That we need to be the one to do this.”

“Your mountain lion is demanding it?” She asks, and I nod. "Very well," she finally concedes with a resigned sigh. "But you won't be alone on this mission."

Relief floods through me, grateful for her support. "Thank you, but do you think it’s wise to send more than one of us in?”

“We were working on a plan, because no, I don’t think it’s smart to send more than one person. I think it will make Aiden suspicious.” She says, her shoulders drooping and I feel bad about pressuring her on this knowing that she’s only worried about the safety of her students.

“What was your plan?” I ask, curious as to what they’ve come up with.

“Close the door.” She says, gesturing with her head toward the open office door. I walk over and close it gently before taking a seat in front of her once more. “I’m only telling you this because I do believe you might be the best chance we have at infiltrating the pride but it stays between us.”

I nod my head in understanding. “I won’t share it with anyone.”

“I know you won’t.” She pulls out a folder, opening it on her desk. “We’ve sent scouts consistently over the last two months since Lacy came here.”

I suck in a breath. “You have?” I ask, knowing I haven’t heard a word about this.

She nods, “We have. Each one coming back with more dire news than the one before. The last report was that Aiden sent four girls off to a neighboring pride two weeks ago. The scouts have been following the girls to the drop off pride and we have been successful in purchasing all but one of them…”

“Purchasing?” I ask with a growl. “Like buying them? Like they’re slaves?”

She nods sullenly. “We don’t have much choice. We can’t help them escape or Aiden will know someone’s helping them. So we had Oliver go in and offer to buy them under the ruse of bringing them to his pride in Russia.”

“Oliver? As in your mate?” I ask, my mouth gaping.

“Yes. Like you, he feels a connection with the members of this pride. He’s even offered to infiltrate it himself, but with his alpha power completely unlocked.”

“And a baby on the way.” I add.

She smiles slightly, placing a hand on her swollen stomach. “And a baby on the way, we know that it can’t be him. But I still feel it’s too dangerous for just one person.”

“I can do this.” I tell her, knowing in my heart that I can.

“Margo, if anything were to happen to you… You will have to go in with no way to contact us.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, surly there is some kind of technology that Matt can create allowing me to contact the island.

She heaves out a heavy breath. “They have a coven of witches on their payroll. The second you cross onto their land, your mind link will disappear.”

“So I’ll take a phone.” I supply.

“If you were a man, I could see that being possible. But given that you’re an unmated female, and if we go on what Lacy has told us, you will not be allowed any technology. You will be treated as a slave.” She says, her eyes filled with sadness.

“It’s not ideal, but I’m sure I can find a way…” I begin.

She leans forward, her hands reaching across the desk for mine. “I need you to understand what you’re asking for.”

“I do.”

“You don’t though. You’re asking me to send you on a mission to join a pride where you will probably be beaten, starved, treated as a slave and possibly r***d just because you’re an unmated female.”

I feel a surge of determination wash over me, the gravity of Meredith's words sinking in but not enough to deter me. "I know the risks, Meredith. I understand what I could be walking into," I assure her firmly, my voice unwavering.

Meredith gazes at me with a mix of concern and respect in her eyes, her tiger-like wisdom evident in her demeanor. "You're one of the strongest agents we have, Margo. But this mission is unlike anything you've faced before. It's not just about your physical abilities; it's about enduring the psychological torment you'll likely face."

I meet her gaze head-on, my own golden eyes reflecting steely resolve. "I won't let them break me," I state firmly, the promise to myself as solid as the ground beneath us. “You have to remember I was once locked in a cage by hunters and mages. If I can get through that as a child, I can do this as an adult.”

A flicker of admiration passes through Meredith's expression before she nods slowly. "If this is truly what you want, then I will support you.”

“It is.” I declare.

"Fine," she concedes with a sigh that ruffles the papers between us. "But you'll need a solid plan."

"Already forming one,” I assure her.

Leaving her office, the weight of what's to come settles on my shoulders. The academy's halls blur past as I move through them, a silent predator among unsuspecting prey.

My mind races. Infiltrate. Observe. Liberate. But as I map out strategies, there's an itch at the back of my neck. A whisper in the wind.

Something big is coming.

And I'm walking right into its jaws.