His Missing Luna

CHAPTER 97

KIZZIAH

THIS MAN

Saul's eyes flicker toward mine, and in that glance, we share the same unspoken question: What if we tell this man what we know and he kills us anyway?

Who is more dangerous—the hybrid king or Alpha Malachai? We've seen one in action, and we're about to witness the other. But deep down, I know the answer. The hybrid king standing before us is far more terrifying due to his unpredictable nature. Malachai is ruthless, yes, but he's grounded in his humanity, however brutal it may be.

This hybrid king is a loose cannon. A madman with no tether or reason.

Saul steps forward, his tone carefully measured. “We don’t know much,” he says, trying to sound diplomatic. “We thought the king could help us, but he didn’t… We don’t have anything useful for you.”

The hybrid king narrows his eyes, suspicion clouding his unnaturally colored eyes. He begins pacing around us, his presence oppressive, each step a reminder of the danger we’re in.

“I’m not convinced,” he finally says, voice smooth but laced with menace. “No matter. If you won’t talk willingly, perhaps a little time here will loosen your tongues.” He gestures sharply, and his guards grab us, their hands rough as they drag us toward a crude wooden cage at the edge of the camp.

“You’ll stay here until you’re ready to tell me what I want to know!” His roar follows us as we’re shoved into the cage, hard enough that we fall to our knees.

I hit the ground hard, my knees and hands scraping against the damp, cold earth. The stench of rust fills my nostrils, and frustration bubbles inside me.

“Madmen!” I growl under my breath as the hybrids laugh behind us, their mocking voices fading as they leave.

The cage is damp, the ground beneath us slick with mud and grime. Rust clings to the bars, the stench of decay heavy in the air. A bitter sense of irony gnaws at me. One cage after another. My mind races—we can’t stay here. I need to get us out before we’re caught between the hybrid king and Malachai.

Saul shifts beside me, rubbing his wrists where the cuffs bit into his skin. “What does he even want from us?” he asks, voice low. “We don’t know anything. Nothing that would help him.”

“He’ll want something about Silvercrest,” I say, my voice grim. “Maybe a weakness, maybe something about Malachai’s defenses.”

“But we don’t know any of that.”

“No,” I say, leaning back against the bars. “But he won’t care. What matters is getting out of here before he finds out we’re useless to him.”

Saul scoffs. “You think the lady will show up again?”

I chuckle, the sound bitter. “I doubt that.”

A silence falls over us, heavy and suffocating, the air thick with the damp chill of the cage. My mind races, trying to piece together some kind of plan, some way out of this hellhole.

I close my eyes, trying to calm myself. Maybe I can pray again. The goddess heard me at Silvercrest—maybe she’ll listen now.

But just as I begin to whisper a prayer, a deep grunt from a nearby cage catches my attention. My eyes snap open, narrowing on the sound. There, lying in the adjacent cage, is a man. Unconscious, filthy, but unmistakable.

My breath catches in my throat.

I know that face.

A rush of shock fizzles through my body, and before I can stop myself, I let out a small, almost delirious laugh.

“What the hell are you laughing at?” Saul asks, staring at me like I’ve finally lost it.

“I’m not mad, son,” I say, linking him with my thoughts. “We just found what we need to get out of here.”

I leap to my feet, shaking the cage door with all my strength. “I need to speak to your alpha!” I shout to the hybrids standing guard nearby.

One of the guards snarls at me. “Shut up!”

“I’m an alpha,” I growl back, meeting his glare. “And I won’t speak to anyone except your king. Now, be a good dog and fetch him.”

There’s a moment of hesitation before one of the guards begins to link the Hybrid King. I smirk. I have leverage now.

“What are you doing, Father?” Saul’s voice is edged with disbelief as he moves to stand beside me.

“I’m getting us out of here,” I say, my voice firm. “Just trust me.”

Minutes later, the Hybrid King strides toward us, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and irritation. “You called for me?” His voice is mocking, but there’s an edge to it now.

I step forward, trying to mask my own fear with a confident expression. “I want to make a deal.”

His lips curl into a predatory smile. “A deal? And what makes you think you’re in any position to negotiate?”

I glance toward the other cage, nodding in its direction. “The man over there—do you know who he is?”

The king’s smile fades, replaced by a flicker of interest. He looks toward the unconscious man, and for a moment, uncertainty crosses his face.

“That man is valuable to Alpha Malachai,” I say, pressing my advantage. “Let us go, and I’ll tell you who he is.”

The Hybrid King’s eyes narrow, his face unreadable. For a moment, the air between us is thick with tension, my heart pounding in my chest. If he doesn’t take the bait, if he decides to kill us anyway...

He steps closer, his breath hot on my skin. “And why should I trust you?”

I swallow hard. “Because if you don’t, you’ll miss out on something bigger than you can imagine. This—” I nod to the man again. “This is a one-time opportunity.”

There’s a long silence. The king’s eyes flick back and forth between me and the unconscious man, his fingers twitching at his sides. He’s calculating, weighing his options.

Finally, he steps back, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“You’ve piqued my curiosity, Alpha.” He motions to the guards. “Release them.”

The guards hesitate for only a moment before unlocking the cage. My legs feel weak with relief as I step out, though I keep my face stoic, trying to hide my fear.

As the guards move to release Saul, the Hybrid King leans in, his voice low and dangerous. “You better hope, for your sake, that this man is as valuable as you claim.”

I meet his gaze, trying to suppress the tremble in in my voice. “He is.”

For now, I just have to hope the gamble pays off.