Clay POV
I don't think I'll ever get used to the overwhelming emptiness that consumes me when she leaves. It's like a vast void, a dark abyss that engulfs my soul. The sight of her walking away, her figure diminishing in the distance, leaves an ache in my heart.
Returning to the campus was going to be hard.
I knew I would face punishment from Skade for failing, and I would have to endure it as if still loyal to him, but again, it would not be easy.
Jennifer finally entered. "Ready?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"As ready as I can be," I admitted.
She held out a vial towards me. "This potion will hide your mark," she explained. Without questioning her, I took the vial, the liquid inside shimmering in the dim light.
There was a moment of hesitation, as if Jennifer was deciding whether to share something with me. She looked at me with a mix of sadness and understanding. "Emma, she's special," she said, her voice tinged with emotion. I nodded, my throat tight with unspoken words. But Jennifer shook her head, her expression filled with a mixture of regret and admiration.
"You don't understand," she said. "But it is very clear that your feelings for her are genuine."
I tried to speak, but the weight of my emotions held me captive. Jennifer's voice softened, her words a bittersweet confession. "You know, it may not seem like it, having you trapped like this in my house, but I really was rooting for you. Hoping you would be kind towards her. And you have been.”
"I assume you know her well," I said.
"Yes, I know her family. I've always lived here, so I've only visited Emma a few times. But we kept in touch," she explained.
"I know all about her because I'm one of her protectors. The moon goddess gifted me that title upon Emma's birth. And you, Clay, were made her protector as her mate," she added.
"I've never heard of wolves having a protector. But then again, I also had no clue about heat," I mentioned.
"Not all wolves have protectors. Actually, her mother is the only other one right now. Emma has four protectors, although one is still unknown even when I use spells to locate them. You are one, her brother is one, and then there's me," she explained.
"Before Emma was born, her mother was told she had a great destiny but a difficult one," she shared with me.
"Most people see having a powerful creature as both a blessing and a curse," she continued.
"It's not my place to tell you everything, Clay. Emma will when she's ready. But please look out for her. I understand you must follow her orders, but please keep an eye on her. She's strong and powerful, but everyone has their weaknesses. I fear the danger she may face if hers are exposed.” She explained.
“The slave mark prevents her from marking you, which hurts her. Try to stay close to her when you can. Find ways because she needs you close, even if she won't admit it." she explained, reaching into her pocket. "This is to be kept between us, and I have a feeling I can trust you," she said, holding out a coin. It was a quarter with a small crack in it.
"Take this and keep it safe. It's no ordinary coin. I made it to break one command placed on you. It will still hurt to break one, but it will allow you to push through the pain as long as you have it," she explained as I took it.
"I hope you won't need it, but if you feel Emma is in trouble and you can't get to her, use it," she said.
"I will," I promised.
"Ryan," I said. "I don't trust him," I added.
She nodded. "Neither does Emma. I don't think he has ill intentions. He's just being protective of her," she explained.
"Does he want her?" I asked.
"No, he has a mate he loves dearly. Emma is his princess. He's just trying to protect her," she said.
"He told me to reject her, that he would help me get freedom if I did," I explained.
She shook her head again. "I still believe he was just trying to protect her, but I'll keep an eye on him. He doesn't trust humans because they've harmed his pack. Give him time to see you're no longer against him, and things may change. Now, let's get going. My spell is down in this room. I trust you won't run," she said.
"I won't. I keep my word. I'll do as Emma has asked of me," I said.
I followed Jennifer outside to a car. Without the blindfold or restraints, I felt a sense of relief, yet the knowledge of being a prisoner lingered in my mind. However, as I observed Jennifer's calm demeanor and genuine intentions, I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of trust.
We arrived at a gas station not far from the campus. Jennifer handed me my cell phone. "It's charged but has remained off, be safe Clay," she said. Then, she handed me a piece of paper, the crisp edges brushing against my skin. "Here is my number as well, call if you need help or anything," she added.
"Thanks," I replied, stepping out of the car as Jennifer drove away. I began walking, wanting to create some distance. With a sense of anticipation, I powered on my phone, greeted by a few missed notifications. It didn't surprise me, considering Skade would have quickly realized our capture. At this moment, I wasn't ready to speak to Skade. However, I knew that the longer I delayed, the longer it would take to gather crucial information to bring them down. I selected Skade's number and dialed, the ringing tone echoing in my ears before going straight to voicemail.
As I walked towards my apartment, the bustling sounds of the city filled the air, blending with the distant honking of cars and the occasional laughter of passersby. I scrolled through my contacts on my phone, my fingers trembling slightly.
I yearned to send a message to Emma, to let her know I was safe, but the fear of Skade intercepting my words held me back. I continued walking, each step echoing on the pavement, my senses on high alert.
Finally, the piercing ringtone shattered the silence.
I looked at the screen, the harsh glow of the phone piercing my tired eyes. “So, you’re still breathing,” He remarked with a hint of surprise.
“I got away, but couldn’t save others,” I told him.
"Well, I did train you, so I can't say I'm surprised," his voice cut through the phone, stern and disapproving.
“I’m extremely pissed by the outcome; you failed to support Liz again,” he said sternly over the phone.
"Liz went against orders, while I followed the plan," I defended myself.
“A car will be sent to pick you up,” he stated.
“And we need to do a much better job of hiding that tracker chip on you,” he added.
“Stay put,” he said. “A car will be sent to your phone’s location. We need to talk.”
I waited, the minutes ticking by slowly, each second filled with anticipation. Finally, a car pulled up, its engine humming softly in the background. I recognized the driver, a fellow hunter, but the ride was silent, the tension palpable.
The car came to a stop, and I stepped out. This was a new location, a warehouse I had never been to before. Skade's presence was overwhelming as I was led into a small office space.
"I was expecting you to be in far worse shape," Skade's voice broke the silence, his words laced with a hint of surprise.
“I’ve seen better days,” I mumbled, my aching knees and wrists a testament to that.
I took a seat, the worn-out chair creaking beneath me. The sound of my own breath filled the room. The meeting was about to begin, and I braced myself for the storm that was about to come.
"For over a year now, you have insisted that you were ready to lead a group, but when given the responsibility, you failed miserably," he spat, his eyes piercing into mine.
"I was paired with a psychotic b***h, that's why," I snapped back, my voice filled with frustration.
"You ordered us to gather intel, to obtain documents that were said to be in the building. Directions were provided, and we were to try and take captives for questioning in regards to the Lycan princess. We were ordered to only attack if our lives were in danger. Liz went against all those orders. Her group set off bombs within the building and attacked innocent children," I explained, my voice tinged anger. The memory of the chaos and screams filled my mind, a haunting melody that refused to fade.
"From the report I was given, it was stated that upon arriving at the location you were given, there was a stronger presence of werewolves than expected, making an attack necessary. The bombs were used as a distraction, but Liz's team suffered since you chose to break away from them," he explained, his voice cold and detached.
"And innocent children, they are monsters. Don't let their youth fool you, Clay. Our mission is to put an end to all of them," he explained, his words like shards of ice piercing through my resolve.
"Fortunately, Liz was able to obtain some valuable information. And since I have reported that you have escaped, they are willing to forgive this one error of yours. But in return, you will be going to work directly under her team now, moving forward," he explained.
"Joy," I huffed
"Remember your contract, Clay. You are escaping great punishment for this error," he explained.
"I beg to differ," I muttered under my breath, the words escaping in a low whisper.
“Get back to your apartment, maintain the college student facade, and when Liz calls, meet her family. Do exactly as they say; no more childish games,” he explained, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger, the scent of stale tobacco clinging to him.
“You are also to keep a look out and still report any werewolf activity around the campus,” he explained, “we have confirmation now from several sources that the Lycan princess is indeed in this area as well. If located, she is to be captured and brought to me immediately.”
"Why is it you want her so badly?" I mustered the courage to ask.
“To make an example of her, to end her kind once and for all,” he responded, his voice dripping with cold determination.
"Now stay still," he commanded, his voice firm. Rising, he retrieved the microchip implanting device; I should have anticipated another implant.
I could feel the coolness of the tracking device against my neck as he pressed it firmly. With a sharp click, pain shot through me like a lightning bolt, momentarily blinding my senses.
"This is your last chance, Clay," his voice carried a warning.
"Your car is parked in the back," he instructed, his voice commanding. As I stood up, the wooden floor creaked beneath my weight, echoing in the silence. I glanced around the warehouse, taking in the sight of various weapons neatly arranged. He was planning something, something beyond my knowledge.
Leaving the warehouse, I stepped outside. I found my car, keys on the seat, and, wasting no time, drove back to the apartments.
Time seemed to warp as I drove, the minutes stretching out like an eternity. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Emma's balcony upon my arrival, my heart yearning for her presence.
I entered my building, the familiar click of my apartment door filled me with a sense of relief, a momentary respite from the chaos that awaited.
Just as I stepped inside, my phone buzzed, breaking the silence. I looked at the screen illuminating with a message from Liz. “Oh, I’m so relieved you’re back safe! Now, hurry up and choose a lovely outfit; we need to meet my family within the hour.”
This was hell, but I had to soldier on. With a heavy thud, I flung my phone onto the disheveled expanse of my bed. I trudged to the fridge and snatched a beer, gulping it down, before seizing another can.
As I cleaned up, I put on a freshly button-up collar shirt, and dark jeans, their rough texture clinging to my legs. Determined to play the role, I finished off the second beer, the sharp crunch of the crushed can reverberating through my hand as I flung it carelessly into the trash To my surprise, a new message appeared on my phone, illuminating the screen with a soft glow.
"We need to work on the group assignment since the first part is due soon, let me know if you are free later tonight or tomorrow," Emma's message read.
"Have to work but I will message when I am back to work out a time, remind me of what I need finished right now," I replied.
"Your portion of the outline is due," she messaged back. "If you need help completing it, let me know."
I responded with a simple thumbs up emoji. With a deep breath, I left the confines of my aprtment, ready to endure the night ahead, hoping to leave it behind as swiftly as possible.